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Ship France cruising for whales about New Zealand

Tuesday May 28th, 1839.

Commences with light airs from the west Beating up to
the Land at 4 A. M. Sent in the Boats in Search of whale
Saw none and went into otago Bay found 4 Ships
at anchor which we saw 15 miles at Sea.

at 11 A.M. the Boats returned.

Middle Hours light.

Latter Hours fresh breezes and clear.

So ends.

Latitude Obs. 45" 39. South. Longitude per watch

Wednesday, May 29th, 1839.

Commences with fresh breezes from the west lying
off & on the Land at 2 P. M. saw several whales
Lowered struck and killed one took him alongside
and cut him in made all Sail again and
worked up to the Land at 8 A. M. saw one whale
chaised in company with 2 Boats from the Shore
Fishery with no success. at 10 do. beat the chains
and ran into Otago Bay and come to in 10 fathoms
water. So ends. [Silhouette of a whale] 75 Blls.

Otago Bay Thursday May 30th, 1839. Civil acc.
Commences with fresh breezes from the west at Daylight
Sent off 3 Boats for Whales and commenced Boiling
at 4 P. M. they returned saw nothing but Fin Backs.

So ends.

Friday May 31th, 1839.

Commences with fresh breezes from the west

middle & Latter Hours calm Sent off 3 Boats for whales but
saw nothing

So ends Boiling

Saturday June 1th, 1839.

Commences with moderate breezes from the Eastward
at Daylight Sent off 2 Boats at 8 A. M. finished Boiling.
Latter Hours fresh gales from the north.

this Day stowed down 75 blls. of Oil main Hatch Larboard Side aft

So ends.