COMPARATIVE VIEW.— ENGLAND. 99 



taken at the expence of the Russia and East Inilia 

 Companies, were the means of leading them to tlie 

 coast of Spitzhergen, soon after its re-discovery by 

 Hudson in 1607, where they soon relinquished the 

 capture of these smaller animals, for the more pro- 

 fitahle fishery of the mysticetus. 



They did not, however, immediately abandon 

 the design of making discoveries ; for we find that 

 one or two discovery vessels were generally attached 

 to every whale-fishing expedition gent out by the 

 Kussia Company. 



The first expedition of this company was parti- 

 cularly unfortunate, as far as concerned their ships, 

 as they were both wrecked. The first was driven 

 on shore by the ice in a rocky bay at Spitzbergen, 

 and the other upset and sunk. Their crews were 

 all saved and taken home, together with the most 

 valuable part of the produce of their fishing, by a 

 Hull ship, which providentially happened to be on 

 the coast of Spitzbergen at the time. Captain Jo- 

 nas Poole, who, at the time of the lo?r, of the second 

 vessel, was in the hold, had a most miraculoiiK 

 escape. The vessel having been brouglit too light, 

 she suddenly heeled to one side, the few goods in the 

 hold slid to leeward, and tlie water began in- 

 stantly to pour dov/n the hatches. Poole struggled 

 to get upon the deck, but was twice beaten back by 

 the falling of casks and the force of the Vvater, 

 which rushed in torrents upon him ; but at length. 



