and Water aboard, brought off our Men, and got every thing ready to
depart. The Island of _Juan Fernandez_ is nearest of a triangular form,
about 12 Leagues round; the South-west side is much the longest, and has
a small Island about a mile long lying near it, with a few visible Rocks
close under the shore of the great Island. On this side begins a Ridge
of high Mountains that run cross from the S W to the N W of the Island;
and the Land that lies out in a narrow Point to the Westward, appears to
be the only level Ground here. On the N E. side ’tis very high Land, and
under it are the two Bays where Ships always put in to recruit. The best
Bay is next the middle on this side the Island, which is to be known at
a distance by the highest Table Mountain right over this Bay. You may
anchor as near as you will to the shore, and the nearer the better. The
best Road is on the Larboard side of the Bay, and nearest the Eastermost
Shore: provided you get well in, you cannot mistake the Road. The other
Bay is plain to be seen under the North end, but not so good for Wood,
Water, or Landing, nor so safe for riding. In this Bay, where we rode,
there’s plenty of good Water and Wood: the best Water is in a small Cove
about a good Musket-shot to the Eastward of the place I have describ’d.
You may ride from a Mile to a Bow-shot off the Shore, being all deep
Water and bold, without any danger round the Island, but what is visible
and very near in. This Bay where we rode is open to near half the
Compass; the Eastermost Land in sight bore E by S. dist. about a mile
and a half, and the outermost Northwest Point of the Island lies
something without our Bay, and bears N W by W. dist. a good League. We
were about a mile off the Shore, and had 45 fathom Water, clean sandy
Ground; we design’d to have ran farther in, and new moor’d, but Mr.
_Selkirk_ inform’d us that this Month proves the fairest in the Year,
and that during Winter and Summer, the
[Sidenote: _Account of Juan Fernandez._]
whole time he was here, he seldom knew the Wind to blow off from the
Sea, but only in small Breezes that never brought in a Sea, nor held two
hours: but he warn’d us to be on our guard against the Wind off shore,
which blew very strong sometimes. The Bay is all deep Water, and you may
carry in Ships close to the Rocks, if occasion require. The Wind blows
always over the Land, and at worst along shore, which makes no Sea. It’s
for the most part calm at night, only now and then a Flaw blows from the
high Land over us. Near the Rocks there are very good Fish of several
sorts, particularly large Craw-fish under the Rocks easy to be caught;
also Cavallies, Gropers, and other good Fish in so great plenty any
where near the Shore, that I never saw the like, but at the best fishing
Season in _Newfoundland_. Piemento is the best Timber, and most
plentiful on this side the Island, but very apt to split till a little
dry’d: we cut the longest and cleanest to split for Fire-wood. The
Cabbage-Trees abound about three miles in the Woods, and the Cabbage
very good; most of ’em are on the tops of the nearest and lowest
Mountains. In the first Plain we found store of Turnip-Greens, and
Water-Cresses in the Brooks, which mightily refresh’d our Men, and
cleans’d ’em from the Scurvey: the Turnips, Mr. _Selkirk_ told us, are
good in our Summer Months, which is Winter here; but this being Autumn,
they are all run to Seed, so that we can’t have the benefit of any thing
but the Greens. The Soil is a loose black Earth, the Rocks very rotten,
so that without great care it’s dangerous to climb the Hills for
Cabbages: besides, there are abundance of Holes dug in several places by
a sort of Fowls like Puffins, which fall in at once, and endanger the
wrenching or breaking of a Man’s Leg. Mr. _Selkirk_ tells me, in _July_
he has seen Snow and Ice here; but the Spring, which is in _September_,
_October_, and _November_, is very pleasant, when there’s abundance of
good Herbs, as Parsly, Purslain, Sithes in great plenty, besides an Herb
found by the water-side, which prov’d very useful to our Surgeons for
Fomentations; ’tis not much unlike Feverfew, of a very grateful Smell
like Balm, but of a stronger and more cordial Scent: ’tis in great
plenty near the Shore. We gather’d many large Bundles of it, dry’d ’em
in the shade, and sent ’em on board, besides great quantities that we
carry’d in every Morning to strow the Tents, which tended much to the
speedy Recovery of our sick Men, of whom none died but two belonging to
the _Dutchess_, viz. _Edward Wilts_ and _Christopher Williams_.
Mr. _Selkirk_ tells me, that in _November_ the Seals come ashore to
whelp and ingender, when the Shore is so full of them for a stone’s
throw, that ’tis impossible to pass thro them; and they are so surly,
that they’l not move out of the way, but like an angry Dog run at a Man,
tho he have a good Stick to beat them: so that at this and their
whelping Seasons ’tis dangerous to come near them, but at other times
they’l make way for a Man; and if they did not, ’twould be impossible to
get up from the Water-side: they lin’d the Shore very thick for above
half a mile of ground all round the Bay. When we came in, they kept a
continual noise day and night, some bleeting like Lambs, some howling
like Dogs or Wolves, others making hideous noises of various sorts; so
that we heard ’em aboard, tho a mile from the Shore. Their Fur is the
finest that ever I saw of the kind, and exceeds that of our Otters.
[Sidenote: _In the Road of Juan Fernandez._]
Another strange Creature here is the Sea-Lion: The Governour tells me he
has seen of them above 20 foot long and more in compass, which could not
weigh less than two Tun weight. I saw several of these vast Creatures,
but none of the above-mention’d Size; several of ’em were upward of 16
foot long, and more in bulk, so that they could not weigh less than a
Tun weight. The Shape of their Body differs little from the Sea-Dogs or
Seals, but have another sort of Skin, a Head much bigger in proportion,
and very large Mouths, monstrous big Eyes, and a Face like that of a
Lion, with very large Whiskers, the Hair of which is stiff enough to
make Tooth-pickers. These Creatures come ashore to engender the latter
end of _June_, and stay till the end of _September_; during all which
time they lie on the Land, and are never observ’d to go to the Water,
but lie in the same place above a Musket-shot from the Water-side, and
have no manner of Sustenance all that time that he could observe. I took
notice of some that lay a week, without once offering to move out of the
place whilst I was there, till they were disturb’d by us; but we saw few
in comparison of what he informs us he did, and that the Shore was all
crouded full of them a Musket-shot into the Land. I admire how these
Monsters come to yield such a quantity of Oil. Their Hair is short and
coarse, and their Skin thicker than the thickest Ox-Hide I ever saw. We
found no Land-Bird on the Island, but a sort of Black-Bird with a red
Breast, not unlike our _English_ Black-Birds; and the Humming Bird of
various Colours, and no bigger than a large Humble Bee. Here is a small
Tide which flows uncertain, and the Spring-Tide flows about seven foot.
I shall not trouble the Reader with the Descriptions of this Island
given by others, wherein there are many Falshoods; but the Truth of this
I can assert from my own knowledg. Nor shall I insert the Description of
the Cabbage and Piemento Trees, being so well known and so frequently
done, that there’s no manner of need for it. I have insisted the longer
upon this Island, because it might be at first of great use to those who
would carry on any Trade to the _South-Sea._
_Febr. 13._ At a Committee held on board the _Dutchess_ the 13_th_ of
_February_, 170-8/9, it was agreed as follows:
“Resolv’d to steer from _Juan Fernandez_ N E by E. for the Land; and
when come within six Leagues of the Shore, to keep that distance,
steering along Shore to the Northward.
“The next Place we design’d to stop at, to build our Boats and land our
Men, is the Island of _Lobos de la Mar_. In case of losing Company, to
wait for each other 20 Leagues to the Northward of the place where we
accounted we were when we separated.
“Then to lie at six Leagues distance from the Shore the space of four
days, and to proceed with an easy Sail for _Lobos_, in case of not
meeting; taking special care of the Rocks call’d _Ormigos_, lying about
that distance off from _Callo_, the Sea-port of the City of _Lima_.
“In case of seeing one or more Sail, the Signal for chasing, if not out
of call, is to clew up our Maintop-gallant Sheets, with the Yards aloft.
And the general method we design to take in chasing, is, for the Ship
that sails best, or is nearest the Chase, to chase directly after the
Sail discover’d, and the other to keep to or from the Shore at a
convenient distance, as occasion shall require, to prevent being known.
And if the Ship that is nearest the Chase believes her to be too big for
one Ship alone, then to make the same Signal, or any other plainer to be
distinguish’d than the Signal for the Chase: And if either Ship comes up
with the Chase, and have her in possession or under command, if in the
day, to show a white Jack on the Maintop-Mast head; and if in the
night, to make two false Fires, and carry as plain Lights as possible.
“To leave off Chase, the Signal by night is one good Light at the
Maintop-Mast head; and to fire no Gun, but in a Fog, or very thick
Weather, either night or day, to prevent being discover’d.
“To leave off Chase by day, the Signal is to haul down the Top-sails,
keeping out our Maintop-gallant Stay-Sail; and in case of losing
Company, we refer our selves to our weekly Signals to discover each
other.
“In case either Ship in Chase or otherways should run into any danger of
Shoal-Water or other kind, then the Ship in such danger is to fire a Gun
with a Shot, and to stand from it.
“In case of a Separation, each Ship as they enter _Lobos_ to carry an
_English_ Pennant at the Foretop-Mast head; and if the other happens to
be there, she must show her _English_ Colours. And if either Ship anchor
short of the Road, she shall put out three Lights, _viz._ at the
Maintop-Mast head, Poop, Boltsprit end.
“Either Ship arriving at _Lobos_, and not finding his Consort there, he
is immediately to set up two Crosses, one at the Landing-place nearest
the farther end of the Starboard great Island going in, with a
Glass-Bottle hid under ground 20 Yards directly North from each Cross,
with Intelligence of what has happen’d since parting, and what their
further Designs are. This to be done and in readiness, that if they give
Chase, or be forc’d out by the Enemy, the missing Ship may not want
Intelligence from her Consort.”
We began this Method at _Cork_, to secure the best place we could
possible to rendevouz at; hoping by this means and our Signals always to
keep Company, and know each other thro the whole Voyage. These
Directions being something particular, made me insert them in the
Journal.
_Febr. 13._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we sent our Yall a fishing, and
got near 200 large Fish in a very little time, which we salted for our
future spending. This Morning we concluded what we began last night,
being the foregoing Agreement to direct our Affairs from this place; and
as all our Success depends on a strict Secrecy, the Precautions may not
be useless.
[Sidenote: _Sailing from the Coasts of Chili._]
_Febr. 14._ Yesterday about three in the Afternoon we weigh’d, had a
fair pleasant Gale at S S E. Mr. _Vanbrugh_ came on board our Ship
again, and exchang’d with Mr. _Bath_, I hope for the best. Course N.
Lat. 32. 32. Long. W. from _London_, 83. 06.
_Febr. 16._ Had moderate Gales of Wind with Calms. This Morning I went
on board the _Dutchess_, with Capt. _Dover_ and Capt. _Dampier_, and
din’d there. Wind at S.
_Febr. 17._ Most part of this 24 hours was calm, and cloudy Weather.
About ten a clock we hoisted our Boat out, and fetch’d Capt _Courtney_
and Capt. _Cook_ to dine with us: whilst they were on board, we settled
and sign’d the following Instrument, one for each Ship, further to
secure our Methods, and to regulate the Affair of Plunder, which if well
follow’d will prevent the bad effects of so dangerous an Obstacle to our
good Proceedings; which has prov’d too hard a Task for all others in our
time that have gone out on the same account, so far from _Great
Britain_: which I believe is chiefly owing either to want of Unity or
good Measures. God be thank’d we have a good Concord between each Ships
Company hitherto.
At a Committee held by the Officers of the _Duke_ and _Duchess_, 17
Febr. 1708/9.
_Mr._ George Underhill, _Mr._ David Wilson,
_Mr._ Lanc. Appleby, _Mr._ Sam. Worden:
_You being chosen by the Officers and Men on board the_ Duke, _to be
Managers of the Plunder which we may take in our Cruising at Sea on the
Coast of_ New Spain, _’tis our Order that Mr._ Lanc. Appleby _and Mr._
Samuel Warden _do go and continue aboard the_ Dutchess, _in the place of
two other Men from them; who are to search all Persons that return from
such Prize or Prizes that may be taken by either Ship: as also all
Persons that the Captains of either Ship shall give leave, whose Advice
you are continually to follow, and apply to them for Assistance, if
occasion require; and immediately to inform of any Persons belonging to
either Ship, that shall be perceiv’d to use clandestine Methods to hide
Plunder, or endeavour to avoid the searching them._
_If the Ships_ Duke _and_ Dutchess _are separated when any Prize it
taken, then one of you is to be on board the Prize, and the other to
remain on board the Ship; and in each place be very strict, and keep an
exact Account of what comes to your hands, and as soon as possible
secure it in such manner as the Captain of either Ship shall direct:
still observing the Command of the superior Officer on board the Prize,
who is also to assist you to the utmost of his power._
_If any Person not concern’d in this Order, nor employ’d in the same by
Capt._ Courtney, _concerns himself with the Plunder, except the
Commanding Officer, you are to forbid him; and if he disobeys, to give
immediate Information of such Person or Persons._
_You are not to incumber the Boats with Chests or Plunder out of any
Prize at first coming aboard, but mind what you see. And the first thing
you are to do, is to take account of what you find aboard that is
Plunder, and remove nothing without the Captains of either Ship’s
Orders; or in case of their Absence, of the chief Officer or Officers of
either Ship that shall be aboard the Prize, to avoid Trouble and
Disturbance._
_You are by no means to be rude in your Office, but to do every thing as
quiet and easy as possible; and to demean your selves so towards those
employ’d by Capt._ Courtney, _that we may have no manner of Disturbance
or Complaint: still observing that you be not overaw’d, nor deceiv’d of
what is your Due, in the behalf of the Officers and Men._
_The Persons appointed to be Managers by the_ Dutchess, _were the
underwritten_,
John Connely, Simon Fleming,
Simon Hatley, Barth. Rowe.
_To whom the foregoing Orders were also given, and sign’d by the
Committee._
Tho. Dover, _President_, Carleton Vanbrugh,
Woodes Rogers, John Bridge,
Stephen Courtney, William Stratton,
William Dampier, John Rogers,
Edward Cooke, John Connely,
Robert Frye, William Bath,
Charles Pope, Geo. Milbourne,
Tho. Glendall, John Ballet.
_Febr. 17._ Capt. _Courtney_ and Capt. _Cooke_ being aboard, we agreed
that Mr. _Appleby_ should appear for the Officers on board the
_Dutchess_, and _Samuel Worden_ for the Men: Mr. _Simon Hatley_ and
_Simon Fleming_ were to have the like Charge on board of us, to manage
the Plunder according to the foregoing Orders.
[Sidenote: _Our Approach near Lima._]
_Febr. 18._ About three Yesterday afternoon, we saw the Main dist. 9 Ls.
it’s very high Land, with several Islands.
_Febr. 28._ Yesterday afternoon we came within about 6 Ls. of very high
Land. This Morning we put both Pinnaces in the Water, to try them under
Sail, having fix’d them with each a Gun after the manner of a
Patterero,[126] and all things necessary for small Privateers; hoping
they’l be serviceable to us in little Winds to take Vessels. Wind at S.
and S by E.
_March 1._ Having little Wind and smooth Water, we heel’d both Ships and
tallow’d.
_Mar. 2._ We are in sight of Land, dist. 12 or 14 Ls. Within the Country
there’s a vast high Ridge of Mountains, nam’d _Cordilleras_, all along
this Course; some parts I believe are full as high, if not higher, than
the _Pico Teneriff_, with Snow on the top. We had a good Observ. Lat.
17. 03. Longit. 70. 29. West from _London_.
_March 4._ Fine pleasant Weather, with fresh Gales of Wind. This day we
came to an Allowance of three Pints of Water a Man _per_ day, tho we had
a good stock aboard. My reason for it was, that we might keep at Sea
some time and take some Prizes, and not be forc’d to discover our selves
by watring, before we attempted any thing ashore; because an Enemy being
once discover’d, there’s nothing of Value, as I’m informed, puts to Sea
from one end of the Coast to the other. They have great Conveniences of
giving notice by Expresses and strict Orders for all Officers on the
Shore to keep Lookers-out upon every Head-Land.
_Mar. 8._ Fine pleasant Weather, a brisk Gale at S E. At three this
Morning we lay by, and at six saw the Land dist. about 14 Ls. after
which I made sail. The _Dutchess_ had a Boy fell out of the Mizen-top
down on the Deck, and broke his Leg; of which he is in a fair way to
recover. Lat. 12. 31. Longit. 84. 58.
_Mar. 9._ Fair Weather, a moderate Gale at S E. We go under an easy
Sail, in hopes of seeing rich Ships either going or coming out of
_Lima_, being now near it. We keep about 7 Ls. from Shore, to prevent
our being discover’d. We shall not lie long here, but design to go for
_Lobos_ to build our Boats, and get things ready to land at _Guiaquil_.
_Mar. 10._ Pleasant Weather, moderate Gales at S E. This Morning,
perceiving white Rocks at a distance which look’d like Ships, we brought
to, and sent our Boats under the shore, having kept them ready a-stern
four days, that if we saw a Sail near the Shore, they might take them,
to prevent their discovering us to those on the Continent.
_Mar. 13._ Fair Weather, moderate Gales at S E. This Morning we ran near
Land, and the _Dutchess_ kept in the Offing, to see if we could meet any
of the Traders; there being, as I am inform’d, Ships of good Value
sometimes on this Coast. Our Men begin to repine, that tho come so far,
we have met with no Prize in these Seas.
_Mar. 14._ The Nights are very cold in comparison of the Days, which are
warm enough, but not so hot as I expected in this Latitude. Here’s never
any Rain, but great Dews in the night, almost equivalent to it, tho the
Air be generally serene. At eight last night we hal’d up N N W. for the
Island _Lobos_.
_Mar. 15._ We saw Land yesterday, and supposing it was _Lobos_, stood
off and on all night. In the Morning it prov’d very hazy till ten, when
we saw it again right a-head; we stood nearer till we were convinc’d it
was not _Lobos_, but the main Land of _Peru_ within it: so we stood off
at twelve, and had a good Observ. Lat. 6. 55.
_Mar. 16._ Yesterday afternoon we spy’d a Sail; our Consort being
nearest, soon took her. She was a little Vessel of about 16 Tun
belonging to _Payta_, and bound to _Cheripe_ for Flower, with a small
Sum of Money aboard to purchase it. The Master’s Name was _Antonio
Heliagos_, a _Mustees_, begotten between an _Indian_ and a _Spaniard_:
his Company was eight Men, one of them a _Spaniard_, one a _Negro_, and
the rest _Indians_. We ask’d them for News, and they assur’d us that all
the _French_ ships, being seven in number, sail’d out of these Seas six
months ago, and that no more were to return; adding, That the
_Spaniards_ had such an Aversion to them, that at _Callo_ the Sea-Port
for _Lima_ they kill’d so many of the _French_, and quarrel’d so
frequently with ’em, that none were suffer’d to come ashore there for
some time before they sail’d from thence. After we had put Men aboard
the Prize, we hal’d off close on a Wind for _Lobos_, having shot within
it; and had we not been better inform’d by the Crew of the Prize, might
have endanger’d our Ships, by running in farther, because there are
Shoals between the Island and the Main. The Prisoners tell us there had
been no Enemy in those parts since Capt. _Dampier_, which is above four
Years ago. They likewise inform’d us that Capt. _Stradling_’s[127] Ship
the _Cinque-Ports_,
[Sidenote: _Arrival at Lobos._]
who was _Dampier_’s Consort, founder’d on the Coast of _Barbacour_,
where he with six or seven of his Men were only sav’d; and being taken
in their Boat, had been four Years Prisoners at _Lima_, where they liv’d
much worse than our Governour _Selkirk_, whom they left on the Island
_Juan Fernandez_. This Morning we saw the Island _Lobos_, which bore
South about 4 Ls. at Noon it bore S by W. dist. 6 miles. We sent our
Pinnace thither mann’d and arm’d, to see if there were any Fishermen
upon it and secure ’em, lest they should discover us to the People on
the Main.
_Mar. 17._ Yesterday about five in the Evening we got well into anchor,
but found no body at the Island. We had 20 fathom Water, clean Ground in
the Thorow-fair between the two Islands, above a Cable’s length from
each Shore. ’Tis a bold going in and a good Road, the Wind blowing
constantly over Land. We resolv’d here to fit out our small Bark for a
Privateer, she being well built for sailing; and this Morning we had her
into a small round Cove in the Southermost Island, where we haul’d her
up dry on the Land. The Carpenters also got the Timber ashore, to build
our Boat for landing Men.
_Mar. 18._ In the Evening we launch’d our small Privateer, having
clean’d her Bottom well, call’d her the _Beginning_, and appointed Capt.
_Cooke_ to command her. We got a small spare Mast out of our Ship, which
made her a new Main-Mast, and our Mizen-top Sail was alter’d to make her
a Main-Sail. The _Dutchess_ heel’d, and clean’d their Ship. This Morning
I got all our sick Men ashore, and built Tents for them: the _Dutchess_
also landed hers. We agreed to stay the building of our Boat and fitting
out the Privateer, while the _Dutchess_ cruis’d about the Island, and in
sight of the Main.
_Mar. 19._ Yesterday afternoon we sent the Yall a fishing, got the Bark
rigg’d, and almost ready, with four Swivel-Guns and a Deck near
finish’d. This Morning the _Dutchess_ sail’d a cruising, and appointed
to meet the Bark off the South-East End of the Island.
_Mar. 20._ The Bark being got ready, this Morning we victual’d her out
of our Ship, and put 20 of ours, and 12 of our Consorts Men aboard her
well arm’d. I saw her out of the Harbour with our Pinnance, she looks
very pretty, and I believe will sail well in smooth Water, having all
Masts, Sails, Rigging, and Materials, like one of the Half-Galley’s
fitted out for her Majesty’s Service in _England_: They gave our Ship’s
Company three Huzza’s, and we return’d them the like at parting. I told
Capt. _Cooke_, if we should be forc’d out of the Road, or give Chase
hence, we would leave a Glass-Bottle bury’d near a remarkable great
Stone, that I show’d him, with Letters in it, to give an account how it
was with us, of the occasion of our Departure, and where to meet again:
I bid him acquaint Capt. _Courtney_ with it.
_Mar. 22._ This Morning a _Spaniard_ belonging to us, nam’d _Silvester
Ramos_, died suddenly, and we buried him at night. Most of our Men are
healthy, except two or three who are ill of the Scurvey.
_Mar. 23._ This Morning we began to scrub our Ship, and clear’d
abundance of Barnacles off her Bottom, almost as large as Muscles. A
Ship grows foul very fast in these Seas.
_Mar. 25._ We caught plenty of very good Fish. The Seals are numerous
here, but not so many as at _Juan Fernandez_: A large one seiz’d a stout
_Dutchman_, had like to have pull’d him into the Water, and bit him to
the bone in several places, in one of his Arms and Legs.
_Mar. 26._ This Morning the _Dutchess_ came in with a Prize call’d the
_Santa Josepha_, bound from _Guiaquil_ to _Truxillo_, Burden about 50
Tuns, full of Timber, with some Cocou, and Coco-Nuts, and Tobacco which
we distributed among our Men: The _Dutchess_ and _Beginning_ took her
between this Island and the Main; she had very little of Value on board.
_Mar. 27._ This Morning we gave our Ship a good heel, and tallow’d her
low down. A _Dutchman_ belonging to the _Dutchess_ died of the Scurvy
ashore, and was buried on the Island.
_Mar. 30._ Yesterday afternoon we got the second Prize (which we call’d
the _Increase_) aboard us, and clean’d her. We brought all off shore,
and launch’d our new Boat to tow at our stern, and at ten a clock came
to sail, after we had put Mr. _Stratton_ to command the _Beginning_, and
all our sick Men and a Doctor of each Ship aboard the _Increase_, of
which Mr. _Selkirk_, our second Mate, was appointed Master.
[Sidenote: _Description of Lobos._]