Why did Root arrive to the Japanese whaler?

The abandoned whaler is a source of disdain for Commander Root. A whaler is a large ship that is used to hunt whales so that they can be sold for their blubber. Whaling enterprises have led to the death of countless whales, putting their existence at risk on a global scale. Artemis lures Commander Root to the ship, where the commander is revolted at what he finds. Root describes what he finds: "It was an ugly craft, this one. The smell of death and pain lingered in the blood-swabbed decks. Many noble creatures had died there, died and been dissected for a few bars of soap and some heating oil. Root shook his head. Humans were such barbarians" (102).