WHALING 269 



As the crews live during the greater part of the open season 

 in the boats, these are fitted with cotton covers supported on 

 hoops, and are thus completely roofed in, affording very com- 

 fortable if somewhat cramped quarters. Cooking is done with 

 oil stoves, and sleeping is arranged for by placing wide boards 

 across the intervals between seats. The boats leave the ship 

 early in May, long before the ice along the coast begins to break 

 up, and they cruise up and down along the edge of the solid 

 land-floe looking for whales. During stormy weather, and at 

 night, the boats are drawn out on the smooth ice, props are 

 placed on each side to keep them upright, and the cover being 

 drawn on and snugly secured, afford secure and comfortable 

 quarters, provided that the temperature does not drop too low ; 

 in that case, resort is made to the deerskin sleeping bags for 

 greater warmth. 



The west coast of the bay is patrolled in this manner until 

 about the middle of June, the cruise extending from Chester- 

 field inlet to Whale point, supplies being renewed every week 

 or so. Each of the ship's boats is in charge of ,an officer, who 

 always attends to the steering. The ' boat-steerers ' are in 

 reality the harpooners, and have nothing to do with the steering 

 of the boat. 



Towards the end of June the boats cross through the floating 

 ice to Southampton island, where they remain until compelled 

 to return for fresh supplies, usually about three weeks. A 

 second trip to that island is sometimes made, and in August the 

 ship, now free from the ice, is taken to Repulse bay or the 

 Frozen strait connecting it with Fox channel. The ship is 

 again left in harbour under the charge of the cook and steward, 

 and the boats cruise about until the beginning of September, 

 when the ship is taken to winter quarters or sails for home. If 

 the intention is to remain all winter, the harbour is reached 

 before the middle of the month. 



