Interview with Bob (Robert) Hansen

Interview with Bob Hansen, born Blenheim in 1921. Refers to his father, an invalided Gallipoli veteran, farming in the Wairau valley but the farm failing in the Depression. Discusses leaving school after standard six, working on a farm, and becoming a shearer and wool classer. Refers to working in the South Island and later Australia, with whaling and bush work in the winter. Mentions being called up by the Army during World War II but being manpowered within New Zealand.

Talks about working in the Peranos' whaling factory until the industry finished in 1964, working first in the boning department jointing bones and feeding bone digesters. Recalls that the dried bones were crushed for bone dust fertiliser. Comments that the whalers ate whale meat, although most humpback whale meat was discarded initially but used eventually for dog food. Mentions sharks being attracted by discarded meat and offal, and catching or shooting them. Talks about sperm whale meat and oil not being edible, the oil being used for lubrication and the meat converted to fertiliser. Discusses working at the Tangalooma whaling station, Moreton Island, Australia, for several years where he was a flenser cutting up blubber. Comments on the Peranos buying a chaser boat and Kvernar digester from Tangalooma, and himself bringing back ideas for improving the Peranos' factory. Describes operation of the digester and oil separators. Mentions the 12 hour shifts seven days a week, and the noise. Refers to the simple hard life, and the social life and entertainment that developed later. Discusses safety and injuries. Comments that life was not great for the wives of whalers and shearers.

Interviewer(s) - Loreen Brehaut

Accompanying material - Digital abstract accompanied by a brief biographical document

Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-016001 - OHC-016002

Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 2 C60 cassette(s). 2 Electronic document(s) - abstract. 1 digital photograph(s). 1 interview(s). 1.18 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5769, OHDL-001395.

Includes colour portrait (OHDL-001396)

Search dates: 1921 - 2006

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.

Alternative form available: Both printed and digital versions of the abstract are available