Southern Whale Fishery Company facts for kids

The Southern Whale Fishery Company was a business created in 1846. It was given a special permission called a Royal Charter by the government. The company's main goal was to set up a permanent whaling station on the Auckland Islands.

This company was started by Charles Enderby. He was the grandson of Samuel Enderby, who founded a famous company called Samuel Enderby & Sons. This family business was well-known for hunting seals and whaling.

The Enderby family business had been having a tough time. They lost money on several big trips to the Southern Ocean. Also, in 1845, their rope-making factory in London was destroyed by fire. Charles Enderby wanted to save his family's business. He asked the government for help to create a settlement on the Auckland Islands. This new place would be a base for whaling. It would also be a spot to unload whale products and fix ships.

A New Home in the Auckland Islands

Charles Enderby was made the Lieutenant Governor of the Auckland Islands. In December 1849, he led a journey with three ships. These ships carried 150 settlers and supplies to the Auckland Islands.

They set up a place called the Enderby Settlement. It was located in Erebus Cove, Port Ross, on the northern part of Auckland Island. This spot was also close to Enderby Island.

Building the Settlement

The settlers cleared land for their new colony and whaling station. They built a community they named Hardwicke. The plan was for the settlement to focus on farming, supplying ships, repairing ships, and whaling.

However, the weather was cold and wet. The soil was also very acidic, which made farming impossible. The eight whaling ships linked to the station caught very few whales.

The settlement was not successful. It was finally abandoned in August 1852.

The End of an Era

Charles Enderby went back to London in 1853. The failed Enderby Settlement caused the Enderby family business to go completely bankrupt. The company was closed down in 1854. Charles Enderby died in London on August 31, 1876, and he was very poor.