232 
THE FIN WHALE FISHERY IN NORTH LAPLAND. Oct., 1889 
The last important item which I have to mention is the 
“accumulator” or “relieving tackle.” This apparatus is 
intended to minimise the bad effect of sudden jerks or strains 
upon the line. It is suspended from the foremast, and 
consists essentially of two cross-pieces, connected together 
with a number (12 or 15) of very strong indiarubber bands, 
which pass round them. The upper cross-piece is attached to 
the mast, and to the lower is fixed a wheel or metal block, 
over which is passed the harpoon line. A sudden jerk upon 
the line, caused by the whale starting off at suddenly 
increased pace, is reduced to a gradual strain by the stretching 
of the indiarubber bands, and a possible source of danger, or 
the breaking of the line, is thus to a great extent avoided. 
When cruising about in search of whales the liarpooner 
is stationed aloft in the “ crow’s nest.” which is a very large 
tub placed high up on the foremast. From this post of 
vantage he has an extended view, and, when a whale is 
sighted, he gives the signal, and the vessel starts off in 
pursuit. The liarpooner descends and takes up his station at 
the gun, with the pistol-stock handle in one hand and the 
firing cord in the other. When the whale is within range, 
about 12 or 13 yards, the gun is quickly brought to bear, and, 
usually as the whale rises across the line of sight, the string 
is pulled and the harpoon discharged. If the harpoon is 
“ fast,” the line runs out rapidly, and the steamer is soon 
being towed along ; the engines are then reversed to full 
speed astern, so as to drag as much as possible, but in spite 
of this the vessel mav still be towed along at a Dace of eight 
or nine knots ahead. When a sufficient strain is applied to 
the line, the “ flukes ” of the harpoon break away from the 
lashings which secure them, and, as they open, crush the 
fulminating tube, and explode the shell inside the whale’s 
body. Even then it is not necessarily “all up” with the 
beast, as it may still continue running for some time, often 
some hours, before finally succumbing. Mr. Cocks (“ Zoologist,” 
1887) gives an interesting account of one whale which 
continued running for six hours from the time of its first being 
harpooned, in the course of which it towed two steamers 
along, with a harpoon from each in its body, both shells 
having properly exploded. This is certainly an exceptional 
example of endurance, but is a good instance of the enormous 
strength and great vitality of these animals. When the 
strength of the whale is spent, the steamer comes alongside, 
the boats are launched, and the men proceed to finish the 
work with lances, the shafts of which are enormously long. 
The beast usually gives a last convulsive struggle, known as 
