78 REPORT OP COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 
It should be borne in mind, however, that the owners in fixing the 
rates take the risk of any fall in the market value of the products by 
assuring a stated price to the men. While the chances are generally 
in their favor, they may meet with a loss by a sudden decline in the 
price of bone and oil. It should also be taken into consideration that 
not unfrequently vessels return without having captured a single whale, 
or they may be crushed in the ice, and with their cargoes and outfits 
become a total loss. The owners of the whaling ships, as a rule, have 
to make large advances to the men and take the risk of being reim- 
bursed for their outlay at the end of the voyage. If the vessel is suc- 
cessful, they are paid ; otherwise, not ; for the men are generally irre- 
sponsible and have little consideration for liabilities contracted in this 
manner. There is, as a matter of course, unstinted grumbling, but 
after Jack has had his growl, which invariably comes after settling and 
“signing clear,” he looks for a ship and enlists for another cruise upon 
the first “blubber-hunter” he can find that needs a crew. 
The following, from the San Francisco Examiner (November 12, 1888), 
expresses Jack’s view of it, and shows why many old hands continue 
in the business from year to year : 
“ It’s tough [said an old salt in explanation], but it’s the usual run. I 7 ve been at 
it 8 years now, and I’ve grown to expect it.” 
“ Why don’t you drop the business then ? ” 
“Blamed if I know. You see us fellows usually sail the same old familiar course, 
np matter where it leads to. We growl, of course, and do some swearing, but we’re 
usually back in the ice again the next season. I suppose it’s because we don’t know 
anything else, and because it’s so hard to strike a new course.” * - * 
“ You signed clear for $1.50, but how much did you owe the ship ? ” * 
“ Fifty-seven dollars they made it. I’ve been 8 years at the business, and I know 
enough to pull ail I can out of the slop-chest while we are afloat. It uever makes 
any difference ; you only get a dollar or two when you are paid off anyhow, even if 
you never touch a rag. If the whaling bosses don’t best you on the slop-chest they 
best you on estimating the catch. Go for the slop-chest, say I, and get a dud or two 
anyway. * * * 
“Here we are after a 10-months’ cruise turneJ ashore without a copper. We’ve got 
to live. * * * We are then in the boarding-house keeper’s clutches, where the 
bunk bills run up. He turns us over to the whaling master and so squares our ac- 
count with advanced money, and so we go the round.” 
The above will show that the average whaleman has a hard lot, for 
which he himself is largely responsible. His desire to “ come square,” 
necessarily leaves him in the power of others. One who has had ex- 
perience in the business says : 
It is the sailors’ own fault. The first thing they do on signing articles is to draw 
an advance — all they can get. In order to protect ourselves we are obliged to limit 
* Ordinarily there is nothing due to the seamen at settling, and they are paid $1 
each for signing the following document, which is denominated “ signing clear:” 
San Francisco, , 1888 . 
This is to certify that I have this day been discharged from the hark , , master, by mu- 
tual consent, and in consideration of receiving my discharge at this port I hereby acknowledge the 
receipt of dollars in full settlement and compromise of all claim or claims I have or may have 
against the agents, owners, and master of said bark or vessel for services rendered by me to date. 
(Signed) - , 
