522 SIGNALS rSED IX THE FISIIKUy. [aVP. n" VI. 



the surface of the water. Hence, it is usual for the captain 

 of every whale-fishing ship, to adopt a few simple signals, 

 whereby he can direct his boats when at a distance beyond the 

 reach of his voice. Signals used in the fishery may be class- 

 ed under two kinds, General and Particular. 



I, Under the term General Signals, I include such signals 

 as are universally used and understood by every person con- 

 versant with the fishery. The articles employed for the pur- 

 pose of making these signals consist of a " Bucket" or ball, a 

 Union-jack or other small square flag, an Ancient, and aWheft 



1. The Bucket. — This consists of a cylinder, or globe of 

 canvas, extended by means of iron or wooden hoops, and 

 usually coloured black. When the bucket is displayed at 

 the mast-head, it recalls the boats to their ship from the pur- 

 suit of a fish, or from any other embassy. When it is vio- 

 lently drawn up, and alternately let down for many times 

 successively, it is an urgent call to the boats to return. When 

 hoisted half way up from its usual resting-place to the mast- 

 head, it may either signify that one boat is only wanted when 

 many are away, or that the officers in the boats may use their 

 pleasure in attending to it ; that is, they may remain abroad 

 if they conceive they have any prospect of success, if not, they 

 are expected to return to their ship. 



2. The Jack. — In the fishery, this flag is used to indicate, 

 that the boats belonging to the ship bearing it are engaged 

 with a fish. Its intention seems originally to have been ex- 

 tremely liberal. Ey it, a ship fishing might be distinguished 

 among a number, and others might be directed to the same 

 place, where probably more fish Avere to be found. It has, 

 however, additional uses in the present day. It serves to in- 

 timate that a fish is harpooned, to the other boats belonging to 

 the same ship which may happen to be at a distance, and not 

 aware of the circumstance : but most usually, it is displayed 

 as a precautionary measure, to prevent the interference of any 

 other ship with the fish so struck, excepting in the way of an 

 auxiliary, in which case it gives a friend an opportunity of an- 



