498 CURRENTS AND WHALING. 



It is, however, admitted that the latter are the most numerous ; and 

 the probable reason for the equality in the number taken may be that 

 the bull whale being the largest, is most sought after. The bull whales 

 yield, on an average, from thirty to one hundred barrels of oil, while 

 the cows seldom exceed forty-five barrels, and at times yield no more 

 than five barrels. Bull whales are never found together, but in small 

 numbers, while the cows are seen in large herds. 



The right whale fisheries occupy the higher latitudes in both hemi- 

 spheres, which are their feeding-grounds. As the winter is setting in, 

 the cows resort to the bays to bring forth their young, where they 

 remain until the spring months, when they again resort to the feeding- 

 grounds, to meet the bulls. It is not known where the latter go during 

 the interval, but it is generally supposed to the high latitudes, where 

 they find their food in greater plenty. 



While visiting the ports for the purpose of recruiting, the crews of 

 whale-ships are often found in a state of lax discipline ; both captains 

 and crew take this opportunity to lay their complaints before the 

 consuls, who are much troubled with them, and frequently at a loss 

 to understand and pass upon the merits of the case. The crews 

 usually complain of bad provisions, short allowance, and bad usage ; 

 in some cases I have heard them assert that they felt their lives in 

 danger from the outrageous conduct of the captain; and in one 

 instance, even the officers joined in the complaint. The captain, on 

 the other hand, believed that there was a conspiracy on foot to poison 

 him. 



Many Americans are found on the different islands, who have been 

 turned ashore from whale-ships, or left because they have broken their 

 liberty a single time, near the end of a voyage. Such treatment leaves 

 too much ground to believe that they are purposely left, in order to 

 increase the profits of the ship-master or owners. Several of these 

 men were received, in a perfectly destitute condition, on board the 

 Vincennes ; others were taken out of prison, and all related many of the 

 difficulties and troubles they had to encounter on board the ship to 

 which they were attached ; although I am not generally disposed to 

 place much reliance on their statements, yet it cannot but happen that 

 out of so many cases there must be some in which the seamen were in 

 the right. 



It is difficult to suggest any remedy for this state of things by legis- 

 lation. The law passed in 1837 has had a beneficial effect in protect- 

 ing the crews against a short supply of provisions, and in causing them 

 to be furnished with wholesome food. But the quantity as well as the 

 quality of the rations ought to be fixed by law, that every one who is 



