FISHERIES FOR WHALES 103 



is that the whales are being killed in such large numbers 

 that they are in danger of general extermination. Even 

 before the introduction of the shot-harpoon, whales 

 were being destroyed at an astonishing rate. Thus, 

 during 40 years in the middle of the last century, over 

 300,000 whales were captured by the United States 

 whale fisheries alone. The value of these whales was 

 65,000,000, so that each whale realized on an average 

 216. Of recent years before 1914 a single large 

 Greenland whale has realized as much as 900 for 

 whalebone and 300 for oil. At the present time, over 

 20,000 whales are killed each year. 



The old eighteenth century whaler of about 400 tons 

 burden carried about 30 officers and men, and was 

 equipped for a three years' voyage. Each whaler 

 carried six whale boats. These whaleboats were about 

 27 ft. long and built sharp at each end. Each boat was 

 furnished with mast and sails, and was provided with two 

 200-fathom whale lines. When a whale was sighted 

 four of these boats, each manned by six men, started 

 in pursuit. The boats ranged themselves alongside 

 the whale and a harpoon was driven into it from each 

 boat. The whale immediately dived to the bottom of 

 the sea and remained there sometimes for as long as 

 forty minutes. When he returned to the surface to 

 breathe, more harpoons were thrown and he dived again. 

 Ultimately, owing to loss of blood, the whale kept near 

 the surface and was then dispatched by a lance thrust 

 behind the flipper into the vital parts. 



The modern Greenland whaler is an iron vessel of 

 about 500 tons. She is fitted with auxiliary engines of 

 75 horse-power. She carries from fifty to sixty hands and 

 eight whaleboats. She is fitted with tanks for 250 tons of 

 oil. Before the war she would cost about 17,500 to 

 build and 500 a month to maintain. Each whaleboat 



