WHALING IN COOK STRAIT
THE CHASE OF THE MONSTER HUMPBACK.
FAST LAUNCHES, HARPOON GUNS AND BOMB LANCES.
By Llyndall C Jackson of Kopuaranga
FOR THE NEW ZEALAND FREE LANCE.
Whaling in the middle or Cook Strait in the depth of winter, when the
wind is blowing with keenest edge and the rain pelting down does not
seem, at first, glance, the sport one would recommend to a lady.
Yet the writer accompanied by her brother, took a little cruise in a
whaling launch lately, and enjoyed a thrilling time in the chase of the
great humpback whale.
In Tory Channel there are two whaling stations – that at Wekanui, where
the whalers own the hunting launches Miss Wekanui and Narwhal and the
towing steamer Waitohi; and Te Awaiti Station, which has the Ovea,
Cachalot, and Crescent. Each launch has a harpoon-gun mounted in the
bows.
The competition between these two stations is very keen, and this
rivalry adds greatly to the excitement of the chase.
A 35-Knot Launch.
By courtesy of the owner of the Wekanui Station, the writer was
fortunate enough to gel a trip out in the Miss Wekanui, which is claimed
to be the fastest whaling launch in New Zealand. Her power for the
propeller is a 150-h.p. aeroplane engine, which can develop a speed of
35 miles per hour [56 km/h] when put to it.
It is usual that for the launches to be out in the middle of Cook Strait
at sunrise. At that time the whales appear in the Strait for feeding.
The two whaling launches are towed by the Waitohi, from whose crow’s
nest a sharp watch is kept.
* * * * * * * *
The Race for the Humpback.
When the spouting of the whale is seen by the lookout, the launches are
immediately cast off an head with all speed towards the whale, which is
usually sighted some miles off. In many instances the boats of both
stations race at top speed towards the prize.
In one instance, after an exciting chase lasting some time, the Miss
Wekanui fastened to a whale measuring some fifty feet [15.25m] in
length. This whale put up a fight to regain its liberty, and towed its
pursuers 6 miles [9.6km] before the Narwhal could overtake it and bomb
it. This modern method of killing consists in rushing up alongside the
whale and discharging an electric bomb into its body. Sometimes several
bombs are required before a whale is brought to a standstill.
* * * * * * * *
In the Midst of a School.
On another occasion the boats of both stations got a school of eight
monsters. It seemed that whales were everywhere spouting, breaching
[sic], and diving on every side. Gunner and steersman had a strenuous
time, and after a great chase, four launches retired, each towing a
prize.
* * * * * * * *
All Round the Brothers.
Another time a lone whale was sighted, spouting. Off went the launches,
and for an hour and a-half this whale led the four crews on a wild chase
round The Brothers, the high rocky islands in Cook Strait and finally
eluded the pursuers.
* * * * * * * *
The Ocean Bird Life.
On the long tow home, which sometimes takes seven or eight hours, there
are many things to interest the passenger. I watched the albatross, mollyhawk, nellie
bird, Cape pigeon, sea swallow, gannet, Mother Carey
chickens and tern.
And there are porpoises and an occasional “puffing
pig.”
It has been the custom since whaler first came to these waters, when
coming through Tory Channel Heads with a whale, for the men to stand up
in the boats and give three hearty cheers. And perhaps, of the whole
day’s sport, it is that which impresses the onlooker most.
MISS LLYNDALL C. JACKSON, of Kopuaranga, Wairarapa
who sent the accompanying article and photographs
A WAIRARAPA GIRL GOES WHALE CHASING IN COOK STRAIT
The gunner sighting...
At the kill...
The slain giant on the slips at the whaling station
The yawning cavern of a whale's mouth
Now we know how Jonah slipped in.
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