1S8 WHALE-FISHERY. 



A vessel of 350 tons requires nearly tlie same 

 number of men, the same quantity of provisions 

 and stores, and the same expence of outfit, as a ship 

 of 350 tons burden ; while the difference in the 

 cargoes of the two vessels when filled, is, in one 

 voyage, more than a compensation for the difference 

 in the first expence. Besides, for want of similar 

 room and convenience, the smaller ship has not al- 

 ways an equal chance of succeeding in the fishery 

 with the larger. And as ships of about 350 tons 

 burden have been occasionally filled, it is clear, 

 vessels of 250 tons are too small for the fishery. 



In a voyage of confined duration, in which the 

 opportunities of procuring a full cargo are but rare, 

 the magnitude of the cargo, which may vvith usual 

 means be obtained, is necessarily limited ; and not- 

 withstanding it is impossible to state what that li- 

 mit in future may prove, yet we fonn an opinion 

 from what it has heretofore been. 



Ships of 350 tons burden, it has been observed, 

 have been occasionally filled ; but we know of no 

 instance in which a ship of 400 tons admeasure- 

 ment, of the usual capacious build, has been de- 

 ficient in capacity for taking in as large a cargo as 

 of late years there has been any opportunity of pro- 

 curing ; hence we consider, that an increase of di- 

 mensions above 400 tons, is not only useless, but of 

 actual disadvantage. 



