66 THE WHALEBONE WHALES OF THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC. 
[ WHALES OBSERVED ABOUT NEWFOUNDLAND AND IN THE GULF OF ST. LAWRENCE, 1887-8. | 
“On July 16 eight Humpback whales were seen; two of them to the south- 
west of Cape Pine [Newfoundland]; two between Cape Pine and Cape Race, and 
four others to the northeast of the latter point. Several whales were seen off 
Canada Head [Newfoundland] on July 29. A small Finback came into the harbor 
near the vessel on several occasions while we lay in Canada Bay [Newfoundland], 
usually making its appearance near sunset. North of Groais Island and Cape Rouge 
[Newfoundland], on August 38, and between that point and Cape Bauld, Hump. 
back and Finback whales were seen in abundance. Duri ing the afternoon of August 
10, while off Mingan [Quebec], a number of whales were seen; their appearance 
being particularly noticeable on account of their closeness inshore. A Pike whale 
(Balenoptera ?) was feeding near the vessel in Mingan Harbor on August 14. An 
attempt was made to capture it; a bomb-lance was fired at it, but going wide of its 
mark only frightened the animal so that it soon left the harbor.”! 
[WHALES OFF SANTA BARBARA CO., CAL.] 
“Whales, chiefly the California Gray, are reported to be numerous off the coast 
of this county during the winter, when they frequently come close inshore. In 
summer they migrate northward. None have been captured, however, in recent 
years, but quite an important shore whale fishery could be prosecuted, as in former 
years, if the price of oil should advance sufficiently to make the business remunera- 
tive. The profits might now be materially enhanced by the utilization of the 
carcasses for the manuf at ought to find a ready sale 
at good prices.” * 
[WHALES OFF THE COAST OF SAN LUIS OBISPO CO., CAL. | 
“ Whales appear chiefly in fall and winter, as on other parts of the coast south 
of San Francisco. Four species, the Humpback, California Gray, Finback, and 
Sulphurbottom, are said to occur, but only Gray whales were taken in 1888. These 
are about 35 to 40 feet in length, and yield about 25 or 30 barrels of oil.” ® 
“ The shore whale fishery.—San Simeon Bay and vicinity and about ‘ Whalers’ 
Point, near Port Harford, have been considered the best grounds in this county 
for whaling, Whales are said to be scarcer than former ly along this section of the 
coast. It is believed by some of the old fishermen that this “scarcity is to some 
extent due to the presence of steamers on the coast. 
“From 1869 to 1887 a shore whaling station was maintained at Whalers’ 
Point, where, it is said, as many as 30 or 40 whales were taken in the most ae osper- 
ous seasons. But in 1887, the last year of the fishery at this place, only 5 whales 
were captured. The scarcity of whales, together with the low price of oil, contrib- 
uted to the abandonment of the station. The whaling company here consisted of 
20 men, who operated 38 boats manned by 6 men “each. In 1880 there were 
21 men. 
“ A whaling station was established at San Simeon Bay in 1865 by a man who 
had formerly engaged i in this fishery at Monterey, San Diego, and Portuguese Bend. 
*Coutiins, J. W. and D. E., Report on the Operations of the Fish Com. Schooner Grampus, 
1887-8. Rept. U. S. Fish Com., 15, 1891, pp. 525-520. 
* Cottins, J. W., Report on Fisheries of Pacific Coast. Rept. U. S. Fish Com., 16, 1892, 
P. 45- 
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