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The Azores (Açores), Portugal
March 2001

Whaling Factory Museum, São Roque do Pico, Island of Pico

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The last whaling factory in the Azores operated at São Roque do Pico, from the cais (dock) along the waterfront. Whales killed and harvested in local waters were delivered to the dock, where workers extracted oil and processed flesh and teeth. The Portuguese ceased whale hunting in the archipelago long ago and left the factory abandoned and idle. Today it is a museum serving as a reminder of the old whaling industry and São Roque do Pico's former economic importance to the Azores. The factory appears essentially the same as when it shut its doors. Want to borrow this image for your website or blog? Please read Terms & Conditions Whaler Statue A statue of a whaler stalked his target along the dock outside the museum. The copper man and boat ride rolled waves of bronze that can just be seen at the lower edges of the photograph. It is amazing that these seafarers in their tiny open-air boats went up against massive whales that could have easily crushed them. Want to borrow this image for your website or blog? Please read Terms & Conditions Harpoon A museum display includes one of the deadly seafaring implements, a harpoon for hunting whales. This gun-like instrument shot a sharp iron barb deep into its prey. Want to borrow this image for your website or blog? Please read Terms & Conditions Rowboat and Truck Everything remains as it once was inside the factory museum. Notice in particular the vintage truck that appears in the background of the photograph. I don't know enough about old automobiles to tell the exact year of production, but it appears to be from perhaps the 1940's? Want to borrow this image for your website or blog? Please read Terms & Conditions Furnace This industrial looking piece of equipment inside the factory seems to be a rather gruesome cooking vessel that may have been used in the rendering process. Notice the bucket on a tether in the foreground that would have been used to transport material from one area of the factory floor to another. More Options Previous Travel Adventure: Pico - São Roque do Pico Next Travel Adventure: São Miguel - Ponta Delgada Scenes Azores Menu