1611
The Muscovy Company has again sent two ships to Spitsbergen to hunt for whales. It has been announced that this latest voyage has met with great success. However, the Company has noted the presence of one Dutch ship and one Spanish ship engaging in whale hunting against the terms of the monopoly granted to the Company by the English Crown which holds sovereignty over Spitsbergen and the waters around it. A spokesman for the Company stated that a request would be made for Royal Navy warships to accompany the expedition presently being planned.