THE DECK
This diagram shows the deck arrangement of “Lagoda” of New Bedford and was characteristic of all square-rigged whalers.
A—B—C—D—E—Boats hanging on the davits. Many ships did not swing a boat in the position of “B.”
In their order the boats were named as follows:—“Bow”—“Starboard Bow”—“Waist”—“Larboard”—“Starboard.” The latter was known as the captain’s boat, though in later years the captain did not leave the ship.
The first mate had the larboard boat—second mate the waist—third mate the bow.
The senior boatsteerer took the starboard bow boat unless the ship carried a fourth mate.
F—Spare boats on the skids—or boat bridge.
G—The main hatch.
H—The try works.
J—The steering wheel.—To left of the wheel, the companion stairs to captain’s quarters.
K—The galley.
L—The “cutting-in” stage. At this point a section of the bulwarks was removed during cutting in.
M—The foc’s’le hatch leading to crew’s quarters below.
N—The windlass.