i So OLD WHALING DAYS. 



known to navigators, but this small spot so near to us has 

 been the dread of mariners for many years back in misty 

 weather. At the same, time it is almost an impossibility to 

 erect a lighthouse to warn seamen of its proximity. A 

 landing cannot be obtained,, perhaps not more than once in 

 twelve months, on account of the ever-rolling swell of the 

 Atlantic. 



To return to our narrative. The breeze continued fair. 

 We soon rounded Cape Farewell, and ran up the Straits a 

 short distance from the coast. The ice was tightly packed 

 on the land on the north part of Disco Bay, so we steamed 

 towards Goodhavn to get news from the natives respecting 

 the movements of the other vessels. They reported that 

 they had not seen any for several days ; all had gone to the 

 westward. We wished to get into N.E. Bay as soon as 

 possible, so we steamed towards Waigat Straits, which would 

 save us many miles if we could get through. The straits 

 divide the island of Disco from the mainland, and coal is 

 found there on the surface, but it will not burn alone, the 

 long exposure to the frost having taken the nature out of it. 



When we arrived at the south end of Disco, where the land 

 is very low, nearly the whole length of the Straits can be 

 seen from the mast head. A narrow floe extended from one 

 side to the other, forming a barrier, so we steamed back and 

 tried the other end of Disco, which is sixty miles long. 



By the time we got to Hare Island, the ice had drifted 

 from the land. Three days had been lost, which was very 

 annoying, for immediately we got into the N.E. Bay, and 

 stood to the westward among the floes, we sighted many 

 whales. A dense fog suddenly came upon us, but it did 

 not deter us from lowering the boats and pulling in the 

 direction of where we heard them blow. The fog continued 

 so dense that we could scarcely see a boat's length. Whales 

 were heard blowing on every side, yet we could not get near 

 them. 



