Cypresse, all yeelding Gumme and Turpentine.
Cherrie trees bearing fruit no bigger than a small pease. Also peare trees
but fruitlesse. Other trees of some sorts to vs vnknowen.
The soyle along the coast is not deepe of earth, bringing forth abundantly
peason small, yet good feeding for cattell. Roses passing sweet, like vnto
our muske roses in forme, raspases, a berry which we call Hurts, good and
holesome to eat. The grasse and herbe doth fat sheepe in very short space,
proued by English marchants which haue caried sheepe thither for fresh
victuall and had them raised exceeding fat in lesse then three weekes.
Peason which our countreymen haue sowen in the time of May, haue come vp
faire, and bene gathered in the beginning of August, of which our Generall
had a present acceptable for the rarenesse, being the first fruits comming
vp by art and industrie in that desolate and dishabited land.
Lakes or pooles of fresh water, both on the tops of mountaines and in the
valies. In which are said to be muskles not vnlike to haue pearle, which I
had put in triall, if by mischance falling vnto me, I had not bene letted
from that and other good experiments I was minded to make.
Foule both of water and land in great plentie and diuersitie. All kind of
greene foule: Others as bigge as Bustards, yet not the same. A great white
foule called by some a Gaunt.
Vpon the land diuers sorts of haukes as Faulcons, and others by report:
Partridges most plentifull larger than ours, gray and white of colour, and
rough footed like doues, which our men after one flight did kill with
cudgels, they were so fat and vnable to flie. Birds some like blackbirds,
linnets, Canary birds, and other very small. Beasts of sundry kindes, red
deare, buffles or a beast, as it seemeth by the tract and foote very large
in maner of an oxe. Beares, ounces or leopards, some greater and some
lesser, wolues, Foxes, which to the Northward a little further are black,
whose furre is esteemed in some Countries of Europe very rich. Otters,
beuers, and marternes: And in the opinion of most men that saw it, the
Generall had brought vnto him a Sable aliue, which he sent vnto his brother
sir John Gilbert knight of Deuonshire: but it was neuer deliuered, as after
I vnderstood. [Sidenote: Newfound land doth minister commodities abundantly
for art and industrie.] We could not obserue the hundreth part of creatures
in those vnhabited lands: but these mentioned may induce vs to glorifie the
magnificent God, who hath superabundantly replenished the earth with
creatures seruing for the vse of man, though man hath not vsed a fifth part
of the same, which the more doth aggrauate the fault and foolish slouth in
many of our nation, chusing rather to liue indirectly, and very miserably
to liue and die within this realme pestered with inhabitants, then to
aduenture as becommeth men, to obtaine an habitation in those remote lands,
in which Nature very prodigally doth minister vnto mens endeuours, and for
art to worke vpon.
For besides these alreadie recounted and infinite moe, the mountaines
generally make shew of minerall substance: Iron very common, lead, and
somewhere copper. I will not auerre of richer mettals: albeit by the
circumstances following, more then hope may be conceiued thereof.
For amongst other charges giuen to inquire but the singularities of this
countrey, the Generall was most curious in the search of mettals,
commanding the minerall man and refiner, especially to be diligent. The
same was a Saxon borne, honest and religious, named Daniel. Who after
search brought at first some sort of Ore, seeming rather to be yron then
other mettal. [Sidenote: Siluer Ore brought vnto the Generall.] The next
time he found Ore, which with no small shew of contentment he deliuered
vnto the General, vsing prostestation, that if siluer were the thing which
might satisfie the Generall and his followers, there it was, aduising him
to seeke no further: the perill whereof he vndertooke vpon his life (as
deare vnto him as the Crowne of England vnto her Maiestie, that I may vse
his owne words) if it fell not out accordingly.
My selfe at this instant liker to die then to liue, by a mischance, could
not follow this confident opinion of our refiner to my owne satisfaction:
but afterward demanding our Generals opinion therein, and to haue some part
of the Ore, he replied: Content your selfe, I haue seene ynough, and were
it but to satisfie my priuate humor, I would proceede no further.
[Sidenote: Reasons why no further search was made for the siluer mine.] The
promise vnto my friends, and necessitie to bring also the South countries
within compasse of my Patent neere expired, as we haue alreadie done these
North parts, do only perswade me further. And touching the Ore, I haue sent
it aboord, whereof I would haue no speech to be made so long as we remaine
within harbor: here being both Portugals, Biscains, and Frenchmen not farre
off, from whom must be kept any bruit or muttering of such matter. When we
are at sea proofe shalbe made: if it be to our desire, we may returne the
sooner hither againe. Whose answere I iudged reasonable, and contenting me
well: wherewith will I conclude this narration and description of the
Newfound land, and proceede to the rest of our voyage, which ended
tragically.[103]
[Sidenote: Misdemeanour in our companie.] While the better sort of vs were
seriously occupied in repairing our wants, and continuing of matters for
the commoditie of our voyage: others of another sort and disposition were
plotting of mischiefe. Some casting to steale away our shipping by night,
watching opportunitie by the Generals and Captaines lying on the shore:
whose conspiracies discouered, they were preuented. Others drew togither in
company, and carried away out of the harbors adioyning, a ship laden with
fish, setting the poore men on shore. A great many more of our people stole
into the woods to hide themselues, attending time and meanes to returne
home by such shipping as daily departed from the coast. Some were sicke of
fluxes, and many dead: and in briefe, by one meanes or other our company
was diminished, and many by the Generall licenced to returne home. Insomuch
as after we had reuiewed our people, resolued to see an end of our voyage,
we grewe scant of men to furnish all our shipping: it seemed good therefore
vnto the Generall to leaue the Swallowe with such provision as might be
spared for transporting home the sicke people.
[Sidenote: God brought togither these men into the ship ordained to perish,
who before had committed such outrage.] The Captaine of the Delight or
Admirall returned into England, in whose stead was appointed Captaine
Maurice Browne, before Captaine of the Swallow: who also brought with him
into the Delight all his men of the Swallow, which before haue bene noted
of outrage perpetrated and committed vpon fishermen there met at sea.
[Sidenote: Why sir Humf. Gilbert went in the Frigate.] The Generall made
choise to goe in his frigate the Squirrell (whereof the Captaine also was
amongst them that returned into England) the same Frigate being most
conuenient to discouer vpon the coast, and to search into euery harbor or
creeke, which a great ship could not doe. Therefore the Frigate was
prepared with her nettings and fights, and ouercharged with bases and such
small Ordinance, more to giue a shew, then with iudgement to foresee vnto
the safetie of her and the men, which afterward was an occasion also of
their ouerthrow.
[Sidenote: Liberalitie of the Portugals.] Now hauing made readie our
shipping, that is to say, the Delight, the golden Hinde, and the Squirrell,
and put aboord our prouision, which was wines, bread or ruske, fish wette
and drie, sweete oiles: besides many other, as marmalades, figs, lymmons
barrelled, and such like: Also we had other necessary prouision for
trimming our ships, nets and lines to fish withall, boates or pinnesses fit
for discouery. In briefe, we were supplied of our wants commodiously, as if
we had bene in a Countrey or some Citie populous and plentifull of all
things.
[Sidenote: S. Iohns in 47 deg. 40 min.] We departed from this harbor of S.
Iohns vpon Tuesday the twentieth of August, which we found by exact
obseruation to be in 47 degrees 40 miuutes. And the next day by night we
were at Cape Race, 25 leagues from the same harborough.
This Cape lyeth South Southwest from S. Iohns: it is a low land, being off
from the Cape about halfe a league: within the sea riseth vp a rocke
against the point of the Cape, which thereby is easily knowen. [Sidenote:
Cape Race in 46 degrees 25 minutes.] It is in latitude 46 degrees 25
minutes.
[Sidenote: Fish large and plentifull.] Vnder this cape we were becalmed a
small time, during which we layd out hookes and lines to take Codde, and
drew in lesse then two houres, fish so large and in such abundance, that
many dayes after we fed vpon no other prouision.
From hence we shaped our course vnto the Island of Sablon, if conueniently
it would so fall out, also directly to Cape Briton.
[Sidenote: Cattell in the Isle of Sablon.] Sablon lieth to the sea-ward of
Cape Briton about 25 leagues, whither we were determined to goe vpon
intelligence we had of a Portugal, (during our abode in S. Iohns) who was
himselfe present, when the Portugals (aboue thirty yeeres past) did put
into the same Island both Neat and Swine to breede, which were since
exceedingly multiplied. This seemed vnto vs very happy tidings, to haue in
an Island lying so neere vnto the maine, which we intended to plant vpon,
such store of cattell, whereby we might at all times conueniently be
relieued of victuall, and serued of store for breed.
In this course we trended along the coast, which from Cape Race stretcheth
into the Northwest, making a bay which some called Trepassa. Then it goeth
out againe toward the West, and maketh a point, which with Cape Race lieth
in maner East and West. But this point inclineth to the North: to the West
of which goeth in the bay of Placentia. [Sidenote: Good soile.] We sent men
on land to take view of the soyle along this coast, whereof they made good
report, and some of them had wil to be planted there. They saw Pease
growing in great abundance euery where.
The distance betweene Cape Race and Cape Briton is 87 leagues. In which
Nauigation we spent 8 dayes, hauing many times the wind indifferent good;
yet could we neuer attaine sight of any land all that time, seeing we were
hindred by the current. At last we fell into such flats and dangers, that
hardly any of vs escaped: where neuerthelesse we lost our Admiral with al
the men and prouision, not knowing certainly the place. Yet for inducing
men of skill to make coniecture, by our course and way we held from Cape
Race thither (that thereby the flats and dangers may be inserted in sea
Cards, for warning to others that may follow the same course hereafter) I
haue set downe the best reckonings that were kept by expert men, William
Cox Master of the Hind, and Iohn Paul his mate, both of Limehouse.
Reckonings kept in our course from Cape Race towards Cape Briton, and the
Island of Sablon, to the time and place where we lost our Admirall.
August 22. {West, 14. leagues.
{West and by South, 25.
{Westnorthwest, 25.
{Westnorthwest, 9.
{Southsouthwest, 10.
{Southwest, 12.
{Southsouthwest, 10.
August 29. {Westnorthwest, 12. Here we lost our Admiral.
Summe of these leagues, 117.
The reckoning of Iohn Paul masters mate from Cape Race.
August 22. {West, 14. leagues.
23 {Northwest and by West, 9.
24 {Southwest and by South, 5.
25 {West and by South, 40.
26 {West and by North, 7.
27 {Southwest, 3.
28 {Southwest, 9.
{Southwest, 7.
{Westsouthwest, 7.
29 {Northwest and by West, 20. Here we lost our Admirall.
Summe of all these leagues, 121.
Our course we held in clearing vs of these flats was Eastsoutheast, and
Southeast, and South 14 leagues with a marueilous scant winde.
The maner how our Admirall was lost.
[Sidenote: August 27.] Vpon Tewsday the 27 of August, toward the euening,
our Generall caused them in his frigat to sound, who found white sande at
35. fadome, being then in latitude about 44 degrees.
Wednesday toward night the wind came South, and wee bare with the land all
that night, Westnorthwest, contrary to the mind of master Cox:
neuerthelesse wee followed the Admirall, depriued of power to preuent a
mischiefe, which by no contradiction could be brought to hold other course,
alleaging they could not make the ship to worke better, nor to lie
otherwaies.
[Sidenote: Predictions before the wracke.] The euening was faire and
pleasant, yet not without token of storme to ensue, and most part of this
Wednesday night, like the Swanne that singeth before her death, they in the
Admiral, or Delight, continued in sounding of Trumpets, with Drummes, and
Fifes: also winding the Cornets, Haught boyes: and in the end of their
iolitie, left with the battell and ringing of doleful knels.
Towards the euening also we caught in the Golden Hinde a very mighty
Porpose, with a harping yron, hauing first striken diuers of them, and
brought away part of their flesh, sticking vpon the yron, but could recouer
onely that one. These also passing through the Ocean, in heardes, did
portend storme. I omit to recite friuolous reportes by them in the Frigat,
of strange voyces, the same night, which scarred some from the helme.
Thursday the 29 of August, the wind rose, and blew vehemently at South and
by East, bringing withal raine, and thicke mist, so that we could not see a
cable length before vs. [Sidenote: Losse of our Admirall.] And betimes in
the morning we were altogether runne and folded in amongst flats and sands,
amongst which we found shoale and deepe in euery three or foure shippes
length, after wee began to sound: but first we were vpon them vnawares,
vntill master Cox looking out, discerned (in his iudgement) white cliffes,
crying (land) withal, though we could not afterward descrie any land, it
being very likely the breaking of the sea white, which seemed to be white
cliffes, through the haze and thicke weather.
Immediatly tokens were giuen vnto the Delight, to cast about to seaward,
which, being the greater ship, and of burden 120 tunnes, was yet formost
vpon the breach, keeping so ill watch, that they knew not the danger before
he felt the same, to late to recouer it: for presently the Admirall strooke
a ground, and had soone after her sterne and hinder partes beaten in
pieces: whereupon the rest (that is to say, the Frigat in which was the
Generall and the Golden Hinde) cast about Eastsoutheast, bearing to the
South, euen for our liues into the windes eye, because that way caried vs
to the seaward. Making out from this danger, wee sounded one while seuen
fadome, then fiue fadome, then foure fadome and lesse, againe deeper,
immediatly foure fadome, then but three fadome, the sea going mightily and
high. At last we recouered (God be thanked) in some despaire, to sea roome
enough.
In this distresse, wee had vigilant eye vnto the Admirall, whom we sawe
cast away, without power to giue the men succour, neither could we espie
any of the men that leaped ouerboord to saue themselues, either in the same
Pinnesse or Cocke, or vpon rafters, and such like meanes, presenting
themselues to men in those extremities: for we desired to saue the men by
euery possible meanes. But all in vaine, sith God had determined their
ruine: yet all that day, and part of the next, we beat vp and downe as
neere vnto the wracke as was possible for vs, looking out, if by good hap
we might espie any of them.
This was a heavy and grieuous euent, to lose at one blow our chiefe shippe
freighted with great prouision, gathered together with much trauell, care,
long time, and difficultie. But more was the losse of our men, which
perished to the number almost of a hundreth soules. [Sidenote: Stephanus
Parmenius a learned Hungarian.] Amongst whom was drowned a learned man, an
Hungarian, borne in the citie of Buda, called hereof Budæus, who of pietie
and zeale to good attempts, aduentured in this action, minding to record in
the Latine tongue, the gests and things worthy of remembrance, happening in
this discouerie, to the honour of our nation, the same being adorned with
the eloquent stile of this Orator, and rare Poet of our time.
[Sidenote: Daniel a refiner of metal.] Here also perished our Saxon Refiner
and discouerer of inestimable riches, as it was left amongst some of vs in
vndoubted hope.
No lesse heauy was the losse of the Captaine Maurice Browne, a vertuous,
honest, and discreete Gentleman, ouerseene onely in liberty giuen late
before to men, that ought to haue bene restrained, who shewed himselfe a
man resolued, and neuer vnprepared for death, as by his last act of this
tragedie appeared, by report of them that escaped this wracke miraculously,
as shall bee hereafter declared. For when all hope was past of recouering
the ship, and that men began to giue ouer, and to saue themselues, the
Captaine was aduised before to ship also for his life, by the Pinnesse at
the sterne of the ship: but refusing that counsell, he would not giue
example with the first to leaue the shippe, but vsed all meanes to exhort
his people not to despaire, nor so to leaue off their labour, choosing
rather to die, then to incurre infamie, by forsaking his charge, which then
might be thought to haue perished through his default, shewing an ill
president vnto his men, by leauing the ship first himselfe. With this mind
hee mounted vpon the highest decke, where hee attended imminent death, and
vnauoidable; how long, I leaue it to God, who withdraweth not his comfort
from his seruants at such times.
[Sidenote: A wonderfull scape and deliuerance. A great distresse. A
desperate resolution.] In the meane season, certaine, to the number of
fourteene persons, leaped into a small Pinnesse (the bignes of a Thames
barge, which was made in the New found land) cut off the rope wherewith it
was towed, and committed themselues to Gods mercy, amiddest the storme, and
rage of sea and windes, destitute of foode, not so much as a droppe of
fresh water.
The boate seeming ouercharged in foule weather with company, Edward Headly
a valiant souldier, and well reputed of his companie, preferring the
greater to the lesser, thought better that some of them perished then all,
made this motion to cast lots, and them to bee throwen ouerboord vpon whom
the lots fell, thereby to lighten the boate, which otherwayes seemed
impossible to liue, offred himselfe with the first, content to take his
aduenture gladly: which neuerthelesse Richard Clarke, that was Master of
the Admirall, and one of this number, refused, aduising to abide Gods
pleasure, who was able to saue all, as well as a few.
[Sidenote: Two men famished.] The boate was caried before the wind,
continuing sixe dayes and nights in the Ocean, and arriued at last with the
men (aliue but weake) vpon the New found land, sauing that the foresayd
Headly, (who had bene late sicke) and another called of vs Brasile, of his
trauell into those Countries, died by the way, famished and lesse able to
holde out, then those of better health. For such was these poore mens
extremitie, in cold and wet, to haue no better sustenance then their own
vrine, for sixe dayes together.
Thus whom God deliuered from drowning, hee appointed to bee famished, who
doth giue limits to mans times, and ordaineth the manner and circumstance
of dying: whom againe he will preserue, neither Sea nor famine can
confound. For those that arriued vpon the Newe found land, were brought
into France by certaine French men, then being vpon that coast.
After this heauie chance, wee continued in beating the sea vp and downe,
expecting when the weadier would cleere vp, that we might yet beare in with
the land, which we iudged not farre off, either the continent or some
Island. For we many times, and in sundry places found ground at 50, 45, 40
fadomes, and lesse. The ground comming vpon our lead, being sometimes oazie
sand, and otherwhile a broad shell, with a little sand about it.
[Sidenote: Causes inforcing vs to returne home againe.] Our people lost
courage dayly after this ill successe, the weather continuing thicke and
blustering, with increase of cold, Winter drawing on, which tooke from them
all hope of amendment, setling an assurance of worse weather to growe vpon
vs euery day. The Leeside of vs lay full of flats and dangers ineuitable,
if the wind blew hard at South. Some againe doubted we were ingulphed in
the Bay of S. Laurence, the coast full of dangers, and vnto vs vnknowen.
But aboue all, prouision waxed scant, and hope of supply was gone, with
losse of our Admirall.
Those in the Frigat were already pinched with spare allowance, and want of
clothes chiefly: Whereupon they besought the Generall to returne for
England, before they all perished. And to them of the Golden Hinde, they
made signes of their distresse, pointing to their mouthes, and to their
clothes thinne and ragged: then immediately they also of the Golden Hinde,
grew to be of the same opinion and desire to returne home.
The former reasons hauing also moued the Generall to haue compassion of his
poore men, in whom he saw no want of good will, but of meanes fit to
performe the action they came for, resolued vpon retire: and calling the
Captaine and Master of the Hinde, he yeelded them many reasons, inforcing
this vnexpected returne, withall protesting himselfe greatly satisfied with
that hee had seene, and knew already.
Reiterating these words. Be content, we haue seene enough, and take no care
of expence past: I will set you foorth royally the next Spring, if God send
vs safe home. Therefore I pray you let vs no longer striue here, where we
fight against the elements.
Omitting circumstance, how vnwillingly the Captaine and Master of the Hinde
condescended to this motion, his owne company can testifie: yet comforted
with the Generals promises of a speedie returne at Spring, and induced by
other apparent reasons, prouing an impossibilitie, to accomplish the action
at that time, it was concluded on all hands to retire.
[Sidenote: August 31.] So vpon Saturday in the afternoone the 31 of August,
we changed our course, and returned backe for England, [Sidenote: A monster
of the sea.] at which very instant, euen in winding about, there passed
along betweene vs and towards the land which we now forsooke a very lion to
our seeming, in shape, hair and colour, not swimming after the maner of a
beast by moouing of his feete, but rather sliding vpon the water with his
whole body (excepting the legs) in sight, neither yet diuing vnder, and
againe rising aboue the water, as the maner is, of Whales, Dolphins,
Tunise, Torposes, and all other fish: but confidently shewing himselfe
aboue water without hiding: Notwithstanding, we presented our selues in
open view and gesture to amase him, as all creatures will be commonly at a
sudden gaze and sight of men. Thus he passed along turning his head to and
fro, yawning and gaping wide, with ougly demonstration of long teeth, and
glaring eies, and to bidde vs a farewell (comming right against the Hinde)
he sent forth a horrible voyce, roaring or bellowing as doeth a lion, which
spectacle wee all beheld so farre as we were able to discerne the same, as
men prone to wonder at euery strange thing, as this doubtlesse was, to see
a lion in the Ocean sea, or fish in shape of a lion. What opinion others
had thereof, and chiefly the Generall himselfe, I forbeare to deliuer: But
he tooke it for Bonum Omen, reioycing that he was to warre against such an
enemie, if it were the deuill.
The wind was large for England at our returne, but very high, and the sea
rough, insomuch as the Frigat wherein the Generall went was almost swalowed
vp.
[Sidenote: September 2.] Munday in the afternoone we passed in the sight of
Cape Race, hauing made as much way in little more then two dayes and nights
backe againe, as before wee had done in eight dayes from Cape Race, vnto
the place where our ship perished. Which hindrance thitherward, and speed
back againe, is to be imputed vnto the swift current, as well as to the
winds, which we had more large in our returne.