WHALE-FISHERY. 195 



fish that were struck during fine weather, in winds 

 which do not prevent the boats from plying about, 

 remain entangled, but unsubdued, after the com- 

 mencement of a storm. Sometimes the capture is 

 completed, at others the fishers are under the ne- 

 cessity of cutting the lines, and allowing the fish to 

 escape. Sometimes, when they have succeeded in 

 killing it, and in securing itduring the gale with a 

 hawser to the ship, they are enabled to make a 

 prize of it on the return of moderate weather; at 

 others, after having it to appearance secured, by 

 means of a sufficient rope, the dangerous proximity 

 of a lee pack constrains them to cut it adrift and 

 abandon it, for the preservation of their vessel. 

 After thus being abandoned, it becomes the prize 

 of the first who gets possession of it, though it be 

 in the face of the original capturers. A storm com- 

 mencing while the boats are engaged with an en- 

 tangled fish, sometimes occasions serious disasters. 

 Generally, however, though they suffer the loss of 

 the fish, and perhaps some of their boats and mate- 

 rials, yet the men escape with their lives. 



6. Fishing in Foggy Weather, — The fishery in 

 storms, in exposed situations, can never be volun- 

 tary, as the case only happens when a storm arises 

 subsequent to the time of a fish being struck; but 

 in foggy weather, though occasionally attended with 

 hazard, the fishery is not altogether impracticable. 

 The fogs which occur in the icy regions in June 

 and July, are generally dense and lasting. They 



