HughLong before Nantucket became the charming island getaway we know today, it was the whaling capital of the world. From the early 1700s to the mid-1800s, the island was a bustling hub of maritime industry, with ships setting out on years-long journeys to hunt whales across the globe. But the real work didn’t stop once a whale was caught — in fact, the most grueling and essential part of the job began after the whale was hauled in: whale processing.
A Grisly but Essential Task
Processing a whale, or “trying out” as it was called, was both a science and an art. Onboard the ships, the process began almost immediately after a whale was killed. Crews would secure the massive animal to the side of the vessel and use long, razor-sharp spades to strip off the blubber in long spiral strips — a method nicknamed “blanketing.” These thick chunks of blubber were then hauled aboard and sliced into smaller pieces known as “horse pieces.”
Next came the heart of the operation: the tryworks. This was essentially a brick furnace installed right on the ship’s deck, complete with iron pots where the blubber was rendered into oil. Sailors worked in shifts around the clock, feeding the fires with wood or scraps of dried-out blubber called “scraps,” all while enduring intense heat, slippery decks, and an unbearable stench. The rendered oil was then cooled, filtered, and poured into large casks to be stored in the ship’s hold.
Back on Nantucket: Refining and Commerce
Once the ships returned to Nantucket, the oil was offloaded and further refined in local processing facilities. This oil — particularly sperm oil from sperm whales — was considered the best in the world for lighting lamps, lubricating machinery, and making candles. Whale oil fueled cities, factories, and households across the globe, and Nantucket’s economy thrived on its trade.
In addition to oil, whalebone (baleen) was a valuable byproduct used in corsets, umbrellas, buggy whips, and other goods requiring flexible, strong material. Whale teeth and bones were also used in scrimshaw — a form of folk art practiced by sailors during long voyages.
Hard Labor, High Risk
Processing whales was brutal work, often carried out in treacherous conditions. Injuries from equipment, burns from boiling oil, and falls on slippery decks were common. Moreover, the toxic smoke from the tryworks permeated the crew’s clothing, skin, and even the wood of the ship itself, giving whalers a distinct, pungent smell that followed them long after they set foot back on land.
Despite the hardships, whale processing was central to Nantucket’s global influence during the 18th and 19th centuries. It brought enormous wealth to the island and helped position it as a powerhouse in the maritime world.
A Legacy Preserved
Today, while the whaling ships are gone and the tryworks sit cold, the legacy of Nantucket’s whaling era lives on in its museums, historic homes, and storytelling traditions. The Nantucket Whaling Museum offers a rich look into this once-dominant industry, featuring actual tryworks, whale skeletons, harpoons, and interactive exhibits that bring the island’s whaling history to life.
Visitors walking the cobblestone streets of Nantucket today might find it hard to imagine the days when the air was filled with the smoke of boiling blubber and the harbor was lined with whaling ships. But for more than a century, whale processing defined Nantucket — a gritty, dangerous, and vital trade that shaped the island forever.
Plan Your Visit:
Be sure to include the Whaling Museum on your itinerary when visiting Nantucket — it’s the perfect place to explore this fascinating chapter of the island’s history. For more local insights and curated tour experiences, visit DiscoverNantucketTours.com.
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