THE PERANO WHALERS OF COOK STRAIT 1911-1964

by Don Grady

'The Perano Whalers of Cook Strait' was the winner of the A.W. Reed Memorial Book Award for 1980.

The Perano family operated whalin stations inside the narrow entrance to Tory Channel in Cook Strait for more than half a century. Not until 1964 did the last station close down.

The Peranos' kind of whaling involved small, high-speed chasers which sometimes actually mustered humpback whales like a shepherd's dog rounds up sheep, driving them into the narrow entrance of Tory Channel for killing and processing at their shore factory.

In compiling this book Christchurch journalist Don Grady interviewed more than 80 former whalers employed by the Peranos and examined thousands of old diaries, records and photographs.

Grady's extensively illustrated book is an outstanding chronicle of a colourful era in New Zealand's history, an immensely readable "inside story" of a unique industry and a unique way of life.

Published by AH & AW Reed in 1982, 1st edition

Larger format hardcover (with dustjacket) - 238 pages

Very good unmarked condition

NOTE: This is a registered charity auction with proceeds being donated to worthy causes in the community