Noone the 1 24 s.e. by s. 16 61 10 w.s.w.
The true course, &c. This first of August we fell with the promuntory of
the sayd gulfe or second passage, hauing coasted by diuers courses for
our sauegard, a great banke of the ice driuen out of that gulfe.
Noone the 3 48 s.s.e. 16 60 26 variable.
Noone the 6 72 s.e. 22 59 35 variable
southerly with calme.
The true course, &c.
7 24 s.s.e. 22 58 40 w.s.w.
The true course, &c.
8 24 s.e. 13 58 12 w. fog.
variable.
The true course, &c.
9 24 s. by w. 13 57 30 variable
and calme.
The true course, &c.
Noone the 10 24 s.s.e. 17 56 40 s.w. by w.
The true course, &c.
11 24 s.e. 40 55 13 w.n.w.
easterly
The true course, &c.
12 24 s.e. 20 54 32 w.s.w.
easterly
The true course, &c.
13 24 w.s.w. 4 54 n.w.
This day seeking for our ships that went to fish, we stroke on a rocke,
being among many iles, and had a great leake.
Noone the 14 24 s.s.e. 28 52 40 n.w.
This day we stopped our leake in a storme. The 15 of August at noon,
being in the latitude of 52 degrees 12 min. and 16 leagues from the
shore, we shaped our course for England, in Gods name, as followeth.
Noone the 15 52 12 s.s.w.
The true latitude.
16 20 e.s.e. 50 51 s.w.
halfe
point s.
The true course, &c.
17 24 e. by s. 30 50 40 s.
The true course, &c. This day upon the banke we met a Biscaine bound for
the Grand Bay or for the passage. He chased vs.
18 24 e. by n. 49 51 18 w.
northerly.
The true course, &c.
19 24 s. halfe 51 51 35 variable
point north. w. & s.
The true course, &c.
20 24 e.s.e. 31 50 50 s.w.
The true course, &c.
22 48 e. by n. 68 51 30 s.s.w.
The true course, &c.
23 24 e. by n. 33 51 52 s.
northerly.
The true course, &c.
24 24 e. by n. 31 52 10 variable.
The true course, &c. This 24 of August obseruing the variation, I found
the compass to vary towards the East from the true Meridian, one degree.
Noone the 27 72 e. 40 52 22 variable
northerly & calme.
The true coruse, &c for 72 houres.
Noone the 29 48 e.s.e. 47 51 28 variable w. & n.
The true course, &c.
Noone the 31 48 s.e. by e. 14 51 9 variable.
easterly
The true course, &c.
2 48 e. 65 51 n.w.
southerly.
The true course, &c.
3 24 e. by s. 24 50 50 w.n.w.
easterly.
The true course, &c.
4 24 s.e. by e. 20 50 21 n.n.e.
The true course, &c.
5 24 s.e. by e. 18 49 48 n.n.e.
The true course, &c. Now we supposed our selues to be 55 leagues from
Sillie.
6 24 e. by s. 15 49 40 n.
The true course, &c.
7 24 e.s.e. 20 49 15 n.n.w.
The true course, &c.
8 24 n.e. 18 49 40
9 24 w.s.w. 7 49 42
10 24 s.e. by e. 8-1/2 49 28 variable.
11 24 n.e. by e. 10 49 45 variable.
12 24 n.w. by w. 6 50 n.e.
13 24 e. by s. 15 49 47 n.e.
southerly
15
This 15 of September 1587 we arriued at Dartmouth.
Vnder the title of the houres, where any number exceedeth 24, it is the
summe or casting vp of so many other dayes and partes of dayes going next
before, as conteine the foresayd summe.
* * * * *
A report of Master Iohn Dauis of his three Voyages made for the discouerie
of the Northwest passage, taken out of a Treatise of his. Intituled the
worlds Hydrographicall description.
Now there onely resteth the North parts of America, vpon which coast my
selfe haue had most experience of any in our age: for thrise I was that way
imployed for the discouery of this notable passage, by the honourable care
and some charge of Syr Francis Walsingham knight, principall secretary to
her Maiestie, with whom diuer noble men and worshipfull marchants of London
ioyned in purse and willingnesse for the furtherance of that attempt, but
when his honour dyed the voyage was friendlesse, and mens mindes alienated
from aduenturing therein.
[Sidenote: The 1. voyage.] In my first voyage not experienced of the nature
of those climates, and hauing no direction either by Chart, Globe, or other
certaine relation in what altitude that passage was to be searched, I
shaped a Northerly course and so sought the same toward the South, and in
that my Northerly course I fell vpon the shore which in ancient time was
called Groenland, fiue hundred leagues distant from the Durseys
Westnorthwest Northerly, the land being very high and full of mightie
mountaines all couered with snowe, no viewe of wood, grasse or earth to be
seene, and the shore two leagues off into the sea so full of yce as that no
shipping could by any meanes come neere the same. The lothsome view of the
shore, and irksome noyse of the yce was such, as that it bred strange
conceits among vs, so that we supposed the place to be wast and voyd of any
sensible or vegitable creatures, whereupon I called the same Desolation: so
coasting this shore towards the South in the latitude of sixtie degrees, I
found it to trend towards the West, I still followed the leading thereof in
the same height, and after fifty or sixtie leagues it fayled and lay
directly North, which I still followed, and in thirtie leagues sayling vpon
the West side of this coast by me named desolation, we were past al the yce
and found many greene and pleasant Iles bordering vpon the shore, but the
maine were still couered with great quantities of snow, I brought my ship
among those Isles and there moored to refresh our selues in our weary
trauell, in the latitude of sixtie foure degrees or thereabout. The people
of the countrey hauing espied our shippes came downe vnto vs in their
Canoas, and holding vp their right hand to the Sunne and crying Yliaout,
would strike their breasts: we doing the like the people came aboard our
shippes, men of good stature, vnbearded, small eyed and of tractable
conditions, by whome as signes would permit, we vnderstood that towards the
North and West, there was a great sea, and vsing the people with kindeness
in giuing them nayles and kniues which of all things they most desired, we
departed, and finding the sea free from yce supposing our selves to be past
al daunger we shaped our course Westnorthwest thinking thereby to passe for
China, but in the latitude of sixtie sixe degrees we fell with another
shore, and there found another passage of twenty leagues broad directly
West into the same, which we supposed to be our hoped straight, we entred
into the same thirtie or fortie leagues, finding it neither to wyden nor
streighten, then considering that the yeere was spent (for this was the
fiue of August) not knowing the length of the straight and dangers thereof,
we tooke it our best course to returne with notice of our good successe for
this small time of search. And so returning in a sharpe fret of Westerly
windes the 19 of September we arriued at Dartmouth. [Sidenote: The 2.
voyage.] And acquainting Master Secretary Walsingham with the rest of the
honourable and worshipfull aduenturers of all our proceedings, I was
appointed againe the second yere to search the bottome of this straight,
because by all likelihood it was the place and passage by vs laboured for.
In this second attempt the marchants of Exeter, and other places of the
West became aduenturers in the action, so that being sufficiently furnished
for sixe moneths, and hauing direction to search these straights, vntill we
found the same to fall into another sea vpon the West side of this part of
America, we should againe returne: for then it was not to be doubted, but
shipping with trade might safely be conueied to China, and the parts of
Asia. We departed from Dartmouth, and arriuing vpon the South part of the
coast of Desolation coasted the same vpon his West shore to the latitude of
sixtie six degrees, and there anchored among the Isles bordering vpon the
same, where we refreshed our selues, the people of this place came likewise
vnto vs, by whom I vnderstood through their signes that towards the North
the sea was large. At this place the chiefe ship whereupon I trusted,
called the Mermayd of Dartmouth, found many occasions of discontentment,
and being vnwilling to proceed shee there forsook me. Then considering how
I had giuen my faith and most constant promise to my worshipfull good
friend Master William Sanderson, who of all men was the greatest aduenturer
in that action, and tooke such care for the performance thereof, that he
hath to my knowledge at one time disbursed as much money as any fiue others
whatsoever, out of his purse, when some of the companie haue bene slacke in
giuing in their aduenture: And also knowing that I should loose the fauour
of M. Secretary Walsingham, if I should shrink from his direction; in one
small barke of 30 Tonnes, whereof M. Sanderson was owner, alone without
farther company I proceeded on my voyage, and arriuing at these straights
followed the same 80 leagues, vntill I came among many Islands, where the
water did ebbe and flow sixe fadome vpright, and where there had bene great
trade of people to make traine. [Sidenote: The North Parts of America all
Islands.] But by such things as there we found, wee knew that they were not
Christians of Europe that had vsed that trade: in fine by searching with
our boat, we found small hope to passe any farther that way, and therefore
recouered the sea and coasted the shore towards the South, and in so doing
(for it was too late to search towards the North) we found another great
inlet neere 40 leagues broad, where the water entred in with violent
swiftnesse, this we also thought might be a passage; for no doubt the North
partes of America are all Islands by ought that I could perceiue therein:
but because I was alone in a small barke of thirtie tunnes, and the yeere
spent, I entred not into the same, for it was now the seuenth of September,
but coasting the shore towards the South wee saw an incredible number of
birds: hauing diuers fishermen aboord our Barke they all concluded that
there was a great skull of fish, we being vnprouided of fishing furniture
with a long spike nayle made a hooke, and fastened the same to one of our
sounding lines, before the baite was changed we tooke more then fortie
great Cods, the fish swimming so abundantly thicke about our barke as is
incredible to bee reported, of which with a small portion of salt that we
had we preserved some thirtie couple, or thereaboutes, and so returned for
England. And hauing reported to M. Secretarie Walsingham the whole successe
of this attempt, he commanded me to present vnto the most honourable Lord
high Treasurour of England, some part of that fish: which when his Lordship
saw, and heard at large the relation of this second attempt, I receiued
fauourable countenance from his honour, aduising me to prosecute the
action, of which his Lordship conceiued a very good opinion. The next yere,
although diuers of the aduenturers fell from the Action, as all the
Westerne marchants, and most of those in London: yet some of the
aduenturers both honourable and worshipfull continued their willing fauour
and charge, so that by this meanes the next yere two shippes were appointed
for the fishing and one pinnesse for the discouerie.
[Sidenote: The 3. voyage.] Departing from Dartmouth, thorough Gods
mercifull fauour, I arriued at the place of fishing, and there according to
my direction I left the two ships to follow that busines, taking their
faithful promise not to depart vntill my returne vnto them, which should be
in the fine of August, and so in the barke I proceeded for this discouerie:
but after my departure, in sixeteene dayes the two shippes had finished
their voyage, and so presently departed for England, without regard of
their promise: my selfe not distrusting any such hard measure proceeded for
the discouerie, and followed my course in the free and open sea betweene
North and Northwest to the latitude of 67 degrees, and there I might see
America West from me, and Gronland, which I called Desolation, East: then
when I saw the land of both sides I began to distrust it would prooue but a
gulfe: notwithstanding desirous to know the full certainty I proceeded, and
in 68 degrees the passage enlarged, so that I could not see the Westerne
shore: thus I continued to the Latitude of 73 degrees in a great sea, free
from yce, coasting the Westerne shoure of Desolation: the people came
continually rowing out vnto me in their Canoas, twenty, forty, and one
hundred at a time, and would giue me fishes dryed, Salmon, Salmon peale,
Cod, Caplin, Lumpe, Stone-base and such like, besides diuers kinds of
birds, as Partrige, Fesant, Guls, Sea birds, and other kinds of flesh: I
still laboured by signes to know from them what they knew of any sea toward
the North, they still made signes of a great sea as we vnderstood them,
then I departed from that coast, thinking to discouer the North parts of
America: and after I had sailed towards the West 40 leagues, I fel vpon a
great banke of yce: the winde being North and blew much, I was constrained
to coast the same toward the South, not seeing any shore West from me,
neither was there any yce towards the North, but a great sea, free, large,
very salt and blew, and of an vnsearchable depth: So coasting towards the
South I came to the place where I left the ships to fish, but found them
not. Then being forsaken and left in this distresse referring my self to
the mercifull prouidence of God, I shaped my course for England, and
vnhoped for of any, God alone releeuing me, I arriued at Dartmouth. By this
last discouery it seemed most manifest that the passage was free and
without impediment toward the North: but by reason of the Spanish Fleete
and vnfortunate time of M. Secretaries death, the voyage was omitted and
never sithens attempted. The cause why I vse this particular relation of
all my proceedings for this discouery, is to stay this obiection, why hath
not Dauis discouered this passage being thrise that wayes imploied? How far
I proceeded and in what forme this discouery lieth, doth appeare vpon the
Globe which M. Sanderson to his very great charge hath published, for the
which he deserueth great fauor and commendations.[90]
* * * * *
The discouerie of the Isles of Frisland, Iseland, Engroneland, Estotiland,
Drogeo and Icaria: made by two brethren, namely M. Nicholas Zeno, and M.
Antonio his brother: Gathered out of their letters by M. Francisco
Marcolino.
In the yere of our Lord 1200 there was in the Citie of Venice a famous
Gentleman, named Messer Marino Zeno, who for his great vertue and singular
wisdome, was called and elected gouernour in certaine common wealths of
Italy: in the administration whereof he bore himselfe so discretly, that he
was beloued of all men, and his name greatly reuerenced of those that neuer
knew or saw his person. And amongst sundry his worthy workes, this is
recorded of him, that he pacified certaine grieuous ciuile dissentions that
arose among the citizens of Verona: whereas otherwise, if by his graue
aduise and great diligence they had not bene preuented, the matter was
likely to broke out into hot broyles of warre. He was the first Podesta, or
Ruler, that the Common wealth of Venice appointed in Constantinople in the
yeere 1205 when our state had rule thereof with the French Barons. This
Gentleman had a sonne named Messer Pietro, who was the father of the Duke
Rinieri, which Duke dying without issue, made his heire M. Andrea, the
sonne of M. Marco his brother. This M. Andrea was Captaine Generall and
Procurator, a man of great reputation for many rare partes, that were in
him. He had a sonne M. Rinieri, a worthy Senatour and prudent Counsellour:
of whom descended M. Pietro Captaine Generall of the league of the
Christians against the Turkes, who was called Dragon, for that in his
shield, in stead of a Manfrone which was his armes at the first, he bare a
Dragon. He was father to M. Carlo Il grande the famous Procurator and
Captaine generall against the Genowayes in those cruell warres, when as
almost all the chiefe Princes of Europe did oppugne and seeke to ouerthrow
our Empire and libertie, wherein by his great valiantie and prowesse, as
Furius Camillus deliuered Rome, so he deliuered his countrey from the
present perill it was in, being ready to become a pray and spoile vnto the
enemie: wherefore he was afterward surnamed the Lyon, and for an eternall
remembrance of his fortitude and valiant exploits he gaue the Lyon in his
armes. M. Carlo had two brethren, M. Nicolo, the knight and M. Antonio, the
father of M. Dragon, of whom issued M. Caterino, the father M. Pietro da i
Grocecchieri. This M. Pietro had sonnes M. Caterino, that died the last
yere, being brother vnto M. Francisco, M. Carlo, M. Battista, and M.
Vincenzo: Which M. Caterino was father to M. Nicola, that is yet liuing.
Now M. Nicolo, the knight being a man of great courage, after this
aforesaid Genouan warre of Chioggia, that troubled so our predecessours,
entred into a great desire and fansie to see the fashions of the worlde and
to trauell and acquaint himselfe with the maners of sundry nations, and
learne their languages, whereby afterwards vpon occasions he might be the
better able to doe seruice to his countrey, and purchase to himselfe
credite and honour. Wherefore he caused a ship to be made, and hauing
furnished her at his proper charges (as he was very wealthy) he departed
out of our seas and passing the straites of Gibraltar, he sailed for
certaine dayes vpon the Ocean, keeping his course still to the Northwards,
with intent to see England and Flanders. [Sidenote: The ship of M. N. Zeno
cast away vpon Frisland in Anno 1380.] Where being assailed in those Seas
by a terrible tempest, he was so tossed for the space of many dayes with
the sea and winde, that he knew not where he was, till at length he
discouered land, and not being able any longer to susteine the violence of
the tempest the ship was cast away vpon the Isle of Friseland. The men were
saued and most part of the goods that were in the ship. And this was in the
yere 1380. The inhabitants of the Island came running in great multitudes
with weapons to set vpon M. Nicolo and his men, who being sore
weather-beaten and ouer-laboured at sea and not knowing in what part of the
world they were, were not able to make any resistance at all, much lesse to
defend themselues couragiously, as it behooued them in such a dangerous
case. [Sidenote: A forraine prince hapning to be in Frisland with armed
men, when M. Zeno suffered shipwracked there came vnto him and spake
Latine.] And they should haue bene doubtlesse very discourteously intreated
and cruelly handled, if by good hap there had not beene hard by the place a
prince with armed people. Who vnderstanding that there was euen at that
present a great ship cast away vpon the Island, came running at the noyse
and outcryes that they made against our poore Mariners, and dryuing away
the inhabitants, spake in Latine and asked them what they were and from
whence they came, and perceiuing that they came from Italy and that they
were men of the sayd Countrey, he was surprised with maruelous great ioy.
Wherefore promising them all, that they should receiue no discourtesie, and
that they were come into a place where they should be well vsed and very
welcome, he tooke them into his protection vpon his faith. [Sidenote:
Zichmni prince of Porland or Duke of Zorani.] This was a great Lord, and
possessed certaine Islands called Porland, lying on the South side of
Frisland, being the richest and most populous of all those parts, his name
was Zichmni: and beside the said little Islands, he was Duke of Sorani,
lying ouer against Scotland.[91]
Of these North parts I thought good to draw the copie of a Sea carde, which
amongst other antiquities I haue in my house, which although it be rotten
through many yeres, yet it falleth out indifferent well: and to those that
are delighted in these things, it may serue for some light to the
vnderstanding of that, which without it cannot so easily be conceiued.
Zichmni being Lord of those Sygnories (as is said) was a very warlike and
valiant man and aboue all things famous in Sea causes. [Sidenote: Frisland
the king of Norwayes.] And hauing the yere before giuen the ouerthrow to
the king of Norway, who was Lord of the Island, being desirous to winne
fame by feates of armes, hee was come on land with his men to giue the
attempt for the winning of Frisland, which is an Island much bigger then
Ireland. Wherefore seeing that M. Nicolo was a man of iudgement and
discretion, and very expert both in sea matters and martiall affaires, hee
gaue him commission to goe aboord his Nauy with all his men, charging the
captaine to honor him and in all things to use his counsaile.
This Nauy of Zichmni was of thirteene vessels, whereof two onely were rowed
with oares, the rest small barkes and one ship, with the which they sayled
to the Westwards and with little paines wonne Ledouo and Ilofe and diuers
other small Islands: and turning into a bay called Sudero, in the hauen of
the towne named Sanestol, they tooke certaine small barks laden with fish.
And here they found Zichmni, who came by land with his armie conquering all
the countrey as he went: they stayed here but a while, and led on their
course to the Westwards till they came to the other Cape of the gulfe or
bay, then turning againe, they found certaine Islandes and broken lands
which they reduced al vnto the Signorie and possession of Zichmni. These
seas for as much as they sailed, were in maner nothing but sholds and
rocks, in so much that if M. Nicolo and the Venetian mariners had not bene
their Pilots, the whole fleete in iudgement of all that were in it, had
bene cast away, so small was the skill of Zichmnis men, in respect of ours,
who had bene trained vp in the arte and practise of Nauigation all the
dayes of their life. Now the fleete hauing done such things as are
declared, the Captaine, by the counsaile of M. Nicolo, determined to goe a
land, at a towne called Bondendon, to vnderstand what successe Zichmni had
in his warres: where they heard to their great content, that he had fought
a great battell and put to flight the armie of his enemie: by reason of
which victory, they sent Embassadours from all parts of the Island to yeeld
the countrey vp into his handes, taking downe their ensignes in euery towne
and castle: they thought good to stay in that place for his comming, it
being reported for certaine that hee would be there very shortly. At his
comming there was great congratulation and many signes of gladnesse shewed,
as well for the victory by land, as for that by sea: for the which the
Venetians were honoured and extolled of all men, in such sort that there
was no talke but of them, and of the great valour of M. Nicolo. Wherefore
the prince, who was a great fauourer of valiant men and especially of those
that could behaue themselues well at sea, caused M. Nicolo to be brought
before him, and after hauing commended him with many honourable speeches,
and praysed his great industrie and dexteritie of wit, by the which two
things he acknowledged himselfe to haue receiued an inestimable benefite,
as the sauing of his fleet and the winning of many places without any great
trouble, he made him knight, and rewarded his men with many rich and
bountiful gifts. Then departing from thence they went in tryumphing maner
toward Frisland, the chiefe citie of that Island. In this gulf or bay there
is such great abundance of fish taken, that many ships are laden therewith
to serue Flanders, Britain, England, Scotland, Norway, and Denmarke, and by
this trade they gather great wealth.
And thus much is taken out of a letter, that M. Nicolo sent to M. Antonio
his brother, requesting that he would seeke some meanes to come to him.
Wherefore he who had as great desire to trauaile as his brother, bought a
ship, and directed his course that way: and after he had sailed a great
while and escaped many dangers, he arriued at length in safetie with M.
Nicolo, who receiued him very ioyfully, for that he was his brother not
onely in flesh and blood, but also in valour and good qualities. M. Antonio
remained in Frisland and dwelt there for the space of 14 yeres, 4 yeeres
with M. Nicolo, and 10 yeres alone. Where they came in such grace and
fauour with the Prince, that he made M. Nicolo Captaine of his Nauy, and
with great preparation of warre they were sent forth for the enterprise of
Estland, which lyeth vpon the coast betweene Frisland and Norway, where
they did many dammages, but hearing that the king of Norway was coming
towardes them with a great fleet, they departed with such a terrible flaw
of winde, that they were driuen vpon certaine sholds: were a great part of
their ships were cast away, the rest were saued vpon Grisland, a great
Island but dishabited. The king of Norway his fleete being taken with the
same storme, did vtterly perish in those seas: Whereof Zichmni hauing
notice, by a ship of his enemies that was cast by chance vpon Grisland,
hauing repayred his fleet, and perceiuing himself Northerly neere vnto the
Islands, determined, to set vpon Island, which together with the rest, was
subiect to the king of Norway: but he found the countrey so well fortified
and defended, that his fleete being so small, and very ill appointed both
of weapons and men, he was glad to retire. And so he left that enterprise
without performing any thing at all: and in the chanels, he assaulted the
other Isles called Islande, which are seuen, Talas, Broas, Iscant, Trans,
Mimant, Dambere, and Bres: and hauing spoyled them all, hee built a fort in
Bres, where he left M. Nicolo with certaine small barkes and men and
munition. And now thinking he had done wel for this voyage, with those few
ships which were left he returned safe into Frisland. [Sidenote:
Engroneland.] M. Nicolo remaining nowe in Bres, determined in the spring to
go forth and discouer land: wherefore arming out three small barkes in the
moneth of Iuly, he sayled to the Northwards, and arriued in Engroneland.
[Sidenote: Preaching fryers of Saint Thomas.] Where he found a Monasterie
of Friers, of the order of the Predicators, and a Church dedicated to Saint
Thomas, hard by a hill that casteth forth fire, like Vesuuius and Etna.