Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-02-28
WHALE FISHING


The capture of a whale is thus des
cribed in Beale's Natural History of the
Sperm Whale:
1.-The scenes which sometimes occur
during the chase and capture of the
whale defy description. Let the reader
suppose himself on the deck Of q south
seaman cruising in the North Pacific
Ocean, at its Japanese conGne-suddens
II the monotonous quietudc is broken
bY an animated voice from the mast
head exclaiming there she shouts p,--
| The captain Starts on deck in an instant
and inquiries 'whereaway ? but pe.baps
the next moment every one aloft and on
deck can perceive an enormous whale
lying about quarter OF mile from the
snip, on the surface of the sea, having
just come up TO breathe, his large hump
projecting three feet out of the water
when al the end OF every ten seconds
the spout is seen rushing from, The fore
part OF his enormous head. followed by
tue cry OF every one on board, who
join heart and soul in the chorus of
there again J keeping time with the
duration OF the spout. But while they
have been looking, a few seconds have
eXplred--they rush into the boats which
are directly lowered to receive them
and In two minutes from the time first
observing the whale, three or four boars
are down and arc darting through the
water with their utmost speed towards
their intended victim, perhaps accom-
panied with song from the headsman.
who urges the quick and powerful ply
ing OF the oar, with the common whaling
cilaunt of
Away my boys, away my boys, time FOR us 10 co.
"But while they are rushing along the
whale is breathing they have vet per.
haps some distance 10 pull before thev
can get chance Of striking him with
the harpoon. His 'spouiings are nearly
out. ne Is about TO descend, or ne hears
the boats approaching. the few people
left on board, and who are anxiously
watching the whale and the gradual ap-
Proach OF the boats, exclaim '.i he is
going down.! yet he's out again, but
slowly, the water is again seen agita-
ted around him, the spectators on board
with brea,h,ess anxiety think they per,
ceIre his small rising in preparation
Tor his descent; 'he will be lost ! thew
exclaim, for the boats are not near enough
to strike him, and the meD are still
bending their oars in each boat with all
their strength, 20 claim The honor ofthe
hTst blow With &c haipoon. The bow
boat has the advantage Of being nearest
10 the whale; the others, for fear OF dis
iur3lug the unconscious monster, are
how doc med 10 drop asteTn. One more
spout Is seen slowly curling forth-it is
his last, he is rising, his small is bent,
his enormous tail is expected to appear
every instant, but the BOAT shoots rapid
y alongside of the gigantic creature.-
| Peak your oars. exclanls the mate,
and directly tbey flourish in The air
The gllsteniDg harpoon is seen above the
head Of the harpooner-iu an instant it IS
daried with uneFring force aud aim, and
IS buried deeply into he side of the
huge animal. 1t is socket up. that is,
It is buried IN his flesh up 10 The socket
which admits the handle or pole ofthe
harpoOn. A cheer from those in the
boats, and from the sesmsn on board, re-
veFberates along the still deep at the
same moment. The sea hich q mo.
msnt before was unruflied. now becomes
iashed into foam by the immense
strength of the wounded whale, who
with his vast tail strikes in al! directions
at his enemies Now his head rises
high into the air, then his nukes ere
seen flashing every where, his huge body
| wIithes iii violent corforlions rom the
! agony the iron has inflicted. The wa.
ter all around HIN is . mass Of joan
some OF it darts to a considerable height
the sounds Of the blows from his tail
for miles,