NORTHERN OCEAN 365 



White Whales^ are very plentiful in those parts, parti- White Whaie. 

 cularly from Chesterfield's Inlet to York Fort, or Hay's [394] 

 River, on the West side of the Bay ; and from Cape Smith to 

 Slude River on the East side. On the West coast they are 

 generally found in the greatest numbers at the mouths of the 

 principal rivers ; such as Seal River, Churchill, Port Nelson, 

 and Hay's Rivers. But the East side of the Bay not being so 

 well known. Whale River is the only part they are known to 

 frequent in very considerable numbers. Some years ago the 

 Company had a settlement at this river, called Richmond 

 Fort ; but all their endeavours to establish a profitable fishery 

 here proved ineffectual, and the few Indians who resorted to 

 it with furrs proving very inadequate to the expences, the 

 Company determined to evacuate it. Accordingly, after 

 keeping up this settlement for upward of twelve years, and 

 sinking many thousands of pounds, they ordered it to be 

 burnt, for the more easily getting the spikes and other iron- 

 work. This was in the year one thousand seven hundred and 

 fifty-eight. 



At the old established Factories on the West side of the 

 Bay, the Company have been more successful in the White 

 Whale fishery, particularly at Churchill, where such of the 

 Company's servants as cannot be employed during that season 

 to more benefit for the Company, are sent on that duty, and in 

 some successful years they send home from eight to thirteen 

 tons of fine oil. To encourage a spirit of industry among 

 those employed on this service, the Company allows a gratuity, 

 not only to the harpooners, but to every man that sails in the 

 boats ; and this [395] gratuity is so ample as to inspire them 

 with emulation, as they well know that the more they kill, the 

 greater will be their emolument. 



[I D elphtnapierus catodon L.\nn.). This toothed whale is still common in 

 nearly all parts of Hudson Bay, and considerable numbers are taken by means 

 of nets at Fort Churchill. The oil is exported and the meat utilized for food 

 for dogs.] 



