NOTES ON ARCTIC WHALING VOYAGE OF 1905. 



45 



writer in the ' Gentleman's Magazine ' (vii. p. 703, 1737) took a 

 very optimistic view of the venture, but it soon came to an end, 

 as might be expected, seeing they would be fierce and active Fin- 

 whales that were met with in the Irish Seas. 



The Dutch opened the way to Davis Straits in 1719, and had 

 the fishery there all to themselves for a few years before the 

 British vessels joined them ; but it was not till the year 1818 

 that Baffin's passage through the bay named after that intrepid 

 navigator was repeated, and the prolific " North Water," which 

 has ever since proved the most attractive hunting-ground, was 

 invaded. 



The Scotch took part in the fishery first in the year 1750, when 

 a vessel was sent out from Leith, and other ports soon followed. 

 Peterhead commenced in 1788, and Dundee, which is now the 

 only British port engaged in the northern Whale fishery, in 1790. 



The South Sea fishery for the Sperm Whale, formerly a very 

 important industry, does not rightfully come within the scope of 

 these remarks, but perhaps I may be allowed to say that it was, 

 according to the ' Encyclopaedia Britannica,' entirely confined to 

 the port of London ; it commenced in 1775, and was discontinued 

 by British vessels in 1853, being now entirely in the hands of 

 the American whalemen. The average duration of the cruise 

 from London was three years and three months. 



My object, as above stated, is to record some facts as to the 

 decadence of this industry, but, to show how important it was in 

 its most flourishing period, I may perhaps be allowed to quote 

 the following figures, supplied me by the late Capt. David Gray, 

 relating to the ports of Peterhead and Dundee to the end of the 

 season of 1879 : — 



No. of Voyages. 



No. of Whales. 



No. of Seals. 



Gross Value. 



Net Value. 



Peterhead : — 

 995 



Dundee : — 

 538 



4195 

 4220 



1,673,052 



917,278 



£2,594,400 

 2,160,400 



£583,020 

 652,320 



In each case the gross value of the Whale and Seal oil, including 

 skins and whalebone, is taken at an average of £50 per tun, an 



