THE COLONISTS OF JAN MAYEN. 
153 
when the gigantic bases of Mount Beerenberg gradually 
disclosed themselves, he thought he had discovered 
some new continent. Since then it has been often 
sighted by homeward-bound whalers, but rarely landed 
upon. About the year 1633 the Dutch Government, 
wishing to establish a settlement in the actual neighbour¬ 
hood of the fishing-grounds, where the blubber might be 
boiled down, and the spoils of each season transported 
home in the smallest bulk,—actually induced seven 
seamen to volunteer remaining the whole winter on 
the island. 1 Huts were built for them, and having 
been furnished with an ample supply of salt provisions, 
they were left to resolve the problem, as to whether 
or no human beings could support the severities of the 
climate. Standing on the shore, these seven men saw 
1 The names of the seven Dutch seamen who attempted to winter 
in Jan Mayen’s Island were: 
Outgert Jacobson, of Grootenbrook, their commander. 
Adrian Martin Carman, of Schiedam, clerk. 
Thauniss Tkaunissen, of Schermehem, cook. 
Dick Peterson, of Veenhuyse. 
Peter Peterson, of Harlem. 
Sebastian Gyse, of Defts-Haven. 
Gerard Beautin, of Bruges. 
