Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- The boilers and furnaces, either on board a whaleship or on shore, for converting blubber into oil.
Etymologies
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Examples
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Removing the fire-board from the front of the try-works, the bare masonry of that side is exposed, penetrated by the two iron mouths of the furnaces, directly underneath the pots.
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Now, while discoursing of sperm it behooves to speak of other things akin to it, in the business of preparing the sperm whale for the try-works.
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The try-works are planted between the foremast and mainmast, the most roomy part of the deck.
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Here be it said in a whaling voyage the first fire in the try-works has to be fed for a time with wood.
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Besides her hoisted boats, an American whaler is outwardly distinguished by her try-works.
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While some were occupied with this latter duty, others were employed in dragging away the larger tubs, so soon as filled with the sperm; and when the proper time arrived, this same sperm was carefully manipulated ere going to the try-works, of which anon.
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They moored ship, erected their try-works on shore, put up a small tent, in which they all lived, and commenced operations.
Chapter XIX. The Sandwich Islanders-Hide-Curing-Wood-Cutting-Rattle-Snakes-New-Comers 1909
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That fellow is no whaler; look at his canvas, no smoke stains from the try-works there: he is a sandal-wood trader, or is after _beche-de-mer_.
The Pirate Island A Story of the South Pacific Harry Collingwood 1886
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Her deck was flush fore and aft, the only obstructions being the brick-built "try-works" in the waist, the galley, and cabin skylight right aft by the taffrail.
The Cruise of the Cachalot Round the World After Sperm Whales Frank T. Bullen 1886
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One night, however, as we were nearing the Kuriles again, on our way south, leaving the Sea of Okhotsk, I was sitting on the fore side of the try-works alone, meditating upon what I would do when once I got clear of this miserable business.
The Cruise of the Cachalot Round the World After Sperm Whales Frank T. Bullen 1886
chained_bear commented on the word try-works
"Amidships stood the brick try-works equipped with furnaces and cauldrons for rendering blubber into oil."
--Walter Noble Burns, A Year with a Whaler, 10
April 28, 2008