WHALE FISHERY. 



of one whale, a groove is sometimes cut in the ballard, 

 near an inch in depth ; and, were it not for a plate of 

 brass, iron, or a block of lignum vitse, which covers the 

 top of the stem where the line passes over, it is appre- 

 hended that the action of the line on the material of the 

 boat, would cut it down to the water's edge, in the course 

 of one season of successful fishing. The approaching 

 distress of a boat, for want of line, is indicated by the 

 elevation of an oar, in the way of a mast, to which is 

 added a second, a third, or even a fourth, in proportion 

 to the nature of the exigence. The utmost care and at- 

 tention are requisite, on the part of every person in the 

 boat, when the lines are running out ; fatal consequences 

 having been sometimes produced by the most trifling 

 neglect. When the line happens ' to run foul,' and can- 

 not be cleared on the instant, it sometimes draws the boat 

 under water ; on which, if no auxiliary boat, or conveni- 

 ent piece of ice be at hand, the crew are plunged into 

 the sea, and are obliged to trust to the buoyancy of their 

 oars, or to their skill in swimming, for supporting them- 

 selves on the surface. To provide against such an acci- 

 dent, as well as to be ready to furnish an additional sup- 

 ply of lines, it is usual, when boats are sent in pursuit, 

 for two to go out in company, and when a whale has been 

 struck, for the first assisting boat which approaches, to 

 join the fast boat, and to stay by it until the fish reap- 

 pears. The other boats, likewise, make towards the one 

 carrying a flag, and surround it at various distances, 

 awaiting the appearance of the wounded whale. 



On my first voyage* to the whale-fishery, such an ac- 

 cident, as above alluded to, occurred. A thousand fa- 

 thoms of line were already out, and the fast boat was for- 

 cibly pressed against the side of a piece of ice. The 

 harpooner, in his anxiety to retard the flight of the whale, 

 applied too many turns of the line round the ballard, 

 which getting entangled, drew the boat beneath the ice. 

 Another boat, providentially, was at hand, into which the 

 crew, including myself, who happened to be present, had 

 just time to escape. 



* Capt. Scoresby. 



