8 The " Arctic " Whaler. 



most substantially built, doubled and fortified by. 

 the application of timber and iron both inside and 

 out. On each side of the stem are angle irons, or 

 plates of iron so placed as to protect the forefoot 

 from injury when coming into contact with heavy 

 floes, and also enabling the ship more readily to cut 

 or break through any ice of a penetrable nature. 

 The whalers are generally ship-rigged, which I 

 consider to be a great mistake, 1 a barque being far 

 more handy, and they vary from three to four 

 hundred and fifty tons burden. The (t Arctic " 2 

 is a vessel of 439 tons, having a 70-horse power 

 engine. She is the property of that eminent ship- 

 builder, Mr. Stephen, of Dundee. 



In consequence of the reputation which the com- 

 mander of the "Arctic" had acquired for dash and 

 enterprise, I selected her as the ship in which I was 

 to behold the grandeur of Arctic scenery, the deep 

 fiords of Greenland, the enormous glaciers stretching 

 for miles into the interior, the majestic icebergs, 

 sailing along in every fantastic shape and form, and 

 all those numerous sights only to be met in the 

 frozen regions of the North. 



Having arranged terms with her wealthy and 



1 As soon as the whalers arrive on their fishing-ground the 

 mizen topsail is invariably unbent and stowed away. 



2 Since this was written news has been received of the 

 total loss of the " Arctic " in Prince Resent Inlet. 



