THE AMERICAN WHALE FISHERIES 243 



when they fitted out for the Sperm whaling in 

 tropical and sub-tropical waters. Some of the 

 vessels fitted out exclusively for the Sperm whaling, 

 and did not take part in the Right Whale fishery of 

 northern waters these were known as the " Sperm 

 Whalers." 



After fitting out in November and December in 

 Honolulu the vessels engaged in Sperm whaling left 

 late in December or early in January, usually taking 

 the following route: southwards to the Marshall, 

 Solomon, and Caroline Islands, and then northwards 

 to Marian and Bonin groups in Japanese waters. 

 Off Japan there were two courses. Some vessels 

 went into the Sea of Okhotsk, others to the Arctic 

 through Behring Strait. Some vessels went direct 

 from Honolulu to the Marianne Islands, anchoring 

 off Tinian Island in February and March, and 

 sending out their boats after the Humpback. After 

 March the Japan grounds were abandoned. 



A small fleet consisting mainly of brigs and 

 schooners sailed from Honolulu to the Californian 

 coast to take part in the Grey Whale fishery (p. 29). 

 At this time the Grey Whale was reported to be very 

 fierce and shy, and consequently difficult to capture. 

 The whalers attempted to capture the young ones 

 first, aiming to wound and not to kill. If the young 

 were wounded the mother endeavoured to protect it, 

 and so rendered herself liable to capture, but if the 

 young were killed outright the mother became so 

 desperate in her anger as to render any approach to 

 her on the part of the whale boats an absolute impos- 



