AS EXCITING WIIALISG CRUISE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11010, 14 March 1899, Page 3

AS EXCITING WIIALISG CRUISE.

Tin; barque Heleu is one of the few whaling vessels now sailing out of Hobart. Nie 1* turned to headquarters on the Ist inst.. after a cruise off the Tasmanian toast. The voyage has been attended with adventures and some misfortunes, many being of ■> rather startling character. The Helen started from the Derwent on March 17, 1898. At the outset, remarked Captain Folder, very bad weather was experienced, and when only a short time out the foremast was nearly lost. The vessel, which was under lower topsails at the time, was struck by a heavy squall, and all the starboard side of the' forward rigging was carried away. Being in close proximity to Port Dam-, the Helen was put before the wind, and'took shelter in that haven, where the amuage was repaired. The cruise off the tape was continued some months with bad luck, the heavy weather, which prevailed almost continuously, greatly retarding success. In November a start was inane for what is known as the middle-ground. 'up to this time four whales, yielding 'II tuns of oil, having been secured. On October 30. when about 200 miles to the eastward if Swan Island, a rather serious misfortune occurred' during the prevalence ot a furious south-west gale. Between four a.m. and nine a.m. two tremendous seas were shipped, smashing the wheel, an but one spoke being tarried away, swept everything movable overboard, and Hooded the cabin, at tinsame time straining the vessel so much "hat she sprang a leak, necessitating the use oi the pumps twice a day since. Two topsails were also lost. The man who was at the wheel, a "darkie," was sent rolling about the deck, receiving injuries which compelled him to lay up for a month. Captain Folder remarked thai during his long experience he never remembered seeing such terrific seas as he witnessed on this occasion. They were simply mountains high. The gale blew itself out iii five hours. At this stage of tie; voyage five whales were seen, and some captured, returning 22 tuns of nil, the bad weather again militating against a better result. A return was made to the West Coast at the latter part of December, ana three more whales were brought to book, bringing the take up to 78 tuiio. "We had a few lively experiences in capturing some of the whales," said Captain Folder. "the most exciting befalling tut- second male (Mr Win. McKillop). He was in one of the boats, standing-up, and as a. 12-tun whale was struck, it tapped the keel of the boat, and sent McKillop a Hying leap overboard." He, however, was promptly rescued. This wnale was very troublesome, 12 hours being occupied before it was finally secured. IV boats were stoved several times during the voyage, but were only slightly damaged. The. voyage was remarkable for the rough weather which prevailed, and in consequence several whales were lost after they had been killed. Altogether Captain .Folder estimates that about a ship-loud of oil was lost.