Whaling Fleet on the Eve of Sailing

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 145, 22 June 1939, Page 4

Whaling Fleet on the Eve of Sailing

MODERN HUNTING METHODS VANCOUVER, May 10. The whaling fleet, of six vessels and tho supply ship, are about to sail for the northern whaling grounds, after basing at the Queen Charlotte Islands. Each ship carries a harpoon gun and crew of 11 men. Whaling hunting has greatly diminished in volume since tho turn of the century, when it was at its peak. In those days, the ships averaged 25 whales a week. Now they average 50 whales for the whole season of five months. The indiscriminate slaughter of a generation ago has given way to orderly regulation of the catch. The limit fixed by the Federal Government is 35ft. The skippers of to-day are staunch conservationists, seeking to preserve an industry that is yet rich in profits. In other days, young whales and their mothers wore killed, and the industry was in danger of being ruined. Canada is a signatory to the international treaty, which aims at assisting the mammals to propagate their species. Harpoon Gunner at Work Of the 310 whales taken last year in British Columbia waters, only 24 were females. The largest was a Sulphur female, measuring 80ft. A Sulphur male was the next largest—77ft. Sperm whales constitute the bulk of tho catch; 253 were of that variety, 50 others being Fins. Most were used in the production of meal, oil and fertiliser; the total value of the products was 220,000 dollars. 1 * Blast ahead!” The hail from tho look-out man, aloft in . the rigging, brings the harpoon gunner in the forepeak to the alert. The skipper manoeuvres his vessel.

“All right,” he calls to the gunner. With a deafening roar the harpoon line cleaves the air. A lung shot is aimed for, as it means instant death, and saves a long chase. On its first dive, the whale takes a 1000 ft. of steel cable line. Its descent is checked by

the power winch. The whale is played. Science has never explained why a whale is able to descend to a depth in which the pressure on its body is one ton to the square inch, without being injured. Sperm Whale Most Valuable Although the engines are in reverse, the boat is being towed along. Eventually, the limp carcase is alongside. Compressed air is pumped into it, so that it will float. A. marker flag is attached, "so that it can be picked up later in the day, and towed to the station, where steam winches strip off the soft white blubber, in strips 50ft. long. The sperm is a toothed whale, about 50ft. or 60ft. long. It is one of the rich prizes. Its oil commands the highest price. It feeds on cuttles and squids. It is timid as a rule, and relies on speed if attacked. It inhabits warmer oceans, and is not found in the Polar regions.