THIS WEEK A RUSSIAN WHALING FLEET IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE VISITED MONTEVIDEO.IT INCLUDED THE GIANT MOTHER SHIP SOVIESTKAIA RUSSIA DESIGNED TO SERVICE THE FLEET AND AN FACTORY SHIP WHICH PROCESSES THE WHALES AFTER THEY ARE CAUGHT.AT ONE END IS THE OPENING IN WHICH THE WHALES ARE PLACED, CAUGHT BY SMALLER AND FASTER HUNTER BOATS OF THE FLEET.

THE MOTHER SHIP EVEN HAS A DECK HANGER FOR A HELICOPTER TO FLY, OUT AND SPOT THE QUARRY.IN HARBOUR, THE MEMBERS OF THE CREW SUNBATHE, FENCE FOR RECREATION, CATCH UP ON HAIRCUTS AND CHECK OVER THEIR HARPOON GUNS.AND LIKE SAILORS OF ALL NATIONS WHEN SHORE-LEAVE IS ALLOWED THEY HEAD FOR THIS BEACH.

THE OLD PROFESSION OF FISHING THE SEAS OF THE WORLD HAS CHANGED.FROM THE FIRST MEN WHO DIPPED INTO WATERS ALONG COAST, THEN VENTURED IN SMALL CRAFT FARTHER AND FARTHER OUT, HAVE DEVELOPED MODERN FLEETS THAT ARE FLOATING FACTORIES.THE OLD WHALING BOAT TOOK MUSCLE AND COURAGE AS WITH A SINGLE HARPOON A MAN LOOKED THE WHALE IN THE EYE.IT HAS NOW BECOME A HISTORICAL FOOTNOTE AS IN WORLD COMPETITION FLOATING FACTORIES RANGE ALL THE WATERS OF THE WORLD.