808 Proceedings, dx., for 1886. 



engaged in, the Arctic trade, and exactly suitable for such an 

 expedition as the one proposed. They are built of wood, green 

 heart planked, having steam power, and fitted with all the latest 

 improvements — results which have been arrived at through long 

 and constant trading and navigation in Arctic waters by the 

 owners in Norway. The oiJer of a ship could include a complete 

 outfit for sealing or whaling, and, what is probably the more 

 important feature — viz., a crew of able and steady men experienced 

 in the trade. If more convenient, an offer could be made of a ship 

 at per month, and my friends would deliver her in Melbourne. — 

 Your obedient servant, (Signed) H. F. Dessen. 



No. 13. 



EXTRACT FROM PRIVATE LETTER AS TO SEALING 

 AND WHALING AT MACQUARIE ISLAND. 



'* If judiciously ordered and conducted by the owners or manage- 

 ment of the vessel or vessels, one result of the expedition may be 

 safely predicted — namely, a rich harvest in seal products — for this 

 trip, and the opening of a wide field in that line to mercantile 

 enterprise. With regard to whales, I am sceptical as to their 

 existence in any great numbers in these regions, but seals and 

 walrus are undoubtedly very abundant, and south of the Aucklands 

 have scarcely been disturbed for the last fifty years. The Enderbys 

 never did much in the sealing; but in 1828-30 it was vigorously 

 carried on by the Underwoods, of Aberdeen, who had upwards of a 

 150 men stationed at the different islands, killing, &c., while 

 a large schooner was employed picking up and conveying the 

 produce to the main depot, at Campbell's Island, where large ships 

 loaded — oil to the home markets, skins for China, which at that 

 time was the best, indeed almost the only market for the skins of 

 the hair seal. Very few fur seal have been met with in the southern 

 regions. Financial troubles overtook the Underwoods, chiefly by 

 reason of home enterprises failing, but climaxed at the critical time 

 by the loss of a fine, uninsured 1000-ton ship at Macquarie Island, 

 where she had gone to take in. the last few tons of her loading 

 rather than wait for the tender. A gale coming suddenly from the 

 eastwards, she failed to work out of the roadstead. So ended 

 sealing in these parts to any extent worth mentioning." 



