THE AMERICAN WHALE-FISHERY. 229 



icj^ barrier, as that weapon shoots an explosive missile into the animal at the same 

 time the harpoon is fastened. 



Mention has been made in the preceding pages of the manner of standing 

 watches, and the general routine of duty on board the ship when making a passage ; 

 but it is only when they arrive on the cruising -ground that systematic whaling 

 really begins. The ship's company, or that portion of it who ''stand a watch," is 

 divided into what are called "boat's -crew watches," each watch remaining on deck 

 its allotted time between dark and daylight, and during the day one -half of the 

 ship's company alternate (which is called "watch and watch"), unless whaling 

 is going on, when all hands are engaged. A day's routine of a whale -ship's duty, 

 wheia on whaling- ground, begins at a very early hour. All hands are called in 

 time to get breakfast by sunrise, after which all required sail is set, the decks are 

 washed off, and the lookouts are stationed at the mast-heads. If a four-boat ship, 

 an officer and a boat-steerer stand at the main -topgallant cross-trees, two men at 

 the fore -topgallant mast-head, and one at the mizzen- topgallant mast-head, who are 

 relieved every two hours, as also arc the men at the wheel, who steer the ship. 

 Should no whales be seen through the day, at sunset all hands are called to shorten 

 sail, when the light sails are furled, the mainsail taken in, tlie topsails reefed, and 

 the watch is set for the night. But should whales be "raised," the hours of rest 

 are governed entirely by the amount of necessar}- work to be performed. From 

 sun to sun the boats may be engaged in the exciting chase ; and the few ship- 

 keepers left on board strain every muscle to work the vessel and make the required 

 signals. This is no easy matter when the wind is fresh and the vessel is being 

 continually maneuvered, as the pursuing boats change their positions. An endless 

 variety of signals are used in the whaling -fleet in connection with the capture of a 

 whale, more especially when there is a large fleet cruising on the same ground, for 

 then the signals from each ship are kept private, in order to gain advantage in the 

 pursuit. 



The ship -keeper in charge of the vessel may be the captain. At present few 

 whaling -masters make a joractice of going in their boats; while formerly it was the 

 custom for the captain to be first in the water when lowering for whales. In 

 such cases, the person, left in charge of the ship was either chosen from among the 

 crew, or he was shipped for that particular duty. In any event, his services are 

 important, for the safety of the boats or the capture of the whale may depend 

 upon his vigilance and good management. The boats being down, the object of 

 pursuit can be seen but a comparatively short distance, while from the ship's 

 mast-head an extensive view is obtained; hence, when the boats are away, the 



