and Iland in 30 fathomes the tyde went E. 2 knots the land lay E and West but I could not fully say it was an Iland for it lay like a Ridge or to Simily it like to the Retyres in the mouth of the River of Saine in Normandie I do hold that all those peeces of ice here are ingendered about those low Capes and Bayes as Mansils also is where easie tides goe they are soone frose over the Snow falling there on thickneth them so that by degrees they increases the Pettiedancere brought nor sent us any storme this night ended in raine and it was easie wind from the E N E. Wee made from the Ice this morning to stand to the land Da 21 we see last night it was ebbe tyde and set to the E. and I plide alongst it to find a fit place for the boate to land in it was iust at low water for they were glad to stay the setting of their glasse untill the tyde began to flowe And after that time clock 10. they staied untill it began to fall viz. 4 houres and so I accounted on shipboard riding upon 6 fath nere shoare the water so transparent as you might easily see the bottome the ice comming upon us we weyed Anchor the wind came gently from the N. we stood it upon the tyde to and againe along the land loofing and wareing from ice which came driving with the flood At their comming on board their accompt was this that the tyde did flowe but 4. howres and that it heightned but 6. foote and this was 2 dayes after the Coniunction of the Sunne and Moone so that the flood began at ½ past 10. and ended at ½ past 2. by this a South and by W. Moon makes a full Sea and the tydes motion ends with the flowing assuredly this was Carie Swans nest for both from East and West ends it stretcheth to the North our men chast Swans on shoare but got none they say there is earth strange Mosse Quag-myres and water plashes at clocke 4. I tocke leave and stood along from 6. fathomes into 30 loosing sight thereof and from thence I stood to the Westward◠with North-West wind close haled leaving both th◠Cape and the Ice behinde mee for the Sea Mors to sleepe upon there being good store thereabout Moneths July From the Cape or Swannes Nest this noone-tyde I was Da 22 16 leagues and one mile no ground at 70 fathomes for I was loth to stay the ship at any time me thought sayling had been uncouth but at 4 this morning I had 90 fathomes owzy ground thicke weather the wind easie and shifting betwixt N and N W. my way was to Southward of West This Meridian I was in 61 deg 37 min. at 8 the last day I Da 23 tooke the ship about and made way untill this day 12 11 leagues 2 miles N W. ½ W. it hath beene a faire cleare day easie winds the ayre warme and no Ice since I came into this Sea I did but thinke I saw land at N E. by E. This smooth Sea hath a small set from the West with lippering rising and falling as other Shallow Seas use to have the deepe last night was 115 fathomes I made way to this day 12 N W. by W. ½ W. 13 leagues This close morning hid the Sunne untill noone we being Da 24 in 120 fathomes the afternoone was cleare and gently breathed from W N W. I have not tryed for fish in this Sea as I did in Fretum Hudson where I got none I thanke God here we have not the like leisure here are some Seales but few Fowles the latitude of noone was 62 deg 20 min. here appeares to be more Riplins of Tyde the variation by Azimuth and Almicanter was 26 deg 31. min. at most the Sunne went cleare to bed and at midnight we had 60 fathomes deepe This morning Amplitude was 5 deg the Refraction is Da 25 great here and the Horizons thicke which begets uncertainties besides the Needle yet is very slow in comming to his respective point I now hope for warmer weather and clearer Sea than heretofore at noone I had 55 fathomes in latitude to 62 deg 36 min. since last day I made way N by E. 18 leagues faire weather the Sunne went downe cleare Ioy to our Antipodes the Henban flashing all night was a Da 26 hot day in as England in the morning I had 58 fathomes and white Corall the latitude 63 deg 20 min. the way since last day was N. 4 deg East 18 leagues since clocke 4 wee lay Larbord Tack N. W. it was a few drops of raine this Evening yet the Sunne set cleare and wee had deepe 65 fathomes at midnight and then was in the Ayre many Pettie-dancers The last night was so hot as it dryed up 15 fathomes water Moneths Iuly Da 27 for this morning we had but 50 the wind was betweene W and N N W. here was great store of Rockeweed and Tangle In the Ripline of a Tide I caused the boat to be lanched in 31 fathomes the Tyde came from N. by W. ½ a mile in an houre All this day the fog banks hath deceived mee but now I am sure I see land both the maine and Ilands of which there are many lying about 2 leagues into the Sea all ragged and broken rocks within this land bore from N. E. by E. to W. by S. here are great store of fish leaping and fairer weather cannot be I have sent the boat to land and to my comfort three things I could espie by the shore that it was flood Tyde and that it came from the Southward and that it doth flow and fall very much water before we came neere the Iland wee came over a banke of 8 fathomes and neerer the Iland we fell into 15. there seeming upon the land to be Poles erected and buildings of stone and other hillocks like Haycocks The boat went on land at clocke 6. and stayed 3 glasses or one houre and ½ in which time it flowed neere sixe foot it was flood before they went for while they were rowing to shore I did observe it had flowed at least 3 foot by certain rocks that were dry at our first approach they say that it had about 9 foot to flow at clocke 8. the tide returned and set to S. W. ward which sheweth that it runs halfe tide or else the Main beyond it is an Iland about which the tyde may have an uncontrary course as in some of the Sounds of the Iland of Selly at Englands W. end this Iland doth lie in 64 d. 10. m. of latitude and I took this place to be the N. E. side of Sir Thomas Buttons ut ultra I could see to the N. E. ward of this at least 10 leagues but no land at E. or S. E. it being as cleare an evening as could be imagined the land to be seene was from the N N. E. to the
the Iles of Gods mercy the Master sent this Author over to discover this Iland to the North and North-West he met with a covery of Partridges and kild onely the old one it was barren land having nothing thereon but water plashes and torne Rockes as though it had beene subiect to earthquakes to the North of this Iland there is a great bay or Sea they know not what it may prove there was a great Iland of Ice on ground which with the spring tide was set on float and carried to the N W. but came not backe within sight here they found some drift wood on shoare From thence he stood to S W. to double the land to the W. off him through many peeces of Ice at length he found a cleare Sea and raised land to the N W. whereupon he stood more to S. then before and fell amongst Ice which he would have doubled to the N. but could not then he stood to the S W. amongst the Ice and strove to get to the land but could not for the Ice from out of this bay he stood to the North and was soone cleare of the Ice then he stood to S. W. and W. where he was inclosed with land and Ice having land on the one side from the S. to the N W. and on the other side he see land from E. to W. but the land that lay to the N. and lay E. and W. was but an Iland he went so farre as he could and made fast to the Ice the tyde brought upon him but the ebbe did open and made way and 7 or 8 houres he was cleare and with the great Ilands of Ice was carried to the N W. He stands to the W. along the S. shoare and raised 3 Capes or headlands one above another the middlemost is an Iland with a Bay which he thinkes will prove a good harbour he names them Prince Henries Forland when he had laid these he raised another which was the extreame part of the land looking towards the N. upon it are two hils but one above the rest like an humlocke he names it King Iames his Cape to the N. of this lyes certaine Ilands he names it Queen Annes Forland he still followed the N. shoare beyond the Kings Forland there is a Bay wherein lyeth some broken land and close to the maine but he passed by on the night From thence he stood to the N. and W. to double this land againe and fell with land that stretched from the maine like a shoare from S to N. and from N to W. and downe to S again here a storme takes him and he stands to N. and raises land then he stood to S. againe for he was loathat any time to see the N. shoare the storme continuing and he comming to the S. he found himselfe shot to the W. a great way which he mervailed at considering his leaward way to S. W. ward off this land there is a hill he named Mount Charles to the N. and beyond this is an Iland that to the East hath a fore head land and beyond it to the W. other broken land where he thinks may be found a good harbour he names this Cape Salisbury He then left those lands to the North-East and fell into a ripline or overfall of a current which he thought to be shoald water but had no ground he put on still in sight of the South-land and raised land 2 leag from the maine he tooke it to be the North maine but it proved an Iland having a very faire Head-land to the West which he named Cape Digges on the other side to the East was another Cape or head-land which he called Cape Worstenholme betwixt which two he sailed South He sends the Boate on shore to Digges his Iland and in her going she was overtaken by a storme of Raine Thunder and Lightning they came to the N East-side being high-land but with much adoe going to the highest part they find some plaine ground and Deere 4 or 5. And after 16 in one Heard but could not come nigh them with Musket shot Thus going from place to place they see to the West a Hill higher then all the rest it was steepe and they could not get vp to it but on the South-west side and on that side was a great water pond from whence on the South runneth a streame of water as much as would drive a Mill falling into the Sea and in this place bred great store of Fowle and the best grasse grew there they had seene since their comming from England they found Sorrell and Scurvey-grasse in great aboundance they found likewise Hills made like to hay-cockes within which were great store of Fowle hanged by the neckes they tooke many of them and downe a valley carried them to their Boate. In this time the Master had brought in the Ship betweene the two lands shot off some peeces to call the boat on board for it was a fogge they perswaded him to stay heere for refreshing but he would not but sailed downe to the S. the land beares E from him and the same Maine that he had all the time followed he looseth the sight thereof because it fell away to the East and after he had sailed 25 or 30. leag he came to shallow water broken ground and Rockes which he passed to the S. and in a storme of winde the water still shoalding he came to anchor in 15 fathomes After this he wayed and stood S E. for so the Land laid and came to have land on both sides then he anchored and sent the Boate on land the Land on the W. was a very narrow point and to the S. there was a large Sea He stood to the South betweene these two Lands in this place not above two leagues and in the sight of the East-shore in the end he lost sight thereof and came into the bottome of a bay into 6. or 7. fathom water then he stands vp againe to the N. by the West-shore vntill he came to an Iland in 53 deg where he tooke in water and ballast From thence he passed to the N. but some 2 or 3 dayes after there fell some reasoning concerning their comming into this Bay and going out the Master takes occasion to reviue old matters and displaces his Mate Robert Ivet and also his Boate-swaine for words spoken in the great Bay of Ice he places Robert Bylot his Mate and William Wilson Boate-swaine and then stands vp to the N vntill he raised land and then downe to the S. then vp againe to the N. and then downe to the S. and on Michaelmas day he came in and went out from certaine Ilands which he sets downe for Michalmas Bay from thence he stood to the N. and came into shole water the weather thicke and foule He anchored in 6 or 7 fadomes and lay there 8 dayes before which time he could
small broken Ilands to a point about 12. leagues distance from the I le he set from it being all broken land so calls it broken point This day 12. he was about 4. miles from the foresaid point fast amongst Ice and he saith he might well have called this Fairenes or Faire Point for from this day to the 30. the weather was so faire and almost altogether so calme that in few places else where fairer weather could not be and untill the 27. hee was so fast inclosed amongst the Ice that one could not dip water by the Ship sides Vpon the 29. day he see the Sunne and Moone both at one time as indeed in faire weather is usuall in those parts Being faire and calme the Sea almost as steady as on shore with his Instruments for Variation hee went to worke to take the time of the Moones comming to the Meridian and had a Quadrant of 6. foote Semidiamiter ready to take Sols Almicanter having taken the Variation of his Needle as properly as he could which was 28. d. 10. m. The Sunnes Almicanter at the instant when the Moone was upon the Meridian was 26. d. 40. m. the Sunnes declination 23. d 6. m. by which 3. things given he found the houre to be 5. a clock 4. m. 54 secon â…“ 4 4 or 67. d. 13. m. 16. s of the Equinoctiall after noone and according to Scarls Ephemerides the Moone came to the Meridian at London at 4. a clock 54. m. 30 s and after Origanus the Moone came to the Meridian at 4. a clock 52. m. 5. s at Wittenberg the same day now having this knowne it is no hard matter to know the Longitude of this place sought for according to the Moones meane motion which is 12. d. a day it is in time 48 m. and to this account if shee bee on the Meridian at 12. of clocke this day tomorrow it will be 48. m. past 12. so hee having the time found by observation at this place viz. 5. houres 4. m. 52. s â…“ 4 4. but in this he needeth not come 50. precise and at London at 4. houres 54. m. 30. s which substracted from the former leaveth 10. m. 22 s â…“ 4 4. Now the Moones motion that 24. houres was 22 d. 38. m. which converted into time is 50. m. 25. s 20. th then the protion standeth thus if 50. m. 25. s 20. th give 360. d. what shall 10. m. 22. s â…“ 4 4. give the propotionals welbes 74. d. South which is West of London because the Moone came later by 10. m. 22. s and by the working of Origanus his Ephemerides the distance is 91. d. 35. m. West of West but whether be the truer hee leaves it to others to judge for if those workings bee not carefully looked unto there may be great errour committed as in the observation and in the Moones comming to the Meridian to the place for which the Ephemerider was Calulated for and it may be in the Ephemerides themselves in all which the best and most judicious may erre The 6. of Aprill another outward bound at Sea by the Moones comming in a right line with two fixed Starres the one was the Lions heart a Starre of the first magnitude the other in the Lions Rumps of second magnitude as followeth The Circumference or outward eye of the Moones being in a right or straight line with those two Starres before named at the instance he tooke the Altitude of the South ballance 2. d. 38. m. because he would save the time but in this it is good to waite a fit time as to gave her in a right line with 2. Starres not farre distant and those not to be much difference in longitude because the Moone will soone alter the auyle or potion and such a time would bee taken when the wood is in the 19. of the Ecliptique above the Horizon for then there is no parallel of Longitude but onely in Latitude but who is painefull in these businesses shall soone see what is needfull and what is not his observations were as followeth Lions Heart  degr min. secon Right Ascention 46. 28. 30. Declination 13. 20. 45. Longitude 24. 27. 45. Latitude 00. 26. 30. Almicanter 33. 40. 00. Lions Rumpe Right Ascention 63. 23. 00. Declination 22. 38. 00. Longitude 05. 53. 45. Latitude 14. 20. 00. the Moons Paralax Paralax 00. 47. 46. Latitude 03. 20. 00. Almicanter 37. 00. 00. Latitude of the 56. 43. 00. This note hee saith is set downe for any that can and are disposed to spend their time therein themselves having spent some and would have spent more if leasure had served but finding it not to his minde he hath set downe the particular worke as he received it from me Rudstone 28 Lying here enclosed now among the Ice with faire and calme weather as before is said untill the 27. day at evening he set sayle the winde South East an easie gale all the 28. and 29. he made way through the Ice but the 29. it was more open thâ—n before in 10. dayes at noone Salisbury sie bare West from him This day was close foggie weather with much raine the winde S. S. E. at noone he was 3. leagues from the land but had much Ice by the shore He stood to the N. and the next morning hee was faine by another small Iland or rather a company of Ilands which he afterwards called Mill Iland by reason of grinding the Ice as he had proofe the Lat. is 64. driving here to and fro untill clock 7. the Ice began to open and separate hee had not past along the I le by the East side thereof but the Ice came driving with the flood-tyde from S. E. with such swiftnes that it overwent his Ship having all sayles abroad with a reasonable gale of winde and put him out of the streame into the eddy of the I le This Iland or Iles lying in the middle of the Channell having many sounds running through them with many points or Head-lands encountering the face of the Tyde causeth such a rebound of the Ice and water which ran one way and the Ship another the Ship having met with Ice with the first or the flood put him neere the shore that hee was in the partition betweene the Ice which the edge caused to runne one way and the streame another where shee endured great distresse Thus hee continued untill towards high water which about one a Clock then with no small trouble hee got into the Channell and stood to the North West ward after hee had past some distance from this I le hee found the Sea more open then it was since he put into the straights and sayled all the next day with a South wind thorow an indifferent cleare Sea at Clock 8. in the morning hee was come againe into much Ice and this Ice was thicker and bigger then any he had before where he began to be enclos'd
26. Leagues distant from Mill I le North West by West true course being first amongst the Ice hee perceived a great Tyde to set to and fro and had 120. Fathome ozie ground at 80. Fathomes the wind comming to the North and setting him somwhat Southward had 110. Fathomes thus seeing great aboundance of Ice in this place and the more he got to the North Westward the shoalder it was the Ice being foule and durty as not bred far from shades hee determined to stand to the Estward to be better informed of the Tyde 6. The morning standing to the Eastward hee brooke a planck and two timbers in his ships bow which after hee had mended he proceeded to the East along the North shore which Land stretcheth along from Resolution within the streights and is the West side thereof 7. This day he saw the Land it being but low and the Sea shoald in respect of other places having 10. or 12. Fathome about a League from shore and some 30. or 35 Fathomes 5. or 6. Leagues from shore having very good channell ground some 18. or 20. Leagues off as small stones and shells but the farther of the more ozie Also here runneth a very great Tyde to the Northward with this evening hee found to be the Tyde of ebbe For comming neere the shore about Clock 7. hee went on Land with his Boate and found it so he stayed on Land about an houre and an halfe in which time the water fell about 3. foote and a halfe and a South South East Moone maketh a full Sea They saw no signe of people to have beene here this yeare but other yeares before they could well see by divers places where their Tents had stood and perhaps their time of fishing was not yet come there being such great abundance of Ice as yet 8. This day the wind was West 9. This day was almost calme and he reckoned to be neere the shore 10. This day hee entermined to stand to I le Notingham to trye the Tyde there the wind South West so as hee turned it up untill night the wind came to North North West 150. Fathome deepe so as hee stood away to the West ward and left the stateth of Notinghams Ile having a great swelling Sea out of the West with the wind that had blowne which put him in some hopes 11. This morning hee saw Land West from him and had no ground at 130 standing along by the Land which then lay North West and by West the next morning hee was thwart of a Bay then standing over to a faire Cape or Head land hee saw in the afternoone it was almost calme being about a League from Land hee sent his Boate to try the Tyde and they stayed about 3. houres going at 5 and returning at 8. and brought word that it was falliâ—g water and that whilst they were on shore it had ebbe two foote also they affirmed that the flood came from the N. in this place whâ—ch he perceived by the Ship shee setting a pace to the N. although it was no wind also they might see by the Rocks that the water was â—aâ—â— this made him doubtfull of a passage that way Master Bylot named this Cape Comfort for the reasons before and not a league from Land is 140. Fathome water here a S E. Moone makes a full Sea the Latitude is 65 and 86. d. 10. W. from London But this suddaine comfort was soone quailed as hee saith for the next day having doubted the Cape and proceeded not above 10. or 13. Leagues but hee saw the Land Trent from the Cape to the Westward untill it bare from him N. E. and by E. and very thick pestered with Ice And the further he proceeded N. ward he found shoalder water and more Ice and small show of any Tyde at 6. he had 130. Fathom soft ozie and at noone had 150. Fad This was the furthest of this voyage being in Latitude 65. 25. and Longitude from London 86. 10. for seeing the Land so farre to the E. of him 9. or 10. Leagues off and the Ice hee was fully perswaded this was but a Bay and so turned the ship homeward without any further search 14. The wind at S. E. that he could make but small way back againe the next morning it was foule weather and hee Anchored in a small Iulet neere Cape Comfort on the N. when here he found a S. and by E. Moone to make a full Sea but could not discerne from whence the flood came for it was bad weather at Sea 16. The afternoon the wind came N. W. stiffe gale and hazie he wayed and stood along the shore by the 16. at noon he went with a great quantity of Ice lying within the point of Land amongst this Ice hee saw a great number of Sea Moâ—s not seing any in all the streights but in this place and those very fearefull not suffering any Ship or Boate to come neere them by Clock 8. he was come to this S. shore point which he called Sea horses Pointe where he came to Anchor in open Sea the better to try the Tyde where he and all his company apparantly found that in this place the Tyde came from S. E. and the Ebbe from N. W. he wayed after hee had found this and stood over with a stiffe gale of wind which continued all day and at night it was very foule weather and sowre stormes By Clock 2. he was come to Anchor on the N W side of Notinghams Iland where 2. or 3. small Iles lye off from the greater which makes very good sounds and harbour about this I le he had store of Ice but nothing as in other places he staid here untill the 27. day with much foule weather many storms often fogg and uncertaine winds many times he wayed Anchor to goe to that side of the I and where the Ship rod when Cap. Button was in her finding in other places of this â—le the Tyde of flood came from the S. E. ward and the time of high water upon the change of day to bee at 10. and halfe an houre past and not after as they supposed before in 10. dayes he stayed about this I le he fitted his Ships with ballast and other necessaries 26. This day being indifferent faire weather hee pâ—ssâ—d betweene Salisbury and Notinghams Iles at the S. point thereof where lie many small lone Iles without the which to have Anchored had beene a fit place to have found out the true set of the Tyde but the Mr. being desirous to have come to the same place where he had rod before stood along by this I le to the W. ward and came to an Anchor in the Eddie of this broken grounds where the Ship rod at no cetainety of the Tyde 27. This morning was soule weather with much raine and wind that the Reager Anchor would not hold at 8. Fathomes scope but was driven into deeper water
and enforced to set saile the wind at E. and came about to N. E. with fowle weather he stood away towards Sea Horse Point he was perswaded that there might be a passage betweene that Land and the Land they called Swan Iland so this afternoone hee saw both Sea Horse Point and I le Notingham the distance betwixt both is not above 15. or 16. Leagues they lye one from another S. E and N. W. 28. In the morning he saw Sea Horse Point and the Land to stretch away W. S. W. so far as he saw and with Ice wherefore he tackt about and stood away S. E. and by S. 29. This day 11. he came to anchor at Diggs his Iland having yery foule weather at this place where he rod it lyeth open to the W. having 2. of the greatest Iles to breake off the fore of the flood Tyde for after the water was risen an houre and a halfe by the shore then would the Ships ride truly on the tide of flood all the Tyde after now the time of high water on the change is at ½ past 10. or thereabouts This day was faire weather he wayed stood close by Diggs his Iland where presently he perswaded the Salvages to bee close upon the Rocks but when they saw he had espied them divers of them came running down to the water side calling to him to come to anchor which he would have done if hee could but in this place the water was so deep an it is hard to find a place to ride in which seeing he lay to and againe with the ship whilst some of his men with the Boat killed about 70. Fowles for in this place is the greatest store of those fowles which we call Willicks that in few places else is not to be seen for if need were he might have killed many thousand almost incredible to those that have not seene it here he had sufficient proofe of other tyde but when his Boate returned he set sayle homewards The Observation He set forth the 18. of April he saw the land of Groynland the 6. of May he made Resolution the 27. whereon the N. side he found a good Harbor where it flowes an E. S. E. moone and neere 4. fatho he found people at Salvage Isles he was much troubled but especially at Mill Isle he made Cape Comfort and found a tyde but knew not from whence it come The land to the N. treads about him to N. E. by E. the water the farther Northward was but more shallow dirty he returnes homewards the 10. of Iuly his greatest deep at 180. fathoms In his returne at Sea-horse Point he and al his people saw that plainly the tyde came from S. E. as also at Isle Nottingham he broke in a planck and timber of his ship amongst Ice he might have killed thousands of Fowle at Diggs his Island his greatest Variation was 27. d. 46. m. his greatest Lat. was 65. d. 25. m. he saw many Sea Mors at Cape Comfort his Longitude from London was 86. d. 10. m. This day he was forced to anchor 30. leagues within Resolution upon the N. shore the next day he weighed and the 5. day he passed by Resolution but see it not He had sight of Cape Cleere in Ireland He came into Plimouth all his men alive but 3. sick which presently recovered The next yeere being againe imployed in discovery amongst other Instruments he received this For your course you must make all possible hast to Cape Desolation from thence your William Baffyn as Pilot keep along the Coast of Greenland and Fretum Davis untill you come towards the height of 80. if the land will give you leave then for feare of imbaying by keeping off to Northerly a course shape your course W. and Southerly so far as you shall thinke it convenient untill you come to the Lat. of 60. then direct your course to fall with the land of Yed 30. about that height leaving your further sayling Southward to your owne discretion according to the time of the yeere and the winds will give you leave although your desire be if the Voyage be so prosperous that you may have the yeere before you that you goe so far Southerly as that you may touch the N. part of Iapon from whence as from Yedzo if you can see to passe it without danger wee would have you to bring home one of the men of the Country and so God blessing you with all expedition to make you returne home againe Master Baffyne his Letter to the right Worshipfull Sir Iohn Wolitenholme one of the chiefe Adventurers for the discovery of a passage to the North west VVOrthy Sir there needs no filling a Iournall or short Discourse with Preamble circumstance or complement and therefore I will onely tell I am proud of my remembrance when I expresse your worth to my capacity and galâ— of any good fortune when I can avoyde the imputation of ingratitude by acknowledgeing your many favours and seeing it is not unknowne to your Worship in what estate the businesse concerning the North West hath beene heretofore and how the onely hope was in searching Fretum Davis which if your selfe had not beene the more forward the Action had wel-nigh beene left of Now it remaineth for your Worship to know what hath beene performed this yeare wherefore I intreat you to admit of my custome and pardon me if I take the plaine high-way in relating the particulars without using any refined Phrases or eloquent speeches Therefore briefly thus and as it were in the Fore-front I entred to shew the whole proceeding of the Voyage in a word as namely there is no Passage nor hope of Passage in the North of Davis Straight Wee having coasted all or neere all the Circumference thereof and finde it to be no other then a great Bay as the Voyage doth truely show therefore I cannot but much admire the worke of the Almighty when I consider how vaine the best and chiefest hopes of men are in things uncertaine and to speake of no other matter than the hopefull passage to the North West How many of the best sort of men have set their whole endeavours to proove a passage that way not onely in their Conference but also in writing and publishing the Worke Yea what great summes of money having beene spent about the Action as your Worship hath costly experience of Nâ—ither would the Vaine-glorious Spaniard have scattered abroad so many false Mappes and Iournals if they had not beene confident of a passage this way that if it had pleased GOD a passage had beene found they might have eclipsed the worthy prayse of the Adventurers and true Discoverers And for mine owne part I would hardly have beleeved the contrary untill my eyes became witnesses of that I desired not to have found still taking occasion of hope on very likelihood till such time as wee had coasted almost all the Circumference of
this hot weather doth fast dissolve them This night clocke 2 came a small Iland of Ice brought up with the latter flood and by his draught being deeper in the Tydes way then the flact or masht Ice had a greater motion continued by the undertyde then that which had inclosed us of which we were fast unto one of the biggest content to wit 3 Acres this Iland did drive right with us and but that some few masht Ice interposed thereby diverting the course thereof some 2 or 3 ships length it had drove directly upon us and had crusht us mainely if not to peeces it being â— or 10 fathomes above water and if it had boarded us being undermined by the waters continuall working the outside thereof by that shake might have fallen into the ship and have sunke her this was the greatest danger we were in since I came into Fretum Hudson the fault being in the watch who did not call that we might have set the ship the one way or the other about the peece we were fast unto before we were so ingaged as I could doe neither about one houre after the said Iland tooke his recourse backe againe to the East with the ebbe faster then the other ice could doe This morning 8 the Sunne was up before we saw it Da 1 Moneths July the day was warme and close but calme so as I could not stirre for want of wind the straight doth cleere and this N. land that hath continued with us since we departed with Resolution it now bearing from E. and by S. to N. by E. if Baffinn writ truely that Resolution is an Iland separate from this then is this another though formerly taken for the N. Maine and longer as shall be showne at my returne homeward the tyde doth set as the land doth lie South-East and Northwest This night 7 it was an Ayre farre better then a younger brother the ice well thinn'd I caused the ship to be loosed and by that time the Master with the boat was come from killing of Fowle I stood to the N. about foure miles this fayre day being at an end I made fast set the watch and went to Cabbin This morning 2 an easie gale breathed from the E. by South which caused mee to send to the boatswaine to call up the Company where a chiefe one amongst us being too suddenly awaked speaking something peevishly I told the rest that the matter was not great for the children did so when they were awaked out of their sleep I began now to find the want of a Shallop which at home I did so earnestly desire for my Cocke boat would nor Rowe noâ— Sayle to any purpose so as I durst hardly send her from me for when it was any billow she was not to be rowed and with saile to windward shee would doe nothing although I had caused a large Lee board to be made to helpe her This Meridianall observation the wind came West and I was in 61 d. 57. m. and stood in close to this inremarkeable shore so all the land within this straight may be called for it is all shoring or descending from the highest mountaine to the Sea Whereon the Snow falling by degrees doth presse Da 2 and burthen it selfe making the masse more solid which at the Spring time when it loosneth from the earth it s own weight doth force downward into the Sea being all composed of Moneths July fresh water it may be conceived that the most Ice we meete in this passage in thus ingendred in the Vallies betwixt the Mountaines is some Snow undesolved We are now cleere of chattered Ice yet in sight are some Islands about which wee can compasse as we please here lyeth many small Ilands close by the Mayne and there doth appeare to be fayre sounds into the land upon the Sea this calme time that hath beene doth swimme a kind of corrupt slime one may thinke it may come by generation of great fishes for it feeles soft and unctious but put it into the fire it will not burne I doe thinke that all this time of our imprisonment this North shore hath beene free as I could espie it at Hiperions going downe which valed with a blacke Skreene of moyst Fogge wet through our Coates before we see it againe this fayre dayes Westwind blew cold and uncouth from out the passage wee are all upon kinde tearmes drinking one to another God hold it This morning the Sunne lickt up the Fogges dew as soone Da 3 as hee began to rise and made a shining day of it I cannot say hot it being counter-checkt by a coole Top-sayle Gale from West North-West which made our Noses runne the cleare day emboldened me to stand within two leagues of land to the deepe of 32 fathomes the ground white sand and gray with shels the water was falling the houre 11 before noone the Sunne and Moone in opposition a good Tyde set along the shoare to the Northwards the Sunne set cleare it was faire weathen and calme the ship drove along the shore this night to the Westward This morning at clocke one I called to lanche the Boate to send to shore to try the Tyde and against that time that I could send to land I had drawne those instructions following and giving them to Iohn Coatesworth whom I appointed alway to goe in the boate at whose returne I expected an account These are the Instructions First You shall take with you into the boate one halfe houre glasse one halfe minute glasse one logge and line cleane Paper one Pensill of blacke Leade and one Compasse with Moneths July some peeces of Iron Secondly One quarter Saw two Axes three Carbins Guns with Powder and Shot two or three Lances two Swords two Pikeaxes and every man his one day bread Thirdly At your departure from the ship turne the halfe houre and when it is neere out set your Logge to goe by the halfe minute that thereby you may estimate the distance betweene the ship and land as also what the boate can rowe an houre Fourthly When you shall approch neere the shore in the Tydes way I meane cleare of Bay-point or Rocke Anchor the Boat sound the deepe and marke the Tyde how it doth set and by your Logge what it doth passe in the halfe minute having rode there for halfe a Glasse weigh your Anchor and goe to land and duely observe what quantity of water it doth flow or fall perpendiculer in one Glasse whether the heightening or lessening be equall in every Glasse while yee stay or noe Fifthly Being thus on land with your Compasse set all Lands or Islands in sight draw the forme with your Paper and Pensill and estimate their distance Sixtly Remember I give you no libertie to goe within the land yet if for recreation goe no further then the full Sea marke and armed leaving two to keepe the Glasse and Boat looke for stones of Orient colour or of weight
there was store of Deere in that Iland I tooke it to be 6 or 7 miles long but they thought it to be parted in two it is all shelves and ridges betwixt the shore and it making as it were a Bay betweene the North land which is high and the South for all the land to South of this is all low land except 3 or 4 places neere unto the West part of Hudsons West Bay where Captaine Iames wintered they say in comming on board hard by the Iland they did espie 40 Whales some say lesse but it seemeth there were many lying there to sleepe so as they tooke them for Rocks they say there is a Cove or Harbour made by small Ilands that a ship may ride in safety for all weathers and have two â—athomes at low water it is on the Eastside the Masters mate told me he wisht the ship therein because there was a bolt in the Stemme which stucke out since the Cut-water was twined off and that it was dangerous to hurt a Cable if wee should Anchor I said wee might Anchor 100 times and yet have kept the Cable cleare from the bolt by letting fall an Anchor of the weather bowe but to conclude Moneths July the time was so farre spent to neglect the opportunity of Discovering to put into harbour for such a trifle When I had stood W. S. W. away from this Iland twelve Da 30 leagues I hal'd in againe W. by N. as I see the Ridges and broken lands stretch and keeping the West Maine alwayes in sight many Ridges did appeare which to goe to Seaward off I stood S W. and by W. for here is dangerous sayling in the clearest weather yet I must not part from sight of the Maine for making my discovery exactly our Deepes from Brooke Cobham have beene 37. 40. 35. 30. fathomes Thanks be given to God it is and hath been long time faire weather and now faire windes from land which makes the better discovering we have still of those Henbans or Pettie-dancers but no storme I Anchored a thwart a little Iland twelve leagues from Brooke Cobham the Master with the boat went on land where it was low water about ½ an houre before 8. at night within this Iland he sees other Ilands and Ledges at low water so as he thought he could have gone on foote to the Maine from hence wee see other Ilands bearing W. S. W. at this Iland the Salvages had been and there was great store of Sea Pigeons thereon he brought alive a dunne Foxe on board and had encountred two Seamors whereof hee launc'd one but for want of helpe they both got away they brought on board good store of Scurvie-grasse which I caused to be pounded and the juyce to be prest forth and put into a Hogshead of strong Beare with command that every one that would should have a pint to his mornings draught but none would taste it untill it was past time and themselves almost past meanes The Master told me he had named this Iland Dunne Foxe Iland after his owne name and the Foxes colour which I liked well The Tyde came from Northeast and it flowed about twelve foote water now I began to know that I went from the Tyde for sayling from this Tyde I lost the passage but I must still follow instruction and hope I wayed at the Masters comming aboord clocke 9. in the Evening standing away with those Ilands the day light had shewed me the Direction was West South West as they Moneths July bore the deepe 7 8 10 15 12. fathomes I altered the course more Southerly for deeper water and going South-West had 12 15 12 10. and so to 25 fathome from 9. to 4 a Clocke I stood still away with flood South West ebbe West untill 8 a clocke in 35 30 20. all to Starreboard was Ridges and broken lands even close to the Maine this night was something darke the Sunne declines fast Southward and wee sayling as fast the same way must needes darken the nights a pace especially those that are thicke and clouded as this was All this morning watch from foure to eight it rained but Da 31 was faire weather all day after untill towards night it was halfe an houres fogge betweene three and foure in the afternoone after that came North windes raine and wet fogge all night the steering was foure leagues West South West the deepes from 30 26 to 6 fathomes With this wind from land I bore in amongst the Ilands fearing to loose the Maine at any time standing in betwixt West and West North West as the wind veered or haled my depth was sixeteene fathomes but amongst those Ilands wee came in sundry Over-falls of sixe fathomes and had brought them to beare severally from me North-East by North North by West West South West South West by West at night clocke tenne I came to Anchor in seven fathomes it fell three foote water after that Anchoring the weather was wette fogge the flood put in foureteene foote water it did not fall any water from clocke eleven untill foureteene Glasses were out the flood was so small being inclosed with Ilands as it did not make the ship port yet blowing but to Course and Bonnet it kept the Tide in seven houres I durst not hazzard any further within these Ilands untill I sent the boate to make tryall who sounded from seven fathomes to tenne foot I named those Ilands Brigges his Mathematickes This morning the Master and I in the Maine top might Da 1 see two Ridges dry which last evening wee came hard by I doe thinke that in Winter the windy stormes puts in some flowings of water incredible to be beleeved in respect of other places for it may be perceived that the water hath Moneths August been upon the land and Ilands higher by five or sixe fathome then the usuall Spring-Tydes as also our men did perceive the same at Carie Swannes Nest Being satisfied for what concerned this place I weyed and stood to Sea in sixe fathomes the least water fearing to deale any more within the Ilands when I was cleare I went to the old course againe S. W. by S. but the land flying me I hal'd in West and had water from 14 to 6 fathome uneven ground the land met me againe stretching more to S. and had many humlocks therein I stood toward it W. and W. S. W. so neere as I durst for shoale water at which time I dare presume it was seven miles from me and yet I had but 6 7 or 10 fathome I runne off along time before I came into 20 fathome and in this wearing off I came by two dry ridges that had been farre without me I Anchored at night in 25 fathomes 10 leagues S. S. W. from the land and Ilands which I roade amongst last night the Tyde came S. S. W. This faire morning I waited at clocke 6. and stood along Da 2 West Southwest having
must by those burials be great store of people for it is not to be thought that they will bring or carry their dead farre to buriall and it cannot be thought also but that we were seene by them although they were not seene by any of us for we stayed not but in the night all day wee made as much way as sailes would drive forward so as if they would have come to us wee were gone before they could make ready and although they might see us whether they durst come or no I know not having as I suppose never seene ship in their lives before as Hudson who sought after them in his Bay though far distant from hence they set theirwoods on fire hard by him and yet would not come to him although he was but in his Shallop But to proceed I stood along the land and had deep from 20 to 3 fath this morning was gray overcast the Sun rose thinly valed but visible there was a Rainebow in the firmament and some drops of raine fell standing along whiles this land trented E and W. we see the entrance of a large river but all full of scaupes shelves and shoale water which comming forth changeth the Sea to be more white at the S. entrance of this River was a Cliffe like unto Balsea cliffe nere Harwich and on the S. again another great Bay whose bottome was easie to be seen I was nere the entrance thereof and found it was all full of shoales and ridges at this was Capt. James on ground as I found by his speeches afterward the S. part of this Bay lyeth E and W. and at the E. end thereof lyeth an Iland S and N. about 3 miles long I stood from the mouth of this River and Bay to go to the N. of the said Iland and came into 7. 6. 5 fath easie wind the ebbe came 2 miles an houre along the E side of the Iland I stood along in 3 fath the ground to be seen under water at night the flood tyde came we were got above the S head of the Iland went along in 7 fath well harrowed â—d even ground At clocke 10. we anchored and could not perceive by out lead that tyde did flowe and fall above 12 foote the tyde set Moneths August S. and by N. and here we see white Whales this afternoone was one of the hottest that ever I have felt at noone I was in 58 deg 46 minutes This beautifull day was promised at Sun rising it hath blown Da 7 to course and bonnet all day the wind going downe with Sol and in the night up againe we have run along the land all day with W N W. wind Sometimes loosing too sometimes wareing off as the water did deepe or shoale from 7 fath into 2 ½ upon the shoare the land lyes S. we think we saw some peeces of ice in the ofâ—ine we runne this day 16 leagues untill clocke 8. when we anchored the land faire in sight but lowe with aboundance of wood growing theron at this anchoring we can make no certainty of the tydes but that it still commeth N. running easilier and flowing lesse water This faire day we blesse God for and have plide it up for Da 8 Port Nelson the wind Veering to S S E. Latit 57 d. 48 m. the shoalding wee plide in was betweene 7 and 2 ½ and we could see many shelves and high stones lye upon the N. side of the Rivers mouth appearing as it were trees on land 3 times bigger then they be and that is through the vapours which the Sun exhaleth haveing plide all day in shoale water at night we anchored in 6 fathomes In the mouth of Port Nelson at first comming of the tyde it came with a Shuft or Boare at clocke 10. for one houre and floured upon the Ships Bowe and it flowed 9 foote water the tyde runne not above 5 houres and 2 knots was the speede it made yet I could perceive the under tyde to Roome an houre before the ship came up the land faire to see both on S and N. side here were many white Whales the running of the tyde was caused by the out-set of the River upon the Coast-tyde there was a ledge dry at lowe water hard by me when I anchored This day we consulted and consented to goe into Port Da 9 Nelson for these reasons following 1 Considering what hazzard wee had vndergone for want of our Pinnace she being made ready for setting vp yet for the losse of time we were content to hazard it having â—iâ— so faire weather as I was loath but to make good vse thereof 2 The wind was contrary to go Southwards and like to be bad weather Moneths July 3 The Pinnace could not be set up in the Ship as I desired 4 I hoped to have some intelligence by the Salvages and to search the head of the River of which I did know nothing from Sir Tho. Button 5 I was in great hope to get a Maine yard amongst so many trees as also some refreshing fresh water and fire wood and to rummidge the Ship and to see her on ground and to make her cleane or to repaire what else she wanted as Ballast or else what Thinking now it was good to provide for winter for what is formerly done is so exact as no discovery was more painefully followed nor with greater hazard and lesse helpe but God alone besides the knowledge of this harbour might more embolden my men in staying the longer forth to follow the Search Now betweene Port Nelson and Hudsons W. Bay all yet for a great distance not lookd upon by any Christian wee were to discover which having done the perfect knowledge of this River might cause us to repaire hither for refuge when the winter took us from our other labours if in the meane time wee should not discover a better or passage This Raynie morning with S. wind I stood in lowe sailes Da 9 with bonnets along the S. side which I take to be the plainer and evener ground of the two And bearing in upon 3 fath â— â— I espied an overfall on head it was stood tyde and I caused to beare up it blâ—w much wind and more then at any time since I came into this Sea in the channels edge of this overfall I fel into 10 fath being now come within the lippes hereof the wind shrinking I anchored at about ½ flood for that if it had beene a channell well knowne unto me yet I could not have handled my sayles to have turned in wee thought wee saw tokens on land of Inhabitants at 3 houres flood in the night with much adoe I wayed anchor and making 2 or 3 boards I up got a leag farther before day for I was loath to loose any time but with fearefull sounding as 5 fathomes at most and it would shoalden 2 fathome at once and as I found afterwards that channell was full of high Rockes
in the best of it This night I had many gusts of Winde with showres of Raine Moneths August I plide up a mile with flood and thought to have gone beyond Da 10 a point about 2 miles higher where I might have ridde land lockt but the river being full of stones I grounded in the tides way there being deepe now 5 fathomes then 6 foote â—on 7 fathomes so that espying a Wally in the clay cliffe on the North side I sought and found a place of 5 fathomes to Anchor the Ship safely in and intended in the Vallie to set up my Pinnace This river is on both sides full of small woods the North side is a clay cliffe like of that to the Nase in Essex but not so high the ship being moored I went on land and found the Nallie very convenient to set up a Tent and to build the Pinnace in and here wee found some store of Hogsheads and Pipestanes which had beene yron bound one Maine top a top gallant Mast diverse blocks and the sides of stared chests with divers reliques of some English Vessell which I tooke to have perished or beene left not farre from hence and indeed I did assure my selfe it must be that of Sir Thomas Buttons but as yet I have not found a tree will make a Mayne yard This morning earely I cald to rommage for the percels Da 11 of the Pinnace to be had on land which being put into the boate on land wee goe the Carpenter at Sea had provided himselfe of things necessarie against this occasion haveing all materials in readinesse which to further with his mate I caused Peter Nesfeild quarter Master the Cooper the Gunner Expofer Russell and my selfe to assist him and this day wee set up the keele and made a false keele to it thinking thereby to make her hold a better wind brought on all the ground timbers and 3 strokes on each side while the Mr. and others went to looke for refreshing The wind being come about to the N N. I sent the Master word that it was fit to bring the ship to ground while it blew from land as he determined before our comming in and for that I would not have any thing to doe that might stay mee after the Pinnace was set up that such things as was needfull should be taken in hand and brought to passe with all expedition This morning I was glad to bring the ship to land my selfe upon a fine smooth sand against the Valley where wee strengthened Da 12 Moneths August on the Cutwater and tooke away the bolt which stucke out and made smooth the Shipside for any harme else our Anchors had done more to the sheathing then the yce in this river we had set on side a peece of our false keele which we helped And now I sent Samuell Blades and the Chirurgion to the E. to search the shoare and to looke for a Mayne yard who returning told me that for a Mayne yard there was not a tree to be had of that squarenesse but that by a little creeke about a mile off they had found on shoare certaine broken Anchors and cable rope with other small ropes also one broken Gun with many round and crossebarre shot of lead and yron one Grapnet and store of firewood pilde up with one Tent covered with old sailes and a Crosse which had beene set up but was puld or fallen downe with the inscription raced out This night was very hot with much lightning and some drops of raine here are comming in with the floode and goeing out with the ebbe innumerable company of white Whales a fish as big as Porke fishes with us and much alike in shape I went with the Cherurgion to the creeke and found the Da 13 same as they had told mee leaveing the Carpenters and others at worke and thinkeing to send for those things at the next leisure after the Shippe was Rummadgt this Tyde did flowe nine foote to floate the Shippe off ground This being the Lords day wee rested and served God Da 14 the afternoone our men walked abroad to recreate themselves and looke out for fresh releife this night did the Ship fleete off and wee moord her againe in 3 fathomes at lowe water This fayre hot day some wrought at the Shallop others Da 15 fetcht ballast other romisht others fild water and strooke downe the Gunnes it ioyed mee thus to see all hands at worke the Pinnace was almost finished but wee were hindered by one houre of as much rayne in the time as ever I was in with thunder from the South-East In this day the most of our labours were brought to end concerning the ships readinesse Moneths August Da 16 The wind blowing E S E. stiffe Gale so as I could not Da 17 come forth of this River to follow my discovery the Master and I went with the ships boate up the river where about the turne of a point 6 miles above the ship lay 2 Ilands in the middle the tide did not runne above 5 miles from the ship nor flow above eight miles the river strucke W N W. up so farre and above the Ilands as we could see it was Clay clift on both sides and of reasonable height but the fresh came down with great force or else you might wade it over it is also thicke as can stand of Firre and Spruce-trees but small ones for there is no ground for the wood to take roote upon for the thicknesse of Mosse so as they cannot roote in the earth but grow up and fall downe and rot Ilanded on both sides Peter Nesfield whoÌ„ I had set out of the boat with the Master other for lightning her that I might have sayled up the higher but could not the water was so shallow and came downe so fiercely told me hee had seene the footing of a man but he could not bring me to it again so I stood over to the S. side the boat still grounding as I went where wee landed me thought the vallies was good grasse store of wood and here we gathered black-berries as we found in other places with straw berries goose-berries and Vetches with severall sorts of small shrubs trees upon the shore we found the broad footing of Deere and hard by them the frame of a Tent standing which had lately been made with the studdle of the fire the haire of Deere and bones of fowle left heere I tooke leave of the S. side and named the farthest and head therof Ramsdens Hall after an Alderman of that Corporation but the Master and his man travelled by land to thwart of the ship we have seene no Salvage since I came although I caused fires to burne night and day but the woods are so thicke as cannot be seene 12 score yards so that none could come to us but by water This day the Pinnace was brought on boord God grant that with her helpe my hopes may be accomplished which heretofore
Peregrine for so I call the last Head-land having the Knowle thereon I had from 70. to 100. 120. 80. and to 30. fathomes this equally arbitrated day and 〈…〉 with wet hazle I stood in two Top-sayles over my Courses N. E. by E. 24. leagues This day morning I met with Land I tooke to be S. W Da 14 side of Sea-horse Point and this 120. fathomes was open upon the Bay betwixt point Peregrine and this Land where for anything yet knowne there may be a through-let this land is of an indifferent height descending by degrees to the Set this night was thicke wet fogge here was yee put into this Bay as might be suspected by the S. E. Winds which had blowne so long before untill now I stood neare to see if any thing of note were upon the Land but comming neare Yee we Tacked to Sea againe This morning was sleight fogge and raine but after prayers the Sunne shone and thawed our men and made them more limber I was in 63. deg 41. the Horizon was thicke but I think I was not farre amisse at ½ past 12. it fell calme the weather beganne to thicke I Anchored in 55. fathomes the Tyde came from the W. Moneths September For so lay the Land and I have boulted it upon a Bowlin with more or lesse Wind ever since the 6. day I rid at Anchor this night and at past 1â— the ebbe Tyde did not leave his course but onely stacke from 7. to that houre the Wind at N. blew of the Land and the Ship came not to Wind-road I had duly marked the Lead-line and tryed divers times how the Tyde did flow and at sâ—aâ—ke water I found it to have slowed 20. foot and this was 24. houres before the conjunction and as I doe remember Mr. Baffia saith that on the other side of this Poynt it doth flow a S. and by E. Moone this night I did sit up on purpose to be satisfied herein Henceforth I doe write true course variation and wreke allowed the Compasse hath neare 26. deg heare this night clocke one I was under Sayle and Runne 4. Leagues E. N. E. when I met with yee but small as chaffe and at the dawning of day I did by this yee assure my selfe that I was the length of Sea-horse Point to the E. For that this North wind had blowne the mash't yee from above the North side of the Poynt and so it proved this yee was both small and small of it and thinne we Runne through it without stay or abatement of Sayle I stood away from hence close hal'd E. N. E. 25. leagues 2. Da 15 miles then being towards night I had sight of Mills Isle so named by Bilot because of the Ice grinding against him like the grinding of a Mill and also of Salisburie bearing S. E. and Mill I le from N. E. to N. N. E. this day and night were hazie the lands had much snow on them our Sailes with wet fogge and frost were stiffe as Vellome standing this Milners Isle along in the night came off either small mash't Ice or else the shadow of the Moone deceived me to trie whether I durst not but cast about to the West againe along the Isle thinking here in this milde Channell to try the Tyde that all obstacles being removed the difference betweene Baffine and Sir Thomas Button might now be reconciled before I put to the N. W. from Nottingham in practice as I was instructed all night I stood to and againe and found a good flood Tyde set to N. W. the Mr. was up this night but was not able to continue This morning I plyde it up to the West end of the Island Da 16 and when the Tyde was done I put into a through-let I named Hurins Through-let for that hee upon the fore-yard conducted in the Ship in the entrance of this Harbour lyeth a Rocke in the middle which is covered at ½ Tyde we borrowed Moneths September close upon the W. side in 10 fathomes and Anchored in 13 the sound about 3 flight shot over the Tyde did flow about 4 fathomes the flood doth set through it to the N. it lyeth NE. in a S. S. E. Moone maketh full Sea This Iland lieth along E. ½ S. Nottinghams Ile lieth from Da 16 this S. ½ E. Salisbury S. S. ½ E. the North Mayne N. ½ W. all in sight at once and yet it was none of the cleerest dayes there is 6. goings out and in to this sound 5. to the N. and but one to the South I went on land this morning to hasten our men to fill water Da 17 in a Coue where there is good landing for Sea Mors of which wee see here good plentie and going on land one amongst the rest with her young being in our way strucke her yong diuers times to make it diue downe which when shee see it would not shee encountered our boate and with her teeth strucke at her Iohn Coatesworth strucke her through the necke with a Lance that all the water about the boate was bloodie the young and damme went downe and once againe mounted but after wee see them not I haue heard the Mors killers say that their skinnes are so tough as no Lance will enter it doth yeeld so and therefore to kill them they must bee before them to pricke them vpon the nose that shee by casting vp her head may stretch her skinne tought at her breast wherein the launce will enter with more facilitie but this proued otherwise After wee had watered and come aboard the flood bending with easie winde N. N. W. wee could not ouer-haile to get forth the same way wee came in but turned it to the N. westward with tide and came out at the W. most sound where in the N. Channell I found it to come more then 3. houres Tide after full Sea on shoare and that very sharpely the next nights flood I plied vp to the N. mayne This morning flood I plied vp by the N. mayne and stopt Da 18 the ebbe in 60. fathomes neere shoare the winde N. N. W. with sometimes showers of small snow and hard frost so as all our tackling and shippe bowes where the water came were all â—ce-sickles but it was easie winde and smoth Sea here I was 5. miles to N. of a faire head land so made by the land trenting E. and N. from the same I named it King Charles his Promontorie with another Cape to the N. the land being there N. and Moneths September S. 4. deg W. which I named Cape Maria in a most bounden and dutifull remembrance of my King and Queene because if this proue a passage these are the most remarkeable and of greatest note and most eminencie drinking their health with the young Princes I had no obseruation since the 14 but doe account the Kings Promontorie to lie in 64. deg 46. min. the Queenes about 8. leagues distant N. from thence there lieth to
being in despaire thereof never offered to attempt their freedome and therefore stayed there whereupon he travailed through the woods towards Dorgio the next Lord knew him and he was conveyed from one to another untill at length he came to Dorgio where he stayed three yeares and hearing of divers Boates that were arrived there he went to the sea side and asking of whence they were they said of Estotiland he being glad requested to be entertained by them and carried to their country which they gladly granted and used him for their Interpretor After that he frequented that trading with them and became very rich wherewith he furnished a barke returned into Friezeland and to his Lord made this report of that wealthy Country He is credited here for that the Mariners doe affirme his reports to be true wherefore this Lord is resolved to send me forth with a fleete toward these parts but it was not so for Zâ—chmni went himselfe and concerning their proceedings I have a Letter in forme following OVr preparation for Estotiland was begun in an unluckie houre for three dayes before our departure the Fisherman dyed that should have beene our guide notwithstanding this Lord would not give over the enterprise taking the Marriners that returned with him making our navigation to the Westward we discovered Ilands subject to Friesland and having passed certaine shelves we stayed at Ledovo 7. dayes The first of Iuly we arrived at Ilofe we stayed not there but had a veâ—ing storme at Sea for 8. dayes not knowing where we were a great part of their barkes were cast away the weather being faire they gathered up the pieces of broken barkes sayling on with prosperous wind they discovered land at W. They tooke harbour and an infinite company of armed men came to defend their Iland Zichmni makes signes of peace sends 10. men of ten severall languages but they could understand none but one that was of Iseland who informed them that the Ilands name was Icâ—ria named after the name of the first King of that place whom they say was sonne to Dedalus King of Scotland who conquered that Iland and left his sonne there for King and they called this Sea the Icarion Sea in remembrance of that King in further search was drowned there They would not suffer us to land but onely they would receive one man to learne the Jtalian tongue as they had received the other tenne He espying a harbour on the East side put therein for wood and water but the inhabitants assaults slew and maimed many of them enforcing them away and sayling about the Cape of the Iland towards the North we found many shoalds amongst the which we were ten dayes continually in danger of losing our whole fleete Zichmni seeing he could not prevaile against the force of the Ilands sailed 6. dayes towards the West but the wind changing into S. W. he sayled 4. dayes with wind a poope with a growne sea he discovers land not knowing what land and rowing to it with Oares they finde a good harbour and see farre off a Mountaine that cast forth smoake Zichmni sent forth an hundred Souldiers to search what people inhabited it the whiles he takes in wood and water catches great store of fish and Sea fowle with such aboundance of Egges that his men halfe famished were filled therewith this was in Iune the ayre so temperate pleasant as impossible to expresse They finde no people they name the haven Trine the Souldiers returning backe had bin through the Iland finds the fire naturall that the hils bottome produced and that there was a Spring which issued water like pitch and run into the Sea and that there dwelt a multitude of people of small stature hiding themselves in caves in the ground Zichmni taking liking to the soyle stayes there with such as were willing the rest he sent away in the ships wherein unwilling I was Captaine Anthonie sayles 20. dayes East without sight of any Land altering his course S. E. in 5. dayes he discovered Neome he knowing the Country had sailed past an Iland as he found he victuailed here the Iland being subiect to Zichmni And in 3. dayes he sailes to Friesland What followed after this Letter he knew not but by coniecture that Zich built a City and discovered on both sides of Engroneland and that he see it particularly described in the Sea carde but the narration is lost The beginning of his letter is thus COncerning these things that you desire to know of me as of their Manners and Customes of the Beasts and Countryes adioyning I haue made thereof a particular Booke which by Gods helpe I will bring with me wherein I have described the Country the monstrous Fishes the Lawes and Customes of Friesland Iseland Eastland the Kingdome of Norway Estotiland Dorgio an the end of the life of Mr. Nicolo with his discoverie and the state of Engroneland I have also written the Life and Acts of Zichmni a Prince as worthy of Immortall memory as any that ever lived for his great vigilancy and singular humanity Wherein I have described the discovery of Engroneland on both sides and the Citty he builded and further I hope to be with you very shortly to satisfie you by word of mouth All these Letters were written by Mr. Anthonie to Mr. Carlo his brother FOr the more credit and confirmation of the former History of Mr. Nichcolo and Mr. Anthonie which for some few respects may be called in question I have hereunto annexed the judgement of that Famous Cosmographer Abraham Ortelius or rather the yeilding or submitting of his judgment thereunto who in his Theatrum Ortis Fol. 6. next after the Mappe of Mar del Zur borroweth proofe and authority out of this Relation to shew that the N. E. part of America called Estotiland is in the Originall alwaies affirmed to be an Iland was about the yeere 1390. discovered by the foresaid Venetians and aboue 100. yeares before Columbus set sayle for these Westerne Regions and that the Northerne Seas were even then sailed by our Europian Pilates This writer acknowledging that Originall copies of the Zenijs Letters were by him careleslly torne in peeecâ— in his youth which losse he now grieued at I doubt in this he was enforced in many things to patch vp as his memorie would serve so as there may be some likelyhood of vntruths howsoever I doe beleeue the first Copies were true though this is subiect to mistakings To continue antiquity may be to some purpose seeing there may be some vse thereof by the painfull Seamen otherwise it may something satisfie the never satisfied Curious who enquire after the beginning of things and herein Mr. Hakeluits paines doth deserve great commendations who recordeth in his English Voyages That Madoc soone of Oween Guyneth Prince of North Wales left the Land in contention betweene his Brethren and prepared certaine ships with Men and Munition and sought adventures by Sea sailing West leaving the coast of
Ireland so farre North that he came to a Land vnknowne where he saw many strange things This must needes be some part of this Countrey of which the Spaniards affirme themselves to be the first founders since Dannos time wherevpon it is manifest that this Country was by Brittanies discovered long before Columbus Of Madoâ—s returne there be many fables but he did returne and declared of the fruitfull Countryes he had seene with out Inhabitants and on the contrary what barren and wild ground his Brethren and Nephewes did kill and murder one another for He prepared a Navie of ships got with him such Men and Women as were desirous to live in quiet and taking leave of his friends tooke his journey thither againe Therefore it is to be supposed that he and his people inhabited part of this Country for it appeareth by Francis Lopez de Gomara that in Acuzamill and other places the people honored the Crosse whereby it may be gathered that Christians had beene there before the comming of the Spaniards This Madoc arriving againe in that West Countrey vnto the which he came 1170. left most of his people there and returned backe for more of his owne Nation acquaintance and friends to inhabite that faire and large Countrey went thither againe with 10. saile as I find noted by Guyten Owen I am of opinion that the Land wherevnto he came was some part of the West Indies As concerning Sebastian Cabot I cannot find that he was any further Northward then the 58. Degree and so returned along the Land of America to the S. but for more certainty heare his owne Relation to Galâ—acius Buâ—rigarius the Popes Legate in Spaine Vnderstanding saith he by reason of the Spheare that if I should saile by the way of North-west I should by a shorter tract come to India I caused the King to be advertised of my device who immediately caused two Caravels to be furnished with all things needfull which was as neere as I can remember in the yeare 1496. In the beginning of Summer I begun to saile North-west not thinking to find any other Land then that of Cataia and from thence to come into India But after certaine dayes I found the Land run to the North which was to me a great displeasure neverthelesse sailing along the Coast to see if I could finde any Gulfe that turned I found the Land still to continue continent to the 56. Degree vnder the Pole and seeing that there the Coast turned toward the East dispairing to find the passage I turned backe againe and sailed downe by the Coast of that Land toward the Equinoctiall Thus much from himselfe But heare how Baptistie Ramusius his Country man how he flattereth him thus It 's many yeares since it was written vnto me by Sebastian Cabota our Countryman a Venetian a Man of great experience and very rare in the Art of Navigation and the knowledge of Cosmographie who sailed along and beyond this Coast of new France at the charges of Henry the 7. King of England and he advertised me that having sailed along time West by North beyond those Ilands into the Latit of 67. Deg. and ½ vnder the North Pole and on the 11. day of Iune finding still the open Sea without any impediment he thought verily by that way to have passed on still to Cataia which is in the East and would have done it if the Mutinie of the shipmasters and Marriners had not hindered and made him returne home from that place Out of Robert Fabians Chronicle THere is also mention made of Iohn Cabota Sebastians Father by his meanes in the 13. yeare of Henry the Seauenth at the same Kings charge one ship was victuailed from Bristow wherein divers Marchants of London adventured sma stockes to search for an Iland he said was very Rich and replenished with great Commodities In his company went from Bristow 3. or 4. small Barkes laden with coarse Cloth Caps Laces Points and other trifles they departed the beginning of May but were not heard of in that Maiors time Out of the same Chronicle VVIlliam Purchase being Maior three Saluages were taken in New found Land and brought to the King they were cloathed in Beasts skinnes and eate raw flesh and spake such speech that no man could vnderstand them and in their demeanor much like to bruite Beasts of which two yeares after I saw two apparrelled after the manner of Englishmen in Westminster Parish I could not discerne them from English vntill I had learned what they were An Extract taken out of the Mappe of Sebastian Cabota cut by Clement Adams IN the yeare of Grace 1497. John Cabot a Venetian and Sebastian his Sonne with an English Fleete set from Bristow discovered that Iland which before that time no man had attempted on the 24. day of June this Land he called Prima Vesta that is to say first seene that Iland lying out before the Land he called the I le of St. John Because he discovered it vpon that day of St. John Baptist The inhabitants of this I le vse to weare Beasts skinnes in their Warres they vse Bowes Arrowes Pikes Darts Wooden-clubs and slings The soile is Barren in some places and yeeldeth little fruit but is full of white Beares and Stagges farre greater then ours it yeildeth plenty of Fish and these very great as Seales and Sammons there are Soales of a yard in length but especially there is great plenty of that kind of Fish which the Salvages call Baccalaos there are also bred Hawkes and Eagles Another Testimony of the Voyage of Sebastian Caboc taken out of the third Decade of Peter Martyr of Angleria THe North seas have bin searched by one Sâ—bastiaâ— Cabot a Venetian borne he furnished 2. Ships at his owne charge and first with 300. men directed his course towards the N. Pole that even in the Moneth of July he found monstrous heapes of Ice swimming on the Sea and in a manner continuall day light Thus seeing these heapes of Ice before him he was enforced to turne his sailes and follow the W. coasting the shore he was thereby brought so farre into the South by reason of the land stretching Southward that it was there almost equall in latitude with Fretum Herculeum As he travelled by the coasts of this great Land which he named Bacculaos he saith hee found the like course of waters toward the West but the same running more soft and gently then the swift waters which the Spaniards found in their Navigation South-ward wherefore it is not onely moâ—e like to be true but ought also of necessity to be concluded that betweene both the Lands hitherto vnknowne there should be certaine great open places whereby the waters continually passe from the East to the West Which waters I suppose to be driven about the Globe of the Earth by the incessant Motion and impulsion of the Heavens and not to be swallowed and cast vp againe by the breathing of Demogorgon as some
have imagined because they see the Sea by increase and decrease to ebbe and flow Sebastian Cabota himselfe calls those Lands Bacculaos because that in those Seas thereabout he found so great multitude of certaine bigge Fish much like vnto Tanis which the Inhabitants call Bacculaos and that they sometime stayed his ship He found the people also of these Regions covered with Beasts skins he saith also he saw great plenty of Copper and this is all of Note out of this Author Francis Lopez de Gomara out of his Generall Historie of the West-Indies HE which brought most certaine newes of the Countrey of Bacculaos saith Gomara was Sebastian Cabot a Venetian which rigged 2. ships at the Cost of Henry the 7. King of England having great desire to Traffique for the Spices as the Portugales did he carried with him 300. men and tooke the way towards Iseland from beyond the Cape of Labrador vntill he found himselfe in 58. Deg. and better he made relation that in the Moneth of July it was so cold and the Ice so great that he durst not passe any further the dayes were very long in manner without night he returned and refreshed at Bacculaos and after sailed along the Coast Southward vnto 38. Degrees and from thence he shaped his Course to returne into England An abstract of the Courses Distances Latitudes Longitudes Variations Depths and other Observations as also the severall proceedings Discoveries Accidents and remarkable things of the Captaines Masters Pilots and others formerly imployed for the search of the Northwest Passage to the East India The History of Sir Martin Frobrisheâ—s voyage 1567. WAs 15. yeares in noting and bringing up the Adventure before hee did attempt the same which was brought to passe by the helpe of the right honourable Ambrose Dudley Earle of Warwick the Expedition was prosecuted in two small Barques of 25. tonnes the piece viz. The Gabriel and the Michael and one Pinnace of 10. Tonnes He departed from Blackwall Iune 15. went by the North the 15. of Iuly he had sight of a ragged land he tooke to be Freezeland durst not approach the same for Ice and Fogge and thereabouts he lost the sight of his small Pinnace by storme which he thought the Sea had devoured wherein were onely foure Men. The Michael misliking the matter slipt back for England with report that the Captaine was lost at Sea The worthy Captaine notwithstanding he had sprung his Mainmast in the storme proceeded on W. Northwards and the 20. he had sight of a high land he named Queene Elizabeths Forlarnd and sailing more Northerly along the Coast descried another Forland with a Gut Bay or passage Westward He met great store of Ice along the Coast was crost with winds that he could not thwart those streights in few dayes he discernes the Ice to be well consumed either ingulfed therein by Indrafts or else set so Southwards by Currents He enters the 21. sayles Westwards 50. leagues with land on both sides imagines the one the maine Continent of Asia the other on larboard the firme land of America he named the Straight Frobrishers straight After he had sailed 60. leagues up he went on land found signes where fire had beene made and Deere so mankinde as he was faine to defend himselfe against them The people resort to him in their Canoes of Leather had like to have stolne his Boate from him before he was aware they came on Shipboard brought him Salmon Flesh and Fish they appeared to be nimble of their joynts and strong they fall to trade for Fish Seale coates of Seale skinnes and Beares skinnes for bels looking-glasses and other toyes they intercept his boate with 5. men nere till this day heard of The Captaine by the ringing of a bell intices one of the Salvages to him as though he would give it him he lets the bell fall into the Sea as the Salvage should have tooke it he takes him by the hand and pulls him with his boate into the Ship Whereupon in despight the Salvage bit his tongue in twaine yet he lived till he came into England and then dyed of cold he had taken at Sea with this prize he returnes for England arriveth in Harwich the 2. of October He commandeth his Company at their landing in the foresaid Countrey to bring away something with them of the first they could lay their hand upon in token of possession in the right of Queene Elizabeth Whereupon some brought Stone some flowers some grasse one brought a peece of stone much like to Sea coale in colour but by weight seemed to be Mettall or Mynerall but as yet not esteemed of but from the place from whence it came Of this bright Stone he gives a piece as of something brought from that farre Country to one of his Adventurers wives who throwing the same into the fyre to burne and after it was quenched with vineger it glistered with a bright Marquesset of Gold whereupon the matter being called into some question it was tryed by certaine Goldsmithes in London who upon essay made gave out that it held Gold and that very richly for the quantity and the said Goldsmithes promised great matters if any quantity thereof could be had which hopes produced a second Voyage This Voyage they gave names to Sounds Ilands Bayes Capes Streights c as Elizabeth Forland Cape Labradore Gabriels Iland Priors Sound Thomas Williams Iland Bourchers Iland Frobrishers Streights And describes the Country people to be like the Tartars With long blacke hayre broad Faces flat Noses tawnie coloured wearing Garments of Seales skinnes He arrived in Harwich the 2. of October Navigation of Christopher Hall Master with Frobrisher the first Voyage SEcretary Woollye was sent from her Maiestie to give charge to the Company of the ship to obey their Captaine and be diligent in all things he observes at Gravesend and found the. Latitude 51. deg 23. min. Variation 11. deg â— â— Inne 24. he had sight of Faires Ile The 25. he had sight of the Swinborne in Shotland the S. most Cape beares N. N. W. Fairely at the same time W. S. W. sailing from these bearings with Swinborne he had depth 60. 50. 40. Fathams Fairely bearing W. N. W. 6. leagues offryn he had depth 59. and 46. fatham and went into Tromius Sound in Shotland to stop a leake 14. Leagues West South-wards from Faire I le he had variation W. 11. deg 9. min. Iuly 11. He had sight of Friesland sharpe pinacled High-Land Land and covered with snow bearing W. N. W. the Captaine attempted to get on Land but could not for great store of Ice And had no ground at 120. Fatham sailing from thence 20. leag S. W. observing the Sunne in the Meridian 52. deg Iudges the variation W. 2. points and a halfe The 28. was foggie but at the breaking vp thereof he had sight of Land supposed Labrado found great store of Ice about the Land
but he had no ground at 100. Fath. a Cables length off shore And a great Current sets S. W. and N. E. 1. League â— â— in the houre The tide sets to the shore and thenone great peece of Ice breaking made a noyse as if the Cliffe had fallen into the Sea 10. The floud sets S. W. along the Land And it flowes so 11. Latitude here 63. â— â— This day they enter the Streights and set saile for Gabriels Iland then distant 10. Leagues 13. They enter within a Sound in a Sandy Bay the Land beares E. S. E. depth 8. Fatham a S. E. Moone full Sea they name this Sound Priors sound distant from Grabriels 10. leag 16. Calme and faire in 2. houres the Ice was froze about the Ship a quarter of an inch thicke The 19. the Captaine and he went on shore vpon an Iland with 8. men and from the top thereof they had sight of 7. Boates which came rowing from the East side to the Iland then they returned on shipboard and sent their Boate with 5. men to see which way they tooke and so with a white Cloth or waffe brought one of their Boates with their men in her along the shore rowing after the Boate vntill they see the ship and then they rowed on shore and he followed and gave every one of them a threed Point and brought one of them aboard where he did Eate and Drinke and then carried him ashore againe wherevpon the rest being 19. Persons came on boord but he could not vnderstand their Language they be like Tartars with long blacke haire broad faced flat nosed and tawny Coloured wearing Seale skinnes and so doe the women nothing differing but the women in the Face hath blue stroakes downe the Cheekes and about the eyes their Boates are made of Seale skinnes with a wooden keele within them much like vnto a Spanish shalop save onely they be flat bottomed and sharpe ended 20. They went on Land vpon the East side of the Iland with 4. men more in the Boate where they see their houses the people came to them calling and rowing one of them came into their Boate they carried him on board gave him a Bell a knife the Captaine commanded 5. men to set him on shore in an Iland not amongst their Company but they not regarding went to them who surprised their Boat and themselves never as yet heard of 21. The next day they shot off a Falken-gun and sounded a trumpet to heare from their men but were not answered this morning the Snow was on Foote thicke vpon the haâ—tches 22. They went to the place where their men were lost and had sight of 14. Boates and some came neare them but they could heare nothing of their men 26. Returnes homeward at 8. a clocke in the night was thwart of Gabriels Ile and had Cape Labradore as he supposed W. 10. Leagues off 1. Had sight of Friesland 8. leag off from this day to the 6. they run along Iseland 25. Sight of Orkney 1. Anchor at Yarmouth Sir Martin Frobrisher his 2. Voyage 1577. DEparted from Blackwall the 26. of May with 3. ships to wit the Aide of the Queenes burthen 180. Tonnes the Michaell and the Gabriell accompanied with 140. Gentlemen Soldiers and Saylers victualed for halfe a yeare He went by the North the 7. of June arrived at Orkney in the Iles of Scotland 8. He departs from thence sailes betwixt W. and N. W. vntill the 4. of July 26. dayes saile from thence they meete with much Drift-wood as they suppose from New found Land And driven over with the Current which they say sets from the W. to the East The 4. of Iuly they had sight of Friesland 10. or 12. leagues off and great store of Ice 30. or 40. Fatham aboue water they supposed on ground though they could scarce sound the bottome for depth The Generall attempteth to goe on Land but cannot they coast it 4. dayes sees no signe of habitation Yet by Birds which in Fogs had lost the land came to the Ships they suppose the Country to be more habitable within then outward shoare maketh shew or signification The 8. they depart from thence 16. He comes to the making of the Land named the yeare before by him the Queenes Forland being as they judge it an Iland lying neere the supposed continent of America Another Iland lying upon the Asian side called Halls Iland betwixt which two Ilands goeth in Frobrishers straights or the unknowne passage into the Sea of Sur. He doth suppose that the Ice of this Coast is carried by some contrary E. or W. tyde or current upon the Coast of Freezland causing that Country to be farre more intemperate than other countries farre more North. At their first entrance they found the Straight mured with Ice the Captaine with his Pinnace past twice through before he durst hazzard in the great Ships They goe on land the people seemed to be joyfull thereof they embrace and the Captaine laid hands on them but they escape through nimblenesse and defends themselves with their bowes and Arrowes he tooke one all the rest escaped They put their Ships into the Straights all full of Ice they made 14. bourds in one watch to refraine the Ice the lightnesse of the night did them much comfort and helpe for sight and this hazard they made for safegard of their Captaine and Master who were on land 17. Being the day following the Capt. came on board with report of great riches hid in the bowels of that Continent Within 3. or 4. dayes after they had been in the Streights the W. and N. W. winds dispierst the Ice The 19. they enter without impediment The 20. they found a good harbour and names it Iackmans Sound anchoring the Ships there The Generall marches up into the land takes possession in the Queenes name and imployes his men about the businesse they came thither for Whilest they continued in this harbour they kept watch continually with boates and roapes ready to hale and towe away the Ice which otherwise might have driven thwart the Ships with Ebbe and flood The Generall findes not commodity answerable to his Expectation in the supposed America leaves the Ships coasts on to the supposed Asia the stones on land and Sand in Sea sparkle like Gold on both sides if all be Gold that glysters upon the West shore they found a dead Fish floating it proved by the horne to be a Sea Vnicorne the Spiders put therein dyed The Generall in further search findes Gold oare as he supposed with a good harbour and returnes to the Ships by the way he espies a Tent covered with Seale skins the people was fled he leaves glasses bels and knives therein onely tooke one Dog and nothing else leaves a letter with pen inke and paper for his men to write which was tooke from him the last
such ship or ships shall every watch shoote off a good peece look out well for smoake and fire which those that get in first shall make every night vntill all the fleete become together 13. That vpon the sight of an Ensigne in the Mast of the Admirall a peece being shot off the halfe fleete shall repaire to the Admirall to vnderstand such conference as the Generall is to have with them 14. If any chance to meete with any Enemie that 4. ships shall attend vpon the Admirall viz. The Francis of Foy the Moone the Barke Dynnis and the Gabriell and 4 upon my Lievtenant Generall in the Judeth viz. The Hopewell the Arâ—enall the Beare and the Salamander the other 4. vpon the Vice-admiral the Anne Francis the Thomas of Ipswich the Emanuell and the Michaell 15. If there happen any disordered person in the flight that he be taken and kept in safe custody vntill he may conveniently be brought aboard the Admtrall there to receive such punishment as his or their offence shall deserve He departed from Harwich the 31. of May 1578. with 15. Shippes having given that Instructions for ordering of his fleete as well for civill government as direction He goes by the West the 6. of Iune he had sight of Cape Cleere sayling towards the N. W parts from Ireland A great Current from S. W. carried them 1. point to the N. E. of their course which current seemed to him to continue its course towards Norway The 20. of Iune the Generall discries land and being Frezeland names it West England he goes on shore and findes a good harbour for Shippes the people â—led they Iudge it part of Meta incognita or Groneland their boats and apparell are all alike with those of Meta incognita they found in their Tents a box of small Nayles red herrings and divers carved things so as they iudge them to be civill people and Artificers or else to have trade with those that are 23 They depart from thence and names a certaine cliffe for some resemblance Charing crosse they meete with much yee many Whales and fogges The Salamander a ship of his Flight strucke upon a Whale with full stem being under courses and Bonnets he makes an uglie noyse and two dayes after they found a dead Whale supposes it the same The 2. they had sight of the Queenes Forland they beare in all day had much Ice at night they were entred the Sreight all overcome with Ice not froze there but driven by the windes violence The writer conceives the Mary glaciale to be a conjecture And that no salt Sea can be froze ore with Ice and in these place where it doth ebbe and flow above 10. Fathames And the Ice he met at Sea 1000. Miles from land all which congealed upon fresh water he concludes they were froze in bayes and rivers and not in the Sea This Ice doth shut together with winde and open at the shifting or change thereof as in other places so as it is passable The Barke Dennis struck vpon a Rocke The ship sunke the men were saved by their boates therein were much of the house drowned which the men appointed to winter should have lived in Meta incognita Amidst the Ice a storme takes them at S. E. some takes in sailes and hulls that had roome others make fast to the Ice others send off Ice with poales oares junkes oken boards and the like so as all were put to it Yet for all this their ship sides and waeles were sore torne and bruised The next day the winde changed W. N. W. the Ice dispierced they goe to Sea and meetes 4. more of their Company who had all kept the Sea during the S. E. storme they resolue to keepe the Sea vntill the Sunne dissolue or the wind dispierce the Ice out of the straight 7. They cast about inward againe had sight Of what Land it should be there was difference of opinions Through the thicke mists and by snow newly fallen the habit of the Land was altered Thinking they had bin to the N. E. of Frobrishers straights Then comming from Land by a Current comming from thence along the Coast they were carried to S. W. off the Queens Forland more miles then they thought possible Here they make a peece of Land for Mount Warwicke yet wonders how they should be so farre shot within the straight without their knowledge how be it they confessed they found a swifter course of flood then hitherto they had observed And here their Ships were whirled about in a moment lying a Hull as though they had beene in a Whirlepoole the waters making no lesse noyse to be heard a farre off then the waterfall of London bridge Here they could have no observation the Generall sends to the Shippes to know their chiefest opinions Christopher Hall chiefe Pylate saide he had never seene that coast before nor could not make it for any part of Frobrishers streights although the land did lye and trent alike The 10. the weather continued thicke and darke and the fleete disperced they were doubtfull whether to set to Sea or to follow a doubtfull course in a Sea Bay or Streight they knew not or stand a long an unknowne coast where they could not discerne dangers for darke mists and thick weather Whereupon some betooke themselves to Sea as thinking that the safest Course others followed the Generall within that doubtfull and unknowne Streights above 60. leagues having alwaies a faire Continent upon the Starboard and a continuance of an open Sea before them so as if it had not beene for the gathering of his fleete againe as also their lading of Ore he both would and could have gone into the Mare del Sur for the further they sailed the lesse Ice and 50. leagues within this Streight was none at all This streight hath also a great Indraft for by the foresaid current the floting wracke of the barke Dyoniss lost at the Queenes Forland was brought thither along the Coast and by the Indraft drawne in there it being many miles distant They doe also affirme out of some of their best marriners observation that in this streight the â—lood-tyde doth runne 9. houres and ebbe 3. which may well come to passe by force of the current comming from the E. and butting upon that coast may enforce the tyde into all indrafts and rivers with longer flowings untill the force of the ebbe receiving his strength from the West Sea doe resist it the Sea will not according to the saying Naturam expellas furcaâ— licit usqui recurrit Also they observed vpon this Coast that lying a Hull 25. leagues off Land the wind blowing trade they were brought to within two leagues thereof contrary to expectation This part of the Country they hold to be more populous and fruitfull then any discovered before And better stored with grasse fowle and wild Beasts And heere they see greater
Boates then before and of the contents of 20. persons And they thinke that being 60. leag vp the soresaid straight they saw Land on Larboard To returne backe againe the same way out of this streight along the supposed backeside of the Continent of America at the Queenes Forland he espies a Gut to goe through in Frobrishers straights sends the Gabriell through who meetes againe in the streight so the Queenes Forland proved an Iland They anchor in the streight at a Land they named Hattons Head-land where they met 7. of their ships and staies for the rest The 26. they had a cruell storme of winde and snow which disperced their Fleete and were most cruelly weather-beaten The 2. of August all the Fleete arrived except 4. and harbours neeâ—e Mount Oxford The 6. day they got vp as high as Leicester point Then they hold a Consultation for inhabiting but doth not 1. ship they had lost then as they thought but she came home without doing any thing Therest searches for Mynes and findes one cals it Bests blessing after his owne name that found it but in bringing their ship thereto she grounded vpon a Rocke halfe dryed So as they were forced to vnderprop her with their mayne yard and thereby escaped the danger which they might otherwise have fallen into Now the Fleete being all laden and ready they furnish vp a little house with Bells Babies Pictures of men and women Glasses Whissles Pipes with an oven with baked bread left it to the Natives And vpon the last of August the whole Fleete was ready to depart but a cruell storme tooke them some at Sea some at anchor in Sounds The Busse was faine to seeke a new way to Sea through a Sound she rid in vpon the backside of Beare sound and got to Sea to the N. of Frobrishers Straights but the Generall came home in the Gabriell and could not get aboard his owne ship the Aide The Busse comming home found an Iland in 57d and a halfe sailed a long 3. dayes and saith it is a fruitfull Champion country and wooddy The Busse fell on the South of Freezeland the 8. of September they steered from thence S. E. and by S. untill the 12. when they discryed land 5. leagues off The S. W. part bore S. E. by E. the Northermost N N E. or N E. the Master accounted the S. E. point of Freezland was then from him N. W. by N. 50. leag he accounts this Iland to be 25. leagues long S. E. and N. W. the S. side is in 57. â— â— they had sight of it 28. houres they opened 2. harbours therein the Master did account himselfe 50 leagues S. E. by S. from Freezeland when he first discovered this land there dyed about 40. persons upon this voyage It is to be observed in these Voyages That these are but Histories and that they did not know whether they saw Asia and America or no as I am sure they did not nor know in what land they were yet for certaine they were at Meta Incognita otherwise Groneland I thinke they meant to have kept this golden Country to themselves for the courses distance latitude longitude variation and other marine observations herein is none only one Latitude of 63. 8. min. the entrance of Frobrishers Straights and Freezeland they have placed in 61. deg with this new Iland the Busse is in 37d. and a halfe Northerne Latitude There is Beares Hares Foxes and innumerable of Sea-Fowle where of his men kild in one day 15. hundred he found of Ginnie beanes in their tents of colour Red the Inhabitants are good markemen with their darts for the most part they will strike a Ducke in the eye but altogether in the head The first Voyage of Captaine Iohn Dâ—vis of Sandruge in Devonshire 1585. to the North-West HEe departed from Darmouth the 7. day of Iune with 2. Barques viz. the Sunshine of 50. tonnes 23. persons and the Mooneshine of 35. tonnes 17. persons he put into Falmouth the 8. and remained there untill the 13. he went by the West 14. He puts into Siâ—â—ey and had contrary windes untill the 28 in his course N. Westward he see many Whales and Porposes they kild a Darly-head or porkfish which eate as sweete as any Mutton The 19. they fall into a great whirling or brisling of a tyde setting to Northwards and they heard a mighty roaring of the Sea as if it had beene the breach of some Shore the weather was fogge and mist they lanch a boare to sound but findes no ground at 300. fathomes and found the roaring to be the Sea and Ice beating together The 20. they descryed land the most deformed that ever was seene it seemed like the forme of Suger loafes over-toâ—ping the Clouds and covered over with snow the shore belaid with Ice a league off he names this Land Desolation The 21. they perceived themselves imbaid very deepe and great store of Ice to the N. N. E. W and S. W. they cleared themselves by running S. S. W. along the shoare The Captaine attempts to land but could not for Ice they try for fish but could get none the water was black and thick like to a standing poole here were many Seales They see woods on land like to those on New found land they had great store of float-wood upon the Coast they tooke up one Tree 60. foote long and 14. hands about they bend their course to South with intent to double the Land The 23. they coast the land which did lye E. N. E and W S. W. The 24. they coast the Land lying E. and W. not able to come neere shore for Ice the weather something thicke and colde the allowance of victuall was encreased so as 5. men had every morning â— â— pound of bread and one can of beere to breakefast the weather like Aprill in England but when the winde blew from land or Ice it was colde but when it came of the Sea it was very hot They depart from this land sailes N. Westward above 4. dayes 29. they descry land in 64. 15. bearing N. E. the ayâ—e and sea cleare and temperate he stands with land espies many faire sounds and harbours and many Inlets into the land he Iudges this land to be a number of Ilands he anchors goes on land findes where the inhabitants had beene he findes also a Shooe pieces of Leather sowed with seames and peeces of furre and wooll like to Beaver The Country people come to him he causes his Musitians to play wherein they tooke great delight and fals a dauncing at night he comes a board they all depart The 30. in the morning came 30. Canoes by the Ship cals them to land and they both make protestation by clapping on their brests and pointing to the Sunne they become familiar they will sell their cloaths from their backs with the buskins hose and gloves made of Seale skins and bird skins the
will sell their Coates or any thing they have They brought not above 20. skinnes but made signes that if they would goe ashore they should have more Chichesanege skinnes I thinke The 30. he was in 72. deg 12 min. at midnight the Compasse set the variation 28. deg West-ward he Coasted this Land which he called London Coast From the 21. to the 30. the Sea all open to the West and North-ward the Land on Starboard E. from him the wind shifted to the North. Then he left that shore and named the N. most part he did discover Hope Sanderson and shaping his Course West runne 40. leag and better without sight of any Land The 2. he meetes with a mighty banke of Ice West from him He would faine have quit it by the North-wards but the wind would not which if he had he would have runne W. vntill he had seene Land and have beene resolved The 6. being faire weather he puts the Barke amongst the Ice but could not prevaile the 7 8 9 10. He coasts the Ice the 11 was fogge and calme The 13 he determining to goe againe to the shore And harbor for 5 or 6 dayes Hoping in that time the extreame heate of the Sunne and beating of the Sea would have made way with the Ice but when he was nigh Land he durst not anchor for depth of water The Salvages came oft and truct for skinnes Darts they had for old and new knives and they would gladly have had him to the Land but he beareâ— away The 15. he finds himselfe driven 6. points west beyond his Course He layes the fault either in the Ship or Current The 16. he falls with the banke of Ice againe The 17. he had sight of Mount Raleigh at 12 at Night he was thwart of his old hole againe He sailes 60. leagues N W. vp the streights The 23 he anchors in the bottome of the Gulfe and calles the Iles Cumberland Iles. Whilst he was at anchor a Whale passed vp by him here the Compasse set at 30. d. variation This day also he departs shaping his course S E. and seeketh to recover the Sea The 25 be was becalmed in the bottome of the Gulfe the aire extreame hot Bruton the Master goes a Land to course Dogges they find many graves and Trane spilt the Salvage dogges was so fat they could scarce goe The 26 was a pretty storme at S E. 27 28 29. faire weather He had coasted the South-side shore of Cumberlands sound And was got cleare out into 62 deg betwixt which and 63. deg 00. he espies an opening And names it Lumleys Ilet And tells of great falls and Gulfes of water The 31 he see a Head-land he names Warwicks Forland The 1. he falls with the South-west Cape of the Gulfe and names it Chidleys Cape in 61 deg 10. min. From the first to the 12 He trents along the South-land sees 5 Deere on the top of an Iland he calls Darcyes Iland they take to another Iland his Boate was too little to carry his men and chase the Deere though it were in the water one of them was as big as a pretty Cowe and very fat their feete as broad as Oxe feete The 13. in 54 d. Latitude Heere he struck vpon a Rocke he stops his leake And Coasts along into 52 deg not finding his fishing ships as was appointed for them to stay and fish in Latit betweene 54 and 55 deg vntill the fine of this moneth but in 16 dayes they were fisht and gone home himselfe arrives at Dartmouth the 15 of September The Copie of Davis his Letter to Mr. Saunderson GOod Mr. Saunderson with Gods great mercy I have made my safe returne in health with all my company And have sailed 60. leag further then my determination at my departure I have beene in 73. deg finding the Sea all open and 40 leag betweene Land and Land The passage most probable the Bâ—cecution casie as at my comming you shall fully know The Marine Observation THat he Coasted the West side of Groynland farther then before from 65 deg odde min. to 72 deg odde minutes naming it London-Coast and on the West side was as farre vp his former streights as before onely he then forgot to name the Earle of Cumberlands Iles which now he hath done And besides he hath in his returne home seene and named Lumleys Inlet and passed by Fretum Hudson vnknowne Yet he hath named Cape Warwicke Which is the East part of Resolution Chidleys Cape the South bounds thereof now called Buttons Iles But vntruely these two things are both although in his Letter writ to Mr. Saunderson at his arrivall the 2. Voyage he doth assure the Passage to be in one of the 4. places vpon perill of his Life But I thinke he durst not venture it He went forth the 7. of May and returnes homewards the 23 of July His greatest Variation West was 30. deg And the 15 of Iuly he was driven 5 points W. of beyond his Course by what accident he knoweth not For to vse his owne words speaking of Warwickes Head-land This Cape as it was the most S. limit of the Gulfe wee passed over the 30 of this Moneth So was it the N. promontorie or first beginning of a very great Inlet whose South limit at this present wee see not Which Inlet or Gulfe this afternoone and in the Night wee passed over to our great admiration for the waters fall These abstracts are more at large to be seene in the first and 3 Volumes of Mr. Hâ—ckluits Voyages The Voyage of Captaine George Waymouth with two Fly-boâ—tes one of 70 th' other of 60. Tonnes 35 men victuaâ—led for 18 monethes set forth by the Muscovia and Tâ—â—kie Companies HE set forth the second of May 1602. hee went by the North made the Start or one of the Westmost Iles of Orkney it being low land bearing West in latitude 59 deg 30 min. he shapes a course betwixt N and West untill hee brings the Start North sayles away W and by N. in 59 deg 40 min. then steeres away W S W. in 57 deg 55 min. and there had no variation at all he hailed away Westward and had some fogge much raine but warme as in England 16 This day at noone he was 57 deg 35 min. and had not seene the Sunne or Moone in 76 houres before and now had variation 11 deg 18 He saw a great Iland of Ice in the afternoon he got sight also of the Southmost part of Groenland hee coasts this Ice to the North comming sometime into black water and presently the Sea would be cleare againe he could not game ground in 120 Fathoms neither could hee discerne any Current at which he reckons Cape Desâ—lation N N E 24 leagues off him 22 He was in 60 deg 37 min. latitude 27 The weather warme as in England he had great store of sea-Guls 28 He directs his course
by espying certaine Worlockes which the Captaine had caused to be set as Beacons for to give him knowledge of their being In this his absence from the Admirall the Saluages had done them much violence the Captaine had taken three of of them whom he kindly intreated others of them he slew this evening he takes in his provision of fresh water He sets on land one young man to be left in the Countrey to his cruell fortune and this was done by expresse command of the State-holder of Denmarke before his comming sorth they also in the Pinnace set another on land both being malefactors giving of them small necessaries It may be those people lived a long time after and may bee yet living if the Salvages have not devâ—ured them he sets sailes and comes to Sea where he found much drift Ice with a high Sea which he thought to be a current setting through Fretâ—â—â— Davis to the Southward as by experience he proved for by observation this day at noone he was in Latitude 62 deg 40. m. whereas the day before he was in Latitude 66 deg 10 min. having made by account a S by W. way about 10 leagues this current he did find to set along the Coast of Groenland South by East 15 This day he was in Latitude 57 degrees the 16 day close weather he meetes with a mighty skull of Whales amongst drift Ice and meetes also a great current setting West North-west over for America This is the current found by Frobrisher comming from the East and butting upon the East-side of Groenland and doth strike along the Land to Cape Christianus otherwise called Cape Farewell 1 Hee met with a skull of Herrings so that he knew himselfe not farre from Orkney he was in Latitude 58 deg 40 m. and sounding had 42 fathomes very sandy ground with some blacke dents when shortly after and the same day in the evening he sounded againe and had but 20 fathomes dented ground he was neere the shore before he saw it for it was thicke weather 10 He came to Elsenore Rode in Denmarke The second Voyage of Master Iames Hall from Denmarke to the further discovery of Groenland with five Shippes observed 1606. â—7 HEe set forth from Copemanhaven and went betwixt Orkney and Shotland the 7 of Iuâ—e which day one of the Groenlanders dyed it seemed it was one of them he had brought from thence the yeare before 14 He accounteth himselfe to be 19 deg 45 min. from the Meridian of the Naes of Norway 14 He steereth away W. the wind S E. and thick weather he imagineth himselfe in 58 deg 10 min. Latit at which time by reason of a Northerly Current contrary to his expectation he had made a West way Southerly 22 leagues and then as he supposeth the Compasse varied West-ward one point 1 He sees land being 8 leag off with a great banke of Ice lying off the S W. end thereof he supposeth it to bee Busse Iland and that it lyeth more to the West-ward then it is placed in the Marine charts Steering away W by N. he was in a great Current setting S S. W. the which he did suppose did set betwixt Jseland and Busse I le over with America from hence he steeres away W N W. 6 He found himselfe to be in 58 deg 50 min. whereby contrary to his expectation he did plainly see the South-erne current to be the cause this Evening he found the Compasse to be varied 12 deg 5 min. West-ward this Night their Pinnace and Vice-admirall come foule of one another 8 He was in 59 deg 30 min. and findes still the Current and variation to carry him to the South-ward of West 10 He sees the Coast of America in Latit 60 deg 16 min. about 9 leagues off and findes the needle varied 23 deg W. the hill tops were covered with snow the shore to the N. full of Ice he had a Current set West into the shore and indangers him Had not a gale fresh at S West brought him off 18 Vntill this day he passed many Mountaines of Ice at Noone was in 63 deg 45 min. Latit 19 Being amongst much Ice and plying to get cleare saith he seeth the Land of America in 64 Latit it lay S and N. very high and ragged covered with Snow He findes still a strong Current to the West from the Latit 51. his Compasse was placed ¾ of a point to East-ward of N and was carried almost 4 points to West-wards beyond his judgment he found this Current to set W N W. the Compasse varied 23 degrees From the 20 vntill the 25. he passeth and traverseth over from the West side for Groyneland and had sight of Queene Annes Cape 10. leagues off 27. He seeth the Capes he named the last yeare as Cape Annt Cape Sophy the Foords also as Rumells foord Christianus foord and puts into Coninghams foord where he saith the Silver was The Salvages come on board and barter with them for Iron with Seale skinnes and Whale-fynne he searcht vp the Foord and findes it to be but a Bay with many greene and pleasant Ilands the people to the number of 25. followes them with their Boates some of his men on Land travailes vp the Mountaines and sees raine Deere 6 There fell some small difference amongst them about choosing of an anchoring place the water being deepe and they removing from their first Road-sted further vp the River where it floweth S E. and N W. in Latitude 66 deg 25. minutes 9 The Captaine went vp the River with his Boate where they came to see their winter Houses which were builded with Whales bones the baulkes thereof were of Whales ribbes and covered with Earth they had certaine vaults or roomes vnderground 4 square two yards deepe in the Earth The towne consisteth of about 40. houses they found the buriall of their dead the Corps wrapped in Seale-skinnes and stones laid in the manner of a Coffin over them This day they take 5 of the inhabitants to bring into Denmarke to be informed of their Country which they call Secaâ—â—nga and say that within the Land they have a great King who is carried vpon mens shoulders 10 They come forth of Rumels foord and in great danger got to Sea being inforced betweene certaine Ilands which lye off Cape Sophie 4 leagues into the Sea the last yeare he named them Knights Ilands being got there he came into 66. deg 50. min. Laâ—it W N W. from Cape Sophy 15 leag off 18 He goes within sight of shore being all high land like Ilands and great store of Ice betwixt him and the same 28 He coasted to and againe amongst Ice vntill this day having had a storme and meetes one of his Fleete which had beene separated from him he fell with two bankes of Ice and is 8 leag off Desolation by account but could not
The observation he made of Groenland That it is an exceeding high land and Mountaines which are very high within the land they are of stone some of one colour some of another all glistering but nothing worth if there be any Mettall it lyeth low in the earth and cannot well be come by there are some rockes purer then Alablaster the Northside of the Mountaines are continually covered with snow there are few trees but in one place 40 miles within the land in a river called Balls-river upon the Southside of a Mountaine there is a little Grove of Wood about 6 or 7 foot high like a Coppice in England it being of Willow Iuniper and such like they found much Angelica And he thinkes the Countrey people do eat thereof for he saw many of those rootes in their boates There are store of Foxes in the Maine and Ilands of sundry colours there are as white as snow and long surred there is divers Deere but they be farre up within the land for the Inhabitants doe hunt them sore that come towards the Sea where themselves live he see 7 at one time his men had divers Darts horns of Deere he see the foot of one beast bigger than the foot of an Oxe their Dogs and Foxe Pizzels have a bone within them the people all the Sommer time use nothing but fishing drying their fish and Seales flesh upon the rocks for their winters provision every one both man and woman have a boat covered with Seales skinnes close sowed that no water can enter them some of them are 20 foot long and not above a foot broad shaped like a Weavers shuttle so light that a man may carry many of them at once they use but one oare with a washe at both ends it is incredible to see how swiftly they rowe no ship being able to sayle so fast they sit in the midst of their boates and holds their oare in the middle In these boates they catch their fish as Seales Salmon Morses and others they strike some with Darts and angle others their coard is made of Whale-bone their hooke of a bone with which lines and hookes wee have catched very much fish I could not learne of their rites and Ceremonies but generally they worship the Sun they remove from place to place as their fishing doth serve they live in tents in the Summer and in winter in houses somewhat within the ground when they approach you they will hold up their hand to the Sunne Crying Eliout which we answering in like fashion they dare boldly come to us They make a Cave with stones wherein they bury their dead according to the bignesse of the Corpes defending them strongly from the pâ—ey of Foxes or Ravenous beasts they make another neare the former wherein they bury his bowe arrowes and daâ—ts and other his provision and he is buried in his apparell the coldnesse of the clime keepes the body from putrifaction 11 They eate their meate rawe yet they use fire they drink Salt-water by the Ship side Some of our men conceived them to be Man-eaters but he thinks not because they might have killed 3 of our men at one time filling water in an Iland far from our Ship and without any weapon at which time a great company of them came to them and searching their boate for Iron they gave them all they had with their chest keyes whereupon they depart without doing them any harme but let others take heed Since that I have entred thus farre into Groenland by the way of Capt. Davis and Mast Iames Hall heare the report of Dethmar Plef-kins a Minister sent into Iseland from Hamburgh 1563. GRoenland was first so named in the yeare of CHRIST 900. And although I purposed saith he to passe over Groenland with silence yet seeing I touched upon the land and observed some few things I thought it not impertinent to make mention of them There was in a Monastery in Iseland called Helgafiel a certaine blind Monke who lived miserably there he was borne in Groenland of a darke complexion and broad face the Governour commanded him to be brought unto him that he might know some part of the State of Groenland he said there was a Monastery of St. Thomas in Groenland into the which his parents thrust him when he was but young and after he was taken out by the Bishop of Groenland when he was 30 yeeres of age to sayle with him into Norway to the Archbishop of Nidrosia or Drunton to whom the Iland Bishops are subiect in his returne hee was left in a Monastery by the Bishop whose Country Groenland was this was done as he said in 1546. he said that Iland was called Groenland Aâ—tiphrastically for that it seldome or never waxeth greene and that there is so great cold there throughout the whole yeere except Iune Iuly and August that being clothed and covered with Furres they could scarce be warme and that they had at home certaine round pieces of wood which being moved with their feet kept their feet warme he saith that it aboundeth as Island doth with fishes and that they had Beares and white Foxes â—ay Pigmies and Vnicornes and that the Day did not appeare untill the Sun had run through Pisces This Monke told us marvellous strange things that there was in the Monastery of S. Thomas where he lived a Fountaine which sent sorth burning and flaming water that this water was conveyed through Pipes of stone to the severall Cels of the Monks and that it made them warme as stoves do with us and all kind of meats might be boyled in this Fountain and fiery water no otherwise than if it had bin on a fire indeed he advertised moreover that the wals of the Monastery were made with Pumice stones out of a certaine mountain not farre from the Monastery like to Hecla in Iseland for if you powre this water upon the Pumice stone there will follow a slymie matter which in steed of lyme they use for motter After the Governors conference with him I came privately to demand certaine particulars touching the Pigmies and other things he had a little skill in the Latine tongue he understood me speaking Latine but answered me by an Interpreter he said the Pigmies represent the most perfect shape of man that they were hayrie to the outermost joynts of the finger and that the males have beards down to the knees but although they have the shape of man yet they have little sense or understanding or distinct speech but make shew of a kind of â—issing after the manner of Geâ—se that his Abbot kept two of them in his Monasterie male and female but they lived not long and that they were unreasonable creatures and live in perpetuall darkenesse that some say they have Warre with the Cranes but that he knew not He affirmed that the same manner of food was in Groenland as in Iseland to wit of Fish but not of Cattell because
they have no Cattell and that the Countrey is not populous Forthwith from Iseland begins the Hâ—perborâ—on Sea which beates upon Groenland and the Countrey of the Pigmies which at this day is called Nova Zembla and there the frozen Sea hath a Bay which is called the white Sea or Mare album and there are certaine passages whereby they saile into the Soythian Sea if they can for Ice And the Governour had a ship of the King of Denmarkes furnished withall necessaries but when he heard by the Monke of the short cut into the Kingdome of China by the Tartarâ—aâ— Sea which had often been attempted by others held it but in vaine The last of March 1564. he commanded that ship to sayle to those places and me also together with them enjoyning me diligently to marke well the scituation of the places and whatsoever we met with worthy of sight or report we were in the ship 3 score and 4 men as well Danes as Iselanders and the 20 day of Aprill we arrived in a certaine Promontorie of Groenland and when we found no harbour to the which we may safely commit our selves letting downe the lead we found the depth of the Sea and it was such as we could not anchor there and the abundance of Ice was so great that it was not possible to saile near the rocks 24 of us armed with great labour and danger went on shore in our Skiffe among whom I was to try whether I could find a harbour or no and what kind of men Groenland had in the meane time the ship floated in the Sea and Ice in a great Calme halfe our Company abode on the shore to keepe the Skiffe another part and I with them ranne abroad to discover they that were left on shore to keepe the Skiffe going hither and thither found a little man dead with a long beard with a little boat and a crooked hooke of the bone of a fish and a leather Cord foure fish-bladders were bound unto the boat as is supposed that it should not be drowned whereof 3 were sunke fallen flat this boat because it was very unlike ours the Governour sent to the King of Denmarke Wee wandred in the meane season in a land unknowne unto us which was covered with snow and Ice we found neither footing of men or any inhabitants nor fit place but the Sea was closed and fensed on every side with craggy Rocks yet we met with a great white Beare which neither feared us nor could be driven away with our cries but came full upon us as to his certaine prey and when he came neare unto us being twice shot through with a gun he stood bolt upright with his fore-feete like as a man standeth untill he was shot through the 3. time and so fell downe dead his skinne was sent to the King of Denmark wee agreed amongst our selves before we went on shore if we found a fit harbour or else had need of their helpe that we should plucke up our Stander which we carried out with us for that purpose and that if they would call us backe should signifie the same with their Ordnance a tempest arising in the meane while the Master of the Ship gives us a signe to returne and calls us backe unto the Ship all of us after with great labour in 3. dayes returned unto the Ship with the Beares skin we sailed therefore to the other side of the Iland to the North to the Country of the Pigmies or Nova Zembla that by the mouth of the white Sea wee might come to the Scythian or Tartarian Sea from thence they say there is a passage to the Kingdome of China and Cathay but being hindred by the Ice wee could not passe the mouth of that Sea wherefore without doing any thing we returned into Iseland the 16 of June The Voyage of Master Iohn Knight imployed into Groynland as Captaine the yeare before by the King of Denmark but now out of England to search the N. W. passage 1606. 18 HEe was set forth at the cost and charge of the Muscovia Company and the East India Merchants He set sayle from Gravesend the 18 of Aprill and arrived in Orkney the 26. hee stayed there 14 dayes with contrarâ— windes and in the meane time hee entertaines 2. men of the Country to goe along with him on the Voyage 12 He set forth from St. Margarets Sound in Orkney and steered away W. by S. 16 This day at noone holding still his course Westward off S. the Latit was 58 d. 19 m. his magneticall declination 8 deg also this mornings Sun being 10 d. above the Horizon was distant from E Northward 22 degrees 17 This day he was in 58 d. 10 m. this morning the Sun did rise 50 d. to the N. off East 12 He was in Latit 57 d. 50 m. continuing his course still Southwards off W. from the last day much wind at N N â— and fog and he had a current setting to the North. 22 He saw many Sea guls and Rock weede 23 He iudged his way to be made S W by W. but it proved W by S. or rather W 20 leag by reason of a current there he sees an Owle 28 He had Lat. 57 d. 57 m. the variation 14 d. 30 m. Westward this day he had black water streames leaches and fals of currents it seemed to the N. and some to the West 29 Latit 58 degrees he was in a tyde-gate which hee judged to set N and S. or that it was the Eddie of the currents which he saw the other day he sees white Fowles chirping like Sparrowes and also many dead Cowes adrift I think rather Crowes His Latit was 58 d. 3. m. the variation 24 d. to the N Westwards this night he observed the Sun to set 21 d. W. from N. 1 He was in Latit 57 d. 35 m. and saw many black fowles like Willockes flying in flocks together 4 He was in Latit 54 d. 40 min. 5 He was in 56 d. and had the variation by the Scale 20 d. by his other Instruments 24 d. W. the Sun was 22 d. â— â— high and to the North off W. 30 d. by the Instruments and 26 d. by the skale 11 At noone he had Latit 58. at night the Sun set 14 d. W from N. at morning it riseth 50. d. to the E. off North. 13 He had sight of land like Ilands in Latit 57 d. 25 min. and had some quantity of Ice driving to the South On Friday he makes fast to the Ice but the wind calming he rowes betwixt Ice and Ice towards the land but in a fog he makes fast againe to the Ice when it cleered he loosed againe and Rowes in and is exceedingly pestered with Ice suffering a mighty storme with thick and foggie weather which so bruised his Shippe betwixt the Ilands of Ice that he was in danger to be crushed to pieces though imployed all
shoare from the N E by â— to the W. by S. the N. 12 leagues off the W. part 20 leagues he had no ground at 180 fathomes and he thought hee see land bearing E N E. on the Suns side but could not make it perfectly here he found the latitude 62 deg 50. min. 2 This day he had sight of a Faire headland 6 leagues off which he called Salisburies Foreland he ran from thence W S W. 14 leagues in the midst of which he came in to a great whirling Sea whither caused by the meeting of a streames or overfals he knew not thence sayling W by S. 7 leagves farther he was in the mouth of a straight and had no ground at 100 fathomes the straight not being above 2 leagues broad in the passage in this Westerne part which from the Eastern part of Fretum Davis is distant 250 leagues 3 This day he put thorough this passage which was narrow after his men had been on land that did observe the flood-tide did come from N. flowing by the shore 5 fathoms After he had sailed West by South 10 leagues the land fell to the Southwards and the Iles to the West left him he observed and found himselfe in 61 d. 20 m. and a Sea from the Westwards He names the Cape on the Star-board C. Digges being an Iland that on the Larbord stands upon the maine named by him Cape Worstenholme here is all I finde extant of his owne writing although he lived untill Iuly following before he was exposed A large discourse of the said Voyage and the successe thereof written by Abacuk Pricket Who lived to come home They came to the Iles of Orkney and from thence to Farre one day being calme they fell to fishing and kild good store of God and Ling from thence they raise the Iles of Westmony in one of which the King of Denmarke hath a fortresse by which they passed to raise the Snow-hill-foote a mountaine so called on the N W. part of the land and in that course they see the famous Mount Hecla which cast out much fire a signe of foule weather to come they leave Island on sterne and met a maine of Ice lying upon the Northpart thereof which when they see they stood backe for a Harbour in Island called Derefer where he kild good store of Fowle from thence they put to Sea againe but the wind not serving he puts back againe into another harbour called Lowsie Bay heare they found a Bath so hot as would scald a Fowle He put forth for Groenland and thought he saw land but iâ— prooved a fog banke He raised Groenland but great store of Ice hung upon the land this land is Mountainous with hils like Suger loaves covered with Snow He coasted along betwixt W and N W. untill he saw Dissolation which is a great Iland on the N W. part of Groenland here he saw great store of Whales some came about and under the ship but did no harme From hence he directed his course N W. and would have hailed more Northerly if the winde would have suffered him in this course he see the first mountainous Ice about the last of June he raised the land N. off him he tooke the same to be that Iland which Capt. Davis set in his Chart on the W. side of this straight he would have gone to N. thereof but the winde would not suffer him so he fell on the Southside into a great ripling or overfall of a current into this current he went and made his way Northward off W. untill he met with Ice which hung on this Iland wherefore he cast about to the South and cleared himselfe and then stood to the W amongst some store of sloting Ice and upon the Ice store of Seales he still made way N W. and meetes sometimes with Ice and then againe cleare thus proceeding betwixt Ice and Ice he sees a great Iland of Ice overtumble which was a good warning to him not to come neere them the next day he had a great storme and was driven to put in amongst the Ice and there to lye some of his men fell sicke he will not say for feare though he see no other signe of griefe The storme ceasing he put from the Ice standing W S W and N W. and as the cleare Sea and Ice would suffer him seeing the sea thus continued he would seeke to the S. but the more he strove the worse he was for he was fast inclosed and began to dispaire as he after told this Writer hee thought he should never have got out of this Ice but there haue perished Wherfore he shewed him his Card that he was 100. leag further than ever any English man was and referred to their choyse to proceed further or no whereupon some wisht them at home others any where so from amongst the Ice but in this distraction there passed words which was thought upon long time after There was one told the Master that if he had a 100 pound he would give 90 therof to be at home but the Carpenter made answere and said if he had 100. he would not give 10 upon any such condition but would hold it as good money as ever he had any and by Gods leave to bring it as well home well to worke they goe and with labour get the ship cleare the sea being also cleere a league or 2 off the course now is N N W. in the end he raised high land at S. W. covered with snow and names it Desire provokes he heard the noyse of a great overfall of a tide that came out of the Land and now he could well discerne that formerly he had beene imbayed and that Time made his acquaintance so well knowne to the Ice that when wet fogge or foule weather came he should make fast to the broad peece of Ice and run and sport and fill sweete fresh water upon the same after he had brought this land to beare S off him he had a current or tyde to open the Ice being carried first one way and then another but in bayes they lay as in a pond without mooving in the Bay wherein he was thus troubled he see of those Icie mountaines on ground here was 120 and 140 fathomes of water and here he sees a Beare upon the Ice his men gave chase to him but lost him by the tydes carrying away the Ice the Beare was gone out of their reach He continued his course towards the North-West and raised land to the North and Ice where there was a Beare which came from Ice to Ice untill she came neere them and then she runne away hee stood along on the South side of this land meeting with Ice which seeing he stood into the shore and found a harbour in the West end of this Iland he went over one Rock of two fathomes and a halfe and at low water it was so much bare he names it
not have one houre to get vp his anchor the winde then ceasing the Master would have vp the anchor against the mind of all that knew what belonged therevnto but when he had his anchor on peake the Ship tooke one sea and threw them all from Capstone and diuers were hurt he left his anchor and saved most of his Cable for the Carpenter had laid his axe ready to cut the Cable if occasion should so fall out From hence he stands to S W. through a cleare Sea of divers soundings and came to a Sea of two coulours one blacke the other white and 16 or 17 fadom water betweene which he went 5 or 6 leag the night comming on he goes in his maine and fore-saile and came into 5 or 6 fathomes he saw no land for it was darke so that he stood to the East and had deeper water and then stood to the S. and S. W. and came to the West◠most bay of all in this bay wintred Captaine Iames of Bristow in this bay neerest to the N. shore he anchored and sent on Land his boate he found the land flat and his men saw the footing of a man a ducke in the snowy Rockes and found good store of wood heere he saw a ledge of Rockes lying S. and N. to the South-ward off him and flowed over at full sea and a strong tide set in there he weyed anchor at midnight and thought to stand forth as he came in but it fortuned that hee runne upon these Rockes and sate there for 12 houres but by Gods mercy he got off againe unhurt though not unafrighted He then stood up to the East and raised 3 hils lying North and South he went to the furthermost and left it to the North he came into a Bay and anchored and sent the Carpenter and this writer to looke for a place to winter it being the last of October the nights long and cold the earth all covered with Snow themselves wearied having spent 3 moneths in a labyrinth in this Bay they went downe to the East to the bottome there but returned not with that they went for the next day he went to the South and S West where he found a place unto which hee brought his ship and hailed her on ground and on the 10 day she was froze in now hee lookes to the lengthning of his provision He was victualled for 6 moneths with good provision and might have had more from home if he would now hee must pinch for that he knew of no supply untill he came the next yeere to Cape Digs where the Fowle breed for there was all his hopes wherefore hee propounded reward to him that either killed beast fish or fowle his Gunner dyed about the middle of this moneth he blameth the Masters uncharitable dealing with this man but note what followed The Master kept in his house at London a young man named Henry Greene borne in Kent of worthy Parents but by his life and conversation he had lost the love of all his friends spent all that he had but by the means of one Master Venson his mother parted with 4 l. to buy him cloathes which money he was not trusted with the disposing of himselfe this Henry Greene was not knowne to the Adventurers nor had any wages but came onely on board at Graves-end and at Harwich would have gone into the field with one Wilkinson of our Company at Island he fell out with the Chirurgion in Dutch and he beat him on shore in English which set all the Company in a rage so that they had much adoe to get the Chirurgion on board againe this Author told the Master of it but he bade him let the matter alone for said he the Chirurgion hath a tongue that would wrong the best friend he had but Robert Iuet the Masters Mate would needs put his fingers in the Embers and told the Carpenter a long tale when he was drunke that the Master had brought in Greene to cracke his credit that should displease him which when the Master heard of being forty leagues from Island he would have gone backe to Island to have sent Juet his Mate home in a Fisherman but being otherwise perswaded all was well and Greene stood upright and was very inward with the Master and was a serviceable man every way for manhood but for Religion he would say he was white Paper whereon he might write what he would now the Gunner was dead and then as order is in such cases if the Company stand in neede of any thing belonged to the man that is deceassed then is it brought to the maine Mast and there sold to them that will give the most for it this Gunner had a gray cloth Gowne which Greene prayed the Master to befriend him so much as to let him have it paying for it as another would give the Master said he should and therefore answered some who sought for it that Greene should have it and none else Now out of time and season the Master called the Carpenter to goe in hand with a house on shore which at the beginning hee would not heare of when it might have beene done the Carpenter told him that the Snow and Frost was such as hee neither could nor would goe in hand with such worke which when he heard he feretted him out of his cabbine and struck him calling him by many foule words and threatned to hang him the Carpenter tolde him that he knew what belonged to his place better then he did and that he was no house Carpenter yet the house was made with much labour to no end the next day after the Master and the Carpenter fell out the Carpenter tooke his Peece and Henry Greene with him for it was ordered that none should goe out alone but one with a Peece another with a Pike this did move the Master so much more against Greene that Robert Bylot his mate must have the Gowne and had it delivered unto him which Henry Greene seeing he charged the Mr. with his promise but the Mr. did so raile on Greene with so many words of disgrace telling him that all his friends durst not trust him with 20 shillings therfore why should he and as for wages he was to have none nor should if he did not please him yet the Mr. had promised him as good wages as any man in the ship and to have him one of the Princes Guard at his home cōming but you shall see how the Divell so wrought out of this that Greene did the Master what mischiefe he could in seeking to discredit him and to thrust him and other honest men out of the ship to speake of all the troubles and of this cold Winter would be too tedious Now he sheweth how mercifully God dealt with them in this time for in the space of three moneths he had such store of one kinde of Fowle which were
Westmost they found nothing on land but Cockle grasse he saith he found that before they came to this place that he was kept in the Ship against Henry Greenes minde because he did not favour their proceeding better then he did for he drave him to take upon him to search for such things as himselfe had stolne and accused him of a matter no lesse then treason amongst themselves for that he had deceived the company of 30 bread cakes now they began to talk that England was no safe place for them and Henry Greene swore that the ship should not come in any place but keepe the Sea still untill he had the Kings hand and seale to show for his safety they had many devises but Henry Greene was their Captaine and so they called him from those Ilands he stood to the N. having the Easterne land in sight and raised these Ilands the Master had called Romnâ—ys Ilands between which Ilands and the shallow ground to the E. off them the Mr. stood downe into the first great bay this was going outward in the Masters time they kept the East side â—â—iâ—lâ—in sight and comming thwaâ—t of low land strooke once upon a Rock that lay under water but without any harme that they saw they continue their course and raise Lanâ— on head which stretâ—hed to the North there they said pâ—â—iâ—â—lâ— that Robert Bilot by his Northernâ— course had lâ—â—â— thâ—â—â—â—â—s to the South and that in time they must sâ—â—ke thâ—t way for reliefe having but small store left Buâ— Bilot would still follow the land to the North saying that â—â—â—â—â—pâ—d in good time to finde what would relieve us that way as soone as to the South This Writer faith that hee told them that this Land was the Maiâ—â— of Wostenholme Cape and that the shallow Rockey ground was the same that the Master ran down by when he went intâ— the great Bay Robert Iveâ— and all said it was not possible unlesse the Master had brought the Ship over land and willed them to looke into the Masters Card how well their course and it did agree they stood to the East and left the Maine land to the North by many small Ilands into a narrow gut betweene two Lands and anchored they went on the West side and found a great Horne and cockle grasse on the East side this Grasse was great reliefe to them for without it they could not have recovered the Capes for want of Victuall When they weighed Anchor theâ— doubled the Cape to the North which is high land even to the Capes which is North and South some 25. or 30. leagues then they stand to the North they saw of those Fowles which breed at the Capes and killed some at which time with great joy they raised the Capes and bearing for them came to the Ilands that lay in the mouth of the Streights but bearing in they ran upon a Rock and stood fast for 8. or 9. houres it was ebbe when they grounded but the next flood floated them off againe It was faire weather the ebbe came from the East and the flood from the West being afloate they stood to the Eastward and anchored This day he sent the Boat on land to kill Fowle they in the Ship had warning to stand as neere as they could but the winde being contrary they could not fetch the place where the Fowle breed but they found great store of Gulls upon the Cliffes but hard to come by but with their peeces they killed 30. and towards night returned on shipboard then they brought their Ship neerer the Mouth of the Streights and anchored in 18. Fathoin upon a Riffe or Shelfe but when they had wayed and stood to the place where the Fowle breed they were faine to stand to and againe in the Streights mouth under Sayle because they could not finde ground to Anchor in the water was so deepe The Boat went to Diggs Cape and made directly for the place where the Fowle breed where they see 7. Boats came about the Easterne point towards them but when the Salvages saw their Boat they draw their lesser Boats into their bigger and when they had done they came rowing to their Boat and made signes to the rest our men made ready for all essayes the Saluages came to them and they grew familiar one with another so as ours tooke one of theirs into their Boate and they tooke one of ours into theirs then they carried our Men to a Cove where their Tents stood to the Westward of the place where the Fowle breed so they carryed our Man into their Tents where he remained untill our men returned theirs In our Boat went their man to the place where the Fowle breed and wee being desirous to know how the Salvages killed their Fowle hee shewed them the manner how which was thus They tooke a long Pole with a snare at the end which they put about the Fowles neck and so pluck them downe When our men knew that we had a better way and so shewed the Salvages the use of our Peeces which at one shot would kill 7. or 8. To bee short they returned to the Cove to receive our man and to deliver heirs When they came they made great joy with dancing leaping and striking of their breasts they offered divers things to our Men but they onely tooke some Mores teeth which they gave them for a knife and two glasse Buttons so receiving our Man they came abroad rejoycing at this chance as if they had met with the most simple people of the World And Henry Greene more then the rest was so confident that by no meanes we should take care to stand upon our guarde God blinded him so that where he thought to receive great matters from this people he received more then hee looked for and that suddenly by being made an example for all men that make no conscience of doing evill and that wee take heed how wee trust the Salvage people how simple soever they seeme to be They made haste to be on shore and because the Ship rid farre off they weighed and stood as neere the place where the Fowle breed as they could and because he this Writer was lame he was to goe into Boat to carry such things as he had in the Cabbine of every thing some what And so with more hast then good speed and not without swearing away he went as Henry Greene William Wilson John Thomas Michael Pierce Andrew Motter and himselfe When they came neere the shore the people were on the hills dancing and leaping to the Cove we came where they had drawn up their Boats Wee brought our Boat to the East side of the Cove close to the Rocks on land they goe and make fast the Boat to a great stone on the shore the people came and every one had something in his hand to barter but Henry Greene swore that they should have nothing untill he had Veâ—ison
protract this Voyage to try whether this ut ultra proved a Bay or no must begin here and proceed to Carys Swans nest From this noone untill midnight he stood N. E. by N. 18. leagues with much winde and goowne Sea From midninght being in 15. fathoms the weather hazy the winde S. W. he stood off N. E. by North 12. leagues till noone seeing the weather like to be bad and at 3. in the morning he found his depth not answerable to his expectation for he had but 25. fathom and at â— past 3. 21. fathom hee stood S. E. till 4. that morning and had 30. fathom 27. About 6. this morning hee gave order to take in his Skiffe the weather clearing he saw land N. and by E. about 5. leagues off and was as the other land that hee last sawe something higher and having edged in with the land from this morning 6. untill noone the land was N. E. and by E. from him From noone untill 6. in the evening he steered E. one point without the land 4. leagues at 6. he anchored 32. fathom It was then slake water for at 8. came a strong set from N. by E. at 11 the winde S. S. W. and blew much hee weighed and stood away N. E. with his Fore and Mision Sayles 28 At midnight he put out all sayles and stood N. E. away 4. leagues untill morning 4 having depth then 73. fathom he edged in N. and N. and by E. upon that tyre hee found the night before and runne from this morning 4. untill noone 6. leagues N somewhat Easterly This noone with bould winde S. he loost up for the shore to get an oppertunity if possibly to send his Boat on land to have found which had beene the flood and which the ebbe but when he came within 2. leagues of shore hee found the Bay all broken ground and the Sea full of breaches a good way off the shore and some within one mile under his Lee. The weather growing suddenly very thick he came to an anchor at one a clock in the afternoone and sent the Boat on Land but they had not beene from him halfe a Glasse but it grew so thick that he caused Muskets to bee shot to call the Boat back againe at the end of 5. Glasses they returned saying that having rode halfe an houre at anchor they could discerne no tyde no more could he in the Ship In this place it is a Bay full of small Iles neere the shore under the high land and as he rode bore on him N. N. E. Easterly and S. W. at clock 4. the winde began to blow very much hee wayed and stands E. N. E. of with a S. S. W. winde untill 6. that night the winde encreasing to a great storme he takes in his maine and top sayles and stands away E. N. E. with a foresayle at 8. a clock he had 63. fathom and so standing one houre longer it began to shoald contrary to expectation he came into 50. fathom for that to fore running Eastward hee alwaies depened his water which now shoalding he edged of E. till midnight they had but 44. fathom which perceiving he found that he was imbayed therefore to prevent further danger he strook sayle and lay to Halle 29. From midnight untill 3. this morning he lay on Hull having the water so shoald and at 3. the weather clearing a little with the increase of the daylight hee saw land from the E. by S. to the N. N. E. Easterly which perceiving hee set his Sayles and flats about his Ship head and stood W. of till noone 4. Leagues Thus at noone it falling calme and hazie he anckors with his ledge Anckor hee feared all the coast along to bee rockie ground and being thus at anckor at 23. Fadome he had at 2. a Clock a little cleare and saw the Land not pastt 2. Leagues from him from the N. to the W. S. W. which together with the Land which he saw in the morning from S. to the E. by S. N. E. Easterly gave him assurance that he was imbayed for that he could not be of that Easterne Land above 7. Leagues Being thus at a Non plus himselfe by observation the day before by his reckoning since to be as far Northerly fully as 65. d. It troubled him something and especially to see the Easterne Land to treul away Southerly well the wind comming about to N. N. E. hee came out of this hee called a Bay and saith hee was enforced therein by extremity of a S. W. wind and yet hee saith that by his not far standing from the West side this Bay cannot be above 16. or 17. Leagues over from Land to Land and in his running hee found the depth of it to be not above 4. and 5. and 30. Leagues But as a wise Gentleman and one well understood in the Rules of Navigation who having exactly surveyd these journall writs in the Margent I cannot find that it proved a Bay nor is it one by any thing herein written and for other things knowne is none About 5. in the afternoone the wind encreased to a great storme he tooke in his Sayles and went away with a free and sprit sayle having 46. Fadome and betweene 7. and 8. hee came after to 62. Fadome and in a cleere hee saw the Land E. and by S. 3. Leagues off From the time that he set sayle this afternoone untill 8. at night he ranne 7. Leagues S. S. W. the wind at N. N. E. At Clock 10. hee stood S. E. hoping to have found the Land to wind away and running but â…“ of an houre he came to smooth water upon a suddaine and had but 26. Fadome And the weather being yet hazie hee saw the Land faire by him bearing E. S. E. very high Land then he edg'd of untill midnight S. S. E. Easterly having come since 8. a Clock 5. Leagues From Midnight Land still in Verioe he edg'd off W. N. W. and at 2. in the morning hee came into 65. Fadome then hee edg'd of W. and S. W. and S. S. W. untill 4. in the morning when the storme was so violent that he was driven to steere away before it with his fore course at 5. this morning by the extremity of the Sea he sunk his long Boate. All this morning he steered untill S. S. S. W. 5. Laagues along the shoare and every stache hee saw the Land not above 3. Leagues from him from 8. untill Noone hee steered S. 5. Leagues then the storme began to lesson and he put out more Sayle And this Easterne Land hee saw to beare S. S. E. Easterly from him and lyeth as neere as he could Iudge S. Westerly and Westerly From Noone untill Midnight hee stood away S. S. E. 13. Leagues and from Midnight untill this noone S. S. E. 6 Leagues and 4. Leagues S. S. W. 31. This day at Noone it was cleere and by his observation
beare up with the S. most part of the Land he saw to the intent to lend his Boate on Land for water and to try from whence the flood came at 1. in the afternoon he anchored in a Bay in 4. Fadome smooth groud but rockie for he could see it under him He sent his man well mand and armed who found water instantly they found not farre from them 2. old houses broken and fallen downe to the ground wherein were the skulls and bones of deadmen Images and toyes such as they found by digging with their hands under the ruines of the decayed houses with some dozen of small Mors teeth His opinion is that this were the ruines of some who by mischance had miscarried there by wrack of their Boate or being inforced to water there made their best provision they could to endure it but the extremity being so strong for them and the place neither affording meanes for them to repaire their Canooes the ruines whereof he found some for fuell for fire to comfort them in Winter hee gesses this killed them for had they beene any other then such as were thus enforced by such extremity they would not have left such things behind them as they found for there nature is wheresoever they come to have few things of worth or value behind them much lesse doth hee thinke they have left their Images which hee perveiveth they account their gods And there was Mors teeth for which and the treyne thereof they make all their Sommers travells and labours Thus his Boate having brought him water he ried all that day with wind of Land and observed that the flood came from N. and the ebbe from S. making a full stay that day betweene 3. and 4. a Clocke Having watered he weighed and steered untill 4. this morning N. W. by W. 7. Leagues the wind N. N. E. It grew thick with fogg at 4. in the Evening hee tackt about to the Eastward till 83. Leagues N. E. by E. the thick cause him to take to the W. ward and till Midnight he made way N. W. and by W. 3. Leagues From midnight untill morning 6. he stood in E. N. ½ northerly 4. Leagues he tackt about untill 10. a Clock 3. Leagues N. W. and by N. At which time hee came to an Anchor in 85. Fadome and found the tyde of Flood to come from the N. Land ebbe from the S. and ruld within 6. or 7. Leagues of shore it bearing N. E. and by E. This Evening 8. he stood with N. and by E. winde N. W. and by 44. Leagues untill midnight at noone before hee had an observation 62. d. 19. m. this day hee saw great store of geese fly to the Southwards which hee tooke to bee a token that the Winter did aproach the weather was very faire and cleere From midnight untill 7. this morning his way W. 5. Leagues N. W. and by W. the wind as before the weather faire and cleere and most likly to prove so to continue of any he had so seene since he came for his wintering From 7. this morning untill 2. in the afternoone hee stood to the E. ward and made way 4. Leagues N. E. and by E. From 2. the wind wearing he stood to the E. ward and made way untill midnight 7. Leagues N. W. From midnight untill morning hee held the same course 4. Leagues N. W. northerly it grew calme and he was within 5. Leagues of a faire Head land hee came to Anchor in 65. Fadome the Land bare from the N. N. W. to the W. S. W. both Lands hee deemed to bee distant 10. Leagues it being calme with windward Tyde hee wayed Anchor hoping to get to the Northward of this faire Head land and that the height of that Land would bring him into deeper water After he was loos'd he was sagged into the Bay from 62. to 50. fathome a small gale comming on hee stood off into 60. fathome when it fell calme he anchored againe this day was faire and cleere he obserued in 62. d. 38. m. This Cape was a very faire Head land and the northerne part is much higher then the westerne but it is all the other Land is of this straight except 15. leagues on this side his wintering place which was woody else on this side it is all barred and rockie but a bad shoare to saile along This forenoone calme but faire and cleere weather and the onely Somers day hee had since his comming from his wintering being at Anchor bewixt the Cape and the W. point he saw the Land to make with two Bayes the further point of the southerne Bay being from the northerne Land of that Bay W. and by S. southerly and the North point E. and by N. northerly And the other Bay from this point to the Cape it selfe lieth E. northerly and S. westerly at noone he observed in 62. d. 42. m. At 4. the afternoone he set sayle and with small winde at 5. he stood with the Cape the weather being cleere and faire hee sent to the Cape to turne the Tyde being thwart of the Cape the point is low with an underland and some 2. Cables length from shore ia a low flat little Iland the land you shall open to the Northward lieth N. W. Westerly hee boat or bore he edged of and anchored within one mile of the land having opened the land to the westward of the Cape he anchored 15. fathom and rid there all night to try the tyde for that his Boat had brought word that it was ebbe tyde and that it set to the Northward which did agree with the tyde he found on the Eastland where hee watered but from the time he now anchored being between 10. and 11. at night and 3. the next morning he set sayle hee could not finde any certainty but what followed This morning was calme but the night before was full of strange Harbours as they call them which is a streame in the Element like the flame that commeth forth the mouth of a a hot oven which upon this Coast how faire soever the weather bee when you see them yet it is an infallible signe of a storme to follow within 24. houres after as it proved by this and divers times before At 3. this morning without certenty of the Tyde a small gale S. he wayed and advised with Captaine Gibbins and Captaine Ingram and with the rest what course was best to bee taken they resolved this Land falling away N. W. and by W. westerly and having 113. Fadome within a Mile of the shore to stand away N. N. W. alougst the shore resolving not to leave this Land untill he were fully satisfied standing thus untill 8. at night being some 7. Leagues of the Cape he saw an Iland of the westermost Land that bore from him W. N. W. 7. or 8 Leagues off hee had then 100. Fathome and stood N. N. W. as before At
well say one degree more on land to the Northward hee then saw good reason for it At 8. this night the weather being a little cleere with ebbe he wayed and plied to windward to get about the N. W. end of the Iland and being about the West point the ebbe being dâ—ne he saw another point open upon him that bore N. the winde at N. W. in 33. fathoms the weather thick and bad he anchored where in lesse than one houre the tyde of flood came most strong as before from N. W. and by N. whereby he concluded having brought the Northerne point N. from him thaâ— it was the true Channell tyde for had it beene otherwise it would have come as the land lay which was N. but now being open of the land and finding it to come from the N. W. and by N. he faith in his judgement that course and N. N. W. must direct whomsoever shall seeke this passage hereafter And the rather to continue himselfe in this opinion he now to late found that those that were this way first himselfe the last yeere were all of them deceived of the set of the tyde within Sir Dudley Diggs his Iland for there they found it come more Westerly which was caused by many broken Ilands that lye to the Westward of it which he never sawe untill his returne homewards And upon this tyde if I can judge saith he we cannot be deceived for this caveat he doth give to whomsoever shall succeed him in this discovery That whensoever he loseth his strong tyde or finds ground in 200. fathoms let himselfe he is out of his direct course for finding of this Voyage So this his experience upon his unhappy counter-course taught him that whensoever it is to be found it must bee in deepe water and in a strong tyde and in this course that he took he hopes it will not be imputed an errour of his for what he did in the directing of it for it was to follow the letter of his instructions For albeit he was precisely tyed to stand with Hudsons Westerland in 58. d. yet he never came much to Leeward of 61. d. till he was encountered with land 200. leagues Westward from Sir Dudley Diggs his Iland How much in effect I received in a Manuscript from Sir Thomas Roe besides divers others towards the furtherance of my Voyage But further from Abacuk Pricket who saith they came not through the maine Channell of Fretum Hudson nor thorow Lumleys Inlet but that he came through into the Mare Hyperborum betwixt those Ilands first discovered and named Chidleys Cape by Captaine Davis and the North part of America called by the Spaniards who never saw the same Cape Labradorr but it is meet by the N. E. point of America where there was contention amongst them some maintaining against others that them Ilands were the Resolution which Josias Hubbart withstood untill he stood himselfe into the danger of displeasure but at length it proved a new streight and a very straight indâ—ed to come through which resolved all doubts but hereupon all their plots and Iournalls This part which came unto my hands I have writ thinking there may be some that will protract the same he met no Ice in his home comming untill he came into Fretum Hudson and but little there Iournals more taken from them and therefore who doth desire any further satisfaction from this Voyage must seeke it from Sir Thomas Button onely Pricket saith that they were at home in 16. dayes Concerning the Voyage of Captaine Gibbons with a Ship called the Discovery vitled for 12. Monethes in the yeare 1614. LIttle is to be writ to any purpose for that hee was put by the mouth of Fretum Hudson 28 with the Ice driven into a Bay called by his Company Gibbons his hole in Latitude about 57. upon the N. E. part oâ— Stinenia where hee laid 10. weekes fast amongst the Ice iâ— danger to have beene spoyled or never to have got away so as the time being lost hee was inforced to returne The Voyage of Robert Bilot yet forth by Sir Dadley Diggs Mr. Iohn Wolstenholm Alde man Iones 16. 15. in the discovery of 55. tunnes burthen Written by William Baffine THis Robert Bylot had beene in this ship all tâ—â— 3. voyages before viz. Hudson as you finde by Pricket Sir Thomas Button and Gibbons and therefore was a man well experienct that way his company consisted of 16. men and 2. boyes he anchored in Lee read the 18. Aprill 6 Vpon this day he had sight of Groenland on the East side of Cape Farewell that night he had a great storme but hee kept southerly to get cleare of the Ice that lay on shore Hee kept his course untill the 17. day seeing many great Ilands of Ice some doth affirme that there is not above one 7. part of the Ice above water saith Baffine hee observed one peece to be 140. Fathome above water this day hee came to the firme Land of Ice as hee supposed being in 61. 16. the Latitude of the S. part the I le Resolution then hee asked opinion concerning putting in amongst the Ice saying the Sea was on the N. side of the South channell and much Ice hee must passe and if he could get but 2. or 3. Leagues within the Ice it would open every Tyde and so hee should get something on his way having all the channell to the S. on him and with this resolution he put in W. E. N. E. wind this first entrance Baffine liked not well finding scarce a place to put the Ships-head into being 30. Leagues from any Land towards evening they were fast amongst the Ice 22. Sometimes ere day the Ice would something open and so made what way hee could to the N. W. in for the shore untill this day the wind all South yet hee could see plainely so that he seekt to the Southward doe what he could This day the wind came up at N. N. W. and hee determined to stand forth againe for if the wind had come'd at N. E. it had beeene impossible for him to have fetcht any part of the channell againe for he thought he drave fast to the southward with South wind yet he had not seene the Land 23. Hee was also determined to spend 20. or 24 dayes in Fretum Davis to see what hopes would bee that wayes supposing there would be little good done in Hudsons straights for the time limited hee plyed to get to Sea-ward and at Clock 8. in the night hee was cleared from the Ice hee then changed his opinion and stood to the N. all hee could as the Ice would give him leave câ—mming 30. Leagues to N. E. by N. in Latitude 61. d. 50. m. at Clocke 6. the wind came N. N. E. 26. This day was faire and coole but the after noone was close and hazie hee tooke in his sayles and held untill
3 leag and being faire weather the water shoalding to 30 fath he anchored againe still finding a pretty soaking current setting most an end N W. and S E. This morning clock 8 he anchored againe having but new weighed because of the Fog This morning clocke 4 he weighed and stood away W N W. with S E. wind true course 5 leag and was in 63 d. 50 m. having a swelling Sea out of the Westerboard the water waxed deepe from 30 to 50 fath and the ground was hard channell ground from 12 to 4. he sailed N W. by N. 6 leagues but found no ground and supposed he saw the W. land bore N N W. from him From 4 untill 8 he stood away N. and by E. 5 leag at 8 he sets tacks aboard and stood N E by S. in a deep gut this day he had 45 fath at clocke 4. at 5 he had 8 fath and at 8 he had 65 the land bearing N N W. and N W. This day at the dawning the land bore N W. and he stood along it N E. true course he had sounding 25 and 30 fath and anchored at clocke 8 and weighed againe presently the land bore E. and had sounding all day the further N. ward the deeper water this writer saith he iudged it to be Salibury I le he sailed N E the forenoone some 7 leag in the afternoone N N E. for so the land did lye towards the bottome of the Bay the latit was 64 d. 30 m. variat 23 d. 10 m. the part of this land bore from him N N E. fine low plaine land The 8 in the morning he was perswaded it was a bay but that he will not say he was this day calming and did thinke that there was no tide here but sending his boate on shoare found 20 foot ebbing and flowing and sport enough for them all for in â— houres space he saw in conscience as good as 300 Deare as fat as butter but caught none for his intent was to travell as good as 2 miles hoping to have seene the Sea on the other side but could not 9 This day clock 8. to 12. he run 6 leag W N W. from 12 he steered away as the land would give him leave W S W. and W a fine shoalding coast and dainety sounding shelly ground from 10 to 16 fathomes heere he had a little current set W N W. this as he iudged is all broken land latit 63 deg 40 min. variat 23 d. 30 m. 10 The wind was at S E and by E. the farther to the Westward the shoalder water they iudge themselves to be shot so farre to the W. ward as Sea Horse Poynt because of the coast trenching to Southerly his boate rid with her Grapnet and found a pretty streame 11 This day he was in 63 d. 40 min. latit the land bearing from him S W. and trenching along to the S. being in this lat they thought themselves farre shot to the Westwards within Sea Horse poynt and so returned backe againe for the Bay where they were in almost 65 deg to the N. wards but he altered his mind and stood for Diggs his Iland to try the tyde N E by N. Northerly from thence where he turned out of the Bay of Sea Horse 24 leag 12 This day the wind was E. and by S thick weather 13 From the last day to this day noone he was becalm'd in thicke weather 14 From the last day noone till this he made way 9 leag E S E. and 2 leag N W. 14 He tryed the tyde and found as strong a streame at this time as you have here in the Thames it set S E. and N W. he followed it to see whether it would carry him at clocke 8 at night he anchored and wayed againe at 8 next morning and to 12. he run 4 leag N W by N. from 12 to night 10 leag and he had souâ—â—â—â—g 60 and 70 fath but anchored in 30. 16 This morning 4. he wayed and stood to the N. ward but thought he was stopt by land and therefore bore up the helme for England not oâ— that he was out of hope of a passage for that he will never say 17 From the last day untill this S. W. 8 leag he tackt to the N. ward this morning he was in sounding 70 60 59 fath 18 From the last noone to this he drove N E. 6 leag both these last dayes were thick weather 19 To this day noone 20 knots S E. and 10 knots S W. 20 To this day noone 20 leag S E. the wind W. and foggy 21 To this day noone he run 20 leag S E. thicke weather and he was in 61 d. 15 m. latit and sounding he had 86 fath 22 To this day noone 15 leag E by S. at noone it was cleare weather and he was in 6â— d. 40 m. latit and he saw land to the N. off him and had sounding from 45 40 36 fath 23 This day he was in latit 62 d. 00 m. in the morning the land bore S. off him and they judge it to be the N. shore or Cape he had sounding 9 and 19 fath and had run from last day 22 leag E by N. and 6 leag S he had sounding along the land 17 or 18 fath fine beach land and stiffe a gale at N W. 24 From the last day to this 23 leag S E. and 9 leag E by S. and this morning he fell with land which he tooke to be the Kings Forland it bore S E. 9 leag off and latit 61 d. 30 m. this day the Pinnace stole from them as they thinke upon puroose 25 From this day at noone N N W. 8 leag and N E by N. 9 leag sounding was 40 and 45 fath 26 This day at noone they saw the same breach that they parted from and was by observation in latit 62 deg 10 min. variat 26 deg the wind was at S E. and they thought themselves on the W. side of Mansfield Ile 2 leagues off and had deepe 16 or 18 fath 27 From last noone to this he run 27 leag true course N by E. and were in latit of 60 d. the wind at E S E. this night at clock 10 the fogge came the next morning it cleered but he had no ground at 100 fath he tackt about to the S. ward till next morning and then to the N. ward but at noone could have no observation 28 This morning 8 he tackt to the S for he saw a firme land of Ice from last day to this N E. 12 leag and 7 leag S E because of the Ice at clocke 10 he had 80 fath 29 From last day to this 10 leag S E. and 3 leagues N E and sounding had no ground 30 From last day to this was fog they got but little to the E. ward and sounding had no ground and latit 62 d. 40 min. 31 From the last to this 10
lea E by S. and 8 S E by E. the wind at N. at 8 in the evening calme but cleare weather they were close about the N. shore in 80 fath he had a ripling of a Tyde to the E. ward the land was something low towards the water but double height within land it lyeth W N W. and ESE This day he past by an Iland they tooke to be the W. most end of the straight and see Sir Dudâ—y Diggs his Iland being high land and see the S. shore and a gut when it beareth S W. seemeth to be 4 miles over they also â—ee Nottighams and Salisburies Ile and a channell betweene them of 8 leag and this strait is over about 15 leag they stood away this day E by N. 1 To this noone from the last 2 â— leag E. by S latit 63. Salisbury bore N N W. and the W. Cape on the N. shore bore N. E. variat 28 d. the wind N E by N. 2 To this noone 21 leag E by S and S S W. 5 leagues this morning he was close aboard the N. Coast it seemeth high ragged land and full of guts he was becalmed and befogged and stood S. wards into the channâ—ll having 1 10. oazie ground There is nothing else oâ— note untill the 7 day when Resolution bore N W. from him The 9 day he was open in Davis his straite in 59 d. 25 m. and had variat 26 deg 10 This day by storme his Pinnace threw over their boate and he lost sight of her This is all that is to be observed that he entred Fretum Hudson the 22 of Iuly and returned from his Search the 16 of August having beene no further to the N. then almost 65d. and vpon the S. side of Fretum Hudson neare Cape Charles the Tide came from S E. as it doth on the N. side the rest is he was set at his entring the mouth of the straite 30 leag to S. of Cape Chidley FINIS COurteous Readers the Printer but especially the Corrector craves your patience for this long Errata following which is also my request although to my unknowledge and in my absence they not being acquainted with the Methode of our Sea tearmes have coÌ„mitted all these mistakes in 6. sheets beginning at N and ending with S. being sent to another Presse for expedition and for others I desire thy good construction promising they shal be amended at the next Edition Marg Pag Li For Reade  113 39 sowing saving  114 20 strong through evill steeridge  116 7 one Mr. Hudson   22 account action  117 34 manured manned  118 18 the he  119 14 for from  121 18 to I hung a plummet  123 13 being beginning  124 33 tire tide Marg 125  began begin   5 me no   23 so to   29 ledge â—edge   39 trent wend.  126 12 free fore   24 verioe view   30 S. â— Â Â 3â— stache stache   36 leave out Westerly   13 drew drive   24 0 30.  127 11 10 â— Â 128 9 0 This 5th  129 40 man Boates.  130 3 men men were   9 mater Winter Marg  3 Mautâ—ls Sir Râ— Moâ—â—ils   17 have leave Marg 131 2 mans Mâ—â—s teeth   18 they hav They would   24 stay Sea   29 83 clocke 8. 3.   36 rulde ride   37 N. land N. and.   39 with N. N   40 by 44 by W. 4.  132 26 is all is as all   29 bad bold   1 turne try   4 he boatâ— or â—ore the Boat comming on board   4 15 fath in 15 fathâ—â— Â Â 3 former hopes former from Hopes  133 15 E. o.   20 Luke note   21 thaverse traverse  135 â— Raffe rate  136 â—â— is 86 and 66.   21 well say well see   6 himselfe himselfe know   17 how muc thus much   32 Iournals Read in the 37 were taken  137 7 about 57 58 and a halfe    Stinenia America    20 weeks 10 weekes   11 10. â—5 1615.  138 2 he seekt he set   â—8 nâ—hld and â—â—ld   25 to to fro to and fro  139 8 maer 5 fa neere 5 fathâ—â—â— Â Â 15 Sumoche Humocke   31 Cannons Câ—â—â—wes   36 Cannon Câ—â—â—w  140 4 little â—ay a little box   12 shot slâ—ad  141 4 morue mored   13 false faire  142 7 so pertise so precise    the â—uyle the angle    not come come   13 welbes will be   16 W. of W W. of London  144 7 the edge eddy  14â— 35 doubted doubled  146 28 perswad perceived  147 5 4 fath 5 fâ—thaâ—s  156 6 â—â— 150   21 he caud 8th he came   22 instruÌ„ent â—nstructions   24 your wil. you William   25 ler    26 your desi ur desired   29 gazing gaging   33 land â—end MY PREPARATIONS to the Voyage GEntlemen our Yorkeshire Proverbe is Plaine dealing is a Iewell So it is that I was neither importuned nor intreated to this vndertaking by any eyther Noble or Gentle but the Truth is that I had beene itching after it ever since 1606. when I should have gone Mate to Iohn Knight of whom doth follow yet I must confesse that heere my ambition soared a pitch higher then my abilitie as now time hath made me to know yet his Discretion and Experience taught him to discerne of what could bee in my youth but I presuming vpon some parts I had as the vse of the Globes and other Mathematicke Instruments having beene Sea bred from my Boyestime and had beene in the Mediterranian Spaine France Holland Norway Denmarke and the Balticke Sea thought my selfe to bee fit for the best imployment desired to be pluckt before I was ripe but hee durst not depend vpon me in that place for the Voyage so as I did not proceed with him yet I was still kept in Marine imployments along the Coast and Crossing the Sea whereby I gained Experience and also at the Returnes home of all Ships from thence I enquired of the Masters Mates and others that were that way imployed whereby I gathered by Report and Discourse and Manuscripts how farre they had proceeded what they had done and what was to doe To better which I often repaired to Mr. IOHN TAPPE whose acquaintance was much amongst these men he also acquainting me with Mr. THO. STERNE Globe-maker whom I have found to have engrossed all those former Voyages by Relation Manuscripts and Maps from whom I gathered much and must needs say hee is a
force still to the Westward Da 11 this last was the coldest night that I felt since I came into this melancholly path and wee had fewer Seafowle than before we had no ground at 320 fathome the wind came to the Northeast This longest day came in with wet and blew so as since Da 12 the last noone-tyde the ship made way 44 leagues to the Westward I am now in fore-course and bonnet with Sprit-sayle this evening I came by two pieces of Ice and now I reckoned my selfe not farre from sight of Cape Farewell The wind Veered to the Northward I set all sayles and Da 13 stood to the Westward in latitude 58 d. 30 m. this evening the Article for the watch to be diligent and to looke well foorth for Ice or other accidents was againe read over to the Company and a man constantly to sit all night in the foretop the Ayre was hazie to the landward otherwise wee should have seene Cape Farewell if I suppose not amisse Close weather the wind contrary we in traverse some Da 14 drisling mists but many Grampusses came in a shole following their Leader comming close by me made me remember Mr. William Browne in his Britaines Pastorals where hee writes the Tritons wafted Thetis along the British shores this afternoone the Polesaltitude being 58 d. 10 m. the variation by Azimuth and Almicanter was 18 deg From hence I haled up in N W. by N. for sight of Desolation This day was faire close weather with dispersing fogges Da 15 which I doe perceive to be incident to those Seas Poles elevation was 58 d. 50 min. the Sea is here almost continually smooth the water blacke but not so thicke as is formerly writ of and small store of fowle to be seene This day and last night hath been thicke weather but so as Da 16 we might discerne 3 miles betwixt one Fog-drift another I had steered some Watches W and by N. which for some reason of a reported Current I altered to the N W. by N. againe although after the variation thwart Cape Farewell was found and allowed in my running over betwixt the same and the West Maine or the West side of Fretum Hudson I found my reckoning to agree without any interruption furtherance or hinderance of Current therefore what instruction shall as yet be laid down in this way without good judgement in the practitioner and libertie withall is but as it were to teach a blind man to see by demonstration This last night came by us one Whale this day another the Moneths Iune Da 17 waters colour is all one and but few fowle this Meridian I did reckon to be in 60 d. 50 m. and that I had neere two points of variation the weather thicke with wet fogge Faire weather but foggy this noone tyde I did reckon to be Da 18 of the 60 parallel 590 leagues from the place in Orkney of my departure the account is but 600 from thence to Resolution I could not observe since the 15 day yet I am neere in 61 d. 30 m. This day we met with overfalls and Races of Tide or Current at clock 4 thick weather and reckoning to be not farre from land I tooke in all sayles and laid to Hull at 6 wee were no sooner rise from prayers but we were close by a mountain of Ice hard to Leewards of us and wee had much to doe to cleere the same by flatting the ship to the S. wards the most of this evening and night I spent in standing to and againe This day at noone I had a little cleare and stood in to the Da 19 S W. ward when it fogged againe I lay to Hull two times this day we see the Sunne but to no use it was so hazie This last night I laid in Maine saile untill midnight reckoning Da 20 by all accounts that I must be in neere 62 d. and thought it fit to hale in W. true course especially now it was cleare weather but it thickned againe and blew to both topsailes in the wind Veering to the W S W. which had been betwixt E. and S. with thickefoggy or hazie weather ever since the 14 day thereupon with cleere weather I stood to the N. W. close haled amongst Islands and peeces of Ice for the Sea beating continually upon them doth undermine them so as they fall in pieces forced by their own waight to the Lee of every Iland is of those little peeces but are easily to be shunned This day 11 clocke I had sight of land almost buried in snow being two Islands making a Bay betwixt them and the North maine whereon stood two high hills bearing Northwest covered with snow the Bay was full of mash'd Ice which it seemed the S E. wind had inforced herein by dead reckoning I was at that instant in 62 d. 17 m. where presently haveing a good observatioÌ„ at that instant I was in 62 d. 25. m. the difference being but 8 m. that to the W. ward it doth not shew that there is any current continually to set out of Fretum Davis to the S. as is generally reported for from the lat 58 d. 30 m. crossing Fretum Davis 220 leag or therabouts to the W side in 62 d. 27 m. and having but 8 min. difference betwixt dead reckoning and the observation and that to the Northward whether doth there any current appeare to come from the N. out of Fretum Davis or no. Having thus met with the land I stood to the Southward untill midnight with the waide at W. hopeing to ply up into the passage Seeing now that it hath pleased God to send me thus happily neere to the land being the N side of Lumleys inlet so named after the right honourable the Lord Lumley an especiall furtherer to Davis in his voyages as to many other Lordly designes as that never to be forgotten act of his in building up the peere of that distressed poore fisher towne and corporation of Hartlepâ—ole in the Bishoprick of Durham at his owne proper cost and charge to the value of at least 2000 pounds at my first comming thither I demanded at whose charge the said Peere towne was builded an old man answered marrye at my good Lord Lumleys whose Soule was in Heaven before his bones were cold Some may inquire why I should not have incerted herein my traverse course distance with all my observation for latit to which I answer first it were needlesse seeing that few doe looke or search after the Voyage and many before mee have wrote thereof besides it lying neare upon the same parallell there is no neede secondly if I had knowne any that would have taken so much paines to have protracted mee I would have prepared them satisfaction thirdly I feare me I should be thought to be too tedious although I am but newly entered yet I do purpose to bestow some time of those needy ones concerning this matter A Discourse for
the same Setting forth and beginning my accompts from the W. most place of Orkney I made 2 observations for the variation of the compasse evenin Amplit the one was 8 d. the other 4 d. but I do give no certain credit therunto yet I do rather trust to that of 8 d. at which instant I did account I was 24 deg or thereabout Eastward of the great Meridian and neere the parralell of 60 deg continuing the course W. ward as wind would serve untill I came into the Latit of 58 deg 12 min. I was then 12 deg or thereabouts from the place of my departure and traversing with contrary windes betwixt the latit of 59 deg 12 min. and 60 deg 20 min. at 18 d. ½ distance from my setting forth I continued the course still Westward with so small difference betwixt my observation and protraction or traverse as I thought I might as well trust to the one as the other Continuing this course in the latit of 60 deg 19 m. W. from the first Meridian 6 deg I found by my observation that I was to S. ward 5 m of my protracted course and though then I did perceive that the Compasse was varied Westward yet how much for want of Amplitude or celestiall observation could not be knowne Now the wind comming freely on and taking Mr. Hals account That Cape Farewell in Groyneland which land first I did desire to fall with though I did not much regard lyeth 18 d. W. from the great or first Meridian as also Mr. Brigges is neare the same and in latit about 59 deg I directed the course W. and W. and by S. thinking thereby to fall in fight of the said Cape And although there is no certainty of agreement amongst some of my predecessours concerning the variation there some writing 11 d. others 14 d. confusedly yet I did hope that course would have brought mee at least to sight thereof report making it to be high and Mountainous land not withstanding Variation or current especially having so franke a gale of wind and but 12 d. of a small circle neere the 60 paralell the distance being but 120 leag at most and in that distance holding the same course I had 2 deg 14 min. to wracke upon and within one point at most of my paralell and neerer with a stiâ—â—e gale wet and hazie I durst not hale for engaging my selfe with an unknowne Cape which hath both Ilands and Ice lying there off where I might have beene endangered at the least incumbred Now when I had sailed 100 leag from the said latit I met with Ice and as before in Moneths June such weather I would not deale with land but stood away 30 leag more to the Westward Hauing an observation in 58 d. 10 min. and by my protract Da 14 or dead reckoning I was in latit 59 d. 27 min. contrary to expectation the same afternoone the variation taken by Azimuth and Almicanter was 8 d. 50 m. but being set more to S. ward then this allowance I did call to minde the current which Sir Martin Frobrisher found upon the coast of Greenland in the lat about 62. setting from N E. to S W. as the land doth there lye where they doe affirme that the flood tyde did run 9 houres and the ebbe but 3. I know no other cause for this but the large distance betwixt Nova Zembla on the E. and Groenland in which the Ocean may take opportunity to use his naturall agitation from E to W. being thereunto drawne by the restlesse motion and impulsion of the Heavens and here butting upon Groenland must of necessity the land lying somewhat neere his naturall inclination trend along there setting his current to the S W. or else as in a huge Bay make a Repercussive motion as in the Bay of Mexico by entring in at the S. side and wheeling about by the bottome must revert back againe along the North side by Cape Florida Now this 9 houres of the floud-tyde running may be by this restraint of the Seas naturall course in meeting with the land must needs enforce all the Sounds Bayes Rivers and through-lets with quantities of waters and in through-lets especially setting Westward and wanting Limitation shall continue his naturall course the longer being assisted by that motion untill the ebbe being strengthened by the height of waters or of course from the W. Sea shall returne againe according to his proper retraction And thus much further I am of opinion if Sir Martin Frobrisher had pursued his course West ward in his Straite he being 60. leag up the same he had doubtlesse sailed into Fretum Davis for he entred upon the East side and after him Davis on the W. have almost met nor will I be perswaded but that if there were a Dorgio as is mentioned by the Zeni that that 〈…〉 of land on the S. betwixt Frobrishers strait and Cape Farewell is the 〈…〉 But to come to my selfe and to end this digression although I hope what I have here incerted will not be held any way Moneths June impertinent Cape Farewell I holde for certaine doth attract the Magnet more suddainly comming from the East ward towards it then any any knowne Cape in the world as did appeare in all this Voyadge I did here reckon of 24 deg variation but sailed all by Meridian compasse and have wrote this Iournall there after therefore the allowance is to be accounted as the places doe differ in variation This snowie morning I stoode in againe at clocke 7. I sell Da 21 about 2 leagues more to the West off the same I le I first discovered yesterday the Bay lay still full of Ice this W N. West wind bloweth hard by puffes standing from hence South-W 2 leagues over Lumleys Inlet wee had great store of masht Ice and was faine to beare up for one and loose for another but the Sea was smooth after this for 2 leagues sailing it was cleare at night 10. wee see land and made it upon assurance to be Cape Warwick and this cleere was in the Lee thereof for standing still the same course over wee found more Ice in the South channell and more comming out of Fretum Hudson then I had before the wind blew here bleate and unquoth This day we had boarded it up in smooth water bearing a Da 22 good saile betweene Cape Chidlie and Cape Warwicke and were entred Fretum Hudson and now I desire a little of your patience The Iland Resolution so named by whom I know not but sure I am Davis was the first of us that see it naming the East end thereof Cape Warwicke and it seemeth for good reason for that honourable house hath and unto this day doth still cherrish those worthy Marine enterprises as doth appeare by Frobrishers 3 Voyages to their no small charge as also those two Honourable houses of Darcie now Lord Rivers by whom Davis named certaine Ilands
upon the North part of America wherein he found Deere the other is Cumberlands to whom he dedicated other Ilands in his furthest West in a passage he entred 60 leagues but he came backe Notwithstanding those Nobles others were at great charge in his setting forth as may be observed by the naming of Lands as Mount Raleigh Hope Sanderson Cape Chidly now but not rightly called Buttons Ile Moneths June for to use his owne words speaking by Warwicks Forland this Cape as it was the Gulfe wee passed over the 30. of this moneth so was it the North Promontorie or first beginning of a very great Inlet whose South lymit at this present wee see not which Inlet or Gulfe in the night wee passed to our great admiration for the waters fall and he saith that having past the mouth of this Gulfe he fell with the Southermost Cape thereof which he named Chid lies Cape Having made this Cape which to doe I stood over as neere as I could for ice but was at least 6 leagues off it appeared high and 4 distinct Ilands in number I iudge there is more being now assured that God had sent me into the passage I stoode over to the North with Cape Warwick the middle Channell was cleare of ice and therein I had a good observation of 61 degrees 10 min. cleare weather and a constant gale otherwise I durst not have stoode to the Southwards remembring Gibbons it blew in both topsailes but towards night the wind lessened and I could perceive the ice betwixt me and the Cape to drive to Seaward of which neere the shoare was great store The flood comming on I caused both Topsayles to bee cast over and wee threed it betweene Ice and Ice with a well bent flood inwards so as that we had got above the Ile that tyde if this faire day had not ended in fogge A motion was made before this to looke for harbour but that I denied for those reasons given that I did not know what danger might fall me if I had put into the shore where lay much yce as we could see and what yce or sunke Rocks might be in the way I was as ignorant of besides not knowing whether the wind would serve to bring me in a safe roade and how the Tyde might set to turne or sayle in as occasion might fall out but the worst was and that was most I feared the wind might Souther and then there being such store of yce in the passage would inforce all the harbours full and so might cut my cable and put me on shore upon the Rockes it flowing much water there as Bassin reports with these reasons wee were all perswaded to ply it up amongst the Ice in Sea roome rather then to indanger our selves in Moneths Iune harbour or neere the shoare where for certaine the broken Rockes the grounded Ice the small Ilands by restraining the Tides must make them Reverse with Counter-sets and Eddies as may be observed by London bridge the bases of whose Arches being set in the Tides course doth so restraine his motion that the following streames by heightning the waters causeth such a Current as it were to ingulfe by the fall thereof as you see the water men cannot keepe their boates even on the Counter tyde wheeling on her of the one side the eddie coursing her upon the other not joyning their separations but goeing as it were distracted above Cole-harbour before they come to themselves againe to passe Westward and all this hazard is to no purpose for wee are safer at Sea besides wee are not sure of any refreshing and if wee were wee have no neede being but newly come from home and if the wind come to South and so Eastwards to North-East wee being in the Sea may proceede night or day but in harbour wee cannot and therefore to take harbour were vanity unlesse to loyter spend away and consume time the thought whereof is ridiculous the Fogge and night came both together and having the last 24 houres quitted aboundance of Ice to Seaward which might serve as a Baracadoe if the Wind should come from thence and keepe us safe amongst it as after blessed be God it proved wee made fast to a peece of Ice filld fresh water thereupon and went all to our beds save the watch this fogge night was calme This misty morning made the Sunne clime 10 degrees in Da 23 height before he could peepe through the same which afterwards prooved a very faire calme hot day making both Ice and Pitch runne but the ship was inclosed amongst the Ice driving with ebbe and flood about 2. leagues from the South end of Resolution I had no ground at 180 fathomes some of my men said they saw smoake on land and after it prooved true for Captaine James was in harbour there all that same time my Master went with boate and kild 9 willicks whereof he kindly bestowed upon every Messe one they make strong and good pottage I pressing hard for getting cleere that I might proceed was Moneths June demanded why I made such haste answered that as every Mountaine consisted of severall peeces so did my Voyage upon Fathomes which must be measured here with speed though afterward I might take leisure which added one to another might in time compasse all the Mountaines of the world and that it fared with me as with the Mackarell-men at London who must hasten to Market before the fish stinke This evening the Sun set cleare the Ayre breathed gently from the East and we lay quietly all night amongst the Ice This morning the wind began to gather strength from the Da 24 E S E. the flood came on and the Ice began to separate I caused one peece to be made fast unto the ship with 2. Grapnels to the intent to towe it at the ships sterne mooring the ship so thereunto that she might make way N W. for the North shore for that it hath been alwayes said that the North side was cleerest from Ice thus made fast although the wind forst on the ship yet her way was so easie as she could take no harme if she had touched upon the same because this trayle or drag stayed her way but the wind blowing on the ship broke one Grapnet off by the Arme of the flooke and bended the other so as we were loose from thence but meeting great store of driving Ice I caused to make fast againe for safety where we were presently inclosed for many miles This morning the ship broke loose from that peece I was Da 25 made fast unto the ship and tackling being more in the winds power then the Ice it being lower caused her to drive faster I caused the Spritsaile to be loosed to binde the ships Stem to the Ice which gave alwayes way with the flood which set Westward So the East wind forcing it backe made it cloze with the ebbe returning Eastwards which put mee in good hope that
further within the straight I should finde all cleare or at least the Ice so thinne as I might passe betweene one and another and with this perswasion I drew on the Company that the S E. winds which had blown for 6 or 7 dayes before we came into this Freet had kept in this Ice and those West winds which had blowne 3 dayes before and at our entry comming from about 140 leagues Moneths Iune from the bottome heere in some places 20 in some places 30 and in some 40 leagues more or lesse broad had packt all from thence unto this straitened place betwixt Cape Chidley and the body of Resolution and so choaked this entrance being not above 14 leagues broad the wind E N E. we drive all this time inwards with the ice Now this prodigious thing we call Ice is of two sorts as mountainous ice which is a huge peece compact of a great quantity some of more some of lesse but in this Freet you seldome have any bigger then agreat Church and the most therof lesse being of severall formes as some 20 some 30 some 40 yards above the superficies of the water but farre more under of these you may tell sometimes 7 or eight in sight so that they are no hindrance to us The other is smaller and that we call masht or fleackt ice of this you shall there have numbers infinite some of the quantity of a Rood some a Pearch â— â— an acre some 2 acres but the most is small and about a foot or 2 or more above the water and 8 or 10 or more under the water and those are they which doe inclose you So as in much wind from the topmast head you shall hardly see any water for them but whilst you lie amongst them it is so smooth as you shall not feele the ship stirre onely if it be much wind make the ship snogge and at returne of the Tydes when the ice doth loozen have all care to the Rudder at shift of wind the ice will make way one from another in the meane time have patience and in trailing of ice on sterne if the ship doe touch but against it with the stemme so as the stroke sodainely stay her way then have care to keep the helme in midships for your traile with its way will come presently against the backe of the Rudder and it lying on either side is in danger to breake or set it on wry There is another way which is to muzzell the ship with a peece of ice close to his stem and bowes the ice being so swifted the ship is to drive it with head saile but this I doe not coÌ„mend for that the ship not having fresh way shall not have her steering beside the edy water the forst ice shall make not comming quicke to the Rudder it shall not command her so as if any wind be shee shall cast a thwart with head to the wind and drive sterne wayes to the great danger of her Rudder Moneths Iune if ice be in the way This day hath been wet fog unto evening 6. then it cleered Da 25 at 10 we see land to the N. not certaine whether Resolution or no for there was no remarkeable thing thereon this Evening Sun kist Thâ—t is in our sight the same greeting was 5 d. W. from the N. and at the same instant the Rainebowe was in appearance I thinke to Canopy them a bed At the beginning of flood here is wheeling streames like edie tides I take to be caused by the ice themselves one drawing more water then another and continueth all the time of their moving untill they be setled so as it may be conjectured that it doth runne ½ tyde under other as in most places elsewhere all this time since the wind came E. ward it hath not blowne above course and bonnet Gale This morning the Sun rose cleare and so continued all this Da 26 cold Virgin day for I have not seene one cloud to interpose yet he went peeping through a cloud to bed and now the frost takes care that there shall no more pitch runne from off the Sun side of the ship and the land towards Sun-set doth so altar by the exhalation of vapours that it shewes now firme land then a Bay now high then low that we cannot say whether we make maine-land Bayes or through-lets the ice with the uncertain reflex of the Sun made such unconstant shapes This morning the Sun shewed himselfe through Fly-land Da 27 and the Southwind drave away the vapours which fully satisfied our mistaking of land the last evening yet we were not mistaken but that we drive into the passage all this while this wind with tyde helpes to separate the ice a little it being advantageous for the N. Main I caused to make loose whence we furtherd ½ a mile the wind comming W. with fog caused us to make fast againe God thinke upon our imprisonment with a supercedias this evening Sun dog I hope may bring some change to our good This overcast day proved faire and a pretty W N W. gale untill towards night my Carpenter made straight a peece above the backe of our Rudder which was set awry with the ice I caused the lead to be cast in 320 fathomes but the underebbe-tide did carry it so far to the E. as wee could not thinke wee had lesse stray then 30 fat homes the ground was small blacke sand with long crooked things the length of a needle Moneths June and the small body of two shell fishes like Lobsters but no bigger then Maggots This faire hot day is now almost neere at end we lye amongst Da 29 the Ice and I doe not know what wind to pray for to quit us of them they lie so thicke every way but I thinke we feare more danger then wee are in God for his mercies sake set us at libertie I can perceive wee drive to the N W. ward and have 210 fat homes of water under vs the Sunne set cleere this Evening This hot day is also at an end I have had an Ayre of wind Da 30 with all sayle on board and threading betwixt the Ice got about 4 miles N W. wards and stucke fast againe by the way I came by one peece of Ice something higher then the rest whereupon a stone was of the Contents of 5 or 6 Tonne weight with divers other smaller stones and mudde thereon It see meth to condescend with reason that these peeces of ice are ingendred upon the Winters snow which falling in drifts by the forcing wheeling of the wind condensing and compacting a great quantity together over the steepe brow of some high mountaine cleaving thereto untill dissolving time of the yeare when the earth receives her naturall warmnesse then inforced by their weight to tumble into the Sea carrying with them all such trees or stones as they have formerly inclosed God be thanked the Ice begun to thinne and separate
hath been dangerous From a boord wee see a Stag trotting from Port Nelson Da 18 along the sand we mand our boat presently but before they got to shore he tooke up over a Valley into the woods where they mist him I caused the Crosse which we found to be newly raised and this inscription of lead nailed thereon Moneths August I suppose this Crosse was first erected by Sir Thomas Button 1613. it was againe raised by Luke Foxe Capt. of the Charles in the right and possession of my dâ—ead Soveraigne Charles the first King of Great Brittaine France and Ireland defender of the Faith the 15 of August 1631. This land is called New Wales The wind being E S E. I could not yet come to Sea wherefore Da 19 I sent the Capenter upon the S side to fell the likeliest of 5 trees the Master had made choyse off to serve us for a Mayne yard and not one of them but was rotten within the wind doth begin to come about the Mrs. mate and I fetcht one boate lading of firewood this afternoone the Whales have now left to come in but my cheifest going on land was to see where the highest tyde this spring had left his marke and found it to have slowen 14 foote but the tydes at height of this spring were inforcd in with E S East and E N East windes or else they would not have slowed above 1. 2 foote This night 10. were many Pettiedancers I hope faire weather to come yet have wee had such as I pray our neighbours in England have no worse and then they cannot have better harvest weather to have in their crop and though this may be thought nothing pertinent to the History of a Sea Iournall yet having been disswaded from this voyadge in respect of the ice I may thus much write for the incouragement of others that may happen to navigate this way God giving good successe to this enterprise that a Sea voyage of discovery to a place unknowne and farre remote and in the like clime cannot be taken in hand with more health ease and pleasure I am sure it hath beene warme ever since we came from the yce The wind came about I sent the Pinnace on land to ballast Da 20 and to bring one broad stone to make a fire upon in her which I had formerly marked for that purpose at Port Nelson they found a board broken in two the one halfe quite gone whereon had beene the Kings Armes and inscription of the time of Sir Thomas Button his owne name when and why he tooke Harbour with other expressions This peice of board I brought away for I was undersaile when the Pinnace came on board so as I could not goe on Moneths August shore againe otherwise I would have endevoured to have renued the same as the act of my noble predecessors This ebbe I came to Seawards but for feare of shoale-water I Anchored in 4 fathome having little wind to chase the ship and a strong ebbe feare call'd what I had observed at my in comming into my remembrance so as I durst hazzard no farther whiles flood came and now I must adde one word or two to what is before concerning this dangerous river which I would be loath to seek in thick weather of either side the S. is best but is flat a great way off and Rockie ground the best of the deepe is â…” Channell to S. there is 12 fathomes in the entrance in one place wee chafed our Cables sore against the stones of which you might see 4 or 5 drie in the river at once the last quarter ebbe come swiftest in Spring-tydes it flowed 3 foot before the tyde set up the tyde returned to the Sea at a full Sea on shore The Sun and Moone did both set cleare this night In this River wee got no reliefe but one Duck heere a N. W. Moone maketh a full Sea I wayed againe about halfe flood and stood to Sea from 6. fathomes to 10. and Anchored in high water in 9 fathomes cleare ground making ready to ply or sayle the next flood for now I am to discover to the East betweene this and Master Hudson his West Bay of which I must onely making a journall their being nothing else of note In the morning I tooke the Cocke-boat into the ship with Da 21 the flood I stood to the S. E. and went into the Pinnace at the ship sterne to see her fitted to sayle wee came to 7 and 5 fathomes the land full of woods but lowe and stretched here E. and by N. from the Rivers mouth here is good smooth and even ground if any occasion were hereafter to use it the land is faire to be seene at 10 fathomes deepe upon the hatches the wind easie from S. S. W. and we stood 2 or 3 leagues in 7. fathoms we were at noon in 57 d. 10 m. all this night I could well discerne the land as I stood under sayle standing S. E. the land met us this hot Meridian but I was not in observation Da 22 after dinner with easie wind I tooke the Pinnace to sayle to shore but it fell to be calme and wee Romed all the way and therein found a white Beare which we kild coÌ„ming toshore it was â—lat and many great stones lay at the low water mark we were no sooner landed but we spied a blacke cloud at N. by W. when presently we see the ship had handed both top-sayles Moneths August so as I was constrained to leave this uninhabited shore and stand to the ship without erecting any thing thereon which we recovered but our coats were wet through first and yet the ship was come to us within 5 fathomes upon the Maine we stood along with land in sight where there appeared to be a Cape the land trenting more S. from our bowe we stood off and on all night from 7 to 20 fathomes I packt away along the land as neere as can be thought to Da 23 lie S. E. by E. the morning was faire yet the Sunne was vaied this calme afternoone we see 3 Beares in the Sea 5 miles from land the Mr kild them in the Pinnace this day we tryed the tyde 4 times and it set alwayes from the E. wards we are now so far from his primum mobile as I thinke it not worthy the looking after yet account must be taken this night the Sunne set cleare as could be and it was easie wind I have seene all the land hither from Port Nelson as I did before I came there but I cannot see any high land nor find any deepe water I would gladly see that comfort and then I would say that the M. were in the increase howsoever I thanke God it doth make the nights grow the lighter the ship is Anchored the watch is set a marke set on the lead-line sleep like a theefe doth slily steale upon me at 12 this night the tide did slacke I
upon the West side of Bâ—â—â—ons Bay whereas there it flowed so much water as before and a W. S. W. Moone now coasting along this West side upon a S. W. by S. true course as the land did lie about 18 leagues to an Iland I named Brâ—â—ke Cobham there the best observation that I could make I found that it flowed a West by South Moone and but 10 foot the neepe Tyde but indeed I doe distrust this account as in my journall doth appeare Coasting from hence to Port Nelson 130 leagues I found it there to flow a N. W. Moone and in the neepe Tide but 9 foot water and the best Spring Tyde assisted by the wind brought in but 14 foot water and after from thence towards Hudsons West Bay it flowed lesse water vetâ—unne with course for the time of full Sea went with Sunâ—e so as it was easie to conjecture that I went from the Tyde which is especially to be incerted to make this Treatise to be better understood and how this tide doth waste it selfe Now it cannot be denyed but that this Tyde that is moved according to the course of Tydes with his constant ebbing and â—lowing so great a distance as about the West side of this Bay câ—â—cuting neere betwixt Hudsons Bay and Sir Thomas Roes Wâ—lcome the distance of it neere 253 leagues having many rubbes and checkes by the way amongst the ilands and shoals should be able to repaire and recall againe this huge quantity of waters every 12 houres if it were not fed and â—upplyed from some great and waste Ocean nor if there prove to be a passage as is most likely as hereafter shall follow it cannot be conceived but that it must be so spatious as cannot be visable betweene land and land and why may it not be that there is no straight but that the Sea lies open to the North as at C. Finmarke after that the land doth trent Westward as may be suspected by the want of ice that the land being farre remote to the North or West the South doth keepe it selfe from frigitating by its continuall chaâ—ing and adjectating as we see by the iles of farre shotland and Orkney standing in and neere the same parallel with our frozen Fretum Hudson where no Snow will lie for any time in Winter the cause may be by the Seas moving about them their circuits being so small as the Seas breathing through the Tydes and winds contiuuall chafing about them doth evaporate some part of his warmenesse into the Ayre whereby the frost is restrained from the exercise of his power for the Sea hath a kinde of temporature betwixt too hot and too colde in the hot and cold Zones it is much to bee hoped by this want of ice that as at the North Cape of â—inmarke although I doe assure mee that this passage lyeth South-wards off that parallell and about the Articke Circle that this Continent of the Septentrionall part of America may incline to the West Southward about this latitude as that of Europes doth to the East for by this flowing of water in 60 d. 10 m. neere 4 fathomes as at Resolution in the East it cannot be farre to the winding of the land Westwards The next is to inquire from whence this Tyde should come for that is the way to the passage for it cannot be said to come from the East through Fretum Hudson for there need no more to disprove that then what went before when that Tyde did end at Carie Swans Nest in flowing but 6 foote and 4 houres as it doth at the height of all Rivers being farre from the Sea Should it come from the North then it should as well Current that land on the East side of this Bay to Carie Swans Nest along that small distance of 40 leagues if such a thing be at all or no as upon the West side For 250 leagues of now knowne discovery setting from the North it should divide equall waters betwixt them which is found to the contrary and if such land doth lie 40 leagues along from Swannes Nest Westward then is there not aboue 30 more for the brenth of the passage froÌ„ through whence this ride doth come which I should thinke were to narrow to let in and out so much water in the time mentioned to bring any flood on this side now in handling for at Swannes Nest the flood set West and the Ebbe East and if this Tyde going West were met with more water from thence it must flow extraordinarily high at the Nest as in great Rivers in time of land-waters the Sea flood meeting puts up the waters to such heights as doth inforce all their bounds and rejected the Tydes course which I found to be constant for that I was there two floods one ebbe and a halfe How can it now be imagined but that the Tâ—de doth come from the West and so coasteth along the same side as wee may observe upon all Tydes from what sea soever they come looke upon what side they enter they Current the same and so doth this for that called Vtultra never proved Bay yet and who hath named the same might as well be deceived here as at other places by fogs bankes for if this part be protracted I cannot see that there is any discovery made at all on both sides betweene Hubarts vaine hope and Swanneâ— Nest worth the noting Therefore it must be confest that this Tyde doth come from the West so inclining to that shore and that it is a Tide hath been proved for I doe not thinke that there 's any that will pretend inundating impulsing or ingulfing and that it doth proceed from some great Ocean is without all contradiction for comming to this West side I found great store of fish playing at the crust of the water and of great fish which is a maine argument for there was Whales Sea-mors and Seales of which there are infinite which fish doe not hive in Winter but in deepe Oceans and that those Whales must come from the West is certaine for all the way from Cape Farewell in all that distance of neere 500 leagues we did not see one untill I came there which if there had beene any lying so long becalmed and amongst the ice having light nights we should have seene them for they are fish that affect to play and breath above the water The maine land was high within Sir Thomas Roes Welcome as in all the straights besides with deepe water to shore whereas discovering Southwards it fell to bee low land with shallow shore at 11 fathoms wee could but see it upon the hatches This is much contrary to the Oceans who are bounded with high mountainous climes steepe Promontories ragged Rockes and inamoled Ilands subsisting upon insearchable deepes salt and greene-coloured waters wherein live the great sishes Now let us compare this Tyde with some others neerer our owne home with which we are the most familiar as
haue no great honour thereby although I haue giuen it a name and therefore doe leaue it to those that are disposed to intitle themselues therein Last night I made loose and stood along in small sailes vntill Da 30 this day 10 moosling my ship with the fore-saile I then stood fot Captaine Iames who was a great way on sterne at his comming vp hee sent his shallop on board of mee who at much perswasion of my Master although much against my will I tooke them in they rowing mee on board to bee better confirmed I did begin to reiterate the last Euenings discourse they had aboard of mee to the end I might vnderstand the difference of seuerall reports for euery man will report the best of his owne Actions but the conclusion was that they came ouer and fell in land with this bay in 59 deg I was well entertained and feasted by Captaine Iames with varietie of such cheere as his Sea prouisions could aford with some Partridges wee dined betwixt decks for the great cabin was not bigg enough to receiue our selues and followers during which time the ship butt in 2 Courses and maine bonnet threw in so much water as wee could not haue wanted sause if wee had had roast Mutton Whereat I began to ponder whether it were better for his company to bee impounded amongst Ice where they might be kept from putrifaction by the piercing ayre or in open Sea to be kept sweete by being thus daily pickled howeuer they were to be pittied the ship taking her liquor as kindly as our selues for her nose was no sooner out of the pitcher but her nebe like the Ducks was in 't againe The Gentleman could discourse of Arte as obseruations calculations and the like and shewed me many Instruments so that I did perceiue him to bee a practitioner in the Mathematicks but when I found that hee Moneths August was no Sea-man I did blame those very much who had councelled him to make choyce of that shippe for a voyage of such importance for to indure two winters in as hee must haue done if hee had any such intent before hee could come about by Bonu Sperance home our discourse had beene to small purpose if wee had not pried into the errours of our predecessors and being demanded I did not thinke much for his keeping out his flagg for my ambition was more Aetheriall and my thoughts not so ayerie so to set my sight towards the skie but when I either call'd to God or made Celestiall obseruation to this was replide that hee was going to the Emperour of Iapon with letters from his Maiestie and that if it were a ship of his Maiesties of 40 Peeces of Ordnance hee could not strike his flag keepe it vp then quoth I but you are out of the way to Iapon for this is not it hee would haue perswaded mee to take harbour to winter in telling mee that Sir Thomas Button tooke harbour the 14 of this instant Quoth I hee is no precedent for mee I must paralell my pouerty with poore Hudsons who tooke no harbour before the first of Nouember and that then I durst not take harbour vntill the midst of the same besides I was not come to do so much as another man but more then any as I had already done and i I did forbeare him in this or any other thing it was because I was on board of him and had made some former obseruation of which I acquainted my Master with that thereby wee might the better brooke what might bee offered as boasting of our selues or the like for it was enough for vs that wee had so great odds in the discouery hee said I was to winter I told him hee had the coppy of my Commission as also of all my letters that I was limmited but so as hauing sought all this bay from 64.2 quar to 60 leag E S E. from Port Nelson both my selfe men hauing visibly beheld all the land along and that I must see the N W. from Nottingham as both hee and I were instructed and I would performe after I had ioyned Hudsons W. bay with this land now thwart of mee to which words my Master before him preferred mee his hand to bee willing to the same which I gladly excepted although within three dayes after he â—aponed wee parted not vntill the next mornings dawning and this 17 houres was the worst spent of any time of my discouery My men told me his men gaue them some Tobacco a Moneths August thing good for nothing Whilest wee were on board of Captaine Iames wee stood Da 30 off into the Sea the Mary in two courses and one bonnet and the Charles but in maine course and Bonnet yet went faster then the Mary I came on board with the Mary early this morning wee Da 31 made fast our pinnes and set saile I called to take my leaue as I came by him for I could ouer-hale him as the winding of a Clew but his men told me that he was in his Cabbin I gaue him 10 Musquets one Falconet and presently I haled in to the land for wee were 8 leagues off by account and in 36 fathoms deepe it was morning 6. when wee parted at 10. I had the land faire by I stood S W. in for that I knew I could see so farr to the W. ward as I was when wee both stood off I bore as much saile vntill I had the land bould as the Ship and masts was able to stand vnder and all the time I had the Maria in sight I did obserue that shee went away S. or S. S. E. I made way 10. leagues that day and ankored at Clocke 8. in 8. fathoms Thwart of a Riuer low land and wooded it was faire weather and easie wind all night This day morning I stood E. South-ward as the land did Da 1 beare it being somtimes higher somtimes lower one knoale bearing S. W. was higher then all the rest here seemeth to bee riuers and bayes our deepe this day hath beene betweene 7. and 11. fathomes I ankored at night 8. in 7. fathomes hauing come from shoare two houres in shoale-water stonie ground the wind continuing N W. doth driue a great Sea before it into this bay the Meridian latitude was 55 deg 14. min. I did account 95. leagues from Port Nelson and if this strong ground doe not deceiue mee it flowed 12. foote the flood ranne but 4. houres here a good way to the E. seemeth to bee the opening of some great riuer or the land doth wind S. wards here is in sight two ledges of great stones that lie almost as farre off as wee ride about 6. miles of the mayne bearing S. E. this night was faire weather and cleere Moone-light This morning earlie was the ankor vpon the bow and I Da 2 stood into 3. fathomes of the shoare still trenting to the E. heere was thicke river-Riuer-water and small drift wood
such as vsually driue out of Riuers without whose monthes lie alwayes Moneths August shelues barres or ridges I did now account I was about 105. leagues E S E. on this side Port Nelson This day being thwart the land I sawe yesterday when I supposed it the W. point of some River or else the winding of the land to S. wards and could see no land to the E. of the same I made motion at dinner for the N. W. to the Master and his mate declaring that now all this vndiscovered land betwixt M. Hudsons Sr. Thomas Buttons was now perfectly finished by vs for that the land now trenting from this Cap S. ward must assuredly bee the cheeke of Mr. Hudson his West-bay as may appeare by those Maps brought whome by Bylot after he was exposed and now the further search of a passage this way was hopelesse and their needed no more search in all the side of this Bay From 64. deg 30 m. circularly to 55. deg 10 m. and seeing that we could not attempt the N. W. from Notinghams Ile as I was instructed for the heavie quantitys of Ice which had choaked all the 3. channels at our entering in the midle of Iuly now I did hope were disolved or els never and it was best to make tryall thereof whilest this good wind lasted and withall charged them with their promise made at my parting from Notinghams which was to haue seene a tryall before their going home at what danger soever though then there was no attempting if no passage proves else-weere and to this same purpose did wish mee to write what I would and they would set their hands thervnto which for some concealed reason I did manifest shewing them also that we had long time to spend for Mr. Hudson did not harbour vntill the first of November and for S. Thomas Button hee Da 2 was constrained and that I was not to obserue any precedent of that nature for I was not come to see what my predecessors had done but to doe more either finde the Passage or bring home a good account which I could not doo if I did not speed my Commissionith what hast I could and for harbouring there was none vntill the midest of November Now how I shall spend all this time and bee able to giue that account his Majestie doth expect I know not if I do not goe to the N W. For besides it I am not instructed to search which being put into practice if it proue not to be had there but that the land doth stretch to the E. as Baffine reports in 65. Moneths September deg 25 m. then they account will be satisfied and we may retourne in short time for this is not aboue sixe dayes worke if God please this S. winde shall stand and we may come downe betwixt Sr. Dudlies Diggs I le and Cape Wolstenholme into the bottome of Mr. Hudsons E. Bay and there winter Which if we doe we must stay vntill August as experience had shewne vs. Which was neere a whole 11. months and therefore now would be the best but to write truth the Mr. would giue no consent but to keepe all safe by seeking for harbour but his mates answere was Captaine if there bee any thing more to be done let vs fall to it whilest the wind is good so grace being said I came foroth and weering out the maine sheate commaunded him at helme to goe away N. E. by E. when comming more open Hudsons Bay the winde at S. blowing but to both top-sailes on taunt there came so high a Sea from S. E. as if it had come from land 200. leagues distance it came so naturally â—oamming and therefore I doe belieue that the E. side of those Bayes lyeth farther E. wards towards the River of Cannada and the Longitude thereof is more Easterly then is placed in the Marine Maps standing hence as before we fell into 20. and 30. fathomes making way 7. or 8. leagues the watch this day was faire weather in the night was much lightning I named the Cape I last parted from Wolstenholmes vltimum vale for that I do beleeue Sr. Iohn Wolstehholme will not lay out any more monies in search of this Bay And yet thus much if he had beene wanting heerein I am of opinion that the most of those discoveries had never beene attempted for my owne part I can say for so I find that he hath been for 8. Voyages the principall adventurer in stocke and Treasrror supplying the slacke adventure when the stocke came slowly in and I dare affirme concerning this Voyage of mine that he was at least 400. l. out at my home comming although I did retourne in 6. compleate monethes saving 12. monthes vituall and pay and besides I am confident that hee cannot bee lesse out then 1100 l. about this discovery Yet I am perswaded that vpon good grounds of which I doe knowe him to bee very able to judge that no subject in this kingdome parrallelling his degree would sooner advance to the furtherance of this or any other designe of such worth which hee thinkes may redownd to his Majesties honour and Moneths September his countries good This morninges W. winde brought in a Sea so high and grimme as though it had in fury overthrowne all lands and shoales enterposing the passage betwixt vs and Iapon it swelled so Mountanous high from the N. W. as who of sea-men had seene the same would haue said that there could bee noe land from whence the same came not of 6. or 700. leagues and my selfe also if experience had not shewne me the contrary I was in latitude 57. deg 28. m. and from my setting from Vltimum Vale 48 leagues the winde came from N. N. W. and stript mee into a lease of cources or 3. lowest sailes almost as much wind as at any time since I came from home and more behalfe then I found since I entered Fretum Hudsons or 300. leagues beyond towards night I layed to the West in maine course for feare I might hazard my selfe in the night amongst hose Ilands which M. Hudson for good reason calls by the name of Lancasters Iles all this night I had deepe 47. 44. 40. 54. 50 fathomes This day morning I tackt to N. wards at noone was in 52. fathomes lati 57. de 55. m. both top-sayles cast over the lowsayles Da 4 or courses now goeth on Bonnets I made way in Try 6. lea S. W. 12. 2. m. N. E. this night came the wind S. E. a pretty gale it was over-cast with darknes wee came by a small Iland at clocke one the highest I haue seene since I came from Brooke Cobham the deepe 70. fathome I named the I le Sleepe I made way from last noone to this 30. leagues N. and this morning was some slight I was constrained to breake vp the Pinnas now growne Da 5 leake although I did soare doubt the want of her what ever might befall