CURRENTS AND WHALING. 497 



applied to draw it up as it is separated from the carcass. After being 

 taken on board, the blankets are cut up. The next operation is 

 " trying out :" this is done by melting the blubber in large pots set in 

 a fire-place of brick-work, which is carefully secured on the upper 

 deck, with a trough around it, in which water is put to prevent acci- 

 dents from fire. The fuel used is blubber from which the oil has been 

 extracted, which produces a strong heat, and is a very economical 

 fire. To prevent accidents great caution is necessary, and the readiest 

 mode that has been found to extinguish the burning oil, is by throwing 

 sand on it; a quantity of sand is, therefore, generally kept in the 

 " try-works." In well-regulated ships, the oil after boiling is put into 

 reservoirs until it cools, after which it is drawn off and placed in the 

 proper casks ; of each of these a sample is kept, properly marked and 

 labelled, and these are often shown with much pride by the master of 

 the ship to his visiters, as indication of his success and the quality of 

 his oil. 



The profits of the whaling fishery have been great, and show what 

 industry and perseverance can yield when well directed. The small 

 number of accidents in this large fleet is surprising ; for the total 

 losses for which underwriters have to pay, seldom exceed one per 

 cent., and those from other accidents are not more than one half per 

 cent. The insurance seldom exceeds two and a half per cent, by the 

 year, and at this low premium the underwriters have derived good 

 dividends. 



Of late years there has been much fluctuation in the price of oil, 

 which has caused those to make losing voyages who returned at the 

 times of its depression ; but at the steady prices of eighty-five cents 

 per gallon for sperm oil, and thirty-five cents for whale oil, voyages 

 would generally yield a handsome return. 



It is estimated that about ten per cent, of the ships make losing 

 voyages, as well from the incompetency of the masters as from acci- 

 dent and ill luck. 



The greater proportion of the oil finds a market in Germany, Hol- 

 land, and Prussia ; consequently the prices abroad control those at 

 home. 



I have stated the number of sperm whales that are taken at five 

 thousand, and this may in some years be beyond the truth. From the 

 best authorities, the whole of both species annually taken is about ten 

 thousand, including those lost from accident, and those cut adrift, in 

 consequence of bad weather or night. These losses may amount to 

 eight or ten per cent, of those mortally wounded. 



It is said that an equal proportion of bull and cow whales are taken. 

 vol v. 2 R 2 go 



