Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 134, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 June 1911 — WHALING IN BRAZIL [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WHALING IN BRAZIL

WHALING in Brazil is practically confined to a region extending along the coast of the state of Bahia from Assu da Torre, 12% degrees south latitude, to Caravellas, 18 degrees south latitude. According to Monk Vincent do Salvador, contemporaneous with the time, its history dates back to 1603, when Pedro Urecha came from Portugal, bringing two whale boats with crews expert in hunting. Soon other learned whaling, and It was not long before tbere was quite a fleet engaged in this pursuit. The industry has continued from that day to the present time, though it has been gradually on the wane during the last 20 years, chiefly due to decline in price of whale oil as a result of the Introduction of the cheaper competitor, petroleum and its products. The variety of whale hunted Is the Balaenoptera Mlsculus (Linnaeus), The family of Roquals, to which it belongs, is characterized by the large folds running along the lower jaw and forward half of the abdomen. This is a “whale bone” whale, having on an average about 360 plates of whalebone hanging from the root of its upper jaw. The plates of bone are short as compared with those of the “right whale.” They average about 32 Inches in length and because of their shortness have little commercial value. The length of this variety of whale Is said to reach from 60 to 70 feet. The largest one taken In this section gave 5,104% quarts of oil from blubber and 412 quarts from scraps. Its lower jawbone was 17.3 feet long and its total length Is given as 70 feet The average size killed Is from 30 to 50 feet

Each year this variety of whale migrates northward as winter approaches the south pole, and the return commences as soon as spring sets In there. They -are first sighted off Caravellas. They reach Bahia about the middle of May, and have entirely disappeared south by November, occurring in such quantities in July, August 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 a mile and tipward out at sea, frequently entering Bahia bay. It 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 stations. Of these, eight are In the vicinity of Bahia City and five are located on Itaparica Island, In the bay facing the city. The other stations, with the exception of that the Caravellas at the extreme south, are all to the north of Bahia City. The boats used In whaling are very heavy, hand-made native affairs, capable of standing great strain. Their sides are from one to two inches thick. The ribs, keel, etc., are not bent to form, bbt are hewn from pieces naturally approximating the desired shape. The boats average 30 feet in length, with eight-foot beam and 3 (4-foot depth. On each side of the prow is arranged a born-like projection of natural bent wood, around which pass the ropes attached to the harpoons. The sail Is practically quadrangular, of Immense area, averaging 30 by 40 feet. It is lashed to a yard which is tied at Its outer third to a long rope passing through a single pulley at the top of a mast, which is 42 feet high, and situated slightly forward of the center of the boat. By

out

this arrangement the sail can he raised or lowered speedily, and without much trouble cpn,be changed for a tack. The boats are constructed on such lines that they are very buoyant, seaworthy, fast sailing, and easily managed. In a boat’s equipment are from 8 to 12 harpoons, each attached to about 160 feet of one-inch manlla rope. The harpoons are of various shapes, and makes, from those of local manufacture and ancient pattern to the latest American model, though -the latter are few and far between. A boat also contains from two to four lances, spear-pointed rods of iron mounted In long poles, to which are attached 35 feet of three-quarter-inch manlla rope, which lances are used for killing whales; a large knife used for cutting away the rppe should danger threaten; on each side forward a iso- - coil of two-inch rope, to which is attached the harpoon rope; and on each side aft a 440-foot coil of similar rope, to be attached to the 590-foot rope If necessity warrants; a couple of pairs of oars; and provisions and cooking utensils for the crew. A boat has a crew of ten men, each having his particular duty and all under the direction'Ttf the harpooner, who is stationed in the prow of the boat and directs the movements.

The boats leave for the open sea at sunrise and put In port each night. When a whale is sighted it requires considerable seamanship to sail near enough to permit throwing the harpoon, the chief use of which is'to hold the whale. As soon as a harpoon Is thrown, if It strikes, the whale leaps In the water and starts away at great speed, the rope whistling as it pays out round the horns already mentioned. At once the sail is lowered and the .rudder taken in. As soon as opportunity will permit a bight is taken In the rope, and then the boat, towed by the whale, shoots forward at torpedo-boat speed. From time to time the • whale slackens his speed, and opportunity is given to shorteh the tow rope, until finally the whale is near enough to permit lances to be thrown into It The lances easily penetrate the whale, and are as easily jerked out to be hurled again, until either a vital point is struck A* a whale succumbs from loss of blood. Often when a whale has been frequently lanced it suddenly turns, the boat gives a lurch, the harpoon pulls out, and the whale escapes. Perhaps three-fourths of the whales harpooned get away. The system leaves much to be desired, but the harpooners are averse to trying new and improved methods. Guns shooting explosive bullets, darts, etc., have been imported, but their use Is by no means common. When the boatmen are' successful In killing a whale it Is the particular duty of one of the crew to dive under the whale as soon as dead and pass g rope with which to tie up the mouth; otherwise such a quantity of water would be taken In that the whale would soon sink. As this takes pla6e usually on the high sea and the whale is always surrounded by voracious sharks which have been attracted by the blood flowing from It, the task requires no little courage and skill. Later on, the diver assists in passing the three other ropes with which the whale is lashed alongside the whaleboat that It may be towed to the station. Arriving at the station, the whale is drawn up on the beach and cut up, the fat, called “blubber," being separated from the meat and bones. The pieces of blubber are then taken to the oil factory, where they are placed in large caldrons and the oil is tried

HENRY W. FURNISS.

PREPARING TO CUT UP A WHALE