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90 AUSTRALIAN FISHERIES. Besides the ships which cruise throughout the South Seas, there are numerous shore parties employed in the capture of the black whale, stationed at parts of the coast which are much frequented by these animals during their seasons of parturition. At Nepean and Encounter Bays, and also at Portland Bay, and Twofold Bay, on the coasts of Port Phillip and New South Wales; at various points on the coast of Van Dieman’s Land; and at four or five similar localities on the coast of New Zealand, shore whaling is carried on. The sperm whale never comes within the reach of a shore party, but the black whales often approach the land in herds, and are forthwith attacked. The fishermen, pulling off in fast boats, furnished with harpoons, lines, and all the implements used in their perilous occupation, fasten upon their prey with an extraordinary degree of intrepidity and skill. The whale, when killed, is towed alongside of a small cutter, or schooner, on board of which the blubber is boiled and stowed away in casks. The carcass, divested of its more valuable portions, becomes the perquisite of the sharks. The expense of a bay whaling party being limited to the purchase and maintenance of a cutting-in vessel, of from thirty to forty tons burden, and four or five boats, with their necessary gear, is very inconsiderable when compared to the expense of fitting out a ship for the ocean fishery. A vessel of three hundred tons, properly equipped, manned, and provisioned for a voyage of three years, will cost about 12,000Z.; and if she return with a full cargo of sperm oil, before or even at the expiration of the third year, the speculation is found to be a lucra tive one. Unsuccessful voyages, however, have become