Description
Book Synopsis: In 1850, commercial whaling ships entered the Bering Sea for the first time. There, they found the summer grounds of bowhead whales, as well as local Inuit people who had been whaling the Alaskan coast for 2,000 years. Within a few years, almost the entire Pacific fleet came north each June to find a path through the melting ice, and the Inuit way of whaling--in fact, their entire livelihood--would be forever changed. Baleen was worth nearly $5 a pound. But the new trading posts brought guns, alcohol, and disease. In 1905, a new type of whaling using modern steel whale-catchers and harpoon cannons appeared along the Alaskan coast. Yet the Inuit and Inupiat continue whaling today from approximately 15 small towns scattered along the Arctic Ocean and the Bering Strait. Whaling for these people is a life-or-death proposition in a land considered uninhabitable by many, for without the whale, whole villages probably could not survive as they have for centuries.
Details
Discover the captivating history of whaling on Alaska's untamed coast with Alaska's Whaling Coast (Images of America). Immerse yourself in the fascinating accounts of commercial whaling ships that ventured into the Bering Sea in 1850 and encountered the ancient tradition of whaling practiced by the local Inuit people for over 2,000 years.
Witness how this encounter forever changed the lives of both the bowhead whales and the Inuit communities. As the Pacific fleet started making their way north each June, pursuing the valuable baleen, they unwittingly brought with them a new era filled with trading posts, the introduction of guns, alcohol, and devastating diseases.
Transport yourself back to the early 20th century when the Alaskan coast witnessed the rise of modern whaling techniques involving steel whale-catchers and powerful harpoon cannons. Despite these advancements, the Inuit and Inupiat communities still practice traditional whaling methods today, preserving their cultural heritage and subsistence lifestyle. In a land where many view survival as unlikely, the connection between these resilient communities and the majestic whales is vital for their existence.
Explore the rich history and deep cultural significance of whaling on Alaska's coast through the captivating stories and stunning images in Alaska's Whaling Coast (Images of America). Uncover the struggles, triumphs, and profound bond between human and whale that have shaped the lives of these communities for centuries.
Don't miss the opportunity to delve into this extraordinary journey. Get your copy of Alaska's Whaling Coast (Images of America) now and witness the resilience of the human spirit and nature's breathtaking wonders!
Click here to order your copy today!
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