Proceedings, i&c, for 1886. 289 



the wind is, on an average, quite as great in the Arctic as in the 

 Antarctic Regions during the months in question. It is, however, 

 true that within the Antarctic Circle the ice rarely, if ever, thaws, and 

 that sudden changes of wind, with alternations of gales and calms, 

 and a heavy swell, occasioned by the fetch from the great Southern 

 Ocean, continually prevailing with greater or less intensity, charac- 

 terise the Antarctic Seas. This constant swell, which is frequently 

 referred to by voyagers, would undoubtedly render the work of kill- 

 ing and ''• cutting in" a whale more difficult than if these operations 

 had to be performed in the still water amongst the floes of Green- 

 land. But it is not without advantage, for in the spring and 

 summer months it breaks up the pack ice, and enables it to be easily 

 penetrated, if necessary, for a considerable distance. The icebergs 

 are certainly not more numerous in the South Polar Seas than in 

 Davis' Straits ; but they are found of such size, being often miles in 

 length, that they serve, to some extent, as barriers against the effects 

 of the swell, and afford good shelter to a ship under their lee. 



It seems at first sight a proposition somewhat startling to affirm 

 that it is practicable, and would probably be profitable, to despatch, 

 on an ordinary whaling cruise, a vessel from the shores of Britain to 

 prosecute the fishery in the Antarctic Seas, since it appears that the 

 distance to be traversed is so vast, and that the length of the voyage 

 would necessarily be so great. But we think such a conclusion, if 

 arrived at, must, on consideration, be materially modified. We 

 have been induced to select that region in the Antarctic area lying 

 between the meridian of Greenwich and long. 90 degs. W., as the 

 locality in which, in our opinion, the fishery we have projected might 

 be prosecuted with the greatest advantage. It was explored by 

 Captain Ross in his last voyage, and has been reported by him to 

 be frequented by the right whale in great numbers. It is, besides, 

 accessible from Britain by a direct route lying between the conti- 

 nents of Africa and America, not exceeding 7200 miles in length, 

 or a two months' passage at an average speed of five knots per hour. 

 We think that the month of December, corresponding to that of 

 June in the northern hemisphere, which has generally been chosen 

 for the commencement of the work of exploration in the Antarctic 

 Seas, is too late, and that it might be prosecuted with advantage 

 at least a month earlier. We would therefore recommend that, in 

 the event of vessels being fitted out to prosecute the fishery in the 

 South Polar Seas, they should leave this country in August, and 

 reach the whaling ground by the end of October, which would give 

 at least four months — viz., November, December, January, and 

 February — ample time for completing their cargoes, and enable 

 them to reach Britain again in May, thus leaving from three to four 

 months for discharging and refitting before sailing on a new voyage 

 in August. The ships might, for the purpose of refreshing the 

 crews, call in the outward as well as the return voyage at the Falk- 



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