230 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



in the same manner in their regular order, the captain commencing with the bowman for his boat, 

 and so on with the rest of the crew. The supernumeraries help the ship-keeper to work the vessel 

 when the boats are down for whales. 



The boats' crews and watches being disposed of, the captain makes a short address * to the 

 ship's company, explaining the nature and object of the voyage ; defines the positions and duties 

 of all on board; establishes his rules and regulations -to which he enjoins strict obedience, and 

 also calls attention to the penalties of disobedience. He reminds each one, man and officer, that 

 lie has certain positions to fill and duties to perform, and endeavors to impress upon him the impor- 

 tance of a strict compliance with every law he may see fit to establish at the outset. 



RIGGING BOATS. As whales may be raised at any time by an outward-bound vessel, one of the 

 first duties of the captain, after the watches and boats' crews have been chosen, is to rig his boats 

 for the capture. This work is usually commenced on the first or second day of sailing, provided 

 the weather is propitious, and some captains keep all hands engaged in this work until the boats 

 are properly equipped. 



There is considerable work to be done even in rigging old boats ; but when an entirely new 

 vessel is under foot, this kind of work is vastly augmented and the time proportionately 

 extended. Everything is new and " stiff"; and the feeling seems to be unanimous with the officers 

 and men, that, so far as the labor of rigging the boats is concerned, they prefer to sail on an old 

 vessel rather than on a new one. The officers "cun"t their own boats when getting them ready for 

 whaling ; the boat-steerers perform most of the skilled labor, in which they are assisted by the 

 oarsmen. The officers' generally have the care of the hand-lances, and the boat-steerers of the 

 harpoons. 



On vessels that have made one or more voyages, the greater part of the apparatus may again 

 be used, but it must be carefully overhauled. When making the home port, the smaller implements 

 of capture, and accessories, are stowed away in alarge cask, and marked" boat gear." The harpoons 

 lances, boat-spades, and boat-hooks, are bundled and stowed away. On arrival, the casks and 

 bundles are placed in the lofts of buildings usually belonging to the owners of the ship. When, 

 the vessel is about to leave for another voyage, these implements are again placed aboard, and as 

 everything belonging to a whale-boat has its proper place and appropriate marks, there is no 

 trouble in redistributing the gear. The harpoons and lances are " set up" that is, they have their 

 poles and necessary ropes attached and sharpened, and placed in the boat as soon as possible. 

 Every thing necessary for the capture of the whale, except the heavy line- tub, is kept inviolate in 

 its proper place in the boat when on the cranes. 



If the vessel is an old one, the boat-sails may be rigged up and used until time and opportunity 

 is offered for making new ones. If it is necessary to make new sails, cotton drilling is gotten out, 

 and as many good sewers, as can be spared from the crew, are sometimes set to work upon them, 



* The following is about the style of speech delivered by the captain on such occasions : " Now, my men, I suppose 

 yon alt know what we are here for. We have started for a cargo of oil, aud I expect that every man will do his best. 

 First, I waut good, sharp, lookouts kept, and sing out for everything you see. Go, when you are sent, and come when 

 you are called, and always repeat the order that's given you. Von shall have euough to eatof what is in the ship ; but 

 I want nothing wasted. If your food is not properly cooked, or if .you do not get enough of it, come to me, and I will 

 see that you do have enough and that it is properly cooked. I want no growling with the cook. No fighting on board. 

 If any of you want to fight, come to me, and I will attend to your case. Now, boat-steerSrs, your place is abaft the 

 try- works ; bear that in mind. I want you to sing out for everything you see at the masthead, if it is nothing morr 

 than a porpoise. You will have two chances; if you miss them, you can't have any more aboard this ship." 



tTo con (or cun, as it is more generally pronounced), implies to direct the movements of the vessel, or more 

 properly, to direct the, helmsman in steering the vessel ; arid in this instance means to oversee or have general charge 

 and direction of equipping the boats. 



