Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1885-03-07
CHASING WHALES.

"Whaling has seen its palmy days, -
said an old whaler to a Brooklyn Eagle re-
porter aday or two ago. "Its palmy days
have gone. The hours Ofease during the
cruise, followed by the glorious excite
ment of the chase and encounter, have
now nearly disappeared. The simple
iron with its rope and plain lance have
given away to the bomb lance. The
steam launch is doing away with the
Whaleboat, and the steam whaler is
chasing the sailing vessel off the seas.
The Whaler Of old at all proficient in his
vocation was not as to-day he is fast be-
coming a mere machine. Maybe you
would like to hear something about the
old days?
'The ground for sperm whaling is near
the tIOpics-35 degrees north and south
ATTITUDES. In June, July and August
Whalers pursue their vocation in the
northern hemisphere. Years ago those
in the Atlantic Cruised in the track of
vessels bound from Europe to the East
Indies by way of the Cape of Good Hope.
During this season the trade winds blow
at the easy rate of four miles an hour.
The atmosphere Is soft and warm. The
sea is as calm as a millpOnd and so the
ship glides along easily with even keel.
The sailors off duty lay about the decks
IN blissiul incidence and DAYS quickly
followed each other without a care.
Maybe a sail is sighted. The Whaler at
once bears down upon the stranger.
When near enough the captain mans
AID lowers his boat and puts off toward
the other vessel, with 3 dolphin or bon
ito, freshly caught, or a quantity of fruit.
Soon the captain and his men have
clambered on deck of what, perhaps, is
an East Indiaman, which pursues his
course. The WhaIer follows. After q
day of enjoyment, of good eating and
drinking, after the latest news has been
learned and the strangest tales told, dusk
threatens and the skipper and his crew
take to their boat and put back to their
own vessel, fairly loaded down with to-
bacco, whisky, and other comforts.
every now and then the good ship
puts into one of the Cape Verde islands,
the De Loo, and Madeira islands. And
80 the time passes while cruising in search
Ofthe whale. In this season of inactivity
and Incidence, the men are prepared for
the intense excitement and arduOus labor
into which at a moments notice they
may be thrown, just as before the tenn
pest dead calm reigns and the sea lies
unfurrowed by a repple, while nature
prepares to summon the hurricane and
gathers strength TO pile the waters into
mountainous pillows. LOOkOuts, each ca
ger to raise a whale, are stationed in the
crosstrees of the masts. The sea is care
fully scanned far and wide. Suddenly
voice from alOft sings out, There blows
At once all Is eXcitementand animation.
The officer Of the deck lays aloft with
glass, where a good view of the whale can
Be had. ii the vessel is not to the wind
ward side OF the whale an attempt is
made at once to get there, because for a
reason unknown to whalers the whale
when excited to flight almost invariably
Eushes of into the very teeth of the wind,
and 1t is utter folly to try and follow.
The whale lies quiet and the vessel works
to windWard. Everything is then pre-
pared for action. A couple of boats are
lowered, the captain in charge Of one
and the first or second mate handling the
other. When we'll clear of the ship the
oars are peaked; that is, fastened out so