The name on the lifeboat
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (389958)
Rockingham, Australia
August 5, 2026 8:55pm CST
The West Australian town of Wittenoom is a declared contaminated site due to the blue asbestos mining that took place there during the 40s, 50s and 60s. Of the approximately 20,000 former mine workers and residents of Wittenoom, more than 2,000 have died of asbestos-related diseases.
I knew these basic facts but what I didn’t know was that the name of the town commemorates Frank Wittenoom, whose name can be seen on the lifeboat on the training sailing ship, Leeuwin. He was a prominent pastoralist, explore and businessman and, with his brother, and mining magnate, Lang Hancock, established extensive pastoral stations in the Murchison and Gascoyne regions of the state.
So, after seeing the name of the Frank Wittenoom on the lifeboat, down the rabbit-hole I went.
21 people like this
16 responses
@teamfreak16 (48335)
• Denver, Colorado
6 Aug
I'm not sure who thought mining asbestos was a good idea. I'm sure they got rich off of it. Everyone else suffered.
5 people like this
@FourWalls (89297)
• United States
6 Aug
Thanks, I’m down there with you now. Move over. 
I saw that it’s the largest contaminated region in the southern hemisphere. The sad thing that I read is that, now that the area isn’t worth a dang, the government returned it to the native peoples. 
Oh, there’s a song by the band Midnight Oil about the mining and the town.
I saw that it’s the largest contaminated region in the southern hemisphere. The sad thing that I read is that, now that the area isn’t worth a dang, the government returned it to the native peoples.
Oh, there’s a song by the band Midnight Oil about the mining and the town.
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5 people like this
@crossbones27 (54072)
• Mojave, California
6 Aug
Oh no you did not, do not get me started, I can just float things and do it a punk rock way and they could call MidNight oil by sea. The world has learned some things we can even get wolves to howl, probably not but sounded cool. 
3 people like this
@snowy22315 (213936)
• United States
6 Aug
Kind of unusual to see a lifeboat with a name attached to it.
3 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49915)
• India
6 Aug
The place would have seen big economic growth due to mining.
However whole population and generations would have suffered due to mining adverse effects.
Paradoxes like this keep on coming up acrosd nations.
Interesting share !
Is it still cold in your place or warming up?
Rains are picking some pace here, although overall El Nino effect means deficient rainfall.
2 people like this
@ptrikha_2 (49915)
• India
8 Aug
@JudyEv
Yet something that is a big damaging factor for environment would surely face trouble or issues at a point in time.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (170783)
• United States
6 Aug
It is funny how a chance mention can take you on a journey.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (389958)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Aug
True. Something sparks the imagination and you just want to know more.
@luisadannointed (13213)
• Philippines
10 Aug
I have no idea about it. But thanks for the sharing.
1 person likes this
@luisadannointed (13213)
• Philippines
10 Aug
@JudyEv yes, your blog post always full of information and historical sometimes.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (54072)
• Mojave, California
6 Aug
How does that work you ask them and they all like we still alive, i get it its a business and trying to survive and they like we just trying to earn a pay check. Its crazy what people have to do just to survive if you not wealthy.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (54072)
• Mojave, California
9 Aug
@JudyEv I can see that, and that makes sense.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (101585)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
6 Aug
That rabbit hole better get a bit bigger,
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18440)
• Raurkela, India
6 Aug
That's a very unhealthy town I think. Businesses that affect people's health shouldn't be allowed near human habitation.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (389958)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Aug
@aninditasen That's true. For those that have stayed, it's their home.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (18440)
• Raurkela, India
7 Aug
@JudyEv Some people like to stay in deserted place.
1 person likes this
@nawala123 (24499)
• Indonesia
24 Aug
Asbestos is still used as roof in Indonesia
1 person likes this
@nawala123 (24499)
• Indonesia
27 Aug
@JudyEv we know it may cause disease. But the issue is more about price
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (39989)
• Toccoa, Georgia
6 Aug
That is sad that so many people were affected.
1 person likes this
