How did a stern slipway help factory ships process large rorqual whales?

The introduction of a stern slipway in 1925 revolutionized the processing of large rorqual whales by allowing factory ships to haul carcasses directly on board.1

Before this innovation, processing was significantly more difficult due to the massive size of these animals, which can weigh up to 100 tons. The slipway enabled the use of powerful winches and a specialized "claw" fastened to the whale's tail to pull the animal from the water onto an open butchering deck, known as a "plan". This system allowed for rapid dismemberment, which was essential to release heat and prevent the putrefaction of the carcass. By bringing the entire whale onto the deck, factory ships could efficiently utilize the animal for oil and meat, significantly improving production yields compared to earlier methods.1