A TYPICAL STERN
Unlike merchant ships, whalers had to keep their forward deck clear so that all space could be devoted to the “cutting in” and “trying out” of blubber.
The forward deck-house, characteristic of cargo carriers, which contained the gallery and crew’s quarters, was moved far aft—half to starboard—half to larboard—with a deck overhead from which the quarter-boats were lowered.
The stern shown is that of “Lagoda,” a half size model of which has been installed in the Whaling Museum in New Bedford.
THE DECK
This diagram shows the deck arrangement of “Lagoda” of New Bedford and was characteristic of all square-rigged whalers.
A—B—C—D—E—Boats hanging on the davits. Many ships did not swing a boat in the position of “B.”
In their order the boats were named as follows:—“Bow”—“Starboard Bow”—“Waist”—“Larboard”—“Starboard.” The latter was known as the captain’s boat, though in later years the captain did not leave the ship.
The first mate had the larboard boat—second mate the waist—third mate the bow.