Aspects of the Locomotion of Whales

Abstract

REPORTS of the 1946–47 British Scientific Expedition to the Antarctic Whaling Ground have revived interest in the locomotion of whales and other marine mammals and fish. Some interesting studies and information on this subject already exist, but many of the reports of speed recorded in the past have proved rather conflicting in character. Care appears to have been taken on the recent Expedition to obtain reliable observations, and it now appears to be substantially confirmed that a blue whale can attain a speed of 20 knots for a short burst of about ten minutes duration, and maintain a speed of 14½ knots for two hours and probably longer. A killer whale may obtain slightly higher speeds