Water splashes around the boat with each pull of the oar. The steerer standing in the rear barks orders. The waves thrash about from the Great Whale ahead, spastically averting capture. Each stroke puts the crew farther from the ship.

But in this case, it’s only Shipyard Park. And there’s no whale.

As part of the Mattapoisett Lions Club’s Harbor Days, New Bedford’s Whaling City Rowing offered rowing tours of the harbor in a fiberglass reproduction of a whaleboat often used in the heyday of the whaling industry. The splashing of oars and wind-blown waves were, of course, real. Thankfully the orders from steerer Liz Labelle weren’t barked, either.

Whaling City Rowing member Louie Doherty was one of four from the club working the boat.

“[The boats] were hung on the side of the ship, and the crew would take these out to get the whale,” Doherty said. “Someone in the crows nest would spot the whale and direct the others. And with the steering oar, the boat is able to turn in a circle. When you’re a round a whale, it’s tail could hit you at any time, so you had to get away as fast as possible. They’re very maneuverable.”

For $4, Harbor Days attendees could row around Mattapoisett Harbor could learn the history of the whaleboat experience and techniques for a smooth ride. But operating lengthy oars, despite being made of lightweight carbon fiber, proved to be a challenge against the sway of a glorified canoe. Sometimes the pull of the water could overtake a rower and force them out of his or her seat. Yet with five rowers working in unison the boat cruised through the choppy waters.

“Once they attached the whale with the harpoon they went on what was called a Nantucket Sleigh Ride,” Doherty said. “The whale would pull them at high speeds for hours until it got tired.” During this ride the harpooner and steerer would trade places by running up and down the middle of the narrow boat. Doherty explained the steerer was usually more experienced at completing the catch and used to approaching an angry whale.

Honorary whaler Alan Pratt enjoyed the experience.

“I’m disappointed we didn’t get any whales!” he joked. “But I thought it was great. They did a great job of introducing us to the process.”

Roger Davis said the hardest part was pulling the long oars against the strong winds coming in.

“We like to kayak out here,” he said, “but this was so different. And going out there was tiring. But once we started heading back, the wind just blew us in. it was great.”