bo 
Or 
THE WHALEBONE WHALES OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC. 
that there were many whales which kept before the bay | Delaware Bay |, and the 
oil, at sixty guilders a hogshead, he thought would realize a good profit, and con- 
sequently that fine country be cultivated. 
“The 20th of same month, we understood that our yacht was taken the day 
but one before as it was running out the Texel, by the ‘Dunkirkers, through the 
carelessness of the large ship. . . . (Pp. 15- 16.) 
Anno 16d1. . 2 « Dhe ship conveyed the rest [of a lot of emigrants] to 
the South River [ Delaware River] in New Netherland, and brought a sample of oil 
from a dead whale found on the shore. . . . (P. 16.) 
“Anno 1632. The 12th of February we again entered into an agreement to 
equip a ship and yacht for the whale fishery, in which much profit had not been 
realized ; because we had had such a losing voyage, and no returns from the whale 
fishery, and saw no prospect of any. But Samuel Godyn encouraged us to make 
another attempt. He said the Greenland Company had two bad voyages with 
Willen Van Muyen, and afterwards became a thrifty company. It was therefore 
again resolved to undertake a voyage for the whale fishery, and that I myself 
should go as patroon, and as commander of the ship and yacht, and should 
endeavor to be there in December, in order to conduct the whale fishing during the 
winter, as the whales come in the nen and remain till March. (P. 16. 
“The 12th of September [St. Martin’s Id., West Indies], I let the ship have 
room, but the capture of a whale brought me to anchor. In New Netherland and 
in Patria [in Holland], this would have been a valuable prize. (P. 20.) 
“The 5th [of Dec.], the wind southwest, we weighed anchor, and sailed into 
the South bay [Delaware Bay], and lay, with our yacht, in four fathoms water, 
and saw immediately a whale near the ship. Thought ain would be royal work— 
the whales so numerous—and the land so fine for cultivation. (P. 22. 
“Anno 1633. The Ist of January . . . saw whale at the mouth of the 
South river | Delaware River]: 
“The 2d [Jan.], in the morning, fine and pleasant, saw two large whales near 
the yacht. (P. 24.) 
“The 11th [Jan.]. Arrived about a half-a-mile above Minqua’s kill, where 
we anchored, and saw a whale there that evening six or seven times. We were 
surprised to see a whale seven or eight miles up into fresh water. (P. 27.) 
“The 13th [Jan.]. Came to the ship at Swanendael, where our friends were 
rejoiced to see us. We found that they had shot two whales, but they furnished 
little oil. (P. 27.) 
“The 29th [March], we arrived again in the South Bay [Delaware Bay], at 
Swanendael, at our ships, where we were very welcome. Found that our people 
had caught seven whales, but there were only thirty-two cartels of oil obtained, so 
that the: whale-fishery is very expensive, w hen such meagre fish are caught. We 
could have done more if we had had good harpooners, for they struck seventeen 
fish, and only secured seven, which is “astonishing. They had always struck the 
whales in the tail. I afterwards understood from some Basques, who were old 
whale-fishers, that they always struck the harpoon in the fore-part of the back. 
. . . Having put our oil in the ship, taken down our kettle, and hauled in 
wood and water, we got ready to sail. (P. 38.) 
“The 16th [April]. Arrived at noon before Fort Amsterdam [New York], 
and found a Company’s ship there. She had brought a new governor, Wouter 
Van Twiller of Newkirk. . . . I went ashore to the fort, out of which he 
came to welcome me, and inquired of me also, how the whale-fishery succeeded. I 
answered him that I had a sample; but that they were foolish who undertook the 
