10 The "Arctic" Whaler. 



commanded the " Arctic " at the seal and whale 

 fisheries, render him deservedly popular with all 

 ranks and classes, and enable him to enlist a good 

 crew, with efficient and experienced officers. 



Our ship's company are a fine sturdy set of fel- 

 lows, evidently intending work if they get the op- 

 portunity. A fourth part comes from the Shetland 

 Isles, one man is English, one a Norwegian, and 

 the remainder are Scotchmen, principally High- 

 landers. One of the Shetland men is both deaf 

 and dumb, but is most willing, and is a fair sailor. 

 He rejoices in the appellation of " Dummy." 



Ships employed in the whale fishery have a com- 

 plement of men according to the number of boats 

 with which each ship is provided, so that when 

 actually engaged in the capture of the huge monsters 

 of the deep, all boats may be despatched fully 

 manned, leaving two or three hands on board for 

 the purpose of working the ship. Our complement 

 in the " Arctic/' including the captain and myself, 

 was fifty-five souls. 



In order that all the men on board may take an 

 interest in and use their utmost exertions for the 

 furtherance of a successful issue to the voyage, each 

 individual, according to his position in the ship, is 

 paid a per-centage upon the amount of cargo brought 

 home, their regular wages being small. This will 

 account for the ease with which a successful whaling 

 master is able to man his ship. The statement on 



