The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-10-20
Tho New Whale Fishery.

We published some weeks since an arti.
Gle relating TO the discovery Of new fish.
ing ground for whales in the Arctic regions.
We subjoin from the Providence Journal,
some additional facts which are gathered
from London paper Of late date, received
by the last arrival at New York -
It appears that the whalemen some years
ago. learned from the Esquinaux, with whom
they had held intercourse. that large mum.
hers Of whales resorted 10 certain inlets and
bays IN Dayis's Straits and Baffin's Bay,
where they remained during the winter for
shelter. This information suggested to
Captain Penny Zone of the officers who has
distinguished himself in the search for Sir
John Franklin the idea Of fitting out par.
ties to winter in the Polar regions, near tho
place where the whales resorted, to se:ure
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 fitted to them,
and so arranged that the oil, when boiled,
could be conveyed by gutta percha and 9th.
VI pipco w cNcty Sauh iu tno uoiu. DoilcIo
and a supply Of coal, for boiling the oil on
land when in winter quarters, were also to.
ken, as well as plentiful supply Of provis
ions 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, 1853,
and reached the fishing ground in Bafin' 9
Bay on the 18th Of September, where they
found an abundance Of whales, ten Of whom
they killed and secured before the lst of No.
vcmber. They then went into winter quar-.
ters in Hogarth's sound, erected their boil.
ing house, and set to work to bail their oil.
In this work they were assisted by fifty Es.
quiInaux, engaged for the purpose.
Their efforts were entirely successful, not
withstanding the cold was 40 degrees below
zero. The active duties Of the men tended
to preserve their health, and none felt time
TO hang heavily. But, singular as it may
seem, that dreadful scourge, the cholera,
broke out among the Esquimaux. and swept
Of many, while the crew escaped, with
slight premonitory symptoms.
Early in the following Spring, (the present
year, the fishery was resumed with great
success, although the edge Of the ice wus
twenty miles from the ships. Seventeen
more whales were killed and after being cut
up, were transported by the Esquimaux, on
sledges drawn by dogs, over the ice, to the
ship, where the oil was boiled as before
One ship was soon filed with boiled oil and
whalebone, when captain Penny called for
Aberdeen, leaving the other ship to continue
the fishing and boiling.
The captain is Of opinion that with 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 FraLklin were found. Deer and
other wild animals abounded. Captain Pen.
ny still holds to the belief. in common with
many scientific men of England. that fur.
ther North there is milder climate and
polar basin yet to be discovered. and those
who cling TO the hope that Sir John Frank.
lin and bis crews still survive, believe him
TO be within the open sea or polar basin re.
ferred to.