A Good Cargo: 5th July, 1811

Scoresby saw his success in whaling as a gift from God, but he also knew that the longer he kept to the edge of the ice, the more chance there was of catching more whales:

Having now by the kind assistance of Divine Providence obtained a good Cargo suppose upwards of 210 Tons of oil we purpose to proceed homewards taking the Ice along as we go that we may have the chance of obtaining another Fish or two in our way having sufficient convenience for 20 or 30 Tons more could we obtain it.

Further preparations for the journey included filling six casks with ice, for fresh water on the way home, giving them a total of “9 Casks Ice 2 of water and 2 of Beer for the passage homewards”.