Porto Pim Whale Factory Museum

(Azorean Industrial Maritime Society) which was constituted in 1939 from 25 partners, that included the Lisboeta Francisco Marcelino dos Reis and the local business Costa & Martins Lda.

[1] SIMAL was established to explore the whale oil concession, in addition to other species of marine animals, and commercialize products produce from the rendering of these mammals.

[1] The proprietors had acquired the majority of the machinery overseas, including the flour-making equipment, which was purchased from the Norwegian company Myrens Verksted.

[1] In 1974, accompanying the decline of the whaling industry around the world, the factory closed down its operations, following the adherence of the Portuguese government to international obligations in the anti-whaling movement.

[1] Most of the machinery and equipment were completely restored, and represent a precious marker of traditional practices and socio-cultural influences on the culture of the island.

The abandoned 19th century whale factory at the edge of bay, later converted to municipal aquarium
The interior exposition area of the museum, showing platforms and Fábrica da Baleia, actual Museu da Baleia.
The two steam-boilers used in the mechanization of the rendering process
Two of the four autoclaves used for rendering fat