PREMISES USED IN MANUFACTURIXft OIL. 399 



nearly equal capacity to that of the copper. It is 

 generally provided with a crane, which, ..ith a winch, 

 or other similar engine attached, is so contrived as 

 to take casks either from the quay or from a lighter 

 by the side of the quay, and convey them at once 

 to the top of the starting-hack. Over this vessel is 

 extended a kind of railing or '* gauntrce," on which 

 the casks rest, without being injured, and are easily 

 moveable. 



4. The starting-back being elevated two or three 

 yards above the level of tlic ground, occasionally 

 admits of a " fenk-back" or depository for the refuse 

 of the blubber, immediately beneath it ; which fenk- 

 back is sometimes provided with a dough on the 

 side next to the water, for " starting" the fenks into 

 a barge or lighter placed below. In some exten- 

 sive premises, however, the fenks are deposited in a 

 large shallow cistern, or pit sunk in the earth, and 

 made sufficiently large to contain the whole refuse 

 of one cargo ; where it remains undisturbed, until 

 the action of the sun extracts the remaining oil, and 

 brings it to the surface. 



5. The premises likewise comprise a shed for the 

 cooper, and sometimes a cooper's, or m.aster boiler's 

 dwelling-house ; the inhabitant of which takes the 

 charge of all the blubber, oil, whalebone, and other 

 articles deposited around him. 



6. Warehouses for containing the oil after it is 

 drawn off into casks, are also used, not only for 



