118 
Barentz, as already observed, in the 
same voyage discovered Cherry Island, 
which was by him called Bear Island; 
but changed its appellation in 1603, when 
it was discovered by a ship belonging to 
Sir Francis Cherry of London. 
The English began the whale fishery 
at Spitzbergen immediately after its dis¬ 
covery, by Barentz. The nation soon 
became sensible of the advantages to be 
derived from this trade, and Parliament 
gave premiums to the different adven¬ 
turers. They had a formidable rival to 
contend with in the Dutch, who long 
were successful competitors with the 
English in this traffic. 
In Spitzbergen, as well as in Jan May¬ 
en, sailors have been frequently left to 
winter, from the same motives, and have 
generally met with the same fate; some, 
however, have been more fortunate, and 
have braved all the rigours of this inhos¬ 
pitable climate. In 1680, eight English- 
