170 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



answered our purpose, as the exercise kept us very 

 warm. 



We were among the seals four and a half days, and killed 

 an average number of 2,500 per day, although at times we 

 had not more than thirty men from the ship, the remainder 

 being on board making preparations for stowing the skins 

 and blubber away. Our coal had been husbanded very care- 

 fully, in case we did not get among the seals, knowing 

 we should require it if we were not successful. Our tanks 

 and bunkers were full of coal, so we had only room in the 

 between decks and top of the tanks. Every space was now 

 filled up with seals below and on deck. The ship was very 

 deep, and the swell caused her to roll, which made it 

 difficult to work. We flensed the skins, i.e., to separate the 

 fat from them. This part of the business is given to 

 experienced hands, because if the skin is cut, it is not so 

 valuable. Some were employed salting them ; others getting 

 the coal out of the tanks, and some others were putting the 

 blubber in as the tanks were emptied. Each tank held 

 five tons, and most had to be got out by hand until so 

 far down that a shovel could be used. This work took 

 three days. 



Sometimes a few men were sent away to kill seals when- 

 ever the ship drove through a small number. If we had not 

 had so much coal, we could have got twenty thousand ; as it 

 was, we were obliged to be content with about fourteen 

 thousand. We worked hard to make room for more, but by 

 that time the seals, which had escaped the club or knife, 

 had taken to the water, and disappeared. 



The ship was near to the outside, therefore we steamed 

 towards home with a head wind. During the whole passage 

 all were employed flensing skins, and putting the blubber 

 away ; then commenced scrubbing and cleaning the ship. 

 In a short time no one would have imagined she was laden 

 with seals. No dirt or grease was to be seen. When all 



