London, the author, 1936. 4to (24.8 x 15.6 cm). 96 pp.; three photographic plates; one map with additional colouring in red (on p. 2). Publisher's grey buckram with gilt title on the front board.

A very rare "amateur" publication, printed, in a very limited edition, for the author: the Norwegian ship owner and businessman Erling Dekke Næss (1901-1993). Næss was Deputy Head of Nortraship's New York office from 1942 to 1946 and the initiator behind the OBO carrier. He is also credited as the proposer of the Norwegian International Ship Register, which allowed Norwegian shipowners to compete on an equal footing with flags of convenience. "In 1927, Næss got to know Rupert Trouton, and he presented Næss with a plan to buy control of his father-in-law's whaling enterprise, the Norwegian company A/S Hektor. In establishing the Hektor Whaling Ltd, Næss developed his banking experience and contacts in City. Næss took £50,000 of the company's total capital of £600,000, a gamble that was to make him a huge profit. Due to his success in this enterprise, he was contacted by the Norwegian whaling pioneers Torger Moe and Johan Rasmussen in the summer of 1928. They asked for his help to arrange financing of their Viking Whaling Company Ltd, as they planned to build one of the world's first whale factory ships. The vessel Vikingen was to be built as a tanker, with the whale processing factory on its deck; thus being able to trade both as a factory ship and a tanker" (Wikipedia). Naess wrote a diary during a journey on board the SS Vikingen, starting in Cape Town on 16 December 1934 and terminating in the same harbour on the 18th February, 1935. "This diary is not intended to be of interest outside a small circle of friends connected with the Rasmussen group of whaling companies. The fact that the honour of printing has been bestowed upon it does not imply that 'Folie de grandeur' exists with regard to it. ... The diary was entirely written on board the s.s. Vikingen while at sea." (from the preface). The diary describes the daily activities, the position of the ship, the wind, air and seawater temperature and barometer each day at noon; as well as the number and species of whales taken, and the cumulative tonnage caught. The movements of other, passing whalers are recorded as well. Several drawings show the ship's meat factory, tank situations, a crash between the Vikingen and another whaling vessel, the principle Antarctic whales, etc. The photographic plates show harpooning, and various deck operations, and some crew members, including Naess. Eight appendices in the rear provide further information, e.g., on the Agulhas Current, the food consumption on board, the fuel consumption, and even a complete crew list, and their wages, from 15.358 Kroner for the captain, 8,692 for the first officer, down to 1,020 for a deck cabin boy, and 964 for a mess boy. Their monthly wages and bonusses are given separately. A proper title-page was not issued. Some wear to spine top and foot, otherwise fine.