304 Proceedings, &g., for 1886. 



No. 10. 

 CAPTAIN D. GKAY'S LETTER FROM PETERHEAD. 



The Links, Peterhead, 6th October, 1886. 

 W. R. BucHAN, Esq., Council Chambers, Collingwood. 



Dear Sir — Your letter of 9th August just received. I had 

 seen in the newspapers that the Australian Government intended 

 sending out an expedition to the Antarctic. At one time I thought 

 of trying that fishery myself, and inquired very minutely into the 

 matter, which T put into the shape of a small pamphlet, and had it 

 printed, a copy of which I now send you for the information of 

 those interested. The only difference since then is the price of the 

 produce, and as the vessels were intended to sail from this country, 

 they are consequently of a much larger size than I think necessary 

 for ships sailing from Australia. The most suitable size for vessels 

 intended for ice navigation with steam power is from 400 to 500 

 tons, with engines of 80-horse power nominal ; they cost far less 

 money, are easier handled, and can be sailed much cheaper than larger 

 vessels. I may here mention that the reason why I never undertook 

 the Antarctic voyage was, since the date of the pamphlet we have 

 been doing so well in the Arctic until now that we had no reason 

 to change fishing ground. 



I do not approve of steam for whaling purposes, and I am con- 

 firmed in this opinion, after many years experience both in sailing 

 vessels and in steamers. I know it has been the ruin of our 

 northern fisheries. Steam is too apt to be used at the wrong time, 

 and unless judiciously used in emergencies and in making passages 

 only, it is certain to do great damage to the whale-fishing in a few 

 years. The whales may not at first notice the noise of the engines, 

 but they will very soon learn what it means, and will retreat through 

 the ice, where it will be impossible to follow them. This is just 

 what has taken place in the northern fisheries. I commanded a 

 sailing vessel for eighteen years and a steamer for nineteen, and. 

 have found that I caught as many whales with the sailing vessel as 

 I did with the steamers. Of course it is quite different if explora- 

 tion is meant. Then the steamer is far better. 



I do not like the idea expressed in your letter of intending to 

 combine exploration with fishing, collecting guano, and other com- 

 mercial products. I think if you do so you are sure to fail. Your 

 commander's mind will be too much divided, and will be apt to 

 leave one thing and go after another, especially if things are not 

 getting on so well as he would like. I know this plan has never 

 succeeded hitherto, and it is not likely to succeed in your case. 

 Send your ships out to explore if you like, but let it be exploration 

 only. And if you decide on a whaling voyage, confine your master's 



