I6l8.] CHRONOLOGICAL HISTOEY. 39 



rangement, it was agreed, that whenever a boat was 

 lowered in a strange harbour, or happened to row 

 into the same, the harpoon was always to be remo- 

 ved from its 7'est, so as not to be in readiness for 



use 



* 



All the early adventurers on the whale-fishery, 

 both English and others, were obliged to be in- 

 tlebted to the Biscayans for their superintend- 

 ence and help. The office of harpooner f requiring 

 great experience as well as personal courage, was 

 only suited to the Biscayans, who had long been 

 inured to the dangers and difficulties attendant on 

 the fishery of the fin-whale. The Biscayans were 

 likewise looked to for coopers, " skilful in setting 

 " up the staved cask." At this period, each ship 

 carried two principals ; the Commander, who was 

 a native, was properly the navigator, as his chief 

 charge consisted in conducting the ship to and 

 from Greenland ; the other, who was called by the 

 Dutch Speck.synder, or cutter of the fat, as his 

 name implies, was a Biscay an, and had the unlimi- 

 ted controul of the people in the fishery ; and in- 

 deed every operation belonging to it was entire- 

 ly confided to him. When, however, the fishery 



* Beschryving der Walvisvangst, vol. i. 



t The harpooner is the pei-son who strikes and kills the 

 whale- 



