Document information

Physical location:

89.09.19a

Preferred Citation:

Hans Gundersen to Ferdinand von Mueller, 1889-09-19 [89.09.19a]. R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora, J.H. Voigt and Monika Wells (eds), Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, <https://vmcp.rbg.vic.gov.au/id//letters/1880-9/1889/89-09-19a-final.odt>, accessed June 15, 2026

1
Letter not found. The text given here is from 'Antarctic Exploration. Proposal by a Norwegian whaler', Argus, 21 September 1889, p. 10. The letter is introduced by 'The Australian Antarctic Exploration Committee has lately received certain communications from Mr. H Gundersen, consul for Sweden, through Baron von Mueller, including an offer made by Commander Svend Foyn, a Norwegian whaler, to Sir Graham Berry, to send two steamships to engage in Antarctic whaling and exploration combined. The consul's letter to Baron von Mueller is as follows:—'.
Consulate of Sweden and Norway,
Melbourne, September 10, 1889
Dear Sir:— Referring to our conversation last year, re expeditions to the Antarctic regions, I beg to send you enclosed translation of a letter from Commander Svend Foyd,
2
Foyn.
the Norwegian veteran of Arctic
sailing, and owner of a large whaling fleet, wherein are two steamers that are probably the strongest ice-breakers ever built—it is these two vessels that Mr Foyn would eventually place at the disposal of a Victorian exploring expedition.
3
The undated letter from Foyn to Gundersen informs the Consul that Foyn has written to Graham Berry, Agent General for Victoria in London, since it 'takes too long to correspond with Melbourne'. He reports that vessels could not start from Norway until the beginning or middle of 1890, that the fitting out would be very costly, so that 'I consider the affair as an impossibility … [unless] 'whalebone whales of the valuable sort' could be caught. Foyn had heard that there are few whales in the Antarctic Ocean, and 'if this be the case, I think the idea is scarcely practicable'.
But, as it appears from the enclosed copy of his letter to Mr Graham Berry, there seems to be little probability of realising the plan, unless there be some prospect of good and profitable whale hunting in the Antarctic seas.
4
The letter from Foyn to Berry sought information 'regarding an eventual expedition into the Southern Arctic waters'. Since the northern catch was diminishing, Foyn might make a trial 'provided I might account on a certain amount in form of a premium from the Australian Government, against taking on board the people which the Government might appoint'. Outfitting would be expensive, and Foyn sought answers to his questions:
'1. Would the Government at all events allow each ship a premium of £6,000 regardless what results might be obtained as to discoveries? 2. What sorts of whales might be caught in the Southern Artic waters down off New Zealand and Tasmania? 3. Have these whales whale-fins, and are these whale fins the sort that are noted In Loudon Market as Southern whale fins at £1,000 per ton! 4. Can this sort of whale be caught from boats, and does it appear very numerous? 5. Is there any market for the oil in Australia, or should I have to freight It up to London?'.
[Note: 'whale-fins' was the name used in the trade for whalebone (see OED).]
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Yours most respectfully,
H. GUNDERSEN
To Baron Ferd. von Mueller, K.C.M.G., M. Ph. D., F.R.S., &c.
5
The newspaper report concluded by reporting that the Australian Antarctic Committee had resolved to seek answers to Foyn's questions from Professor McCoy and contacts in Tasmania and New Zealand. See H. Gundersen to M, 24 March 1890 and M to H. Gundersen, 27 March 1890 (in this edition as 90-03-27a); Home et al. (1992) discuss the general context of Australian efforts to stimulate Antarctic exploration.