262 HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



of oil. The jaw measured in a straight line from extreme forward end to socket 19 feet and 2 

 inches, and the flukes 16 feet 4 inches from point to point. Captain Malloy also tells me that when 

 cut in, the bones of the head of the whale were fractured from the concussion of the severe blow, 

 which evidently disabled the animal and probably saved the ship. 



It sometimes occurs that the boats are lowered and the crew eagerly engage in the chase, but 

 without success. The whales may perhaps disappear altogether from view, or it may be necessary 

 to "cut line"* and abandon a whale at the approach of night after a long and tierce struggle 

 The chase may be postponed on account of fog or rough weather, or a harpoon may ''draw'' and 

 the animal escapes for that time at least. Trouble may also arise from entanglement of the line 

 (foul line) as it runs from the boat; the whale maybe extremely vicious or "ugly," or it may 

 escape by running under ice. Again, the whale may be lost by what is known as " opposition 

 whaling," when the crews of the small boats belonging to the same vessel infringe upon the rights 

 of others in going on to a whale, to which we have already referred. 



GETTING- FAST. The "fast boat," in the whaleman's dictionary, signifies the boat actually 

 engaged in the capture, fast to the whale by means of the harpoon and line. A loose boat, on the 

 other hand, is, as the term implies, one that has not succeeded in striking a whale. The duty of 

 a loose boat, if near by and not certain of a capture, is to keep within hailing distance of the fast 

 boat. Still there is no rule laid down for such a procedure. Two boats may fasten to the same 

 whale, unless it sounds. If one boat is fast and the whale goes below, the second boat usually lays 

 by. It is sometimes the custom, when a vessel carries four boats, for three of them to get fast to 

 as many whales as possible, and for the fourth to " play loose boat." When a whale takes out 

 all of the 300 fathoms of line carried in one boat, it would escape if assistance were not rendered 

 ou the spot. The " fast boat " is therefore made " loose," and the loose boat fast. The latter comes 

 to the rescue either by call or signal, provided it has not been taken in tow by the fast boat, which 

 is sometimes done. When it is necessary for the loose boat to assist, the officer in charge casts 

 one end of his line to the officer of the fast boat. The latter bends the line to his own with a roll 

 ing hitch over the head of the boat. When the line of the fast boat is almost out about 1 " fake " 

 or so remaining in the tub the officer tightens his hitch aud lets it go. Often the hitch slips to 

 the end of the line where it is brought up by the eye-splice, aud the Hue of the fast boat is thus 

 attached to the line of the loose boat while the whale is running. This process may be repeated 

 as long as more line is wanted by the addition of more boats. A fast boat may also become 

 loose by accident, the iron may draw or break, the line may part, or, on account of ice, or in very 

 rough weather, or at the approach of night, it may be necessary to " cut line." 



The actions of whales, when attacked, vary with both the species and the individuals. Super 

 ttcial wounds annoy them and internal ones destroy them. Suffering from the blow of the harpoon, 

 they endeavor to escape the hand that inflicts it, or to rid themselves of the instrument that irri- 

 tates and tortures the flesh. To accomplish their ends they can resort only to the most violent 

 physical exertions and contortions. At such a time, and subsequently, as the boat approaches to 

 afford the officer au opportunity to use the hand-lance, the imminent danger of one's life is often- 

 times unparalleled ; but the danger diminishes when the lance penetrates the sensitive lungs or 

 convoluted intestines, for the unhappy creature then weakens, and becomes quiet under the 

 soothing influence of departing life. 



As a means of defense, the right whale depends solely upon its flukes, which measure from 

 12 to 15, and sometimes 20 feet, in expansion, and iu depth 5 or < feet, and weigh several tons. 



'When the whale is about to t:ike the end of the lino (lie druj; is brur on. forward of the chocks with a rolling 

 hitch, with the expectation that when the trouhle is over the whale may be found. 



