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WORKS ISSUED BY
The Hakluyt Society.
[Illustration]
THE
OBSERVATIONS OF
SIR RICHARD HAWKINS.
M.DCCC.XLVII.
THE
OBSERVATIONS
OF
SIR RICHARD HAWKINS, K^{NT}
IN HIS
VOYAGE INTO
THE SOUTH SEA
IN THE YEAR
1593.
REPRINTED FROM THE EDITION OF 1622.
EDITED BY
C. R. DRINKWATER BETHUNE,
CAPTAIN R.N.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR THE HAKLUYT SOCIETY.
M.DCCC.XLVII.
RICHARDS, 100, ST. MARTIN’S LANE.
THE HAKLUYT SOCIETY.
Council.
SIR RODERICK IMPEY MURCHISON, G.C.St.S., F.R.S., Corr. Mem.
Inst. Fr.; Hon. Mem. Imp. Acad. Sc. St. Petersburg, &c. &c.,
PRESIDENT.
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES MALCOLM, KT } VICE-PRESIDENTS.
THE REV. H. H. MILMAN, M.A. }
CHARLES T. BEKE, ESQ., PHIL. D., F.S.A.
CAPTAIN C. R. DRINKWATER BETHUNE, R.N., C.B.
MAJOR-GENERAL J. BRIGGS, F.R.S.
CAPTAIN F. BULLOCK, R.N.
BOLTON CORNEY, ESQ., M.R.S.L.
CHARLES DARWIN, ESQ., F.R.S.
SIR HENRY ELLIS, K.H., F.R.S.
JOHN FORSTER, ESQ.
J. E. GRAY, ESQ., F.R.S.
W. R. HAMILTON, ESQ., F.R.S.
T. HODGKIN, ESQ., M.D.
SIR JAMES M’GRIGOR, BARONET, M.D., F.R.S.
R. H. MAJOR, ESQ.
R. MONCKTON MILNES, ESQ., M.P.
SIR J. RICHARDSON, M.D., F.R.S.
ANDREW SMITH, ESQ., M.D.
SIR GEORGE T. STAUNTON, BARONET, M.P., F.R.S.
WILLIAM DESBOROUGH COOLEY, ESQ. F.R.G.S., SECRETARY.
EDITOR’S PREFACE.
Many of the early voyages to the Spanish possessions in South America,
are open to the charge of having been conducted more upon buccaneering
principles, than on those that should guide nations in their intercourse
with each other.
Even Sir Francis Drake, on his return from one of the most memorable,
endured the mortification of being considered little better than a
pirate, and it required all the honors conferred on him by Queen
Elizabeth, to set him right in public opinion.
This is not the proper place to discuss the question, whether England
was justified in allowing such expeditions to leave her shores; it is
sufficient to state, that our author is not liable to any animadversion,
as his voyage was undertaken under the authority of the Queen’s
commission; and his conduct was marked throughout by humanity and
benevolence.
We can hardly appreciate too highly the adventurous daring of these
early navigators; but while we give due credit to them for attempting
such long voyages into almost unknown seas, in vessels of small burthen,
we must not imagine that they were utterly unprovided for the nature of
the expected service: on the contrary, great care seems have been taken
both in selecting proper crews, and in providing them with everything
needful.
Sir Richard Hawkins, at page 12, alludes generally to his own
preparations; and we read in the accounts of Sir Francis Drake’s
expedition, “that his vessels were plentifully furnished with all manner
of provisions and necessaries for so long and dangerous a voyage; and
such as served only for ornament and delight were likewise not
forgotten. For this purpose he took with him very expert musicians for
several instruments. His furniture of all kinds was rich and sumptuous;
all the vessels for his table, and many in the cook-room, being of pure
silver, curiously wrought, and many other things whereby the
magnificence of his native country might be displayed.”
We find even more detail in the _North West Fox, or Fox from the
North-west passage_, London, 1635: a work professing to give an account
of all Northern voyagers, commencing with King Arthur, and ending with
Captain Luke Fox. We quote from the preface to the latter voyage:--
“The ship of his Majesties, was (of my own chusing, and the best for
condition and quality, especially for this voyage, that the world could
afford), of burthen eighty tonnes, the number of men twenty, and two
boyes, and by all our cares was sheathed, cordaged, builded, and
repaired; all things being made exactly ready against an appointed time.
My greatest care was to have my men of godly conversation, and such as
their years, of time not exceeding thirty-five, had gained good
experience, that I might thereby be the better assisted, especially by
such as had been upon those frostbiting voyages, by which they were
hardened for indurance, and could not so soone be dismayed at the sight
of the ice. For beardless younkers, I knew as many as could man the
boate was enough; and for all our dependances was upon God alone, for I
had neither private ambition or vaine glory.
“And all these things I had contractedly done by the master, wardens,
and assistants of the Trinity House. For a lieutenant I had no use; but
it grieved me much that I could not get one man that had been on the
same voyage before, by whose counsaile or discourse I might better have
shunned the ice. I was victualled compleatly for eighteene months; but
whether the baker, brewer, butcher, and other, were master of their
arts, or professors or no, I know not; but this I am sure of, I had
excellent fat beefe, strong beere, good wheaten bread, good Iceland
ling, butter and cheese of the best, admirable sacke and aqua-vitæ,
pease, oatmeale, wheat-meale, oyle, spice, sugar, fruit, and rice; with
chyrugerie, as sirrups, julips, condits, trechisses, antidotes, balsoms,
gummes, unguents, implaisters, oyles, potions, suppositors, and purging
pills; and if I wanted instruments, my chyrugion had enough. My
carpenter was fitted from the thickest bolt to the pumpe nayle, or
tacket. The gunner, from the sacor to the pistol. The boatswaine, from
the cable to the sayle twine. The steward and cooke, from the caldron to
the spoone.
“And for books, if I wanted any I was to blame, being bountifully
furnisht from the treasurer with money to provide me, especially for
those of study there would be no leisure, nor was there, for I found
work enough.”
Besides this abundant preparation of all things needful for the body,
rules for good discipline were not wanting, which we also transcribe,
considering they have some relation to the matter in hand.
“May 7, anno 1631.--The voyage of Captaine Luke Fox, in his Majesties
pinnace the _Charles_, burthen seventy tonnes, twenty men, and two
boyes, victuals for eighteen months, young Sir John Wolstenholme being
treasurer.
“Orders and articles for civill government, to be duly observed amongst
us in this voyage.
“Forasmuch as the good successe and prosperity of every action doth
consist in the due service and glorifying of God, knowing that not only
our being and preservation, but the prosperity of all our actions and
enterprizes doe immediately depend upon His Almighty goodness and mercy;
of which this being none of the least, eyther of nature or quality. For
the better governing and managing of this present voyage, in his
Majesties ship the _Charles_, bound for the North-west Passage, towards
the South Sea, May 7, 1631, as followeth:--
“1. That all the whole company, as well officers as others, shall duly
repaire every day twice, at the call of the bell, to heare publike
prayers to be read (such as are authorized by the Church), and that in a
godly and devout manner, as good Christians ought.
“2. That no man shall swear by the name of God, nor use any prophane
oath, or blaspheme his holy name, upon pain of severe punishment.
“3. That no man shall speak any vile or unbeseeming word, against the
honour of his Majestie, our dread soveraigne, his lawes or ordinances,
or the religion established and authorized by him here in England, but
as good subjects shall duly pray for him.
“4. That no man shall speake any doubtfull or despairing words against
the good successe of the voyage, or make any doubt thereof, eyther in
publique or private, at his messe, or to his watch-mate, or shall make
any question of the skill and knowledge eyther of superiour or inferior
officer, or of the undertakings; nor shall offer to combine against the
authority thereof, upon the paine of severe punishment, as well to him
that shall first heare and conceale the same, as to the first beginner.
“5. That no man do offer to filch or steale any of the goods of the
ship or company, or doe offer to breake into hould, there to take his
pleasure of such provisions as are layd in generall for the whole
company of the ship; nor that any officer appointed for the charge and
oversight thereof, doe other wayes than shall be appointed him, but
shall every man bee carefull for the necessary preservation of the
victuall and fuell conteyned in the hould; and that also every officer
be so carefull of his store, as hee must not be found (upon examination)
to deserve punishment.
“6. That no man doe grumble at his allowance of victuall, or steale any
from others, nor shall give cross language, eyther to superior or equal,
in reviling words or daring speeches, which do tend to the inflaming of
blood or inraging of choller; remembering this also, that a stroke or a
blow is the breach of his Majesties peace, and may not want his
punishment therefore, as for other reasons.
“7. That at the boatswaine’s call, all the whole company shall appeare
above decke, or else that his mate fetch up presently all such
sloathfull persons, eyther with rope or cudgell, as in such cases
deserves the same. The quarter-masters shall look into the steeridge,
while the captains, masters, and mates are at dinner, or at supper.
“8. That all men duely observe the watch, as well at anchor as under
sayle, and at the discharge thereof, the boatswaine or his mate shall
call up the other; all praising God together, with psalme and prayer.
And so committing our selves, both soules and bodies, ship and goods, to
God’s mercifull preservation, wee beseech him to steere, direct, and
guide us, from the beginning to the end of our voyage: which hee make
prosperous unto us. Amen.”
Sir Richard Hawkins followed the profession of a seaman from an early
age. Brought up in stirring times, under the eye of his father, one of
the most experienced naval commanders of his time, he appears to have
inherited a knowledge of sound principles of discipline, and to have
become imbued with that indomitable courage, tempered with prudence,
essential to the character of a good sea officer. In 1588, Captain
Hawkins commanded the _Swallow_, a Queen’s ship of three hundred and
sixty tons, and assisted in her at the destruction of the Spanish
armada. He appears at that period to have attained a certain
consideration, as he was employed as Queen’s Commissioner, to settle
some prize claims. He next undertook the voyage the history of which is
recounted in the following pages. After his return from his detention in
the South Seas, we find him, in 1620, in the _Vanguard_, of six hundred
and sixty tons, vice-admirall of Sir Robert Mansel’s expedition against
the Algerines. He died suddenly shortly afterwards.
Admiral Burney, in his _History of Voyages and Discoveries in the South
Seas_, alluding to this work, says, “it might with propriety have been
entitled a book of good counsel; many of his observations being
unconnected with the voyage he is relating, but his digressions are
ingenious and entertaining, and they frequently contain useful or
curious information”: and Mr. Barrow, in his _Memoirs of the Naval
Worthies of Queen Elizabeth_, thinks that the “_Observations_ must take
their station in the very first rank of our old sea voyages.”
Similar considerations led the council of the Hakluyt Society to select
it, though not exactly a rare work, for early publication; and it is
submitted to the Members, with a confident hope that it will repay an
attentive perusal.
The editor has confined his labours to reproducing the text of the
original, with only such slight alterations as were necessary where the
sense of the author had been obviously marred by a misprint; giving
such explanations of obsolete words and technical terms as might
embarrass an unprofessional reader; identifying the places visited with
their modern appellation, where practicable; and adding such remarks as
occurred to him while correcting the proof sheets.
C. R. D. B.
_Nov. 1847._
THE
OBSERVATIONS
OF
S^{IR} RICHARD HAWKINS
KNIGHT, IN HIS
_VOIAGE INTO THE
South Sea_.
Anno Domini, 1593.
[Illustration]
_Per varios Casus, Artem Experientia fecit,
Exemplo monstrante viam._--Manil. li. 1.
[Illustration]
LONDON
Printed by _I. D._ for IOHN IAGGARD, and are to be
sold at his shop at the Hand and Starre in Fleete-streete,
_neere the Temple Gate_. 1 6 2 2.
TO THE
MOST ILLUSTRIOUS AND MOST EXCELLENT
PRINCE CHARLES, PRINCE OF WALES,
DUKE OF CORNEWALL, EARLE OF CHESTER, ETC.
Amongst other neglects prejudiciall to this state, I have observed, that
many the worthy and heroyque acts of our nation, have been buried and
forgotten: the actors themselves being desirous to shunne emulation in
publishing them, and those which overlived them, fearefull to adde, or
to diminish from the actors worth, judgement, and valour, have forborne
to write them; by which succeeding ages have been deprived of the fruits
which might have beene gathered out of their experience, had they beene
committed to record. To avoyd this neglect, and for the good of my
country, I have thought it my duty to publish the observations of my
South Sea Voyage; and for that unto your highnesse, your heires, and
successors, it is most likely to be advantagious (having brought on me
nothing but losse and misery), I am bold to use your name, a protection
unto it, and to offer it with all humblenes and duty to your highnesse
approbation, which if it purchase, I have attained my desire, which
shall ever ayme to performe dutie.
Your Highnesse humble
And devoted servant,
RICHARD HAWKINS.
TO THE READER.
HAD _that worthie knight, the author, lived to have seen this his
Treatise published, he would perhaps himselfe have given the account
thereof: for by his owne directions it was put to the presse, though it
pleased God to take him to his mercy during the time of the impression.
His purpose was to have recommended both it and himselfe unto our most
excellent Prince Charles, and himselfe wrote the Dedication, which being
imparted unto me, I conceited that it stood not with my dutie to
suppresse it._
_Touching the discourse it selfe, as it is out of my element to judge,
so it is out of my purpose to say much of it. This onely I may boldly
promise, that you shall heere find an expert seaman, in his owne
dialect, deliver a true relation of an unfortunat voyage; which
howsoever it proved lamentable and fatall to the actors, may yet prove
pleasing to the readers: it being an itch in our natures to delight in
newnes and varietie, be the subject never so grievous. This (if there
were no more) were yet worthy your perusall; and is as much as others
have with good acceptance afforded in relations of this nature. Howbeit
besides the bare series and context of the storie, you shall heere finde
interweaved, sundry exact descriptions of Countries, Townes, Capes,
Promontories, Rivers, Creeks, Harbours, and the like, not unprofitable
for navigators; besides many notable observations, the fruites of a long
experience, that may give light touching marine accidents, even to the
best captaines and commaunders: who if they desire to learn by precepts,
shall here find store: but if examples prevaile more with them, here are
also_ aliena pericula. _If you believe mee not, reade and judge._
Farewell.
THE OBSERVATIONS
OF
SIR RICHARD HAWKINS, KNIGHT,
IN HIS
VOYAGE INTO THE SOUTH SEA.
SECTION I.
WITH the counsels consent, and helpe of my father, Sir John Hawkins,[1]
knight, I resolved a voyage to be made for the Ilands of Japan, of the
Phillippinas, and Molucas, the kingdomes of China, and East Indies, by
the way of the Straites of Magelan, and the South Sea.
[The necessary use of discoveries.]
The principall end of our designements, was, to make a perfect discovery
of all those parts where I should arrive, as well knowne as unknowne,
with their longitudes, and [Of travaile.] latitudes; the lying
of their coasts; their head-lands; their ports, and bayes; their cities,
townes, and peoplings; their manner of government; with the commodities
which the countries yeelded, and of which they have want, and are in
necessitie.
[Of shipping.]
For this purpose in the end of anno 1588, returning from the journey
against the Spanish Armado, I caused a ship to be builded in the river
of Thames, betwixt three and foure hundred tunnes, which was finished in
that perfection as could be required; for shee was pleasing to the eye,
profitable for stowage, good of sayle, and well conditioned.
The day of her lanching being appoynted, the Lady Hawkins (my
mother-in-law) craved the naming of the ship, which was easily granted
her: who knowing what voyage was pretended to be undertaken, named her
the _Repentance_: what her thoughts were, was kept secret to her selfe;
and although many times I expostulated with her, to declare the reason
for giving her that uncouth name, I could never have any other
satisfaction, then that repentance was the safest ship we could sayle
in, to purchase the haven of Heaven. Well, I know, shee was no
prophetesse, though a religious and most vertuous lady, and of a very
good understanding.[2]
Yet too propheticall it fell out by Gods secrete judgementes, which in
his wisdome was pleased to reveale unto us by so unknowne a way, and was
sufficient for the present, to cause me to desist from the enterprise,
and to leave the ship to my father, who willingly tooke her, and paid
the entire charge of the building and furnishing of her, which I had
concorted[3] or paid. And this I did not for any superstition I have in
names, or for that I thinke them able to further or hinder any thing;
for that all immediately dependeth upon the Providence of Almightie God,
and is disposed by him alone.
[Improper names for shipping.]
Yet advise I all persons ever (as neere as they can) by all meanes, and
in all occasions, to presage unto themselves the good they can, and in
giving names to terestriall workes (especially to ships), not to give
such as meerly represent the celestial character; for few have I knowne,
or seen, come to a good end, which have had such attributes. [Sidenote:
The _Revenge_] As was plainely seene in the _Revenge_, which was ever
the unfortunatest ship the late queenes majestie had during her raigne;
for coming out of Ireland, with Sir John Parrot, shee was like to be
cast away upon the Kentish coast. After, in the voyage of Sir John
Hawkins, my father, anno 1586, shee strucke aground coming into
Plimouth, before her going to sea. Upon the coast of Spaine, shee left
her fleete, readie to sinke with a great leake: at her returne into the
harbour of Plimouth, shee beate upon Winter stone; and after, in the
same voyage, going out of Portsmouth haven, shee ranne twice aground;
and in the latter of them, lay twentie-two houres beating upon the
shore, and at length, with eight foote of water in hold, shee was forced
off, and presently ranne upon the Oose: and was cause that shee remained
there (with other three ships of her majesties) six months, till the
spring of the yeare; when coming about to bee decked,[4] entring the
river of Thames, her old leake breaking upon her, had like to have
drowned all those which were in her. In anno 1591, with a storme of wind
and weather, riding at her moorings in the river of Rochester, nothing
but her bare masts over head, shee was turned topse-turvie, her kele
uppermost: and the cost and losse shee wrought, I have too good cause to
remember, in her last voyage, in which shee was lost, when shee gave
England and Spain just cause to remember her. For the Spaniards
themselves confesse, that three of their ships sunke by her side, and
[See Master Hacluits Relations.] was the death of above 1500
of their men, with the losse of a great part of their fleete, by a
storme which suddainly tooke them the next day. What English died in
her, many living are witnesses: amongst which was Sir Richard
Greenfeild,[5] a noble and valiant gentleman, vice-admirall in her of
her majesties fleete. So that, well considered, shee was even a ship
loaden, and full fraught with ill successe.
[The _Thunderbolt_ of London.]
The like wee might behold in the _Thunderbolt_, of London, who, in one
voyage (as I remember), had her mast cleft with a thunderbolt, upon the
coast of Barbary. After in Dartmouth, going for admirall of the
Whaftage,[6] and guard of the fleete for the river of Bourdieux, had
also her poope blown up with fire sodainly, and unto this day, never
could be knowne the cause, or manner how: and lastly, shee was burned
with her whole companie in the river of Bourdieux, and Master Edward
Wilson, generall in her, slaine by his enemies, having escaped the fire.
[The _Jesus_ of Lubeck. The _Repentance_.]
The suceesse of the _Jesus_ of Lubecke, in Saint John de Vlua, in the
Nova Spania, infamous to the Spaniardes;[7] with my _Repentance_, in the
South Sea, taken by force, hath utterly impoverished, and overthrowne
our house.
[The _Journey_ of Spaine.]
The _Journey_ of Spaine, pretended for England, anno 1587, called the
_Journey of Revenge_, left the principall of their men and ships on the
rocks of Cape Finister, and the rest made a lamentable end, for the most
part in the Groyne.[8] No more for this poynt, but to our purpose.