jurisdiction of the colony, and the retention of the lands by the
proprietors and lessees of the islands undoubtedly hampered their
economic progress and well being. Finally, in response to a suggestion
from the Crown, the proprietors in a letter of April 11th, 1730, offered
to sell out their rights “for one thousand guineas each, clear of all
fees,” and Rogers in a letter to the Board of Trade emphasised the
necessity of the Crown taking this step, and so bringing to “an end the
discouraging contests on titles to land.”[75] By an irony of fate Rogers
was not spared to see this suggestion carried into effect.[76] Though
his efforts on behalf of the colony had undermined his health, he did
not spare himself or shrink from his responsibility. How great that
responsibility was, and how he overcame a widespread conspiracy by
Colebrooke to overthrow his government is shown in the following letter
to the Board of Trade written from Nassau on the 10th of June,
1731[77]:--“How great an enemy Mr. Colebrooke hath been to this
Government, and what vile means he used to make the Garrison mutiny, and
stir up a spirit of discontent and opposition in the inhabitants, by the
great influence which he had artfully gained over the most ignorant of
them, while he was Speaker of the Assembly, from all which I humbly hope
that the method taken to prevent his proceeding in his seditious and
wicked designs will meet with his Majesty’s and your Lordships’
approbation.” The “method taken” was the arrest and indictment of John
Colebrooke for sedition. He was tried before the Chief Justice of the
Bahamas at the end of May, and found guilty. A fine of £750 was imposed,
and he was ordered to be “confined during his Majesty’s pleasure,” and
was not to be discharged until he had given “sufficient security” for
his future good behaviour.[78]
The influence that such a person could wield over an ignorant community
two hundred years ago is strangely reminiscent of the twentieth century!
In spite of Colebrooke’s detention, the danger was not yet over, and the
canker of sedition seems to have been very deep rooted. Two months
later, in August, 1731, Rogers thus reports on the situation[79]:--“I
can yet procure no assistance from the inhabitants towards the
fortifications, though I have without any help from
[Sidenote: INTRODUCTION]
them built a new Barrack for the Garrison in the Fort, and have made
upwards of twenty new carriages for guns of this country timber, and
shall continue to do all I can towards the Fortifications as soon as the
heat of the summer is over, that I can put the garrison to work again,
without endangering their healths. And as soon as possible will try in a
new Assembly what I can do, though I fear little public good is to be
expected from them if Mr. Colebrooke and his accomplices here can have
any influence to prevent the peoples working, they being too poor to
contribute anything worth contributing in money.”[80] At what period
Colebrooke was released we do not know, but that he appealed to the home
Government is certain, and in order that the Lords Commissioners of
Trade should have all the facts at their disposal Rogers despatched his
son to England with the following letter, dated 14 October, 1731.[81]
As I am at a loss what complaints Mr. Colebrooke may make, I
entreat your Lordships will please to allow me to refer you to my
son who will have the honour to wait on your Lordships with this,
and is instructed to give you such particular information, as you
may desire to be apprised of, either with regard to Mr. Colebrooke,
or anything else relating to this colony. I have also transmitted
herewith transcripts of the Council and Assembly proceedings, and
answers to your Lordships’ queries, together with an account of
every family[82] on this island in as particular a manner as
possible.... I hope soon to visit Columba alias Cat Island,[83]
which being esteemed the most fertile of any in this government, I
shall transmit to your Lordships a particular account thereof.
This was his last official despatch of any importance, and his death is
recorded at Nassau on the 15th of July, 1732. His will, drawn up on the
eve of departure from England, and dated 26th of May, 1729, was proved
in London on the 24th of November, 1732. In it he bequeaths his property
to his son William Whetstone Rogers,[84] and his daughter Sarah Rogers.
The probate act describes him “as late of the parish of St. Margaret,
Westminster, but dying at the Bahama Islands, a widower.”
And so, amid the tropical grandeur of his island home, with the surge of
the broad Atlantic for his requiem, passed all that was mortal of Woodes
Rogers. No tombstone stands to mark his last resting-place, but
somewhere in Nassau we may be sure that his spirit looks out past the
great statue of Columbus standing sentinel over Government House, to the
shipping and harbour beyond. One wonders how many of the thousands of
visitors who bask in the perpetual sunshine of a winter’s day in this
“Queen of Coral Isles,” realise how much they owe to Woodes Rogers and
his successors. A great seaman and splendid patriot he deserves well of
his country. May this reprint of his “Cruising Voyage” be a fitting
tribute to his memory!
* * * * *
This edition of Woodes Rogers’s “Cruising Voyage round the World,” is
printed from the original and scarce edition of 1712. In the
Introduction, I have attempted to tell the full story of the author’s
life from the original documents in the Public Record Office and the
British Museum. For the facilities offered me at both these
institutions, and also at the London Library, I beg to tender my sincere
thanks. I have also to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. A. G. H.
Macpherson for his kindness in allowing me to reproduce three
illustrations from his unique collection of Naval prints, and to the
authorities at the National Portrait Gallery for their courtesy in
granting me permission to reproduce the beautiful portrait of Captain
William Dampier. Finally I have to thank Dr. Philip Gosse, whose
enthusiasm for Woodes Rogers spurred me to complete this edition of one
of the most interesting voyages in the English language.
G. E. MANWARING.
THE DEDICATION
_To the Worthy Gentlemen my surviving Owners, the Worshipful_
Christopher Shuter _Esq._, _Sir_ John Hawkins _Kt._, John Romsey
_Esq._; _Capt._ Philip Freake, _Mr._ James Hollidge, Francis
Rogers, Thomas Goldney, Thomas Clements, Thomas Coutes, John
Corsely, John Duckinfield, Richard Hawksworth, William Saunders,
John Grant, Laurence Hollister, _and_ Daniel Hickman, _Merchants
in_ Bristol.
Gentlemen,
_As you did me the Honour to approve my Proposals for the following
Voyage, and generously fitted out two Ships, in which you gave me the
principal Command; I no sooner resolv’d to publish my Journal, than I
determin’d to chuse you for my Patrons: and thereby to take an
opportunity of expressing my Gratitude to you, who had the Courage to
adventure your Estates on an Undertaking, which to Men less discerning
seem’d impracticable._
_I heartily congratulate you on the Success and Profit of this Long and
Hazardous Voyage; which might have been greater, but the following
Sheets will show it was not my fault._
_I shall only add on this Head, that I used my utmost Endeavours to
promote your Interest, which was always prefer’d to my own._
_I make no doubt, it will be to your lasting Honour, that such a Voyage
was undertaken from_ Bristol _at your Expence; since it has given the
Publick a sufficient Evidence of what may be done in those Parts, and
since the Wisdom of the Nation has now agreed to establish a Trade to
the_ South-Seas, _which, with the Blessing of God, may bring vast Riches
to_ GREAT BRITAIN.
_I wish you intire Health and Happiness, and am_,
GENTLEMEN,
_Your most Humble Servant_,
WOODES ROGERS.
A
Cruising VOYAGE
Round the
WORLD,
Begun _August 1. 1708._ and
Finished _October 14. 1711_.
By Captain WOODES ROGERS,
Commander in Chief.
Tho others, who give an Account of their Voyages, do generally attempt
to imitate the Stile and Method which is us’d by Authors that write
ashore, I rather chuse to keep to the Language of the Sea, which is more
genuine, and natural for a Mariner. And because Voyages of this sort
have commonly miscarry’d, ’tis necessary that I should keep to my
Original Journal; that the Methods we took to succeed in our Designs,
may appear from time to time in their native Light: Therefore without
any disguise I shall publish the Copies of all our material Regulations
and Agreements, and keep to the usual Method of Sea-Journals, omitting
nothing that happen’d remarkable to our selves, or that may serve for
Information or Improvement to others in the like Cases. Every day’s
Transactions begin at the foregoing Day about twelve a clock, and end at
the same Hour the following Day carrying that Date.
Since Custom has likewise prevail’d for Sailors to give an Account of
such Countries upon whose Coasts they touch or pass by, I shall so far
comply with it as to give a Description of those that occur’d in the
Course of my Navigation, especially of such as are or may be of most use
for enlarging our Trade; wherein I have consulted the best Authors upon
the Subject, and the Manuscript Journals of others, as well as inform’d
my self by Inquiry upon the Spot, and from those that have been in the
respective Countries I treat of.
_1708. August 2._ Yesterday about four in the Afternoon we weigh’d from
_Kingroad_ near _Bristol_, on board the _Duke_ frigate, whereof Capt.
_Woodes Rogers_ was Commander, in Consortship with the _Dutchess_, Capt.
_Stephen Courtney_ Commander; both private Men of War, bound to _Cork_
in _Ireland_, and thence to the Southward a cruising; the _Duke_ Burden
about 320 Tuns, having 30 Guns and 117 Men; and the _Dutchess_ Burden
about 260 Tuns by Measure, 26 Guns and 108 Men; both well furnish’d with
all Necessaries on board for a distant Undertaking.
We had in Company the _Scipio_, _Peterborough_ frigate, _Prince Eugene_,
_Bristol_ Galley, _Berkely_ Galley, _Beecher_ Galley, _Pompey_ Galley,
_Sherstone_ Galley, and _Diamond_ Sloop. At ten at night having little
Wind, we made the Signal for the Fleet to anchor, between _the Holms_
and _Minehead_. We lay near two hours, and about twelve we fir’d a Gun,
and all came to sail, a fine Gale at S E and E S E. We ran by _Minehead_
at six in the morning, having stem’d the Flood from the place we
anchor’d at. We came up with a Sloop about ten a clock; but she could
not hold way with the Fleet, being all light and clean Ships, and good
Sailors.
[Sidenote: _From Kingroad to Cork._]
_August 3._ The Wind veer’d to the N E and E N E. Our Ship and the
_Dutchess_ did not sail so well as the major part of the Gallies, our
Masts and Rigging being all unfit for the Sea, our Ships out of trim,
and every thing in disorder, being very indifferently mann’d;
notwithstanding our Number, we had not 20 Sailors in the Ship, and it’s
very little better on board the _Dutchess_; which is a Discouragement,
only we hope to get some good Sailors at _Cork_. We saw a Sail at five
last night, the _Dutchess_ gave chase, and came near her; she seem’d a
large Ship, but we lost sight of her at eight a clock. Being inform’d
at _Bristol_ that the _Jersy_, a _French_ Man of War carrying 46 Guns,
was cruising betwixt _England_ and _Ireland_, it oblig’d us to keep our
Hammocks up, and a clear Ship for a Fight, all night. About two this
morning the rest of the Fleet that lay a-stern of us came up, and we
kept an easy Sail, with a Light out all Night; but when Day came, we saw
nothing, so that this prov’d a false Alarm: which happen’d well for us,
since had it been real, we should have made but an indifferent Fight,
for want of being better mann’d.
_Aug. 4._ The _Bristol_ Galley, _Berkley_ Galley, _Prince Eugene_, and
the _Beecher_ Galley, being bound to the Westward, left us at six in the
Evening; little Wind at E S E. and smooth Water.
_Aug. 5._ We saw the Land, and finding we had overshot our Port, came to
an anchor at twelve a clock off of the two Rocks call’d the _Sovereigns
Bollacks_[85] near _Kinsale_, being calm.
_Aug. 6._ About eight last night we weigh’d with the Flood, a small Gale
at East; it came on to blow, and veer’d to the Northward. We had a
_Kinsale_ Pilot on board, who was like to have endanger’d our Ship, it
being dark and foggy. Before day he would have turn’d us into the next
Bay to the Westward of _Cork_, had not I prevented it; which provok’d me
to chastise him for undertaking to pilot a Ship, since he understood his
Business no better. The rest of our Company, except the _Diamond_ and
_Sherstone_ Galley, got into _Cork_ before us; only our Consort staid in
the Harbour’s Mouth till we came up with her.
_Aug. 7._ Yesterday at three in the Afternoon we came to an anchor with
our Consort in the Cove, Wind at N N E.
_Aug. 8._ Came in the _Arundel_ a Queen’s Ship, and order’d us to strike
our Pendant; which we immediately did, all private Commission Ships
being oblig’d by their Instructions to pay that Respect to all her
Majesty’s Ships and Fortifications.
_Aug. 9._ Yesterday Afternoon came in the _Hastings_ with the Fleet
under her Convoy, which we left in _Kingroad_: as also the _Elizabeth_,
a Merchant-Ship of 500 Tuns, about 26 Guns, and well mann’d, with a
Fleet under her Convoy from _Leverpool_, bound to the Westward, with us
and the _Hastings_, &c. Fair Weather, the Wind Southerly.
_Aug. 10._ We were well pleas’d with the Men Mr. _Noblett Rogers_[86]
got for us at _Cork_; upon which we clear’d several of those brought
from _Bristol_, and some of ’em run away, being ordinary Fellows, and
not fit for our Employment.
_Aug. 11._ It blow’d fresh and dirty Weather; we had four Lighters from
_Cork_ to discharge our Ships, that we might have them well stow’d, and
the Provisions in the bottom when they came aboard us. We lengthen’d our
Mizen-Mast four Foot and a half, by placing it on a Step on the
Gun-Deck; got our Fore-Mast forward, and did what we could in order to
be in a better trim than before, against we had better Men to work the
Ship, who lay all ready to come aboard from _Cork_.
_Aug. 12._ Blew fresh, and dirty Weather; we clear’d and run near forty
of our fresh-water Sailors. The _Shoreham_, Capt. _Saunders_,[87] came
hither to convoy a Fleet back to _Bristol_.
_Aug. 16._ Continu’d dirty Weather, so that we could not have an
Opportunity to heel our Ship and clean her Bottom; and were forc’d to
keep our Provisions cover’d in the Lighter, and Men to watch ’em. This
Morning, about ten, one Boat loaded with Men came down from _Cork_ to
us. The Fellows appear’d to be brisk, but of several Nations; and I sent
to Mr. _Rogers_ to stop the rest till we were ready, our Ships being
pester’d.
_Aug. 28._ Nothing happen’d worth notice since the 16th, but that we had
good Weather to clean and tallow our Ships five Streaks below the
Water-Line, and to take in our Provisions and Men, _&c._ This Morning we
fell down to the _Spit-end_ by the _Hastings_ Man of War, as our Consort
did the night before. When I came without the _Spit-end_, I saluted the
_Hastings_ with seven Guns; they return’d five, and I three for Thanks.
We had now above double the number of Officers usual in Privateers, and
a large Complement of Men to each Ship. We took this Method of doubling
our Officers to prevent Mutinies, which often happen in long Voyages,
and that we might have a large Provision for a Succession of
[Sidenote: _At Cork in Ireland._]
Officers in each Ship, in case of Mortality. Our Ship was now so full
that we sent our Sheet-Cable and other new Store Cordage to Mr. _Noblett
Rogers_ at _Cork_, to make room for our Men and Provisions; having three
Cables besides, and being willing rather to spare that, than any thing
else we had aboard. Our Crew were continually marrying whilst we staid
at _Cork_, tho they expected to sail immediately. Among others there was
a _Dane_ coupled by a Romish Priest to an _Irish_ Woman, without
understanding a word of each other’s Language, so that they were forc’d
to use an Interpreter; yet I perceiv’d this Pair seem’d more afflicted
at Separation than any of the rest: The Fellow continu’d melancholy for
several days after we were at Sea. The rest understanding each other,
drank their Cans of Flip[88] till the last minute, concluded with a
Health to our good Voyage, and their happy Meeting, and then parted
unconcern’d.
I think it necessary to set down here the Names of all the Officers in
both Ships, with the Number of our Men; because it is proper, that the
Persons whom this Journal concerns, should be known.
_Officers of the_ Duke
_Woodes Rogers_, Captain, a Mariner; _Thomas Dover_, a Doctor of
Physick, second Captain, President of our Council, and Captain of the
Marines; _Carleton Vanbrugh_, Merchant, now our Owners Agent; _Robert
Fry_, a Mariner, chief Lieutenant; _Charles Pope_, second Lieutenant;
_Thomas Glendall_, third Lieutenant; _John Bridge_, Master; _William
Dampier_, Pilot for the _South-Seas_, who had been already three times
there, and twice round the World; _Alexander Vaughan_, chief Mate;
_Lanc. Appleby_, second Mate; _John Ballet_, rated third Mate, but
design’d Surgeon, if occasion; he had been Captain _Dampier’s_ Doctor,
in his last unfortunate Voyage round the World; _Samuel Hopkins_, being
Dr. _Dover’s_ Kinsman and an Apothecary, was both an Assistant to him,
and to act as his Lieutenant, if we landed a Party any where under his
Command during the Voyage; _George Underhill_ and _John Parker_, two
young Lawyers design’d to act as Midshipmen; _John Vigor_, a
Reformado,[89] to act as Capt. _Dover’s_ Ensign when ashore; _Benj.
Parsons_ and _Howel Knethel_, Midshipmen; _Richard Edwards_, Coxswain of
the Pinnace, to receive Midshipmens Pay; _James Wasse_, Surgeon;
_Charles May_, his Mate; _John Lancy_, Assistant; _Henry Oliphant_,
Gunner, with eight Men call’d the Gunner’s Crew; _Nath. Scorch_,
Carpenter; _John Jones_, his Mate, with three Assistants; _Giles Cash_,
Boatswain; and _John Pillar_, his Mate; _John Shepard_, Cooper, with two
Assistants; _John Johnson_, _Thomas Young_, _Charles Clovet_, and _John
Bowden_, all four Quarter-Masters; _John Finch_, late wholesale Oilman
of _London_, now Ship’s Steward; _Henry Newkirk_, Sail-maker; _Peter
Vandenhende_, Smith and Armourer; _William Hopkins_, Ship’s Corporal,
Capt. _Dover’s_ Serjeant, and Cook to the Officers; _Barth. Burnes_,
Ship’s Cook.
_Officers of the_ Dutchess
_Stephen Courtney_, Captain, a Mariner; _Edward Cook_, second Captain;
_William Stretton_, chief Lieutenant; _John Rogers_, second Lieutenant;
_John Connely_, third Lieutenant; _William Bath_, Owners Agent; _George
Milbourn_, Master; _Robert Knowlman_, chief Mate; _Henry Duck_, second;
_Simon Hatley_, third; _James Goodall_, fourth; and _William Page_,
fifth Mate: With all other inferior Officers much the same as aboard the
_Duke_. Most of us, the chief Officers, embrac’d this Trip of
Privateering round the World, to retrieve the Losses we had sustain’d by
the Enemy. Our Complement of Sailors in both Ships was 333, of which
above one Third were Foreigners from most Nations; several of her
Majesty’s Subjects on board were Tinkers, Taylors, Hay-makers, Pedlers,
Fidlers, _&c._ one Negro, and about ten Boys. With this mix’d Gang we
hop’d to be well mann’d, as soon as they had learnt the Use of Arms, and
got their Sea-Legs, which we doubted not soon to teach ’em, and bring
them to Discipline.
_Septemb. 1._ We took sailing Orders, the better to keep Company with
the _Hastings_ and Fleet: and after having agreed with our Consort,
Captain _Courtney_, on Signals between us, which are so common that I
need not insert them here, and appointed places of Rendevouz in case of
Separation, and how long to lie for each other at every place; about ten
this Morning, we came to sail with the _Hastings_ and about 20 Merchant
Ships, bound to the Southward and Westward, Wind at N by W. We should
have sail’d yesterday, but could not weigh and cast our Ships clear of
the rest; some at that time drove, and the _Sherstone_ Gally run quite
ashore on the _Spit_. In the night it grew moderate
[Illustration: CROSSING THE TROPIC: SAILORS BEING DUCKED AT THE YARD ARM
_From a scarce print in the Macpherson collection._]
[Sidenote: _Departure from Cork._]
Weather, and Captain _Paul_ got her off to sail with us. Our Holds are
full of Provisions; our Cables, a great deal of Bread, and Water-Casks
between Decks; and 183 Men aboard the _Duke_, with 151 aboard the
_Dutchess_: so that we are very much crouded and pester’d Ships, not fit
to engage an Enemy without throwing Provision and Stores overboard.
_Septemb. 2._ We and our Consort stood out of the Fleet to chase a Sail
we saw to Windward. Our ships sail’d as well as any in the Fleet, not
excepting the Man of War; so that we began to hope we should find our
heels, since we go so well tho deep loaden and pester’d. We found the
Chase to be a small Vessel coming into the Fleet from _Baltimore_, one
_Hunt_ Master, call’d the _Hope_ Gally, a small _French_-built Snow
belonging to Mr. _James Vaughan_ of _Bristol_, bound for _Jamaica_. Wind
at N by W. Moderate Weather.
_Septemb. 3._ The Wind very veerable from the W S W. to the N W. blow’d
strong with Squalls, so that we reef’d often, and our Ship was a little
leaky in her upper Works.
_Septemb. 4._ It blew fresh this Morning, but not so much Wind as
Yesterday, and the Water smoother. Captain _Paul_ made a Signal for me,
Capt. _Courtney_, and Capt. _Edwards_ Commander of the _Scipio_; and
after speaking with him, he sent his Boat for us, being larger than
ours. We with Capt. _Dover_ and Mr. _Vanbrugh_ went in her, and din’d
with Capt. _Paul_ aboard his Ship, where we were very handsomly treated.
He propos’d to me and Consort when he left the Fleet, which would be
very soon, to cruise a few days together off Cape _Finister_, after
having ask’d us what we wanted that he could supply us with. He gave us
Scrubbers, Iron Scrapers for our Ships Bottom, a speaking Trumpet, and
other things that we wanted: but he would accept nothing from us,
because our Voyage would be long; but told us, he should be well pleas’d
if our Owners return’d him the same Necessaries for his Ship when he
return’d. Wind from the N N W. to the N W by W. moderate.
_Septemb. 5._ We came from on board Capt. _Paul_ to our own Ships,
yesterday at six in the Afternoon; and now thought it fit to discover to
our Crew whither we were bound, that if any Disorders should have risen
upon it, we might have exchang’d our Malecontents whilst in Company with
one of her Majesty’s Ships. But I found no Complaint on board the
_Duke_, except from one Fellow who expected to have been Tything-Man
that year in his Parish, and said his Wife would be oblig’d to pay
Forty Shillings in his Absence: but seeing all the rest willing, he was
easily quieted, and all Hands drank to a good Voyage. I and Capt.
_Courtney_ writ to our Owners, Alderman _Batchelor_ and Company, in the
same Letter, a Method we design’d to continue in the whole Voyage, for
all things that related to it. A brisk Gale and clear Weather.
_Sept. 6._ The _Hastings_ and we parted at six last night. The reason
why we did not keep him longer Company, was our Ships being very full,
and our Consort unwilling to lose time so near home; so that we were
oblig’d to break Measures with Capt. _Paul_. I excus’d it to him, and
saluted him, which he answer’d, and wish’d us a prosperous Undertaking.
Wind N. by W. and clear Weather. Our Ship does not sail so well as she
did two days before. The _Crown_ Gally of _Biddiford_ keeps us Company
bound for the _Maderas_. Wind from N N W. to N by E.
_Sept. 8._ Every thing now begins to come into Order, we having been
hitherto in some Confusion, as is usual in Privateers at first setting
out. We had a good Observation. Moderate Weather, Wind at W N W. Lat.
40. 10. N. This day the chief Officers din’d on board me, and the next
day on board the _Dutchess_.