Whaling in the Sounds.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 764, 14 August 1894, Page 6

Whaling in the Sounds.

A Lucky Catch.

From the Pelorus Guardian, Aug 7

It is refreshing in these times of depression to record anything which might be designated by the title of this note, but the fickle goddess of fortune sometimes favours the brave, as she did last Thursday, when Air James Jackson and party, of Tory Channel, Queen Charlotte Sound, succeeded in securing a right whale in Cook Straits. The prize was a veritable find, measuring sixty feet in length and forty feet in circumference. The venturous whalers expect the monster to produce about fourteen tons of oil ; the value of the whalebone cannot be at present stated, but will add considerably to the value of the prize which has fallen to the lot of these intrepid explorers of the mighty deep. Mr Jackson’s party have secured smaller whales this season, hut the one above referred to is the largest Air Jackson has secured during more than thirty years experience as a whaler.

Whale Chase.

From the Marlborough Press, Aug 7. A chase after a whale within sight of Picton is not of frequent occurrence ; but such occurred on Friday last. Alessrs J. and W. Henderson and Dr Alillington were coming from Kenepuru on Friday afternoon, when between Alabel Island and the shore, a humpbacked whale of fair dimensions, made its appearance between the boat and the eastern shore near Bob’s Bay, rather astonishing the occupants of the boat. The whale sounded, and after a while Air Jackson’s whale boat from Tory Channel put in an appearance and he questioned the party respecting the 1 whale. As if knowing the exact route the whale would take, the boat made directly for Shakespere Bay, and sure enough the whale was afterwards seen to blow at the entrance of the Bay. The boat went in chase, but no sooner was it on one side of the bay, than the whale made its appearance at the other, and after being chased for sometime it headed again for the eastern shore, thence to Kenny’s point and up towards the Grove, the boat following in its track. It afterwards made lor Torea Bay, and again getting ahead of its pursuers made for the Sound, and the chase was given up, much no doubt to the disgust of the disappointed crew who bad had hard pulling all the day to no purpose. We are pleased to learn, however, that the whalers were successful in capturing a fine right whale on Thursday, which is supposed to give from 12 to 14 tons of oil, besides a valuable lot of bone. We hope to hear of some more good catches before the season closes.