298 Proceedings, &c., for 1886. 



1. The ships cannot carry any cargo out to Melbourne, as they 

 would be fully loaded with coals, provisions, whaling boats, guns, 

 harpoons, &c. 



2. Whale or seal fishing cannot, in my opinion, be carried on 

 simultaneously with a scientific expedition, for the following 

 reasons : — 



(a) Only half the number of men required for a whaling voyage 

 would be wanted for a scientific expedition. 



(6) The aim of the expedition seems to be to sail as far south 

 as possible, to do which it must be prepared to stay the 

 winter over, and therefore ought to be provisioned for two 

 years, whereas a whaler is only provisioned for 4'6 

 months. Of still greater importance is it to save the 

 bunker coals, hence these should not be wasted in chasing 

 whales. 



(c) In the Arctic Ocean only Greenland whales are caught 

 among the ice, all the other species avoiding it. Probably 

 the same occurs in the Antarctic Ocean; thus little 

 scientific information would be gained there outside the ice. 



{d) The time for seal fishing in the Arctic Ocean is in April, 

 May, June, while an expedition to the I^^orth Pole would 

 have the best chance to get farthest north in July, August, 

 and September. 



((?) The cabins on board a common whaler do not afford 

 accommodation enough for scientific party and officers ; 

 thus a good part of the hold would have to be converted 

 into cabins for the officers. This was the case with the 

 " Vega" on her voyage round the world. She is here now. 



3. To sail a whaler from Europe to Australia would be attended 

 with no little risk and expense, as the ships are iron fastened. 



Here are the following whalers and sealers for sale: — 

 *' Jason," 497 tons gross, 60 h.p.; price here, £16,000. 

 "Hertha," about 265 tons gross, 35 h.p.; price here, £6500. 

 *' Elida," 200 tons gross, 30 h.p.; price here, £5000. 

 ** Fortuna," 165 tons gross, 20 h.p.; price here, £4000* 



^ As Bonus. 



For a scientific expedition that will occupy about one year, and on 

 the condition that the charterers insure the vessel for its full value, 

 while the owners find and pay the captain and crew, of whom the 

 majority are experienced in Arctic voyages : — 



For " Jason," £6500 for twelve months; afterwards, £200 per 

 month. 



For " Elida," £4500 for twelve months; afterwards, £150 per 

 month. 



For "Hertha," £5000 for twelve months; afterwards, £175 per 

 month. 



