S8G WHALE-FISHEllY. 



gaining the fish, after the termination of the gale. 

 The boat was then abandoned, and all hands, fatigued 

 and oppressed with hunger and thirst, and some 

 with cold, were safely, but not without difficulty, 

 taken on board the ship, at the expiration of !I5|- 

 hours of unremitting labour, under circumstances 

 particularly unfavourable. 



We made an attempt to keep near the boat with 

 the ship ; but the increasing force of the gale, drove 

 us, in spite of every effort, about 30 miles to leeward. 

 On the first cessation we made all sail, and plyed to- 

 wards the boat ; and although the weather was con- 

 stantly foggy, we succeeded in finding it, recovered 

 boat and lines, but lost the whale. This disagree- 

 able and unsuccessful adventure, occupied between 

 three and four days. 



3. Two Whales struck at the same moment, 

 wieocpcctcdly cajiturcd. — When engaged in the 

 pursuit of a large whale, it is a necessary precau- 

 tion for two boats at all times to proceed in com- 

 pany, that the one may be able to assist the 

 other, on any emergency. With this principle in 

 view, two boats from the Esk were sent out 

 in chase of some large whales, on the 13th 

 of June 1814. No ice was within sight. The 

 boats had proceeded some time together, when they 

 separated in pursuit of two whales, not far distant 



