230 WIIALE-FISHEIIV. 



SECT. V. 



Preparations for the Fishery. 



On the first convenient opportunity after a ship 

 arrives on the usual fishing-stations, preparations 

 fiar attacking the whale are made. Previous to the 

 sailing of the ship from her port, the principal ar- 

 ticles requisite for this service are provided, and in 

 the course of the outward passage, the different 

 utensils are fitted for immediate use. Among nu- 

 merous preparations carried on by the mechanics 

 and seamen of the ship, most of Avhich are void of 

 interest to general readers, the operation of " span- 

 ning, harpoons" Avill alone be noticed. 



A piece of rope made of the best hemp, called a 

 " Foreganger," about 2 J inches in circumference, and 

 eight or nine yards in length, is spliced closely round 

 the shank of the harpoon, the swelled socket of Vv'hich 

 prevents tlic eye of tlie splice from being drawn off. 

 A stock or handle, six or seven feet in length, is 

 then fitted into the socket, and fastened in its place 

 through the medium of the foreganger. The fas- 

 tening of the stock is suflacient only for retaining it 

 firm in its situation during the discharge of the wea- 

 pon, but is liable to be disengaged soon afterwards ; 

 on which the harpoon, relieved from the shake and 

 twist of this no longer necessary appendage, main- 



