whale fisher

plural whale fishers

1. alternativeAlternative form of whale-fisher.

   In the throes of death it would pull the whale fisher at great speed.

   1985, Fritz Spiess, William J. Emery, The Meteor Expedition, page 197

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   The whale fishers can easily distinguish at a distance the cachalots from the whales, by the manner in which the former spout up the brine through their spiracles.

   1811, Alexander von Humboldt, Political Essay on the Kingdom of New Spain, page 88

   It appears that the whale fishers are often thrown overboard by the jerking or sudden keelings of the boats, in consequence of blows from whales; and of this the author gives the following instances:

   1820, Sporting Magazine: Or, Monthly Calendar of the Transactions of the Turf, the Chase, and Every Other Diversion Interesting to the Man of Pleasure, Enterprise & Spirit, Volume 5., page 289

   In such cases, and generally in any case, where the infliction of injury is not connected with a contravention of the present law, or with some other legal proceeding, whether intentional or the result of negligence, the whale fisher is liable only for any direct loss which may be caused by the pursuit itself, or incurred by fishermen or others in the way of necessary sacrifices made in order to avoid collision to any boat, vessel, cargo or tackle, even though the fish had not yet been taken out of the water.

   1904, Report of the Departmental Committee on Whaling & Whale-curing in the North of Scotland