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Show utr DUNDEE WHALERS PROSPEROUS The dividend of 34 1-2 per cent just declared by the wholer Balsena of Dundee has attracted attention to tho handsome profits at present being realized from this Industry, which a few years ago was believed to be on tbo point of extinction Last year the dozen or so of whalers which profe-cule profe-cule tho fishing from Dundee had tho most successful season experienced for twentj years, and roports just to hand indicate that the Norwegian companies are also enjoying a high degree de-gree of prosperity The usual course pursued by those Norwegian companies has been to buy second-hand British steamers and then fit them out with all tho most modern mod-ern appliances for whale catching and trying out. With such equipment the whole process of recovering the marketable mar-ketable products from the carcasses can be carried on at sea. The first trial was made In 1903 by a firm In Sandefjord, and two years later an expedition was sent to the Antarctic ocean. It met with immediate imme-diate success, and since then the industry in-dustry has increased rapidly until as many as twenty expeditions, wjth crews aggregating 700 men, nro at work. Indeed, so marked was the degree de-gree of success which they met with that their increased supplies of whalebone whale-bone were last ear held responsible for tho sharp decline in values which took place. Stimulated to emulation by their success, a Tyne firm Is about to dls- patch flvo vessels, three whalers, a factory ship and an oil carrier, to operate in the vicinity of Kerguolon islands, where the Norwegians already have stations. Three of the vessels will be adapted for fuel oil. Norwegian Nor-wegian whaling companies are also reaping enormous dividends In southwest south-west African waters, and German company has Just been formed with a capiUil of 50,000 pounds to participate partici-pate In the industry there. London Financial Times. |