154f ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC KEGIONS. 

 SECT. II. 



Account of Jan Mayen Island. 



Jan ^Iaykx Island derived its name from that 

 of a Dutch navigator, ulio is said to liavc first seen 

 it in the year 1611 *, though it may be suspected, 

 as the whale-fishery of this nation did not com- 

 mence until 1612. that it was not discovered until 

 a later period. It was once named Mauntius' 

 Island, or St Maurice, in honour of Prince jNIaurice 

 of Nassau. This country was also discovered by 

 the whalers of Hull about the same time, and na- 

 med Trinitij Island; in consequence of which, 

 when the Russia Company attempted to monopo- 

 lize the fishery of the whole of the Polar countries, 

 this island was granted by the King to the Corpo- 

 ration of Hull, on their petition in the year 1()18, 

 as a fisliing station. The Dutch, who were con- 

 stantly in the habit of visiting Jan INlayen from 

 the time of its discovery to the year 1630 or 1640, 

 where they derived great advantage from the whale- 

 fishery its coast* afforded, have given the principal 

 accounts of its ajipoarance, situation and naviga- 

 tion which have yet appeared. These accounts, be- 

 sides being exceedingly meagre, are likewise inaccu- 



• Bcs^chryving der Walvisvaiigst;, vol. ii. p. 6'i. 



