arriuall in England repaired with all hast to the Court being then at
Windsore, to aduertise her Majestie of his prosperous proceeding, and good
successe in this last voyage, and of the plenty of gold Ore, with other
matters of importance which he had in those Septentrionall parts
discouered. [Sidenote: M. Frobisher commended of her Maiestie.] He was
courteously enterteyned, and heartily welcommed of many noble men, but
especially for his great aduenture, commended of her Maiestie, at whose
hands he receiued great thankes, and most gracious countenance, according
to his deserts. [Sidenote: The Gentlemen commended.] Her Highnesse also
greatly commended the rest of the Gentlemen in this seruice, for their
great forwardnes in this so dangerous an attempt: but especially she
reioyced very much, that among them there was so good order of gouernment,
so good agreement, euery man so ready in his calling, to do whatsoeuer the
Generall should command, which due commendation gratiously of her Maiestie
remembred, gaue so great encouragement to all the Captaines and Gentlemen,
that they to continue her Highnesse so good and honourable opinion of them,
haue since neither spared labour, limme, nor life, to bring this matter (so
well begun) to a happie and prosperous ende. [Sidenote: Commissioners
appointed to examine the goodnesse of the Ore.] And finding that the matter
of the golde Ore had appearance and made shew of great riches and profit,
and the hope of the passage to Cataya, by this last voyage greatly
increased, her Maiestie appointed speciall Commissioners chosen for this
purpose, gentlemen of great iudgement, art, and skill, to looke thorowly
into the cause, for the true triall and due examination thereof, and for
the full handling of all matters thereunto appertaining. [Sidenote: A name
giuen to the place new discouered.] And because that place and countrey
hath neuer heretofore bene discouered, and therefore had no speciall name,
by which it might be called and knowen, her Maiestie named it very properly
Meta Incognita, as a marke and bound vtterly hitherto vnknowen. The
commissioners after sufficient triall and proofe made of the Ore, and
hauing vnderstood by sundrie reasons, and substantiall grounds, the
possibilitie and likelyhood of the passage, aduertised her highnesse, that
the cause was of importance, and the voyage greatly worthy to be aduanced
againe. Wherevpon preparation was made of ships and all other things
necessary, with such expedition, as the time of the yeere then required.
And because it was assuredly made accompt of, that the commoditie of Mines,
there already discouered, would at the least counteruaille in all respects
the aduenturers charge, and giue further hope and likelyhood of greater
matters to follow: [Sidenote: The hope of the passage to Cataya.] it was
thought needfull, both for the better guard of those parts already found,
and for further discouery of the Inland and secrets of those countreys, and
also for further search of the passage to Cataya (whereof the hope
continually more and more increaseth) that certaine numbers of chosen
souldiers and discreet men for those purposes should be assigned to
inhabite there. [Sidenote: A forte to be built in Meta Incognita.]
Wherevpon there was a strong fort or house of timber, artificially framed,
and cunningly deuised by a notable learned man here at home, in ships to be
caried thither, wherby those men that were appointed to winter and stay
there the whole yere, might as well bee defended from the danger of snow
and colde ayre, as also fortified from the force or offence of those
countrey people, which perhaps otherwise with too great multitudes might
oppresse them. And to this great aduenture and notable exploit many well
minded and forward yong Gentlemen of our countrey willingly haue offered
themselues. And first Captaine Fenton Lieutenant generall for Captaine
Frobisher, and in charge of the company with him there, Captaine Best, and
Captaine Filpot, vnto whose good discretions the gouernment of that seruice
was chiefly commended, who, as men not regarding peril in respect of the
profit and common wealth of their countrey, were willing to abide the first
brunt and aduenture of those dangers among a sauage and brutish kinde of
people, in a place hitherto euer thought for extreme cold not habitable.
[Sidenote: A hundreth men appointed to inhabite there.] The whole number of
men which had offered, and were appointed to inhabite Meta Incognita all
the yeere, were one hundreth persons, whereof 40 should be mariners for the
vse of ships, 30 Miners for gathering the gold Ore together for the next
yere, and 30 souldiers for the better guard of the rest, within which last
number are included the Gentlemen, Goldfiners, Bakers, Carpenters, and all
necessary persons. To each of the Captaines was assigned one ship, as wel
for the further searching of the coast and countrey there, as for to
returne and bring backe their companies againe, if the necessity of the
place so vrged, or by miscarying of the fleet the next yere, they might be
disappointed of their further prouision. Being therefore thus furnished
with al necessaries, there were ready to depart vpon the said voyage 15
saile of good ships, whereof the whole number was to returne again with
their loding of gold Ore in the end of the sommer, except those 3 ships,
which should be left for the vse of those Captains which should inhabite
there the whole yere. And being in so good readinesse, the Generall with
all the Captaines came to the Court, then lying at Greenwich, to take their
leaue of her Maiestie, at whose hands they all receiued great
encouragement, and gracious countenance. [Sidenote: A chaine of gold giuen
to M. Frobisher.] Her highnesse besides other good gifts, and greater
promises, bestowed on the Generall a faire chaine of golde, and the rest of
the Captaines kissed her hand, tooke their leaue, and departed euery man
towards their charge.
The names of the Ships with their seuerall Captaines.
1 In the Aide being Admirall, was the Generall Captaine Frobisher.
2 In the Thomas Allen Viceadmirall Captaine Yorke.
3 In the Iudith Lieutenant generall Captaine Fenton.
4 In the Anne Francis Captaine Best.
5 In the Hopewell Captaine Carew.
6 In the Beare Captaine Filpot.
7 In the Thomas of Ipswich Captaine Tanfield.
8 In the Emmanuel of Exceter Captaine Courtney.
9 In the Francis of Foy Captaine Moyles.
10 In the Moone Captaine Vpcot.
11 In the Emmanuel of Bridgewater Captaine Newton.
12 In the Salomon of Weymouth Captaine Randal.
13 In the Barke Dennis Captaine Kendal.
14 In the Gabriel Captaine Haruey.
15 In the Michael Captaine Kinnersly.
The sayd fifteene saile of ships arriued and met together at Harwich, the
seuen and twentieth day of May Anno 1578, where the Generall and the other
Captaines made view, and mustred their companies. And euery seuerall
Captaine receiued from the Generall certaine Articles of direction, for the
better keeping of order and company together in the way, which Articles are
as followeth.
Articles and orders to be obserued for the Fleete, set downe by Captaine
Frobisher Generall, and deliuered in writing to euery Captaine, as well
for keeping company, as for the course, the 31 of May.
1 In primis, to banish swearing, dice, and card-playing, and filthy
communication, and to serue God twice a day, with the ordinary seruice
vsuall in Churches of England, and to cleare the glasse, according to the
old order of England.
2 The Admirall shall carie the light, and after his light be once put out,
no man to goe a head of him, but euery man to fit his sailes to follow as
neere as they may, without endangering one another.
3 That no man shall by day or by night depart further from the Admirall
then the distance of one English mile, and as neere as they may, without
danger one of another.
4 If it chance to grow thicke, and the wind contrary, either by day or by
night, that the Admirall be forced to cast about, before her casting about
shee shall giue warning, by shooting off a peece, and to her shall answere
the Viceadmirall and the Rereadmirall each of them with a piece, if it bee
by night, or in a fogge; and that the Viceadmirall shall answere first, and
the Rereadmirall last.
5 That no man in the fleete descrying any sayle or sayles, giue vpon any
occasion any chace before he haue spoken with the Admirall.
6 That euery euening all the Fleete come vp and speake with the Admirall,
at seuen of the Clocke or betweene that and eight and if the weather will
not serue them all to speake with the Admirall, then some shall come to the
Viceadmirall, and receiue the order of their course of Master Hall chiefe
Pilot of the Fleete, as he shall direct them.
7 If to any man in the Fleete there happen any mischance, they shall
presently shoote off two peeces by day, and if it be by night, two peeces,
and shew two lights.
8 If any man in the fleete come vp in the night, and hale his fellow,
knowing him not, he shall giue him this watch-word, Before the world was
God. The other shal answere him (if he be one of our Fleete) After God came
Christ his Sonne. So that if any be found amongst vs, not of our owne
company, he that first descrieth any such sayle or sayles, shall giue
warning to the Admirall by himselfe or any other, that he can speake to,
that sailes better then he, being neerest vnto him.
9 That every ship in the fleete in the time of fogs, which continually
happen with little winds, and most part calmes, shal keepe a reasonable
noise with trumpet, drumme, or otherwise, to keepe themselues cleere one of
another.
10 If it fall out so thicke or mistie that we lay it to hull, the Admirall
shall giue warning with a piece, and putting out three lights one ouer
another, to the end that euery man may take in his sailes, and at his
setting of sayles againe doe the like if it be not cleere.
11 If any man discover land by night, that he giue the like warning, that
he doth for mischances, two lights, and two pieces, if it be by day one
piece, and put out his flagge, and strike all his sailes he hath aboord.
12 If any ship shall happen to lose company by force of weather, then any
such ship or ships shall get her into the latitude of [77] and so keepe
that latitude vntill they get Frisland. And after they be past the West
parts of Frisland, they shall get them into the latitude of [78] and
[79] and not to the Northward of [80] and being once entred within the
Streites, al such ships shal euery watch shoote off a good piece, and looke
out well for smoke and fire, which those that get in first shall make euery
night, vntill all the fleete be come together.
13 That vpon the sight of an ensigne in the mast of the Admirall (a piece
being shot off) the whole fleete shall repaire to the Admirall, to
vnderstand such conference as the Generall is to haue with them.
14 If we chance to meete with any enemies, that foure ships shall attend
vpon the Admirall, viz. the Francis of Foy, the Moone, the Barke Dennis,
and the Gabriel: and foure vpon my Lieutenant generall in the Iudith, viz.
the Hopewel, the Armenal, the Beare, and the Salomon: and the other foure
vpon the Vizadmirall, the Anne Francis, the Thomas of Ipswich, the
Emmanuel, and the Michael.
15 If there happen any disordred person in the Fleete, that he be taken and
kept in safe custodie vntill he may conueniently be brought aboord the
Admirall, and there to receiue such punishment as his or their offences
shall deserue.
By me Martin Frobisher.
Our departure from England.
Hauing receiued these articles of direction we departed from Harwich the
one and thirtieth of May. [Sidenote: Cape Cleare the sixt of Iune.] And
sayling along the South part of England Westward, we at length came by the
coast of Ireland at Cape Cleare the sixth of Iune, and gaue chase there to
a small barke which was supposed to be a Pyrat, or Rouer on the Seas, but
it fell out indeede that they were poore men of Bristow, who had met with
such company of Frenshmen as had spoiled and slaine many of them, and left
the rest so sore wounded that they were like to perish in the sea, hauing
neither hand nor foote hole to helpe themselues with, nor victuals to
sustaine their hungry bodies. [Sidenote: A charitable deede.] Our Generall,
who well vnderstood the office of a Souldier and an Englishman, and knew
well what the necessitie of the Sea meaneth, pitying much the miserie of
the poore men, relieved them with Surgerie and Salues to heale their
hurtes, and with meate and drinke to comfort their pining hearts: some of
them hauing neither eaten nor dronke more then oliues and stinking water in
many dayes before, as they reported. And after this good deede done, hauing
a large wind, we kept our course vpon our sayd voyage without staying for
the taking in of fresh water, or any other prouision, whereof many of the
fleete were not throughly furnished: [Sidenote: Marke this current.] and
sayling towards the Northwest parts from Ireland, we mette with a great
current from out of the Southwest, which caried vs (by our reckoning) one
point to the Northeastwards of our sayd course, which current seemed to vs
to continue it selfe towards Norway, and other the Northeast parts of the
world, whereby we may be induced to beleeue, that this is the same which
the Portugals meete at Capo de buona Speranza,[81] where striking ouer from
thence to the Streites of Magellan, and finding no passage there for the
narrownesse of the sayde Streites, runneth along into the great Bay of
Mexico, where also hauing a let of land, it is forced to strike backe
againe towards the Northeast,[82] as we not onely here, but in another
place also, further to the Northwards, by good experience this yeere haue
found, as shalbe hereafter in his place more at large declared.
Now had we sayled about fourteene dayes, without sight of any land, or any
other liuing thing, except certaine foules, as Wilmots, Nodies, Gulles, &c.
which there seeme onely to liue by sea.
[Sidenote: West England.] The twentieth of Iune, at two of the clocke in
the morning, the Generall descried land, and found it to be West Frisland,
now named west England. Here the Generall, and other Gentlemen went ashore,
being the first knowen Christians that we haue true notice of, that euer
set foot vpon that ground: and therefore the Generall took possession
thereof to the vse of our Soueraigne Lady the Queenes Maiestie, and
discouered here a goodly harborough for the ships, where were also certaine
little boates of that countrey. And being there landed, they espied
certaine tents and people of that countrey, which were (as they iudge) in
all sorts, very like those of Meta Incognita, as by their apparell, and
other things which we found in their tents, appeared.
The Sauage and simple people so soone as they perceiued our men comming
towards them (supposing there had bene no other world but theirs) fled
fearefully away, as men much amazed at so strange a sight, and creatures of
humane shape, so farre in apparell, complexion, and other things different
from themselues. They left in their tents all their furniture for haste
behind them, where amongst other things were found a boxe of small nailes,
and certaine red Herrings, boords of Firre tree well cut, with diuers other
things artificially wrought: whereby it appeareth, that they haue trade
with some ciuill people, or else are indeede themselues artificiall
workmen.
Our men brought away with them onely two of their dogs, leauing in
recompense belles, looking-glasses, and diuers of our countrey toyes
behinde them.
This countrey, no doubt, promiseth good hope of great commoditie and
riches, if it may be well discouered. The description whereof you shall
finde more at large in the second voyage.
[Sidenote: Frisland supposed to be continent with Greenland.] Some are of
opinion, that this West England is firme land with the Northeast partes of
Meta Incognita, or else with Groenland. And their reason is, because the
people, apparel, boates, and other things are so like to theirs: and
another reason is, the multitude of Islands of yce, which lay betweene it
and Meta Incognita, doth argue, that on the North side there is a bay,
which cannot be but by conioyning of the two lands together.
[Sidenote: The 23rd of Iune.] And hauing a faire and large winde we
departed from thence towards Frobishers Streites, the three and twentieth
of Iune. [Sidenote: Charing Crosse.] But first wee gaue name to a high
cliffe in West England, the last that was in our sight, and for a certaine
sinulitude we called it Charing crosse. Then wee bare Southerly towards the
Sea, because to the Northwardes of this coast we met with much driuing yce,
which by reason of the thicke mistes and weather might haue bene some
trouble vnto vs.
On Munday the last of Iune, wee met with many great Whales, as they had
bene Porposes.
[Sidenote: A Whale strooke a ship.] The same day the Salamander being vnder
both her corses and bonets, happened to strike a great Whale with her full
stemme, with such a blow that the ship stoode still, and stirred neither
forward or backward. The Whale thereat made a great and vgly noyse, and
cast vp his body and taile, and sowent vnder water, and within two dayes
after, there was found a great Whale dead swimming aboue water, which wee
supposed was that which the Salamander strooke.
[Sidenote: Frobishers Streites choked vp with yce.] The second day of Iuly
early in the morning we had sight of the Queenes Foreland, and bare in with
the land all the day, and passing thorow great quantity of yce, by night
were entred somewhat within the Streites, perceiuing no way to passe
further in, the whole place being frozen ouer from the one side to the
other, and as it were with many walles, mountaines, and bulwarks of yce,
choked vp the passage, and denied vs entrance. And yet doe I not thinke
that this passage or Sea hereabouts is frozen ouer at any time of the yere:
albeit it seemed so vnto vs by the abundance of yce gathered together,
which occupied the whole place. But I doe rather suppose these yce to bee
bred in the hollow soundes and freshets thereabouts: which by the heate of
the Summers Sunne, being loosed, doe emptie themselues with the ebbes into
the sea, and so gather in great abundance there together.
And to speake somewhat here of the ancient opinion of the frozen sea in
these parts: I doe thinke it to be rather a bare coniecture of men, then
that euer any man hath made experience of any such Sea. And that which they
speake of Mare glaciale, may be truely thought to be spoken of these parts:
[Sidenote: Salt water cannot freeze.] for this may well be called indeede
the ycie sea, but not the frozen sea, for no sea consisting of salt water
can be frozen, as I haue more at large herein shewed my opinion in my
second voyage, for it seemeth impossible for any sea to bee frozen, which
hath his course of ebbing and flowing, especially in those places where the
tides doe ebbe and flowe aboue ten fadome. And also all these aforesayd
yce, which we sometime met a hundredth mile from lande, being gathered out
of the salt Sea, are in taste fresh, and being dissolued, become sweete and
holesome water.[83]
And the cause why this yere we haue bene more combred with yce then at
other times before, may be by reason of the Easterly and Southerly winds,
which brought vs more timely thither now then we looked for. Which blowing
from the sea directly vponn the place of our Streites, hath kept in the
yce, and not suffered them to be caried out by the ebbe to the maine sea,
where they would in more short time have bene dissolued. And all these
fleeting yce are not only so dangerous in that they wind and gather so
neere together, that a man may passe sometimes tenne or twelue miles as it
were vpon one firme Island of yce: but also for that they open and shut
together againe in such sort with the tides and sea-gate, that whilst one
ship followeth the other with full sayles, the yce which was open vnto the
foremost will ioyne and close together before the latter can come to follow
the first, whereby many times our shippes were brought into great danger,
as being not able so sodainely to take in our sayles or stay the swift way
of our ships.
We were forced many times to stemme and strike great rockes of yce, and so
as it were make way through mighty mountaines. By which meanes some of the
fleete, where they found the yce to open, entred in, and passed so farre
within the danger thereof, with continuall desire to recouer their port,
that it was the greatest wonder of the world that they euer escaped safe,
or were euer heard of againe. For euen at this present we missed two of the
fleete, that is, the Iudith, wherein was the Lieutenant Generall Captaine
Fenton; and the Michael, whom both we supposed had bene vtterly lost,
hauing not heard any tidings of them in moe then 20 dayes before.
[Sidenote: Barke Dennis sunke.] And one of our fleete named the Barke
Dennis, being of an hundreth tunne burden, seeking way in amongst these
yce, receiued such a blow with a rocke of yce that she sunke downe
therewith in the sight of the whole fleete. Howbeit hauing signified her
danger by shooting off a peece of great Ordinance, new succour of other
ships came so readily vnto them, that the men were all saued with boats.
[Sidenote: Part of the house lost.] Within this ship that was drowned there
was parcell of our house which was to bee erected for them that should stay
all the Winter in Meta Incognita.
This was a more fearefull spectacle for the Fleete to beholde, for that the
outragious storme which presently followed, threatned them the like fortune
and danger. For the Fleete being thus compassed (as aforesayd) on euery
side with yce, having left much behinde them, thorow which they passed, and
finding more before them, thorow which it was not possible to passe, there
arose a sudden terrible tempest at the Southeast, which blowing from the
maine sea, directly vpon the place of the Streites, brought together all
the yce a sea-boorde of vs vpon our backes, and thereby debard vs of
turning backe to recouer sea-roome againe: so that being thus compassed
with danger on euery side, sundry men with sundry deuises sought the best
way to saue themselues. Some of the ships, where they could find a place
more cleare of yce, and get a little birth of sea roome, did take in their
sayles, and there lay a drift. Other some fastened and mored Anker vpon a
great Island of yce, and roade vnder the Lee thereof, supposing to be
better guarded thereby from the outragious winds, and the danger of the
lesser fleeting yce. And againe some were so fast shut vp, and compassed in
amongst an infinite number of great countreys and Islands of yce, that they
were faine to submit themselues and their ships to the mercy of the
vnmerciful yce, and strengthened the sides of their shipps with iuncks of
cables, beds, Mastes, plankes and such like, which being hanged ouerboard
on the sides of their ships, might the better defend them from the
outragious sway and strokes of the said yce. But as in greatest distresse,
men of best valor are best to be discerned, so it is greatly worthy
commendation and noting with what inuincible minde euery Captaine
encouraged his company, and with what incredible labour the painefull
Mariners and poore Miners (vnacquainted with such extremities) to the
euerlasting renowne of our nation, did ouercome the brunt of these so great
and extreme dangers: for some, even without boord vpon the yce, and some
within boord vpon the sides of their ships, hauing poles, pikes, pieces of
timber, and Ores in their handes, stoode almost day and night without any
rest, bearing off the force, and breaking the sway of the yce with such
incredible paine and perill, that it was wonderfull to beholde, which
otherwise no doubt had striken quite through and through the sides of their
ships, notwithstanding our former prouision: for plankes of timber more
then three inches thicke, and other things of greater force and bignesse,
by the surging of the sea and billowe, with the yce were shiuered and cut
in sunder, at the sides of our ships, so that it will seeme more then
credible to be reported of. And yet (that which is more) it is faithfully
and plainely to bee prooued, and that by many substantiall witnesses, that
our ships, euen those of greatest burdens, with the meeting of contrary
waues of the sea, were heaued vp betweene Islands of yce, a foote welneere
out of the sea aboue their watermarke, hauing their knees and timbers
within boord both bowed and broken therewith.
And amidst these extremes, whilest some laboured for defence of the ships,
and sought to saue their bodies, other some of more milder spirit sought to
saue the soule by deuout prayer and meditation to the Almightie, thinking
indeede by no other meanes possible then by a diuine Miracle to haue their
deliuerance: so that there was none that were either idle, or not well
occupied, and he that helde himselfe in best securitie had (God knoweth)
but onely bare hope remayning for his best safetie.
Thus all the gallant Fleete and miserable men without hope of euer getting
foorth againe, distressed with these extremities remayned here all the
whole night and part of the next day, excepting foure ships, that is the
Annie Francis, the Moone, the Francis of Foy, and the Gabriell, which being
somewhat a Seaboord of the Fleete, and being fast ships by a winde, hauing
a more scope of cleare, tryed it out all the time of the storme vnder
sayle, being hardly able to beare a coast of each.