ROSS WHALERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 March 1926, Page 3

ROSS WHALERS

PERILS AMONG THE ICE. (Per Pres# Association.) INVERCARGILL, March 4. The remainder of the Ross Sea whaling fleet reached Paterson’s Inlet, Stewart Island, on Tuesday. “In all my experience,” said Captain Nilsen, “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 450 miles of it, and, consequently, our ships have suffered somewhat. Still, I am thankful to say that the damage is not so 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 Bay. 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 to 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. 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 have been stove in.” Referring to the results of the trip, Captain Nilsen stated they had exceeded their expectations, more especially after the serious delay that had occurred, through the fleet being held up in the ice pack. The solidarity of the pack, however, had its compensations, because it meant smoother water in Ross Sea, which previously had shown the whalers that it could be “angry” when it liked. Fine weather, comparatively smooth seas, and almost an entire absence of wind, enabled the work to be carried out under the best conditions, and this was mainly responsible for the catch being such a good one after the setback.

Asked whether he thought the whaling grounds were becoming depleted, Captain Nilsen replied that there were still plenty of whales, and it was not likely that the work which his fleet was doing would have any serious effect for many years to come. Time and the' conditions prevailing had not enabled much exploration work to be carried out this year, but he was satisfied that there was still room for development. He mentioned that there was every probability that a second factory ship would be ready for next year’s operations. Up to Hie present he had not received any definite information from his directors as to what their intentions were, but if a new factory ship were sent down with the Sir James Clark Ross, three new chasers would also be required to make up the complement to ten, five for each factory ship. So far as fie knew, the proposal would be given effect to, and it would afford employment for a crew of five hundred men. The ships’ two radio operators were in constant touch with Awarua station, while at different times they heard other stations, some being as far away as Boston, Vancouver, Rome, and Manilla. Unfortunately they were unable to get into touch with any of the South American stations, as had been hoped, but, nevertheless, they were greatly pleased with what they had been able to accomplish, more especially on their short wave plant. The Sir James Clark Ross will be ready to take her departure for Norway about the middle of next week. It is understood that the bulk of the oil which she has on board has already been disposed of at a satisfactory figure to an American buyer.

Captain Nilsen, who is in charge of the expedition, will leave the mother ship at Stewart Island, and will proceed home by way of America, in order to attend to the fitting out of the new factory ship. His place will be taken by the first mate, Mi- G. Thorstensen, who has had many years’ experience of whaling in all parts of the world. A collection of Emperor penguins was secured by the ships’ officers for the Auckland Zoo.