^^3 WHALE-T-ISHEIIY. 



TIic principal preparations for commencing the 

 fishery, are inchided in the " fitting of the boats." 

 In this work, ail the people belonging to the ship 

 are employed. The boats are first cleared of all 

 lumber, and then the whale-lines, each consisting of 

 120 fathoms of rope, about 2:^ inches in circumference, 

 arc spliced to each other, to the amount of about six 

 for each boat, the united length of which is about 

 720 fathoms, or 4320 feet ; and the whole carefully 

 and beautifully coiled in compartments in the boat, 

 prepared for the purpose. A portion of five or six 

 fathoms of the line first put into the boat called 

 the " stray-line»" is left uncovered, by that wliich 

 follows, and coiled by itself in a small compartment 

 at the stern of the boat : it is furnished with a loop 

 ©r " eye," for the facility of connecting the lines of 

 one boat with those of another. To the upper end 

 of the line is spliced the foreganger of a spanned 

 harpoon, thus connecting the harpoon with all the 

 lines in the boat *. 



Every boat completely fitted, is furnished with 

 two harpoons, (one spare), six or eight lances, and 

 five to seven oars, together with the following in- 

 struments and apparatus. A " jack" or flag fas- 



** Whale-lines are always made of the best materials, and 

 manufactured Avith extraordinary care. As such they are usu- 

 ally charged 20s. or 30^. per cwt. more than other cordage. 



