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A richly illustrated sketchbook that documents the techniques, equipment, and daily life of traditional whaling through detailed plates and diagrams. Sequential images and captions depict fitting out, sail handling, whaleboats, harpooning and lancing, the struggle of the chase, cutting-in and rendering blubber, shipboard trades and tools, and shore activities such as gams and recruiting. A foreword frames the material by contrasting the romantic image of sail whaling with mechanized modern whaling, while the artwork emphasizes technical accuracy, danger, and the labor and culture of the whalemen.
The instant command was “Stern all!!”—and the boat was backed out of range of the great flaying tail.
Many things might happen in the next few moments.
The whale might “run”—he might turn and attack the boat with open jaws, or “sound.”
The boatsteerer and the officer exchanged places.
The line ran out at such speed that water had to be thrown into the tub to prevent the line setting fire to the loggerhead.