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Right Whale — Part 2
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"The whale after being struck often runs to windward, thrashing its flukes in every direction. After going a short distance it frequently stops or brings to, at the same time making a terrible noise called 'bellowing,' this sound is compared to that of a mammoth bull and adds much to the excitement of the chase and capture. Other whales will not stop until they are hamstrung, as it were, by `spading.' The spading process is performed by hauling the boat near enough to cut the cords that connect the body and the flukes either on top or underneath. A large vein runs along the side of the back, terminating at the juncture of the caudal fin which, if cut, will give the creature its death wound." Another method of bringing the animal to a stop is by lacerating it with numerous harpoons detached from the ropes. "When brought to, it usually remains quite stationary for a few minutes or will roll from side to side, giving the officer of the boat a good opportunity to shoot a bomb lance or use the hand lance with good effect, which soon dispatches it."
The ship is then brought alongside or, in calm weather, the whale is towed to it and the "cutting in," as it is termed, begins. A cutting stage is lowered down over the animal upon which the men may stand, the tackles are fastened to the carcass and the head is severed and hoisted on deck while the remainder is cut according to a regular system so that the blubber is removed in several great masses while the mutilated remnant of the monster floats away or sinks to the bottom. The blubber and baleen are removed from the head later.
Scammon states that the great bowhead whale will sometimes yield as much as 275 barrels of oil and the right whale 130 barrels, while the whalebone of the two may amount to 3,000 and 1,550 pounds respectively.
Whaling has been engaged in since 1712 by vessels from New England ports, especially Nantucket and New Bedford, and in England and Scotland it has been carried on for over a century.
Guns for shooting the harpoons have superseded the hand-throwing process and improved harpoons have been introduced carrying explosive bombs which are calculated to kill the whale as soon as they strike, but so wary have the survivors become that in this instance modern improvements will have little effect in hastening extermination already so far advanced.