28 Equipping the Boats. 



Each harpoon has the name of the ship to which it 

 belongs stamped on the shank. In addition to the 

 articles above enumerated, the following complete 

 the equipment of a whale boat when fully prepared 

 for service : — 



5 pulling oars and 1 steer oar. 



Mast and sail (occasionally) . 



4 lances for killing the whale. 



1 tail knife, used for cutting holes in the tail 

 and fins of a dead whale. 



1 hatchet for cutting the line, if necessary. 



1 flag staff and jack, which is only displayed 

 when a whale is struck. 



1 mik or rest for the hand harpoon. 

 3 spare thole-pins for each thwart. 



2 snow-shovels. 



2 piggons, or small buckets, used for baling the 

 boat out, and for pouring water over the lines to 

 prevent their catching fire from excessive friction. 



1 marline-spike. 



1 splicing fid. 



1 fog-horn, 

 lfile. 



2 boathooks. 



A ball of spun yarn. 

 Box of ammunition, &c. 



There is also in each boat a tow rope, used either 

 for towing the dead whale or the boats employed 



