Note 6 — ACCOUNT OF A VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN.
Reading edition
The Dutch formerly carried on this fishery very extensively. It has, however, been on the decline with them ever since the year 1703. They had then about 500 busses in Shetland, under the convoy of four ships of war, but a French fleet of six ships of war sent out for the purpose, fell in with the Dutch, and, an engagement taking place, the Dutch Admiral’s ship was sunk, on which the remaining three ran away and made their escape; whereupon, the French fleet sailed for the entry of Bressay Sound, sent their boats into the bay, and burned and destroyed about 400 of the Dutch fishing vessels, sparing only a number barely sufficient to carry home the crews of the whole.