His parentage--Early voyages--Sails for Jamaica as a planter--Visits Bay
of Campeachy--Turns logwood-cutter--His adventures--Joins the
buccaneers--Succeeds--Returns to England--Marries--Again goes to
Jamaica--Captured by buccaneers, and takes part in several expeditions
in the South Sea--Recrosses the Isthmus of Darien, and reaches the
Samballas Islands--Joins Captain Tristan--The prizes sold to the Dutch--
Goes to Virginia--Joins the _Revenge_--Captain Cook sails for the South
Seas--Puts into the Sherbro' River--Cook treacherously captures a Dane--
The name of the _Bachelor's Delight_ given to her--Cape Horn doubled--
Steers for Juan Fernandez--Falls in with the _Nicholas_--Meeting of the
Mosquito Indians, Will and Robin, at Juan Fernandez--Several vessels
captured on the coast--A design on Truxillo abandoned--Death of Cook--
Buried on shore--Narrow escape of the party on shore--Davis elected
captain--Transactions at Amapalla--Eaton and Davis separate--Davis
joined by other pirates--Paita attacked and burnt--Attempt on Guayaquil
abandoned--A packet-boat captured--Hear of the sailing of the Plata
fleet--Lay in wait for it off New Panama--Attempts of the Spaniards with
a fire-ship--Large parties of pirates unite--Plan to attack Panama--
Encounters a Spanish fleet--Stratagem of the Spaniards to place the
pirates in a disadvantageous position--The Spanish fleet escapes--Lexa
and Leon plundered--Swan proposes to cross the Pacific--Santa Pecaque
plundered--A large body of the rovers massacred--The prisoners set on
shore on a desert island--The _Cygnet_ prepared for crossing the
Pacific--Dampier cured of a dropsy.
Few British seamen have seen so much of the world, or have gone through
more remarkable adventures, with the power of describing them, than
William Dampier. He was born in 1652, near Yeovil, in Somersetshire, on
the farm of his father, a well-to-do yeoman, who sent him at an early
age to a good school, where he acquired some classical knowledge. He
was afterwards removed to another, where he learned writing and
arithmetic.
Having shown a strong inclination for the sea, on the death of his
parents his guardians apprenticed him to a shipmaster at Weymouth, with
whom he made a voyage to France, and in the following year one to
Newfoundland; but suffering from the cold, he got disgusted with a
sailor's life, and settled for a short time with a brother in
Somersetshire.
His longing for adventure, however, soon revived, and hearing of an
outward-bound East Indiaman about to sail for Bantam in Java, knowing
that at all events he should be warm enough there, he shipped on board
of her before the mast.
Having gained considerable nautical experience, he returned home, and
after again living on shore with his brother, he entered on board the
_Royal Princess_ man-of-war, commanded by Sir Edward Spragge. In this
ship he took part in two sanguinary fights; but falling ill, he was sent
to hospital on shore, thus missing the last engagement in which his
brave commander was killed.
On his recovery he accepted an offer from his brother's landlord,
Colonel Hellier, to go out as under-manager to an estate in Jamaica. He
accordingly sailed, and after visiting several islands, reached Jamaica.
Growing weary, however, of a planter's life, he made trips in different
traders, carrying goods along the coast, by which he gained a thorough
knowledge of the harbours and bays of the island.
In August, 1675, he sailed on board a vessel bound for the island of
Trist, in the Bay of Campeachy. He here became enamoured of the free
life of the logwood-cutters, and after his return to Jamaica, having
supplied himself with tools, a gun, and store of powder and shot, as
well as a tent, he again sailed for the island of Trist. He now began
to keep a regular journal, which tells us of his adventures while
engaged as a logwood-cutter. They are amongst the most interesting of
his life, while his notes on the natural history of the country show his
accuracy as an observer. The logwood-cutters varied their occupation by
hunting the wild cattle, and on one occasion Dampier nearly perished by
having lost his way in the woods. During his wanderings he had the
unpleasant reflection that a short time before six or seven of the crew
of a Boston ship had died, in the vain endeavour to find their way to
the shore.
On another occasion he was, while crossing a small savannah with his
companions, who had gone on ahead, nearly losing his life. He perceived
the strong scent of an alligator; directly afterwards he stumbled over
one, and fell into the water. Recovering, he shouted to the other men,
but they, terror-stricken, were flying towards the woods. A second, and
even a third time he fell, every moment expecting to be seized by the
jaws of the horrid monster; but he at length got safely on shore. An
alligator had a few days before actually seized one of his comrades by
the knee, but the man had the presence of mind to wait until the brute
relinquished his grip to take a firmer hold, when he rammed the butt-end
of his musket down its throat, and scampered off.
During a hurricane he was deprived of his stock of provisions. Having
no means of procuring a fresh supply, he was compelled to join a company
of buccaneers, or privateers as he called them, with whom he spent a
year before he could make his escape, pillaging the Spaniards and making
descents on native villages. While with the freebooters a Spanish fort
was attacked, but they lost ten men killed or desperately wounded, and
obtained little booty, except the flesh of some thirty bullocks, some
Indian corn, poultry, and a number of tame parrots.
While the vessels of the buccaneers were encumbered by the live stock
and provisions they had obtained, they were attacked by some Spanish
armadillos, which they succeeded, however, in beating off. After this
adventure Dampier returned to the island of Trist, and was so successful
in his occupation as a woodcutter, that he was enabled to return to
England in 1678. Here he married a young woman attached to the Duchess
of Grafton's family, but after spending about half a year at home he
again sailed for Jamaica, carrying out a quantity of goods to exchange
for the commodities most in request among the woodcutters.
He spent nearly a year in Jamaica, where he was so successful in his
mercantile transactions that he was able to send over money sufficient
to purchase a small property in Dorsetshire. He was about to return
home and take possession of it, when he was persuaded to engage in a
voyage to the Mosquito shore. On the way the vessel fell in with a
squadron of three noted pirates, Coxon, Sawkins, and Sharp. The whole
of the crew of the merchantman joining them, Dampier was compelled to go
with them also.
Soon afterwards Porto Bello was sacked by two hundred of the pirates,
each of whom obtained as his share one hundred and sixty pieces of
eight. After this the buccaneers marched across the Isthmus of Panama,
three hundred and thirty strong, under the command of Captain Sharp,
accompanied by a band of Mosquito Indians. On their way they attacked
the town of Santa Maria, where the Indians put many of the inhabitants
to death. They then embarked in a fleet of canoes and boats, and,
having deposed Sharp, chose Captain Coxon for their commander.
Shortly afterwards they separated, Dampier accompanying Sharp. Again
uniting preparatory to an attack on Panama, they encountered three
Spanish ships, and, after a severe action, in which many on both sides
fell, they captured them. Sawkins was now raised to the command, but
was killed while leading on his men in an attack on Puebla Nueva.
The pirates at length repaired to the island of Juan Fernandez to refit,
and William, one of the Mosquito Indians, was left behind.
Captain Watling, who had been elected chief, was shortly afterwards
killed in an attempt to capture Arica, and Sharp was once more placed at
the head of the band. He managed, in one of the vessels he had
captured, to double Cape Horn, and return in safety to England, where he
narrowly escaped being hung as a pirate. Dampier, meantime, with a
minority of the party, consisting of forty-four Europeans, two Mosquito
men, and a Spanish Indian, after undergoing great hardships and perils,
crossed the isthmus to the mouth of the river Concepcion, where they
obtained canoes, in which they proceeded to one of the Samballas
Islands. Here they found a French privateer, commanded by Captain
Tristan, whom they joined. Having captured a large Spanish ship, with
twelve guns and forty men, laden with sugar, tobacco, and marmalade, the
cargo was offered to the Dutch Governor of Curacoa, who was too cautious
to purchase it himself, but recommended them to go to Saint Thomas's,
which belonged to the Danes, saying that he would send a sloop to take
the sugar off their hands.
Declining his suggestion, they sailed to another Dutch colony, where
they easily disposed of their booty.
Dampier some time after this found his way to Virginia, where he was
residing with several of his former companions, when a ship, captured by
a party of English buccaneers under Captain Cook, and named the
_Revenge_, put into the harbour. As she carried eighteen guns, and was
equipped for a long voyage--and it was necessary to get away from those
seas as soon as possible, lest they should be treated as pirates--it was
proposed that a voyage should be made to the South Seas.
Besides Dampier, the ship's company consisted of Lionel Wafer, the
surgeon, Ambrose Cowley, and many adventurers who had lately crossed the
Isthmus of Panama. The ship being well stored, sailed from Achamack in
Virginia on the 23rd of August, 1683.
Having helped themselves to some casks of wine from a Dutch vessel, they
steered for the Cape de Verde Islands, and thence were intending to hold
a course for the Straits of Magellan, but, as they were driven east by
foul weather, they put into the river Sherbro'. The natives, being in
no way shy, brought off an abundance of plantains, sugar-cane, rice,
fowls, honey, and palm wine. Here they found at anchor a large Danish
ship, which, being far superior to their own vessel, Captain Cook
resolved to capture. Concealing most of his crew, who were well armed,
and allowing only a few to appear on deck, he steered for the stranger.
He had given directions to the helmsman to run her aboard,
notwithstanding whatever command he might issue. The helmsman doing as
he had been ordered, ran her alongside, when the pirate crew, springing
from their places of concealment, rushed, cutlass in hand, over the
bulwarks of the Dane, which they captured after a short struggle, with
the loss, however, of five men.
Dampier, justly ashamed of the nefarious proceeding, does not mention it
in his journal, but it is found in that of Cowley, who wrote an account
of the voyage. The crew of the captured ship being sent on shore to
shift for themselves, she was towed out of the harbour; and such stores,
guns, and ammunition as were required being moved out of the _Revenge_
into her, the pirates set fire to their old ship, that she might tell no
tales, and sailed away in their prize. She carried thirty-six guns, and
was victualled for a long voyage.
The name of the _Bachelor's Delight_ was bestowed upon her, and with
exulting hearts the buccaneers directed their course for the Straits of
Magellan. On their way two or three of the crew died, and among them
one of the surgeons, greatly to their regret, as they had now only one
remaining.
Having touched at the Falkland Islands, then known under the name of
Sibald de Weert, to obtain water and fresh provisions, they steered for
the entrance of the straits. Dampier, knowing the want of discipline
among the lawless crew, feared to take the ship through so narrow and
dangerous a passage, and endeavoured to persuade Captain Cook to sail
round Cape Horn, instead of attempting that of the straits. Captain
Cook, however, insisted on keeping to his original plan; but on reaching
the northern entrance to the Straits of Le Maire, the ship, having been
tossed about in the sea created by counter-currents, was forced through
them, and the pirates were compelled, after all, to go round Cape Horn.
Fortunately they were able to supply themselves with water from the
heavy rain which fell.
The _Bachelor's Delight_, entering the South Sea on the 3rd of March,
steered for Juan Fernandez. On the 19th a strange sail was seen bearing
down upon them, and it being supposed she was Spanish, preparations were
made for a fight.
On signals being exchanged, she was found to be the _Nicholas_ of
London, which, though nominally an honest trader, was in reality a
pirate, commanded by Captain Eaton. He coming on board, the _Bachelor's
Delight_ supplied him with water, while he gave bread and beef in
exchange. Both being bound for the same island, they continued their
course together, and on the 22nd of March, 1684, came in sight of it.
Having come to an anchor, Dampier and others went on shore to look for a
Mosquito Indian named Will, who had been left there three years before
by Captain Watling. As they approached, he having discerned the ships,
and knowing them to be English, came down to the seaside to welcome
them. As soon as they reached the beach, another Mosquito Indian, named
Robin, leapt on shore, and running to his brother Mosquito man, threw
himself flat on his face at his feet. The other helped him up, and
having embraced him, also fell flat on his face on the ground at the
feet of Robin, who also took him up.
Dampier and his companions stood watching with pleasure and surprise the
tenderness and solemnity of this interview, which was exceedingly
affectionate on both sides. When it was over they all embraced.
Will was delighted to see so many old friends, coming, as he supposed,
to take him away. He was almost naked, his own clothes having been worn
out, so that he had only a skin about his waist. Seeing the vessels, he
had in the morning killed three goats and dressed them with cabbage, to
treat his visitors as soon as they got on shore.
The Spaniards had several times searched for him, but he had always
managed to conceal himself from them. He had been out hunting in the
woods for goats when Captain Watling had embarked his men, and he had
thus been left behind. He had with him his gun and a knife, with a
small horn of powder and a few shot. This ammunition being spent, he
contrived, by notching his knife, to saw the barrel of his gun into
small pieces, with which he made harpoons, lances, hooks, and a long
knife. Having made a fire by means of his gun-flint and a piece of the
barrel of his gun which he had hardened, he heated the pieces, which he
hammered out or bent as he desired with stones, and either sawed them
with his jagged knife or ground them to an edge with persevering labour,
hardening them to a good temper.
This may seem strange, but the Mosquito Indians are especially clever in
manufacturing implements out of the roughest materials. With the
weapons he thus made he was able to kill goats or fish. At first he had
lived upon seals; but, having made some good hooks, he never afterwards
killed any seals, except for the purpose of cutting up their skins to
make lines and thongs. He had erected a hut for himself, half a mile
from the sea, which was lined with goat-skins, his clothes and bedding
being formed of the same material. Seals and sea-lions swarmed round
the coast of this island.
Although Alexander Selkirk, afterwards found by Dampier, was the true
original of Robinson Crusoe, Defoe appears to have taken some of his
descriptions from the adventures of the Mosquito Indian just mentioned.
The hills of Juan Fernandez are partly covered with woods, and partly
open, intersected by fertile valleys, the grass being rich and delicate.
There were no trees fit for masts, but there was much fine timber,
among which was the cabbage-tree. Here Captain Cook was taken seriously
ill, and was evidently in a declining state.
The crews having refreshed themselves during sixteen days, the two ships
sailed for the coast of America. A Spanish vessel was captured on the
3rd of May, bound for Lima with timber, before news of the pirates being
on the coast was known at the settlements.
Notwithstanding this, Cook and Eaton, uniting their forces, determined
to attack Truxillo. Three vessels were shortly afterwards captured,
laden with flour. On board one of them were eight tons of quince
marmalade, but the pirates were bitterly disappointed on learning that
they had missed a vessel containing eight hundred thousand pieces of
eight, which had shortly before been landed. Finding that the garrison
of Truxillo was prepared for them, they steered for the Galapagos, which
lie under the equator, and are uninhabited. They abound, however, in
land turtle and enormous iguanas; there was also abundance of sea
turtle. So numerous, indeed, were the land turtle, that a large ship's
company might subsist on them for many months together.
Depositing a portion of their flour in a hut built on one of the
islands, they again sailed for the mainland. As they were standing off
Cape Blanco, Captain Cook died, and, as he was much respected, his crew
carried him on shore to be buried. While they were engaged in digging
the grave three Indians appeared, two of whom were captured. They
informed the pirates that large herds of cattle were to be found in the
neighbourhood. Two boats were therefore sent, under the guidance of the
Indians, to obtain a supply.
Dampier, considering that the enterprise was dangerous, returned with a
part of the men on board; the rest continued their sport and slept on
shore. Next morning they discovered that their boat, which they had
left on the beach, was destroyed, and that they were watched by a party
of fifty armed Spaniards. The enemy, however, afraid to encounter them
openly, remained among the trees, and kept firing from thence at them.
The latter thought it prudent to retreat to an isolated rock which they
had seen when landing, just appearing above the water. Wading off to
it, almost up to their necks, amidst a shower of bullets, they gained
its highest point. Here they hoped to hold out until the Spaniards had
retired; but what was their horror to find that the water was rising,
and that in a short time the rock would be entirely covered!
Fortunately their position was seen from the ships, and a boat sent to
rescue them.
On the death of Captain Cook, the quartermaster, Edward Davis, was
elected commander in his stead.
After this the pirates entered the Gulf of Amapalla. On an island
within it the priest of a village was made prisoner, with two native
boys, while endeavouring to escape. With these as hostages, Captain
Davis and a number of his men proceeded to the town, where he told the
people that his people were Spaniards, and had been sent to clear the
sea of pirates, his intention being to repair his ships.
This statement being credited, he and his men were well received. He
accompanied the inhabitants to church, where all public business was
transacted. The intention of Davis was to ensnare the principal
inhabitants, and to make them pay a ransom. His object was frustrated,
in consequence of one of the pirates violently pushing a man before him,
when the Indians, suspecting treachery, took to flight. Upon this Davis
and his people fired, and one of the unfortunate Indians was killed.
Notwithstanding this, through fear, they assisted in storing the ships
with animals taken from a farm belonging to a nunnery. In return, Davis
presented one of his prizes, laden with flour, to the inhabitants. The
crews having had a dispute about the division of the spoil, the two
vessels here separated; Eaton sailing on the 2nd of September, and
Davis, accompanied by Dampier, on the following day, the padre and the
young Indians having been previously landed. Davis now found it
difficult to decide what course to pursue. The Spaniards were
everywhere on the alert, in consequence of a party of buccaneers having
crossed the isthmus, and now being engaged in cruising in boats along
the coast.
The _Bachelor's Delight_ now put into La Plata, where Drake had
destroyed the _Cacafuego_. While she lay here, the _Cygnet_, of London,
a regular trader, under Captain Swan, came in. He had endeavoured to
open up a peaceful traffic with the Spaniards, but his party had been
attacked and several of his men killed.
Swan was therefore, in his own defence, compelled to turn pirate. While
the two ships lay here, they were joined by the band of buccaneers who
had crossed the isthmus under the command of Peter Harris, the nephew of
a well-known leader of that name.
During the time that the ships were refitting, a small bark which had
been captured was sent out on a cruise, and succeeded in taking a vessel
of four hundred tons, laden with timber. From her crew the rovers
obtained intelligence that the Viceroy was fitting out a fleet of ten
frigates, to drive them from the South Seas. Having formed the design
of attacking Paita, they joined forces, and, much regretting the absence
of Eaton, sailed for that place. Entering the roads on the 3rd of
November, they found the town nearly abandoned, with all the treasure
carried away. They demanded, however, flour, sugar, wine, and water to
be sent off; but, as this was not complied with, landing, they set the
town on fire, and it was burnt to the ground.
Harris's ship being found a slow one, she was burnt, and her crew joined
the larger vessels. In vain they looked for Eaton, who, as it turned
out, had sailed for the East Indies.
Having refitted the vessels, and obtained a supply of wood, seals,
penguins, and boobies, which were salted at the island of Lobos de
Tierra, they made a descent on Guayaquil; but disagreements arose
between the commanders, and, after landing and getting in sight of the
town, they abandoned the enterprise, neither being willing to trust the
other.
Descents were made on two or three other places, and near Tomaco they
captured a vessel, with a Spanish gentleman--Don Diego de Pinas--on
board, and several other Spaniards.
On the 1st of January, 1685, the two vessels sailed for the island of
Gallo. On their way they captured a packet-boat from Lima, and,
securing her despatches, learned that the Governor had hastened the
sailing of the Plate fleet from Callao to Panama.
On hearing this, the rovers eagerly looked forward to the capture of
these richly-laden vessels. In order to careen their ships, and lay in
wait for their prey, they steered for the Pearl Islands. On their way
they touched at Gorgona, where they landed most of their prisoners.
Several prizes having been captured, their squadron now consisted of six
sail, but only two--the _Bachelor's Delight_ and the _Cygnet_--were
large vessels.
Reaching the Pearl Islands, they supplied themselves with all
necessaries, then again sailed to watch for the Plate fleet. For some
time they cruised before New Panama, a very fair city, standing close by
the sea, about four miles from the ruins of the old town. The country
round it was very beautiful, and it was newly walled, with guns pointing
seaward. Growing weary of watching, they stood out to sea, and came to
an anchor near the island of Taboga. While they lay here a vessel
appeared, the people on board of which stated that they had come to
traffic secretly with the English. Suddenly, however, about midnight,
they were seen to take their departure, and the vessel, bursting into
flames, was discovered to be a fire-ship.
The vessels slipping their cables, by great exertions put to sea and
escaped damage. On their return they were alarmed by observing a fleet
of canoes full of armed men steering towards them. Their joy was great
when they discovered that the new-comers were a party of buccaneers,
mustering two hundred and eighty men, English and French, who had
crossed the isthmus on an expedition to the South Sea. About eighty of
the former entered with Davis and Swan, and the vessels which had before
been captured were given to the remainder. Their force was further
increased by another party numbering one hundred and eighty, all
British, under Captain Townley. Three other parties shortly afterwards
arrived, mustering two hundred and sixty-four men.
With a force amounting in all to about one thousand men, they resolved
to attack Panama. Before, however, making the attempt, they ascertained
from intercepted letters that the Lima fleet was at sea, and they
resolved to capture it in the first place. Their squadron now consisted
of ten sail, but the _Bachelor's Delight_ and _Cygnet_ were the only
well-armed vessels, while the Spanish fleet amounted to fourteen,--two
of which carried forty guns, one thirty-six, another eighteen, one
eight, and two fire-ships, all supplied with numerous crews.
At length, sighting the enemy, they bore down before the wind; but the
Spaniards kept close on a wind, and although a few shots were exchanged,
succeeded in avoiding their assailants until nightfall. A light was
then seen hoisted on board the Spanish Admiral's ship. This was
supposed to be a signal for his fleet to anchor. After some time it was
lowered, but was again seen to leeward. Consequently the buccaneers
steered for it during the night. Great was their disgust when morning
broke to discover the Spanish fleet well to windward, a small bark
having conveyed the lantern to leeward, and thus placed them in a
dangerous position. The Spaniards now got under weigh and bore down
before the wind, compelling the buccaneers to retreat.
A running fight ensued, but the Frenchmen kept out of the way, and the
rovers, bold as they were, dared not, in their small vessels, come to
closer quarters. All hopes of the capture of the long-looked-for Lima
fleet was thus lost. To avenge themselves they sailed for the Rio Lexa,
near which was the town of Leon, on the Lake of Nicaragua. Both places
were attacked and captured. A ransom of three hundred thousand dollars
was demanded for Leon, but the Spaniards put off paying it; and the
buccaneers, suspecting that a strong force was gathering to overwhelm
them, retreated to the shore. One Spanish gentleman who had promised
one hundred and fifty head of cattle as his ransom, scrupulously
redeemed his word.
After this adventure the buccaneers determined to separate, and Captain
Swan proposed to his crew to cross the Pacific, and to return home by
India. Dampier, who had long wished to get free from the lawless band,
was among the first to agree to the proposal, and leaving the
_Bachelor's Delight_, he joined the _Cygnet_. It was necessary,
however, first to victual the ship. For this purpose the town of Santa
Pecaque, which was well stored with provisions for supplying the slaves
in the neighbouring mines, was captured. During two or more days a
large quantity of maize and other provisions were brought off. Captain
Swan warned his men when on shore engaged in transporting the provisions
to keep together, and to be constantly on the watch, lest they should be
attacked by the Spaniards. A party of fifty-four Englishmen and nine
blacks had been thus engaged, and were on their return to the ship, when
the sound of rapid firing was heard on board. Captain Swan, fearing
that they were attacked, immediately landed with the greater part of the
remainder of his crew, and hurried to their assistance. On reaching the
spot, to his grief he found that the whole had been massacred, a large
body of Spaniards having suddenly set upon them, and either shot them
down or sabred them, not allowing one to escape. Among them were
several of the officers, one of whom was supercargo on board the
_Cygnet_, and who had written the history of his adventures.
This disaster, the most serious which had befallen the buccaneers since
their arrival on the coast, determined Captain Swan to hasten his
departure. The _Cygnet_ now sailed for Cape Saint Lucas, and put into
the middle island of the Tres Marias. It was well stored with iguanas,
raccoons, rabbits, pigeons, deer, turtle, seals, and fish of various
kinds. Here a considerable number of persons whom the pirates had taken
prisoners were landed and left to shift for themselves, in revenge for
the disaster suffered at Santa Pecaque.
The ship was careened, a tender was sent across to the mainland for
water, and final preparations made for the intended voyage. Dampier had
been suffering much from dropsy, when, by the advice of a native, he
underwent a treatment which he was assured would restore him to health.
He was first buried up to his neck in hot sand, and then, after
undergoing a profuse perspiration, he was placed in a close tent, where
he remained until he became cool. By this means he was entirely cured.