326 The Story of the New England Whalers 



22,650 pounds of bone. Small as this take was, 

 it sold for $151,060. The cost of the outfit was 

 $35,800; but if from the gross income the wear 

 and tear of the ship be deducted instead of the 

 whole cost of the ship, the net receipts were above 

 those of the Envoy. If the return per annum on 

 this voyage be compared with that on the Envoy, 

 the showing is still better. 



The voyage of the little schooner Watchman, 

 Captain Charles W. Hussey, of Nantucket, which 

 sailed in September, 1857, and returned in August 

 of the next year, is worth mention. For while she 

 saved only 41 barrels of sperm and 386 of whale 

 oil, she brought in a quantity of ambergris that 

 sold for $10,000. 



Ambergris is a secretion found in the bowels 

 of the sperm whale. It is supposed to be the 

 result of disease. It has been found afloat at sea 

 and washed up on beaches, in various parts of 

 the world, but usually it has been secured from 

 whales not in good condition. "It is used in the 

 preparation of fine perfumery, having the property 

 of thoroughly uniting the ingredients." It sells 

 for more than its weight in gold. In 1878 the 



