172 WHxiLE-FISHERl^. 



CHAPTER III. 



SITUATION 0¥ THE EAULY WHALE-FISHERY, 



MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS CONDUCTED,— 

 AND THE ALTERATIONS WHICH HAVE SUBSE- 

 QUENTLY TAKEN PLACE. 



Immediately after the rediscovery of Spitzber- 

 geii by Hudson, in the year 1607, the wah'iis- 

 fishcrs, who carried on an extensive and profitable 

 business at Cherry Island, finding the animals of 

 their pursuit become shy and less abundant, ex- 

 tended their voyage to the northward, until they 

 fell in with Spitzbcrgen, the newly discovered coun- 

 try, about the time when the Russia Company 

 equipped their first ships for the Greenland whale- 

 fishery. As the coast abounded with whales and 

 sea-horses. Cherry Island was deserted, and Spitz- 

 bcrgen became the scene of future enterprise. 



At this time, the mysticctus was found in im- 

 mense numbers throughout tlie whole extent of the 

 coast, and in the dilFerent capacious bays with 

 which it abounds. Never having been disturbed, 

 these animals were unconscious of danger, and al- 

 lowed themselves to be so closely approached, that 



