the great storme, following his own former resolution, sought by all meanes
possible, by a shorter way to recouer his Port, and where he saw the yce
neuer so little open, he gate in at one gappe and out at another, and so
himselfe valiantly led the way thorow before to induce the Fleete to follow
after, and with incredible paine and perill at length gat through the yce,
and vpon the one and thirtieth of Iuly recouered his long wished Port after
many attempts and sundry times being put backe, and came to anker in the
Countesse of Warwicks sound, in the entrance whereof, when he thought all
perill past, he encountred a great Iland of yce which gaue the Ayde such a
blow, hauing a little before wayed her anker a cocke bill, that it stroke
the anker fluke through the ships bowes vnder the water, which caused so
great a leake, that with much adoe they preserued the ship from sinking.
At their arriuall here they perceiued two ships at anker within the
harborough, whereat they began much to maruell and greatly to reioyce, for
those they knew to be the Michael, wherein was the Lieutenant generall
Captaine Fenton, and the small Barke called the Gabriel, who so long time
were missing, and neuer heard of before, whom euery man made the last
reckoning, neuer to heare of againe.
[Sidenote: Master Wolfall Preacher.] Here euery man greatly reioyced of
their happie meeting, and welcommed one another, after the Sea manner with
their great Ordinance, and when each partie had ripped vp their sundry
fortunes and perils past, they highly praysed God, and altogither vpon
their knees gaue him due, humble and heartie thankes, and Maister Wolfall a
learned man, appointed by her Maiesties Councell to be their Minister and
Preacher made vnto them a godly sermon, exhorting them especially to be
thankfull to God for their strange and miraculous deliuerance in those so
dangerous places, and putting them in mind of the vncertaintie of mans
life, willed them to make themselues alwayes readie as resolute men to
enioy and accept thankefully whatsoeuer aduenture his diuine Prouidence
should appoint. This maister Wolfall being well seated and settled at home
in his owne Countrey, with a good and large liuing, hauing a good honest
woman to wife and very towardly children, being of good reputation among
the best, refused not to take in hand this painefull voyage, for the onely
care he had to saue soules, and to reforme those Infidels if it were
possible to Christiantie: and also partly for the great desire he had that
this notable voyage so well begunne, might be brought to perfection: and
therefore he was contented to stay there the whole yeare if occasion had
serued, being in euery necessary action as forward as the resolutest men of
all. Wherefore in this behalfe he may rightly be called a true Pastor and
minister of God's word, which for the profite of his flocke spared not to
venture his owne life.
[Sidenote: The aduentures of Captain Fenton and his companie.] But to
returne againe to Captaine Fentons company, and to speake somewhat of their
dangers (albeit they be more then by writing can be expressed) they
reported that from the night of the first storme which was about the first
day of Iuly vntill seuen dayes before the Generals arriuall, which was the
sixe and twentith of the same, they neuer saw any one day or houre, wherin
they were not troubled with continuall danger and feare of death, and were
twentie dayes almost togither fast amongst the yce. They had their ship
stricken through and through on both sides, their false stemme borne quite
away, and could goe from their ships in some places vpon the yce very many
miles, and might easily haue passed from one Iland of yce to another euen
to the shore, [Sidenote: Extremitie causeth men to deuise new arts and
remedies.] and if God had not wonderfully prouided for them and their
necessitie, and time had not made them more cunning and wise to seeke
strange remedies for strange kindes of dangers, it had bene impossible for
them euer to haue escaped: for among other deuises, wheresoeuer they found
any Iland of yce of greater bignesse then the rest (as there be some of
more then halfe a mile compasse about, and almost forty fadome high) they
commonly coueted to recouer the same, and thereof to make a bulwarke for
their defence, whereon hauing mored anker, they road vnder the lee therof
for a time, being therby garded from the danger of the lesser driuing yce.
[Sidenote: Hard shifts.] But when they must needes forgoe this new found
fort by meanes of other yce, which at length would vndermine and compasse
them round about, and when that by heauing of the billow they were
therewith like to be brused in peeces, they vsed to make fast the shippe
vnto the most firme and broad peece of yce they could find, and binding her
nose fast thereunto, would fill all their sayles whereon the winde hauing
great power, would force forward the ship, and so the shippe bearing before
her the yce, and so one yce driuing forward another, should at length get
scope and searoome. And hauing by this meanes at length put their enemies
to flight, they occupyed the cleare place for a prettie season among sundry
mountaines and Alpes of yce. One there was found by measure to be 65 fadome
aboue water, which for a kind of similitude, was called Solomons porch.
Some thinke those Ilands eight times so much vnder water as they are aboue,
because of their monstrous weight. [Sidenote: Strange wonders.] But now I
remember I saw very strange wonders, men walking, running, leaping and
shooting vpon the mayne seas 40. myles from any land, without any Shippe or
other vessel vnder them. Also I saw fresh Riuers running amidst the salt
Sea a hundred myle from land, which if any man will not belieue let him
know that many of our company leapt out of their Shippe vpon Ilandes of
yce, and running there vp and downe, did shoote at Buts vpon the yce, and
with their Caliuers did kill great Seales, which vse to lye and sleepe vpon
the yce, and this yce melting aboue at the toppe by reflection of the
Sunne, came downe in sundry streames, which vniting together, made a pretie
Brooke able to driue a Mill.
The sayde Captaine Fenton recouered his Port tenne dayes before any man,
and spent good tyme in searching for Mine, and hee found good store
thereof. He also discouered about tenne Miles vp into the Countrey, where
he perceiued neither Towne, Village, nor likelihoode of habitation, but it
seemeth (as he sayeth) barren, as the other parts, which as yet we haue
entred vpon: but their victuals and prouision went so scant with them, that
they had determined to returne homeward within seuen dayes after, if the
Fleete had not then arriued.
The Generall after his arriual in the Countesses sound, spent no time in
vaine, but immediately at his first landing called the chiefe Captaines of
his Councell together, and consulted with them for the speedier execution
of such things as then they had in hand. As first, for searching and
finding out good Minerall for the Miners to be occupyed on. Then to giue
good Orders to bee obserued of the whole company on shore. And lastly, to
consider for the erecting vp of the Fort and House for the vse of them
which were to abide there the whole yeere. For the better handling of
these, and all other like important causes in this seruice, it was ordeined
from her Maiestie and the Councell, that the Generall should call vnto him
certaine of the chiefe Captaines and Gentlemen in Councell, to conferre,
consult and determine of all occurrents in this seruice, whose names are as
here they follow.
Captaine Fenton.
Captaine Yorke.
Captaine Best.
Captaine Carew.
Captaine Philpot.
And in Sea causes to haue as assistants, Christopher Hall and Charles
Iackman, being both very good Pilots, and sufficient Mariners, whereof the
one was chiefe Pilot of the Voyage, and the other for the discouerie. From
the place of our habitation Westward, Master Selman was appointed Notarie,
to register the whole maner of proceeding in these affaires, that true
relation thereof might be made, if it pleased her Maiestie to require it.
The first of August euery Captaine by order, from the Generall and his
councell, was commanded to bring ashoare vnto the Countesses iland all such
Gentlemen, souldiers, and Myners, as were vnder their charge, with such
prouision as they had of victuals, tents, and things necessary for the
speedy getting together of Mine, and fraight for the shippes.
The Muster of the men being taken, and the victuals with all other things
viewed and considered, euery man was set to his charge, as his place and
office required. The Myners were appointed where to worke, and the Mariners
discharged their shippes.
Vpon the second of August were published and proclaymed vpon the Countesse
of Warwickes Iland with sound of Trumpet, certaine Orders by the Generall
and his councell, appoynted to be obserued of the company during the time
of their abiding there.
In the meane time, whilst the Mariners plyed their worke, the Captaines
sought out new Mynes, the Goldfiners made tryall of the Ore, the Mariners
discharged their shippes, the Gentlemen for example sake laboured heartily,
and honestly encouraged the inferior sort to worke. So that the small time
of that little leisure that was left to tarrie, was spent in vaine.
The second of August the Gabriel arriued, who came from the Vizeadmirall,
and beeing distressed sore with Yce, put into Harborough neere vnto Mount
Oxford. And now was the whole Fleete arriued safely at their Port,
excepting foure, besides the Shippe that was lost: that is, the Thomas
Allen, the Anne Francis, the Thomas of Ipswich, and the Moone, whose
absence was some lette unto the workes and other proceedings, aswell for
that these Shippes were furnished with the better sorte of Myners, as with
other prouision for the habitation.
[Sidenote: Consultation for inhabiting Meta incognita.] The ninth of August
the Generall with the Captaynes of his counsell assembled together, and
began to consider and take order for the erecting vp of the house or Fort
for them that were to inhabite there the whole yeere, and that presently
the Masons and Carpenters might goe in hande therewith. First therefore
they perused the Bils of lading, what euery man receiued into his Shippe,
and found that there was arriued only the Eastside, and the Southside of
the house, and yet not that perfect and entier: for many pieces thereof
were vsed for fenders in many Shippes, and so broken in pieces whilest they
were distressed in the yce. [Sidenote: An hundred men appointed to
inhabite.] Also after due examination had, and true account taken, there
was found want of drinke and fuel to serue one hundreth men, which was the
number appoynted first to inhabite there, because their greatest store was
in the Shippes which were not yet arriued. Then Captaine Fenton seeing the
scarcitie of the necessary things aforesayd, was contented, and offred
himselfe to inhabite there with sixtie men. Whereupon they caused the
Carpenters and Masons to come before them, and demanded in what time they
would take vpon them to erect vp a lesse house for sixtie men. They
required eight or nine weekes, if there were Tymber sufficient, whereas now
they had but sixe and twentie dayes in all to remayne in that Countrey.
[Sidenote: No habitation this yeere.] Wherefore it was fully agreed vpon,
and resolued by the Generall and his counsell, that no habitation should be
there this yeere. And therefore they willed Master Selman the Register to
set downe this decree with all their consents, for the better satisfying of
her Maiestie, the Lords of the Counsell, and the Aduenturers.
The Anne Francis, since she was parted from the Fleete, in the last storme
before spoken of, could neuer recouer above fiue leagues within the
streights, the winde being sometime contrary, and most times the Yce
compassing them round about. And from that time, being about the seuen and
twentieth of Iuly, they could neither heare nor have sight of any of the
Fleete, vntill the 3. of August, when they descryed a sayle neere vnto
Mount Oxford, with whom when they had spoken, they could vnderstand no
newes of any of the Fleete at all. And this was the Thomas of Ipswich, who
had layne beating off and on at Sea with very fowle weather, and contrary
windes euer since that foresayd storme, without sight of any man. They kept
company not long together, but were forced to loose one another againe, the
Moone being consort always with the Anne Francis, and keeping very good
company plyed vp together into the streights, with great desire to recouer
their long wished Port: and they attempted as often, and passed as farre as
possible the winde, weather, and yce gaue them leaue, which commonly they
found very contrary. For when the weather was cleare and without fogge,
then commonly the winde was contrary. And when it was eyther Easterly or
Southerly, which would serue their turnes, then had they so great a fogge
and darke miste therewith, that eyther they could not discerne way thorow
the yce, or els the yce lay so thicke together, that it was impossible for
them to passe. And on the other side, when it was calme, the Tydes had
force to bring the yce so suddenly about them, that commonly then they were
most therewith distressed, hauing no Winde to carry them from the danger
thereof.
And by the sixt of August being with much adoe got vp as high as Leicester
point, they had good hope to finde the Souther shore cleare, and so to
passe vp towardes their Port. But being there becalmed and lying a hull
openly vpon the great Bay which commeth out of the mistaken streights
before spoken of, they were so suddenly compassed with yce round about by
meanes of the swift Tydes which ran in that place, that they were neuer
afore so hardly beset as now. And in seeking to auoyde these dangers in the
darke weather, the Anne Francis lost sight of the other two Ships, who
being likewise hardly distressed, signified their danger, as they since
reported, by shooting off their ordinance, which the other could not heare,
nor if they had heard, could haue giuen them any remedie, being so busily
occupied to winde themselues out of their owne troubles.
[Sidenote: The Moone.] The Fleeboate called the Moone, was here heaued
aboue the water with the force of the yce, and receiued a great leake
thereby. Likewise the Thomas of Ipswich, and the Anne Francis were sore
bruised at that instant, hauing their false stemmes borne away, and their
ship sides stroken quite through.
Now considering the continuall dangers and contraries, and the little
leasure that they had left to tarie in these partes, besides that euery
night the ropes of their Shippes were so frozen, that a man could not
handle them without cutting his handes, together with the great doubt they
had of the Fleetes safety, thinking it an impossibilitie for them to passe
vnto their Port, as well for that they saw themselues, as for that they
heard by the former report of the Shippes which had prooued before, who
affirmed that the streights were all frozen ouer within: They thought it
now very hie time to consider of their estates and safeties that were yet
left together. [Sidenote: The Anne Francis, the Thomas of Ipswich and the
Moone consult.] And hereupon the Captaines and masters of these Shippes,
desired the Captaine of the Anne Francis to enter into consideration with
them of these matters. Wherefore Captaine Tanfield of the Thomas of
Ipswich, with his Pilot Richard Cox, and Captaine Vpcote of the Moone, with
his master Iohn Lakes came aboorde the Anne Francis the eight of August to
consult of these causes. And being assembled together in the Captaines
Cabin, sundry doubts were there alledged. For the fearefuller sort of
Mariners being ouertyred with the continuall labour of the former dangers,
coueted to returne homeward, saying that they would not againe tempt God so
much, who had giuen them so many warnings, and deliuered them from so
wonderfull dangers: that they rather desired to lose wages, fraight, and
all, then to continue and follow such desperate fortunes. Againe, their
Ships were so leake, and the men so wearie, that to amend the one, and
refresh the other, they must of necessitie seeke into harborough.
But on the other side it was argued againe to the contrary, that to seeke
into harborough thereabouts, was but to subject themselues to double
dangers: if happily they escaped the dangers of Rockes in their entring,
yet being in, they were neuerthelesse subiect there to the danger of the
Ice, which with the swift tydes and currents is caryed in and out in most
harboroughs thereabouts, and may thereby gaule their Cables asunder, driue
them vpon the shoare, and bring them to much trouble. Also the coast is so
much subiect to broken ground and rockes, especially in the mouth and
entrance of euery Harborough, that albeit the Channell be sounded ouer and
ouer againe, yet are you neuer the neerer to discerne the dangers. For the
bottome of the Sea holding like shape and forme as the land, being full of
hils, dales, and ragged Rockes, suffreth you not by your soundings to knowe
and keepe a true gesse of the depth. For you shall sound vpon the side or
hollownesse of one Hill or Rocke vnder water, and haue a hundreth, fiftie,
or fourtie fadome depth: and before the next cast, yer[86] you shall be
able to heaue your lead againe, you shall be vpon the toppe thereof, and
come aground to your vtter confusion.
Another reason against going to harborough was, that the colde ayre did
threaten a sudden freezing vp of the sounds, seeing that euery night there
was new congealed yce, euen of that water which remayned within their
shippes. And therefore it should seeme to be more safe to lye off and on at
Sea, then for lacke of winde to bring them foorth of harborough, to hazard
by sudden frosts to be shut vp the whole yeere.
After many such dangers and reasons alleged, and large debating of these
causes on both sides, the Captaine of the Anne Francis deliuered his
opinion vnto the company to this effect. [Sidenote: Captain Bests
resolution.] First concerning the question of returning home, hee thought
it so much dishonorable, as not to grow in any farther question: and againe
to returne home at length (as at length they must needes) and not to be
able to bring a certaine report of the Fleete, whether they were liuing or
lost, or whether any of them had recouered their Port or not, in the
Countesses sound, (as it was to bee thought the most part would if they
were liuing) hee sayde that it would be so great an argument eyther of want
of courage or discretion in them, as hee resolued rather to fall into any
danger, then so shamefully to consent to returne home, protesting that it
should neuer bee spoken of him, that hee would euer returne without doing
his endeuour to finde the Fleete, and knowe the certaintie of the Generals
safetie. [Sidenote: A Pinnesse for the inhabiters.] Hee put his company in
remembrance of a Pinnesse of fiue tunne burthen, which hee had within his
Shippe, which was caryed in pieces, and vnmade vp for the vse of those
which should inhabite there the whole yeere, the which, if they could finde
meanes to ioyne together, hee offered himselfe to prooue before therewith,
whether it were possible for any Boate to passe for yce, whereby the Shippe
might bee brought in after, and might also thereby giue true notice, if any
of the Fleete were arriued at their Port or not.
But notwithstanding, for that he well perceiued that the most part of his
company were addicted to put into harborough, hee was willing the rather
for these causes somewhat to encline thereunto. As first, to search alongst
the same coast, and the soundes thereabouts, hee thought it to be to good
purpose, for that it was likely to finde some of the Fleete there, which
being leake, and sore brused with the yce, were the rather thought likely
to be put into an yll harborough, being distressed with foule weather in
the last storme, then to hazard their vncertaine safeties amongst the yce:
for about this place they lost them, and left the Fleete then doubtfully
questioning of harborough.
It was likely also, that they might finde some fitte harborough
thereabouts, which might bee behoouefull for them against another time. It
was not likewise impossible to finde some Ore or Mine thereabouts
wherewithall to fraight their Shippes, which would bee more commodious in
this place, for the neerenesse to Seaward, and for a better outlet, then
farther within the streights, being likely heere alwayes to loade in a
shorter time, howsoeuer the streight should be pestered with yce within, so
that if it might come to passe that thereby they might eyther finde the
Fleete, Mine, or conuenient harborough, any of these three would serue
their present turnes, and giue some hope and comfort vnto their companies,
which now were altogether comfortlesse. But if that all fortune should fall
out so contrary, that they could neyther recouer their Port, nor any of
these aforesayde helpes, that yet they would not depart the Coast, as long
as it was possible for them to tary there, but would lye off and on at Sea
athwart the place. Therefore his finall conclusion was set downe thus,
First, that the Thomas of Ipswich and the Moone should consort and keepe
company together carefully with the Anne Francis, as neere as they could,
and as true Englishmen and faithfull friends, should supply one anothers
want in all fortunes and dangers. In the morning following, euery Shippe to
send off his Boate with a sufficient Pylot, to search out and sound the
harborougbs for the safe bringing in of their Shippes. And beeing arriued
in harborough, where they might finde conuenient place for the purpose,
they resolued foorthwith to ioyne and sette together the Pinnesse,
wherewithall the Captaine of the Anne Francis might, according to his
former determination, discouer vp into the streights.
After these determinations thus set downe, the Thomas of Ipswich the night
following lost company of the other Shippes, and afterward shaped a
contrary course homeward, which fell out as it manifestly appeared, very
much against their Captaine Master Tanfields minde, as by due examination
before the Lordes of her Maiesties most honourable priuie Counsell it hath
since bene prooued, to the great discredite of the Pilot Cox, who specially
persuaded his company against the opinion of his sayd Captaine, to returne
home.
And as the Captaine of the Anne Francis doeth witnesse, euen at their
conference togither, Captaine Tanfield tolde him, that he did not a little
suspect the sayd Pilot Cox, saying that he had opinion in the man neither
of honest duetie, manhoode, nor constancie. Notwithstanding the sayde
Shippes departure, the Captaine of the Anne Francis being desirous to put
in execution his former resolutions, went with his Shippe boate (being
accompanied also with the Moones Skiffe) to prooue amongst the Ilands which
lye vnder Hattons Hedland, if any conuenient harborough, or any knowledge
of the Fleete, or any good Ore were there to be found. The Shippes lying
off and on at Sea the while vnder Sayle, searching through many sounds,
they sawe them all full of many dangers and broken ground: yet one there
was, which seemed an indifferent place to harborough in, and which they did
very diligently sound ouer, and searched againe.
Here the sayde Captaine found a great blacke Island, whereunto hee had good
liking, and certifying the company thereof, they were somewhat comforted,
and with the good hope of his wordes rowed cheerefully vnto the place:
where when they arriued, they found such plentie of blacke Ore of the same
sort which was brought into England this last yeere, that if the goodnesse
might answere the great plentie thereof, it was to be thought that it might
reasonably suffice all the golde-gluttons of the worlde. [Sidenote: Bestes
blessing.] This Iland the Captaine for cause of his good hap, called after
his own name, Bestes blessing, and with these good tydings returning abord
his Ship the ninth of August about tenne of the clocke at night, hee was
ioyfully welcommed of his company, who before were discomforted, and
greatly expected some better fortune at his handes.