BY \V. LODKWYK CROWTUEK, J) S.O , M.H. 143 



Whaling, viz., 1850-60 and 70. Mention, however, must 

 bo made of the "Maria Orr." This vessel, built at 

 Macquarie Point, 1839, has been claimed as the first Tas- 

 manian whaler to be built and manned out of Hobart 

 Town. Her career was not a long one. About 1841 she 

 was bought by Charles Seal, Esq., of Hobart Town, and 

 a little later wrecked off the Acteon Reef, and became a 

 total loss. Captain IMcArthur, who was in command, 

 then returned to England, and brought out the "Aladdin 

 for Mr. Seal, and commanded her for several cruises. 



As showing the extent of whaling by 1847, on Good 

 Friday of that year there were no less than 3/ whalers 

 anchored in the Derwent refitting, the bulk of them being 

 American. 



In 1850 the great prosperity of Tasmanian Spemi 

 whaling had commenced. Hobart Town was building its 

 own vessels, and, more than that, manning them with 

 seamen of the first quality. Whaling had cast its spell 

 over the community, and there was no lack of either 

 money to fit cut the ships, or of men to man and sail them. 

 The crew signed on according to the "Lay" or Share of the 

 catch, which was proportional to the amount of Oil taJcen. 



Mr. R. R. Rex has a copy of such an agreement, which 

 is hero given : — 



ARTICLES of AGREEMENT made at Hobart Town in 

 Van Diemen's Land BETWEP^N George Chase of the first 

 part and the several seamen whoso names are hereto sub- 

 scribed of ttie second part WHEREAS the several seamen 

 have respectively agreed to engage in the Whale Fishery in 

 the service of the said George Chase for the consideration 

 hereinafter mentioned NOW THESE PRESENTS WIT- 

 NESS that each of them the several seamen for himself 

 agrees with the said George Chase that in consideration of 

 the Lay or Share hereinafter' mentioned and hereunder 

 written opposite to his name he will at such time during 

 the now approaching wualing voyage or voyages as he shall 

 be required proceed in such vessel or boat as the said 

 George Cnase may direct to any River Creek or Place on 

 or near the Coast of this Island New Holland New South 

 Wales New Zealand or elsewhere on the High seas as the 

 said George Chase or his agents may require for the 

 purpose of killing and taking whales and trying down the 

 same and obtaining and preserving the Oil and whalebone 

 thereof and that he will continue in the employment of 

 the said George Chase during the whole of the whaling 

 voyage or voyages (or from the first day of September one 



