The Southern Whale Fishery Company was established in 1849 by Charles Enderby of the sealing and whaling firm, Messrs Enderby, to manage a whaling station on the Auckland Islands. Messrs Enderby had been in decline following losses made by exploring expeditions, and the destruction of its Greenwich rope-making factory by fire in 1845. Looking for a way to revive the firm's fortunes, Charles Enderby sought government backing to establish a settlement on the Auckland Islands 'for the purpose of the whale fishery, as a station at which to discharge the cargoes and refit vessels'.
The Southern Whale Fishery Company was granted a Royal Charter and Charles was appointed lieutenant governor of the Auckland Islands. He himself chose to lead the expedition, even though he had never before participated in such a voyage. Three vessels, loaded with settlers and stores, arrived at Port Ross on the north end of Enderby Island in December 1849, and land was cleared for the colony and whaling station. However, the cold, damp climate and acid soils made agriculture impossible, and the eight whaling ships attached to the station caught very few whales.
In 1852, Enderby Settlement was dismantled and closed. Charles Enderby returned to London the following year. This ill-fated enterprise further overstrained the resources of Messrs Enderby, which was liquidated in 1854.
From the guide to the The Southern Whale Fishery Company collection, 1850, (Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge)
