Dutch Arctic Commercial Enterprises: Whaling and Northern Trade (1594–1650)

1. First Barentsz expedition seeks Northeast Passage

   Jun 5, 1594Labels: Willem Barentsz, Novaya Zemlya

   • Britannica
   • Polar Discovery

2. Second Barentsz voyage probes Kara Strait

   Jan 1, 1595Labels: Willem Barentsz, Kara Strait

   • Britannica
   • Polar Discovery

3. Barentsz sights Bear Island and Spitsbergen

   Jun 17, 1596Labels: Willem Barentsz, Spitsbergen

   • Svalbard Museum
   • Britannica

4. Crew winters on Novaya Zemlya; Barentsz dies

   Jun 20, 1597Labels: Willem Barentsz, Novaya Zemlya

   • Britannica
   • Polar Discovery

5. Dutch investors back first walrus-hunting voyage to Spitsbergen

   Jan 1, 1612Labels: Lambert van, Willem van

   • Van Tweenhuysen
   • Van Muyden

6. Dutch whaling expeditions expand around Spitsbergen

   Jan 1, 1613Labels: Willem van, Spitsbergen

   • Van Tweenhuysen
   • Britannica

7. Noordsche Compagnie chartered to control Arctic whaling

   Jan 27, 1614Labels: Noordsche Compagnie, Dutch cities

   • Noordsche Compagnie

8. Dutch seize key Spitsbergen harbors amid competition

   Jan 1, 1615Labels: Dutch fleets, Spitsbergen

   • Whaling History
   • Britannica

9. Smeerenburg founded as a major shore station

   Jan 1, 1619Labels: Smeerenburg, Amsterdam Island

   • Britannica
   • Smeerenburg

10. Noordsche Compagnie dominates Smeerenburg operations

    Jan 1, 1626Labels: Noordsche Compagnie, Smeerenburg

    • Smeerenburg

11. Dutch attempt to secure Smeerenburg by overwintering

    Jan 1, 1633Labels: Smeerenburg, overwintering party

    • Smeerenburg
    • Spitsbergen Whaling

12. Noordsche Compagnie dissolved; whaling opens to competition

    Jan 1, 1642Labels: Noordsche Compagnie, Dutch whalers

    • Noordsche Compagnie