TIIK \VI1ALK FISHERY. 



109 



"This year two vessels went to the seal fishing in Labrador com pared with one in 1870; and 

 iliey were so successful, that the Dundee Seal and Whale Fishing Company have resolved to form 

 a branch establishment at Newfoundland, and next spring two of their largest and most powerful 

 screw steamers, instead of going to Greenland, will be dispatched to the Newfoundland seal 

 fishing. The company has acquired a piece of ground, on which they are erecting the necessary 

 buildings for carrying on the work connected with the fishing, including boiling-house, &c. 

 There being no docks for the accommodation of the vessels, the company is constructing a wharf 

 in close proximity to its premises, so that the steamers will be enabled to discharge their catches 

 almost at the doors of the establishment. With the two steamers sent out by another company 

 here (those which went this year), this will now make four Dundee vessels that will prosecute 

 the Newfoundland seal fishing next spring. The effect of this change will of course be to give the 

 remainder of the Dundee vessels going to Greenland a better chance of success, and it is hoped 

 the results will prove satisfactory to all concerned. 



" As all the vessels of the Dundee whale fleet have now arrived from Newfoundland and 

 Greenland seal and whale fisheries for the year, I am able to give the number of seals caught and 

 other particulars. The whole of the vessels (now thirteen in number) went both to the seal and 

 whale fishing this year, two going to Newfoundland instead of to Greenland with the other ships. 

 The number of seals caught in ^Newfoundland (Labrador) this year was for two vessels 46,600 

 seals, yielding 750 tons 6t oil ; last year one vessel, 4,000 seals, yielding 47 tons oil ; increase in 

 1S77, 4i',600 seals, 703 tons oil. The number of seal caught in Greenland this year was for eleven 

 vessels, 29,400 seals, yielding 342 tons oil ; last year for eleven vessels, 53,776 seals, yielding 578 

 tons oil ; decrease in 1877, 27,376 seals, 236 tons oil." 



Statement of the British Davis Strait and Greenland wTiale and seal fishery, 16G"> to 1877.* 



Report on Commercial Relations of United Statcn with Foreign Countries for 1877, p. 419. 

 t Also 645 white whales. 



