Sword-fishing at Block Island. 81 
south. These are the fishing-grounds, where the water is 
from fifteen to forty fathoms (ninety to two hundred and 
forty feet) deep, though depth is of but little account 
as we shall find our prey at the surface. Everyone on 
board, ladies and all, is now closely scanning the water, 
for the fish can be easily seen and an expert can detect 
one a mile away in this smooth sea. Should a passenger 
be the first to “sight the fish” and proclaim its presence, 
he or she is rewarded by the presentation of the sword, 
should the fish be taken. So keep a bright lookout, for 
the sword will make a handsome souvenir of your voyage 
and the engineer will polish it for you. 
All is ready, for as we have been pursuing our way the 
harpoon has been mounted and set in place. There is at 
the end of the bowsprit an iron stanchion, or “pulpit” as 
it is called, about the height of a man’s waist, intended to 
support the harpooner so that he may not fall overboard. 
Across this “pulpit” the harpoon rests, ready for instant 
use. It consists of a wooden shaft some fifteen feet long 
to which an iron socket is affixed, terminating in an iron 
rod about two feet in length. Upon the end of this rod 
the harpoon-head is set. This is called a “dart” or “lily- 
iron it is of brass and has two barbs, one behind the other, 
a socket for the iron rod and an eye by which it is attached 
to one end of fiftv fathoms of stout line, the other end of 
this line being made fast to an empty, water-tight keg. Half 
way along the wooden shaft is a leather strap, through which 
a bight of the line may be tucked to keep the “dart” in 
place, and enough of the line is looped to give the shaft 
free play and is secured to the rigging here and there by 
weak cotton string, which will hold it in place until the 
force of the fish’s pull breaks it. The rest of the line lies 
coiled in a tub, at the side of the vessel, in such a way 
that it may run out easily when the fish is struck. The 
end of the shaft is also secured to the “pulpit” by a long 
line, and the apparatus is complete. 
