WHALE-MARKING 



209 



As will be seen the mark resembles a large drawing pin. The disc is if in. in diameter 

 and the shank zh in. long and 1% i"- ^^ diameter, provided with three large barbs. 

 The disc bears a serial number on both sides, and on its underside, where it is least 

 likely to be affected by corrosion, the inscription "Reward for return to Discovery 

 Committee, Colonial Office, London". The precise form of the barbs 

 was the subject of prolonged experiment: a number of kinds were tried 

 and it was found that quite small variations in form produced large 

 differences in the amount of grip exerted on the blubber. In this respect 

 barbs which folded back along the shank showed no superiority over 

 those which were fixed, and the latter were to be preferred on the ground 

 of expense. The selected pattern has a very powerful grip and can hardly 

 be removed from the blubber by any means except cutting. The marks 

 are made of annealed iron and silver-plated. Brass was rejected on 

 account of the danger of copper poisoning in the wound, which might 

 ultimately result in the mark dropping out. 



The mark is used in conjunction with a light wooden shaft (Fig. 29), 

 provided with three wads and sufficiently long to extend the whole length 

 of the bore. The end of the rod fits into a small hole in the centre of the 

 upper side of the disc, the mark itself lying just outside the muzzle when 

 the gun is loaded for use. The wooden shaft breaks off short on impact, 

 leaving the mark embedded in the blubber. ^ The guns are single-barrelled, 

 with the sights heightened so as to give a clear view over the edge of the 

 disc. 



With this mark and gun and a cartridge containing i dram of black 

 powder, the trajectory is reasonably flat at ranges up to about 75 yards, 

 this being approximately the maximum distance at which whales are 

 harpooned in commercial operations. It was found that when the target 

 is hit obliquely the mark tends to straighten itself, coming to rest in 

 nearly every experiment that was made with the disc flush with the surface 

 of the blubber. 



Marks and guns were supplied by Messrs Holland and Holland, Ltd., 

 who gave expert technical advice and lent their shooting range for the 

 experimental work. 



First attempts at the use of this equipment on board the ' William Scoresby ' were not 

 very promising, one of the greatest difficulties being the amount of icy-cold spray taken 

 over the bows in any but the smoothest water. This was overcome at the end of the first 

 commission by the erection of a light forecastle head, as shown in Plates XIV and XV, 

 and very satisfactory results were obtained in the early months of 1928 during the brief 

 periods which could be allotted to this work. In the near future it is hoped to undertake 



1 It may be added that Capt. T. Sorrle, Manager of the whaUng station at Stromness in South Georgia, 

 has taken great interest in whale-marking experiments, and has devised a new form of mark with folding 

 barbs designed to fit down the bore of the gun. Experiments with this mark are now being made. 



Fig. 29. Whale 

 mark fitted to 

 wooden shaft. 



