WHALEBONE WHALES. 



1 1 



Peterhead and Dundee. From information given by Capt. Gray to Mr. T. South- 

 well, it appears that between the years 1788 and 1879 no less than four thousand 

 one hundred and ninety-five whales were killed by the Peterhead vessels ; while 

 between 1790 and 1879 four thousand two hundred and twenty were accounted for 

 by those sailing from Dundee. When we add to these the numbers killed by the 

 whalers of other nations, it is not surprising to learn that the Greenland whale has 

 now become a comparatively scarce animal. In the year 1891 only seventeen 

 whales were captured by the Scotch whalers, and these were of comparatively 

 small size, yielding whalebone of less than six feet in length. It has, indeed, been 

 supposed that the species is either well-nigh exterminated, or has been driven north- 

 ward beyond its ancient haunts. Neither of these suppositions appear, however, to 

 be true, for it is now ascertained that the whales have not altered their original lines 

 of migration, while so late as 1891 considerable numbers were seen in the Green- 

 land seas. Writing on this subject, Mr. Southwell expresses his belief that the 

 want of success experienced of late years by the whalers is " mainly owing to the 

 introduction of steam, which enables the modern ships to follow the whales in 

 localities where formerly they would have been safe from molestation. The rattle 

 of the screw also, which can be heard by the whales for long distances, is now to 

 them a well-known sound ; above all, the eagerness with which they are followed 

 up all the vessels consorting together has at length rendered them so wild as to 

 be practically unapproachable. Even now, however, it appears quite possible that 

 a vessel approaching their haunts alone, and in the quiet manner which prevailed 

 before the introduction of steam, might be rewarded by the success of old. 

 Certainly the fishery appears to be in a hopeless condition at present (1892) ; but 

 it is possible that a few years' rest might restore the confidence of the whales, and 

 that, if then pursued with due caution by a limited number of vessels, paying 

 cargoes might again be obtained." 



The method of capturing whales has been so frequently described, that it will 

 be unnecessary to do more than briefly allude to it here. In former days the 

 actual pursuit of the whale was always made in open boats, and the harpoon, with 

 the line attached, thrown by hand ; the animal being subsequently despatched by 

 long sharp weapons known as lances. Later on, a harpoon-gun was substituted 

 for the thrower ; while at the present day the ships themselves are in some cases 

 used in the attack, and the employment of open boats dispensed with. The vessels 

 thus employed are mounted with a massive and elaborately constructed gun fixed 

 in the boat upon a swivel support. The gunner takes his stand upon a platform, 

 which is furnished with wings overlapping the small angle of the bows, and thus 

 allowing him plenty of room to move freely. The projectile is a harpoon, armed 

 with movable flukes, and containing an explosive in the head. When fired, the 

 flukes lie flat on the sides of the harpoon, but on entering the flesh of the whale 

 they open out so as to form a grapnel in its body ; while the act of expansion also 

 fires the explosive, by which the animal, if hit anywhere near a vital part, is 

 generally killed outright. 



Although the whale of the North Atlantic has been separated 



Southern Whale. -,.,., , .,- c 



as a distinct species from the one inhabiting the southern part or 



that ocean, while those of the North and South Pacific have likewise received 



