K" VI.] SIGXAI.S rsKD IX THE FISHERY, 



.^9P, 



sisting. To prevent disputes with regard to the title to a fish 

 that has been struck, it is generally good policy, when other 

 ships are near, to keep the jack fl} ing until the fish is killed. 



When a jack is moved violently up and down the mast, it 

 proclaims the appearance of the fast fish on the surface of the 

 water ; and when it is thus accompanied with the bucket, it 

 expresses that the fish is in the line of or near to the ship. 



Before the commencement of the fishing season, a jack or 

 ancient is used as a kind of complimentary signal to a friend, 

 expressing as much as the usual greeting " How do you do ?''' 

 and on sealing stations, the jack is sometimes substituted for 

 the bucket in recalling the boats. 



3. 77ie Ancient. — When this flag is hoisted at the mizen 

 peak, or mizen top-mast head, in the latter end of the fishing 

 season, it indicates that the shiji carrying it is " full," and 

 homeward bound. 



Hoisted in the main top-mast rigging, or indeed in any 

 other situation union downward, the ancient, or national flag, 

 is a universal sea signal of distress. The ancient is also used 

 as a complimentary signal, and sometimes as a signal express- 

 ing a desire to speak with the captain of the ship to which it 

 is addressed. 



4. A Wlieft. — An ancient tied together in such a way as 

 to prevent its being extended up and downwise, but which 

 does not prevent its horizontal extension under a breeze of 

 wind, is called a wheft. It is a signal used in the fishery in 

 very urgent cases. When displayed to a ship, it expresses an 

 earnest wish to speak with the captain ; and when in the fish- 

 ery, addressed to the boats, it is usually meant to recall them 

 peremptorily, howsoever they may be engaged ; under which 

 they are authorised, when fast to a fish, to cut or break 

 the line, or at least they are commanded by this signal to 

 make every possible exertion to join their ship. The cases 

 wherein this signal is principally requisite, are in storms and 

 in closing ice, or when the ship and boats are in danger of 

 getting beset in a hazardous situation, or the crews of the 

 boats of perishing by delay. 



