THE SOUTHERN FISHERY 219 



time to refit; only leaving for the Japan grounds on 

 the 6th April. 



The Bonins were again reached on the 2ist April, 

 in which neighbourhood the Kent continued to 

 cruise for whales. By this time there was consider- 

 able friction between Beale and the captain of the 

 Kent on account of the latter's brutal treatment of 

 the crew; so when the London south-sea whaler, 

 Sarah and Elizabeth , was fallen in with, off the 

 Bonins, on the ist June, 1832, Beale effected an 

 exchange with the surgeon of that vessel. The 

 Kent subsequently went to the Japan fishery, But 

 met with little success. Off the coast of California 

 they were equally unsuccessful, ultimately reaching 

 England after a voyage of three and a half years 

 with only half an average cargo. The Sarah and 

 Elizabeth was much more fortunate, for in about 

 six weeks after Beale joined her six hundred 

 barrels of sperm oil were obtained, sufficient to 

 complete the cargo. The ship then went north-east 

 to the Sandwich Islands, sailing into latitude 40 

 north in order to take advantage of the north-east 

 trades. 



During this part of the voyage large numbers 

 of Sperm Whales were encountered, apparently 

 migrating in schools to the southward. The 

 meridian of 180 was crossed in latitude 38 39' north 

 on the 6th August, 1832; and one of the Sand- 

 wich Isles sighted on the 3<Dth. The course was 

 now homeward bound, but via the Friendly Islands 

 and the neighbourhood of New Zealand. On the 



