The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-04-11
SMALLEST SAILING
ON RECORD

st. Johns-Bearing away from its
harbors with the first promise of
spring, the smallest Newfoundland
sealing feet sent to sea in many years
is working in the Gulf of st. Lawrence
and up coast from the Grand Banks to
Labrador. Only ~ vessels put out for
the sealing waters this year, with 2, 1888
men aboard.
For Newfoundland is entering a new
foe hunt era, say veterans of the
sailing fleets. Until 10 years ago, all
vessels OF the squadron were of the
wooden whaler type, now almost eX-
tinct. Reversion to whalers has been
made this year. Twelve years ago, a
new vessel, appropriately termed the
Adventure, was constructed of steel
and employed in the industry, and
proved such a success that the same
owners at once built two other ships
the Bonaventure and the Belaven-
ture-while other firms in the New
foundland trade constructed similar
vessels, until by 1913 there were no
fewer than 10 such craft in the in
dustry. These ships, some of them
approaching the dimensions of At
lantic liners and all of them Of spe-
cial construction and high speed,
completely outclassed the older ves-
sells, some of which were actually laid
In competition with the newer crafts.
Russia Calls Ssalers.
Then came the war and with 1t a
demand from Russia for these big
ships for ice breaking in the White
sea, resulting in the withdrawal Of
some Of them early in 1915. others
during that summer, and the rest at
the opening OF 1915. save for two sister
ships, the Stephano and the F'lorizeL
TVkf
New York and st. Johns for 10 months
Of the year, and as sealers in March
and April, which were returned for
the ordinary traffic needs Of the col
ony until the Stephano was sunk by
the German U-63, last November,
while the FlorizeL owing to the con-
gestion Of freight traf1c on it's reg
ular route, has had to be continued in
that trade this season.
Consequently, for the first time in q
decade, no big ships are employed in
the seal hunt for 1917. In this industry,
as in other forms OF marine enter
prise, an old type of ship IL being re-
sorted to, some OF the sealefs not
used for two or three years being re-
fitted and put In the trade again, and
one craft, the Thetim. having BEEN pur-
chased from the American govern
ment on the Pacific coast, brought
through the Panama caE&l and put
into service In this industry again.
The history OF this ship is not with
out interest. It was built in 1880 by
q Dundee firm, for sealing and whal-
ing, and was operated from st. Johns
for Ave seasons. until 1t was purchased
by the United States in 1885 to b sent
north by the United States authori-
ties to rescue the Greedy Arctic ex-
petition at Lady Franklin bay. in the
Polar regions.
Sealing Ships Saved elk.
With its consort, the Bear-another
of the Newfoundland sealing fieet--the
Thetis was successful, reaching Cape
Sabine and recovering SIX survivors Of
the 2S Americans involved In that
tragic exploration in the frozen north.
The United States retained these two
ships, sent them round Cape Horn,
and utilized them as revenue cutters
off the Alaskan coast until last year,
when they sold the Thetis. having
decided 70 employ a more modern
craft, and converted the Bear into a
storeship. The Thetis thus finds itself