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Virginia Argus
Richmond, Virginia
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In April 1805, whalers from Provincetown caught two right whales in Barnstable Bay, yielding 120 barrels of oil, with a third catch bringing the total to 160 barrels. Attributed to ice driving whales southward. Reported in a letter dated April 20, 1805.
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A letter from a gentleman in Provincetown, dated April 20, 1805, to his friend in Boston, says, "A number of our schooners being fitted for a whaling trip to the Streights of Belle-Isle, and the Western Islands; being too early in the season to sail for those places, went out into Barnstable Bay, to cruize for Whales. On Monday, the 15th inst. cruizing vessels, with the boats, chased a Right Whale into the harbor; where it was killed after considerable trouble and danger. This Whale is judged to make about 40 barrels of oil.--On Friday morning, the 10th inst. captains Pason C. Cook, and Solomon Cook, jun. in the schooners Betsey and Four Brothers, (of this town) fitted for the Western Islands, came into the harbor with a large Right Whale, judged to make 80 barrels, killed in the Bay, between Plymouth and Cape-Cod."
The above circumstances are very uncommon of late years ;-and it is conjectured, the vast quantities of the ice, to the Northward and Eastward, have occasioned these mammoths of the deep to seek refuge in our waters.--Boston Paper.
Three large Whales have been lately caught in Barnstable bay, (about sixty miles to the SE of Boston) which produced 160 bbls. oil.
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Barnstable Bay
Event Date
April 10 15, 1805
Key Persons
Outcome
three right whales caught, producing 160 barrels of oil
Event Details
Schooners from Provincetown cruised in Barnstable Bay and caught right whales: one on April 15 chased into harbor yielding 40 barrels; one on April 10 by captains Cook in Betsey and Four Brothers between Plymouth and Cape Cod yielding 80 barrels; total three whales for 160 barrels. Attributed to ice driving whales south.