158 THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN 



sometimes added as part of the equipment j but the majority 

 of whalemen clung tenaciously to the hand-harpoon and the 

 hand-lance.''' 



With all this equipment kept constantly in the boats and 

 ready for immediate use, it required but a few moments to 

 begin the pursuit. The mates and boatsteerers took their 

 places at once, while the oarsmen swung the boats free from 

 the davits and then clambered down the sides of the vessel 

 and leaped in as they struck the water. The task now con- 

 fronting each boat-header was to put his craft alongside a 

 whale without "gallying," or frightening, the prey before the 

 harpoons had been darted. In order to do this it was essential 

 to cover the intervening distance as speedily and as quietly as 

 possible, at the same time carefully avoiding the "glip," or 

 portion of oil emitted in the wake of the whale j for it was be- 

 lieved that the slightest contact with this "glip" would warn 

 the animal of impending danger. If there was a favorable 

 breeze the sail was hoisted and the boat skimmed along with 

 or without the use of the oars, according to the strength of the 

 wind. If the sea was calm and the whales near enough to 

 render the sound of the oars audible, paddles were used. But 

 in most cases the oars alone were employed. Usually the 

 mates were allowed to use their own judgment in conducting 

 the chase. Each vessel, however, had its own code of signals, 

 given by flags and sails j and whenever it seemed advisable, 

 the movements of the boats might be directed in this manner. 



With the game in sight, the atmosphere of the chase became 

 electric with excitement and suspense. Every effort was made 

 to reach the cachalots before they sounded j and since, in row- 

 ing, the remaining members of the crew faced backwards, the 

 mate was the only one who could follow the incidents and 

 estimate the varying chances of the chase. Partly because 

 of this fact, and partly because of his position of command, 



'' A number of impracticable methods of capture were suggested from time 

 to time. These included, among others, the use of huge nets, which were ob- 

 viously unsuitable for such large, powerful creatures; the employment of bomb- 

 lances filled with prussic acid, which were given up after a few trials because 

 of the danger of infection from the poisoned blubber; and a scheme (never 

 actually put into practice) for conveying heavy electric shocks through the line 

 and harpoon into the victim's body. See "Fisheries and Fishery Industries," VII, 

 pp. 247-250. 



