84 



HISTORY AND METHODS OF THE FISHERIES. 



success ; again the ice commenced closing around them ; again they cherished delusive hopes that 

 a strong gale would drive it off shore, and afford them a means of escape, and again these hopes 

 were doomed to a bitter disappointment. Again the masters decided it was necessary to abandon 

 their vessels, and again the abandonment was accomplished. Here the parallel ceases. Several 

 men perished from exposure in journeying from one beleaguered vessel to another apparently more 

 safe, and many died on the toilsome, perilous march and voyage to the rescuing ships. Many 

 more preferred to stay by the ships and risk their chances of surviving during the terrible Arctic 

 winter to assuming the nearer and, to them, apparently no less dangerous alternative of an imme- 

 diate, escape."* Three hundred men escaped, and fifty-three remained among the natives. There 

 was no feasible way to communicate with them until the summer of 1877. Provisions and fuel were 

 reported amply sufficient for them, and with the first clear water of 1877 ready hands and willing 

 hearts hastened to their assistance. The experiences of these men during the winter and until 

 their rescue in the summer of 1877 are told by Captain Barnes on page 77, above ; only two of 

 the abandoned vessels survived the winter: one of these was burned by the natives and the other 

 was lost in September, 1877. The names of the lost and abandoned vessels with their approx- 

 imate values, not including cargoes, were as follows : (Of these the Arctic was lost ; the others aban- 

 doned.) From New Bedford, the Acors Barns, $36,000; Camilla, $36,000; Cornelius Howland, 

 $40,000; James Allen, $36,000; Java M. $25,000 : Josephine, $40,000 ; Marengo, $40,000 ; Mount 

 Wollaston, $32,000; Onward, $40,000; and St. George, $30,000. From San Francisco, the Clara 

 Bell, $24,000. And from Honolulu, the Arctic, $32,000, and Desmond, $24,000. A total loss of 

 $442,000. The estimated value of the cargoes was about $375.000 more. 



In 1877 three of the Arctic fleet were lost, in 1878 one, and in 1879 three. The description of 

 the class of vessels employed in this fishery is giveti under the head of vessels and apparatus, 

 and the cruising-grounds are discussed under the head of whaling-grounds. 



STATISTICS OF PACIFIC-ARCTIC WHALING 1835 TO 1880. The following statement gives a 

 summary of each season's fishing of the North Pacific fleet from 1835 to 1880. The locality 

 includes the waters between the Asiatic and American coasts north of 50 north latitude. 



Statement shmoing the number of American vessul* in the \ortk Pacifiv fleet each year and their catch of oil and bone. 



[Compiled from Whalemen's Shipping List.] 



* History Wbalo Fishery, iu U. S. Fish Commission Report, 1875-76. 

 t Arctic whalebone not recorded separate prior to 1868. 



