The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-10-07
Entertainments.
New Whale Fishery.

y few days since WE stated that Il new fish
ing ground for whales had been discovered in
the Arctic reg ions, and that the parties inter
cstcd had concealed much Of the inform ton
relating to it. The London Times received
by the last arrival contains fuller particular rs
Of this important discovery, from which we
nave CLEANED some facts in addition to those
before given:
1t appears that whalGmcn, some years ago,
learned from the Esquinaux with whom they
hell intercourse that large numbers of whales
reSOrtcd to certain inctS and bays in Davis's
Straits and Baln's Bay, where thcy remain
ed during the winter for shelter. This inior-
nation suggested to Capt. Penny one Of the
officers who has distinguished himself among
the scarchcrs for Sir John Frankln) the idea
| Of fitting out parties to winter in the Polar
regions, near the places where the whales re-
sorted, to secure as many rs possible in the
fall and spring, and to boil the oil out during
the winter. Two vessels were accordingly
prepared for the purpose, with iron tanks
Tilted to them, and so arranged that the oil,
when boiled, could be conveyed by gutta
percha and other pipes to every tank III the
hold. Boilers and a supply of coal for boil
ing the oil on land while in winter quarters,
We're also taken, as well as Il plentiful supply
of provisions and the necessary comforts for
the long Arctic winter.
Two ships thus equipped, and manned with
thirty three men and three boys, sailed from
Aberdeen on the 18th August, 1858, and
reached the fishing ground in Balin'S Bay on
the 18th of September, where they found an
abundance of whales, ten of which they kill
| ed and secured before the LIST Of November.
| They then went into winter quarters in llo-
| garths Sound, erected their boling-houSc,
and set to work to boil their oil. In this
work they were assisted by fifty EsquimauX
engaged for the purpose.
| Their efforts were entirely successful, not
withstanding the cold was forty degrees be-
low zorro. The active duties Of the men
| tended to preserve their health. and none felt
time hang heavily. But singular as it may
seem, that dreadful scourse, the cholera,
broke out among the EsluimanX and swept
| of many, while the crew escaped with slight
prcmonitory symptoms.
Early in the following spring Qhe present
YEAR, the fishing was resumed with great sue
cess, although the edge Of the ice was TWEEN
ty miles from the ships. Seventeen more
whales were killed, and, after being cut up.
were transported by the Esqumaux "n sicdg-
es drawn by dogs over the ice to the ships,
where the oil was boiled as before. One ship
was soon filed with boiled oil and whale bone,
when Capt. Penny sailed for Aberdeen, lcav-
ing the other ship to continue the fishing and
| boiling.
The Captain is of opinion that with a large
commercial company the fishery could be
prosecuted along an extensive coast line and
with great advantage. Two American ships
had anticipated the English expedition, and
had been equally successful.
No traces Of Sir John Franklin were found.
Deer and other wild animals aboundcd. Capt
Penny still holds to the belief, in common
with many scientific men in England, that
further north there is milder climate and Il
polar basin yet to be discovered, and those
| who cling to the hope that Sir john Franklin
| and his crews still survive believe him to be
within the open sea or polar basin referred to
PrOridcacc Journal.