146 Dr Hibbert on the Diseovery of the Shetland Cod^bmh ' 
of John Ross, Esq. of Weesdale^ who are said to have fishod 
upon the bank late in the autumn of 1817, and so aware were the 
crew of the advantage of the fishing-ground, that it became 
their constant station during the Avhoie of the ensuing summer 
of 1818. When I visited Mr Ross on the conclusion of the 
fkhing last year, so unexpected Avas the success which he expe- 
rienced on the bank, that his preparations to cure the great 
quantity of fish taken not being sufficiently extensive, they were 
suffering from the want of beaches upon Avhich they might be 
dried. I believe also, that a A^essel from ScalloAvay shared by 
six men, claims the merit of the discovery. 
Lastly, I am informed by Mr Duncan, from the autho- 
rity of another party, ‘‘ That the bank was not discovered, so 
as to excite attention, until last year, that a small fishing-ves- 
sel belonging to Lerwick, Avhich had been forced off her usual 
fishing-ground by unfavourable Aveather, fell in with it by 
accident.” I can certainly add, that a little before leaving Shet- 
land, early in the autumn of last year, the knowledge of the 
bank was far from being general ; and an excellent opportunity 
Avas afforded me in the island of Papa Stour, of Avitnessing, in 
the contrasted success of two vessels engaged in the cod-fish- 
ery, a decided proof of the importance of the discovery. 
The skipper of one of the vessels obstinately persisted in look-^ 
ing for fish in the places to which other vessels had been pre- 
Anously accustomed to resort. The other skipper, who, having^ 
formerly belonged to the Royal Navy, was accustomed to ad- 
venture, boldly steered at a considerable distance from land to 
the fishing-bank, Avhere he saAv other vessels so profitably enga- 
ged. The consequent difference of success in each vessel was 
remarkable. Whilst sympathising in the disappointment which, 
the proprietor of the two vessels experienced in the empty 
hatches of the first sloop which came into the harbour, the subse- 
quent entrance of the other vessel, rich with the product of the 
new bank, amply compensated for the failure of the less adven-' 
turous crew. 
These are the circumstances I have to offer relating to the 
history of the bank, connected Avith its complete discovery. I 
have now to add, that its productiveness is established beyond a 
doubt by the experience of two seasons. One boat last year,. 
