WAGES'OF THE CRr.V.' OF A WHALE SHIV. 2(5l 



fore-mast men, commonly receive about 1^. 6il. 

 ])er ton each, besides their monthly pay, and land- 

 men either a trifle per ton on oil, or a few shillings 

 for each size fish. 



From the difference in the wages paid in different 

 ports, it is not easy to say what is the amount of 

 wages received by each class of officers belonging to 

 the whale ships. In the general, however, it may 

 be understood, that in a ship with 200 tons of oil, 

 which is esteemed an excellent cargo, the chief 

 mate receives about 95 /. for his voyage ; a Iiar- 

 pooner about 70 /. ; and a common sailor, or fore- 

 mast man, about 25/., including advance money and 

 monthly pay. As the master's wages depend as 

 much on the ^alue of the cargo, as upon its quanti- 

 ty, it is difficult to give an opinion as to the amount : 

 generally speaking, hov.cvcr, with a cargo of 200 

 tons of oil, he will receive about 250/. to 300/. when 

 his pay is according to the lowest scale, and perhaps 

 500 /. or 600 /., or unwards, when he is r)a d after 

 the highest rate. 



In time of war, the manning of the whale-ships 

 at tlie ports where they were respectively fitted out, 

 being sometimes impracticable, and always a mat- 

 ter of difficulty, it was usual for the owners and 

 mast^^rs of such ships to avail tliemselvcs of the pri- 

 vilege allowed by act of Parliament, of completing 

 their crews in Shetlarid and Orkney. These islandy 

 v/ere therefore the frequent resort of m.ost of th.e 

 fishermen ; those bound for Spitzbergcn commonly 



