82 WHALE-FISHERY. 



when the bounty was still at 40s., 98 ; but m 1781, 

 after the bounty had been reduced during five years 

 to 30s. the number of ships decreased to 39- In 

 the same way, but in a greater proportion, the ship- 

 ping increased, on the advance of the bounty again 

 to 40s. jp^r ton, which took place in 1782, so that, 

 in 1786, they amounted to 185 sail. 



As it was occasionally found to be a matter of 

 some difficulty to procure the number of men re- 

 quired by law for the whale-fishing ships, at the 

 ports where they were fitted, the above act of Par- 

 liament, besides renewing the highest bounty, per- 

 mitted the ships to procure in Shetland or Orkney 

 a part of their crew, not, however, exceeding two 

 men for every 50 tons burden, and to land them at 

 the same place on their return from the fishery *. 



The revival of the whale-fishery was attempted 

 by the late King of France, in his dominions, by 

 equipping, at his own expence, six ships from the 

 port of Dunkirk in 1784. This adventure was at- 

 tended with tolerable success. By the way of en- 

 larging the trade, and enhancing the probability of 

 success, assistance was procured in 1786 from Nan- 

 tucket, near Halifax in North America, several fa- 

 milies belonging to which island, in consequence of 

 the offer of peculiar immunities, were induced to 

 settle at Dunkirk f . 



* 22tl Geo. III. c. IJ}. t Ency. Brit. Art. Celoiooy. 



