THE BOUNTY SYSTEM 181 



years later this freedom from custom duty was 

 extended to " Davis's streights and the seas 

 adjacent," and comprised seal oil, seal skins or any 

 other produce of seals, or other creatures, taken or 

 caught in any of the said seas. 



It was, however, too late to make a start in 1724, 

 so the Company directed twelve fine ships of three 

 hundred and six tons each, to be built on the Thames, 

 and proper quantities of hemp from Riga and cask 

 staves from Hamburg to be got ready for the 

 ensuing spring. The Company also hired the 

 Duke of Bedford's great wet dock at Deptford, for 

 the use of their ships and stores, and for curing their 

 oil and whale fins. 



In 1725 the South Sea Company commenced 

 operations. The twelve ships brought home 

 twenty-five and a half whales, and although this 

 barely sufficed to pay expenses, it was the best year 

 of the eight during which this fishery was carried 

 on preceding the passing of the first Bounty Act. 

 Owing to the fact that for many years prior to this 

 the English had given up the whale fisheries, it was 

 necessary to procure all the skilled men, such as 

 commanders, harpooners, boat-steerers and blubber- 

 cutters from Holstein. 1 ^ One hundred and fifty-two 

 Holsteiners cost the Company over three thousand 

 and fifty-six pounds, whereas three hundred and 

 fifty-three British subjects employed on the same 



1 See K. F. Posselt, " Ueber den Gronlandischen Wallfisch- 

 fang aus miindlichen Nachrichten Fohringer Seeleute," g-esamlet 

 von K. F. P., Kiel, 1706. 



