S16 WHALE-FISHERY. 



with spurs, to prevent them from slipping, descend 

 upon the fish. Two boats, each of which is under 

 the guidance of one or two boys, attend upon them, 

 and serve to hold all their knives, and other appa- 

 ratus. Thus provided, the harpooners, directed 

 by the speeksioner,* divide the fat into oblong 

 pieces, or " slips," by means of u blubber spades" 

 and " blubber knives:" then, affixing a " speck- 

 tackle" to each slip, flay it progressively off, as it 

 is drawn upwards. The speck-tackles, which are 

 two or three in number, are rendered effective by 

 capstern winches, or other mechanical powers. 

 The flensers commence with the belly and under 

 jaw, being the only part then above water. The 

 blubber, in pieces of half a ton each, is received on 

 deck, and divided into portable, cubical, or oblong 

 pieces, containing near a solid foot of fat, and pass- 

 ed down between decks, when it is packed in a re- 

 ceptacle provided for it in the hold, or other suitable 

 place, called the flens-gut, where it remains until 

 further convenience. 



All the fat being taken away from the belly, and 

 the right fin removed, the fish is then turned round 

 on its side by means of the kent, which, by the 

 power of the windlass, readily performs this office. 



*The name of this officer was introduced by the Dutch, 

 and is derived from the word speck, which, in their language, 

 is applied to the fat of the whale, as well as to that of other 

 animals. 



