The wreck of the Campbell represents the extension of 20th century Norwegian whaling industry into the Southern Oceans of Australia, New Zealand, South America, South Africa and Antarctica, after the northern fisheries of Iceland and the Arctic had become fished out and uneconomic. Significant capital was required to establish shore stations and build steam powered factory ships and whale chasers to supply world demand for oil, fertiliser and especially - during World War One - glycerine for explosives.