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CHAPTER XIL 
DESCRIPTION OF THE BOATS, WITH THE VARIOUS IN- 
STRUMENTS, EMPLOYED IN THE CAPTURE OF 
THE SPERM WHALE* 
The ships which are employed in the sperm whale 
fishery, are generally from 300 to 400 tons burthen, 
having crews to the number of from twenty-eight to 
thirty-three men and officers, and in which the surgeon 
is included. They sail on their voyage from London 
at all times of the year, fully provisioned for three 
years. Each vessel carries six whale boats, which, 
being the principal means used in the pursuit and 
capture, it will be necessary to describe fully. They 
are of a construction admirably adapted to the purposes 
for which they are intended, combining great sharpness 
