LOST WHALERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 33, 2 May 1927, Page 12

LOST WHALERS

DIRECTED BY RADIO REDUCES DANGER IN ARCTIC Wireless telephony is revolutionising the whaling industry. In addition to the radio, the Antarctic whalers are being fitted with direction finders because in regions close to the magnetic pole, where much whaling is done, the magnetic compass is of little use. Wireless equipment has not only increased the hunting efficiency of the whaler fleets, but has also simplified some of the most difficult problems and greatly reduced the possibility of such dangers as isolation and loss of bearings. WIRELESS KEEPS FLEET IN TOUCH In the great change brought about by the wireless methods of whaling, when one of the vessels so equipped sights a school of whales, perhaps after several weeks’ search, it may immediately inform the other ships in the same fleet by telephone, and all can make for the best spot for hunting. The “factory ship,” which accompanies the whalers, can also be directed to the most suitable position for taking charge of the catches. By a simple system of code words the vital information in any message is kept secret from any other ships of a different company that might be within range. In one instance by means o? a half kilowatt telephone fitted on the floatr ing whaling factory C. A. Larsen a conversation has been heard more than 2,000 miles by the whaler Sir James Clark Ross. Normally, however, communication is maintained between whalers and whaling stations up to 1,000 miles. METHODS OF HUNTING CHANGED The actual methods of hunting whales have also undergone almost as great a change as have the methods of communication among the whaling fleets. Until a few years ago the quarry was caught by harpoons cast by men in rowing boats, but to-day fast steam launches of 150 to 180 tons, specially constructed and equipped with 1,000 horse-power engines, are used for the pursuit, while harpoons are projected from guns instead of being thrown by hand.