Spermaceti aka what this whole adventure is for

So it’s already been stated that we knew very little about whaling in the 19^th century before reading Moby Dick. If you are like me, you might be wondering, “What is the point of whaling in the first place?” Well I have the answer: SPERMACETI

A jar of raw spermaceti. Careful not to get it mixed up with your jar of honey!

sper·ma·cet·i  [spur-muh–set-ee, –see-tee]  Show IPA noun Chemistry, Pharmacology .

a pearly white, waxy, translucent solid, obtained from the oil in the head of the sperm whale: used chieflyin cosmetics and candles, and as an emollient.

Apparently the liquid gold is extracted from the spermaceti organ in the head of a sperm whale’s head. After the harpooners killed the whale, they cut off the head and brought it on the deck where they cut a hole in it and drained the oil out with a bucket. They then stored the substance in casks until they brought it back to land to process. A single whale can yield as much as 500 gallons of raw spermaceti. Which is really disturbing to think about…

Here is a  link to a video produced in 1922 of the whole process (note it’s kind of long and a little gross).

In Chapter 25 of Moby Dick, Melville describes some of the uses of spermaceti including anointing oil and lamp oil. Here is a list of some other (equally creepy) uses for the much coveted liquid: Candles, Watch oil, Cosmetics, Detergent, Vitamins, Glycerin, Glaze on photographs, and Additives in motor oil.

Spermaceti candles, perfect for setting the mood for a night with your harpooner

So now you know… you are welcome. Let’s just be glad that these uses are no longer in vogue.