The second of two film made by Guy Nettleship of his first voyage as apprentice engineer aboard the factory whaling ship SS Southern Venturer in the South Atlantic. The film features graphic sequences of whale flensing aboard the Southern Venturer as well as the killing of a Sperm Whale while on board the catcher boat the SS Southern Brew. The final part of the film shows the arrival of the Southern Brew at the whaling station of Leith Harbour [also known as Port Leith] in South Georgia. The...

The second of two film made by Guy Nettleship of his first voyage as apprentice engineer aboard the factory whaling ship SS Southern Venturer in the South Atlantic. The film features graphic sequences of whale flensing aboard the Southern Venturer as well as the killing of a Sperm Whale while on board the catcher boat the SS Southern Brew. The final part of the film shows the arrival of the Southern Brew at the whaling station of Leith Harbour [also known as Port Leith] in South Georgia. The film opens on a Sikorsky helicopter (Reg: G-ANUK) landing on the deck of the factory whaling ship SS Southern Venturer; its rotors can be seen turning. The film cuts to an overhead view of the flensing deck covered in blood and whale blubber. The helicopter is seen flying overhead. General view of the Southern Venturer heading south passing a number of icebergs. The film cuts to show a catcher ship beside the Southern Venture. In the water between both ships are a number of dead whales. The film cuts to a group of men standing beside several large motor-winches at the stern of the ship. General views of the ship at sea and men standing around on deck. A catcher boat, the SS Southern Bruce, travels alongside the Southern Venture, the water between the two ships red with blood. The camera pans up to show a third ship nearby. The film cuts to one of the Sikorsky helicopters being rolled off the landing pad. Blood from two whales lashed to the side of the ship discolours the seawater surrounding them. A whale lies on the deck of the ship in readiness for flensing. There are various views from the deck which have been washed down but are still stained red.  From the stern of the ship views of icebergs can be seen in the distance and a catcher boat following on behind. Looking down from the deck of the Southern Venturer the Norwegian supply ship, the MV Hada, is moored alongside to delivery supplies and mail. Crew can be seen working on the deck as the ship rolls gently in the water.  A ladder is lowered from the Southern Venturer. There are various views of the MV Hada and a Norwegian flag flies from a mast.  A catcher ship can be seen in the background waiting to collect their supplies and mail. From the MV Hada a large basket of mail is winched onto the Southern Venturer and is emptied by members of the crew. From the stern of the ship a catcher boat approaches the Southern Venturer. The sequence ends with the MV Hada pulls away and seen heading out to sea. In the water between the two ships are the carcasses of three Sperm Whales which have been used as fenders between the boats. Overhead views follow of men flensing the blubber from a number of whales including a Sperm Whale. A general view of one of the Sikorsky helicopters. A catcher boat comes alongside with another catch of whales which are lashed to the Southern Venturer. Another view follows of crew men working on the helicopter panning across to show a catcher boat travelling towards the Southern Venturer. General views of a number of catcher boats travelling alongside Southern Venture.  A hump-back whale surfaces and blows out its air. In the distance smoke can be seen coming from the harpoon gun which kills and captures the whale. The film cuts to a view of the Southern Maine coming alongside with a catch of four whales lashed to its side. There are various overhead views of men working to flense a whale. The skin is seen being sliced off and the carcass pulled along the fore deck by winch. Sections of blubber are dropped down holes into the factory deck below. A crane winches a large section of ribs into the air which is being sliced into section. The film cuts to show a large section of meat being pulled up the meat deck. It passes a large steam saw which is cutting up a whale backbone. Smoke pouring from a number of funnels. More overhead views of men working on the flensing deck. From the rear door of the ship a large spiked claw pulls a female Fin Whale out of the water by its fin; the tips of which have been removed.  Two fifty-ton winches pulls the whale up onto the flensing deck which again is seen being cut up into sections with some of the men standing on the carcass. The film cuts to a view of one of the catcher boat filmed from one of the Sikorsky helicopter flying overhead. As the helicopter flies closer to a large iceberg a section breaks away and collapses into the sea. The sequence ends with the pilot looking at the camera. One of the catcher boats comes alongside the Southern Venturer with another catch of whales lashed to its side. From the flensing deck there are close up views of a Blue Whale being flensed.  The film cuts to show eight more whales lashed to the side of the Southern Venturer. A catcher boat comes alongside with another catch seven whales. The film cuts to the deck and there are various views of men flensing. The massive area of the deck is covered in whale parts and is red with blood. A winch pulls another whale onto the deck. From an overhead position unwanted internal organs are seen being thrown over the side and the blubber cut into small pieces and dropped down holes into the factory deck below. The sequence ends with views of the deck and out to sea where two catcher boats can be seen nearby. The film cuts to the views aboard the Southern Brew catcher ship harpooning and capturing a Sperm Whale [this sequence is very dark]. General views follow from the ship travelling through the sea back towards the Southern Venturer which is seen stationary in the distance. The Southern Brew approaches from the stern of the Southern Venturer which has it’s the rear door open. Moored beside it is another catcher boat. General views on board the Southern Brew showing views of the deck and harpoon gun. Overhead views from the open-air bridge shows the ship travelling at speed through the sea and along the rugged coastline of South Georgia. Snow-capped mountains can be seen in the background. Another catcher boat is also seen travelling alongside. The film cuts to the ship approaching the whaling station of Leith Harbour in South Georgia. As the Southern Brew gets closer there are several views showing other whaling ships moored there. The film cuts to show the Southern Venturer  as it slowly manoeuvres towards the whaling station to be moored alongside two transport ships. The film ends with a general view showing numerous large and small boats moored at the station. Title: The end.