PREFACE 



when men went forth in frail craft to kill the Leviathans 

 by hand with spears and harpoons. 



I cannot pretend to tell the whole story that links modern 

 whaling with its humble but adventurous beginnings : but 

 if I have succeeded in helping the reader to visualise it in 

 broad outUne as well as entertaining him at the same time, 

 then I shall know that the writing and illustrating of this 

 book has been worthwhile. 



Geoffrey Whittam 



