Unlocking the logbooks

Below are extracts from a media release by Albany’s Historic Whaling Station in Western Australia, celebrating the launch of their digitisation and interpretation project funded by the Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme (MMAPSS). You can read the full media release here.

A unique maritime history project is set to unveil the untold stories of Toern, first of the Cheynes Beach Whaling Station’s steam-powered whale chasers. These stories have been brought to life through digitisation of the ship’s logbook and development of an interpretive exhibit at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station.

Visitors to Albany’s Historic Whaling station viewing the new interpretive display. Image provided courtesy of Albany’s Historic Whaling Station

Toern made its historic voyage from Sandefjord (Norway) to the Cheynes Beach Whaling Station (Albany, Western Australia) in 1952. This marked a significant moment in Australia’s whaling history. After arriving in Albany the vessel was renamed Cheynes, and its logbook entries switched from Norwegian to English. These documented the day-to-day activities aboard the ship as it operated in Australian waters.

An integral part of the project is the digitisation of Cheynes logbooks at the new state-of-the-art Digitisation Centre at the University of Western Australia, ensuring the conservation of these unique and significant records. Additionally, the project provides universal access to the logbooks via the Collections WA platform. The project also includes an interpretive display at the museum, so visitors can engage with the story of Toern and discover how it helped shape Australia's maritime heritage.

Front cover of Toern logbook, accession number BAV.2023.2.001. Image provided courtesy of Albany’s Historic Whaling Station

"By digitising these logbooks, we are not only preserving the story of the Toern but also enhancing our understanding of the history of whaling and the people who lived it. Our goal is to offer new insights into the ship's journey, its role in the Australian whaling industry, and its legacy" said Jen Bane, General Manager of Albany's Historic Whaling Station.

For more information on the project or to access digital copies of the logbooks, contact Albany’s Historic Whaling Station or visit the digital logbook on the Collections WA platform.

The Maritime Museums of Australia Project Support Scheme is funded by the Australian Government through the Australian National Maritime Museum and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.