The South Georgia Version of the Ten Commandments

Objects can evoke strong memories. In the museum there is an unassuming piece of paper that sits on the wall, but when you look closer to read, the words manage to make a strong connection to the past. You are instantly connected to the whalers that worked on the whaling station at Grytviken in South Georgia. Connection to the outside world was limited, plus food and other supplies are delivered only once a year and so you have to make do with what resources there are. Not complaining about the slow mail and the awful meat balls is as relevant today as it was 70 years ago.

The whalers Ten Commandments brings fun to what was an incredibly hard job in a remote environment.

The Ten Commandments

1. Thou shalt not steal (chops)
2. Thou shalt not harbour any heaters in thy Cabin nor in thy Mates cabin.
3. Thou shalt not complain about Mail.
4. Thou shalt not turn thy nose up at meat balls.
5. Thou shalt not curse the cook nor his staff nor anyone within his gallery.
6. Thou shalt not use the engineer’s W.C (toilet).
7. Thou shalt not throw any residue of meals out thy Cabin window, nor from thy mates cabin window.
8. Thou shalt not feed Seagulls.
9. Thou shalt not make nor consume ‘Home Brew’ in thy cabin nor in thy mates cabin.
10. Thou shalt not enjoy thyself at all.

An on the seventh day they all died a horrible death.

Amen.