WHALE-FISHERY. 163 



boats are sent out, the ship is said to have " a loose 

 fall." 



During fine weather, in situations where whales 

 are seen, or where they have recently been seen, or 

 where there is a great probability of any making 

 their appearance, a boat is generally kept in readi- 

 ness, manned and afloat. If the ship sails with 

 considerable velocity, this boat is towed by a rope 

 astern; but when the ship is pretty still, whether 

 moored to ice, laid to, or sailing in light winds, the 

 i€ bran boat," as it is called, often pushes off to a 

 little distance from the ship. A boat on watch, com- 

 monly lies still in some eligible situation, with all 

 its oars elevated out of the water, but in readiness 

 in the hands of the rowers for immediate use. 



The harpooner and boat steerer, keep a careful 

 watch on all sides, while each of the rowers looks 

 out in the direction of his oar. In field fishing, the 

 boats approach the ice with their sterns, and are 

 each of them fastened to it, by meaus of a boat-hook, 

 or an iron spike with a cord attached, either of 

 which is held by the boat- steerer, and is slipped or 

 withdrawn, the moment a whale appears. There 

 are several rules observed in approaching a whale, 

 as precautions, to prevent, as far as possible, the ani- 

 mal from taking the alarm. As the whale is dull 

 of hearing, but quick of sight, the boat-steerer al- 

 ways endeavours to get behind it; and, in accom- 

 plishing this, he is sometimes justified in taking a 

 circuitous route. In calm weather, where guns are 



