Not many years ago Whitby sent upwards of twenty vessels to Greenland; but afterwards that trade fell much to decay, until it was latterly revived by the persevering activity of Captain Scoresby, whose many successful whale-fishing voyages tended greatly to promote the opulence of this town, by encouraging others to embark in the same lucrative business.
The Resolution, in which I made this voyage, was a stout new ship, of about four hundred tons burden, fitted out as a letter of marque, carrying twelve six-pounders, besides stern-chasers, and well furnished with firelocks, pistols, swords, cutlasses, bayonets, &c. She was provided with nine fishing boats, and her crew consisted of between sixty and seventy men.
Greenland voyages are generally performed in the course of four or five months; but, lest vessels should be detained by the ice beyond that time, they have usually nine months provision on board.
Our ship was abundantly supplied with good beef, pork, bacon, flour, oat-meal, biscuit, peas, potatoes, cheese, butter, molasses, preserved fruit, fowls, eggs, dried fish, strong ale, small beer, English brandy, tea, coffee, sugar, tobacco, besides plenty of foreign spirits and wines for the use of the cabin. Neither was there any cost spared in laying in an ample supply of proper medicines and cordials for the sick.
Early on the morning of the 23d of March we set sail from Whitby, amidst the hearty cheers of a numerous concourse of spectators.
Being favoured with a fresh breeze which caused a heavy swell, a general sickness prevailed at our first setting out, from which the most experienced seamen were not exempted, and which affected me so severely, as to preclude all possibility of making any remarks previous to our landing in Shetland.
On the 25th at noon, we cast anchor in Bressay Sound, opposite Lerwick, the capital of the Shetland Isles.
This town is situated in Mainland, so called from its being the principal of these Isles. It is about half a mile long, and is irregularly built; but contains some good houses, and is inhabited by about one thousand eight hundred persons. It is the seat of the courts held by the Sheriff-depute, or Stewart-depute. Two packets, or traders, having good cabins, and tolerable accommodation for passengers, sail occasionally between this and Leith.
Lerwick derives its chief support from the courts of law, and from the vessels employed in the whale-fishery making this harbour their rendezvous.
Near the north end of the town stands Fort Charlotte, a small fortification mounting eighteen large guns, from eighteen to thirty pounders, besides several very large field pieces. It commands the north entry to Bressay Sound, and is garrisoned by a small detachment of invalids.