Whale. The following authentic instances have been given to me by Norwegian
captains :
In May 1903 the whaling steamer ‘ Minerva,’ under Captain Johan Petersen,
hunting from the station in Isafjord, made up to and struck a bull Humpback. The
beast was wild, so they fired two harpoons into it, both of which were well placed.
In the dim light the captain and two men went off in the ‘ pram ’ to lance the
wounded Whale, when the latter suddenly smashed its tail downwards, breaking
the boat to pieces, killing the captain and one man, and breaking the leg of the
other. The last-named was, however, rescued, clinging to some spars.
A most curious accident happened on the coast of Finmark about ten years
ago. A steamer had just got fast to a Humpback, which, in one of its mad
rushes, broke through the side of the vessel at the coal bunkers, thus allowing
a great inrush of water which put out the fires and sank the ship in three minutes.
The crew had just time to float the boats, and were rescued by another whaler
some hours later.
Owing to its sudden rushes and free use of tail and pectorals the Humpback
is more feared by the Norwegian whalemen than any other species, although fewer
casualties occur than in the chase of the Bottle-nose. It is not to be wondered at
that when you ask a Scandinavian about the dangerous incidents of his calling
he will invariably answer, 11 not like to stab de Humpback; no, no, no I ’
The Humpback generally sinks when killed, and is a difficult Whale to raise.