The Real Story of the Whaler

CUTTING-IN A RIGHT WHALE OR BOWHEAD.

A —	Fluke-chain adjusted to the "small."
B —	Fin-chain fastened around left fin.
C —	Ring of fin-chain into which blubber-hook is fastened to raise fin and blanket-piece (the starting point when unwinding blubber from the whale).
D —	Hole in root of lip into which blubber-hook is inserted to hoist lip on board ship.
F-G —	Scarf to detach and hoist lower lip.
E-H —	Scarf cut from fin below and forward of eye to blow-holes H on head.
E-I —	Scarf from fin E to back of whale L.
J-K —	Scarf cut in removing blubber while whale is being rolled. (The other spiral lines show final scarfs.) L-Hole mortised in head for head-chain.
M —	One method of hoisting head by head-chain and `toggles, the chain being passed through the blow-holes.
M, M (Fig 2). —	Newer and better method of hoisting head by use of chain strapped blocks. Tail of chain passed through from H, under several feet of blubber to and through the hole cut at L and then coupled to sister-hooks on the lower block.
N —	Cutting made by man with an ax (while overboard) in order to detach the head bone.
0 —	Lower edge of bone which is very thin and requires only light strokes to free it.
P —	Markings showing where the spade is inserted to start the throat bone in detaching head.
Q —	Where the hole is made in throat in order to haul it on board.
R —	Throat-chain and toggle by which throat is sometimes taken on board.
S —	Dotted line to show where backbone is cut to lessen strain on windlass when taking off blubber.
T —	Wide section of blanket-piece which is trimmed down by boarding-knife when taking blubber on board.

The Real Story of the Whaler is a book from 1916 scanned and made available online. Includes much information on the whaling way of life, items that were carried on voyages, songs the whalers would sing, how to properly chain a whale carcass, etc, many detailed illustration on whales hunted, instruments used, ships, and more.

link and image: The Real Story of the Whaler