The American whaling bark “Platina” is shown here among the Arctic ice floes, her mooring secured. Meanwhile in the background, a second whaler is busy boiling whale blubber in try pots, the oil is then siphoned into storage casks, this takes place day and night until the work is completed. Smoke from the tryworks fire creates greasy soot blackening rigging and spars alike. Voyages could last several years, the ship not returning until the casks were full of the valuable oil.

“Platina” was one of the New Bedford, Massachusetts fleet, built at Mattapoisett in 1847. She was 94ft in length and weighed 214 tons

Limited Edition Print run of 200, using the Giclee printing process

Paper – Innova Acid Free Archival Quality 315 gsm

Ink – Epson Ultrachrome Pigment K3 Archival