p^ 6 



WHALE BUOYS. 155 



HARBOR BUOYS. 



It has been suggested that harbor buoys may be constructed 

 of vulcanized whalebone board, with economy and advantage, 

 especially for southern latitudes, where wooden buoys are ex- 

 posed to the ravages of insects. The metal buoys which are 

 now used are very much heavier, and much more expensive 

 than they would be, made of gum-elastic cord ware. The wri- 

 ter has no doubt as to the success of an article of this kind, if 

 properly made of this material in this way. See plate xi,, 

 fig. . 



ANCHOR BUOYS. 



These articles are made of plated canvas or whalebone 

 board, with a ring at each end working on a swivel. For 

 ships, the size is commonly about three feet in length and 

 eighteen inches in diameter, of the shape represented in plate xi., 

 fig. 7. 



WHALE BUOYS, 



Are made of vegetable leather, or cord ware, about fifteen 

 inches in length and eight inches in diameter, with a wooden 

 block at the end through which the harpoon line is passed. A 

 tube is also inserted in the block with which to inflate them. 

 This article is fast displacing the leather ones formerly used by 

 whalemen. The object for which it is used is to save the har- 

 poon and line when the whale is missed in harpooning. See 

 plate xi., fig. 3. 



