Page:The American Cyclopædia (1879) Volume I.djvu/704

 668 AKOTIC DISCOVERY the north, and brought back tidings of what they had seen. Their discoveries, however, resulted in nothing important. In 149Y the Cabots, John and Sebastian, landed in Labra- dor, and afterward projected a voyage toward the north pole. They penetrated as far as 67 30' N., that is to say, about half way up Davis strait. They hoped to sail westward around the northern extremity of the American con- tinent, and thus reach the much desired Cathay. These, then, were the first seekers for the north- west passage. The next explorers were the brothers Cortereal, who made in all three voyages, extending as far as 60 N., but result-