P01.AR ICE. ANNUAL 5>ITUaTI0N. 281 



least obstruction, but found an open sea extending 

 from the latitude of 79° into the Atlantic Ocean. 



The year 1813 was an open season. So early as 

 the beginning or middle of April, many ships ad- 

 vanced beyond the 80th degree of latitude. The 

 weather was uncommonly tempestuous. Several of 

 the storms prevailed with almost unabated violence 

 for three successive days ; and it was not until the 

 month of June had commenced, that the weather 

 became settled and moderate. In consequence of 

 the prevalence of easterly winds, the ice was gene- 

 rally packed, and the fishery was bad. Scarcely 

 more than three or four ships obtained full cargoes, 

 and several returned without a single whale. This 

 year, it is somewhat remarkable, the fishery in Da- 

 vis' Strait was still more unsuccessful. In conse- 

 quence of the failure of both fisheries, whale-oil at- 

 tained a price before unequalled ; having risen, to- 

 wards the close of the year, as high as sixty pounds 

 per ton ! 



In 1814, we had an open season. The ice was 

 not packed, as in the preceding year, but was gene- 

 rally open and navigable. Whales occurred in 

 great numbers in the open water ; the weather was 

 generally favourable ; and the fishery proved very 

 successful. After the middle of May, the wind 

 prevailed from the southern and western quarters, 

 whereby the mainwestem ice was still more opened, 

 and drifted up to the very shores of Spitzbergen. 



