De Veer's eye-witness account

Illustration 6. The depiction of the attack by three polar bears. Van Heemskerck and De Veer are holding off the bears while the unfortunate crew member is still stuck in the ice. The remainder of the crew are running towards the ship to distract the wild animals.

Gerrit de Veer, one of the seventeen crew-members, wrote a detailed account of the voyage, including the months the group spent in the Behouden Huys. Here are two extracts of his narrative. Since the second fragment is a follow-up to the first, you should best start by reading the first one:

Illustration 5a. >For a transcription in modern typography, click here

>Click to view a larger version of the image

Illustration 5b. >For a transcription in modern typography, click here

>Click to view a larger version of the image

>Read about Het Behouden Huys.



Novaya Zemlya Home Introduction Finding a route Disagreements among geographers Barentsz and Van Heemskerck De Veer's eye-witness account Het Behouden Huys Returning home: a hero's welcome Publishing matters: Cornelis Claesz International interest Archaeological remains The myth of Novaya Zemlya Quiz Bibliography Feedback form Copyright Study Pack Home Dutch Home	De Veer's eye-witness account Illustration 6. The depiction of the attack by three polar bears. Van Heemskerck and De Veer are holding off the bears while the unfortunate crew member is still stuck in the ice. The remainder of the crew are running towards the ship to distract the wild animals. Gerrit de Veer, one of the seventeen crew-members, wrote a detailed account of the voyage, including the months the group spent in the Behouden Huys. Here are two extracts of his narrative. Since the second fragment is a follow-up to the first, you should best start by reading the first one: Illustration 5a. >For a transcription in modern typography, click here >Click to view a larger version of the image Illustration 5b. >For a transcription in modern typography, click here >Click to view a larger version of the image >Read about Het Behouden Huys.