Harpoons, Lances, Guns, and Boats 241 



launch in use in the Arctic fleet during the year 

 1887. 



"Eight vessels, two steamers, and six sailing 

 vessels were at anchor in the bight under Cape 

 East, Siberia," he wrote. "Immediately after 

 dinner, one day, the lookout on the southernmost 

 vessel raised the cry of 'b-l-o-w!' The echo 

 of his call had scarcely died away before the whale 

 boats of this vessel dropped from the davits into 

 the water, set sail, and scattered about to watch 

 for the next appearance of the whale. Boats from 

 the other vessels were not far behind, and within 

 five minutes from twenty-five to thirty white sails 

 were darting over the water, each boat's crew 

 hoping to be nearest the spot where the whale 

 should rise to blow. ... A great shout came 

 from all sides, and a ' b-1-o-w-w' sounded from each 

 crow's nest as the whale's head appeared above 

 the water within striking distance of the Lucretias 

 boats. There was a quick manoeuvre, the boat 

 steerer darted his harpoon into the whale, and 

 'fast boat!' resounded from every vessel. It 

 was a magnificent sight as the whale milled about 

 and started out to sea at a high rate of speed, 



