A FIND OF AMBERGRIS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 7, 3 January 1913, Page 8

A FIND OF AMBERGRIS.

£60,000 WORTH IN A WHALE. Bluff, December 30. (Dunedin Evening Star.) A world’s record was created In Captain Larsen in the steam whalei Norwegia on Sunday, when in a single sperm whale was discovered £GO,OO(' worth of ambergris. The mass weighed 9001 b, or almost half a ton. The news of this tremendous find will in; doubt bo received with the proverbial grain of salt, but a Star reporter has made every effort at verification, and can unhesitatingly state that the intelligence is correct and unimpeachable. Ambergris is such a rare substance and has been found in such small quantities that this record cannot but raise the highest excitement in whaling circles all the world over. Needless to say, Bluff has waxed very enthusiastic, and residents feel proud indeed that yet another record has been established in these waters. The ambergris has been submitted to a fully-qualified analytical chemist, who has certified that the mass is no less than 80 per cent, pure ambergris, a record weight, and remarkably pure. The eireuinstances attending this extraordinary discovery are most unusual It appears’ that Captain Larsen’s fleet, consisting of the Polynesia (factory steamer ot 8000 tons dead weight), Zealandia, and Norwegia, like the other whaling fleets, have not been too successful in New Zealand waters, having been misled by glowing reports sent to Norway without sufficient foundation in fact. His headquarters were established at Guttle Coe, and the Norwegia and Zealandia set about their task. Two black whales rewarded them, and on Sunday a school of three sperm whales was sighted. The Norwegia made chase, and it was observed that one while (the biggest) was labouring and moving slowly compared with the others.

| Captain Larsen, not unmindful of the I fact that sick whales and ambergris I are regarded as synonymous, issued ! orders to concentrate all attention on I the mammoth. It was gradually overc I taken, and it was seen to he of enonn-■-1 ous size, particularly about the head, . | which was seemingly very swollen. It r put up a fair light, but was easily , harpooned. Its appearance from a r distance did not belie the fact, and ] when the Norwegia drew alongside ? the shivering carcass its swollen apt, pearance was freely commented upon. ■ One eye was completely covered with > the swollen mass, and there were ab- . normal lumps about the shoulders and the head, which showed conclusively , that the whale was badly diseased ■ and very old. “Why, there's no Backbone There!” Captain Larsen ordered a boat’s orew down to examine the carcass with a blubber-slasher. They prodded in vain, and reported that they could find nothing. “Try the shoulder,” ( roared Captain Larsen, “try where That big lump is.” They did so, and the slasher struck bone. “Nothing there, sir,” was the response. “Nothing at all?” “No, sir; just backbone.” ‘Why, there’s no backbone there!” shouted Captain Larsen, as ho off with Ids coat and jumped overboard on to the carcass. He slashed away, covered with blood and grease from head to foot, and critically examined the substance which resisted the slasher, which lie vigorously applied. He saw at once that it was not bone, and the fact gradually dawned upon him that the Mecca of Ins whaling career had been reached, and that he had made a stupendous find of ambergris. Not satisfied until he had the whole of the mass on hoard—it consisted of one huge lump and a comparatively small one beside it—he worked, away with the enthusiasm of a lad and with the whaling equivalent of the familiar gold fever. Hoisted with a block and tackle, the mass was securely placed on board, and when weighed was found to tip the beam at 9001 b, or nearly half a ton. “Yon would not have known mo,” remarked the skipper, a poll died, courteous gentleman, to your representative in his quick, genial way. “Blood from head to foot, but I got the ambergris. I was not quite sure, so I said nothing to my men. They did not know what it was; they did not know what was ambergris. I covered it up from prying eyes until 1 had it seen by an expert chemist and tested.” Captain Larsen said that the test proved it to be ambergris beyond a shadow of a doubt. Features and Figures. Another remarkable feature about the whale was the size of the head. (A sperm head is large at any time, but this particular ong was swollen to immense proportions, and weighed no less than 40 tons. The mass of ambergris was such that in the opinion of Captain Larsen the whale, could not have lived much longer. The ambergris became very grey towards the centre of the mass, proving that the whale was of great age. Fresh or newly-formed ambergris is whitish in colour, and when it has floated amongst the waves and been subjected to the effects of weather and water is becomes perfectly black, almost like coal. For ambergris to be grey in a whale without having an opportunity of being subjected to weather conditions is a proof of quality and age. Ambergris, 80 per cent, fine, will realise on an average £4 an ounce, inferior qualities ranging down to 7s 6d per ounce, while the very best will bring £5 per ounce, and has been known to bring up to £8 per ounce, z In round figures 9001 b weight is 15,OOOoz, and at £4 per ounce it means a market value of £60,000. Captain Larsen’s directors have not altered their decision regarding further whaling activities, being more satisfied with the ambergris in hand than all the possibilities attached to the whale? in the sea. Captain Larsen mentioned a curious item of interest to scientists. Embedded in the amhergrife. were a number of octopus beaks, which fact proves once and for all that the whale does not hesitate to devour the largest fish its month can accommodate. It is a fallacy, therefore, that the whalae is a dainty animal despite its cavernous month, and this discovery is one of unusual interest in that regard. Inquiries by your representative elicited the information that the largest quantity of ambergris taken from a whale’s carcass in these waters before was a lump of 300 oz from a whale captured by Captain Anglem in the barque Othlln about 1880. It realised £IOOO. A dry lump picked up by Mr H. Roderique at Ruapuke | Island about a couple of months ago j weighed 51oz and is expected to bring , £250 to £3OO.