A Little Whale Boat Information
The Whaleboat was basically a dependable means of getting close enough to a whale for the kill. Each whaleship sailed with three to five whaleboats swinging from davits (cranes used on ships). Spares, usually two, were stowed on top of the after house at midship.
Each whaleboat was light and strong, approximately 30 feet long and six feet wide. They were double enders, (pointed at both ends)and sometimes painted in bright colors at bow (front) and stern (rear) for easy identification at a distance. They were equipped with mast, sail, and rudder, as well as oars and paddles. The oars were unusually long, up to 10 feet in length.
Their uncomplicated design made them easy to repair, which was important on long voyages, because whaleboats were often damaged during encounters with whales.
Each whaleboat had a crew of six. The boatheader, usually the captain or one of the mates, stood in the stern (rear), handled the steering oar, and commanded the boat; The harpooneer or boatsteerer pulled the bow oar up front and four crewmen rowed with oars.
The right equipment was essential. Each whaleboat carried:
Two wooden tubs, each with 150 fathoms (900 feet) of coiled hemp line. Care was taken to ensure that the rope would uncoil without kinks -- to prevent injury or death for crewmen or loss of the whaleboat.
Two harpoons, ready for use, and two or three spares.
Two or three lances, or barbless blades, used to kill the whale.
Hatchet and knives to cut the line in an emergency.
Wooden keg for drinking water.
A piggin - a small bucket for bailing water from the boat or for wetting the line attached to the harpoon in the whale.
A lantern-keg with flint, steel, box of tinder, lantern, candles, bread, tobacco, pipes.
Compass.
Waif - a long-poled flag used to locate a floating carcass from a distance and to identify it for other whaleships.
A dragging float to make it harder for the whale to swim.
Fluke spade to cut a hole in the whale's tail and tow the carcass back to the ship.
Miscellaneous equipment, including anchor, buoy, etc.
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