FUR SEALS. 
151 
high price in the European market, on account of the regular Russian supply being 
cut off in consequence of the war. This is only given as one instance of the many 
that may be related of sealing life. 
The "season," as understood by sealers, is the time the animals collect in 
herds, or rookeries, on shore : the females to bring forth their young, and copulate 
with the vigorous males, while the valiant old bulls guard the rookeries, until all 
again return to the sea, and migrate to some unknown quarter. A few days before 
the main body arrive, a number of old "wigs" come up as if to see that all is 
right. Frequently the innumerable herd have been seen, in the southern hemi- 
sphere, from the high elevations of mountainous islands, as far as the eye could 
distinguish at sea, leaping and plunging like a shoal of porpoises until nearing the 
from the Falkland Islands December 8th, 1797, 
and arrived at their destination January 20th, 
1708. On the 5th day of April following, hav- 
ing obtained a full cargo of selected seal -skins, 
the little vessel with her valuable freight depart- 
ed for China. On the passage thence, through 
the trade winds, the ship was unrigged and 
rigged again from deck to truck, which inci- 
dent Captain Fanning makes mention of as fol- 
lows : "Previous to the ship's departure from 
New York, a sufficient quantity of rope for a 
new gang of standing rigging had been taken 
on board ; this had been prepared, during our 
leisure hours heretofore, and fitted, in readiness 
to go over the mast-head when necessary. For 
several days past the trade wind had not veered 
more than two j^oints, blowing directly on our 
stem, so that all the sails which would be of 
service, could be set on one mast. This was a 
most favorable opportunity for replacing our old 
rigging with the new; we, therefore, hit upon 
the expedient of stripping one mast at a time, 
and accordingly commenced with the foremast, 
securing it well by purchases and tackles at the 
hounds, before letting up the lower rigging; 
afterward, putting the new suit on the lower- 
mast, topmast, etc., and then setting all taut up 
preparatory to spreading sail upon it. As soon 
as everything was completely ready, this was 
done, and the mainmast served in a like man- 
ner. Our carpenter and armorer 'were first-rate 
workmen, and had made a set of machinery, by 
means of which, from the old rigging, we laid 
a new set of running rigging throughout ; thus 
equipped, our ship, as respected her rigging, 
was in a far better condition than when she left 
the United States." "VVe will add, that the Bet- 
sey was an armed vessel, which carried "eight 
four-pounders, of iron, and two brass long six- 
pounder guns," with a ship's company of twen- 
ty-seven officers and men. This pigmy ship 
arrived safely at Canton, and disposed of her 
valuable furs to great advantage. A China cargo 
was purchased, and when received on board, the 
vessel tailed for home by the way of the Caj^e 
of Good Hope. In passing through the Straits 
of Sunda, the vessel was attacked by a fleet of 
twenty -nine piratical proas, which were badly 
punished by her gallant crew. Continuing on 
her course, the Be.lsey, which sailed as a brig 
upon a voyage of adventure the 13th day of 
June, 1797, returned to her home -haven on 
the Gth day of April, 1799, transformed into a 
full -rigged ship, having accomplished one of the 
most successful sealing voyages of those days. 
Furthermore, the author states "he believes it to 
be the first American vessel, manned and offi- 
cered wholly by- native-born citizens, that ever 
sailed around the world from the port of New 
York." 
