Report on the Danmark expedition to the north-east coast. 13 



calJud by his nanif and on all lliiou vuvages, in his efforts tu solve the 

 task given him, he sailed up along the west coast of Greenland, in the 

 first year to 64"15', in the second to бб'ЗЯ' and in the third even right 

 up to 72"12'N. lat. Thus, John Davis was the tirsl to give us in- 

 formation in any way reliable of the situation, direction and extent 

 of the west coast. Add to this, that D.wis landed at several places, 

 where he met V4nth natives, and it will be readily understood, that his 

 discoveries were of great importance for the later expeditions. 



The reports about these voyages of Davis have certainly con- 

 tributed to the decision, that the expedition sent out by King Christian 

 1\' in IGO.j had as goal the southern jiart of Cireenlands west coast, to 

 discover if possible any descendants of the old northern colony. Thr 

 expedition was led by the Scotch nobleman John Cu.nxingham ', 

 then in the fJanish service, with the linglishman Ja.mes Hai.l as pilot. 

 The expedition consisted of 3 vessels, Trost, Løven and Katten; the 

 first was commanded by Ccnxi.voham himself, ami Loven by the 

 Dane GoDSKE Linde.nov. 



-After passing round the south point of Greenland Løven separated 

 from the other two vessels. All three reached into the coast. It is 

 not known, where exactly Løven landed, but probably it was at some 

 place near Fiskernæs -. The other two ships sailed into a fjord at 

 about 66';.' N. lat. and from ther»' Hall with Katten explored the 

 coast right up to ca. 69^ N. lat. When Hall rejoined Cl'xxinüham 

 they sailed for home. Both Cl'Nnixgham and Lixdexov met with 

 Eskimo. 



The successfid result of this expedition induced King Christiax IV 

 to send f»ut a new expedition already in the following year, again with 

 the southern part of Greenland's west coast as goal. The chief in 

 command was Godske I..indf.xov', whilst Hallos in the previous year 

 served as pilot. Lixdexov sailed up the Cunninglium Fjord discovered 

 in the previous year (probably the present Sondre Kangerdluarsuk 

 north of Holsteinborg) * and i-xplorcd all the fjords and bays in the 

 district, without finding anything, however, to indicate that the old 

 northerners had been there. 



Thus, the voyages of Davis, Cuxxixcjiiam and Lixukxov along 

 the west coast had discovered not the slightest trace of the old northern 

 colonists, nor had the land seen that verdant and luxuriant appearance 

 the old rcfiorts spoke ai)out. It was rm wonder, therefore, that the 

 conviction grew in strength, that (Jstcrbygden at least must have 

 lain on the east coast, almost due west of Iceland. 



With this part of the coast as goal King Chkistiax I\' then sent 



' Oninlandx hiHtoriske .Minilt'sniuTkor, Bil. Ill, pp. Н7П— 686. 



• firunland.i ЫяСипкк)- MindfHinaTkiT, Bil. Ill, p. 68a nolo. 



• GrHnl.inds liistctri.sko Mindesmærker, IM. Ill, pp. 6НЯ — 6U2. 



• C. С Л. Ooscii. "Danish arctic cxpedilionK 16(10 to 16L'0". Ud. I, p. 5)1. 



