262 II1STOKY AND METHODS OP THE FISHERIES. 



of oil. The jaw measured iu a straight line from extreme forward end to socket 19 feet and 2 

 inches, and the flukes 10 feet 4 inches from point to point. Captain Malloy also tells me that when 

 cut in, the bones of the head of the whale were fractured from the concussion of the severe blow, 

 which evidently disabled the animal and probably saved the ship. 



It sometimes occurs that the boats are lowered and the crew eagerly engage in the chase, but 

 without success. The whales may perhaps disappear altogether from view, or it may be necessary 

 to "outline"* and abandon a whale at the approach of night after a long and fierce struggle. 

 The chase may be postponed on account of fog or rough weather, or a harpoon may "draw'' and 

 the animal escapes for that time at least. Trouble may also arise from entanglement of the line 

 (foul line) as it runs from the boat; the whale maybe extremely vicious or "ugly," or it may 

 escape by running under ice. Again, the whale may be lost by what is known as " opposition 

 whaling/' when the crews of the small boats belonging to the same vessel infringe upon the rights 

 of others in going on to a whale, to which we have already referred. 



GETTING FAST. The "fast boat," in the whaleman's dictionary, signifies the boat actually 

 engaged in the capture, fast to the whale by means of the harpoon and line. A loose boat, on the 

 other hand, is, as the term implies, one that has not succeeded in striking a whale. The duty of 

 a loose boat, if near by and not certain of a capture, is to keep within hailing distance of the fast 

 boat. Still there is no rule laid down for such a procedure. Two boats may fasten to the same 

 whale, unless it sounds. If one boat is fast and the whale goes below, the second boat usually lays 

 by. It is sometimes the custom, when a vessel carries four boats, for three of them to get fast to 

 as many whales as possible, and for the fourth to " play loose boat." When a whale takes out 

 all of the 300 fathoms of line carried iu one boat, it would escape if assistance were not rendered 

 on the spot. The " fast boat " is therefore made " loose," and the loose boat fast. The latter comes 

 to the rescue either by call or signal, provided it has not been taken iu tow by the fast boat, which 

 is sometimes done. When it is necessary for the loose boat to assist, the officer in charge casts 

 one end of his line to the officer of the fast boat. The latter bends the line to his own with a roll- 

 ing hitch over the head of the boat. When the line of the fast boat is almost out about 1 " fake " 

 or so remaining- in the tub the officer tightens his hitch and lets it go. Often the hitch slips to 

 I lie end of the line where it is brought up by the eye-splice, and the line of the fast boat is thus 

 attached to the line of the loose boat while the whale is running. This process may be repeated 

 as long as more line is wanted by the addition of more boats. A fast boat may also become 

 loose by accident, the iron may draw or break, the line may part, or, on account of ice, or iu very 

 rough weather, or at the approach of night, it may be necessary to " cut line." 



The actions of whales, when attacked, vary with both the species and the individuals. Super 

 ttcial wounds annoy them and internal ones destroy them. Suffering from the blow of the harpoon, 

 they endeavor to escape the hand that inflicts it, or to rid themselves of the instrument that irri- 

 tates and tortures the flesh. To accomplish their ends they can resort only to the most violent 

 physical exertions and contortions. At such a time, and subsequently, as the boat approaches to 

 afford the officer an opportunity to use the hand-lance, the imminent danger of one's life is often- 

 times unparalleled ; but the danger diminishes when the lance penetrates the sensitive lungs or 

 convoluted intestines, for the unhappy creature then weakens, and becomes quiet under the 

 soothing influence of departing life. 



As a means of defense, the right whale depends solely upon its flukes, which measure from 

 12 to 15, and sometimes 20 feet, in expansion, and in depth 5 or 6 feet, and weigh several tons. 



* When the whale is about, to take tbe end of the line the drug is bent, ou, forward of the chocks with a rolling 

 hil.rli, with the expectation that when the trouble is over the wh:ilo may be found. 



