WHALE-FISHERY. 1?3 



namely, when the fishermen are very active, the ice 

 very open, or the sea free from ice and the weather 

 fine, — the average length of time occupied in the 

 capture of a whale, may be stated as not exceeding 

 an hour.* The general average, including all sizes 

 of fish, and all circumstances of capture, may pro- 

 bably be two or three hours. 



The method practised in the capture of whales, 

 under favourable circumstances, is very uniform 

 with all the fishers, both British and foreigners. 

 The only variation observable in the proceedings 

 of the different fishers, consisting in the degree of 

 activity and resolution displayed, in pursuance of 

 the operations of harpooning and lancing the whale, 

 and in the address manifested in improving by any 

 accidental movement of the fish, which may lay it 

 open to an effectual attack,- — rather than in any 

 thing different or superior in the general method of 

 conducting the fishery. It is true, that with some 

 the harpoon-gun is much valued, and used with 

 advantage, while with others, it is held in prejudiced 

 aversion; yet, as this difference of opinion affects 



* Twelve large whales, taken in different voyages, memo- 

 randa of whose capture I have preserved, were killed, on an 

 average, in 67 minutes. The shortest time expended in the 

 taking of one of the twelve whales, was 28 minutes, the 

 longest time 2 hours. One of these whales we believed, 

 descended 670 fathoms perpendicular; another 720; and a 

 third 750, one descended 1400 fathoms obliquely, and ano- 

 ther 1600 fathoms. 



