Territorial Historic Site
Whalers' Graves
Balaena Bay, Northwest Territories
Panoramic view of Whalers' Graves looking out over Balaena Bay
Photo: John R. Bockstoce
- Built
- 1895–1896
- Recognized
- 1979
- By
- Government of the Northwest Territories
The register’s text, word for word
Description
The Government of the Northwest Territories has designated the two whalers' gravesites at Balaena Bay, Parry Peninsula, a Territorial Historic Site. Two upright, ornate wooden headboards mark this site. They mark the death of eight men from the Grampus and Balaena whale ships in 1895-1896.
Heritage value
These graves are poignant reminders of the profitable and dramatic whaling industry in Canada's western arctic. The western arctic was the last frontier of the world whaling industry, and its final flourish before declining in the early 1900's. The whalers' graves headboards are handsome, ornate remains of this era, and two of the few remaining examples of their type.
SourceConsolidation of Historical Sites Declaration.
Character‑defining elements
-ornate woodcarving
-metal and wooden finials
-legible inscription on the headboard
-location over the whalers' burial site with an expansive view from the shore to the sea
End of the register’s text
Similar places
Places whose register descriptions are closest to this one.
Blacklead Island Whaling Station National Historic Site of CanadaBlacklead Island, Nunavut
Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site of CanadaGjoa Haven, Nunavut
Parry's Rock Wintering Site National Historic Site of CanadaÎle Melville, Northwest Territories
Kekerten Island Whaling Station National Historic Site of CanadaKekerten Island, Nunavut
Wreck of Breadalbane National Historic Site of CanadaBeechey Island, Nunavut
Red Bay National Historic Site of CanadaRed Bay, Newfoundland And Labrador
From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.