1852.] DIRECTIONS FOR WHALEFISH ISLANDS. 33 



indeed when I was first informed that they were truly 

 the Whalefish Islands, I could scarcely credit it. They 

 did not appear to afford the slightest chance of shelter. 



On the other hand, no seaman who has once visited 

 them, and used his eyes, can for one instant be in doubt. 

 There are no others to mislead him, if he approaches 

 them on the proper bearing. Disco may also be in 

 sight, and the very remarkable mountain over Lievely 

 Mill, bearing north (true), be an infallible aid. If these 

 islands should be sought from the northward, bring the 

 easternmost point of the high eastern island to bear south 

 true, and run down until you perceive the channel, with 

 a rock in the centre, between the two highest islands. 

 Round all rocks easterly, at a good berth, and enter this 

 channel boldly ; steer for the starboard channel ; pass 

 Boat Island ; after which run for the port side, to avoid 

 a rock, close in shore, on the starboard hand ; anchor as 

 you open the narrows. Bergs sometimes plant them- 

 selves at the southern mouth of this gully ; it is therefore 

 safer to be well within, as they ground and may break 

 your anchor, if you should be just outside the opening. 



The moment any vessel is noticed steering for these 

 islands, the Esquimaux, or " Huskies,"* as the Danes 

 customarily term them, come off in sufficient numbers 

 to satisfy yon that you are near the haunts of uncivilized 

 men, and will afford sufficient information to guide any 

 stranger to his anchorage. They are all in the pay of, 

 or dependent on, the Danish Resident there or at Lievely, 

 and carry on the seal-fishery for the Company's interest. 



* " Husky" is their own term. I recollect the chorus to a song at 

 Kamtchatka was " Husky, Husky." 



VOL. I. D 



