Whaler’s engine room open to tour

The innermost workings of ex-whaler Cheynes IV will be open for exploration when Discovery Bay launches historical tours today.

The engine room of the historical icon will now be open to small tour groups upon request.

Discovery Bay retail and marketing manager Alice Ackley said the whaling ship was in “absolute ruins” when it first arrived at the former Albany Whaling Station more than 30 years ago.

“From the day it arrived it has been a work in progress,” she said.

“It’s been in the works for a long time, and it’s a credit to volunteers who have painstakingly restored our engine room.

“It’s just a whole other world down there in the real bowels of the ship.”

The opening of the heart of the ship coincides with the launch of the historical interpretation on board the Cheynes IV as part of the National Trust’s WA Heritage Festival.

The interpretation upgrade was funded by Lotterywest and the Maritime Museum of Australia to portray the story of the whaling industry and the men and families involved.

Photos from the Ed Smidt collection have been used as well as technical statistics, information gathered from interviews with former employees, and amusing anecdotes from whaling men and their families.

“It gives an insight to life on board the whale chaser,” Ms Ackley said.

“Upgrading the ship experience has definitely been a major focus of the site for a while.

“It was fortunate we were able to get funding to realise this dream.

“It’s just another accomplishment which works towards conserving, preserving and sharing this important history for not only Albany, but Australia as well.”