Who convinced the captain of the rosebud that the stinking whales tied to his ship were diseased?

The captain of the Rosebud was convinced that the stinking whales tied to his ship were diseased by a figure known as the "Old Man," who was a knowledgeable and experienced whaler. He provided insights about the unusual smell and the condition of the whales, leading the captain to believe that they posed a health risk. This ultimately influenced the captain's decisions regarding the handling of the whales.