Wliale^fishlng in the Indian Ocean. 321. 



however, of a rich haul is sufficient to raise to 8000, the number 

 (probably on the increase) of the ships of varying tonnage and 

 nationality, which at present encounter the anxieties, dangers, 

 and hardships attaching to the whale-fishery. It is calculated 

 that, were it possible to anchor them within signalling distance 

 of each other, they would form a complete girdle round the 

 earth at the Equator. In other respects, the incessant activity 

 of the whaler is not without its advantages for science, since 

 the observations and communications of many of the captains 

 connected with the whalinfj business have essentiallv con- 

 tributed to extend our acquaintance with atmospheric phe- 

 nomena, especially in high latitudes, on both sides of the 

 Equator. 



The loquacious captain, an uncommon quality in a Yankee, 

 could not conceal his astonishment at encountering an Austrian 

 man-of-war in such a latitude in mid-ocean, and adverted to 

 this unexpected phenomenon. Captain Pierce further com- 

 plained bitterly of the weather, and said that, as long as he 

 had sailed the Indian Ocean, he had never at this season ex- 

 perienced such tempestuous weather as during the last week ; 

 which was further confirmed by several other whalers, regular 

 visitors to these waters. Respecting Amsterdam, Captain 

 Pierce, unfortunately, could give us but very little information. 

 He had never set foot on the island, nor did he know whether 

 it was accessible at all. But he spoke highly of the availa- 

 bility of the coasts for valuable fish. Nowhere in the Indian 

 Ocean, the Captain remarked, was there such an abundance of 



