536 ACCOUNT or Tin-: s. sea whale-fishery, [avv. n" viir. 



shore 20 or 30 miles in a direct line. When it is seen by 

 any others of the species, they usually take the alarm, and, 

 running off, are followed by the fast fish as long as it is able. 

 The first striker endeavours to " fasten^' two harpoons in the 

 first attack, both attached to the same line, by which he has a 

 double security of the fish. The harpoons are usually thrown 

 at the whale when at the distance of six or eight yards ; and 

 the lances, which are kept in fine order, are sometimes used 

 in the same way. Two boats are considered sufficient to 

 kill a right whale ; so that when it can be accomplished, two 

 are struck at the same time. The fast-boat is hauled up to 

 the fish by the lines, whenever it appears at the surface ; thus 

 affording an opportunity to the harponeer to lance it, and 

 enabling him sometimes to kill the fish without the assistance 

 of any other boat. 



When the right whale is flensed, the crown or upper jaw, 

 with all the whalebone attached, is usually hove in altoge- 

 ther. The whalebone is then divided into junks, these, at 

 the first leisure, are subdivided into single blades, " gum- 

 med,'' and stowed away. If a storm happens to arise before 

 a fish can be flensed, a hawser is fastened to it, and the ship 

 rides by it ; at the conclusion of the gale, it is taken along- 

 side and " cut in.""' If, however, an interval of more than 

 two or three days occur before the flensing is commenced, the 

 whale swells, the blubber becomes impregnated with blood, 

 and is not worth taking in. 



The voyage to the Pacific for the sperm-fishery sometimes 

 occupies three years, but when the mysticetus is also attacked, 

 it may be stated at from twenty months to two years. In the 

 course of the voyage, they occasionally put into harbours to 

 refit and refresh the crew. Their provisions for general use 

 are salt ; the quantity that can be allowed for so long a 

 voyage is st)metimes sparing, the quality often indifterent. 

 The officers and crew are stimulated to exertion by certain 

 shares of the c.irgo obtained. The captain receives, perhaps, 

 a twclftli, the surgeon an eightieth, each of the liarpooners a 



