Are Whitby Whalebones Real?
Yes, the bones come from a bowhead whale hunted in Alaska by native Inuits where hunting whales is still legal as it is part of their customs and heritage. The oil and meat from the whale is used by the Inuits for food and fuel. Items are crafted from the bones and carved into sculptures, jewelry, and other objects.
When Did Whaling In Whitby Begin?
The first recorded whale fisheries in England began in the 12th century, but it wasn’t until the 17th century that large-scale commercial whaling began in Whitby. The hunting whales helped the town develop into a thriving hub of the industry. The town’s location on the Yorkshire coast made it the perfect place to process and ship whale products to the rest of the world. Whales would be brought back to Whitby and processed for oil used for lighting, lubrication, and fuel, while whalebone was used to make a variety of products such as corsets, umbrella ribs. The story really began when in 1753 when two boats left Whitby Harbour and returned with a poor catch only to try again the following year with four ships and experienced Dutch harpooners. The whaling industry continued to grow, with 55 ships operating out of Whitby Harbour by the early 1800s. One name in particular stands out as the most prolific whaler of them all!
William Scoresby
Whitby is famous for two sailors: Captain James Cook and of course Scoresby! William Scoresby was the town’s most successful whaler. In his 50 years of hunting voyages, he is thought to have brought in over 2,000 whales. He even developed his own type of harpoon and boat, which he used to great success. Scoresby’s other great invention was the crow’s nest, which sailors manned to keep lookout for any hazards. This invention proved to be very useful, as it helped to avoid many potential accidents at sea. Despite all the safety measures, whaling industry was not without its risks. Many whalers and their boats were lost to the seas struggle. The extreme conditions made it difficult to fish and many times the men would be out at sea for days or weeks at a time. The cold and dangerous waters claimed many lives, but the men who survived were some of the toughest and most resilient people in the world.
Why Does Whitby Have Whalebones?
The whalebone arch in Whitby is a reminder of the town’s history as a whaling industry. The bones have been weathered by the elements on West Cliff over time and have become an important part of the town’s landscape. They stand on Whitby’s West Cliff along side the Captain Cook monument.
How Long Has Whitby Had Whalebones?
Whitby is whale bone arch was erected in 1853. The original statue of a whalebone archway in Whitby, was replaced by a replica in 1963 that was donated by Norway. The most recent replacement was donated by Alaska in 2003.
The Future of the Whitby Whale Bones
The Whitby Whale Bone Arch has stood on the West Cliff since 1853, symbolising the town’s deep connection to its whaling and maritime past. The current bones, gifted to Whitby in 2002, came from a legally-harvested Bowhead whale in Alaska — a donation made possible thanks to a surprising diplomatic link involving former U.S. President George W. Bush.
Recent assessments now show that the arch is reaching the end of its life, with the bones deteriorating after years of exposure to the North Sea weather. This has led the council to explore future options, including replacing the bones with new, ethically-sourced Alaskan whale bones, or creating a sustainable, long-lasting replica that preserves the iconic shape without using real whale material.
Whatever decision is made, the future of the Whitby Whale Bones will reflect how the town chooses to honour its heritage while balancing conservation, ethics, and modern values.
Whitby Photography Of The Whalebone Arch
One of finest views is from Whitby’s West Cliff looking through the whalebone arch towards East Cliff at the 199 steps and Whitby Abbey beyond. This is a particularly nice shot in the winter months when the Sun is rising behind the old town. Another beautiful scene to witness is in late October when Whitby Abby is illuminated and offers another shot from this arch entirely. Another great Whitby photography angle is to capture the Arch along with the Captain Cook statue.
Canvases And Prints Of Whitby Whalebone Arch
At the North Yorkshire Gallery, we offer the very best and highest quality canvases, framed prints, and floating canvas prints of Whitby Whale Bone Arch. Our selection is carefully curated to provide you with the most beautiful and unique artwork possible. We take great pride in our work, and it shows in every detail. Our canvases are stretched over sturdy wooden frames, ensuring that your artwork will last a lifetime. We use only the finest archival-quality inks and materials, so you can be confident that your investment will stand the test of time. And our framing is top-notch, too – each piece is custom-crafted to ensure a perfect fit. As far as Whitby photography goes, the arch is one of the most photographed parts of town and features on the cover of our 2023 Whitby Calendar.
A Small Selection Of Our Whitby Whalebones Images
Whitby Whalebones Video
A short video of the Whitby photography available of the Whalebones, as canvases or framed print.
Where Are The Whitby Whalebones
We are often asked by people in our gallery "how do i get the Whalebones". So please see the map below.
Whitby Gifts
Our light up bottles make a stunning centrepiece for any room, and our mini foam boards are perfect for displaying photos and memories. Our photo slates are a unique way to display your favourite Yorkshire photos, and our cushions, coasters and sherpa blankets are perfect for adding a touch of style to your home. See more Yorkshire gifts
Free Uk Delivery
We are pleased to let you know that all the prices shown on this website include UK delivery! This means that you can shop for your favourite items without having to worry about postage costs. And, of course, we will still deliver your purchases quickly and safely to your door.
International Delivery
If you’re looking for the perfect Whitby gift, our selection of Whitby whalebone-themed gifts is second to none, and we’re happy to ship them anywhere in the world. However, due to ever-changing postage rates, we’re unable to maintain accurate shipping costs on our website. So if you see something you like, just contact us and let us know which product you’d like and where you’d like it shipped. We’ll be happy to provide you with an accurate shipping quote