284 
A VOYAGE TO SPITSBERGEN. 
On the 3rd of September they cleared the Strait, and 
the sea appeared open and free of ice to the East. 
They sounded and found the depth more than 110 
fathoms. They saw great whales, and the sea was of 
a fine clear blue ; all w T hich were esteemed fortunate 
indications ; but in the evening it blew a storm from 
the N.W., and a large bank of ice was seen drifting 
fast towards them. On the 5th they were obliged to 
take shelter in a bay of the Continent, among rocks, to 
avoid being pressed on by the ice. They continued in 
unsuccessful endeavour to advance East North-east¬ 
ward till the middle of the month, the weather in¬ 
creasing in sharpness and the nights in length. On 
the 15 th, the commanders and principal persons of the 
fleet held council on board the ship of the Admiral, 
Cornells Cornelisz Nay, at which they say : “ We, the 
undersigned, declare that we have done our best 
before God and before the world, to penetrate by the 
North to China and Japan, as ordered by our instruc¬ 
tions, until we have seen that it does not please God 
that we should continue our voyage, and that it is 
necessary we should desist. We therefore have re¬ 
solved to make our route back to Holland with all 
diligence.” 
Signed by the Admiral, and 
others of the Council. 
