FISHERY OF DAVIs' STIIAITS. SS*? 



northward, they often find it joining the ice con- 

 nected with the west coast of Greenland, in the la- 

 titude of 66l° or 67", and meet with a considerable 

 barrier of it in 68°, immediately beyond which, a 

 few leagues from land, is a good fishing station. As 

 the ice opens to the northward, the \vhales retreat 

 in that direction, and the fishers follow as prompt- 

 ly as possible. Tlie whalers often reach Disko 

 early in May ; but it is generally the latter 

 end of this month, or the beginning of June, 

 before they can pass the second barrier of ice, 

 lying about Hare Island, in the 71st degree of 

 latitude, and enter the northern inlets frequented by 

 the whales. The three inlets, called the South-east 

 Bay, Jacob's Bight, and the North-east Bay, were 

 most productive fishing stations a few years ago ; 

 but of late they have afforded but few whales. 

 From hence, if no fish are found, the whalers pro- 

 ceed to the western part of the Straits, towards Cum- 

 berland Island, or persevere along the east side of ^ 

 Davis' Straits towards Baffin's Bay ; to the extreme 

 parts of which the fish appear to retreat as the sea- 

 son advances, and as the ice clears away from the 

 northern and eastern shores. 



Perhaps tlie following may be considered as 

 an eligible plan of fishing on a Davis' Straits 

 voyage. To proceed at the usual season, and in the 

 usual manner, to the drift-ice bordering the coast 

 of Labrador, where whales, though not in great 

 nimibers, usually remain during a great part of the 



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