222 WHALE-FISHERY. 



various other materials, and yet retains the necessary 

 properties of safety, buoyancy, and speed, either in 

 smooth water, or where it is exposed to a consider- 

 able sea. Whale-boats being very liable to receive 

 damage, both from whales and ice, are always carver" 

 built, — a structure which is easily repaired. They 

 are usually of the following dimensions. Those 

 called " Six oared boats," adapted for carrying seven 

 men, six of whom, including the harpooner, are row- 

 ers, are generally 26 to 28 feet in length, and about 

 5 feet 9 inches in breadth. Six men boats, that is, 

 ■with five rowers and a steersman, are usually 25 to 

 26 feet in length, and about 5 feet 6 inches in 

 breadth. And " four oared boats," arc usually 23 

 to 24 feet in length, and about 5 feet 3 inches 

 in breadth. The main breadth of the two first 

 classes of boats, is at about three-sevenths of the 

 length of the boat- reckoned from the stem ; but, in 

 the last class, it is necessary to have the main 

 breadth within one-third of the length of the boat 

 from the stem. The obiect of this is, to enable the 

 smaller boat to support, without being dragged un- 

 der water, as great a strain on the lines as those of 

 a larger class ; otherrv'ise, if such a boat were sent 

 out by itself, its lines would be always liable to be 

 lost, before any assistance could reach it. The five 

 oared or six men boat, is that which is in most ge- 

 neral use ; though each fishing ship generally car- 

 ries one or tvro of the largest class. These boats 



