30 I FISHERIES OF THE UNITED STATES. [34] 



Boat-bucket — Continued. 



Bartlett & Sons. As soon as the boat is fast to a whale the 

 order is given to " Wet line!" and the man whose duty it is 

 grasps the boat-bucket, and, dipping water from overboard, 

 pours it into the line-tub to prevent friction as the line runs 

 rapidly round the loggerhead. 



Boat-piggin. 



An ordinary piggin with a projecting stave as a handle, used for 

 bailing the boat. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 1881. 72814. 

 Gift of I. H. Bartlett & Sons. 



Water-keg. 



Oak staves, headed at both ends, bound with iron hoops, with an 

 outlet for water on the upper end. Used as a receptacle for 

 fresh water for the men when down for whales. New Bedford, 

 Massachusetts, 1881. 72815. Gift of I. H. Bartlett & Sons. 



BOAT-LANTEKN. 



A small oblong lantern with glass sides, and a tin socket for the 

 reception of candles. Used as an ordinary lantern in the boat 

 when down for whales if the capture is prolonged until night, 

 and as a signal for the ship. New Bedford, Massachusetts, 

 1881. 72816. Gift of I. H. Bartlett & Sons. 



Blackfish poke. 



The stomach of the Blackfish (Globiocephalus) deprived of its inner 

 membrane, inflated, and dried, painted white, wooden plug in- 

 serted and seized in neck. Provincetown, Massachusetts. 72844. 

 Gift of Stephen Cook. At times, when a whale is fast to a 

 boat, it may run so rapidly, or sound to such a depth, as to take 

 out all the line. Under such conditions the poke is bent on to 

 the end of the line before it leaves the boat, and when the 

 whale ceases its progressive motions the poke or buoy appears 

 on the surface and the line is regained. It is also used in waif- 

 ing dead whales or blackfish. 



Boat-horn. 



Used in a whale-boat as a foghorn. Tin, japanned ; mouth-piece, 

 tin. Length, 13^ inches. Diameter of mouth, 2£ inches. New 

 Bedford, Massachusetts, 1882. 72818. U. S. Fish Commission. 



Tinder-box. 



A water-proof box carried in the lantern-keg. Tin, small ring 

 handle, painted. Contents : Flint, steel, and cloth, for lighting 

 pipes when down for whales, or, perhaps, making fires on 

 shore, if the boat should be engaged in whaling on soundings, 

 and the crew feel disposed to warm themselves or to have a hot 

 meal. Height, 2 inches. Diameter, 4 J inches. New Bedford, 

 Massachusetts, 1882. 72817. Presented by John McCullough. 



