i 9 4 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



not before the old one charged the boat and tore the plank 

 nearly out with its tusks. The hide of the former when 

 measured was sixteen feet in length and twelve feet in 

 breadth, and its tusks were black with age. It is seldom a 

 whale harpoon can penetrate their hides, which is more than 

 an inch thick and very tough, unless fired from a gun. We 

 have special harpoons and lances for those animals when 

 we go in search of them. 



The Windward left us to go to Niatlik, but we remained 

 in company with the other steamer. The bay ice was 

 making very strong during the nights when it was calm or 

 little wind, and it often prevented us getting near any 

 whales, which were plentiful, but the noise of the ice 

 breaking at the bows of the boats alarmed them. 



One night it made stronger than usual, and we thought it 

 was time to leave, as the heavy body of ice from the north- 

 ward was near us, so we both weighed our anchors and 

 steamed to the outside. As the weather was fine, we 

 stayed a short time, and drifted past Cape Walsingham. 



It is singular that no whales have ever been captured off 

 this Cape, or in the vicinity. They are often seen near a 

 group of islands called the Crickerton, which are situated 

 half-way on the east side of Cumberland Gulf. If they were 

 seen going up the Gulf on one side and down the other, 

 then we might say they followed the land round those 

 deep bays. I believe they cross from one headland to 

 another, except late in the season, when they are so plentiful 

 in Cumberland Gulf, where they remain until the ice 

 becomes too thick to allow them breathing space. 



Having secured our boats, and made everything ready for 

 sea, we shaped our course for home, and getting into 

 warmer weather the whale lines were washed, which is done 

 by towing them astern when the ship is going through the 

 water. They are then carefully dried, and coiled away. 

 Salt water is better than fresh, as it prevents their getting 



