Voyages in Search of the North-West Passage
Voyages in Search of the North-West Passage
Book Excerpt
do but
tow the whales in, with a boat, as fast as they were wanted by the
copper. No wonder that so enviable a Tom Tidler's ground was
claimed by all who had a love for gold and silver. The English
called it theirs, for they first fished; the Dutch said, nay, but
the island was of their discovery; Danes, Hamburghers, Bisayans,
Spaniards, and French put in their claims; and at length it was
agreed to make partitions. The numerous bays and harbours which
indent the coast were divided among the rival nations; and, to this
day, many of them bear, accordingly, such names as English Bay,
Danes Bay, and so forth. One bay there is, with graves in it, named
Sorrow. For it seemed to the fishers most desirable, if possible,
to plant upon this island permanent establishments, and condemned
convicts were offered, by the Russians, life and pardon, if they
would winter in Spitzbergen. They agreed; but, when they saw the
icy mountains and the stormy sea, repented, and went back, to meet a
death exempt from torture. Th
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