59 



arranfrcd for tlie pnrpo50. Fast imbedded in the vast and seemingly 

 limitless fields of iee, the crews disperse in every direetion in search of 

 seals, \vhich are very inactive, and are generally easily caught. Tliey 

 are kilh^d with fire-arms and with chjbs, and oiten ^vhile asleep. Oc- 

 casionally the large ones resist. The moans of the younij durino: tlie 

 slaughter are piteous. 



The flesh of seals is unfit for food, and they are only v;duablo for 

 their fit and skins. The common method is, to strip off the skins and 

 lat together, and to carry these })arts to the vessels, leaving the remainder 

 upon the ice ; but wdien the weather or other circumstances will not 

 permit this, the carcass is transported whole, and the valuable parts are 

 stripped off subsequently. Seal-catching closes towards the end of 

 April. The most fortunate vessels make two voyages in a season. 

 After the arrival of the vessels in port, the fat is separated from the 

 skins, cut into pieces and put into vats, where, by the warmth of the 

 sun, the oil oozes out. The skins are spread and salted in piles, and 

 when properly cured, are packed in bundles of convenient size. 



In the whole cii'cle of human employments, few or none are more ex- 

 citing and perilous than the catching of seals. A storm of sleet and 

 snow in the night is terrible, and the stoutest hearts quail. While the 

 vessels are absent, the greatest anxiety prevails in the ports of departure, 

 and the most distressing rumors prevail: at times, a full month elapses 

 before the arrival of a single vessel, and every imaginable cause is as- 

 signed by alarmed famihes and friends for the delay of tidings hom the 

 sealing-ground. Northeast gales drive the ice towards the shore, and 

 frequf'ntl}- produce fearful disasters to both life and property. In 1S43 

 the loss of vessels was very considerable, and several entire crews per- 

 ished.* Some vessels were wrecked in 1849. 



The year 1S27 was uncommonly prosperous. Forty-one vessels 



* A similar disaster occurredi n the spring of 1852. The first account of it wa'S as follows : 

 "The stfiimer Osprey, from St. John, Newfoiuullaml, April 2'M, has uitivihI at Halifax, 

 with accounts of the wreck of between fifty and sixty vessels in the ice, in the ijale of April 

 20th. The Xewfimndland papers state that the htss of life has been considerable, but how 

 great is not known. A list of ei(,'hteeu vessels lo.st, with full cargoes of skiu.s, is given, one ctf 

 which had five of her crew drowned, and another two. In many cases, as the vessels drifted 

 toward.s hi' ice. the crews deserted them and escaped to the shore. In some cases the aban- 

 doned vessels have been taken into port. 



" Hundn-ds of the crews of the wrecked vessels are said to be on Richard Island, Bonavista 

 bay, in a state of destitutiim and staiTation. The Assembly of Newfoundland lias renueste^l 

 the governor to appropriate £'.W) for their relief, and four or five vessels would sail to them 

 as soon as the wiml would pennit. A vessel had arrived at St. .Tohn, which re])orted that 

 ui)wardM of one thousand shipwrecked sealers had reached Greenford, but the number is prob- 

 ably exaggerated. 



"The disaster is said to be nearly equal to that at Prince Edward Island last year." 



A Newfoundland paper of later date says: " Siiu ur last several sealius have arrived, and, 



for the most part, with good trips. On Saturday arrived tin; Cocpietie, Captain .Joseph IIou- 

 lahan, wlio was sent round by the governnu-nt to the relief of the siiipwri'cked men ;it («reen»- 

 pond. We leani that Captain Iloulaliau's mission was (piite a |)rovideutial one, tlu* poor cast- 

 away fi'llows being in <'.\treme destitution when he arrived. It is theretbre consoling to reflect 

 that, in all probability, many a life has been saved by this measm-e of the government. Capt. 

 Ilotdahan landed a hundred men at Cataliiia, and brought about two hundred and lifly on here. 

 AV»! understand that the Harbinger, which was also sent roimd to (Jreeuspond with tin' Co- 

 quette, hail proeeeded in her search further to the northward. All re|)orts agree that, but for 

 the heavy Wi'ather, whieii has caused suidi desi niiiioii among the ressels, this s|)ring's catch 

 of seals would be one of the largest ever known. Eveu as it is, we understand the average 

 catch at this time is equal to that of last year." 



