upon it the other on the Continent called Huarf Eric He winter'd in the Island but when the season suffer'd pass'd into the Continent which because of its greenness and flourishing he called Groneland Thence he sent his Son to Olaâ—â— Trugger King of Norway to get his Pardon which was easily granted when he was inform'd by him of this new Discovery Whereupon divers Gentlemen adventur'd to plant there who multiplying not long after divided the whole Country into the Easten and Western and built two Cities Garde and Albe In Albe was a Bishop's See and a Cathedral Church dedicated to St. Anthony the Seat also of the Viceroy sent thither from time to time by the Norwegian They write also of a great Monastery called of St. Thomas wherein was a Spring whose Water was so hot that it dressed all their Meat and being conveyed into the Cells and other Rooms in Pipes heated all the Monastery as if it had been so many Stoves They say also that this Monastery is built all of Pumice-stones and that this hot Water falling upon them mixeth with the outer parts and produces a sort of clammy matter which serves instead of Lime But what the Norwegians conquered or possessed in this Country was an inconsiderable corner of that large Continent Themselves mention a Nation whom they call Skrelingers to have inhabited in the middle of the Land but what they were we know not But whether their Paucity exposed them to the mercilesness of the Natives or whether it were an Epidemical Disease which they called the black Plague which swept away not only most of that Nation in Groneland but also the Merchants and Meriners in Norway that maintained that Traffick or whether it were some other Reason which is now forgotten so it is that since 1349 little Intelligence hath descended to us concerning Groneland till seeking the North-west passage to China occasioned more knowledge of it In 1389. they say that the King of Denmark sent a Fleet thither with intention to re-establish his Dominion in those parts but that being cast away discouraged him from any further Enterprize till new of late Christian IV. renewed somewhat again of that Navigation of which by and by In 1406. the Bishop of Drontheim sent a Priest called Andreas to succeed Henry Bishop of Garda if dead if alive to return and bring notice of the stute of the Church there But Andreas never came back nor hath there been since any further care taken to supply Bishops or maintain Christianity there There is a Relation in Purchas's Pilgrim par 3. of one Ivor Boty a Gronelander translated 1560 out of the Norweighish Language which gives a sufficiently particular account of all the places in that Country inhabited by Christians but nothing besides The occasion of our Voyages to those Coast was to find out a way to China c. by the North-west which had been fruitlesly sought toward the North-east The first whom we read to have searched the North-west for a passage was Martyn Frobisher who in 1576 with two Barks coming to the height of 62 deg found a great Inlet called by him Forbisher's Straits whereinto having sailed 60 leagues with main Land on either side returned He found there a certain Oar which he conceived to be of Gold and the next year he made a second Voyage to fetch a quantity of it but it proving to be nothing but black Lead answer'd not expectation yet they found a Silver Mine which lay so deep and fast in the Rocks that they could not dig it They melted Gold also but in very small quantities out of several Stones they found there upon Smith's Isle They found also a dead Fish of about twelve foot long not unlike in shape to a Porpoise having an Horn six foot long such as is commonly called Unicorn's Horn growing out of his Snout which is still kept at Windsor In 1578. he went out again upon a Discovery wherein passing as far as he thought good he took possession of the Land in the name of Queen Elizabeth calling it Meta incognita In 1583. Sir Humphrey Gilbert upon the same design went to the great River of St. Lawrence in Canada took possession of the Countrey and setled a Fishing-trade there This Voyage I suppose was made upon suggestion of a Greek Mariner who assured some of our Nation that himself had passed a great Strait North of Virginia from the West or South Ocean and offered to be Pilot for the Discovery but died before he came into England In 1585. Mr. John Davis was employâ—â— with two Barks to the same search The first Land he came to he named the Land of Desolation and is one part of Groneland then he arrived in 64 deg 15 min. in Gilbert's Sound where they found a great quantity of that Oar which Frobisher brought into England and also Lapis Specularis Thence they went to 66 deg 40 min. to Mount Raleigh Totness Sound c. where they saw some few low Shrubs but nothing else worth noting In 1586. he made a second Voyage to the same place where he found amongst the Natives Copper Oar as also black and red Copper Thence they searched many places Westward and returned with good hopes of discovering the desired passage In 1587. he made a third Voyage to 72 deg 12 min. the Compass varying to 82 deg Westward the Land they called London-Coast and there they found an open Sea and forty leagues between Land and Land thinking this to be the most likely place to find the passage and it was from him called Fretum Davis Thus from time to time proceeded the discovery of these Countries but now not upon hopes of a passage to the Indies but for the profit of Trading till Mr. Hudson in 1610 after he was satisfied that there was no passage North-easterly was sent to make a Tryal here also He proceeded an hundred leagues farther than any before had done and gave Names to certain places as Desire-provokes Isle of God's Mercies Prince Henry's Cape King James's Cape Queen Ann's Cape and the like but the Ice hindered him from going further and the Sedition of his Men from returning home In 1612. James Hall returning into England and with him Willian Baffin who discovored Cockin's Sound in-the height of 65 deg 20 min. which differed in Longitude from London 60 deg 30 min. Westward They saw also the footing of a great Beast they supposed in Elk or the like James Hall was killed in the Boat by a Native pretending to trade with them They tryed the Mine at Cunningham's River which the Danes had digged before and found it to be nothing worth There were Rocks of very pure Stone finer and whiter that Alabaster and Angelica growing plentifully in many places which the Savages use to eat In 1615. Mr. Baffin was sent again he found Fair-Point to differ in Longitude from London 74 deg and 5. min. Westward But the
into the South Sea both by the Streights of Magellan and by the South of Cape Horn but what Trade they manage in those Parts or what Discoveries they have made or what Articles and Treaty they are engaged in with the Spaniard we cannot inform the Reader being no Merchants our selves nor having seen any Journals or Voyages of those Quarters of the World besides those before-mentioned In these Navigations to the Streights of Magellan through the South Sea and by the East Indies home again the Common things noted in the several Voyages beside the Winds Longitudes Latitudes Variations of the Compass Tydes Soundings c. are Flying Fishes Dolphins Albacores Bonito's Sharks Tropick Birds The Sea Weeds called Sargasso and Tromba the Aromatick Tree bearing Winter's Spicy Bark Guanico's or Indian Sheep a Species of small Camels Infinite Numbers of Penguins Seals Muscles Whales Ostriches c. These observed in sailing to and through the Streights of Magellan by the several Navigators aforementioned In the Islands on the South Sea Coco-trees Plantanes Bonana's Pine Apples Indian Figs Limes Hogs with Scent-bags on their Backs a sort of Coney Monkeys Goats Turtle Almonds of four sorts Sugar Canes Oysters on Trees c. Entring upon the Molucco's Nutmeg Trees with Mace Clove Trees Birds of Paradise and great Heats On the Islands of Java Sumatra and Borneo the Faufel Palm or Arek Pepper Shrubs Betele Shrubs Jacks Mango's Durio's Cajou's Jambo's Papaio's Arbor Rays Arbor Tristis Bambou's Ginger Cardamums Lacca Trees Benzoin Trees Camphire Trees Tamarinds Cassia Mirobolanes Cubebs Costus Galanga Bangue Dutroy Snake-wood Calambac Lignum Aloës c. Towards the Gulf of Bengal Elephants Rhinocerots Lions Tygers Crocodiles c. Upon the Maldives and Ceylon Maldiva Nuts floating Woods of Cinamon Trees Oranges Limons Plantations of Rice great Varieties of Palms c. At the Cape of Good Hope Hippopotami Zebra's Gazells Jacalls Flammants Penguins Pelicans Ostriches Cassowares vast numbers of Divers Duckers and other Sea Birds great Varieties of Crustaceous and Testaceous Animals of Lizards Serpents c. At the Canary Islands several Vulcano's Brimstone the Fountain Tree in Ferro the Rhodium Plant Euphorbium Dates Gum Dragon Trees c. But we must note here that besides and since the aforementioned Navigators and Voyagers more particular and fuller Observations have been made upon several of those parts of the World towards the East and West Indies by Physitians and Others who have resided long in those Regions or else received rich Collections from thence But as to the most Northerly Countries all we have is from the Navigators The best of whose Observations are all contained in the Volume we here publish 'T is now high time to hasten to the North and to give a short Chronological Account of the several Navigations and Discoveries made towards the North East and North West viz. Nova Zembla North East Greenland or Spitsberg and North West Greenland commonly called Groneland and Engronelandt Anno Dom. 1380. Nicolo and Antonio Zeni two rich Venetians and Brothers sailed from Gibraltar intending for Flanders and England but by great Storms were driven Northwards to Friseland Iceland Groneland or Engronland for which we refer the Reader to Hackluyt and Purchas Anno Dom. 1497. John Cabot and Sebastian Cabot his son Venetians were sent out of England by Henry VII These after their Return gave an Account and Draught of some North West parts of America and brought four of the Natives back with them Anno Dom 1553. Sir Hugh Willoughby went out to discover a North East Passage and sailed above 160 Leagues North Easterly from Seynam which lies in 70 deg North Lat. 'T is very probable he landed on Nova Zembla and Greeland from whence the Cold and Ice forced him to return more Southerly till he came to Arzina a River in Lapland where the next Spring that great Man with all his Company were found frozen to death in the Ship in this year the Russia Company began to incorporate Anno Dom. 1556. Stephen Burrows searching a Passage by the North East to the Indies sailed to 80 deg 7. min. and thence to Nova Zembla having been in all likelyhood upon Greenland by the desolate Land the blue Ice and great numbers of various Fowls which be mentions About this time the Russia Company was established and sent yearly ships and factors and presently after Ambassadours from Queen Elizabeth Ann. Dom. 1576 1577 1578 Sir Martin Forbisher made three several Voyages to find out a North West Passage in which he made several new Discoveries of great Sreights Bays Islands and Capes as well as Land on both sides to all which he gave Names His Men brought home great store of glittering Marchasites which the London Goldsmiths took to be Gold Oars He met with Inhabitants on the Shores of the Streight called by his Name their Canoes were made of Seal-skins at top but wood Keels They exchanged Salmon and other Fish for Toyes In their Tents abundance of Red Beans were found like unto those of Guinea But more of Frobisher ' s Observations in our Supplement at the end of this Work Anno Dom. 1580. Arthur Pet and Charles Jackman sailed all over these Northern Seas and passed into Waigats Streights plying along the East part of Nova Zembla so far as the Ice would give them leave and finding no possibility of Passage returned back the latter end of the year Anno 1583. Sir Humfrey Gilbert by the instigation of Secretary Walsingham sailed to Newfoundland and the great River of S. Laurence in Canada which he took Possession of in the Name of Queen Elizabeth and setled a Fishing-Trade there An. Dom. 1585. Mr. John Davis was employ'd to search out to the North-West beyond where Frobisher went he made further Discoveries in those Parts which see in Hakluyt and Purchas This Davis made three Voyages to the North-West During his stay at Cape Desolation he found many pieces of Fur and Wooll like to Beaver and exchanged Commodities with the Country People Upon the Rocks and in the Moss grew a Shrub whose fruit was very sweet full of red juice like currans perhaps 't is the same with the New-England Cranberry or Bear-Berry lall'd so from the Bears devouring it very greedily with which we make Tarts Vitis Idaea palustris fructu majore apud Josselin de Nova Anglia The Natives often repair'd to him in their Canoeâ—s bringing with them Stag's Skins white Hares small Cod dry Caplin several Copper Oars Muscles c. In his returning out of the Fretum Davis see our Chart of the Northern Reigons he meets marvellous store of Sea Fowl and Cod Woods of Pine-Apple Spruce Elder Ewe or Yew Withy Birch Geese Ducks Black-Birds Thrush Jayes Partridge Pheasant c. Black Pumice-stones and Salt kerned upon the Rocks white and glistering Unicorn and other Whales See more of Davis in our supplement at the end of this Volume An. Dom. 1594 1595 1596. William Barents a Dutchman made three several
and like a Mullet one of the Men took it up and dressed it when he came on Board 't was excellent good here must be a great quantity of Fish to maintain all the Seals Penguins and other Fowls that live upon nothing else and yet are all extream fat and innumerable in multitude besides what Creatures we have not seen yet I have seen Seals in this Harbour swimming with their heads above Water with large Fish in their Mouths Sunday March 13. Indifferent Weather Wind at West a fresh gale The Air cold this Morning I went up the River in my Boat with fourteen Men armed I past the Island where the brushy Bushes are and where we took the young Shags there the River grows broader near a mile from the North shore over to the South and continues that breadth four miles then it becomes narrower and turns away to the South-west at this turning is an Island of a mean height and Rocky bearing some small Bushes and Grass I went upon it and saw a Post of five foot long set up it had been the timber of a Ship with a piece of Board about a foot square nailed to it at the foot of it one of my Men took up a piece of Sheet-Lead and gave it to me it had this Inscription engraven on it MDCXV EEN SCHIP ENDE EEN IACHT GENAEMT EENDRACHT EN HOORN GEARRIVEERT DEN VIII DECEMBER VERTROKEN MET EEN SCHIP DEENDRACHT DEN X IANVARY MDCXVI C IACQVES LE MAIRE S. WILLEM CORNS SCHOVTS ARES CLASSEN IAN CORNS SCHOTS CLAES IANSSEN BAN In a hole of the Post lay a latten or tin Box which we found by a long Plug that stuck in the hole with a sheet of written Paper enclosed in it but so eaten by the rust of the Box that 't was not to be read I cut out with my Knife upon a Board the Ship 's Name and the date of the Year and Month which I nailed to the Post and brought away the Lead with me aud named the place Le Mair's Island we found on it several pieces of Boards of the Wreck of some Ship that had been burned they were drove up here by the Tide the People of the Country can't get upon this Island From hence I went on the North side of the River two miles into the Land no Trees to be seen but many Ostriches and Guianacoes in many places the Soil is marly and good the Hills not very high but plain large Downs with Grass on them all over digging in two or three places I found sandy dry ground near a foot deep then Marle In my opinion it might be made excellent Corn-ground being ready to Till 't is very like the Land on New-market Heath no People to be seen I searched the Gullies and broken Rocks for grains of Gold or Minerals but found neither I returned to the Boat again rowed farther under the shore landed and mounted asteep high Hill to view the Country on the top of this rocky Hill grow small Bushes I could see the course of the River a long way further and the Land all Grass here and there a white spot of Marle on the side of a Hill no People to be seen nor Boats on the River I came down to the Boat several Creeks run from hence a mile or two into the Land I cross'd the River to the South-east shore we made the Boar fast in a Creek in a Valley and went all hands up the Land three miles we saw many Guianacoes and Ostriches but could not come within shot of them I saw the Footsteps of five Men that had been upon the Oar I measured my Foot with them which was larger and longer by half an Inch than any of them we could not see any People it being near Night we plucked up Grass and laid it to the best advantage for shelter here we lay all Night keeping watch two by two cold Air to Night wind at West Monday March 14. Fair Weather but cold This Morning by day-light we turn'd out and marcht into the Land four miles South-west and by South we could not find any fresh Water we made a Fire on the Grass but saw no sign of any People we saw Guianacoes Hares Foxes wild Dogs pretty large and a grey Cat like an English one running up the Hills to day we caught an Armadillo the Dogs put her to ground they have holes like Coneys we soon dug her out 't was as big as a great Hedg-hog and not much unlike one the Armadillo is cased over the Body with a shell shutting one under another like shells of Armour the Dogs couls not hurt her we saw Rats in many places and a kind of Polecat with two white streaks on the Back all the rest black our Dogs killed two of them they stink much several Ostriches some Partridges and many Kites the Land in fair Hills without Wood or fresh Water the Soil a sandy Gravel with Grass all over it no Mineral or Metal seen This afternoon we returned to our Boat and went through a Creek two miles long which is dry at low Water and not more than thirty foot broad it makes a fair Island of a mean heighth plain on the top and Grass growing all over it but no Wood nor Water upon it the greatest part of it is a sandy marly Soil 't is two miles long and half a mile broad the Greyhound killed two Hares on it presently and we saw above twenty I called it Hare-Island it is adjacent to the South-shore eight miles up the River from the narrow I went down the River and went aboard this Evening cold Air Wind at West a stout Gale towards Morning it came to the North I cannot perceive the Indians have any Canoas or other Boats here March 24. Blowing Weather Wind at West We fetch'd all our things off the shore and got the Ship ready to Sail I went a-shore on the South-side to the peeked Rock and found it a natural Rock standing on a small round Hill as if it had been built there by Man it hath a Cleft on the top it as big in circumference as a But 't is near forty foot high above the Hill it stands on about it lie little lumps of Rocks I saw nothing else worth notice so I return'd to the Ship the biggest stick growing in or near this Harbour or in the Countries as far as we went which was twenty Miles would not make a Helve for a Hatchet but there are Bushes which will serve for firing at Sea before Night I had all things on Board and the Ship fitted with intent to sail next Morning and look'd along the Coasts for the Pink till I arrived at Port St. Julian's Harbour fresh Water is scarce in Port Desier Harbour in the Summer-time the places from whence I fetch'd Water are small Springs on the North-side out of which I filled near forty Tuns the first Spring is on the North-side as you enter the Harbour half a mile up a
and Oyster-shells on the Shore-side and growing in Veins on the Rocks but no Meat in them Wind at West to Night a fresh gale Monday April 18. Wind at South-west a stiff gale Cold Air and some Snow this Morning the Winter is come strong and stormy so that 't will be impossible to hold the Coast into the Streights for the Wind blows altogether from the West or West-southerly and in such Gusts as will force a Ship off the Coast This day I ordered my Purser to serve the Company Brandy-wine for their Allowance at a Quart per Week a Man I got a Boats lading of the Wood of the Country aboard for firing to Night it blew hard at South-west all the Company eat salt Seal and Penguins for their Allowance sweet and very good Meat and keeps well and long in Salt Friday April 22. Wind at South-west a stiff gale and cold Air. This Morning I went ashore on the North-west side with twenty Men to the Salt-pond which is rusted all over like a Pavement with very white and good Salt two Inches thick for two miles long in February here 's Salt enough to fill a thousand Ships we filled two Bags and laid up near two Tuns out of the Water for there was Water over the Salt which began to decay with the Rain and Weather beating on it at Night I returned aboard we brought as much Salt with us as filled a Punchion very good white Stone-salt whiter than French-Salt and of a very pleasant smell I saw some Guianacoes and Ostriches the Hills and Valleys dry Earth and Grass on them on the higher Hills lies Snow no People but many places where they had made fires and lain under a Bush for shelter no Mineral or Metal Tree or Fruit. Wednesday April 27. Close Weather and little Wind a cold Air it freezes hard the Ice bears a Man Thursday April 28. Wind at West and by South a fine gale cold frosty Weather We unrig'd the Ship and made all snug intending to Winter in this Harbour the Ice will not suffer us to pass the Streights the Winds are so stormy and generally out of the Western quarter the Nights so long and cold that the passage is impossible this Winter The Port I found safe to ride in and good refreshment to be had of Fowls as Ducks Peekes and Divers c. In the Spring I may be ready to sail to the Southward when we shall have the year before us and the Sun in the Southern Signs which will give long Days and short Nights and temperate Weather Wind at North-north-east this Evening and Rain it blew a great storm to Night the Boat sunk at the Ship 's stern and lost the Oars less Wind towards Night and veared to the West Friday May 6. Wind at West-north-west a fine gale I went a-shore on the North-west side with thirty Men and travelled seven or eight miles up the Hill saw no People the Land is great Grass-Downs in most places and on the tops of the Hills and in the Ground are very large Oyster-shells they lie in Veins in the Earth and in the firm Rocks and on the sides of Hills in the Country they are the biggest Oyster-shells that ever I saw some six some seven Inches broad yet not one Oyster to be found in the Harbour whence I conclude they were here when the Earth was formed no sign of Mine or Metal no Woods or Tree We found a good Spring of fresh Water up in the Hills it drains into salt Water-swashes We saw several Salt-water Ponds six miles in the Land made by the saltness of the Earth we saw Ostriches Guianacoes and a Fox I made a Fire on the top of the highest Hill but could see no answer I returned aboard with my Company very weary some of my Men fetched Salt to day fair Weather to Night Friday May 13. Indifferent Weather Wind at West-south-west a fine gale This day we fetched Salt a Gentleman of my Company Mr. John Wood walking on the Island of Jusice found three small pieces of Gold Wire in two Muscle-shells which Shells were made together by a green Gut-string the Gold was to the value of two shillings English and had been hammered the wire as big as a great Pin. Monday June 6. Cloudy cold Weather Wind at South-west a fresh gale This day I went a-shore with sixteen Men and travelled ten miles West into the Land the Hills there are covered with Snow 't is very cold we could not go any further for Snow and the Air is so cold that we could not endure to lie on the ground on the Hill that I was on we could see nothing but Hill beyond Hill no Woods nor Trees nor Bushes all grass Downs the Land is flat on the tops of the Hills fresh Water runs down in several places which is melted Snow and when the Water leaves running there 's no Snow I saw many Guianacoes and Ostriches no People or sign of any close by the Water-side we saw many places where they had lain on open Hills in the Snow and some places where they had killed and eat Guianacoes and Ostriches they make but small Fires with little sticks I do not find they roast their flesh at them for we saw some raw Flesh hanging to the Bones which they had gnawed with their Teeth their Fires are only to warm their Children's Fingers as we imagine I gathered some handfuls of Guianacoes Wool that lay here I am persuaded these People must needs see us travelling to and fro every day but won't come near or be seen by us they live like wild Beasts or rather worse for sometimes they must be in great want of Food here 's neither Fruit Root or Herb for it The Land is a dry gravelly Soil with Sand and in many places a Marle two foot below the Surface the Grass which is dry grows in knots not very long but thick in the Valleys the Earth is of a Petery or nitrous Nature Ostriches seen no sign of Metal or Mineral I and my Company have looked in most places where we travelled for it to Night we got down but very weary Tuesday June 7. clse dark Weather Wind at North-east and by East a fair gale a new Moon to day fine Weather to Night but cold the Stars near the Pole Antartick are very visible some of the small Stars in the Constellation of little Hydra are near the Pole Here are many good Stars near the Pole good for Observation of the first and second Magnitude the Star at the South-end of Ariadne the Star at Hydra's Head the Star in the Peacock's eye and the Stars in Tucan's bill and the Stars in Tucan's thigh and back the stars in Grus's head and wing and body but the brightest Stars are the Stars in the former foot of Centaurus and the Crosiers the other Stars are of the third fourth and fifth Magnitude The two Clouds are seen very plainly and a small black Cloud which
firma not far from Cartagean The most Gold in all the Land of America is in Chile as what is known at this time But I find the Spaniards have but little knowledge of the Land all along to the Southward from Baldavia to the Streights Mouth as far as I can understand by them excepting at the Island of Castro There they have a Settlement and on the Main against Castro at a place called Orsono At these two places they have good store of Gold and there are many Indians but farther Southerly than Castro they know nothing of the Country or of the Sea-Coast Castro lieth in the Latitude of 43 d. 30 m. the South end of the Island and the North end lies in the Latitude of 41 d. 40 m. It is a fine Island and near the Main there grows good Wheat on it The Spaniards are but few in number there but there are many Indians and those too valiant and of a large stature but not Giants as I understand These Indians have Wars with the Spaniards and will not suffer them to search the Country for Wealth A Ship brought from Lima Provisions for the City of Baldavia and the Forts and Cloaths and Ammunition and Wines and Tobacco and Sugar and she lades away from Baldavia Gold and Bezoar Stone and red Wool c. and Indian Slaves that the Spaniards take here in these parts they carry them to Peru and make perpetual Slaves of them there and the Indians of Peru they bring hither and make Soldiers of them against the Chile-Indians of which Soldiers there are many hereabout whom my Men saw when they were at the Fort. There were about thirty Indians and Musteses Soldiers there and some sixteen white Men who were Officers Moreover the Spaniards make use of the Peru-Indians to Trade with the Chile-Indians for Gold although they are at Wars For they of Chile without doubt are desirous of Trade whereby they may furnish themselves with Knives and Scissers and Combs c. which are wanting among them as also with Arms that many times by stealth are sold to them although they be prohibited Traders will be dealing so as they can get benefit they do not consider the future danger by its means provided it miss them at the present I asked them how far it was to Baldavia they answered me three Leagues and that the Boats could go up to it and that it was situated by the side of the River and the Plains and that there were five great Ordnances in a Fort to command the City and that there were one thousand Inhabitants in the City of all sorts of Men Women and Children I asked him if there were any passage by Land from Baldavia to the other parts of Chile they said there was and they sent every Week but they went with good Guards to go secure from the Indians Then I asked them if they built Shipping here they said no but at Velperrazeo they did build great Ships I asked them who lived in the Island of Mocha they said Indians many Men and Women and that they were Poco amigo ' s to them in English they were but small Friends to the Spaniards There are many Sheep Goats Hogs and Hens which the Indians will sell for Hatchets Knives and Beads As to the Island of St. Mary the Spaniards are Masters of it and have a Fort on it with five Guns but few Spaniards live there it is plentiful of Provisions as Hogs and Sheep and Corn and Potatoes and they said there is some Gold that the Indians have on the Island of Mocha but they will not part from it The Spaniards did not care for answering me to such things as I would gladly have heard of these parts for I laid the Draught of all that Coast on the Table before them and asked them who lived at this Port and who lived at that at some places they would say the Spaniards lived there and at some the Indians but they did not care to answer my desires but frame other Discourses to wave mine I find that they are but little acquainted on the Coasts to the Southward of Baldavia they say they have Spaniards living on the Island of Castro and that much Corn grows there more especially European Wheat and that on the Main there are Spaniards living at a place called Orsono which is against Castro and that there they have Gold and there are many Indians I asked him if Shipping could go in between Castro and the Main they could not tell me or would not but they said some Ships went thither which come from Lima with Furniture for the People The Anchoring at the Island of Mocha is on the North-north-east part of it in a sandy Bay in eight Fathom Water near the Shore a North-east Wind is the worst Wind for the Road on the South-side of Mocha there lies a ledg of Rocks and some broken Rocks on that part of the Island scattered from the Shore The Anchoring at the Island of St. Mary is on the North-side in a fine sandy Bay in eight or nine Fathom Water a fine Birth from the Shore the North-north-west Wind is the worst Wind for that Road. There is Wood and fresh Water on both the Islands as the Spaniards report The Tides are but mean on the Coast and the Flood comes from the Southward and rise about eight or nine feet Water The Island of Mocha lies in the Lat. of 38 d. 30 m. South The Island of St. Mary lies in the Lat. of 37 d. 14 m. South They have Apples and Plums and Pears and Olives Apricocks Peaches Quinces Oranges Lemmons and many other Fruits There are also Musk-Melons and water-Melons c. These Spaniards report it to be the finest Country in the whole World and that the people live with the greatest Luxury of any on the Earth they enjoy their Health with so much delight and have so much Wealth and Felicity that they compare the Land to Paradise abounding above other Countries with all Delights for Mankind I saw a good Testimony of the healthiness of the Country for these four Men who are on Board are as well-complexioned Men as ever I saw in my days and the People a-shore both Men and Women of the Spaniards are well-complexioned People of a ruddy colour and seem to be mighty healthy Some of the Men are very corpulent and look as if they came from a very plentiful Country where there is great store of Provisions and abundance of Gold and Silver December 17. 1670. There went a-shore in the Boat eighteen of my best Men I had in the Ship and Men of good Observation to inspeâ— into matters of this Concern which I had acquainted them with as touching the manner of the Harbour and the Fortifications the Spaniards have and the disposition of the People and that it was my whole desire to have Conference with the Natives of the Country that are at Wars with the Spaniards if by
bad them acquaint the Indians of the Mountains or In-lands that I came to speak with them and that I was their Friend and would give them many Hatchets and Knives and Swords c. if they would come to me and that I came purposely to speak with them and that my Master the Great King of England hath sent them many things and would willingly see them After these People had heard all that I said to them they sat for a time mute and considering of the Kindnesses they received from me and my Company and that they must go a-shore again under the Command of the cruel Spaniards they weeped extreamly and uttered these words Numbra Spanalos muccho Deablo c. In English it is The Spanish men are much Devils c. I verily believe that these poor innocent Creatures speak truth for they are great Devils in abusing these poor Souls so unmercifully as they do In sight of my Men the Spaniards with a great Staff would strike an Indian on the Head as he talked with him and beat him all along for no cause at all but this they do to shew their Greatness and Imperiousness The best Name the Spaniards can afford to call an Indian by is Dog and Devil and such like Names These Indians say that there is much Gold in the Land and that the Spaniards have much Oro I gave to each of these Indians a Knife and a small Looking-glass and some Beads they were very thankful and I put them in mind again to speak to the Indians of the In-land that I would give them Knives and Glasses if they would come to me I was in great hopes all this time that I should have the opportunity to speak with my Golden Friends by the means of these People for they seemed to be glad of the Message or of the things which I gave them to do it These People are of a middle stature strongly set and well-fleshed they are tawny coloured and have long black flaggy Hair their Features tolerable of a somewhat melancholy Countenance they are very active in Body and hardy in enduring of Weather or Diet They wear small Caps on their Heads like to Mounteers and their Garment is a long Mantle but most of their Garments are a square piece of Wollen Cloth like a Carpet of their own weaving of the Wool of Guianacoes they cut an hole in the middle of this Carpet through which they put their Head and it hangs upon their Shoulders and covers their whole Bodies like a Cloak when it is buttoned down before Some have these Cloaks so long as it reacheth down to their middle Leg and some to the Knee some wear half-Stockings on their Legs but no Shoes nor Shirts some have Breeches after the Spanish Fashion but close to their Thighs and Knees A NOTE which I sent to Lieutenant Armiger enclosed in a Letter LIeutenant take what notice you can of the Fortificatin of the Fort and what strength they have of People in it and whether they are able to withstand a Ship and what quantity of Provisions they have in it and whether Don Carlos be there send me an Account thereof by John Wilkins I will use all endeavours to have you off when I understand the strength of the place I remain your loving Friend John Narbrough Burn all the Letters you receive from me and in case of Examination December 18. 1670. This Evening I took the Suns Amplitude with my Compass and I had a good Observation I find the variation of the Compass to be eight Degrees ten Minutes Easterly I do much reason with my self as to the Variation that it differs so much in the same Latitude between the East and West-side of the Land of America for on the East-side as I sailed in the Latitude of forty Degrees I found the Compass to have twenty Degrees variation Easterly by several good Observations which I took with the same Instrument as I now do use which is a large Azimuth Compass and here I find but eight Degrees and ten Minutes variation and it is but eight Degrees of Longitude more Westerly in the same Parallel differing between these Observations and the difference of Variation I find the Land to be but one hundred and twenty five Leagues broad from the East-side to the West-side in the Latitude of forty Degrees South of the Equinoctial certainly the attractive quality of the Magnet must be very powerful in the Eastern part of the Land more than in the Western which causeth the difference yet I admire being on both sides of the Land the Compass should always have the same variation Easterly I was of the Opinion that the variation would have been Westerly on the West-side it being Easterly on the East-side but I find the contrary by experience therefore I believe that the attractive quality is not much in this part of America but in some other part more to the Eastward than I was for if the attractive quality had been in this Land and I sailing on both sides of it the variation must have been Easterly on the one side and Westerly on the other This Discourse I leave to a better Understanding for I am not as yet satisfied what occasioneth the variation and the great difference of it although I have been on several Voyages and have made great benefit of the Understanding of the variation of the Compass in directing of the true Course c. In the Port of Baldavia there are three fair Rivers which come out of the Country and empty themselves into the Port with a brisk stream of fresh Water which causeth the stream always to set out of the Harbour and the Waters to be fresh just within the Harbours-mouth one River runs up into the South-east part of the Harbour into the Country another River runs into the Country to the Eastward on the back-side of St. Peter's Fort the third River runs into the Country about the North-point of the Harbours-mouth between the point and the North-end of St. Peter's Island it runs up in the North-Eastward and nine or ten Mills stand upon the River from the Harbours-mouth The City of Baldavia is situated on the Bank of the River as the Spaniards tell me I judge this City of Baldavia is but a small place and kept only as a Garrison and a place for Trade with the Indians for Gold Bezoar-stones Guianacoes-Wooll c. The Spaniards that were aboard and the Indians said that there were but five great Guns in it and three hundred Men. I know that they speak of the most of every thing in the matters as concerning their strength and number of Men. I believe that these Rivers may run into the Country a long way and the Spaniards to have but little knowledge in the inward parts of this Country for the Indians will not suffer the Spaniards to search into the In-lands I believe also that these Rivers are not Navigable for Shipping for
out of a Lake of fresh Water in a Valley amongst the Hills we made the Boat fast and marched all into the Land five or six Miles being stop'd from going further by Hills rising very steep and Mountains and impenetrable Woods we made several Fires but could not see any sign of them so far in the Land No Beast or other Creature to be seen many small streams of fresh Water come running from the snowy Mountains with great Falls from the steep Rocks we looked in many places of the Earth and in the streams of Water for Gold c. but found none nor any other Metal of Mineral Here grow on the Bushes many small red Berries much like Hurts very good to eat the grass-Grass-Land is very loose and Boggy the Rocks are a kind of white Marble the Trees like those at Port Famen here are small Pepper-trees To Night I got on Board Calm Weather I rode fast with the Ship Here ends Sir John Narbrough's Manuscript Journal which we shall continue home to England from the MS Diary taken by Sir John's ingenious Lieutenant Nathaniel Pecket Wednesday January 11. Fair Weather Wind variable from South-east to South-west This Morning we made the best of our way to get into Port Famen Here we had Fishes from the Shore to Fish our Main-mast At twelve a Clock we Anchored in nine Fathom Waaer This place afforded what we wanted as very good large Trees for Fishes good Water good wild Fowl good fish like Mullets and large Smelts here we fitted our Ships Masts and Rigging as well as we could Careen'd her and filled our Casks with good fresh Water and took as much Wood aboard as we thought fit January 16. Fair Weather and little Wind Westerly This Morning the Lieutenant was ordered to go up with the Boat in Segars River as high as he could with convenience and to see for Indians He went up about nine Miles but could nor get higher with the Boat by reason of the Trunk-timber and shoaliness in the Water So I landed and went up two Miles by Land to see for Indians but I could not see any not any thing worth the Observation How far the River runs up I know not for I saw not the end of it so I returned a-board again January 29. Fair Weather and little Wind at South-west This Morning the Captain went over with the Pinnace to the South-shore to see for Indians and if there were and Harbour for Shipping short of Port Famen This day came an Indian to the Point of Port Famen and made a Fire and I went a-shore to see what he had but he had neither Bow nor Arrow nor any thing else to the value of the Farthing I would have had him come a-board with me but he would not as far as I understood by the Signs he made to me he had been a slave to some other Indians and had run away from them and was travelling home Tuesday January 31. Fair Weather Wind variable This Evening the Captain came a-board again having been over on the South-shore to see for an Harbour but could find none nor see any Indians Saturday February 4. Fair Weather Wind at West by North. This Morning at four a Clock we set Sail for Port Famen and at eleven a Clock we were short of Fresh-water Bay and at six a Clock in the Evening we Anchored in twelve Fathom Water in a fine sandy Bay about four Leagues to the Northward of Freshwater Bay February 5. Fair Weather but very much Wind at South-west and West-south-west This Morning the Captain sent me to Freshwater Bay to see for Indians but I saw none there so I returned again aboard February 7. Fair Weather Wind Northerly This Morning the Captain ordered me to take the Pinnace and to go along the North-shore and between Elizabeth's Island and the Shore to see for Indians In the Afternoon it blew hard Northerly that we could not row a head so I put back into a sandy Bay and went a-shore and stayed there all Night and in this Bay we haled the same and got a great many good and large Smelts Smelts of twenty Inches long and eight Inches about Wednesday February 8. Fair Weather Wind West-south-west This Morning at four a Clock I run down the Streights with the Pinnace keeping the Norht-shore a-board and run berwixt it and Elizabeth's Island but saw no Indians yet saw several places where they had been very lately and where they had built their Canowes From Cape Desiade to Elizabeths Island there is Wood and fresh Water plenty but from Elizabeths Island to Cape Virgin-Mary Wood and fresh Water is very scarce to come by This Afternoon at three a Clock I got a-board again and at four a Clock we came to an Anchor in eight Fathom Water black Sand we rid within a Mile of the North-shore St. Georges and St. Bartholomew's Island were both shut in one and they bore South-south-east of me and Elizabeths Island bore South and by East And here we rid with the Ship all Night February 9. Fair Weather Wind Westerly This Morning the Captain sent me to see for Indians but I could see none yet I fell with a good Harbour for small Vessels on the North-side and at the South-end of a great deep Bay thwart of Elizabeths Island the entrance of this Harbour is not a Bow-shot from side to side I sounded it and there was twelve foot Water at a low Water but within there was three Fathom Water at low Water from the entrance of this Harbour to the upper end of it is about seven Miles Here is in this Harbour great stone of Geese and Ducks and a-shore there is great store of Heath-berries and Hicts and small Black-berries good and well-tasted but I saw no Indians so I returned a-board again the Captain went into another Harbour a Mile to the Southward of the second Narrow on the North-shore and sounded and had four Fathom Water in it it is very broad within and there is great store of Sea-Crabs Saturday February 11. Fair Weather Wind variable This day the Captain ordered me to go with the Pinnace and discover the North-shore and if I could with convenience discover some part of the South and to go to the first Narrow and there to stay for the Ship so I went through the second and landed on the South-side in a fine sandy Bay or Cove expecting to fall with Indians for I saw a many Fires up in the Land I went up about five or six Miles but could see no Indians Then the Night coming on I returned again to the Boat and there we pitched a Tent to lie in and lay all Night and at High-water we set the same thwart a Pond of Water and there it stood until Low-water then we halled the Pond all over and haled a-shore about 700 good and large Fish like Mullets This Land is very dry barren Land and nothing to be seen in it worth the Observation
Longitude The 8. of October they departed from thence and went nearly South till the 40 or 41 d. having North-west var. 23 24 and 25 d. to the 22. of October From that time they bore away East somewhat Southwardly till the 29. when they were in South Latitude 45 d. 47 m. Longit. 89 d. 44 m. variation North-west 26 d. 45 m. The 6. of November they were in South Latitude 49 d. 4 m. Long. 114 d. 56 m. N. W. var. 26 d. with much dirty misty windy and gusty Weather and with hollow Waves out of the S. W. and S. so that we could not conceive there could be any Land very near upon these Points November 15. Latitude S. 44 d. 3 m. Longitude 140 d. 32 m. N. W. var. 18 d. 30 m. which decreased apace so that on the 21. being in 158 d. Longitude the variation was no more than 4 d. The 22. being the next day their Compass would not stand still as it ought therefore they guessed there was here some Mines of Load-stone for that their Compass stood not still upon any of the eight Points The 24. of November in South Latitude 42 d. 25 m. and their middle Longitude of 163 d. 50 m. they saw Land E. by N. distant from them 10. Miles which they named Anthony van Diemens Land Here the Compass stood right at this Land in the Longitude of 163 d. 50 m. They had much stormy bad weather so they went away S. by E. along the Coast to 44 d. of South Latitude where the Land runs away E. and after N. E. and northerly here in the Longitude 167 d. 55 m. and Latitude 43 d. 10 m. they came to Anchor in a Bay which on the 1. of December they named Frederick Hendricks Bay They heard as they thought the noise of Men but saw none they saw also two Trees about two or two and a half Fathom thick and 60 or 65 Foot high below the Branches the Bark of these Trees was cut with Flint peeled off in form of Steps to help the Inhabitants to climb them and take the Birds Nests thereon these Steps were about 5. Food asunder so that we must either conclude these People very great or else that they have some unknown trick to make use of the said Steps for climbing these Trees In the one Tree the Steps seemed so fresh and green as if it had not been four days since they were cut the noise of men and the play which they heard was much like that of a Jews Trump or little Gom which was not far off but they saw no body They saw the footing of wild Beasts having Claws like a Tyger and of other Beasts They found also Gum of the Trees and Gum-Lac of the Ground The Ebb and Flood was here about three Foot The Trees stood not thick nor incumbred with thick bushes or underwood they saw likewise in several places the smoak of fire Here they did nothing but only set up a Stake with the Companies mark and a Princes Flag thereon there was here 3 d. N. E. variation December 5. S. Lat. 41 d. 34 m. Long. 169 d. they went away E. from Anthony van Diemens Land with purpose to run away E. to the Long. of 195 d. to find the Islands of Solomon December 9. with S. Lat 42 d. 37 m. Long 176 d. 29 m. N. E. variation 5 d. Decemb. 12. they had hollow Waves out of the S. W. therefore from that Quarter no Land is to be expected December 13. Latitude S. 42 d. 10 m. Longitude 188 d. 28 m. N. E. variation 7 d. 30 m. they had Land in sight which was very high and hilly and which in the Charts is now called New Zealand they went N. Eastwards along the Land as the Chart shewed it till they Anchored in a Bay in South Latitude 40 d. 50 m. Longitude 191 d. 41 m. N. E. variation 9 d. and that on the 18. of December 1642. These Inhabitants were rough of voice thick and gross made they came not within a Stones cast on Board of us and blew several times on an Instrument which made a noise like a Moorish Trumpet in answer thereto we blew ours Their colour was between Brown and Yellow they had black Hair bound fast and tight upon the crown of their Head in the same manner as the Japanners have theirs behind their Head and near as long and thick of Hair upon which stood a great thick white Feather their Clothes were of Mats others of Cotton but their upper parts were naked December 19. these Antipodes began to be somewhat bolder and more free so that they indeavoured to begin a Truck or Merchandize with the Yacht and began to come on Board the Commander seeing this began to fear lest they might be fallen upon and sent his Boat or Prow with seven Men to advertise them that they should not trust these People too much they went off from the Ship and not having any Arms with them were set upon by these Inhabitants and three or four of them were killed and the rest saved themselves by swimming this they indeavoured to revenge but the water going high they were hindred this Bay was by them for this reason named Murderers Bay as it is marked in the Charts From this Bay they went on E. and found the Land all round about them It seems a very good Land fruitful and well scituated but by reason of the bad Weather and West Wind they had a great deal of trouble to get out The 24. of December because the Wind would not well suffer them to go to the Northward they not knowing if they should find any Passage to the North and the Flood coming out of the S. E. they concluded to go back again into the Bay and there seek a Passage but the 26. the Wind better serving they went away Northerly somewhat to the West January 4. 1643. in South Latitude 34 d. 35 m. Longitude 191 d. 9 m. N. E. variation 8 d. 40 m. they came to the N. W. cape of this Land and had hollow Waves out of the N. E. and therefore doubted not there must be a great Sea in the N. E. whereupon they were glad as having now gotten a Passage Here lay an Island which they named three Kings Island to which they went to refresh themselves and being come near they saw upon the Hill thirty or thirty five Men being of tall Stature as well as might be discerned from far with Sticks or Clubs who called to them with harsh or loud voices but they could not understand them and those Men when they walked made very wide paces or steps In turning about this Island there appeared very few Men and they saw little or no Cultivated Land but only found a fresh River where our People intended to get fresh water but by some unlucky accident were prevented whereupon it was resolved to go with an Eastern Course to the Longitude of 220 d. and then
E. into the S. and so on to the S. S. W. they intended to find a Passage between both but found this to be all one Land even into the West wherefore they turned their Course Westward along the Coast and had much Calms April 20. in S. Latitude 5 d. 4 m. Longitude 164 d. 27 m. N. E. variation 8 d. 30 m. by night they came by the Burning Island and saw a great Fire come out of the top of the Hill of which aâ—â—o William Scouten writes they went between this Island and the Main and saw many Fires close by the Water as towards the middle of the high Hill whence they argued this to be a populous and well inhabited Island they had along this Coast of Nova Guinea much Calms and saw frequently drift Wood as small Trees Bamboes and other filth from the Land that came out from the Rivers which made them conclude that there are many Rivers and that it must be a good Land The next day they past the Burning Mountain and went along the Shore W. N. W. April 27. in South Latitude 2 d. 10 m. Longitude 156 d. 47 m. they thought they were at the Island Moa but it was Jama a little more Easterly than Moa here they got many Coco-Nuts and other things The People were wholly black and what they heard our People speak they could very perfectly repeat which is a certain sign that their Language is very copious in Words and difficult to be pronounced because they use much the Letter R. and sometimes two or three times in a Word The next day they came before Moa where likewise they got much refreshment here by reason of contrary Winds they stayed till the 6. of May so that they Trucked for near 6000 Coco-Nuts and 100 Bundles of Pysanghs about the beginning of their Traffick on the Island Moa whether maliciously or otherwise one of our Company was hurt with an Arrow shot by one of the Inhabitants whilst this past they were getting their Ships nearer to the Land wherewith this People were so frighted that of their own accord they brought aboard him that had shot the Arrow for us to do with him what we pleased and from that time they were better to be spoken withal whether it were in their Traffick or otherwise so that our People took pieces of Iron Hoops and fitted them into Hafts and made them somewhat bright and sharp and so put them off for Knives It is probable they still remember what befel them with William Scouten 27. years before ' T was in the year 1616. July 16. for they having dealt very traiterously and perversly with him Jacob le Mair went with the Ship close to the Land between the Islands and shot with his great Guns along the Strand and into the Woods so that the Bullets flew through the Trees with a great noise whereupon these Negroes fled and durst not once peep out but at length they grew very tractable May 12. in S. Lat. 0 d. 54 m. and Long. 153 d. 17 m. N. E. variation 6 d. 30 m. they sailed along the N. side of William Scoutens Island it seems that the People are nimble and that the Island is well inhabited it is about 1â— or 19 Miles long May 18. S. Lat. 0 d. 26 m. Long. 147 d. 55 m. N. E. variation 5 d. 30 m. they had past the Cape of good Hope and come to the West end of New Guinea a broken Point of Land They had much variable Calm and contrary Winds with rain From hence they went Southward for Seram and came on the North side thereof On the 27. of May they went on through the Streights to the North of Boure or Bouton and so for Batavia where they arrived June 15. in South Latitude 6 d. 12 m. and Longitude 127 d. 18 m. the Voyage was finished in ten Months A MAP of y e NORTH EAST AND NORTH WEST Parts of the POLE. Relation of a Voyage for the Discovery of a Passage by the North-East to Japan and China Performed in his Majesties Ship the Speedwel and Prâ—sperous Pink Anno Domini 1676. Where is shewed the Reasons and Grounds of the probability of a Passage before the Attempt with some good Observation made in the said Voyage by Captain John Wood. TO Write a full Relation of all those Navigators that have attempted to find a Passage by the N. E. to China and Japan will be â—eedless since their Naratives have passed most â—â—ands they being Recorded in Hackluit and Purchaâ—'s but my 〈◊〉 is to shew wherein those failed that have 〈◊〉 undertaken it and then to shew the 〈◊〉 Reasons that induced 〈◊〉 undertak 〈◊〉 said Voyage with the event thereof The first that ever Attempted the said Voyage 〈◊〉 Sir Hugh Willoughby in the year 1553. with 〈◊〉 Sail of Ships and he sail ed to the North Cape of Finmarke and then into the Lat. of 72. 〈◊〉 he saies he saw Land but to this day it â—annot be found again and I am of Opinion â—â—at it was some Fog Bank that he saw for in my return Home I run over the same place where our Chard-Makeâ—s lay down that Land but certain it was that by foul Weather he was forced into a Harbor in Laplanâ—â— called Arzena where by thâ— continuance of bad Weather he could never return out but was there frozen to Death with alâ— his Ships Company so thaâ— of this Voyage there was no Light given to find a Passage that way The second that Attempted was one Captaiâ— Stephen Burrough afterward Comptroller of thâ— Navy to Queen Elizabeth In the Year 155â— he set forward and passed the North Cape anâ— sailing farther Easterly discovered the Waygate that is the Streight thaâ— runneth between thâ— South part of Nova Zâ—mbla and the Sammoâ—â— Country where he entred and believing thâ—â— Sinus or by the Eastward of the Streights to 〈◊〉 a free and open Sea he returned with hope 〈◊〉 Passage that way to China and Japan The third that Attempted was Captain Arthâ—â— Pett and Captain Charles Jackman in the Yeâ—â— 1580. being sent out by Queen Elizabeth to folloâ— the Track 〈◊〉 Burroughs so setting forwards thâ—â— came to the Wâ—ygates and passed the Streigh and came into the Sea to the Eastward where theâ— met with such a vast quantity of Ice and 〈◊〉 Weather that they with great Hazard Peril 〈◊〉 Labour were forc'd to return but by foul Weâ—ther lost one 〈◊〉 other and Pett was never 〈◊〉 of since so the Passage through the Waygate was in England laid by as thought not possiâ—â—â—e that way and then the Hollanders undertook The fourth that Attemped it was William Barrans a well Experienced Navigator and Artist sent out of Holland by Prince Morrice in the Year 1606. He sailed into the Waygates but being entred he found the same Incumbrance with Ice that Pett and Jackman had done before so tasting of the Water and finding of it fresh which neither Burrough Pett nor Jackman
had observed he returned without any hope or probability of a Passage that way but this not discouraging him he resolved a second Adventure to the Northward of Nova Zembla to see what might be Performed that way So in the Year 1607. he set forward and arrived on the Coast of Nova Zembla in the Lat. of 73. where he met with Ice and so coasted the Shore till he came to the Lat. of 76. where he could get no farther and by the Ice was there driven on Shore and his Ship broke in peices by it and he confined to Winter there where they all indured the greatest extremity of Cold that ever Mortals did the Winter being past they with difficulty in two Boats got to Cola in Lapland but before their arrival there William Barrans dyed to the great grief of all his Company The next that Attempted it was that famous Discoverer of our own Nation Mr. Henry Hudson in the Year 1610. but he being disheartned by the Voyage of Barrans attempted but little So the thought of a Passage by the North-East was wholly laid aside till of late within this Year or two some Novile Accidents happening the Opinion of the North-East was received in some and something relating thereunto was printed in the Transactions of the Royal Society Now will I come to the Reasons of that induced me to believe there was a probability of a Passage and then the cause of my undertaking of the said Voyage My first Reason was grounded on the Opinion of William Barrans before spoke of which was that Nova Zembla and Greenland being 200 Leagues distance between one and the other that if he had Steered away North-East from the North Cape which would have brought him in the mid-way betwixt the two Lands that then he might have probably found an open Sea free from Ice and so Consequently a Passage and in that Opinion he remained to his dying day for he did verily believe that the Ice was not to be met off of either Shore more than 20 Leagues and the rest to be free and open and that his being too near the Shore of Nova Zembla was the cause of his meeting so much Ice which was the overthrow of his Voyage and if he had lived he had purposely intended another Voyage and to have sailed the mid-way The second Reason that made me believe a Passage was a Letter sent out of Holland which is Published in the Transactions of the Royal Society which affirmeth the Grand Zar of Moscovia had caused a particular Survey of the Land of Nova Zâ—mbla and that they had found it to be no Island but to joyn to the main Land of Tartaâ—ia and that to the Northward of it was a free and open Sea The third was a Journal Printed in Holland of a Voyage from Batavia to Japan wherein the Ship was cast away upon Corea a Peninsula of China where by the Natives they were made Slaves The Relator having been there 16 years at last escaped to Japan and writ this Journal wherein amongst other Observations he Relates this that in a Bay on the Coast of Corea there doth at several times drive in dead Whales with English and Dutch Harping Irons in them which if true had been a great Argument of a Passage The fourth was a Relation of Mr. Joseph Moxons who being in Holland above 20 years since heard a Dutchman relate as he did believe the real Matter of Fact that he had been under the Pole it self and that it was as warm there as it was at Amsterdam in Summer time The fifth was a Relation of one Captain Goulden who had made above thirty Voyages to Greenland and this he did relate to his Majesty that being at Greenland some twenty Years ago he was in Company with two Hollanders to the Eastward of Edges Island and that the Whales not appearing on the Shore the two Hollanders were resolved to go farther Northerly and to Fish amongst the Ice so they departed from him and went to the Northward and in a Fortnights time returned to him again and gave it out that they had sailed unto the Lat. of 89. that was within one Degree of the Pole and that they did meet with no Ice but a free and open Sea and that there run a very hollow grown Sea like that of the Bay of Bisca Mr. Goulden being not satisfied with the bare Relation they produced him four Journals out of the two Ships which testified the same and that they all agreed within four minutes one of the other The sixth Inducement that made me believe there was a Passage was a Relation from the same Captain Goulden which was that all the drift Wood that they found at Greenland was eaten with a Sea-Worm to the very Heart which if so it must of necessity come out of a Hot Climate for Experience sheweth that the Worm biteth in no Cold Country therefore it could not be supposed that it came from any other Country than Jedzo Japan or some Land thereabout The seventh Argument was another Narration Printed in the Transactions of two Ships of late that had attempted the Passage sailed 300 Leagues to the Eastward of Nova Zembla and had after prosecuted the Voyage had there not a difference arose betwixt the Undertakers and the East-India-Company against whose Interest it was to suffer it to be found out so they being a Body and more powerful than the other suppressed it These seven were the main Arguments though I had many more that Converted me into the Opinion of there being a possibility of a Passage to the Northward of Nova Zembla to China and Japan these being as I supposed or as any Man would have done if he had well considered them to be Matter of Fact and no Fables Besides these Arguments I had some grounded upon Reason and Nature which seemed to be assistant in the Design of the Attempt supposing the aforesaid Arguments to be true and there being no Land nor Ice in the way as and Obstacle to hinder it The first was That being near the North-Pole in the Summer time it might be as warm as under the Artick or Antartick Circle or warmer than with us in the Winter time for under the Pole it self in June the Sun being 23 degrees high and having no Depression towards the Horizon but always swimming about at the same hight might illuminate that part of the Hemisphere with more heat than it doth ours in Winter when he is no more then 15 degrees high when he is at the highest that is on the Meridian and not more than eight Hours above the Horizon or that it might be as hot as any place near either Polar Circle because there the Sun hath a Declination toward the Horizon and so the Atmosphere hath almost as much time to cool as it hath to heat which under the Pole should have no intermission And one Argument to favour this Opinion was the Relation of most Greenland
the Ice and killed a young Sea-Horse or Mors and saw many more but could not kill them with Muskets notwithstanding we fired 7 Muskets into one of them neither could we come to lame them for they get into the Sea before you can come to them they keeping Watch and are very shy always lying on the brink of the Ice ready to take the Sea We Sounded and had 80 Fathom Water green Oar at which time we saw the Ground plain being very smooth Water Meridian distance from the Ship to the Land 15 Miles which maketh Meridian distance from the Land to this place 980 Miles Wednesday June 28. From the 27. Noon to this Day Noon very little Wind but the most part Calm from the North to the West true Course Protracted West-north-west 10 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 46 m. Meridian distance 970 Miles In the Afternoon stood in close with the Ice and found it to joyn to the main Land at Night stood off from the Ice Thursday June 29. From the 28 Noon to this Day Noon little Wind with Rains we stood away from the Ice to Sea true Course allowed is South 27 d. West 20 Miles difference of Lat. 16 Miles departure 8 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 40 m. Meridian distance 964 Miles At Noon the Wind at West and West and by South a sine Gale but very foggy Weather we stand away South to get from the Ice we being in-bayed in it At 11 at Night the Prosperous Pink fired a Gun and bore down upon us crying out Ice on the Weather-Bow with that we clap'd the Helm hard a Weather Veered out the Main-Sheet to Ware the Ship but before the Ship could Ware and bring to upon the other Tack She struck on a ledge of Rocks which lay sunk From 12 at Noon to 11 at Night thick foggy Weather the Wind from the North-west to the West by South Course per Compass between the South-west and the South by West close Haul'd but at Night the Prosperous Pink saw the Sea break on the Weather-Bow bearing down upon us cryed out it was the Ice with that we presently bore up round to bring to upon the other Tack but our Ship not wearing round run on a ledge of Rocks there stuck fast but Captain Flawes Ship got clear wearing more rounder we fired several Guns to give Captain Flawes notice of our distress we used all means possible to get her off by carrying out a Hasser and Anchor and staving of Water and Beer and throwing Provision over Board but could not get the Ship off for the Water did Ebb and the Ship Sued above 3 Foot but when the Flood came it brought a great Sea with it and the Ship beat very hard we used all means to heave her off but could not and the Ship making Water more than we could Pump with that we cut our Masts by the Board and sent our Yaul unto the Shore to discover some place to Land at whose return aboard brought word that there was landing with that we got up Bread out of the Bread Room and brought it up into the great Cabbin and the Carpenter made ready to save some Tools and necessaries to Rebuild our Long-Boat to save our lives if so necessitated that Captain Flawes should not return to us So about 12 at Noon we got all our Men ashore except two which were drowned in the Pinnace by a Sea which broke into her just as she put off from the Ship side having Bread Powder and Provisions in her and all lost with the Pinnace Also to our great grief having nothing but the Long-Boat to trust in to save our lives which could not carry above 30 Men of 70. We used all means to save Bread but the Ship filling up to the upper Deck we were forced to leave her having saved but two Bags of Bread with some pieces of Pork and a little Cheese this being all on Shore we carried our Provisions and other Necessaries upon a Hill where came to visit us one of the Natives which was a Prodigious great white Bear which one of our Men shot at and as we supposed hit her which made her run away with that we made all hast to build us a Tent to keep us from the cold and to keep our Provisions dry having saved Canvas for the purpose which we laid over Oars and Spars and threw up a Trench of Earth round us to preserve us from Wild Beasts but all this time indured much cold most of our Men being wet and having no firing therefore all our Hopes and Prayers were that God would send us the Ship ashore Friday June 30. A fresh Gale and very foggy with a great Sea our Ship began to split and much Wreck came ashore so that we got Oars Spars and Deals to build us Tents and firing of which we saved as much as we could but the Weather proved very foggy to our great grief being we could not expect Captain Flawes as long as the Fog continued The Wind at West-north-west Saturday July 1. The Wind at North-west a fresh Gale the Ship brake in pieces so that we had much Wreck came ashore and Provisions which we indeavoured to save with much pains and trouble the Sea breaking much on the Shore and the Weather very cold and foggy We saved two Casks of Flower some Brandy and a Butt of Beer and a Cask of Oil the Flower did us great kindness to save our Bread for we made of the Flower Pan-Cakes and Pudding and baked Cakes on Stones to our great refreshment Sunday July 2. The Wind at West and very foggy we saved more Flower Butter and a few pieces of Beef and Pork the Cask being Staved The Gunneras he was saving of Provision there came a great White Bear to him which he shot at and fell'd her down but she rose again and at him with that there came more Men and fired at her she was a very great one and very Fat and the Flesh very good and look'd delicate and Eat well Saturday July 8. The Wind at West-north-west a very great Fog and all our Men in great despair of our seeing Captain Flawes we beginning to consider our most miserable Condition and contriving how to save our Lives the Long-boat not being able to carry above 30 Men and a Deck built on her and her Wast raised with that we concluded to lengthen her 12 Foot and to carry all our Men but upon consideration of wanting Materials and the Carpenters bad assistance the Men would not agree to have her cut a sunder for fear she could not be lengthened but were willing to Travel by Land towards the Waygates in hopes to find some Russia Lodges With that we began to raise her Wast and build a Deck the Weather continuing very foggy till Saturday Morning at which time we espyed Captain Flawes to our great joy with that we made presently a great Fire and sent our Yaul to meet
great Fogs from the South-south-east to the West-north-west Course per Compass between the South-west and the West distance sailed by the Log 91 Miles true Course Protracted is South-west by South 87 Miles difference of Lat. 76 Miles departure 43 Miles Lat. per Judgment 73 d. 08 m. Meridian distance 625 Miles At Noon no ground with 160 Fathom Lines Monday July 24. From the 23. Noon to this Day Noon little Winds and variable with Calms true Course allowed is South-south-west ¾ West 22 Miles distance of Lat. 18 Miles departure 11 Miles Lat per Judgment 72 d. 50 m. Meridian distance 636 Miles Tuesday July 25. From the 24. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind variable with fresh Gales from North by West to the East with Fogs Course between the West-south-west and South-west distance sailed by the Log 88 Miles true Course allowed for 9 d. variation is South-west ½ Westerly distance of Lat. 54 Miles departure 69 Miles Lat. per Judgment 71 d. 56 m. Meridian distance 705 Miles Wednesday July 26. From the 25. Noon to this day Noon the Wind variable from the East by North to the South with thick Fogs Distance sailed by the Log 73 Miles Course per Compass between the South-west by West and West-north-west true Course Protracted is West ½ South distance of Lat. 7 Miles departure 67 Miles Thursday July 27. From the 26. Noon to this Day Noon the Winds from the South to the South-west with great Fogs Distance sailed by the Log 68 Miles true Course allowed West ½ South difference of Lat. 7 Miles departure 62 Miles West Friday July 28. From the 27. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind from the South-south-west to the South-east Course per Compass between the West by North and the South-west close upon a Wind distance sailed by the Log 85 Miles true Course Protracted is South-west by West ¼ 80 Miles distance of Latitude 46 Miles South departure 64 Miles West thick Fogs with small Rain Saturday July 29. From the 28. Noon to this Day Noon much Wind from the South to the South-west we tryed under a Main-sail three Watches true Course allowed is West 15 Miles Sunday July 30. From the 29. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind variable from South-east to the South and so to the North-west with sudden gusts with much Rain then little Wind at 8 this Morning much Wind at North-west true Course Protracted all impediments allowed is South-south-west 66 Miles distance of Lat. 60 Miles departure 25 Miles Monday July 31. From the 30. Noon to this Day Noon much Wind at North-west with Rain Course per Compass South-west by South and South-west distance sailed by the Log 104 Miles true Course allowed for Leeward-way and variation South by West ½ West difference of Lat. 103 Miles departure 11 Miles Lat. per Dead Reckoning 68 d. 13 m. but by Observation 68 d. 00â—â—m departure accordingly Corrected 15 Miles Meridian distance 953 Miles Tuesday August 1. From the 31. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind variable from the North-west to the South-west by West distance sailed by the Log 80 Miles we ply to Windward true Course Protracted variation and Leeward-way allowed distance West-south-west difference of Lat. 72 Miles departure 51 Miles thick cloudy Weather with some small Rains and Fogs Wednesday August 2. From the 1. Noon to this Day Noon from the South by West to the South-west thick Fogs Course per Compass between the West by South and the West-north-west distance sailed by the Log 51 Miles true Course allowed is West by North difference of Lat. 12 Miles departure 49 Miles Lat. per Judgment 67 d. 50 m. but by a good Observation Lat. 67 d. 55 m. at Noon clear Weather Thursday August 3. From the 2. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind from the West to the South-south-west with Fogs and Rains Course per Traverse we ply to Windward true Course Protracted is South-south-west distance of Lat. 21 Miles departure 10 Miles at Night much Wind at South we lay under a Main-sail Friday August 4. From 8 at Night to this Day Noon a Storm of Wind at South and S. S. W. True Course Drist and all impediments allowed is North-west by North ¼ West difference of Lat. 18 Miles depareture 16 Miles at Noon less Wind we set our Fore-sail Saturday August 5. From the 4. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind from the West by South to the North-west a very cold Strom true Course allowed is South by East difference of Lat. 75 Miles departure 15 Miles in the Afternoon little Wind. Sunday August 6. From the 5. Noon to this Day Noon fresh Gales and little Wind from the West-north-west to the West-south-west True Course allowed South ¼ East distance of Lat. 67 Miles departure 8 Miles Monday August 7. From the 6. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind at South and South-west sometimes much Wind and then Calm again True Course allowed per Judgment is West-north-west ¼ North 53 Miles difference of Lat. 22 Miles departure West 47 Miles at Noon the Wind came about to the West-north-west much Wind and at 8 it blew a Strom at Northwest Tuesday August 8. From yesterday 8 at Night to this Day Noon a Strom of Wind at North-west we run away with our Fore-sail Reeft Course per Compass South-south-west distance sailed by the Log 116 Miles true Course allowed is South distance of Lat. 107. Miles departure West 5 Miles Wednesday August 9. At 3 in the Morning a fresh Gale saw many Willocks and other Sea-Fowls and at 5 we saw the Land East-south-east from us being high Land and making like Islands being the Isles of Fero. At Noon Lat. by a good Observation 61 d. 45 m. at which time the Westermost Island bore East about 8 Leagues off Distance sailed from yesterday Noon to this Day Noon 120 Miles true Course allowed South by West ¼ Westerly distance of Lat. 116 Miles departure 26 Miles Lat. per Judgment 62 d. 04 m. distance between the Dead Lat. and the observed Lat. 20 Miles so that the Ship is 20 Miles more Southerly and consequently more Westerly Meridian distance 1129 Miles but by Correction 1136 Miles we saw a small Vessel and gave chase to her but she made from us Thursday August 10. From the 9. Noon to this Day Noon a fresh Gale at North-west Course between the South and East-south-east to get clear of the Islands in the Night distance sailed by the Log 102 Miles true Course Protracted is South-east by East ¼ South distance of Lat. 58 Miles departure 76 Miles spoke with the Ship we saw yesterday being a Lyn Man come from the Island Friday August 11. From the 10. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind at North-north-west Course per Compass South-east by east distance sailed by the Log 83 Miles at Noon the Island Foule bore North-east by East about 3 Leagues off the Wind came about at South Saturday August 12. From the 11. Noon to this
Day Noon the Wind variable with great gusts and Rain at Noon the Ockney Islands bore West about 4 Leagues the Ockney Isles are low such as we saw at the same time we saw Fair Isle being high Land and about 6 Leagues off we found the Tide of Flood to set in very strong between the Ockney and Fair Isles At 8 at Night came a sudden strong gust and put us under a Main-sail Reeft at which time Catnose bore by Judgment about 8 Leagues off West by South we tryed away South-east the Wind at West-south-west a great Storm Sunday August 13. From last Night 8 a Clock to this Day 4 in the Afternoon a great Storm of Wind from the West by South to the West-north-west we tryed away under a Main-sail Reest making her way good by Judgment South-east 37 Miles Lat. per Judgment 58 d. 16 m. departure from Catnose 47 Miles East saw many Pitterals about the Ship at Night less Wind. Monday August 14. From the 13. Noon to this Day Noon a fresh Gale Course per Compass South Lat. per a good Observation 56 d. 38 m. fair Weather Tuesday August 15. From the 14. Noon to this Day Noon little Wind from the West-north-west Course per Compass South distance sailed by the Log 53 Miles fair Weather at Noon the Wind came at South we stood in for the Land spake with two fishing Busses under English Colours but they were Dutch at 6 at Night we got in with the Land about 2 Leagues to the Northward of Tinmouth Castle we tack'd and stood off the Wind at South Wednesday August 16. The Wind from the South to the South-south-east At Noon Tinmouth Castle South-west about 2 Leagues off we ply to the Southward Thursday August 17. From the 16. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind at West-south-west At Noon much Wind we Reeft our Courses and stand along the Shore to the Southward at 2 a Clock Flambrough Head West about 2 Miles Friday August 18. The Wind at West-south-west At Noon we anchored a League to the Northward of Cromer the Tide being spent Saturday August 19. At 6 in the Morning Weighed with the Tide and turned up Yarmouth Roads anchored right against the Town at 8 at Night Weighed and turned up above the Pier and anchored the Tide being spent the Wind at South-west Sunday August 20. At 8 in the Morning Weighed with the Tide of Flood and turned to Windward at 4 in the Afternoon anchored with the Tide of Ebb in Southwole Bay in 8 Fathom Water the Church bearing North-north-west Winds from the South-south-west to the South-south-east a fresh Gale Monday August 21. At 8 at Night Weighed with the Tide of Flood and turned up into Albrough Road and anchored there at 4 the next Morning Lieutenant Whitlock went ashore at Albrough to take Horse for London At 9 in the Morning Weighed with the Tide of Flood the Wind at West-south-west a fresh Gale and turned up into the Sleeway and anchored there about 5 in the Evening in 9 Fathom Water the Naze Land bearing West by North. Tuesday August 22. At 10 a Clock Weighed the Wind at West-south west and turned to Windward with the Flood At 5 in the Morning anchored upon the Tide of Fbb two Miles below the Middle ground At Noon Weighed with the Flood and turned to Windward the Wind at West by South at 6 anchored below the Shore Wednesday August 23. The Wind at West-north-west at 4 in the Morning Weighed Anchor and turned up a Mile above the Buoy of the Noar and anchored upon the Ebb about 8 a Clock At one a Clock Weighed Anchor the Wind at West-north-west we turned up the River Now after the JOURNAL I do intend to shew my Conceptions of the said Voyage and a true Relation of our Miscarriage with some Observations made in the said Voyage THE first was the following the Opinion of William Barrans that was to steer directly North-east from the North Cape and to fall in the mid-way betwixt Greenland and Nova Zembla so having made the Land to the Westward of the North Cape the 19. Day of June I steered away North-east by Compass which was not so much by the true Course because of the variation that is there Westerly and the 22. Day at Noon we saw the main Body of Ice being in the Lat. of 76 d. and about 60 Leagues to the Eastward of Greenland At the first seeing of Ice I did imagin it had been the Ice that joyned to Greenland and that if I went more Easterly there might be a free Sea so I ran close by the Ice it lying away East-south-east and West-north-west and every League or less that we ran we met with a Cape of Ice so when we were about that we could see no Ice to the Northward so standing in North-east sometimes two Glasses that is one hour we could see more Ice a Head and then we were forced to go out the same way we came in and thus I continued Coasting the Ice sometimes with great hopes of a clear Sea and then again disheartened by seeing more Ice till at last I had no hopes at all which was when I saw the Land of Nova Zembla and the Ice joyn to it So here the Opinion of William Barrans was Confuted and all the rest of the Dutch Relations which certainly are all forged abusive Pamphlets as also the Relations of our own Countrymen But certainly if Men did really consider the many individual dangers and mischiefs that comes upon the broaching of such untruths they would never do it for I do now verily believe that if there be no Land to the Northward of the Lat. of 80 d. that the Sea that is there is all frozen and always continueth so for I that could get no farther than 76 d. found it so frozen without intermission and some of the Ice that we saw that was on the main Body of it had been conveyed 10 Degrees more Southward would have taken some Centuries of Years to Thaw it for the loose Ice that lay about the Edges of the main Body was not more than a Foot thick in some pieces above the Superficies of the Water and the rest of the Cake that was sunk was more than 18 Foot below So I conclude that those vast Mountains that were on the main Body were all on Shore as of necessity they must if they hold the same proportion and considering the shallowness of the Water which I found all along the Ice which in the mid-way between the two Lands I found to be no more than 70 Fathom was doubtless a sign that to the Northward is Land and that the main Body of Ice that lyeth crusted about the Shore may be 20 Leagues or more and that Nova Zembla and Greenland are the same Continent for if there had been any Passage there would have been some Current which I could never or very hardly find to be any and the little that was run
where any Trees grew Here are abundance of Muscles very refreshing Diet and full of Pearl also Limpets and incredible Numbers of Penguins and Seals Anno Dom. 1598. The Fourth Circumnavigation of the Globe was performed by Oliver Noort a Dutchman his chief Pilot being Captain Melis an Englishman who had accompanied Mr. Candish in his Voyage This Noort steer'd much the same Course with Magalianes Drake and Candish having spent near three years in encompassing the Earth He saw upon the Land of Patagonia some Deer a sort of Bufalo and Ostriches We may note here that in the Year 1589 the Delight of Bristol one of the Consorts of John Chidley Esq and Mr. Paul Wheel got into the Streights of Magellan but meeting with Misfortunes was forced back having reach'd only Cape Froward Also in the year 1598. Verhagen ' s Fleet under Sir James Mahu Simon de Cordes Sebald de Wert c. wherein William Adams was chief Pilot suffered great Miseries in these Streights This Sebald de Wert gave Clusius a description of the Winter-bark-Tree growing up and down Patagonia They preserv'd themselves mith Geese Ducks vast large Muscles Penguins Seals c. Returning out of the Streight and sailing Southwards they discovered Sebald's Isles Anno Dom. 1614. George Spilbergen General of a Dutch Fleet of six Ships passed through the Streights of Magellan and the South Sea to the East Indies from whence he returned by the Cape of Good Hope to the Texel having been out about three years This was the Fifth Circumnavigation of the Globe Ann. Don. 1609 1610. Pedro Fernandez Giros a Portuguese and Captain Ferdinand de Quir a Spaniard do both affirm That they sailed at several times above 800 Leagues together on the Coast of a Southern Continent until they came to the height of 15 degrees of South Latitude where they found a very fruitful pleasant and populous Country Giros began to take his Course in the height of the Streights of Magellan This vast Tract of Land perhaps may be one side of or may belong to Jansen Tasmen's Land Van Diemen's Land Zelandia Nova Hollandia Nova Carpentaria and New Guiney which the Dutch afterwards coasted detected and gave Names to many Bays Rivers and Capes in the Years 1619 1622,1627 1628 1642 and 1644. from the Equinoctial to 44 deg South Lat. The Hollanders have indeed made the greatest Discoveries towards the South Terra Incognita which they have not yet divulg'd Dirk Rembrantse about 15 or 16 years ago published in Low Dutch a short Relation out of the Journal of Captain Abel Jensen Tasmen upon his Discoveries of the South Terra Incognita in the year 1642 to the Southward of Nova Hollandia Vandemen's Land c. 'T is remarkable that all the Circumnavigators of the Globe enter'd into the East Indies either by the Philippines or the Molucco's being peradventure hindred from passing round more Southwards by that vast long Chain of Land which seems to stretch almost from the Equinosctial to the 50 degree of South Lat. Therefore they generally steer'd upon the South Sea either for the Isles of Salomon or those called the Ladrones Anno Dom. 1615. Will. Cornelius Schouten of Horn and Jacob le Maire of Amsterdam undertook the Sixth Circumnavigation of the Globe by a new Passage Southwards from the Streights of Magellan in Terra del Fuogo which they happily discovered and passed finding out Sebald's-Isles Staten-Land maurice-Maurice-Land Barnevelt-Isles and so by Cape Horn in the 57deg of S. Lat. they found out a new way into the South Sea called ever since Le Maire's Streight in this Voyage they gave Names to several Islands and Countries returning to Holland by the East Indies having been out two years and Eighteen days Aftewards a Spnish Fleet under Bartolemeo Garcias de Nodal Anno 1618. sailed through Le Maire's Passage and in the year 1623. part of Prince Maurice his Fleet steered the same Course discovering some small Isles Nodal saw People near Le Maire's Streight all painted and clad with Birds Skins they fed upon yellow Flowers like Marigolds Anno 1643. Brewer or Brower went another way into the South Sea by a Passage called after his own Name which is east of Le Maire's Streight but whether Brewer went through a New Streight with Land on each side or had a wide Sea on the East we cannot inform you having never seen the Diary of his Voyage but most Maps make it a new Streight the perhaps he might sail near the same Course which Captain Sharp afterwards did they who have his Voyage may soon determine this Doubt The Southern part of Terra Magellanica commonly called Terra del Fuego from the great Fires seen upon it by the Sailors seems by the Observations of the Dutch to be divided into many Isles and Streights leading into both Seas The Country appears mountainous with fair and green Vallies Springs Rivulets and much Herbage The Creeks are fit for Shipping Water and Wood being plentiful The Air is tempestuous from the vast quantity of Vapours from both Oceans The Natives paint their Bodies and deck themselves with Shells and Skins They make their Baskets and Nets of Rushes out of which they twist Lines and hanging Hooks made of Stone and baited with Muscles they take abundance of Fish Their Knives are made of sharpened Bones and all their Arrows are armed with them Their Canoes are like the Venetian Gondola's For the Description of the Northern part of Terra Magellanica commonly called Patagonia we refer the Reader to Sir John Narbrough's Journal printed at the beginning of this Collection Anno 1669. His Majesty of Great Britain His Royal Highness the Duke of York and seveothers of the Nobility design'd a better Discovery of Chili in order whereunto two Ships were sent out under the Conduct of that great Navigator and worthy Commander Sir John Narbrough who returned June 1671 having been out above two years passing and repassing the Streights of Magellan and coasting Patagonia and Chili His Observations and Draughts are the most judicious and exact of of any that went before him Anno 1680. and 1681. Captain Sharp made many bold Adventures on several Islands and Coasts in the South Sea In his return he being quite out of all hopes of recovering the Streights of Magellan or those of Le Maire or Brewer was forced to seek for a Passage farther South than by Cape Horn he went to about 60 deg South Lat. meeting with many Islands of Ice Snow Frosts and Whales departing from a small Place named by him the Duke of York's Island in the South Sea he steered near 800 Leagues to the Eastward and afterwards as many to the Westward The first Land he saw in those three Months was the Island of Barbadoes so that Land in the Streight of Le Maire and in Brewer's Passage must be Islands and not join'd to any great Southern Continent as suppos'd by some Since these Attemps and Undertakings several English Ships have passed
thousands fourteen foot long the common sort are about five foot and all very fat they 'l gape at you when you come to them as if they would devour you and 't is labour enough for two Men to kill one of the great ones with a Hand-spike which is the best Weapon for that purpose Saturday March 5. Fair Weather Wind at South-west a fine gale This Morning we went ashore to flay some Seals and cut the Bodies in good handsom pieces and salted it up well in Bulk on Deal-boards ashore that the blood might drain from it the Meat looks as well and as white as Lamb and is very good Victuals now but when 't is a little salt it will eat much better those we dress'd were all young Seals for they sucked their Dams who as soon as they come ashore bleat immediatly come her young ones and bleat about her like Lambs and suck her one old Female suckles four or five and beats away other young ones that come near whence I believe they have four or five at a time the young ones which we killed and eat were as big as a midling Dog we cut the fat off of the Great ones and made Oil of it for the Lamps and other uses in the Ship the Oil of the young ones we fried and eat with our Provisions it is very sweet and good to fry any Food with our Men will have it to be as good as Olive Oil most of my Men to day gathered of those green Pease-leaves and other Herbs for Sallads which some eat raw some boiled it is refreshing to their Bodies Sunday March 6. Blowing Weather Wind at West This day after Prayers I went ashore on the South-side of the River and travelled eight miles into the Land South-west and by West having twelve armed Men with me my Lieutenant went up the River in the Boat nine or ten miles to see for People that way my other Lieutenant went on the North-side with ten armed Men to see for People and view the Land I found in my Travels one of those great Beasts like a Deer dead and whole the Vermin had not touched him all his Back had pretty long Wooll of the colour of dried Rose-leaves and down his sides his Belly white Wooll he was as big as a small Colt he had a long Neck a Head like a Sheep so was his Mouth and Ears his Legs very long and Cloven-footed like a Deer a short bushy Tail of a reddish colour no Horns nor ever had any it was a Male I believe these Beasts are Peruvian Sheep Guianacoes I had his Paunch opened and searched for the Bezoar-stone in it and in the Pipe to the Stomach I turned them inside outward but found none I had heard West-Indian Spaniards say that they have taken the Bezoar-stone of Guianacoes and therefore opened this which I take to be the same Beast In travelling to day I saw several herds of them sometimes ten thirty or forty together I could not get near enough to shoot at them they neigh like young Horses and so wander away I saw nine Ostriches but they would not suffer me to come within shot of them I let the Greyhound at them but they out-run him up the Hills we saw a Fox a wild Dog and five or six Hares of which the Greyhound killed one they are shaped like English Hares and much larger and instead of a Tail have a little stub about an inch long without Hair on it they have holes in the ground like Coneys no Woods to be seen only a few Bushes like White-Thorns The Land is dry of a sandy gravelly Soil in large rounding Hills not very high but in Downs and Valleys bearing nothing but Grass here and there are gullies of fresh Water in the Valleys which is made in the Winter-time when the Snow dissolves I saw several places of salt Water in the Land which is occasioned by the natural saltness of the Earth here are no Fruits nor Herbs When I was at the farthest and on a Hill I could not see any sign of People or Woods but still Hills and Valleys as far as we could descry no Birds to be seen but Kites which are like those in Europe and small Birds like Sparrows and Linnets some Flies and Humble-bees here we saw some small four-footed Animals running in the Grass speckled-Grey shaped like a small Creature in England called an Eft Newt or Lizard no Adder nor Snake nor any venomous Creature Cattle would live here very well such as Horses Cows Sheep Goats c. Evening growing upon us I returned to the Ship and 't was within Night when we got aboard our Boat and ten a Clock when we entered the Ship I found on Board my Lieutenant that went up the River but they which went on the North-side were not come back up the River they saw five small Islands which had Sea-fowls on them and Bushes for fewel the River grows broader upwards and has several Rocks in it on the shoar they saw Guianacoes Ostriches and Hares no People Fire or Smoak they saw where People had been and Fires made and Muscles and Lumpets roasted no fresh Water nor Wood nor any Metal or Mineral the Land hilly with Grass on it At twelve a Clock to Night those that went on the North-side came aboard they had been about eight miles into the Land North-west and saw no People but found where People had been and made Fires in the Grass and Grass laid to fire the Bushes also where some had lain on open places and set little Bushes in Half-moons to shelter them from the Weather on the top of a Hill they made a fire with Grass to see if any would answer them they sat down by it all day but could see none made any where else the Land is in rounding large Hills not very high but like Downs as the Coast of Yorkshire about Burlington no Woods nor Trees seen nor fresh Water here and there a Bush growing in a Valley indifferent good Grass the Soil gravelly and sandy and some ridges of Rocks they saw Guianacoes Ostriches Hares and Kites several little Creatures like Efts no kind of Fruit or Berry Mineral or Metal I charged them as they travelled in any Gullies where Water had run to search for grains of Gold or other Metal c. for Gold is found in grains in such Gullies and much Gold is found in the Land on the other side not two hundred Leagues distant from us much Salt-peter hangs on the Earth where Water has been in a kind of Flower the plashes of Water they met with were as salt as Brine which the Earth made I saw Smelts here eighteen Inches long lying dead on the Shore but hitherto have not seen one Oyster or other shell-Fish Crawfish Lobster or Crab though 't is possible the place may have 'em all Whilst we were standing by the Water-side a Seal chased on shore a Fish as large as a Mackrel
Valley in a gully of Rocks it bears North-north-west from the lower Rock that we called Peckets Well is a mile up the River within a Bow-shot of the salt Water 't is in a gully the Land in these Valleys has very green and sweet Grass and abundance of wild Pease small Nut-galls growing on the Bushes but in no great quantity and but few Bushes Salt may be made here for on the Shore-side and on the Rocks I gathered several handfuls of good Salt March 25. Gentlemen You are by me desired to take notice that this Day I take possession of this Harbour and River of Port Desier and of all the Land in this Country on both Shores for the use of his Majesty King Charles the Second of Great Britain and his Heirs God save our King and fired three Ordnance Saturday March 26. Wind at West a stout Gale I stood to the Northward this Morning at six a Clock when the Sun appeared above the East Horizon the Moon set in the West-horizon being eclipsed at London at Elevan a Clock ten minutes in the Forenoon but here at six a Clock thirty minutes past which gives four hours forty minutes difference of time between the Meridian of London and the Meridian of Cape Blanco which Cape lies in the Latitude of 47 d. 20 m. South on the South-east Coast of America where I saw this Eclipse 70 degrees in Longitude to the Westward of the Meridian of London by this Observation I could not see the whole Eclipse the Heavens being clouded I find Cape Blanco by my account of Sailing to lie in the Longitude of 69 d. 16 m. to the Westward of the Meridian of London If the Moon had not been clouded I might have been exact in the Longitude but I presume my Account is not much out Cape Blanco lies in the Latitude of 47 d. 20 m. South and in Longitude from the Lizard West 61 d. 56 m. and in Meridian distance from the Lizard West 1014 Leagues 1 Mile 6 1â— Port Desier in America lies in the Latitude of 47 d. 48 m. South and in Longitude from the Lizard West 61 d. 57 m. Meridian distance from the Lizard West 1015. Leagues 2 Miles 6 10 Penguin Island or the plentiful Isles Latitude 47 d. 55 m. South and in Longitude from the Lizard West 61 d. 57 m. Meridian distance from the Lizard West 1014. Leagues 2 Miles Variation of the Compass here is Easterly 17 d. 30 m. April 1. The Sweepstakes off of Seal's Bay in the Latitude of 48 d. 10 m. South on the Coast of Patagonia Saturday April 2. Fair Weather this Morning Wind at North-north-west a fine gale I filled at Day-light and steered away South-south-west and South and by West by my Compass as the Coast lies I sailed along in twenty Fathom-water black Sand distant from the shore near three Leagues this forenoon at nine a Clock I saw a small flat Island to the Westward of me about a League off the Land it lies in the Latitude of 48 d. 40 m. South the Land against it is high in large Hills and some round copling tops two Leagues more to the Southward the Land is low in a great Plain and a Beach by the Sea-side but the shore against this Island is rocky I was two Leagues East from the flat Island and had twenty three fathom black Sand I haled close in for the shore and sail'd within five Miles of it all along from this Island to Port St. Julian I sounded as I sail'd along and had 18 or 20 fathom fine black Sand the Land is low in a Valley the Sea-shore is a Beach here and there a Rock it is in a long Beach for four Leagues after you are to the Southward of the Flat-Island one League the shore lies South-fourth-west and North-north-east at the South-end of this Beach in-land are high round Hills but at the Sea-side is a steep white Cliff of an indifferent heighth with a black streak in it over the Cliff the Hill rounds up to the top having some small black Bushes growing on the side no Wood or Tree seen In this Bay is Port St. Julian the Harbour's mouth is in the middle of the Bay but you cannot see it without for one Point shutting in the other you must send your Boat in to discover the Harbour at Low-water and the Bar without for 't is a barred Harbour the Land in the Country over Port St. Julian on the West-side is high copling round Hills like blunt Sugar-loaves on the top â—is the highest Land I saw in all the Country and there are no such Hills besides on the Coast the Land is plain to the South without any Hill as far as we could see at this time this Afternoon it proved a Calm I anchored in the Bay before St. Julian in twelve fathom Water black oary Land the Harbour's mouth bearing West-south-west of me about two Leagues off I sent in my Boat to discover the Harbour and see if the Pink was there which returned to Night at six a Clock my Lieutenant told me there was a safe Harbour and Water enough for a bigger Ship but no Pink nor any sign of her having been there now I despaired of ever seeing her more after my hopes were frustrated here nevertheless I doubted not the success of my Voyage though the Company thought 't would be dangerous being a lone Ship a stormy Sea to sail in and unknown Coasts to search out and if we should happen to run aground any where could expect no relief these suspicions I soon put out of their Heads by telling them of the great Riches of the Land and that Captain Drake went round the World in one Ship when in those days there were but ordinary Navigators and was it for us to question our good fortune who beyond Comparison are better Seamen if we would put our selves in Action and for me I would expose no Man to more danger than my self in the Attempt Calm to Night I rode fast a small Tide running where I rode the Water ebb'd near three fathom perpendicular it is near nine Leagues from the Flat Island to Saint Julian South-south-west and North-north-east as the shore lies The Mouth of Port Saint Julian in Latitude 49 d. 10 m. South and in Longitude from the Lizard 63 d. 10 m. and in Meridian distance from the Lizard West 1030 Leagues by an Amplitude here the Compass has varied 16 d. 10 m. East Wednesday April 13. Fair Weather Wind at West a small gale Frosty and cold Air no sign of the Pink I went ashore and haled the Seyne on the East-side at the first of the Flood we caught five hundred Fishes as big as large Mullets and much like them grey and full of Scales some as big as a Man's Leg we caught them all in four hours time returned aboard and divided them among the whole Ship 's Company they eat admirably well many good Muscles lie on the Rocks
Leagues or more At the point of the second Narrow on the North-shore up to the North-east-ward a mile or two there is a Bay on the North-shore and a white Cliff of an ordinary height which is called Cape St. Gregory In this Bay you may ride in eight Fathom Water fine clean sandy Ground and a good half mile off the shore This is a good Road if the Wind be between the North-east and the South-west to the Westward the Winds are given most to blow on the Western-quarter As I sailed thorow the second Narrow I sounded in the fair way and had twenty eight and thirty Fathom small stones The North-shore on this Narrow makes in a Bay at the East-point and is white Cliffs all the way through This Narrow lies throughout West-south-west and East-north-east and at the West-end of the Narrow the Land is steep up in white Cliffs and the South part rounds away in a rore-land The South-shore rounds away South-east from this Fore-land and then it trents away to the Southward in low Land The North-shore of this Narrow or Streight rounds up to the Northward in white Cliffs and falls into shores there goes in a Harbour which hath four Fathom in the Channel at High-water it is a flat round Harbour within and oary I called this Oaz-harbour When you are at the West-part of this Narrow you will see three Islands come open which shew to be steep up Cliffs they lie Triangle-wise one of another they are four Leagues distant from the Narrow West-south-west The smallest and Eastermost Isle is called St. Bartholomews the biggest and Wester-most is called Elizabeth the middle-most and souther-most is called S. George's and by some Penguins-Isle and indeed there are many Penguins on it This Evening I got up to Elizabeth's and anchored in eight Fathoms and an half sine black Sand two miles off the Island The East-point bears South and by East of me fair Weather all Night the Wind at South and by West This Morning I went ashore on Elizabeth-Island and at my landing nineteen of the Countrey-people came off the Hills to me I had Conference with them and exchanged Knives and Beads for such things as they had which were Bows and Arrows and their Skin-Coats which are made of young Guianacoes skins I gave them a Hatchet and Knives and Beads and Toys Trumps c. they seem'd to be very well-pleased I shewed them Gold which they would have had I made them signs that if they had any I would give them Knives and Beads c. for it or If any where in the Land I laid Gold and bright Copper into the Ground and made as if I found it there and looked to and fro on the Earth as if I looked for such things they looked one on another and spake to each other some words but I could not perceive that they understood me or what I meant nor that they knew Gold or any other Metal they would gladly have had every thing they saw they tried to break the Boats Iron-grapenel with stones and would have carried it away I let them alone and observed their actions and behaviour which was very brutish they catched at every thing they could reach although I caused them to sit down and I put strings of Beads about their Necks still they desired more My Lieuâ—enant Peckett danced with them hand in hand and several of my Men did dance with them and made all the shew of Friendship as was possible My Lieutenant changed his Coat for one of theirs sor they desired it because it was red which coâ—our they much esteem I was in great hopes I might find Gold among them I gave them all the courteous respect I could After two hours Conference with them I made signs I would go and get more things and come again to them They went and would have us to Land again under a Cliff which I judge was their Design to heave stones into the Boat to sink her for the place was very convenient for such a purpose They set themselves down on the Grass and immediately set fire on the Grass on the side of the Bank by what means they got Fire so suddenly I could not understand I went and sounded the Channel between Elizabeth-Island and St. Bartholomew's-Island and found it a fair Channel to Sail through of a mile broad nearest and deep Water in the middle thirty eight Fathom and nine and ten Fathom near the Shore-side gravelly Sand. These People are of a middle stature both Men and Women and well-limbed and roundish Faced and well shaped and low Fore-headed their Noses of a mean size their Eyes of the mean and black they are smooth and even toothed and close set and very white small Ears their Hair is smooth flag Hair and very black and harsh on the fore-part even and round and the Locks of a mean length both Men and Women alike they are full Breasted they are tawny Olive-coloured and redded all over their Bodies with red Earth and Grease their Faces dawbed in spots down their Cheeks with white Clay and some black streaks with smut in no Method their Arms and Feet the like they have small Heads and short Fingers they are active in Body and nimble in going and running their Cloathing is pieces of Skins of Seals and Guianacoes and Otters skins sewed together and sewed soft their Garment is in form of a Carpet of about five feet square or according to the largeness of the Person this they wrap about their Bodies as a Scottish Man doth his Plading they have a Cap of the Skins of Fowls with the Feathers on they have about their Feet pieces of Skins tied to keep their Feet from the Ground they are very hardy People to endure cold for they seldom wear this loose Skin when they are stirring but are all naked of Body from Head to Feet and do not shrink for the Weather for it was very cold when I saw them and the Hills all cover'd with Snow they have no Hair on their Bodies nor Faces nor any thing to cover their privy Parts excepting some of the Women which had a Skin before them otherwise the Men and Women are cloathed alike only the Men have Caps and the Women none The Women wear Bracelets of Shells about their Necks the Men none the Men are somewhat larger than the Women in Stature and more fuller Fac'd the Men have a harsh Language and speak ratling in the Throat and gross the Women shiller and lower they pronounce the word Ursah but what it means I could not understand nor one word they spake if they did not like any thing they would cry Ur Ur ratling in their Throats their Food is what they can get either Fis or Flesh they are under no Government but every Man doth as he thinks fit for they had no respect to any one nor under any Obedience of any in this Company neither did they make any shew of
February 12. Fair Weather Wind Northerly This Morning I went over to the North-shore and there I fell with a fine sandy Bay I sounded it and had 6 7 8 9 and 10 Fathom Water above half a Mile from the Shore This Bay is between the second Narrow and Cape Gregory close under Cape Gregory this Cape is about five or six Miles to the Eastwards of the second Narrow here I landed the Winds being Northerly a fresh gale and haled the Boat up dry and went up into the Country to see for Indians but saw none and I returned to the Boat again where we pitched our Tent and lay all Night February 13. Fair Weather and a fresh gale of Wind Westerly This Morning I run all along the North-shore from Cape Gregory to the first Narrow and I was no sooner entred into the first Narrow but I saw three Anchors which lay up above High-water Mark in a small sandy Cove there I landed and haled up the Boat and searched about to see if we could fall with any Guns or other Trade One of the Men found an Iron Commander for some Ships Poop one of those Anchors were twelve Foot long in the Shank and the other two were eleven Foot a piece and they were all spanish Anchors The Land here is barren dry Land and affords neither Wood nor fresh Water and for the space of five or six Miles about the land is full of Rats they have Holes in the Ground like Coney-burroughs their Food I suppose to be Limpet for there is great store of Limpet-shoals lying close to their Holes I saw no Indians here nor any thing worth Observing Night coming on we here pitched our Tent and lay all Night here are very good sandy Bays on the North-side all the way betwixt the first and second Narrow for I sounded all along as I came down in the Boat and had ten and twelve Fathom Water a good Burth off Tuesday February 14. Close hasey Weather with some Rain and very much Wind Westerly This Morning I saw the Ship coming down the Streights and after she was through the Narrow they brought her to and I got a-board and we made all the Sail we could and by Night we got clear of the Streights into the North-sea and at three a Clock Cape Virgin-Mary bore North-west ½ a Point Northerly distance 4 Leagues Thursday February 23. Fair Weather the Wind variable from the North-north-west to the West-north-west This Evening at nine a Clock we came to an Anchor in 22 Fathom Water sandy Ground on the South-part of America in the Lat. of 47 d. 16 m. South and then Cape-Blanco bore North-north-west of me distant about six Leagues February 24. Fair Weather and little Wind Northerly This Morning we weighed to go to Port Desire-Bay and in the Evening at six a Clock we Anchored in the Bay in fourteen Fathom Water February 25. Fair Weather and a Fresh gale of Wind Easterly This day the Long boat went into Port-Desire for fresh-Water but could not fill above five or six Puncheons for there was no more to be had there and all they brought aboard was brackish Fair Weather Wind variable Sunday February 26. Fair Weather and a fresh Wind at South-south-west Thiw Morning we set Sail from Port-Desire to go for England and at twelve a Clock I was in the Latitude of 47 deg 10 m. South And then Cape-Blanco bore Northwest of me but not by the Compass for here is a Point and half variation Easterly and at four a Clock Cape-Blanco bore West-north-west of me by the Compass distance nine Miles and then we had twenty Fathom Water but when it bears West-north-west from you and you are 8 Miles off you will have but ten Fathom Water Here is very good Sounding al the Coast along from this Cape ot Cape Virgin-Mary which lies in 52 d. 15 m. South Within five Leagues off the Main you will have 25 and 30 Fathom Water and 10 Leagues off you will have 50 and 55 Fathom Water it is black oasie Sand. Wednesday May 17. The Weather fair This Evening at six a Clock we saw the Island of Saint Mary one of the Isles of Azores it bore East-north-east of me distant about sixteen Leagues by Estimation fair Weather Wind at South-east May 19. Fair Weather Wind Easterly This Morning at seven a Clock the Town of Puntelegada upon the Island of St. Michaels one of the Isles of Azores bore North of me distant about two Miles and my Longitude difference from Cape-Blanco to this Town is My Meridian distance from Cape-Blanco to this Town is Leagues Miles Tenths Easting this Town lying so far to the Eastward of the Cape This day the Captain sent me a-shore to Puntelegada to enquire News from England whether we had War or Peace with any other Nation or not and I was informed by Mr. Richard Nucheuson that we had War with none but the Argea-Men So I returned a-board again and we made all the Sail we could for England Tuesday May 23. Fair Weather and much Wind at North-east our Provisions being almost done and but little Water in the Ship we bore up to go for Angria at the Tercesas May 24. Close hasey Weather and a fresh gale of Wind at North-east and by North. This Forenoon we Anchored in Angria-Rode in sixteen Fathom Water Friday May 26. Fair Weather and little Wind at North-east This Forenoon we set Sail out of Angria-Rode to go for England Saturday June 10. 1671. It was hasey dirty Weather Wind at S. W. This moring I saw Scilly at seven a Clock it bore N. E. by N. of me distant about 5 Leagues and at six a Clock in the Afternoon the Lizzard bore North of me distant about 3 Leagues Now I make my difference of Longitude from Cape Blanco to the Lizzard in England to be 60 d. 45 m. 2 10. and my Meridian distance is 840 Leagues I am so far to the Eastwards of the Cape A Relation of a Voyage made towards the South Terra Incognita extracted from the Journal of Captain Abel Jansen Tasman by which not only a new Passage by Sea to the Southward of Nova Hollandia Vandemens Land c. is discovered and a vast space of Land and Sea incompassed and sailed round but many considerable and instructive Observations concerning the variation of the Magnetical Needle in parts of the Worlds almost Antipodes to us and several other curious remarks concerning those Places and People are set forth Not long since Published in the Low Dutch by Dirk Rembrantse and now in English from Dr. Hook's Collections IN the year 1642. Aug. 14. He set Sail with two Ships from Batavia to wit the Yacht Heemskirk and the Fly-boat Seehane and the 5. of September came to an Anchor at the Island Mauritius 20 d. South Latitude and 83 d. 48 m. Long. They found this Island 50 Dutch Miles more Easterly than by their reckoning which make 3 d. 33 m. of
Traders who affirm that the farther North they go on the Coast of that Land that they meet with more green Herbs and Grass than they do to the Southward and consequently more Deer The second was that which I most feared which was foggy Weather which I did imagin if it should happen it could not at the same time blow hard because it is usual in all other Climates when Wind happeneth to disperse the Fog so that if it should so happen one might lie by or make little way till Wind came that one might see before them The third was the Solution of a Doubt that most men had fancied which was that if one came near the Pole the Septenteral Declination of the Needle of the Compass should be quite taken away which would of necessity follow if the Pole of the World and the Pole of the Magnet were all one which I am certain is not but is placed so far off that one might go under the Pole of the World if Land or Ice did not hinder with this supposition that one must know where the Pole Magnetical is to allow the Variation that will there happen Having considered all these Arguments and Reasons with many more I met with which will be too tedious to Relate and the possibility of a Passage being now imprinted in my Mind and Inclination I do intend to shew the Reasons in short that induced me to undertake the said Voyage The first was That the King whom God Preserve should Rcap the Honour and Glory thereof and his Subjects the Profit Secondly There being no Actions within the Hemisphere of His Majesties Dominions wherein any vacancy was but all being supplyed I chose rather than to be Idle to apply my self to His Majesty for the Prosecution of the Design and being advised to it by a great many of the best Merchants of the City of London where after divers consultations with them and the Reasons and Arguments before-mentioned being debated it was by many thought Practicable and by more thought Profitable to the Nation the particulars to relate would swell into a considerable Volume The third Reason was peculiar to my self though when known to the Use and Benefit of all Mankind which was that having for some years past framed an Hypothesis of the motion of the two Magnetical Poles for two such there be and by the Observations of all or most that writ of that Subject with my own Observation and costly Experiment upon a great many Places of the Superficies of the Terrestrial Globe I having found out their Motion very near and thereby the Inclination of the Magnetical Needle under the Horizon in all Latitudes and all Longitudes and Variation of the Compass may be found in any place in this World without assistance of any other Luminary But not being so fully satisfied as I might be if I could come so near the Pole as was supposed it prompted my Inclination as far as any other Argument whatever to Attempt this Voyage So having all these Reasons that there was a Passage and Reasons for me to unertake it I advanced The first step to it was I drew a Polar Draught whereing I traced all those Navigators that had Attempted the North-East which I presented to His Majesty and Royal Highness and applyed my self to them with the Reasons aforesaid which after their Royal Consideration and Consult with many Merchants and Seamen that had used to Sail Northward and if thought by all feasable His Majesty was Graciously pleased to grant me the Speedwell Frigot to be Manned and Victualled at his Royal Charge with all other Appurtenances thereunto belonging But because in all Attempts of this Nature it was not Convenient to venture one Ship alone for the many Accidents that are incident to a single Ship in an Enterprize of this Nature Therefore His Royal Highness the Duke of York The Honourable John Lord Barklet Sir Joseph Williamson Sir John Bankes Mr. Samuel Peepps Captain Herbert Mr. Dupey Mr. Hoopgood These Eight Honourable Persons at their own proper Charge bought a Pink called the Prosperous of the Burthen of a Hundred and twenty Tuns fitted her to Sea Men Amunition Provision and Merchandize which was such as was Reasonably purposed to Vend on the Coast of Tartaria or at Japan if a Passage had been found Now the Ships being fitting out the Speedwell at Deptford in the King's Yard where the Builder Mr. John Sish took no ordinary Care in Strengthning her and in her Shething which was as well performed as in any Ship that ever sailed on the Sea Thus being fitted I was to satisfie most People the Advantage to our Nation that would accrue if there was a Passage The first Advantage that I purposed was that on the Coast of Tartaria it being a cold Climate we might Vend our English Cloth which now is grown a Drug and certain it is that they wear Cloth which is sent them from Russia and Moscovia which before it arrive at their Hands must needs be very Dear in the Price so if one could come on their Coast one might Vend a great deal more and abundance Cheaper The second Advantage as would have been that in six Weeks one might have sailed to Japan which in the other Way is nine Months and the Passage that way being as hazardous and perillous as this would have been if there had been any Passage by the North-East for by the South way all the way betwixt Bantam and Japan are an innumerable Company of Sands Sholes and Islands where many Ships are yearly lost and all that way one must turn up to Windward and be in perpetual fear of the Hollanders whom if we meet they do their utmost indeavours to Destroy us Then if there had been a North-East Passage and that one might Sail in such a short time to Japan the King might send out Men of War to Japan and force them to Trade which the other way is not to be done because they cannot carry Provision for so long time besides the certain Diseases that are incident to Ships that have many Men in hot Weather renders it unpracticable these and many other Reasons I used which would be too tedious to Relate they being as yet fresh in the memory of most I told them to Now after all these Arguments and Reasons the time of the Year growing on for us to be gone we made our Ships ready for the Sea being as well fitted for a Discovery as ever any Ships were having on Board each Ship sixteen Months Provision of all sorts with Sixty eight Men and Boys in the Speedwell and eighteen Men in the Prosperous Journal In His Majesties Ship the Speedwell Captain John Wood Commander Bound for the Discovery of a Passage to the East-Indies by the North-East Sailing about Nova Zembla and Tartary and so to Japan 1676. SUnday May 28. the Wind at S. W. sailed from the Buoy of the Noar in Company of the Prosperous Captain
West-south-west fair Weather Course per Compass North-east by East distance sailed by the Log 83 Miles true Course Protracted and variation allowed is East 33 d. North difference of Lat. 47 Miles by Observation departure 66 Miles Lat. by a good Observation 70 d. 30 m. Meridian distance 367 Miles East Yesterday and this Day we saw many Whales Monday June 19. From the 18. Noon to this Day Noon a fresh Gale at West by South thick hasey Weather with Rains at seven a Clock in the Forenoon saw many Sea Fowles more than at any time yet with many Jubartesses at ten a Clock saw the Land being the Islands that lie about 20 Leagues to the Westward of the North Cape true Course allowed for variation is North-north-east distance sailed by the Log 135 Miles difference of Lat. 50 Miles departure East 30 Miles Lat. per Judgment 71 d. 20 m. Meridian distance 497 Miles At Noon the Island Sanden bore South by East about 8 or 9 Leagues off this Island is a high craggy Land with some Snow on the Land Tuesday June 20. From the 19. Noon to this day Noon Course per Compass between the East-north-east and the North-east distance sailed by the Log 128 Miles true Coursed allowed for the variation is North 43 d. East difference of Lat. 91 Miles departure 88 Miles East Lat. per Judgment 72 d. 51 m. Meridian distance 585 Miles From yesterday Noon to this day Noon the first 12 Hours a fresh Gale at South-west but the last 12 Hours much Wind with small Rains and great Fogs saw many Sea Fowles Wednesday June 21. From the 20. to the 21. Noon a stiff Gale with Gusts and small Rains Course per Compass North-east distance sailed by Log 35 Miles true Course allowed by variation is North 40 d. East difference of Lat. 103 Miles departure East 86 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 34 m. Meridian distance 671 Miles thick cloudy Weather saw many Sea Fowles Thursday June 22. From the 21. Noon to this 22. Noon Course per Compass North-east distance sailed per Log 116 Miles true Course allowed by variation and Leeward way is North 43 d. East difference of Lat. 85 Miles departure East 79 Miles Lat. per Judgment 75 d. 59 m. Meridian distance 750 Miles East the Wind at North-west a fresh Gale Weather variable sometime cloudy and sometimes fair but very cold At Noon we saw Ice right a Head about a League off we sailed close to it and found it to lie away East-south-east and West-north-west we bore away East-south-east along the Ice in the Afternoon we had some small Snow and very cold Weather Friday June 23. From yesterday Noon to this Day Noon we steered along the Ice finding it to have many openings which we sailed into but found them to be Bays our true Course sailed along the Ice the variation allowed was East 14 d. South 77 m. Lat. per Judgment 75 d. 41 m. difference of Lat. 19 m. departure 74 Miles Meridian distance 824 Miles Wind N. N. W. At Noon we sounded and had 158 Fathom soft green Oar and found the Current to set South-south-east we have found very smooth to Leeward of this Ice and in some places found pieces of the Ice driving off a Mile sometimes more or less from the main body of the Ice finding it to be in several strange shapes resembling Trees Beasts Fishes Fowles c. The main Body of the Ice being low but very Craggy being many pieces lying close together and some a top of each other and in some places we saw high hillocks of blue colour but all the rest of the Ice very white as though it were Snow In some places we saw drift Wood amongst the Ice we took up some of the Ice and melted it and the Water very fresh and good this Day we found very cold and freezing Saturday June 24. From the 23. Noon to this Day Noon little Wind at North by West we steered close along the Ice sailing into every opening but could not find any Passage through neither could we see over the Ice in any place from our Topmast-Head true Course Protracted as we sailed along the Ice is East 34 d. South difference of Lat. 24 Miles South departure East 34 Miles Lat. per Judgment 75 d. 18 m. but by a good Observation at Noon the Lat. 74 d. 50 m. the difference between the Dead Lat. and the observed Lat. is 28 Miles which difference hath been caused by the Current setting South-south-east At Noon we sounded and had 128 Fathom Water and the Current as yesterday South-south-east this last 24 Hours fair Weather with little Winds having some small Fogs but lasted not above half an Hour at a time Meridian distance 858 Miles Sunday June 25. From the 24. Noon to this Day Noon little Wind with Calms and the most part foggy so that we durst not venture in the Ice but lay by and stood off true Course Protracted is East 30 d. South difference of Lat. 13 Miles South departure East 19 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 37 m. Meridian distance 877 Miles East Wind variable from the North-west to the West-south-west At One in the Afternoon the Fog broke up hard freezing Weather our Rigging and Sails frozen for as fast as the Fog fell it freezed Monday June 26. From the 25. Noon to this Day Noon little Wind from the North-west to North Course per Compass between the West-south-west and the North-east distance sailed by the Log 63 Miles difference of Lat. 7 Miles North departure East 58 Miles true Course Protracted is East 7 d. North Lat. per Judgment is 74 d. 40 m. Meridian distance 935 Miles At Noon we stood is close with the Ice and saw something to move we judging it might be Sea-Horses or Morses lying on the Ice we sent our Boat to see and they found two Sea-Horses upon the Ice they fired several shot at them but could not kill them notwithstanding that they were much wounded they got into the Water and so went under the Ice We have found the Ice to lie away East these 24 Hours the Wind at North and very cold and at 12 at Night 70 Fathom green Oar at 9 in the Evening saw Land the North part of it bearing East and the South part South-east being high and covered with Snow about 15 Leagues off Sounded and had 125 Fathom Tuesday June 27. From Monday the 26. to Tuesday 27. little Wind from the North-west to the North by East with Calms we kept close with the Ice and found it joyn to the Land of Nova Zembla true Course Protracted is East by North 30 Miles difference of Lat. 16 Miles departure East 29 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 46 m. Meridian distance 964 Miles at Noon 83 Fathom Water about 6 Leagues from the Shore we rowed in towards the Shore and found the Ice to lic about 5 Leagues from the Shore we went out of our Boat on
him who immediately saw our Fire and steered into us and sent his Boat to help to bring off our Men with that we broke up our new Work which was done to our Long-Boat and Lanched her and about Noon got all on Board Captain Flawes in good Health Journal on Board the Prosperous Captain William Flawes Commander From Nova Zembla to England 1676. SUnday July 9. From the 8. 12 at Night to this 9. 12 at Noon the Winds variable with Fogs and small Rain we stand off to the Westward true Course Protracted with allowance for variation is West 8 d. South difference of Lat. 8 Miles departure 67 Miles Lat. per Judgment 73 d. 42 m. Meridian distance from Point Staten being the Westermost Land off of Nova Zembla and the last Land we saw 67 Miles very cold Weather Monday July 10. From the 9. Noon to this Day Noon the Winds variable from the South-west by West to the West and so to the North and North-north-east with small Rain great Fogs and very cold Weather true Course Protracted is West 35 Miles variation allowed 12 d. West Meridian distance 102 Miles a great Sea from the Westward Tuesday July 11. From the 10. Noon to this Day Noon the Winds variable from the North-north-east to the North-west Course per Compass West by South distance sailed by the Log 102 Miles true Course allowed for variation is West 68¼ South distance of Lat. 34 Miles departure 96 Miles Lat. per Judgment 73 d. 06 m. Meridian distance 198 Miles thick cloudy Weather and very Cold. Wednesday July 12. From the 11. Noon to this Day Noon little Wind and variable with Calms small Rains and Fogs distance sailed by the Log 27 Miles between the West by North and the West by South true Course allowed with all impediments is West at Noon Lat. by Observation 73 d. 34 m. which is 34 Miles more northerly than expected the variation I suppose came from the Lat. we departed from on Nova Zembla Meridian Distance Corrected is 222 Miles West at Noon calm and fair Weather Thursday July 13. From the 12. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind variable from the West to the South-south-west a fresh Gale we ply to the Westward close Haul'd Course per Compass between the South-south-west and the West-north-west true Course Protracted all impediments allowed is West by North ½ North 69 Miles difference of Lat. 17 Miles departure 59 Miles Lat by Judgment 73 d. 51 m. Meridian distance 279 Miles Cold cloudy Weather with small Rains Friday July 14. From the 13. Noon to this Day Noon the Winds variable from the South-south-west to the West-north-west a fresh Gale and sometimes little Wind we ply to the Westward sometimes on one Tack and sometimes on the other true Course Protracted all impediments allowed is West-south-west ½ South difference of Lat. 9. Miles South departure West 20 Miles Lat. per Judgment 73 d. 35 m. Meridian distance 299 Miles Saturday July 15. From the 14. Noon to this Day Noon the Winds fresh with gusts from the North-west to the West we ply to the Westward sometimes to the Southward distance sailed by the Log 70 Miles true Course Protracted is South-west 33 d. 45 m. difference of Lat. 52 Miles Departure West 34 Miles Lat. per Judgment 72 d. 43 m. Meridian distance 333 Miles cold and cloudy Sunday July 16. From the 15. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind at West-south-west and West by South a fresh Gale but from 8 at Night till 8 in the Morning much Wind we lay a try under a Main-sail true Course Protracted Leeward-way and variation allowed is North by West ¼ West 31 Miles difference of Lat. 30 Miles departure West 7 Miles Lat. per Judgment 73 d. 13 m. Meridian distance 340 Miles Rain with very thick Weather Monday July 17. From the 16. Noon to this Day Noon little Wind from the West by North to the West with Rains Fogs and Calms we ply to the Westward close upon a Wind true Course Protracted all impediments allowed is West by South ◠West distance of Lat. 3 Miles departure 23 miles Lat per Judgment 73 d. 10 m. Meridian distance 360 Miles at 11 in the Forenoon the Wind came up at South-south-east and foggy Tuesday July 18. From the 17. Noon to this Day Noon the Winds from the South to the West-south-west we ply to the Westward close haul'd between the West and North-west distance sailed by the Log 87 Miles true Course Protracted is West by North ¼ North 80 Miles distance of Lat. 18 Miles departure 77 Miles Lat. per Judgment 73 d. 28 m. Meridian distance 437 Miles thick foggy Weather Wednesday July 19. From the 18. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind at South-west and South-south-west with very thick Fogs Course per Compass West-north-west and West close Haul'd distance sailed by the Log 74 Miles true Course variation and Leeward-way allowed is West-north-west ½ North 70 Miles difference of Lat. 32 Miles departure 60 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. Meridian distance 497 Miles at Night much Wind we hand our Top-sails Thursday July 20. From the 19. Noon to this Day Noon for the most part much Winds at West-south-west and South-west with great Fogs we ply close upon a Wind North-west by West and West-north-west distance sailed by the Log 65 Miles true Course variation and Lee-way allowed is North-north-west ¼ West distance of Lat. 55 Miles departure 33 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 55 m. Meridian distance 530 Miles Friday July 21. From the 20. Noon to this Day Noon the Wind from the South-west to the West Course per Compass South by West upon one Tack and West-north-west on the other close Haul'd distance sailed by the Log 61 Miles true Course Protracted all impediments allowed is South by West ¾ West 48 Miles distance of Lat. 45 Miles departure 16 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 12 m. very thick foggy and cold till about Noon it cleared up Saturday July 22. From the 21. Noon to this Day 4 in the Morning the Wind at South-west by West and South-west with thick Fogs Course West by North and North-north-west 46 Miles at which time it was very foggy Weather we saw many Willocks and other Sea Fowles more than usual which made us think that we were near the Land of Cherry-Island we cast the Lead and had 60 Fathom a rough Sand with that we Tack'd and stood off South-south-east and South-east by East 9 Miles till Noon at which time we Sounded and had 78 Fathom Lat. at 4 in the Morning by Judgment 74 d. 26 m. Meridian distance 589 Miles at which time I was by my Reckoning 13 Leagues West from Cherry Island according to the Meridian distance I made from the Cape to Nova Zembla and from Nova Zembla back here Lat. at Noon by Judgment 74 d. 20 m. Meridian distance 582 Miles Sunday July 23. From the 22. Noon to this Day Noon the Winds variable with
the Long-Boat in order thereunto we raised her two Foot and laid a Deck upon her to keep the Sea out as much as was possible and with this Boat and 30 Men. for she could carry no more I intended to Row and Sail to Russia but the Men not being satisfied who should be the Men began to be very unruly in their mind and behaviour every one having as much reason to save himself as another some holding Consultation to stave the Boat and all to run the like Fortune But here Brandy was our best Friend for it kept them alwaies Fox'd so that in all their Designs I could prevent them some were of the mind to go by Land but that I knew was impossible to any Man neither had we Provisions nor Ammunition to defend us from the Wild Beasts and if it had been passable that is any going on the ground for Bogs that they would have met with Rivers that they knew not whether to go so there being no probability of going by Land nor for any to attempt going in the Boat without forty Men having been first destroyed I will leave it to the consideratiion of any whither we were not in a very miserable condition without Divine Providence to Write my thought I had at that time to save as many Men as I could it is not pertinent at all to the Discourse since it cannot but be imagined to be Tragical The Weather continued still very bad with Fogs Snow Rain and Frost till the 9. Day of our being on Shore which was the 8. Day of July when in the Morning it cleared up and to our great joy one of the Sailors cried out a Sail which proved Captain Flawes as reasonable may be imagined so we set fire to our Town that he might see where we was which he presently saw so come to us and sent his Boat to us but before I went off I Writ a brief Relation of the intention of the Voyage with the Accidents that had befallen us and put it in a Glass-Bottle and left it in the Fortification I had there built So by twelve a Clock we all got safe on Board but left all on Shore that we had saved from the Ship for we much feared it should prove foggy again Now I intend to give a brief description of the Land and the Observations I made there NOva Zembla is so called by the Russians which signifieth New Land in their Language to prove it is either an Island or whither it joyneth to the Continent of Tartaria would be a very hard Task nor is it certainly known to any for by Circumstances I think it impossible to prove and by Experience the search thereof is so impossible that it will hardly be tryed But let it be either I think the matter is not much since it is the most miserable Country that lyeth on the Foundation of the Earth a Country most part of it covered perpetually with Snow and that that is bare is not to be walked on being like Bogs upon whose Superficies grows a kind of Moss which beareth a small blue and yellow Flower and this is all the Product of the Earth of this Country Under the superficies of this Earth about two Foot deep after we had dug so low we came to a firm Body of Ice which as I think was never heard of before so these Men that did imagin if they were forced to Winter to the Northward would dig Caves in the Earth to preserve themselves from cold would find here but very bad Lodging The Snow lieth here contrary to what it doth in any other Country for in all other Climates the Snow melteth soonest away near the Sea side but here the Sea beateth against the snowy Clifts which in some places are as high as either of the Forelands in Kent the Sea has washed underneath the Snow a prodigious way and the Snow over hanging most fearful to behold and up from the Water side upon the first Ridge of Hills the Snow was melted till you come to the next Ridge which are Mountains and they all the way up are covered with Snow which I believe hath lain there evere since the Creation but after we had ascended this which in some places was almost Perpendicular we came to the top of all the Mountains as we supposed for we could not see far for we could hardly see one the other the Fog was so thick and remained so all the time we were in the Country but on the top of these Hills we found it bare from Snow and indifferent good walking The best that I found in the Country were only Bears I continued on the top of those Hills fome two hours and went as far as was convenient that we might find the way back again Here I found the Track of many large Deer also we found an Horn of Beam of Deer besides Deer there be abundance of large White Bears and some Foxes and a little Creature much like a Coney but not so big as a Rat and some few little Birds like Larks and these be all the Beasts or Fowls we found in the Country Every quarter of a Mile there runneth down from the Hills into the Sea a small Rivulet of very good Water which is melted from Snow Upon the Hills we found abundance of Slate-stone which made it good walking but at the Sea side where the Rivulet came down we found very good Black Marble with White Veins in it The Point where we lost our Ship I called Point Speedill the high Hills I called King Charles's Snow Hills and the next Point to the Southward which is the Westermost Point of Nova Zembla I named James Foreland and the Point to the Northward York Point Point Speedill lieth in the Lat. of 74 d. 30 m. North and in the Longitude East from the City of London 63 d. 00 m. The variation of the Compass is 13 d. West and it is full Sea at South-west Moon The Tide riseth 8 Foot and setteth directly upon the Shore which is a certain sign that there is no Passage to the Northward The Sea Water about the Ice and Land is very salt and much salter than any I ever tasted and a great deal heavier and I may certainly say the clearest in the World for I could see the ground very plain in 80 Fathom Water which is 480 Foot there being few Steeples so high as that was deep and I could see the Shells at the bottom very plain If the Voyage had succeeded I should God willing have given a more full and nice account of all the Experiments I had and should have made especially those of the Magnet which I forbare here to mention because I intended to Publish them in a Treatise by themselves so having with the Ship lost all my Papers and with them all I had in the World beside I most humbly beg Pardon that I have given no more Ample a Relation A Collection of Curious
weather and warm Sun-shine all night Hard by us rode a Hollander and the Ships crew busie in cutting the fat of a Whale when the fish burst with so great a bounce as if a Canon had been discharged and bespattered the Workmen all over On the 8th the wind turned North-west with snow and rain We were forced to leave one of our Anchors and thank'd God for getting off from Land for the Ice came on fiercely upon us at night the wind was laid and it was colder although the Sun shined On the 9th we got another male Whale being the eighth which was yellow underneath the head we filled with him 54 Kardels with fat the Sun shined all night On the 12th we had gloomy Sun-shine all day At night we sailed with three Boats into the Ice before the Weigatt and got three white Bears an old one with two young ones they swam in the water like fish On the Ice lay abundance of Sea-horses and the further we came into the Ice there were the more of them we rowed up to them and when we came near to them we killed ten of them the rest came all about our Boat and beat holes through the sides of the Boat so that we took in abundance of water we were forced at length to row away from them because of their great number for they gathered themselves more and more together they pursued us as long as we could see them very furiously Afterwards we met with another very great one who lay in the water fast asleep but when he felt our Harpoon within him he was very much frightned and ran away before the Boat again where he was soon eased of his fright by our Lances We saw but very few Whales more and those we did see were quite wild that we could not come near them That night it was so dark and foggy that we could hardly see the Ships length we might have got Sea-horses enough but we were afraid of loosing our Ships for we had examples enough of them that had lost their Ships and could not come to them again but have been forced to return home in other Ships When after this manner any have lost their Ships and cannot be seen they discharge a Cannon from the Ship or sound the Trumpets or Haut-boys according as they are provided in their Ships that the men that are lost may find their Ship again On the 13th we had cloudy Sun-shine the wind towards night turned to North-east and by east The Ice came a floating down apace we sailed from the South-east Land to the west and we could but just get through by the North side from the Bear-Harbour or Bay We sailed on to the Rehenfelt or Deer-field where the Ice was already fixed to the Land so that we could but just get through we sailed further to the Vogelsanck Birds-song as you may see by b in the Plate D. Then we turned toward the East with a North-east wind in company with twelve Ships more to see whether there were any more Whales left with George and Cornelius Mangelsen and Michael Appel who sailed in four fathoms water and touched upon the wreck of a Ship that was lost there On the 14th in the morning we sailed still amongst the Ice the wind being North-east and by east we had a fogg all that day with Sun-shine with a Rainbow of two colours white and pale yellow and it was very cold and we saw the Sun a great deal lower On the 15th it was windy cold and foggy the whole day the wind turned North-west and the Ice came on in abundance so that we could hardly sail for it was every where full of small sheets of Ice At this time there were many ships beset with Ice in the Deer or Muscle-Bay We sailed all along near the shoar and at night we entred the South-Harbour marked with c in the Cut D where 28 Ships lay at Anchor 8 whereof were Hamburgers the rest Dutchmen From that time when we sailed out of the South-haven we kept always within sight of the Land and saw it always except it was foggy and so long the Skippers stay by the Ice to see whether there is any more Whales to be had That night we fetched water from the Land near the Cookery of Harlingen out of a hole marked by b in the Plate C. On the 16th in the morning we saw the Moon and afterwards it was windy with abundance of snow On the 18th we had fair weather with Sun-shine and we were also becalmed that we could not sail wherefore we towed with a Boat into the Danish Harbour to gather some Herbs from the Rocks In the South-Haven rode 30 Ships at Anchor On the 19th we had warm Sun-shine and fair weather but in the night stormy and rain On the 20th storms rain and a great deal of snow the wind South-west On the 21th rain all day long CHAP. II. Of our home Voyage from Spitzbergen to the Elbe ON the 22th day of July in the morning when the Sun was North-east we waied our Anchors and sailed out of the South-Haven we had a fogg all day long and Sun-shine at night in the night we saw abundance of Fin-fishes On the 24th it was so warm with Sun-shine that the Tarr wherewith the Ship was daubed over melted we drove it being calm before the Haven or Bay of Magdalen On the 25th it was cloudy and Sun-shine but cold withal at night we came to the Forelands the night was foggy the wind South-west On the 26th we had the very same weather all day the Sun was very low in the night On the 28th we turned from the side of the North-Foreland towards the west when the Sun was South-east and we did sail South-west and by west towards the Sea then we changed our Course southwards and stood South-east On the 29th 30th and 31th we sailed South-east and by south all along by the Land the south side of the Foreland was 8 Leagues from us bearing North-east then we sailed South-west and by south it was very cold with a North-west wind We saw daily abundance of Fin-fishes but no more Whales On the 9th of August it was windy all day with a gloomy Sun-shine in the forenoon it cleared up towards noon the wind was South-east when we took the Meridian heighth of the Sun and were at 66 degrees 47 minutes we sailed South-westward all along the Northern shoar of the Country On the 13th being Sunday in the morning the wind was North-west stormy with rain and west winds In the night we had very clear Moon and Star-light In the morning we saw the northern part of Hitland we sailed southward after the rain we saw Fair-Isle and sailed in betwixt Hitland and Fair-Isle first South-west and afterwards South-west and by south and then southward On the 20th it was fair weather warm Sun-shine and somewhat windy When the day began to appear we saw Hilgeland South-eastward of us
when we sailed South-east there we took in a Pilot on purpose chosen by the Magistrates of Hamburg On the 29th it was fair weather and warm Sun-shine all day we sailed before the Elbe and lay at Anchor by the first Buoy called the Red-Buoy in the afternoon we weighed our Anchor and sailed to Kucks-Haven in the night we had thunder and lightning and rain The End of the first Part. THE SECOND PART OF THE VOYAGE TO SPITSBERGEN CONTAINING The Description of Spitzbergen CHAP. I. Of the External Face and Appearance of Spitsbergen It seemeth because the Ice stands firm and floats not as that in the Sea doth that there should be land not far behind it As the highest Countries are surrounded with Mountains as a Fortification is with Walls and Works so are these Countries naturally surrounded with high Hills The inward Condition of this Country we do not know but it seemeth since we see one Hill behind another that it is so throughout the whole Country At the Muscle-Haven or Muscle-Bay we find plainer and leveller Ground and the farther we sail toward the East the Ground groweth the lower yet it is all stony and with prospects of smaller Hills it doth not look at all as if it could be inhabited by Men. I believe also that the Land there must of necessity be lower and lower for else we should see it higher above the other as we do the other Mountains Concerning the Beasts that live on this Land I believe they come over the Ice in the Spring when the Ice stands firm into these Countries and that the same way they go away from thence again when the long nights begin Concerning the Birds we have partly a good account of them their places and food is known as I shall mention when I come to write of them When on the 18th of June on a Sunday in the forenoon we first came to the Foreland of Spitzbergen the foot of these Mountains looked like fire and the tops of them were coverwith foggs the snow was marbel'd and look'd as if it were boughs of branches of Trees and gave as bright and glorious a shining of gloss to the Air or Skies as if the Sun had shin'd When the Mountains look thus fiery a hard storm generally ensues These Countries are in the Winter encompassed with Ice from divers places according as the winds blow as if it be East from Nova Zembla if North-west form Greenland and the Island of John Mayen it also happeneth sometimes that the Land is begirt with Ice in the Summer as they have often seen that go thither every year But when the Ice comes floating on too hard or in too great a quantity then the Ships make to the Harbours Havens Bays or Rivers as they call them that run up into the Country the wind useth to receive us something unkindly when we sail into them roaring over the dry Hills with small Whirl-winds The water in these Rivers is salt We meet here with no fresh Streams or Rivolets nor did I ever see a Spring there Of some Rivers we know their beginning of others it cannot found out because of the danger of the Ice which they are never free from some because of the hidden Rocks underneath the water which are discovered by the vehement breaking of the Sea or by great quantity of white foam The Names of the Havens you find all in order one after another in the Map of Spitzbergen as far as we have been These Havens they reckon to be the safest viz. the Safe-Harbour and the South and North-Bay which are the most known of any in Spitzbergen The other Havens of what names soever we commonly sail by because they lye open to the Sea Others we pass by because of the constant Ice that is in them and the hidden Rocks In the South or North-Haven or Bay ride commonly the most Ships I told several times ten twenty nay thirty Ships that lay at Anchor as your may see in the Plates C and D marked with c and d. Concerning the Birds we see abundance more of them by and on the Land then among the Ice chiefly when they hatch their Eggs we do not find they make their Nest up with far-fetcht things neither do they gather any thing for them from Norway Schetland or the like The Seeds of several Herbs might grow in Spitzbergen but the Herbs nature hath bestowed on those Countries are such as are fit for the Diseases and Distempers that are common there We saw abundance of Sea-horses by Spitzbergen on the low Land and upon the Ice but we saw but very few Seales on the Ice thereabout The Country as is aforesaid is stony and quite throughout it are high Mountains and Rocks Below at the feet of the Mountains stand the Hills of Ice very high and reach to the tops of the Mountains the Cliffs are filled up with Snow wherefore these Snow-Mountains show very strange to those that never saw them before they appear like dry Trees with Branches and Twigs and when the Snow falleth upon them they get Leaves as it were which soon after melt and others come in the room of them There are seven large Ice-Mountains in a Line in these Countries that lye between the high Rocks which look of a glorious blew colour as also is the Ice with a great many cracks and Holes in them they are hollowed out melted away and cut in Groves by the rain and snow-water that runs down they are increased greatly by the Snow as the other Ice that swimmeth in the Sea is also they are augmented likewise by the melted Snow from the Rocks and from the Rain that falls on them These seven Mountains of Ice are esteemed to be the highest in the Country indeed they shewed very high as we sailed by them underneath the Snow look'd dark from the shades of the Skies which shewed very neat and curious with the blew cracks where the Ice was broken off About the middle of the Mountains some foggy Clouds hovered over above these the Snow was very bright The true Rocks look't fiery and the Sun shin'd pale upon them the Snow giving the Air a bright reflection They were covered with Clouds so that you could scarce see the tops of them Some of these Rocks are but one stone from the bottom to the top appearing like an old decayed Wall they smell very sweet as the green Fields do in our Country in the Spring when it rains See c c in the Plate C. The stones for the most part are vein'd differently like Marble with red white and yellow at the alteration of the weather the stones sweat and by that means the Snow is stained or coloured and also if it raineth much the water runs down by the Rocks and from thence the Snow is tinged red On the foot of the Mountains where no mounts of Ice stand lye great loose Rocks as they chance to be fall'n one upon the other with
half the Ship â—t two Miles you see only the uppermost Mast at three Miles distance you see only the Flagg and when it goeth farther you have quite lost it Land and Mountains may be seen at a great distance at Sea we saw Spitzbergen at twelve Miles distance off at Sea the Country looked like a black Cloud full of white stroaks as is in the Cut D marked with a b c g h i. Near the Ice of this Sea it is coldest where the Waves are quiet and the Sea-water is so clear that at twelve and more Fathoms deep you may see the bottom There is no ground to be found near the Ice to drop an Anchor It is also to be observed that according to the colour of the Skies the colour of the Sea is changed If the Skies be clear the sea looks as blew as a Saphir if it is covered somewhat with Clouds the Sea is as green as an Emerald if there be a foggy Sun-shine it looketh yellow if it be quite dark like unto the colour of Indico in stormy and cloudy weather like black Sope or exactly like unto the colour of black Lead If the wind be quite calm one may hear beating or knocking at a great distance on the the Sea by which we also observe the Whale hears as shall be mentioned in its proper place Among the Ice the stream runs Southwards which we observed by our driving back a great way At the Muscle-Haven the stream ran Northwards Those that sail yearly to those places cannot give any certain information concerning ebbing and flowing only they have observed the water to be higher about the Land when the winds have been higher then at other times And this I have also observed that if there was an orderly or continual ebbing and flowing the Eggs of the Birds would be drowned upon the Islands Certain information concerning ebbing and flowing is not easily to be had I know no more of it then what I have written CHAP. III. Of the ICE IN the Months of April and May the west Ice breaks because it lyeth Westward which drives dispersed in the Sea by the Island of John Mayen and reacheth to Spitzbergen where at that time it was firm still as you may see in the Plate A marked with e. The difference between the Ice of Spitzbergen and that of our Country is that it is not smooth there so as to slide upon it Neither is it so clear nor transparent nor so sharp and cutting but a great deal harder and is not easily broke or split but it looketh likest unto the Ground-Ice of the Rivers in our Country or like unto Loaf-sugar Where the Ice is fixed upon the Sea you see a snow-white brightess in the Skies as if â—he Sun shined for the Snow is reflected by â—he Air just as a Fire by Night is but at a â—istance you see the Air blew or blackish â—here there is many small Ice-fields that are 〈◊〉 the Meadows for the Seales you see no lustre 〈◊〉 brightness of the Skies The Sea dasheth against these Ice-fields â—hich occasioneth several fine Figure not 〈◊〉 they are naturally framed so but just as 〈◊〉 flowers on our Glass-windows get all 〈◊〉 of figures for these are framed by the â—shing of the Sea like unto Mountains Steeples Tables Chappels and all sort of Beasts These Ice-fields are a great deal deeper under water then they are high above it and are of a paler colour under water then above the top of them might be called the Kernel and Marrow of the Ice because the colour is much deeper then that of the other The highest colour is delicate blew of the same colour with the blewest Vitriol somewhat more transparent yet not so clear as that in our Country which you may see through let it be never so thick it is as hard as a stone and it is not easily split or cleav'd because it is spumgy like unto a Punice stone Among this Ice the Ships sail up and down until they come to bigger Ice fields for the small ones incumber the Sea that the Ships sail often against them and perish for when the winds arise the Waves drive against the Ice-fields as if it was against Rocks and beat the Ships to pieces When we are passed by these small Ice-fields that swim at a great distance from one another then we sail in between them and draw a small Ice-field behind the stern of our Ship that it may be the sooner stopt and kept from swift sailing without letting the Sails strike for else it might easily run against an Ice-field Every Ships Master is left to his free-will whether he will sail into the Ice because in the Spring the Whales are in great numbers seen there in the West-Ice as they call it The Masters do not willingly sail in amongst the Ice when it is dark or foggy or stormy which must be expected in the Spring and the small sheets of Ice swim up and down in the Sea which the Skippers must avoid lest they lose their Ships It may seem something strange that they sail so often to the Ice and back again but there is the same reason for it as is in hunting after Deer if we do not find Whales in one place we must seek them in others for the fortune in ketching of Whales is like the Chances of Gaming and there is no great understanding required to find them some see and catch more then they desire and others but at half a mile distant from them see not one which is very common When they go in amongst the Ice the men stand ready with great Ice-hooks to keep them off that the Ship may not run against them The farther you sail into and amongst the Ice the greater Ice-fields you shall foe so that you cannot look over them for about the West as they call it are larger Ice-fields to be seen then about Spitzbergen quite white at the top covered with Snow so that there is but ill walking upon them because you fall deep into the Snow See A marked with l and B marked c. The prints of the Bears footing we saw on the shoar of the Ice-fields for they seek their Prey in the water which is the dead Carkases of the Whales the Foxes generally accompany them for their choicer food of Birds is here scarcer then at Spitzbergen for they flock not together but fly singly When they sail some Miles into the Ice where there is pretty large Ice-fields they joyn their Ships to them with great Ice-hooks fastned to strong Cables where they lie at Anchor several Ships about the same Ice-field but they rather chose to be alone because they are an hindrance to one another in Whale-catching and the hunting of them from one to another maketh them shie Amongst the Ice we find no great Waves but it is pretty smooth even when it is somewhat stormy All the danger is from one Ice-field being bigger then the other
hardly discern it to be Scurvy-grass but afterwards we found it in its full perfection and it seeded in the Month of July It is observable that the Leaves of this Herb have but little sharpness at Spitzbergen and therefore it is much weaker than the Scurvy-grass of our Countries so that we eat it instead of Salads in Spitzbergen which we could not do our Scurvy-grass My Figure is like that cut given in the Third Book and the 35 th Chapter of the German Herbal of Matthiolus See Tab. H at a. CHAP. VI. Of an Herb like Stone-crap THis Plant is doubtless a kind of a Stone-crop but the Leaves are rough or hairy not so thick nor so juicy as ours are neither doth it burn or bite like unto ours Before the Flower fully appears it looks like unto that of Esula but when it is quite blown and opened it is of a purple Colour and hath sometimes five sometimes six and sometimes I have seen nine Leaves the Stamina of the Flower I did not tell neither did I ever see the Seeds thereof The Root thereof is very small and one Plant grows close to the other We found this Herb on the low Lands of the English Haven Afterwards we found abundance of it amongst the Mosses on the 26 th of June In the Tab. F. it is marked with c and in the Tab. I. with a. CHAP. VII Of a Snake-weed THis is small Snake-weed and is found very rarely in Spitzbergen the undermost Leaves of this Plant are the biggest but they are not above the bredth of ones Nail they grow singly on the Stalk yet not above three of them except the lowermost the nearer the Flower the smaller they are they have within not far from the edge many small knobs or spots answering to the points of the Leaves wherein the Veins or Nerves are terminated besides the Leaves are not quite plain but somewhat rumpled at the brims Out of the Root sprouts forth sometimes single and sometimes double Stalks as you may see in the Cut and this by-stalk is always somewhat lower than the chief Stalk The Flower grows in a close Spike with many small Flesh-coloured Flowers it was so smal that I forgot to tell the Leaves thereof The Seeds were not then come to maturity The Root sheweth of what kind the Plant is and wherefore it may be called Bistorta or Snake-weed for it lieth twisted in the Ground it is about the thickness of your little Finger where thickest hath small Fibers is brown without and Flesh-coloured within and of an astringent Taste I found this Herb in the Danish Harbour on the 18 th of July My Figure agrees most with that which Camerarius hath given in the Fourth Book and Third Chapter of Matthiolus it s marked with a in the Tab. I. CHAP. VIII Of an Herb like unto Mouse-ear THis Herb bringeth forth smooth edged Leaves by pares they are rough and like Mouse-ear The Stalks are smooth at their first putting out but afterwards they grow rough where the uppermost Leaves grow they are roundish at the bottom At the end of the Stalk groweth a white Flower out of its Perianthium the number of its Leaves I did not tell nor had I time enough to observe the Seed The Root is round and slender with small and tender Fibers It seemeth this Plant should belong unto the hairy or rough Alsine and perhaps it may be the third or fourth kind of the hairy Alsine of Dodoneus in the Fifth Book the Tenth Chapter of his first Latin Herbal if the Leaves of his were not cut as these are not I gathered this Plant in the South Haven on the 17 th of July See d in Tab. G. CHAP. IX Of a Plant like unto Periwinkle THis Plant runneth upon the Ground and bringeth forth roundish Leaves by pairs on creeping Stalks The Leaves as I think are like those of Periwinkle but they are somewhat rounder and the largest of them are bent in before The Stalk is somewhat knotty and woody The Flower appeareth at first wrapt up like a Leaf but after it is grown out a little more one may see it to be a Flower it grows out between the Leaves on the same Stalks The colour and shape of these Flowers I could not at that time observe because they were not yet blown much less could I gather the Seed The Root is long slender round woody and knotty it hath small branched Fibers at the bottom I found it in the South Bay behind the Cookery of Harlem on the 19 th of June and 17 th of July Since I neither saw the Flower nor Seeds and in probability it would have put forth more Leaves I cannot determine whether it be the Pyrola minima whereof Clasius giveth us a Cutt and Description in the Fifth Book of his rare Plants in the 20. Chapter or whether is may be Pseudochamae buxus of the Hortus Eichstetensis which is given by Clusius in the 72 th Chapter of the before-mentioned Book by the Name of Anonymos Coluteae flore and accurately described and Camerarius in his Hortus giveth it us under the Name of Anonymos Pervincae folio In the Tab. G. it is marked with b. CHAP. X. Of an Herb like a Strawberry THis agreeth in its Leaves with the Strawberry for it hath three cut Leaves on the end of the Stalks and its Flower hath commonly fives Leaves seldom but four and is like a Strawberry Flower the Stalks are round and rough and so are the Leaves On the Stalks you see two Leaves one against the other of a differing figure and bigness for one looketh like a Hand and the other like a Finger the size also is different for some have but three Fingers and others have more The Flower is yellow the Leaves of the Flowers ar roundish how many I observed not The Root is woody somewhat thick with small Fibres a little scaley at the top it tastes dry and astringent like Tormentill In the Herbals I could find none liker it than that which Lobelius calleth Fragaria Sylvestris minime Vesca sive sterilis and in the universal Iferdumish Herbal in the 70 th Chapter of the 17 th Book by the Name of Fragaria non fragisera vel non vesca yet it differs in the Flower and Leaf for the Leaves in my Plant are cut deeper and the Flower of his is white In Tab. H. it is marked with b. THE FOURTH PART OF THE VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN OF THE ANIMALS OF Spitzbergen The PREFACE of the Animals but chiefly of the Birds in general THE Animals of Spitzbergen here described are either those with two or with four Legs About Spitzbergen also are some Creatures that live only in the Water and have no Legs except one would take their Fins that are about their Breast for Legs because as hereafter shall be shewn their Fins are jointed like Legs underneath the Skin Some live in the Water and also upon the Ice and Land
so fat as a Whale wherefore we do not much care to catch him for he doth not pay us for our Labour It is much more dangerous to kill him than to kill a Whale because he moves quicker and beats about him with his Tail and from him with his Finns so that we dare not come near unto him with our Sloops or Long-boats for the Launces kill him soonest I was informed that once some before they were aware of it did fling by a mistake their Harpoon into a Finn-fish whereupon he drew both Boat and Men all on a sudden underneath a large Ice-sheet before they were aware of it and not one of them escap'd His Tail lies flat like unto that of the Whale When these Finn-fishes appear we see no more Whales The Train-oyl of the Whale is used by several viz. by the Frize-makers Curriers Cloath-workers and Soap-boilers but the greatest use that is made of it is to burn it in Lamps instead of other Oyl The Greenland Ships carry 30 or 40 Men and sometimes more chiefly the great Ships that have six Sloops belonging to them such Ships hold from 800 to 1000 Cardels of Fat the less Ships have commonly fewer Cardels or Vessels from 400 to 700 and have commonly five Sloops or Boats belonging to them There also go Galliots to Spitzbergen to catch Whales they have three or four Sloops belonging to them Some put the Sloops upon the Deck of the Ships others hang them overboard as they do at Spitzbergen when they are amongst the Ice that as soon as they call Fall fall they may immediately let down their Sloops into the Water Then there remains onboard in the Ships the Steersman the Barber the Chyrurgion the Cooper and a Boy to look after the Ship the Skipper or Commander himself goeth out with the rest of the Men for they are all obliged to go a Whale catching In each Ship there are sixty Launces six Sea-horse Launces forty Harpoons ten long Harpoons wherewith they strike the Whales under Water six small Sea-horse Harpoons thirty Lines or Ropes and each of them is about eighty or ninety fathoms long When they go a hunting they take along with them into each Sloop two and sometimes three Harpoons six Launces two or three Sea-horse Launces three Lines and five or six Men according to the bigness of the Sloops therein is the Harpoonier Line-keeper or Giver and the Steersman They all row equally until they come near to the Whale except the Steersman for he guides the Boat with his Rudder They also have in each Sloop a Chopping-knife to cut off the Rope when they cannot follow the Whale and a Hammer and other Instruments as Hatchets Drags and several sorts of Knives wherewithal they cut the Whales Meat and Drink is also given them according to the usual Custom he that will have better must take it along with him Lazy Fellows are in this Voyage troubled with the Scurvy but those that fear neither Air nor Wind and bestir themselves escape pretty well else the Scurvy is the common Distemper in this Voyage besides Feavers Imposthumes and other accidental Distempers and therefore the Chyrurgion must take care to provide himself CHAP. XII Of ROtz-fishes and Sea-qualms Rotz-fish or Slime-fishes I call these that in themselves are nothing else but Slime and they are transparent I have observed several kinds of these some whereof have parts like Finns as that same which I call the Sea May-flye Others are like unto the flat Snails only instead of Finns they have Stalks like unto Feathers Besides these I have seen four other sorts that are quite differing in shape from the others and are called Sea-qualms by the Seamen as if they were a thick Scum of the Sea coagulated together They are also called after the Latin Name Sea-nettles because they cause a burning Pain like unto Nettles I have formerly had some Thoughts that the Rotz or Slime fishes might be a Seed flung out and so putrefied and that they did cause this burning Pain by reason of their putrefaction and so I did think that they received their shape or form according to the several kinds of Fishes from whence they came and that some did take after Thornbacks others after Whales and the like but this doth not seem to be agreeable to Reason for I have considered it better since and find Life to be a far more boble thing than that it should proceed from putrefied Seed cast away They cleanse the Sea mightily for all the filth and uncleannese sticks to them just as a Burr doth unto Cloth I. Of the Sea-May-flye These small Fish are very like unto the Sea-nettles because of their transparent Body and they also dissolve like the same if you hold them in your hand They have two Finns underneath about the Neck which are likest unto those of the Whale They are in their shape like unto our white Rowls broad and thick in the middle and thin and pointed at each end As for the rest of the Body it is very like unto our May-flye save only that the Tail or Body is all along thicker and only begins to be pointed towards the end The Head is broad and round split in the middle it hath small horns about the breadth of a Straw on his Head before it hath two rows of six red little Knobs three of them in each row whether they be Eyes or no I cannot exactly tell It s Mouth is divided or split From his Mouth down into his Belly are its Guts which one may easily see because of its transparency It is of yellow and black colour but the colour of the whole Fish is like unto the White of an Egg. He moves in the Water just like a Sea-nettle I have drawn him here in his proper bigness I am of opinion that the Birds feed upon them because the Lumbs Pigeon-divers and Parret-divers are plentifully seen in those places where these Fish or Sea Insects are seen The same that I have delineated here I found in the South Bay in Spitzbergen on the 20th of June in the Tab. P it is marked with f. II. Of the Snail Slime-fish These are also quite transparent like unto the Sea-nettles but they are flat and wound about like a Snail and so we find upon the Land the Sheâ—ls of such flat Snails It is very remarkable that out of the utmost part of him come two Stalks like unto the Beam of a pair of Scales hairy or rough on each side like unto a Feather With these Stalks he moves himself up and down like the Sea-nettle They are of a brown colour They swim in great numbers in the Sea as numerous as the Dust in the Sun It is believed that the Whales feed upon them but I cannot believe that they can be so nourishing a Food for the Whales as to make them so fat I rather believe that the Lumbs Pigeon-divers and the Parret-divers feed upon them They are not
735 Leagues 1 mile 5 tenths Variation of the Compass Easterly 18 Degrees I concluded we had shot past Port Desier Harbour in the Fog for the Islands and Rocks which we saw were Penguin and other Isles lying about it which lies to the Southward of the Harbour of Port Desier Many Seals Penguins pied Porpoises and several Sea Fowls c. seen to day Thursday Febr. 24. Hasey Weather Wind at West-north-west a fresh gale I sent Men up to the Top-mast-head to look abroad this Morning no sight of the Pink I judge she must be in Port Desier I weighed about 8 a Clock this Morning and stood to the Northward with my Ship I went in my Pinnace along the shore to the Northward whilst the Ship sail'd in the Offing about two Leagues from the shore the Shore-side is in Beaches and scatter'd Rocks in many places the Tide of Flood was with us at the North-end of Seals Bay lies a small rocky Island copling up like a Haycock It is cover'd with grey-colour'd Fowls Dung a very strong Tide runs here between the Island and the Main 't is a little more than a Cables length from the Point of the Main there 's a great many broken Rocks about it by the Sea-side here the main Land is low and sandy up the Country in large Downs and Hills without Wood or fresh Water any where On this Island are abundance of Seals and Sea Fowls we gave it the name of Tomahauke Island from an Indian Club lost here called by the Caribbe-Indians at Surinam a Temahauke 't is all a craggy Rock a little bigger than Seal-Island and is eight Leagues to the North-north-east distant from it to the Northwest of this Island is a deep rounding Bay called in the Charts Spiring's Bay wherein lie three small Islands of an indifferent height the Land in the Country over this Bay is large high Hills Rocks lie in the North part of the Bay I cross'd it in the Pinnace amd sounded as I went over and had 21 Fathom rough ground in the mid-way 't is seven Miles broad and near 3 Leagues deep it rounds with a turning up to the North-northwest ward behind a Point farther than I saw upon which rounding Point stand black Rocks which make like a ragged Building and a Tower in it at my coming in with the Land I sail'd close under this shoar with my Boat the shore is steep black Rocks and low Bays with Pebble-stones and sandy Beaches green Grass on the Hills no Wood nor fresh Water to be seen at the North-east Point of this Spiring's-Bay the Land makes out full like a foreland a fair high Land in large plain Hills with sandy small Bays at the face of this Foreland lie six rocky Islands one is a Musket-shot off the Main the rest farther off the outwardmost is the biggest a Mile from the Point of the Main and is called Penguin-Island it is indifferent high at the ends and low in the middle 't is near three quarters of a Mile long North-north-east and South-south-west and near half a Mile broad East and West it is all craggy Rocks except in the lowest part of the middle which is gravelly and in the Summer time had a little green Grass the great black Gannets lay their Eggs here and the Penguins all over the Island upon and under the Rocks in Holes Seals lie all about the sides on the tops of the highest Rocks and in the middle of it the number of Seals Penguins and Sea-Fowl upon these Islands is alsmost incredible to them that never saw them for the multitude of each Creature that 's there daily is numberless the Six Islands are full of Seals but the Penguins frequent the biggest most I put a-shore at one of them and took into my Boat three hundred Penguins in less than half an hour and could have taken three thousand in the time if my Boat would have carried 'em for 't is but driving 'em in flocks to the shore by the Boats side where two or three Men knock them on the head with short Truncheons and the rest heave them into the Boat the Seals will run over a Man if he does not avoid 'em mean time the Ship was standing to the Northward about 2 Leagues off many broken Rocks and foul ground lie among these Islands and without the Point of the outermost it makes a great ripling which is the strength of the Tide reversed from the Islands aginst the other Tide to the Northward of these Islands is a Bay four Leagues long and a League and half deep in the Northwest thereof lies the Harbour of Port Desier which we could see from Penguin Island 's bearing North-north-west from Penguin Island distant about 3 Leagues about the middle of this Bay are steep white Cliffs near two miles long the upper part of the Cliff has black streaks down a fourth part caused by the Water draining down on it the Land is plain on the top of these Cliffs but further into the Country high rounding Hills and Downs and toward the Water-side low on the South part of the Bay are craggy Rocks on the Main like great Walls near the Sea there 's a sandy Cove to hale a Boat up in foul Weather the Cove is just under these wall-like Rocks Saturday Feb. 26. Fair Weather the Wind at West a stiff gale I kept a Light out all Night that the Pink might see if she came along the first part of the Night a great Fire was made on the shore for the same purpose Cold weather this Morning at 7 a Clock I manned both my Boats and into the Herbour the Ship rode moored at the Harbour-mouth within the Muscle-bank in six Fathom at low Water I sent my Men upon the Hills on the North shore to look abroad for the Pink and make a Fire in the dry Grass that she might see the smoak if she were thereabouts but they could not see her I sounded the Harbour in many places to day at low Water and found it a very good one for great Ships to ride in provided they have good Cables and Anchros I searched the shore but found no Wood and very little fresh Water on the hilly and large Downs very few Bushes but dry long Grass growing in tufts and knots the Soil is gravelly and dry in some Valleys well mixt with black mould no People fire or smoak but our own to be seen I saw several places where they had lain behind Bushes upon Grass which they had plucked up and that they had made small sires and roasted Lumpets and Muscles there lay Wooll Feathers bones of Beasts and shivers of Flints I went to a Flag which I left on a Hill yesterday with Beads at it but finding no body had been at it let it stand no Beasts seen any where except two Hares running over the Hills this day we were taken up with viewing the Harbour so that we did not advance above a mile and
a half into the Land in the Valleys between the Rocks grows abundance of wild Pease which had green leaves and blewish blossoms both tasting like green Pease-leaves in England growing on vines and tangled together also very sweet smelling Herbs much like Tares very green and white and yellow Flowers likewise green Herbs much like Sage but grow in knots near the ground like Lettice these Herbs with the Pease-leaves made a good Sallad to refresh such as were inclining to the Scurvy for want of which fresh Trade several of my Men were falling into it Here are abundance of very good Muscles and Limpets on theRocks and an Island frequented by many Seals and Fowls in the River were pied Divers as big as Ducks some of them grey and black shags Ducks and other Sea-Fowls breed on them amongst the Rocks and Bushes to day I went upon one of these Islands and caught as many young black Shags in their Nests as loaded the Pinnace when I have discovered better the particulars of the Fowls and other things seen here I will mention them hereafter Night coming on and it beginning to blow hard I went aboard with Herbs Fowls and what else I had got to day and divided all things equally among the Company the Boys Dividend being as large as my own or any Man's it blew very hard this Evening and looked very black in the South-west an ordinary gale I kept a Light out all Night in the Poop for the Pink this day all the Company eat of young Seals and Penguins and commended them for good Food I judged this a very fit Harbour to fit the Ship in for the main Mast must be unrig'd and a new gang of shrouds fitted and Ballast be had and it might be a means to fall in with the Pink for from the tops of the Hills we could see a great way into the Sea so that if she should come near the Coast we could not miss her We found 2 Springs of fresh Water one in a Valley close by the Water-side in a gully above the Ship half a mile up the River the other up a Valley between the Rocks just a-brest where the Ship rode about half a mile from the River's side right from Coopers-Bay in the same Valley these Springs are but small and the Water 's a little brackish or saltish for in the dry Valleys the Earth is naturally saltish the Ground and Rocks have a white Rhime of Salt-petre hanging on them I went into the Land 2 miles North-west and saw the Country hilly and dry Land without Wood or Water some craggy Rocks and Valleys low but dry and of a Salt-petre nature here and there some Bushes with prickly Branches and Leaves like White-Thorn Bushes in England the lesser Bushes have small dry Gauls growing oâ— them with a small dry Seed as hot in the Mouth as Pepper not a Tree to be seen the Soil is graâ— velly and sandy generally with tufts of dry feared Grass growing on it I digged in several places but saw nothing but gravelly Sand and Rocks no sort of Metals or Minerals I looked also among the broken Rocks for Metals but saw no sign of any from the tops of the Hills I could see a great way into the Land which is all Hills and Downs like Cornwall toilsom travelling to those that were not used to it I could travel as far in an hour as many of my Men could in two to day we saw nine Beasts feeding on the Grass very like Deer but larger and had longer Necks but no Horns reddish coloured on the Back and aloft whitish under their Bellies and up their Flanks when we had got within a Furlong of them they fell a neighing like Horses one answered another and then all run away Tuesday March 1. Fair Weather this Morning Wind at North a fine gale and a cold Air. This Forenoon I filled the Casks out of the Spring and dug them deeper I set up a long Pole with a white Cloath upon it on a Hill near a mile into the Land where 't was most likely to be seen by the Inhabitants with it I left Beads a Looking-glass a Knife a Hook and an Hatchet to invite the People of the Country to shew themselves for I was willing to see 'em that I might discover what they had but through I went about the Hills this Afternoon I could see neither People Fire nor Smoak I saw three Ostriches but could not get near enough to make a shot at them they were feeding on Grass and at first sight of me ran â—way I had a Greyhound with me which I turn'd loose upon 'em who gave Chase to one of them and at last gave her a turn which she recovered took to the Hills and so escaped they are grey coloured and larger than a great Turky-cock in England they can't fly but have long Legs and trust to their running I saw two handfuls of Wooll among the Grass where the Natives had made a Fire it was the Spanish red Wooll which they bring out of India and very fine I brought it away with me and set the Greyhound at 3 of the large Beasts like Deer but they were too swift for him Night coming on I returned on Board at 7 a Clock this Night the Wind came to the North a fresh gale and hasey Weather no sight of the Pink to day I could see a long way on the Sea at 10 a Clock it rain'd and the Wind came to the South-East Friday March 4. Fair Weather this Morning the Wind at East a fine gale I went ashore and filled fresh Water the rest of the Seamen fitted rigging this day at 12 a Clock I went with both the Boats and forty Men to Seal-Island into the Harbour every Man with his Staff and Club we landed drove the Seals up together beset them round and in half an hours time killed four hundred young and old striking them on the head kills them presently as soon as they were knocked down we cut their throats that they might bleed well whilst they were hot then loading both the Boats with them I carried them to the Bay where the Tent was landed and laid them upon the Rocks to Night the Boat fetch'd them all off the great Male Seals are as big as Calfs and resemble a Lion in their shaggy Necks Heads and Faces as well as in their Roar the Females are like Lionesses before only they are hairy all over like a Horse and smooth and the Male is smooth all over his hind-parts their shape is very deformed for their hind-part tapers till it come to a point where grow two Fins or Feet two more grow out of their Breast so that they can go on Land a great pace and climb Rocks and Hills of a good height they delight much to lie and sleep ashore some are very large upwards of eighteen Foot in length and thicker about than a But in the Bilge and excessive fat there are
Wars in England My Lieutenant answered him to his demands My Lieutenant asked him if they were in peace with the Indians He answered that they were at Wars with them round about wafting his Hand round the Harbour and that they were valiant People and very barbarous and fought on Horseback and did them much spoil and that two days before the Indians came out of the Woods and killed a Captain as he stood at his Duty by the side of the Fort and cut off his Head and carried it away sticking on their Lance. He shewed my Lieutenant the place where the Indians came out of the Woods and the place where the Man was killed They seem to be very fearful of the Indians for they will not stir any way but they will have their Piece or their Lance with them It is a manifest sign they are much affraid of the Indians also they have no more ground than the Fort neither do they clear any of the Woods on this side of the Harbour nor walk at a Musquet-shot distance from the Pallisadoes along the Woods-side The Spaniards say that the Indians have much Gold and that their Armour for their Brest is fine beaten Gold c. In the Afternoon a Dinner was brought out of the Fort to the Tent where they were and placed on the Table The first Course was Soppas then Olleos then Pullets then fresh Fish all dressed with hot Sawce and very good Diet it was the last Course was Sweet-meats every Course was served in Silver Dishes and all the Plates were Silver and the Pots and Stew-pots and all the Utensils belonging to the dressing of the Provisions were Silver the Bason wherein they brought Water to wash their Hands was in like manner made of Silver very large and the Hilts of the Soldiers Swords were Silver but the Hilts of the Officers Swords were Gold of good value Moreover the Plate at the But-end of the Stock of their Musquetoons was of the same Metal and the Pipe that the Rod runs in was Silver as also the tip of the Gun-stick and their Tobacco-Boxes and Snuff-Boxes and the Staves which they walk with were headed and ferrelled with Silver and ferrelled on the joints with Silver Indeed they are Masters of much Silver and Gold and it is but little esteemed among them Their boasting was Plata no vallanada muchoro in terra Four Spanish Gentlemen desired to go aboard with my Lieutenant and see the Ship and Pilot her into the Harbour if I would come in which they did not question but I would as I understood afterward by a Spaniard that came aboard to me who revealed to me their whole Design how they intended to surprise the Ship which I ever took care to prevent giving them no opportunity For it hath been a general practice with the Spaniards in America to betray all forein Interest in these parts as I had read of their treacherous dealings with Captain Hawkins at Saint Juan de Vlloa I had much Discourse with the Spanish Gentlemen this day concerning Baldavia and the Country of Chile They tell me they have much Gold here at Baldavia and that the Natives do much hinder their getting of it for they are at cruel Wars with them and will not permit them to plant anything near here about nor at Baldavia but they come and destroy it with Fire And that the Natives are very cruel and barbarous if they take any Spaniard they cut off his Head and carry it away on their Lances end These Spaniards tell me that they live here as the Spaniards do at Mamora in Barbary having their Enemies round about them These Spaniards say that the Indians are tall Men and of a Gigantick stature and extreamly Valiant and that they fight on Horseback eight and ten thousand Men in Arms and well disciplin'd The Indians have much Gold and their Weapons are long Lances and Bows and Arrows and Swords and some Musquets which they have taken from the Spaniards and know how to use them in Service taking also Ammunition c. The Indians are very populous in the Land about Baldavia and at Orsono and on the Island of Castro and at Chile and that they have much Gold on these parts about Orsono and Chilue and that they trade with the Spaniards and give them Gold This Captain said that they have six great Ships going yearly from Lima to the Philippine Islands to the Port of Mannelos and that they have a great Trade with the Chineses and that these Ships sail from the Calleo that is the Port of Lima in the Month of January and their passage is but little more than two Months from Lima to the Port of Mannelos and they sail it within the Tropicks and have much Easterly Winds and they return back by the Northwards to gain the Westerly Winds which brings them to California and to the Port of Aquapulco which lieth on the West-Coast of Nova Espana and from thence they come to Panama and then to the Port of Lima. They bring rich Lading much Silks and other rich Commodities and Spices and Callicoes The Mannellos have a great Trade with the Japoneses and Chineses which is very beneficial to them The Captain demanded of me whither I was bound I answered him I was bound for China and that I had rich Lading for that Country and that I only touched in at this place knowing here were Settlements of the King of Spains Subjects hoping here to have Wood and fresh Water and refreshing for my Men whereby I might the better proceed on my Voyage He said I should have what the Country would afford and that the Captain of the Fort had sent for Provisions for me and that I might have Water on the Shore-sides pointing his Hand to the place which was near by the Captain said it was Aqua del oro which is Water of Gold in English This saying caused me to laugh then he said it came running from the Hills where they find Gold and that there was Gold in that Rivulet I asked him how they get the Gold He said they wash the Earth which is in the Mountains and find the Gold in the Bowl or Tray when the Earth is washed out And they buy much Gold of the Indians which they gather in the Gullies of the Hills which is washed in there by the Rains and snow dissolv'd which descend from the high Mountains which they say are very high and barren Rocks thirty Leagues In-land from the Sea-shore The Land between those barren Hills and the Sea-shore is mighty good Land and the Country very fruitful abounding in many Plains and much Cattle that the Indians have as Horses and Cows and Goats and Sheep which they have taken from the Spaniards since they came into this Country The Spaniards call the high rocky Mountains the Andes and say that those Andes run all along the Land from Magellan Streights in a row to S. Martha which is in Terra
and the little ones swiming faster then the great ones which often causeth a stoppage so that they crowd upon one another not without great danger of the Ships which are often catcht between and broken by them See the Plate B at a. The Seamen hinder the pressing on of the Ice as much as in them lieth with great Ice-hooks but what small help this affordeth them daily experience testifies sufficienty In fair weather the mischief is as soon done as in tempestuous because the Ice drives in the Sea either with the stream or wind as either of them is the more prevalent crashing and grinding against each other whence the danger arises to the Ships for after such a manner many Ships perish See Plate B. They say that a dead Whale tied to the Ship is the best defence against the Ice Others hang the Tails and Fins about their Ship which way is not to be rejected for it is of great use to them to prevent the danger of the squeezing of the Ice they have examples that in such squeezing of the Ice a dead Whale hath preserved them The Ice rises out of the Sea as high as a Mountain the striking of them together makes so great a noise that one can hardly hear his own words and from this joyning together of the Ice the great Ice-hills are made that drive up and down in the Sea Other great Ice fields are not so high as the Ice hills yet notwithstanding they are hardly ever quite plain and without a Hill you see the Ice under water as deep as you can see It is all of a blew colour but the deeper you look the purer blew you see which beautiful colour changes with the Air for if it be rainy weather this colour groweth paler I also have often seen the Ice underneath the water very green the occasion whereof was the troubled Air whence the Sea assumeth this colour I wonder that upon the largest Ice-fields no high Mountains are seen as are seen where the Ice grinds and dashes one against the other I am of opinion that the Ice melts towards the bottoms for one may see it spungy for else if one would compute from the beginning it must have reached the very ground even in the middle of the depth of the sea I have seen in Spitzbergen white Ice that was frozen quite curled it look'd just like Sugar-candy was very hard and thick and swam even with the Seas surface The Ships are not always in this danger of sqeezing for often times there is little or no Ice to be seen there although you are a great way in the place where it usually is but as soon as a wind arises you would admire from whence so great a quantity of Ice should come in less then an hours time At the greatest Ice-fields of all Ships do not always ride the safest since by reason of the bigness and the motion of the Sea these Ice-fields break not without danger When such Ice-fields break they part asunder which causeth a Whirl-pool in the Sea where all the out-parts press to the Centre and by that means the pieces of the Ice-fields raise themselves up and dash and grind against each other When we came to 71 degrees in the Month of April we saw the first Ice and so we failed up and down by the Ice until that Month was spent for so early in the year no body dares venture himself into or amongst the Ice by reason of the stormy winds and some times the Ice is still fixed and stands firm and therefore there is but a few Whales seen for underneath the Ice they cannot breathe Into the Ice we sailed at 77 degrees and 24 minutes and drove with that sheet of Ice towards the South In this Month and also in the following Month of May are the most Whales seen here which run towards the East and we follow them all along by the Ice to Spitzbergen Near to the Land smaller Ice-fields are seen because the Ice cannot give way by reason of the Land which causeth greater grinding and breaking and upon that account smaller Ice than is in the open Sea Yet for all this some greater Ice-Mountains are seen there that stand firm on the shoar and never melt at bottom but increase every year higher and higher by reason of the Snow that falls on them and then Rains that freezes and then Snow again alternately and after this manner the Icy-hills increase yearly and are never melted by the heat of the Sun at the top These Ice-Mounts change their first colour in time by the Air by Rain and by the Clouds and the fairest blew that can be is seen in the cracks of these Ice-hills From these same Ice-hills oftentimes break off great pieces that swin in the Sea and is more compact than the other Ice by far I once saw one of these pieces that was curiously workt and carved as it were by the Sea like a Church with arched Windows and Pillars the Doors and Windows hung full of Icikles on the inside thereof I saw the delicatest blew that can be imagined it was bigger than our Ship and somewhat higher than our stern but how deep it was under water I cannot exactly tell Near unto the Muscle-Haven a great Ice-hill came driving towards our Ship that was as high as our Poop and went so deep under water that it took up our Anchor which lay fifteen Fathoms deep I have also seen several others and of other figures viz. round and foursquare Tables with round and blew Pillars underneath as in Plate B marked with f the Table was very smooth and plain at the top and white with the Snow at the sides hung down a great many Icikles close to one another like a fringed Table-cloth I believe that near forty men might have sat about it I have seen of these Tables with one foot and with two or three Pillars and abundance of Seales swam about it The Dishes that furnisht this Table were a piece of Ice like an Horses head and a Swan I doubt they were but salt You must observe that this Ice becometh very spungy by the dashing of the Sea and from thence grows salt like Sea-water and thence also changeth its colour viz. from the Sea and Rain-water mixt with it for you shall commonly see the Water look blew or yellow if you walk under water with your eyes open and look upwards The other Ice as far as it is above water is of a taste like other Ice but that below the Sea salt like the Sea-water When we arrived at Spitzbergen the Ice at Rehenfelt was as yet fixed but a few days afterwards it was driven away by the winds The Ice begirts these Countries on all sides as the Wind sets either from the Island of John Mayen Old Greenland and Nova Zembla We found at this time that the Ice reached from the other side of Spitzbergen and the Ships sailed between the Ice and
the Land as if it were in a River As soon as this Ice is drove thither by the winds the Ships must give way or go into the Harbour until the Winds have blown or driven the Ice away or else they are lost but if there be other Ships that escape the men are saved On this Ice I did not see many Sea-hounds but a great many Sea-horses and many Birds and Fowl We failed still on till we saw the Seven Islands but could go no farther CHAP. IV. Of the AIR THE Frost is unconstant in our Country but it is not so in Spitzbergen In the Month of April at 71 degrees it was so cold that we could hardly keep warmth within us They say that in this Month as also in May the hardest Frosts happen every year All the Rigging by reason of its being wet is covered over with Ice and stiff They do not send their Ships so soon as they did a few years ago and yet they come time enough there for if they arrive too early there is nothing for them to do because the Ice is not yet dissipated and therefore but few Whales to be seen In the two first Summer Months of Spitzbergen their Teeth chatter in their Heads commonly and the Appetite is greater than in any other Countreys The Sun sets no more after the third day of May and we were about 71 degrees when we could see as well by night as by day I cannot say much of constancy of the weather in these two first Months for it changed daily They say also if the Moon appears cloudy and misty with a streaky Sky that then there commonly follows a storm Whether the Moon doth prognosticate such storms I cannot tell because we have observed that after we have seen the Moon in a clear Sky the Air has grown foggy which happeneth often chiefly if the wind changes When the Hills show fiery it is from Foggs which after spread themselves every where and the Cold encreaseth These Foggs look blew like Indico and black afar off which upon changing of the Weather are driven along by the wind so that in less than half an hour the Sea is so covered with a thick Fogg that you can hardly see from one end of the Ship to the other On the 14th of May the Air was bright and clear and yet very cold we could see the Whales farther off in the Sea then usually at this time We could not distinguish the Air from the Sea for it shewed as if the Ships danced in the Air like naked Trees or Pâ—â—es After the same manner Spitzbergen looks at a distance like a Cloud the Mountains are so reflected by the Sea that he that knows not the Country very well cannot easily discern if from the Air and so other Countries very often appear The other three Months June July and August were very calm Concerning the Cold it is much according to the quality of the Winds so North and East winds cause very intense Frosts so that one can hardly keep alive especially if the wind blows hard West and South winds when somewhat constant cause much Snow and sometimes Rain also and moderate cold The other winds of the 32 according to the Compass whatever names they have are changed by the Clouds so that sometimes when the wind was Southwest and by South in one place at a few Miles distance there blows quite another wind What heat the Sun oftentimes affords we saw by our Eyes watering and the tears that ran continually down our Cheeks Yet this severe Cold is not always as is already mentioned for if it were how could any Herbs grow there Neither is there every year a constancy of winds or weather ruled by the Moon but an alteration as is in other places sometimes a milder and sometimes a severer Winter Skilful Ship masters and Harpooners commend those years for Whale catching that have not many foggy and cloudy days Whether according to the New and Full Moons the Spring-tydes happen cannot be known Such clear Skies as we have sometimes in a Summers day with pleasant curled Clouds I have not seen at Spitzbergen but on the contrary several dark and foggy ones Rising Thunder-clouds I have not seen nor ever heard of any body that had seen them Above the Ice the Air appears white from whence we know where the firm or fixed Ice lies as I have before observed in the Chapter of the Ice In the two last Summer Months chiefly in July before the Weigatt the Sun shin'd so warm that the Tarr of the Ship between the Seames where the wind could not come at it melted There is hardly any difference of Cold between Night and day yet at Night when the Sun shineth it seemeth to one that rightly considereth it as if it was only clear Moon-light so that you may look upon the Sun as well as you can upon the Moon so that thereby one may distinguish Night and Day from each other Increase of Cold and changing of the Compass we did not observe as far as we went It is also to be observed that the Frost doth not let a dead Body be consumed easily in the Ground as is already observed in the Chapter of the Description of Spitzbergen The second day of August in our Voyage homeward we observed the Sun first to set Concerning the Meteors generated in the Air I observed that the Rime fell down in the shape of small Needles of Snow into the Sea and covered it as if it was sprinkled all over with Dust these small Needles increased more and more and lay as they fell cross one over the other and looked very like a Cobweb they are formed by the cold of the Air and increased to that degree that the Sea seemed covered by them as with a Skin or a tender Ice which had the taste of Fresh-water as also the Sea-water that is taken up into the high Air is changed and falleth down again in sweet or fresh Rain This hapneth in clear Sun-shine and intense cold weather and it falleth down as the Dew doth with us at Night invisibly in dull weather when the Sun doth not shine you cannot see this but you see it plainly if you look when the Sun shines towards a shady place for then it sparkles as bright as Diamonds shews like the Atoms in Sun-shine all day long it falleth in so small Particles that nothing sticks or hangs on your Cloaths of it to make them wet At Noon when the Sun shines very warm these small Needles melt in the Air and fall down insensibly like Dew Sometimes we see in our Country something a little like these small Needles which is what we call Rime and falleth from the Trees in Atoms like Dust This is small Snow and may be seen as well in the Shade as in the Sun These Needles ar not the Exhalation or Vapour that uses in cold Weather to stick to the Hair of Men and Beasts I must