On the Original Accounts of the Voyages to Greenland in 1605, 1606, 1607, and 1612

UNTIL within the last fifty years, very little was known about the Danish Expeditions to Greenland in 1605 and 1606, beyond what could be learned from the accounts of James Hall (who acted as pilot), which were published in Purchas his Pilgrimes. In several respects, however, these narratives are defective, notably as regards the geographical exploration of the coast; and, if it is now possible to give a fairly-complete account of these voyages, this is due to the fact of important fresh material having come to light within the period named.

The foremost place amongst these new sources of knowledge must be conceded to Hall's original Report to the King of Denmark on the voyage of 1605, of which a copy is preserved in the British Museum. The chief importance of this document lies in the fact that it is accompanied by four maps, drawn by Hall, which constitute the earliest attempts at anything like accurate mapping of any portion of the west coast of Greenland, and which, as such, are extremely creditable to Hall. These maps not only illustrate the Report, but, as regards one portion of the voyage, they really represent nearly all the information concerning it that we have from Hall himself.