The Whale at the Westminster Aquarium

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The Whale at the Westminster Aquarium

The Whale at the Westminster Aquarium - capture, transportation to London, attention en route, arrival and finally swimming in the Aquarium pond. Date: 1877

Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries

Media ID 23107666

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

1877 Aquarium Arrival Arriving Attention Captive Captivity Capture Driven Pond Route Shore Swimming Westminster Whale

FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS

> Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Boroughs > City of Westminster

> Mary Evans Prints Online > New Images August 2021

EDITORS COMMENTS
In the heart of London, during the late 19th century, an extraordinary event unfolded that captured the imagination of the entire city. The year was 1877, and the Westminster Aquarium, a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike, was about to welcome its most impressive resident yet - a whale. The journey of this magnificent creature began far from the bustling streets of London. A team of skilled hunters and sailors set out on a daring quest to capture a whale in the open sea. After a grueling chase, they succeeded in harpooning a large sperm whale. The whale, driven by fear and pain, was forced to follow the boat back to the shore. As the boat approached the shores of London, the news of the captured whale spread like wildfire. Thousands of curious onlookers gathered along the shoreline to witness the spectacle. The atmosphere was electric with excitement and anticipation. The whale was carefully transported from the boat to a specially constructed pen on the shore. A large crowd followed the procession, marveling at the sight of the massive creature. The journey through the streets of London was a slow and arduous one, with the whale's massive tail flapping in the water, creating a scene unlike any other. Finally, the whale arrived at the Westminster Aquarium, where it was transferred to a large pond. The crowd erupted in cheers as the whale swam freely in its new home. For the next few months, the whale became the main attraction at the aquarium, drawing in visitors from all corners of the city and beyond. This extraordinary event, captured in a photograph from the Mary Evans Prints Online archive, serves as a reminder of the fascination and wonder that the natural world can inspire, even in the heart of a bustling city. The image transports us back to a time when the capture of a whale was an awe-inspiring feat, and the world seemed just a little bit smaller.

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