Note 3 — Chapter XLVIII · KAMCHATKA.

It was curious to hear that whales are now more shy than formerly, and that the whalers dare not row their boats, but must sail them to the monsters, who are then sometimes frightened away even by the baling out of water. I learned, too, that in the Sea-coast province they have great difficulty in procuring a sufficiency of suitable sailors for the trade; for although ordinary seamen will do for a part of the crew, there ought to be about eight of the officers and men who are experts.