RIGHT WHALES 1183 



approach to the animal when in its last terrible death struggle, or " flurry," as it is 

 called by the whalers. The ordinary speed of a Greenland whale, whether swim- 

 ming at or below the surface, is estimated by Captain Gray at about four miles an 

 hour, while, when the animal is frightened or wounded, its rate of progress will be 

 accelerated to about eight miles. 



The Greenland whale has for more than a century been systematic- 

 ally hunted by British whalers, whose headquarters are the ports of 

 Peterhead and Dundee. From information given by Captain Gray to Mr. T. South- 

 well, it appears that between the years 1788 and 1879 no less than four thousand 

 one hundred and ninety-five whales were killed by the Peterhead vessels; while be- 

 tween 1790 and 1879 four thousand two hundred and twenty wei . accounted for by 

 those sailing from Dundee. When we add to these the numbers killed by the 

 whalers of other nations, it is not surprising to learn that the Greenland whale has 

 now become a comparatively-scarce animal. In the year 1891 only seventeen 

 whales were captured by the Scotch whalers, and these were of comparatively-small 

 size, yielding whalebone of less than six feet in length. It has, indeed, been sup- 

 posed that the species is either well-nigh exterminated, or has been driven north- 

 ward beyond its ancient haunts. Neither of these suppositions appear, however, to 

 be true, for it is now ascertained that the whales have not altered their original lines 

 of migration, while so late as 1891 considerable numbers were seen in the Green- 

 land seas. Writing on this subject, Mr. Southwell expresses his belief that the 

 w it of success experienced of late years by the whalers is ' ' mainly owing to the 

 introduction of steam, which enables the modern ships to follow the whales in 

 localities where formerly they would have been safe from molestation. The rattle 

 of the screw also, which can be heard by the whales for long distances, is now to 

 them a well-known sound; above all, the eagerness with which they are followed 

 up all the TT essels consorting together has at length rendered them so wild as to 

 be practically unapproachable. Even now, however, it appears quite possible that 

 a vessel approaching their haunts alone, and in the quiet manner which prevailed 

 before the introduction of steam, might be rewarded by the success of old. Cer- 

 tainly the fishery appears to be in a hopeless condition at present; but it is possible 

 that a few years' rest might restore the confidence of the whales, and that, if then 

 pursued with due caution by a limited number of vessels, paying cargoes might 

 again be obtained." 



The method of capturing whales has been so frequently described, that it will 

 be unnecessary to do more than briefly allude to it here. In former days the 

 actual pursuit of the whale was always made in open boats, and the harpoon, with 

 the line attached, thrown by hand; the animal being subsequently dispatched by 

 long, sharp weapons known as lances. Later on, a harpoon gun was substituted 

 for the thrower; while at the present day the ships themselves are in some cases 

 used in the attack, and the employment of open boats dispensed with. The vessels 

 thus employed are mounted with a massive and elaborately-constructed gun fixed 

 in the boat upon a swivel support. The gunner takes his stand upon a platform, 

 which is furnished with wings overlapping the small angle of the bows, and thus allow- 

 ing him plenty of room to move freely. The projectile is a harpoon, armed with 



