Sea elephanting grounds off Heard Island since 1857

An item reported that sea elephant oil or a mix of sea elephant seal oil furnished a large part of the oil traded on the American markest during the past 80 years. After 1837 was the great bulk of the oil obtained at Desolation or Kerguelen Island responsible for. Since 1857 became Heard Island (1) also responsible for a lot of cargoes oil. It was a typical New London industry with ships fitted out at New London, Stonington and Mystic.

Note

1. Part of the Australian Antarctic Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands in the Southern Indian Ocean.

Source

George M. Bowers. U.S. Commision of fish and fisheries. Part XXVIII. Report of the commissioner for the year ending June 30, 1902. Washington, 1904. 

Australia investigating possibilities of a commercial sea elephant oil industry according to the Australian newspaper The Townsville Daily Bulletin dated Wednesday 2 June 1948

In a newsitem dated Hobart 1 June it was reporte that sea elephant bulls which did not succeed in collecting a harem were killed at Heard Island due to the plans if an oil industry was possble. Premier Cosgrove was informed by the Federal Government that this was done by land-based parties at Heard and Macquarie Islands which surveyed the herds. At the moment existed only on South Georgia a commercial sea elephant oil industry.

American whaler Pacific lost according to the Whalemen’s Shipping List dated Tuesday 21 June 1864

An item reported the loss of the American whaling schooner Pacific of New London, USA on 1 February on Hurd’s Island [Heard Island and McDonalds Islands, Australian Antarctic territory]. Her crew was saved. The catch was salvaged on the beach. Measurement 161 tons. Captain Turner. Agents Lawrewnce&Co. Left on 17 June 1862 from Desolation (South Shetlands Islands?).