THE WHALE FISHERY. 247 



tow the whale-boats nearer the whale, thereby economizing time, and to afford means of approach- 

 ing whales during calms, when they might otherwise be inaccessible, and afterwards to tow dead 

 whales to the vessel. But from the account of Capt. Bernard Cogan, who first used this cutter 

 in connection with the bark Rainbow, in the Arctic regions, it appears that the steamer has been 

 employed in killing wounded whales as well as in getting fast " second boat." In a letter to Mr. 

 William H. Bartlett, Captain Cogan says that the cutter was " used to advantage towing boats 

 to windward and towing whales to ship in light winds. Found her most useful in chasing wounded 

 whales that got loose. It is hard for a wounded whale to get away from her in open water, and 

 she always got fast second boat. We used the dartlng-gnn, hand lance, and bomb lances. We 

 got two whales with her, and saved one wounded whale that we would have lost if we did not 

 have her. Used properly, one steam-launch is a big advantage to a ship." The career of this little 

 craft will be watched with much interest, not only by the whaling fraternity, but by sea-faring men 

 of every nation, and as it is the first attempt in this direction, it will undoubtedly prove an impor- 

 tant record in the history of the American whale-fishery. 



* 



4. THE APPARATUS OF CAPTURE." 







IMPRACTICABLE SCHEMES. NETS, PBUSSIC ACID, AND ELECTRICITY. 



It was my first intention to describe only the ordinary methods of capture ; but in arranging 

 and elaborating the results of my investigations, I find that I have several accounts of extraordi- 

 nary and impracticable schemes for the destruction of the whale. 



Among the most remarkable schemes that have fallen short of successful application should 

 be mentioned (1) nets, (2) prussic acid, and (3) electricity. 



THE CAPTURE OF WHALES WITH NETS. Attempts have been made by both English and 

 American whalemen to capture the " white whale," or white dolphin, in nets. So far as the Eng- 

 lish are concerned, or were concerned, I have no data except that which has been published by 

 Scoresby, who tells us that this species was taken in the large rivers flowing into Hudson Bay and 

 Davis Straits by "harpoons or strong nets "; but in regard to the steps taken in this direction 

 by American whalemen I am prepared to speak more definitely. Mr. H. L. Crandell, home 

 manager of the firm of Messrs. C. A. Williams & Co., New London, Conn., tells me that the old 

 firm of Williams, Haven & Co. made two attempts to capture the white whale with nets at the 

 mouths of the large rivers in Cumberland Inlet. The nets were made of manila lobster twine 

 capable of lifting 200 pounds. This net had a 9-inch mesh and was 500 fathoms long, 3 fathoms 

 deep in the bunt, and tapered to '2 fathoms at the ends. It was hung on manila whale-line with 

 weights and corks, and cost $1,000. It was used by bark Concordia, in 1871, at Kingann, Cum- 

 berland Inlet. It was set from a platform built across two whale-boats and towed from shore to 

 shore by five boats of the same type. At one setting five hundred white whales or " white gram- 

 puses," as they are also called by whalemen, were entrapped and killed with guns and lances in 

 less than an hour. This catch stowed down 750 barrels of oil. Thirty-seven men were employed 

 ;it each ebb-tide, and 1,000 barrels of oil were taken during the season. . A second net was made 

 of the same material and with a mesh of the same size ; it was 1,000 fathoms long ; the bunt was 

 300 fathoms long, and fished 4 feet deep ; the next 300 fathoms on either side fished 3 feet, and 

 the remaining 400 fathoms at each end fished from 2 feet to 1 foot. It was also strung with whale- 

 line, and had adjustable cast-iron sinkers weighing from 8 to 24 pounds each. This net was used 

 in 1872 at the locality above mentioned by the steamer Tigress, of St. John's, Newfoundland, 



* For more detailed description of apparatus see the section of this report on APPARATUS OF THE FISHERIES. 



