FUR SEALS. 



151 



high price in the European market, on account of the regular Russian supply being 

 cut off in consequence of the war. This is only given as one instance of the many 

 that may be related of sealing life. 



The "season," as understood by sealers, is the time the animals collect in 

 herds, or rookeries, on shore : the females to bring forth their j'oung, and copulate 

 with the vigorous males, while the valiant old bulls guard the rookeries, until all 

 again return to the sea, and migrate to some unknown quarter. A few days before 

 the main body arrive, a number of old "wigs" come up as if to see that all is 

 right. Frequently the innumerable herd have been seen, in the southern hemi- 

 sphere, from the high elevations of mountainous islands, as far as the aye could 

 distinguish at sea, leaping and plunging like a shoal of porpoises until nearing the 



from the Falkland Islands December 8tli, 1797, 

 and arrived at their destination Janviary 20th, 

 17f)8. On the 5th day of April following, hav- 

 ing obtained a full cargo of selected seal -skins, 

 the little vessel with her valuable freight depart- 

 ed for China. On the passage thence, thiough 

 the trade winds, the ship was unrigged and 

 rigged again from deck to truck, which inci- 

 dent Captain Fanning makes mention of as fol- 

 lows : "Previous to the ship's departure from 

 New York, a sufficient quantity of rope for a 

 new gang of standing rigging had been taken 

 on board ; this had been prepared, during our 

 leisure hours heretofore, and fitted, in readiness 

 to go over the mast-head when necessary. For 

 several daj's joast the trade wind had not veered 

 more than two points, blowing directly on our 

 stern, so that all the sails vidiich would be of 

 service, could be set on one mast. This was a 

 most favorable oj^portunity for replacing our old 

 rigging with the new; we, therefore, hit upon 

 the expedient of stripping one mast at a time, 

 and accordingly commenced with the foremast, 

 securing it well by purchases and tackles at the 

 hounds, before letting up the lower rigging ; 

 afterward, putting the new suit on the lower- 

 mast, top)mast, etc., and then setting all taut up 

 prejiaratory to spreading sail upon it. As soon 

 as everything was completely ready, this was 

 done, and the mainmast served in a like man- 



ner. Our carpenter and armorer 'T\'ere first-rate 

 workmen, and had made a set of machinery, by 

 means of which, from the old rigging, we laid 

 a new set of running rigging throughout ; thus 

 ec[uipped, our ship, as respected her rigging', 

 was in a far better condition than when she left 

 the United States." We will add, that the Bct- 

 i<eij was an armed vessel, which carried "eight 

 four -pounders, of iron, and two brass long six- 

 pounder guns," with a ship's company of twen- 

 ty-seven ofiScers and men. This i)igmy ship 

 anived safely at Canton, and disposed of her 

 valuable furs to great advantage. A China cargo 

 was purchased, and when received on board, the 

 vessel failed for home by the way of the Cape 

 of Good Hope. In i^assing' through the Straits 

 of Sunda, the vessel was attacked by a fleet of 

 twenty- nine piratical proas, which were badly 

 punished by her gallant crew. Continuing on 

 her cour-se, the Betsey, which sailed as a brig 

 upon a voyage of adventure the 13th day of 

 June, 1797, returned to her home -haven on 

 the Gth day of April, 1799, transformed into a 

 full -rigged ship, having accomplished one of the 

 most successful sealing voyages of those days. 

 Fui'thei-more, the author states "he believes it to 

 be the first American vessel, manned and offi- 

 cered wholl_y by native-born citizens, that ever 

 sailed around the world from the port of New 

 York." 



