ISO 



THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 



[chap. 



that the sea route to China was actually discovered, that they 

 immediately made arrangements to send out the following year 

 a flotilla of seven vessels, two from Amsterdam, two from 

 Zeeland, two from Enkhuizen, and one from Rotterdam, with a 

 view to open the new commercial communication. 



The commanders of the vessels were Cornelis Nay (Admiral), 

 Brandt Tetgales (Second in Command), Barents, Lambert 

 Gerritsz. Oom, Thomas Willemsz., Harman Jansz., and 

 Hendrik Hartman. The lieutenants were Linschoten, Jacob 

 HeemskerK; Fran^oys de la Dale, Jan Cornellsz., Rijp, 



South. 



Va vg-at-s , ffoRr 

 ^t'Enckhviyfcrcyhnf. ^^f^^^^n \\ ^ 



North. 



MAP OF FRETDM NASSOVICUM OR YUGOR SCHAR. 



After Linschoten. 



and N. Buys. Six of the vessels were laden with goods and 

 coin ; the seventh was to return home with news when the 

 fleet had sailed through Vaygats Sound. The great prepara- 

 tions, however, occupied so much time that it was not until the 

 ^~ July that the voyage could be begun. On the |^^ August, 

 Kegor on the Ribatschni peninsula was sighted, and on the 

 ffth August the fleet arrived at the Sound between Vaygats 

 and the mainland, and found a great deal of ice there. 



On the i^'"''.'^? ' the Dutch met with some Russians, who told 



2-itli Aug. ' 



them that the winter had been very severe, but that the ice 

 would in a short time disaj^pear, and that the summer would still 



