S76 IVHALE-FISHERY. 



SECT. IX. 



Anecdotes illustrative of Peculiarities in the 

 Wh a le-Fish ery. 



1. Surprising vigour of a Whale. — On the 

 25th of June 1812, one of the harpooners be- 

 longing to the Resolution of Whitby, under my 

 command, struck a whale by the edge of a small 

 floe of ice. Assistance being promptly afforded, a 

 second boat's lines were attached to those of the 

 fast-boat, in a few minutes after the harpoon was 

 discharged. The remainder of the boats proceeded 

 to some distance, in the direction the fish seemed 

 to have taken. In about a quarter of an hour the 

 fast-boat, to my surprise, again made a signal for 

 lines. As the ship was then within five minutes 

 sail, we instantly steered towards the boat, with 

 the view of affording assistance, by means of a spare 

 boat we still retained on board. Before we reached the 

 place, however, we observed four oars displayed in sig- 

 nal order, which, by their number, indicated a most 

 urgent necessity for assistance. Two or three men 

 were at the same time seen seated close by the stem, 

 which was considerably elevated, for the purpose of 

 keeping it down, — while the bow of the boat, by the 

 force of the line, was drawn down to the level of 

 the sea, — and the harpooner, by the friction of the 



