B—Case
C—Junk
D—White Horse
E—Blanket or blubber, which was stripped from the carcass in a spiral fashion. The blubber hook was inserted in a hole, f, for the first cut.
G—H—Head and lips of the Bowhead. The latter were very rich in oil.
The same method of stripping was employed in all species of whales.
REMOVING THE LOWER JAW OF A SPERM WHALE
Cutting in was always done on the starboard side of the ship, and if possible, to windward, so that wind pressure on the sails tended to lift the side of the vessel and sustain the great weight of blubber coming aboard.
The sketch shows the cutting stage rigged out, the huge tackle made fast to the jaw, and the mates on the stage disjointing it with their spades.