Australian History

[Ramjet]

Sorry Duck. Missed you're post.
Hell, west and crooked it is
Great book. As are Cole's other books.
If you like pioneers in the outback, you'll enjoy them.

You're turn.

 

[the duck]

Who was old tom and what was unique about his influence on a NSW industry

 

[gtsjeff]

Who was old tom and what was unique about his influence on a NSW industry

The story of Old Tom the killer whale is well known. He and his pack alerted the whalers to the presence of the whales by going to the Davidson whaling station and flop-tailing (slapping their tails on the surface of the water) until the whalers came out and joined the hunt in their small row boats. It was said that if the whalers lost sight of their guides they would slap their oars on the water and the lead Killer would turn back to ensure the whalers kept up.

While some of the Killers alerted the whalers to the presence of whales, other of the pod would herd the whales into the shallow waters of the bay like dogs herding sheep. They often led the attack, harrassing, biting, driving the whales underwater where they could not breath, even attempting to cover the blow holes of the whales. Some times the Killers were less helpful and like all intelligent social animals liked to play as recalled by Effie Davidson*:
"Round and across the bay would go the whale, and round and across in hot pursuit would go the whalemen. Now assisting, now playfully hindering the chase would go the familiar Killers - Old Tom, Hooky, Humpy, Youngster - every one of the pack was known to the men."




In return for their assistance the Killers were awarded a special treat; the lips and tongues of the whales, the only part of the whale ever eaten by Killer Whales. After a kill the Davidson crew would attach the dead whale to an anchor and buoy and leave it for the killer whales to take their reward. They would row back two or three days later when the carcass had resurfaced and tow the body back to the try works at Kiah.

 

[gtsjeff]

If you ever make your way to eden in the whale museum there is the skeleton of old tom hanging from the ceiling.
Oh and the oil that was extracted from the whales were used to light the light house at eden and for making soap and used as lubricating oil.

 

[the duck]

correct jeff it is a great story if you get a chance read the book the killers of eden

your go

 

[gtsjeff]

Which prime minister held a world record and what was it for.

 

[Ramjet]

Think we've had this one Jeff

Bob Hawk for drinking

 

[gtsjeff]

Think we've had this one Jeff

Bob Hawk for drinking

Sorry mate
your go

 

[Ramjet]

No problem

Who am I?
My father was Welsh, ex navy.
My mother, who was related to NSW legal dynasty, died of typhoid when I was a teen.
I survived typhoid but always suffered ill health afterward.
Served in WW1.

 

[Ramjet]

A miner and gambler.
A writer who's first efforts where rejected.

 

[DrDuck]

Just a guess, was it Ion Idreiss?

 

[Ramjet]

Great guess Doc.

Take a turn

 

[DrDuck]

You must have a book, I don't think those details are on the interwebs.

I have to cook dinner - home made falafles and kafta, tabouli, baba ganoush, wraps, and then I'm on the club amateur radio net for a while. It's getting harder to find a good question!

 

[headbut]

I think RR has lots of History books DrDuck , when I get a question , I'll try to answer , but I am dry for now

 

[Ramjet]

You must have a book, I don't think those details are on the interwebs.

I have to cook dinner - home made falafles and kafta, tabouli, baba ganoush, wraps, and then I'm on the club amateur radio net for a while. It's getting harder to find a good question!

Don't forget pics... Or it never happened

Yes HB I have a history book or 3

Just starting into Idreiss.
Only read The Cattle King.
Recently acquired 6 of his.

Starting tomorrow, I will not be online for a week or so.
No www where I'm going.
No not gold hunting unfortunately.

 

[backcreek]

No problem

Who am I?
My father was Welsh, ex navy.
My mother, who was related to NSW legal dynasty, died of typhoid when I was a teen.
I survived typhoid but always suffered ill health afterward.
Served in WW1.

He was an interesting chap that's for sure. I have just finished Forty Fathoms Deep. Another good read.

 

[DrDuck]

Cattle King is a good read, I also particularly liked the Desert Column (his ww1 memoirs), Isles of Despair and the Great Boomerang - a good read about the natural cycles of the channel country.

 

[DrDuck]

Who was the Australian engineer who made contributions to radio and lighting lenses, and dabbled in rainmaking.

 

[backcreek]

Harry Clive Minnett ?

 

[DrDuck]

Not Harry, Backcreek.