236 WHALE-FISHERY. 



rests eight. But when whales are astir, the crew 

 is usually divided into two parties, called " the half 

 watch," in which every man watches and rests four 

 hours alternately. 



In the one-third watch, the chief-mate, speck- 

 sioneer, and second-mate, who aro usually the three 

 principal harpooners, have the charge of the three 

 watches, though tlie one under the second-mate is 

 called the Captain's Watch. When any of these 

 principal officers are in the boats, the under har- 

 pooners take charge of the watches. 



SECT. VI. 



Proceedings on Fishing Stations. 



On fishing stations, when the weather is such as 

 to render the fishery practicable, the boats are al- 

 ways ready for instant service. Suspended from 

 davits or cranes, by the sides of the ship, and fur- 

 nished with stores, as before enumerated, two boats 

 at least, the crevvS of which are always in readiness, 

 can, in a general way, be manned and lowered into 

 the water, within the space of one minute of time. 



Wherever tliere is a probability of seeing whales, 

 when the weather and situation are such as to pre- 

 sent a possibility of capturing them, the crow's nest 



