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Whaling
Cards 1-5
Ogden's 1927
Cigarette Cards as a summary of the whaling industry at the time |
As I've become more and more interested in
whaling as a subject I have bought more and more books and have now started on
the paraphernalia. I recently bought a set of these cigarette cards
issued by Ogden's Tobacco in Great Britain in 1927 and think that they're a great easy
to digest illustrated guide to the whaling industry, particularly as they
represent a time just before industrial whaling really started. The
descriptions are carefully written, concise and as detailed as the small space
on the back of a cigarette card will allow. As I typed up the writing on the
back of each card I developed a real respect for the writer of that text who
had to get across as much accurate information on the subject in such a
limited space while still fitting into the overall thread of the other cards. The
card captions are presented here exactly as on the back of each card. While
reading, bear in mind that what you are reading was written in 1927 and so any
references to "modern" or "recent" refers to that time.
cards: 1-5 | 6-10
| 11-15 | 16-20
| 21-25
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 1 Embarking
preparation for a sea voyage - whether of a great ocean liner or of a humble fishing smack -
has about it a touch of romance. How much more so in the case of the old-time whaler, which,
bound for no port was at sea for three or four years hunting the monsters of the deep.
The whaling crew usually consisted of 35 to 40 men of many races and tongues.
Of these the mates and harpooners were skilled at their work, but often a large proportion of the remainder were "greenies" fugitives from justice, and other characters.
As far as adventure was concerned all the material was there in generous measure.
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 2 The Look Out - A.
Greenland type
On board a whaler the "Look out" is of first importance, and four men keep watch from the mast-head while daylight lasts.
The "Look-out" is a simple affair. In the Arctic and Antarctic seas it is necessary to protect the watch from the severe cold
and the Look-out is made in the form of a barrel, to which a handrail is fitted. Simple as this sounds it has proved very effective,
and is the type used in all whalers of the Arctic and Antarctic seas. |
 3 The Look Out - B.
Southern type
Whaling is by no means confined to the frozen seas of the Arctic and Antarctic, for the tropical
and Southern seas are also hunted for whales. The "crow's nest" of a southern whaler consists merely of a slight platform
resting on two cross trees at the head of the mainmast, and for the security of the observer two
padded rings are fixed waist high. It is from this aerie that the magic cry comes floating down
"Blo-o-o-w she blows!". At once all is excitement. |
 4 The Harpooner
The old time "Harpooner" was a skilled man and his place in the boat was at the oar nearest the bow. As the boat
approached the whale, the harpooner secured the oar, picked up the harpoon, and placed his leg in
the socket of the cleat (called the knee brace) and made ready. At the command "Give it to him"
he hurled the harpoon with all his might into the body of the whale. The second harpoon was also discharged,
and if it failed to reach the whale, it had to be cast over-board to avoid entanglement.
When the whale was made fast by the harpoons, the killing was accomplished by a lance. |
 5 The Whale Boat
The old time whaling boat which was some 27-35 feet long, was rowed by oars or fitted with a simple sprit sail.
Care had to be taken to keep every article in its place, for the slightest mistake would have endangered
the lives of all in the boat. A deep slot in the bow received the line and a
logger head was fixed around which the line was turned. In the forward thwart was the
knee brace or clumsy cleat to steady the left thigh of the harpooner. The rowlocks were greased and padded to render the rowing as
silent as possible. |
cards: 1-5 | 6-10
| 11-15 | 16-20
| 21-25 Search
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