.I62r ^VHALE-FISHER\^ 



Spitzbergen. The whales ov fin-fish only resorthig 

 to the Bay of Biscay, from the autumnal equinox 

 until the spring, they began along with the Basques, 

 in the sixteenth century, to pursue them in their 

 retreat towards the north and west. In this pur- 

 suit they were joined by the Icelanders, and for 

 some years their combined fleets conducted a dis- 

 tant and extensive fishery ; and were amply recom- 

 pensed for the trouble and perils of the voyage, by 

 the highly successful issue. 



After instructing the English, Dutch, and other 

 nations, in the art of capturing the whale, some of 

 the Biscayans themselves commenced the fishery at 

 Spitzbergen on their own account. One Spanish 

 ship, indeed, piloted by an Englishman, fished at 

 Spitzbergen in 1613; but it was some years after- 

 wards, before this fishery by the Spaniards became 

 general. The most eligible harbours on the west 

 coast being already occupied as fishing stations, 

 they took possession of a situation on the northern 

 face of Spitzbergen, whither they regularly resorted 

 with their ships. It does not appear, however, that 

 their fishing concern was at any time very exten- 

 sive, since a great proportion of their fishing offi- 

 cers seem to have been employed, for many years, in 

 the service of other northern adventurers. It Is evi- 

 dent, that after the different nations were sufficient- 

 ly instructed in the art, the custom of hiring these 

 foreigners would fall into disuse, especially as it 



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