526 CURRENTS AND WHALING. 



watch them, or leave a buoy, and then not unfrequently they may be 

 swept off by the tinder-current, or lost by bad weather. 



Although the high latitudes offer great inducements on account of 

 the number and size of the whales, yet there are many difficulties 

 existing, that render it preferable to pursue the game in the low 

 latitudes. The weather, even in the summer season, is often tem- 

 pestuous, which makes it dangerous to lower boats; and there are, 

 even in the fine season, fogs, which not only tantalize, but prevent 

 the chase from being extended to any distance from the ship, without 

 the risk of losing both boats and crew. I have been told that it has 

 frequently happened that boats have been separated from the ship for 

 several days, thus not only producing great anxiety, but often much 

 distress from want of provisions and water. Our whalers feel that 

 there is quite enough of adventure and peril in following their em- 

 ployment in the lower and less boisterous latitudes. 



Notwithstanding these difficulties, the favourite and most suc- 

 cessful ground for the right whale, is between the fiftieth and fifty- 

 fifth parallel of north latitude, where vast numbers have been recently 

 taken in June and July, of great size ; although the season is of 

 short duration, yet large ships have obtained a full cargo before its 

 close. 



It is impossible to meet a whale-ship on the ocean without being 

 struck by her mere appearance. The vessel under short sail, with 

 look-outs at the masthead, eagerly scanning the wide expanse around 

 them, has a totally different air from those engaged in a regular 

 voyage. 



But admiration is excited on becoming a looker-on at the chase and 

 capture. When the cry from aloft of " There she spouts !" and the quick 

 response of " Where away ?" are heard, the bustle on the deck shows 

 a state of animation that would scarcely be supposed possible among 

 such a looking set of men. The boats are immediately put in requi- 

 sition, lowered and manned, and within a few minutes the pursuit is 

 begun. The boats dash on until the boat-steerer comes within sight 

 of his object ; the whale is soon reconnoitred, and endeavours are 

 made to approach him unobserved, and plunge the harpoon as near 

 the fin as possible ; a wound in this place is sometimes fatal, and no 

 further injury is necessary to secure the animal's capture. 



On being struck, the whale at once dives, carrying out the line 

 (which is kept coiled up in tubs) with great velocity, through a 

 notch in the stem of the boat. The velocity of the line is at times 



