The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1857-09-24


through which whales had passe0s Therefore we
felt bound TO introduce other evidenA before we
could expect the reader to admit our pr0Ae and to
believe with us in the existence of an openy>a in
the Arctic Ocean.
ss There is an under current setting from the
Atlantic through Dayis's Strait into the Arctic
Ocean, and there is surface current setting out
Observations have pointed out the existence of an
under current there, for nayigators tell us of i'm
mense icebergs which they have seen drifting rap
idly TO the north. and against a strong surface
current. These icebergs were high above the
water, and their depth below, supposing them to
be parallelopipeds, was seven times greater than
their height above. No doubt they were drifted
by powerful under current %
DIR. Kane reports an open sea north of the par
allei of S20- To reach it, his party crossed
barrier of ice so 100 miles broad. Before
reaching this open water, he found the thermom-
eter to show the extreme temperature of co.,
Passing this ice bound region by travelling north,
he stood on the shores of an celess sea- extending
in dnbroken sheet of water as far as the eye
could reach toward the pole Its
dashing on the beach with the swell of a bound
less ocean. The tides ebbed and flowed in it, and
it is apprehended. that the tidal wave from the
Atlantic can no more pass under this icy barrier
to be proTagated in seas beyond, than the vibra-
tions of musical string can pass with its notes
fret upon which the musician has placed his fin
ger These tides therefore, must have been born
in that cold sea, having their cradle about the
North Pole If these statements and deductions
be correct, then infer that most if not all the
unexplored regions about the pole are covered
with deep water; for, were this unexpected area
mostly land or shallow WAGER, it could not give
birth to regular tides. Ind ed, the existence of
these tides, with the immense flow and drift which
annually takes place from the Polar seas into the
Atlantic, suggests many conjectures concerning
the condition of the unexplored regions.
Wl,s1a r.-- hoa, Lad 10 fIa
place of breeding for the right whale. 1t is a
cold water animal, and, following up his train of
thought, the question is prompted, Is 1sthenursery
for the Sosst whaiali2 tsiS Polar sea, which has
in with a hedge of
q may not tresi i1a.ss2 This Prov
idshtial economy is still farther suggestive,
prompting us to ask, Whence comes the food for
the young whales there? Do the teeming waters
of the Gulf Stream convey it there also, anu in
channels so far down in the depths of the sea that
no enemy may way lay and spoil it on the long
Journey? These facts therefore lead us to the
opinion that the Polar Sea may be exhaustless
resource for the supply of whales for other seas,
as well as a common rendezvous for them during
the intense cold of Arctic winters
DIR. Kane found the temperature of this Polar
Sea only 360
Vessels that are fitted out for the purpose of
whaling, whether for sperm or right whaling and
the time for which they fitted, may beclassed
as follows:
L. Small vessels, principally schooners, though
barks and brigs are included, cruise in the North
and South Atlantic Oceans. They are fitted Tor
six TO eighteen months. and even two years.
2. Ships and barks that cruise in the South
Atlantic and Indian Ocean, are usually fitted for
two to three years.
g. Ships and barks that cruise the Peru
Coast or Off Shore ground, are fitted for two to
four years.
L. Ochotsk Sea and Arctic Ocean, whalers are
fitted for two, three and four years.
5. New Zealand whalers, sperm and right, are
fitted for two, three and four years.
The TIME WHEN WHALING TEssELs SAIL TO THEIR
RESPECTIVE WHALE GRoUNDs.-ShIps and barks
fitted for the North Pacifc-the Ochotsk Sea-
the Kodiack and Arctic Ocean, usually leave our
ports in, the fall of the year, SO to make the
passage of the Horn Cape of Good Hope In the
southern summer; these ships will arrive at the
Sandwich Islands in March or Aprii-remain II
port a week or two-recruit and sail to the north
On their return from the North in October and
November. and sometimes as late December.
they usually touch at the Islands again-take IL
fresh supply of provisions may beship their
oil home, and sail to some other whale ground IN
more southern latitude either fors sperm or right
whaling or both, and continue this cruise until
the season comes arounG for them to go to the
north again. The FIRST is called the Irregular sea
SON. for whaling, and the second '' between sea-
sons.'
Ships that have completed their voyages, and
intend returning home when they leave the Arctic
or Ochotsk, generally touch at the Islands, OF
some other intermediate port for recruits, and ar
rive on our coast some time n the spring months
and even as early February or March, though
not geneyally. :,
Tkeat majority of the ships sail in tbs
autumn and the largest arrivals are usually III
the spring
THE LENGTH OF A WHALE VOYAGE Is DETERMINEr
BY THE NUMBER OF SEAsoNs.-One season In the
Ochotsk or Arctic, including the outward anc
homeward passages, consumes one year and a nay
Two seasons at the north, including the passages
and two SO between seasons will require thre'
and half years.
Sperm whalemen who are not governed by thes'
seasons and between seasons as right whalers are
are absent from home three and half and foul
wears, and sometimeai longer. Indeed, the success
or i'll success of whalapen in obtaining OIL deter
ssord (r1>effe