PORTER’S JOURNAL, 
198 
vegetables. From Tumbez stretch off to the southward and 
westward, keeping-on that tack until you can make Juan Fer¬ 
nandez or Massafuero ; then stretch in for Mocha, and go over 
the same ground again, if you have not already filled your vessel, 
and it is likely you will not have done so, unless you have had 
extraordinary success. 
On running down the coast of Chili and Peru, you will fre¬ 
quently observe streaks of coloured,,water, from 10 to 20 leagues 
from the land, on the outer edge of which is considered good 
whaling ground, as the squid, their principal food, keep about 
those places; and it must be observed, that where soundings are 
to be had, spermaceti whales are not to be found. 
Secondly, respecting the practices of those who follow this 
business, I shall only touch on the most important articles, as it 
is not to be supposed that a pursuit of this nature would be en¬ 
gaged in by those entirely unacquainted with it. 
Fine vessels, of from 250 to 400 tons burthen, mounting from 
6 to 18 guns, and manned with from 25 to 35 men, abundantly 
supplied with whaling geer, casks of a superior quality to contain 
the oil, large copper tanks, iron boilers, skimmers, tubs, leather 
hose for starting the oil, spare whale-boats, frames, plank, See. 
See., together with three years supplies of provisions of every 
description, and of the best kind, as well as clothing for the sea¬ 
men, and as much water as they can carry conveniently, are dis¬ 
patched, at an expence of from 50 to 70,000 dollars, on those 
voyages ; the crews are entered on shares, and, at the expira¬ 
tion of the voyage, receive their proportion of the neat proceeds 
thereof, agreeably to the contract they can make with their 
owners, the captain generally receiving one-eightieth part of the 
whole; mates, boat-steerers, harpooners, line-managers, oarsmen, 
ship-keepers, &c., See., all being allowed their due proportions. 
The captains are also pursers for their ships, and make large 
profits on their supplies of slops, Sic., and advances of money to 
their cre\^s; and as they are allowed to sell on the coast small 
quantities of merchandize, to defray the expences of refreshing 
their ships’ companies, they derive also considerable profits there¬ 
from; and, by means of presents or bribes to the governors and 
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VOL. I. 
