i88 OLD WHALING DAYS. 



getting into Cape Hooper harbour. They were considering 

 whether to go further south to Exeter Sound, and erect their 

 houses for the winter. The steamer was to stay with them 

 as long as she could, and then return to England. 



There was no prospect of getting to the northward and no 

 sign of whales, so we ran to the southward for Cape Searle 

 or Malemauk Head. Nearing the harbour it fell calm, and 

 we got steam up, but not before it was dark, and the moon 

 shone bright when we arrived opposite the old Esquimaux 

 encampment. The lead was used, and the man said he had 

 bottom at thirty fathoms. The land being high we appeared 

 to be close to the beach, but I knew it was not possible to 

 be so near with that depth of water. There are twelve 

 fathoms a quarter of a mile off, and outside of that there are 

 ninety fathoms. 



No one on board had been here before but myself, and 

 no doubt they thought I was mistaken. The anchor was 

 let go, and ninety fathoms of chain paid out, the watch was 

 set, and the next morning the boats were sent away to the 

 outside. 



The weather continued calm for three days, and when 

 the boats were away, a small berg drifted alongside, and on 

 this account soundings were again taken, and found to be 

 ninety fathoms. There is no current in this place, and the 

 ship had not altered her position. When the boats re- 

 turned, we had a hard task to heave the anchor up, this 

 work occupying five hours. 



Having got the anchor, we steamed further inshore, and 

 brought up in the old anchorage. If it was not for a bar 

 on the south side, with only eight feet of water, this would 

 be a splendid harbour. The only entrance is from the 

 north, and when the ice comes in from that direction, it 

 soon fills up, and remains until a strong southerly wind 

 drives it out. Several large streams of ice passed by, 

 but none entered. 



