THE AMERICAN WHALE-FISHERY. 229 
icy barrier, as that weapon shoots an explosive missile into the animal at the same 
time the harpoon is fastened. 
Mention has been made in the preceding pages of the manner of standing 
watches, and the general routine of duty on board the ship when making a passage ; 
but it is only when the}' arrive on the cruising -ground that systematic whaling 
really begins. The ship's company, or that portion of it who "stand a watch," is 
divided into what are called "boat's-crew watches," each watch remaining on deck 
its allotted time between dark and daylight, and during the day one -half of the 
ship's company alternate (which is called "watch and watch"), unless whaling 
is going on, when all hands are engaged. A day's routine of a whale -ship's duty, 
when on whaling -ground, begins at a very early hour. All hands are called in 
time to get breakfast by sunrise, after which all required sail is set, the decks are 
washed off, and the lookouts are stationed at the mast-heads. If a four-boat ship, 
an officer and a boat-steerer stand at the main -topgallant cross-trees, two men at 
the fore -topgallant mast-head, and one at the mizzen- topgallant mast-head, who are 
relieved every two hours, as also are the men at the wheel, who steer the ship. 
Should no whales be seen through the day, at sunset all hands are called to shorten 
sail, when the light sails are furled, the mainsail taken in, the topsails reefed, and 
the watch is set for the night. But should whales be "raised," the hours of rest 
are governed entirely by the amount of necessary work to be performed. From 
sun to sun the boats may be engaged in the exciting chase ; and the few ship- 
keepers left on board strain every muscle to work the vessel and make the required 
signals. This is no easy matter when the wind is fresh and the vessel is being 
continually maneuvered, as the pursuing boats change their positions. An endless 
variety of signals are used in the whaling -fleet in connection with the capture of a 
whale, more especially when there is a large fleet cruising on the same ground, for 
then the signals from each ship are kept private, in order to gain advantage in the 
pursuit. 
The ship -keeper in charge of the vessel may be the captain. At present few 
whaling- masters make a practice of going in their boats; while formerly it was the 
custom for the captain to be first in the water when lowering for whales. In 
such cases, the person left in charge of the ship was either chosen from among the 
crew, or he was shipped for that particular duty. In any event, his services are 
important, for the safety of the boats or the capture of the whale may depend 
upon his vigilance and good management. The boats being down, the object of 
pursuit can be seen but a comparatively short distance, while from the ship's 
mast-head an extensive view is obtained; hence, when the boats are away, the 
