DESCRIPTION OF A WALRUS -BOAT. 43 



CHAPTER III. 



Preparations. — Description of a Walrus-boat, and Implements 

 used. — Harpoons. — Lances. — The Haak-pick, or Seal-hook. 

 — Axes. — Knives. — Ice-anchors. — Compass. 



The crew are busy in shaping the rough white 

 pine poles into oars, and shafts for the spears and 

 harpoons, sharpening all the blades to a razor edge 

 on a grindstone mounted on deck for the purpose, 

 and otherwise fitting up the boats for immediate 

 operations against the sea-horses. 



I may as well here proceed to give a general de- 

 scription of the way in which this pursuit is con- 

 ducted, as well as of the tackle and implements 

 made use of, as it will enable the reader more 

 clearly to understand my account of our own per- 

 sonal experiences afterward. 



A well-constructed and well-appointed walrus- 

 boat for five men is twenty-one feet long by five 

 feet beam, having her main breadth about one 

 third from the bow. She is bow-shaped at both 

 ends, and should be at once strong, light, swift to 

 row, and easily turned on her own centre ; this lat- 

 ter quality is attained by having the keel a good 

 deal depressed in the middle. She is always 

 carvel-built, that construction of boat being much 



