put into the foresayde Harborough, hauing their Boate for the better
securitie sounding before their Shippe. [Sidenote: Anne Francis in danger.]
But for all the care and diligence that could bee taken in sounding the
Channell ouer and ouer againe, the Anne Francis came aground vpon a suncken
Rocke within the Harborough, and lay thereon more then halfe drye vntill
the next flood, when by Gods Almighty prouidence, contrary almost to all
expectation, they came afloat againe, being forced all that time to
vndersette their Shippe with their mayne Yarde, which otherwise was likely
to ouerset and put thereby in danger the whole company. They had aboue two
thousand strokes together at the Pumpe, before they could make their Shippe
free of the water againe, so sore shee was in brused by lying vpon the
Rockes. [Sidenote: The Moone in harborough.] The Moone came safely, and
roade at anchor by the Anne Francis, whose helpe in their necessitie they
could not well haue missed.
Now whilest the Mariners were romaging their Shippes, and mending that
which was amisse, the Miners followed their labour for getting together of
sufficient quantitie of Ore, and the Carpenters indeuoured to doe their
best for the making vp of the Boate or Pinnesse: which to bring to passe,
they wanted two speciall and most necessarie things, that is, certaine
principall tymbers that are called knees, which are the chiefest strength
of any Boate and also nayles, wherewithall to ioyne the plancks together.
Whereupon hauing by chance a Smyth amongst them, (and yet vnfurnished of
his necessary tooles to worke and make nayles withall) they were faine of a
gunne chamber to make an Anuile to worke vpon, and to vse a pickaxe in
stead of a sledge to beate withall, and also to occupy two small bellowes
in steade of one payre of greater Smiths bellowes. And for lacke of small
Yron for the easier making of the nayles, they were forced to breake their
tongs, grydiron, and fireshouell in pieces.
[Sidenote: Hattons Hedland.] The eleuenth of August the Captaine of the
Anne Francis taking the Master of his Shippe with him, went vp to the top
of Hattons Hedland, which is the highest land of all the straights, to the
ende to descry the situation of the Countrey vnderneath, and to take a true
plotte of the place, whereby also to see what store of Yce was yet left in
the straights, as also to search what Mineral matter or fruite that soyle
might yeeld: And the rather for the honour the said Captaine doeth owe to
that Honourable name[87] which himselfe gaue thereunto the last yeere, in
the highest part of this Hedland he caused his company to make a Columne or
Crosse of stone, in token of Christian possession. [Sidenote: Pretie
stones.] In this place there is plentie of Blacke Ore, and diuers pretie
stones.
[Sidenote: A mightie white Beare.] The seuenteenth of August the Captaines
with their companies chased and killed a great white Beare, which
aduentured and gaue a fierce assault vpon twentie men being weaponed. And
he serued them for good meate many dayes.
[Sidenote: A Pinnesse there built.] The eighteenth of August the Pinnesse
with much adoe being set together, the sayd Captaine Best determined to
depart vp the straights, to prooue and make tryall, as before was
pretended, some of his companie greatly persuading him to the contrary, and
specially the Carpenter that set the same together, who sayde that hee
would not aduenture himselfe therein for fiue hundreth pounds, for that the
boate hung together but onely by the strength of the nayles, and lacked
some of her principall knees and tymbers.
These wordes some what discouraged some of the company which should haue
gone therein. Whereupon the Captaine, as one not altogether addicted to his
owne selfe-will, but somewhat foreseeing how it might be afterwards spoken,
if contrary fortune should happen him (Lo he hath followed his owne opinion
and desperate resolutions, and so thereafter it is befallen him) calling
the Master and Mariners of best iudgement together, declared vnto them how
much the cause imported him to his credite to seeke out the Generall, as
well to conferre with him of some causes of weight, as otherwise to make
due examination and tryall of the Goodnesse of the Ore, whereof they had no
assurance but by gesse of the eye, and it was well like the other: which so
to cary home, not knowing the goodnesse thereof, might be as much as if
they should bring so many stones. And therefore hee desired them to deliuer
their plaine and honest opinion, whether the Pinnesse were sufficient for
him so to aduenture in or no. It was answered, that by careful heede taking
thereunto amongst the yce, and the foule weather, the Pinnesse might
suffice. And hereupon the Masters mate of the Anne Francis called Iohn
Gray, manfully and honestly offering himselfe vnto his Captaine in this
aduenture and seruice, gaue cause to others of his Mariners to follow the
attempt.
[Sidenote: They aduenture by the streights in a weake Pinnesse.] And vpon
the nineteenth of August the sayd Captaine being accompanied with Captaine
Vpcote of the Moone, and eighteene persons in the small Pinnesse, hauing
conuenient portions of victuals and things necessary, departed upon the
sayd pretended Voyage, leauing their shippe at anchor in a good readinesse
for the taking in of their fraight. And hauing little winde to sayle
withall, they plyed alongst the Souther shore, and passed aboue 30.
leagues, hauing the onely helpe of mans labour with Oares, and so intending
to keepe that shore aboord vntil they were got vp to the farthest and
narrowest of the streights, minded there to crosse ouer and to search
likewise alongst the Northerland vnto the Countesses sound, and from thence
to passe all that coast along, whereby if any of the Fleete had bene
distressed by wrecke of rocke or yce, by that meanes they might be
perceiued of them, and so they thereby to giue them such helpe and reliefe
as they could. They did greatly feare, and euer suspect that some of the
Fleete were surely cast away, and driuen to seeke sowre sallets amongst the
colde cliffes.
[Sidenote: 40 leagues within the streights.] And being shotte vp about
fortie leagues within the Streights, they put ouer towardes the Norther
shore, which was not a little dangerous for their small boates. [Sidenote:
Gabriels Ilands.] And by meanes of a sudden flawe were dryuen, and faine to
seeke harborough in the night amongst all the rockes and broken ground of
Gabriels Ilands, a place so named within the streights aboue the Countesse
of Warwicks sound: And by the way where they landed, they did finde
certaine great stones set vp by the Countrey people as it seemed for
markes, where they also made many Crosses of stone, in token that
Christians had been there. The 22. of August they had sight of the
Countesses sound, and made the place perfect from the toppe of a hill, and
keeping along the Norther shore, perceiued the smoke of a fire vnder a hils
side: whereof they diuersely deemed. When they came neere the place, they
perceiued people which wafted vnto them, as it seemed, with a flagge or
ensigne. And because the Countrey people had vsed to do the like, when they
perceiued any of our boats to passe by, they suspected them to be the same.
And comming somewhat neerer, they might perceiue certaine tents, and
discerne this ensigne to be of mingled colours, blacke and white, after the
English Fashion. But because they could see no Shippe, nor likelihood of
harborough within fiue or sixe leagues about, and knewe that none of our
men were woont to frequent those partes, they could not tell what to iudge
thereof, but imagined that some of the ships being carried so high with the
storme and mistes, had made shipwracke amongst the yce or the broken
Islands there, and were spoyled by the countrey people, who might vse the
sundry coloured flagge for a policie, to bring them likewise within their
danger. Whereupon the sayd Captaine with his companies, resolued to recouer
the same ensigne, if it were so, from those base people, or els to lose
their liues and all together. In the ende they discerned them to be their
countreymen, and then they deemed them to haue lost their Ships, and so to
be gathered together for their better strength. On the other side, the
companie ashoare feared that the Captaine hauing lost his Shippe, came to
seeke forth the Fleete for his reliefe in his poore Pinnesse, so that their
extremities caused eche part to suspect the worst.
[Sidenote: Proximus sum egomet mihi.] The Captaine now with his Pinnisse
being come neere the shoare, commanded his Boate carefully to be kept
aflote, lest in their necessitie they might winne the same from him, and
seeke first to saue themselues: for euery man in that case is next
himselfe. They haled one another according to the manner of the Sea, and
demaunded what cheere? and either partie answered the other, that all was
well: whereupon there was a sudden and ioyful outshoote, with great
flinging vp of caps, and a braue voly of shotte to welcome one another. And
truely it was a most strange case to see how ioyfull and gladde euery
partie was to see themselues meete in safetie againe, after so strange and
incredible dangers: Yet to be short, as their dangers were great, so their
God was greater.
[Sidenote: Captain York arriued.] And here the company were working vpon
new Mines, which Captaine York being here arriued not long before, had
found out in this place, and it is named the Countesse of Sussex Mine.
After some conference with our friends here, the captaine of the Anne
Francis departed towards the Countesse of Warwicks sound, to speake with
the Generall, and to haue tryall made of such mettall as he had brought
thither, by the Goldfiners. And so he determined to dispatch againe towards
his ship. And hauing spoken with the General, he receiued order for all
causes, direction as well for the bringing vp of the Shippe to the
Countesses sound, as also to fraight his Ship with the same Oare which he
himselfe had found, which vpon triall made, was supposed to be very good.
The 23. of August, the sayde Captaine mette together with the other
Captaines (Commissioners in counsell with the Generall) aboorde the Ayde,
where they considered and consulted of sundry causes, which being
particularly registred by the Notarie, were appoynted where and how to be
done against another yeere.
The 24. of August, the Generall with two Pinnesses and good numbers of men
went to Beares sound, commanding the sayde Captaine with his Pinnesse to
attend the seruice, to see if he could encounter or apprehend any of the
people: for sundry times they shewed themselues busie thereabouts,
sometimes with seuen or eyght Boates in one company, as though they minded
to encounter with our company which were working there at the Mines, in no
great numbers. [Sidenote: None of the people will be taken.] But when they
perceiued any of our Shippes to ryde in that roade (being belike more
amazed at the countenance of a Shippe, and a more number of men) they did
neuer shewe themselues againe there at all. Wherefore our men sought with
their Pinnesses to compasse about the Iland where they did vse, supposing
there suddenly to intercept some of them. But before our men could come
neere, hauing belike some watch in the toppe of the mountaines, they
conueyed themselues priuilly away, and left (as it should seeme) one of
their great dartes behinde them for haste, which we found neere to a place
of their caues and housing. Therefore, though our Generall were very
desirous to haue taken some of them to haue brought into England, they
being now growen more wary by their former losses, would not at any time
come within our dangers. About midnight of the same day, the captaine of
the Anne Francis departed thence and set his course ouer the straights
towards Hattons Hedland, being about 15. leagues ouer, and returned aboord
his Shippe the 25. of August to the great comfort of his company, who long
expected his comming, where hee found his Shippes ready rigged and loden.
Wherefore he departed from thence againe the next morning towards the
Countesses sound, where he arriued the 28. of the same. By the way he set
his Miners ashore at Beares sound, for the better dispatch and gathering
the Ore togither; for that some of the ships were behind hand with their
fraight, the time of the yeere passing suddenly away.
The thirtieth of August the Anne Francis was brought aground, and had 8.
great leakes mended which she had receiued by meanes of the rockes and yce.
[Sidenote: A house builded and left there.] This day the Masons finished a
house which Captaine Fenton caused to be made of lyme and stone vpon the
Countesse of Warwickes Island, to the ende we might proue against the next
yeere, whither the snow could ouerwhelme it, the frost brake it vp, or the
people dismember the same. And the better to allure those brutish and
vnciuill people to courtesie against other times of our comming, we left
therein diuers of our Countrey toyes, as belles, and kniues, wherein they
specially delight, one for the necessary vse, and the other for the great
pleasure thereof. Also pictures of men and women in lead, men on
horsebacke, looking glasses, whistles, and pipes. Also in the house was
made an Ouen, and bread left baked therein for them to see and taste.
We buried the timber of our pretended fort. Also here we sowed pease,
corne, and other graine, to proue the fruitfulnesse of the soyle against
the next yeere.
[Sidenote: M. Wolfall a godly preacher.] Master Wolfall on Winters Fornace
preached a godly sermon, which being ended, he celebrated also a Communion
vpon the land, at the partaking whereof was the Captaine of the Anne
Francis, and many other Gentlemen and Souldiers, Mariners, and Miners with
him. The celebration of the diuine mystery was the first signe, seale, and
confirmation of Christs name, death, and passion euer knowen in these
quarters. The said M. Wolfall made sermons, and celebrated the Communion at
sundry other times, in seuerall and sundry ships, because the whole company
could neuer meet together at any one place. [Sidenote: Consultation for a
further discouery.] The Fleet now being in some good readinesse for their
lading, the Generall calling together the Gentlemen and Captaines to
consult, told them that he was very desirous that some further discouery
should be attempted, and that he would not onely by Gods helpe bring home
his ships laden with Ore, but also meant to bring some certificate of a
further discouery of the Countrey, which thing to bring to passe (hauing
sometime therein consulted) they found very hard, and almost inuincible.
And considering that already they had spent sometime in searching out the
trending and fashion of the mistaken straites, therefore it could not be
sayd, but that by this voyage they haue notice of a further discouery, and
that the hope of the passage thereby is much furthered and encreased, as
appeared before in the discourse thereof. Yet notwithstanding if any meanes
might be further deuised, the Captaines were contented and willing, as the
Generall shoulde appoynt and commaund, to take any enterprise in hand.
Which after long debating was found a thing very impossible, and that
rather consultation was to be had of returning homeward, especially for
these causes following. First the darke foggy mists, the continuall falling
snowe and stormy weather which they commonly were vexed with, and now daily
euer more and more increased, haue no small argument of the Winters drawing
neere. And also the frost euery night was so hard congealed within the
sound, that if by euill hap they should bee long kept in with contrary
winds, it was greatly to be feared, that they should be shut vp there fast
the whole yeere, which being vtterly vnprouided, would be their vtter
destruction. Againe, drinke was so scant throughout all the Fleet by meanes
of the great leakage, that not onely the prouision which was layd in for
the habitation was wanting and wasted, but also each shippes seuerall
prouision spent and lost, which many of our company to their great griefe
found in their returne since, for all the way homewards they dranke nothing
but water. And the great cause of this leakage and wasting was, for that
the great timber and seacole, which lay so weighty vpon the barrels, brake,
bruised, and rotted the hoopes insunder. [Sidenote: Broken Ilands in maner
of an Archipelagus.] Yet notwithstanding these reasons alleaged the
Generall himselfe (willing the rest of the Gentlemen and Captaines euery
man to looke to his seuerall charge and lading, that against a day
appointed, they should be all in a readinesse to set homeward) went in a
Pinnesse and discouered further Northward in the straights, and found that
by Beares sound and Halles Island, the land was not firme, as it was first
supposed, but all broken Islands in maner of an Archipelagus, and so with
other secret intelligence to himselfe, he returned to the Fleet. Where
presently vpon his arriuall at the Countesses sound, he began to take order
for their returning homeward, and first caused certaine Articles to be
proclaimed, for the better keeping of orders and courses in their returne,
which Articles were deliuered to euery Captaine.
The Fleetes returning homeward.
[Sidenote: Returne homeward.] Hauing now receiued articles and directions
for our returne homewards, all other things being in forwardnesse and in
good order, the last day of August the whole Fleete departed from the
Countesses sound, excepting the Iudith, and the Anne Francis, who stayed
for the taking in of fresh water and came the next day and mette the Fleete
off and on, athwart Beares sound, who stayed for the Generall, which then
was gone ashore to despatch the two Barkes and the Busse of Bridgewater,
for their loading, whereby to get the companies and other things aboord.
The Captaine of the Anne Francis hauing most part of his company ashore,
the first of September went also to Beares sound in his Pinnesse to fetch
his men aboord, but the wind grewe so great immediatly vpon their landing,
that the shippes at sea were in great danger, and some of them forcibly put
from their ankers, and greatly feared to be vtterly lost, as the Hopewell,
wherein was Captaine Carew and others, who could not tell on which side
their danger was most: for hauing mightie rockes threatening on the one
side, and driuing Islands of cutting yce on the other side, they greatly
feared to make shipwracke, the yce driuing so neere them that it touched
their bolt-sprit. And by meanes of the Sea that was growne so hie, they
were not able to put to sea with their small Pinnesses to recouer their
shippes. And againe, the shippes were not able to tarie or lie athwart for
them, by meanes of the outragious windes and swelling seas. The Generall
willed the Captaine of the Anne Francis with his company, for that night to
lodge aboord the Busse of Bridgewater, and went himselfe with the rest of
his men aboord the Barkes. But their numbers were so great, and the
prouision of the Barkes so scant, that they pestered one another
exceedingly. They had great hope that the next morning the weather would be
faire whereby they might recouer their shippes. But in the morning
following it was much worse, for the storme continued greater, the Sea
being more swollen, and the Fleete gone quite out of sight. So that now
their doubts began to grow great: for the ship of Bridgewater which was of
greatest receit, and whereof they had best hope and made most account,
roade so farre to leeward of the harborowes mouth, that they were not able
for the rockes (that lay betweene the wind and them) to lead it out to Sea
with a saile. And the Barks were already so pestered with men, and so
slenderly furnished with prouision, that they had scarce meat for sixe
dayes for such numbers.
The Generall in the morning departed to Sea in the Gabriel to seeke the
Fleete, leauing the Busse of Bridgewater, and the Michael behind in Beares
sound. The Busse set sayle, and thought by turning in the narrow channell
within the harborow to get to windward: but being put to leeward more, by
that meanes was faine to come to anker for her better safetie, amongst a
number of rockes, and there left in great danger of euer getting forth
againe. The Michael set sayle to follow the Generall, and could giue the
Busse no reliefe, although they earnestly desired the same. And the
Captaine of the Anne Francis was left in hard election of two euils: eyther
to abide his fortune with the Busse of Bridgewater, which was doubtfull of
euer getting forth, or else to bee towed in his small Pinnesse at the
sterne of the Michael thorow the raging Seas, for that the Barke was not
able to receiue or relieue halfe his company, wherein his danger was not a
little perillous.
So after hee resolued to commit himselfe with all his company vnto that
fortune of God and Sea, and was dangerously towed at the sterne of the
Barke for many miles, vntill at length they espyed the Anne Francis vnder
sayle, hard vnder their Lee, which was no small comfort vnto them. For no
doubt, both those and a great number more had perished for lacke of
victuals, and conuenient roome in the Barks without the helpe of the said
Ship. But the honest care that the Master of the Anne Francis had of his
Captaine, and the good regarde of duetie towardes his Generall, suffered
him not to depart, but honestly abode to hazard a dangerous roade all the
night long, notwithstanding all the stormy weather, when all the Fleete
besides departed. And the Pinnesse came no sooner aboord the shippe, and
the men entred, but shee presently shiuered and fell to pieces and sunke at
the ships sterne, with all the poore mens furniture: so weake was the boat
with towing, and so forcible was the sea to bruise her in pieces, But (as
God would) the men were all saued.
At this present in this storme many of the Fleete were dangerously
distressed, and were seuered almost all asunder. Yet, thanks be to God, all
the Fleete arriued safely in England about the first of October, some in
one place and some in another. [Sidenote: An vnknowen channell into the
Northeast discouered by the Busse of Bridgewater.] But amongst other, it
was most maruellous how the Busse of Bridgewater got away, who being left
behind the Fleete in great danger of neuer getting forth, was forced to
seeke a way Northward thorow an vnknowen channell full of rocks, vpon the
backe side of Beares sound, and there by good hap found out a way into the
North sea, a very dangerous attempt; save that necessitie, which hath no
law, forced them to trie masteries. This aforesayd North sea is the same
which lyeth vpon the backe side of Frobishers straits, where first the
Generall himselfe in his Pinnesses, and after some other of our company
haue discouered (as they affirme) a great foreland, where they would also
haue a great likelihood of the greatest passage towards the South sea, or
Mar del Sur.
[Sidenote: A fruitful new Island discouered.] The Busse of Bridgewater, as
she came homeward, to the Southeastward of Friseland, discouered a great
Island in the latitude of 57 degrees and an halfe, which was neuer yet
found before, and sailed three dayes alongst the coast, the land seeming to
be fruitfull, full of woods, and a champion[88] countrey.
There died in the whole Fleete in all this voyage not aboue forty persons,
which number is not great, considering how many ships were in the Fleet,
and how strange fortunes we passed.
A generall and briefe description of the Countrey, and condition of the
people, which are found in Meta Incognita.
Hauing now sufficiently and truly set forth the whole circumstance, and
particuler handling of euery occurrent in the 3. voyages of our worthy
Generall, Captaine Frobisher, it shal not be from the purpose to speake
somewhat in generall of the nature of this Countrey called Meta Incognita,
and the condition of the sauages there inhabiting.