Whaleboats were sleek, lightweight craft, about nine metres long and they carried from four to eight men, depending upon their size. Where possible the whaling men preferred to sail down upon their prey since oars made noises which might frighten the animal. This photograph shows whaleboats cruising in Roes Welcome Sound, Hudson Bay, in the spring of 1904.
Courtesy: National Photography Collection, Public Archives of Canada (C-24523)
