Etnografía histórica de la planta ballenera de Isla Guafo [1921-1937]

Abstract

Modern whaling began in Chile in the first decade of the twentieth century. Since then, eight shore industrial stations for processing whales were built, located between Punta Arenas and Iquique. One of the least known, built by Sociedad Pescadores Chile y Noruega in the 1922-1923 seasons, is installed in Caleta Samuel, Guafo Island. In this paper we try to reconstruct the history of the station, its operations and workers. The Guafo station, was a real "whaling school" for the inhabitants of southern Chiloé, who then transferred their knowledge and skills to new whalers from Quintay and Bajo Molle.