The curtain rang down last Tuesday afternoon with the discharge of the S.S. Diana, on the sealing voyage, which has presented a tragedy unequalled in history. Financially the sealing venture of 1914 has been a success, but at the awful cost of 252 breadwinners, who went to death in an uneven fight with Nature's enraged forces, on the night of March 31st and April 1st and 2nd.

The story of how the Newfoundland's crew were trapped in teh March and April blizzard has been told over and over again and needs not repetition. How the Southern Cross went to her doom with 173 souls, must remain forever untold; though a reasonable assumption, based on the opinions of nautical experts, is that she foundered early in the afternoon of March 31st, and even without warning to the greater number of her crew, who would be below decks.

On receipt of news of the Newfoundland disaster, the Government acted with commendable promptness had the sealer Bonaventure ordered home with the dead and survivors, and upon arrival of the rescue ship the sufferers were immediately given medical attention and treatment in the General Hospital and the King George Fifth Institute.

The dead were as reverently cared for and respected as if among their dear ones, and after being identified were respectfully coffined -- and in some cases embalmed -- and forwarded to their late homes for interment.

Practical steps to help the dependents were as promptly taken, a meeting for that purpose being called April 7th, at which Sir William Horwood, Admnistrator, presided, and at which Acting Premier Bennett, the Executive Government, the Deputy Mayor, His Lordship Bishop Jones, Rt. Rev. Mgr. Roche, V.G., Rev. Dr. Cowperthwaite, and the heads of the other Churches attended. The Disasters Find was launched, and with what success is evident on all sides.

Besides the work at home in this connection, the Premier, Right Hon. Sir E.P. Morris, His Excellency Governor Davidson, who were absent from the city, devoted their efforts in London and Liverpool, and His Honor Mayor Ellis in New York, Boston and Montreal. And still the good work is going on.

It will be remembered the wooden steamers cleared for the Gulf fishery March 10th, for the northern fishery March 12th, and the steel steamers March 13th, a total of 20 steamers with crews aggregating 4,131 men.

The Gulf fleet struck the harps on March 11th, and killed about 100,000, which was the largest patch of whitecoats ever seen in the Gulf. The Southern Cross was first to leave, and bore up for home March 28th, passing out the Gulf the following day. She had about 18,000 seals, including a deck load, and was last sighted at 11 a.m. March 31st, by the S.S. Portia, five miles S.W. of Cape Pine.

The other steamers of the Gulf fleet arrived safely and without accident. The five remaining steamers, Eric, Terra Nova, Viking, Seal and Neptune landed 70,541 seals, valued at $148,422.51. Of this amount $49,474.17 was divided among the crews, who averaged $53.42 per man. The Captains at 4 p.c. basis on the nett value, were paid $5,936.90 or an average of $1,187.38 each. Deducting men's and masters' share from the total, the suppliers realized $93,011.44.

The Northern fleet did not strike the patch until March 19th, off Cape Bauld. The fleet of 14 steamers killed 163,177 seals, valued at $349,664.51 nett. Of this amount one-third was paid the crews, $116,554.83, and the Captains at 4 p.c., $13,986.58, or an average of $999.04 each. The average share for the crews was $38.15.

The total catch is 233,718, and the nett value $498,086.02.

The biggest total and heaviest weight was brought in by the Beothic, Capt. W. C. Winsor -- 28,308 seals weighing 673 tons, 5 cwt., 2 qrs., 12 lbs., gross; 653 tons, 10 cwt., 3 qrs., 9 lbs., nett; valued at $61,629.65.

The largest bill was made by the Terra Nova's crew, $83.90, and the smallest by the Newfoundland's crew, $2.09.

Messrs. Bowring Bros. fleet landed 76,561 seals, nett value, $162,098.10.

Messrs. Job Bros. fleet landed 52,159 seals; nett value, $112,787.02.

Messrs. A. Harvey & Co.'s fleet landed 37,363 seals; nett value, $77,441.37.

The catch for 1912 was 175,130; nett value, $329,264.78.

The catch for 1913 was 272,965; nett value, $493,845.78.

This year's catch shows a decrease in number of 39, 247, and an increase in value of $4,240.24.