OLD WHALING DAYS. 7 



hands were called, the boats were lowered, and a warp run 

 to an iceberg close by. We began to heave, and the ship 

 came off amid the cheers of the crew, who desired a good 

 voyage. We made for the west side, and fetched across to 

 Princess Charlotte's Monument, off Jones's Sound. 

 Proceeding south, we fell in with the whole of the fleet, 

 with the exception of the Lady Jane, Superior, and Prince 

 of Wales, which were lost in the Bay. Off Pond's Bay we 

 saw a large number of whales, but they were of a small 

 description. Some ships caught many, but our captain 

 gave orders to his men not to strike a whale unless it was 

 large. These instructions are very proper when you can 

 pick and choose, but now all must be taken which comes 

 first. In this neighbourhood we caught several bears. 

 One was so bold as to come to the ship's side and lick off 

 the blood and oil, during the time the boats were away 

 killing a whale. 



Whilst cruising about Pond's Bay and Coutt's Inlet, we 

 caught six whales, which brought our total number killed to 

 eleven large ones. The captain held a consultation with 

 Captain Penny, of the Advice, of Dundee, on the advis- 

 ability of going to Lancaster Sound, to search for traces of 

 Sir J. Franklin. Both our ship and the Advice had 

 received orders to proceed on this mission before leaving 

 home. We went to Lancaster Sound, and there we found 

 the ice fast from Croker Bay on the north side, to Navy 

 Board Inlet on the soufh side. . We landed coals and 

 despatches upon Cape Hay, and erected a pole. Immedi- 

 ately we got safely on board again, we encountered a very 

 heavy gale. Both ships required the most skilful handling 

 to keep them off the pack ice. The sea was very heavy, 

 and it would have proved fatal to us if we had not been 

 able to weather the pack. We went through this awful 

 storm splendidly, and it reflected the highest credit upon 

 our respective commanders and their crews. The gale 



