The New International Encyclopædia/Whaleboat

WHALEBOAT. A rather narrow boat, sharp at both ends and with considerable sheer (i.e. the ends rise considerably above the middle part), which was much used in the whale fishery. These boats are now carried by many vessels in all trades and by men-of-war. They are suitable for nearly all uses at sea and are very generally fitted as life-boats. The shape of the stern adapts them to use as surf boats or in rough seas, in which case they are steered with a heavy car working in a crutch on the sternpost. See Boat.