ROSS SEA WHALERS

Hokitika Guardian, 5 March 1926, Page 1

ROSS SEA WHALERS

CAPTAIN NILSEX’H STORY [tty TELEGRAPH —PEE rlt ESS ASSOCIATION.] INVERCARGILL. March *5. The remainder of the Ross sea whaling fleet reached l’uterson s Inlet. Stewart Island, on Tuesday. " In nil my experience,’’ said Captain Nil sen. “1. have never had to contend with such conditions as were met with during the thirty-eight days that we were forced to spend in the ice. Altogether we had to tight our way through -100 miles of it, and. consequently our ships have suffered somewhat. Still, f am thankful to say that th<‘ damage is not as bad as was at first anticipated. It is bad enough and will necessitate the whole of the chasers being sent to Port Chalmers for overhaul and repair, instead of their being attended to at our own slipway in Price’s Ray. At times, it was necessary for us to go back to release one of the Star boats when she was held in the ice. and at other times Star 1 had io come to the assistance of the big ship and break the ice away so that she could move ahead. It was a constant source of anxiety to all

of us. and the crunching ice many times threatened serious trouble. On one occasion Star 1 had a very narrow escape as a sudden movement of the ice threatened to engulf her. Many of us. even now. do not quite know how she escaped. The other small boats also received a severe handling, and the continual pressure of ice has caused a good deal of strain to the framework. A little more pressure and they might fisivi* boon stove in.” Referring to the results of (lie trip. Captain Nilsen stated they had exceeded their expectations, more espociallv a Her the serious delay that had occurred, through the fleet being boh 7 up in the ice pack. The solidarity of Ihe pack, however, had its compensations. because it meant smoother water in Ross Sea. which previously had -hown the whalers that it could he “angry” when il liked. Fine weather, eom.pnralively smooth seas, ami almost an entire absence of wind, enabled the work to be carried out under the best conditions, and Ibis was mainly responsible for the catch being such a good one after the set hack.

Asked whether he thought the whaling grounds wore becoming depleted. Captain Nilsen replied that there were si ill plenty of whales, and if was not likely that the work which his fleet was doing would have any serious effect for many years to come. Ti me and conditions prevailing had not enabled much exnlorntion work to be carried nut fhis year, hut lie was satisfied lhafc there was slill room for de- j velopmeiit. Tie mentioned that there was everv probability (hat a second I factory ship would he ready for nexi i year’s operations. f"o to the present l he had not received any definite infer-i million from his directors as to wind j their inlcnlions were, lull if a now far*-j torv shin were sent down with the Sirj .Tames Clark Ross, three nen chasers j would also he rent tired to make up the j cornplemenl to ten, five for emit lac- j torv ship. So far as lie know, the j proposal would la- given effect in, and j it would afford employment for a crew j of five hundred men. j The .Tips' two radio operators were in constant touch with Awn run station. a I different times they heard other stations, some being as far away as Boston. Vancouver. Rom," and Manilla. Fiiforftmalelv they were unable fo get into touch with any of the Smith American stations, ns had been hoped for. bill, nevertheless, they were greal-

Iv pleased with w'hal they had been able Io arenmpli-h. more especially on their -di or I wave plan!. The Sir .Tames Clark Ross will be ready to lake her departure for Norway about the middle of next week. Tt is understood Mini the hulk of Ihe oil which she has on hoard has already been disposed of ai a satisfactory figure to an American buyer. Caplain Nilsen. who is in charge of Hie expedition, will leave the mother ship at Stownrl Island, and will proceed home hv way of America, in order Io allend in the filling out of the now factory ship. Ilis place will lie taken hv lie first male. Mr G. Thorslensen. who Iras had many years’ experience of wlialing in all parts of I lie world. A collection of Emperor penguins was secured hv (lie shins’ officers for i!n* Auckland Zoo.