The new era., 1911-06-08

~ p HALING in Brazil is prac-
wv tically confined to a region
" extending along the coast
of the state of Bahia from
Assn da Tore. 12h de-
Agrees south latitude. to Caravellas. IL
degrees south latitude.
According to Monk Vincent do Sal
vador, contemporaneous with the time,
Its history dates back to 1903, when
Pedro Urecha came from Portugal.
bringing two whale boats with crews
expert in hunting. Soon other learned
whaling, and 1t was not long before
there was quite feet engaged In this
pursuit. The industry has continued
from that day to the present time,
though 1t has been gradually on the
wane during the last 20 years, chiefly
due to decline in price Of whale oil
as result OF the Introduction Of the
cheaper competitor, petroleum and its
products.
The variety Of whale hunted is tho
Balaenoptera Misculus uinnaeus).
The family of RoQuals, to which 1t be-
longs, Is characterized by the large
folds running along the lower jaw and
forward half Of the abdomen.
This Is whale bone" whale, hav-
ing on an average about $50 plates Of
whalebone hanging from the roof OF
its upper jaw. The plates OF bone
are short as compared with those Of
the right whale" They average
about 80 inches in length and because
OF their shortness have little COM
mercial value. The length Of this
variety of whale is said to reach
from go to 10 feet. The largest one
taken in this section gave 6,104h
quarts Of oil from blubber and 412
quarts from scraps. Its lower jaw
bone was 17.3 feet long and its total
length is given as 70 feet. The av-
erage size killed is from 80 to so
Each year this variety of whale mi
CRATES northward as winter approach
es the south pole, and the return COM
mences as soon as spring sets in
there. They are first sighted on
Caravellas. They reach Bahia about
tie middle of May, and have entirely
disappeared south by November, oc-
curing in such quantities in July, Au-
gust and September that the number
which may be killed is only limited by
the number Of boats in their pursuit.
AS they pass along the coast they may
be encountered from mile and up
ward out at sea, frequently entering
Bahia bay. 1t is no uncommon sight
to see them gamboling in the steamer
anchorage.
Other varieties Of whales, such as
the right whale" and the sperm
whale" have from time to time been
encountered along this coast. but
their appearance has been very rare.
At present there are 13 whaling sta
tions. OF these, eight are in the vi
cinity of Bahia City and fve are To-
Gated on Itaparica island, in the bay
facing the city. The other stations,
with the exception OF that the Carav-
elias at the extreme south, are all to
the north of Bahia City.
The boats used in whaling are very
heavy, handmade native affairs. capa-
BILE of standing great strain. Their
sides are from one to two inches
thick. The ribs. keel. etc. are not
ut to form, but are hewn from
pieces naturally approximating the de-
siVH shape. The boats average 30
feet in length, with eight-foot beam
and 3h foot depth. On each side OF
the prov Is arranged horn-like pro
lection of natural bent wood, around
which pass the ropes attached to the
harpoons. The sail Is practically
quadrangular, Of immense area, aver
aging 30 by 40 feet. 1t is lashed to
yard which is tied at its outer third
to long rope passing through sin
gle pulley at the top Of mast. which
Is AZ feet high, and situated slightly
forward OF the center of the boat. BY