R. HAKLUYT. _Voyages_, III., 194, Ed. 1600.
In the Third Volume of this Series will be found the
fullest and most exact description in our language of the
annual Fleets, usually consisting of five Carracks, that
went from Lisbon to Goa and back; written by JAN HUYGHEN
VAN LINSCHOTEN, a Dutchman, who made that Voyage in the
years 1582-1592. The following events occurred after
LINSCHOTEN reached Lisbon, on 2nd January 1592 [III. 470].
Some additional particulars from a very rare tract,
_The Seaman's Triumph_, London, 1592, 4to, are given in
the footnotes.
_A true Report of the honourable Service at sea performed by Sir
JOHN BURROUGH Knight, Lieutenant General of the Fleet prepared
by the Honourable Sir WALTER RALEGH Knight, Lord Warden of
the Stanneries of Cornwall and Devon. Wherein, chiefly, the_ Santa
Clara _of Biscay, a ship of 600 tons, was taken: and the two East
Indian Carracks, the_ Santa Cruz _and the_ Madre de Dios, _were forced;
the one burnt, the other taken and brought into Dartmouth the 7th of
September 1592._
SIR WALTER RALEGH, upon Commission received from Her Majesty
for an Expedition to be made to the West Indies, slacked not his
uttermost diligence to make full provision of all things necessary: as,
both in his choice of good ships, and [of] sufficient men to perform
the action, evidently appeared. For [of] his ships, which were in
number fourteen or fifteen, those two of Her Majesty's, the _Garland_
and the _Foresight_, were the chiefest. The rest [were] either his own,
or his good friends', or [belonged to] Adventurers of London. For the
Gentlemen his consorts and Officers, to give them their right, they
were so well qualited in courage, experience, and discretion as the
greatest Prince might repute himself happy to be served with their like.
The honour of Lieutenant General was imposed upon Sir JOHN BURROUGH,
a Gentleman, for his manifold good and heroical parts, thought every
way worthy of that commandment. With whom, after Sir WALTER RALEGH
returned, was joined in Commission, Sir MARTIN FROBISHER: who, for his
special skill and knowledge in marine causes, had formerly carried
employments of like, or greater, place. The rest of the Captains,
soldiers, and sailors were men of notable resolution; and, for the most
part, such as heretofore had given to the World sufficient proof of
their valour in divers Services of the like nature.
With these ships, thus manned, Sir WALTER RALEGH departed
towards the West country, there to store himself with such further
necessaries as the state of his Voyage [_Expedition_] did needfully
require. Where the westerly winds, blowing for a long time contrary to
his course, bound and constrained him to keep harbour so many weeks
that the fittest season for his purpose was gone; the minds of his
people, much altered; his victuals, consumed: and withal Her Majesty,
understanding how crossly all this sorted, began to call the procedings
of this preparation into question.
Insomuch that, whereas the 6th of May [1592] was first come before Sir
WALTER could put to sea; the very next day, Sir MARTIN FROBISHER, in a
Pinnance of my [Lord HOWARD of Effingham, the] Lord Admiral's, called
the _Disdain_, met him: and brought to him, from Her Majesty, Letters
of Revocation, with commandment to relinquish for his own part, the
intended attempt; and to leave the charge and conduct of all things in
the hands of Sir JOHN BURROUGH and Sir MARTIN FROBISHER.
But Sir WALTER (finding his honour so far engaged in the
undertaking of this Voyage [_Expedition_] as, without proceeding, he
saw no remedy either to salve his reputation; or to content those his
friends, which had put in adventures of great sums with him: and
making construction of the Queen's Letters, in such sort, as if her
commandment had been propounded in indifferent terms, either to advance
forward, or to retire, at his own discretion) would in no case yield to
leave his Fleet now under sail.
Wherefore continuing his course into the sea, he met, within a day or
two, with certain Sails lately come from Spain. Among which was a ship
appertaining to Monsieur GOURDON, Governor of Calais: and [he]
found aboard her, one Master NEVEL DAVIES, an Englishman, who
(having endured a long and miserable captivity for the space of twelve
years [1580-1592]; partly in the Inquisition in Spain) was now, by good
fortune, escaped; and upon [his] return to his [own] country.
This man, among other things, reported for certain, That there was
little hope of any good this year to be done in the West India:
considering that the King of Spain had sent express order to all the
ports, both of the Islands and of _Terra firma_, that no ship should
stir that year, nor any treasure be laid aboard for Spain.
But neither this unpleasant relation, nor aught else, could stay his
proceedings, until a tempest of strange and uncouth violence, arising
upon Thursday the 11th of May, when he was athwart Cape Finisterre,
had so scattered the greater part of the Fleet, and sunk his boats and
Pinnaces: that as the rest were driven and severed, some this way, and
some that; Sir WALTER himself, being in the _Garland_ of Her
Majesty's [Ships], was in danger to be swallowed up of the sea.
Whereupon Sir WALTER RALEGH finding that the season of the year was
too far gone to proceed with the enterprise which he had upon Panama,
having been held on the English coast from February till May [1592],
and thereby spent three months' victuals; and considering withal that
to lie upon the Spanish coast, or at the Islands [of the Azores], to
attend the return of the East [Indian], or West Indian Fleets, was
rather a work of patience than aught else: he gave directions to Sir
JOHN BURROUGH and Sir MARTIN FROBISHER to divide the Fleet in two
parts. Sir MARTIN with the _Garland_, Captain GEORGE GIFFARD, Captain
HENRY THIN, Captain GRENVILLE, and others, to lie off the South Cape
[_Cape St. Vincent_]; thereby to amaze the Spanish Fleet, and to hold
them on their own coast, while Sir JOHN BURROUGH [in the _Roebuck_],
Captain [Sir] ROBERT CROSSE [in the _Foresight_,] Captain THOMSON [in
the _Dainty_], and others, should attend the Islands for the Carracks
[from Goa] or any other Spanish ships coming from Mexico or other parts
of the West Indies.
Which direction took effect [_was effectual_] accordingly. For the
King of Spain's Admiral, receiving intelligence that the English Fleet
was come on the coast, attended to defend the south parts of Spain,
and to keep himself as near Sir MARTIN FROBISHER as he could,
to impeach [_hinder_] him in all things which he might undertake: and
thereby neglected the safe conduct of the Carracks; with whom it fared
as hereafter shall appear.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: The _Santa Clara_, a Biscayen ship of 600 tons, taken.]
Before the Fleet severed themselves, they met with a great Biscayen
on the Spanish coast, called [the] _Santa Clara_, a ship of 600 tons.
The noise of the artillery on both sides being heard; immediately they
drew to their Fleet. Where, after a reasonably hot fight, the ship
was entered and mastered: which they found fraighted with all sorts
of small ironwork, as horse-shoes, nails, plough-shares, iron bars,
spikes, bolts, locks, gimbols, and such like, valued by us at £6,000
or £7,000 [=£24,000 _to_ £30,000 _now_] but worth to them treble the
value. This Biscayen was sailing towards San Lucar [de Barrameda, the
Port of Seville], there to take in some further provision for the West
India.
This ship being first rummaged, and after sent for England: our Fleet
coasted along towards the South Cape of St. Vincent.
And, by the way, about the Rock [_Cape da Roca_] near Lisbon, Sir
JOHN BURROUGH in the _Roebuck_ spying a Sail afar off, gave
her present chase: which, being a Fly-boat and of good sail [_a good
sailer_], drew him far southwards before he could fetch her; but at
last she came under his lee, and struck sail.
The Master of which Fly-boat coming aboard him, confessed, that the
King [PHILIP II.] indeed had prepared a great Fleet in San
Lucar [de Barrameda] and Cadiz; and, as the report in Spain was
current, for the West Indies.
But indeed the Spanish King had provided this Fleet upon this counsel:
He received intelligence that Sir WALTER RALEGH was to put
out strong for the West India. To impeach him, and to ranconter
[_encounter_] his force; he appointed this Fleet: although, looking for
the arrival of his East Indian Carracks, he first ordained those ships
to waft [_convoy_] them from the Azores. But persuading himself that if
the Fleet of Sir WALTER RALEGH did go for the West India, then
the Islands should have none to infest them but small Men of War; which
the Carracks of themselves would be well able to match: his order was
to Don ALONSO DE BAÇAN, brother to the Marquis of SANTA
CRUZ, and General of his Armada, to pursue Sir WALTER's
Fleet, and to confront him; what course soever he held.
[Sidenote: Sir JOHN BURROUGH in great danger of the Spanish
Fleet.]
And that this was true, our men in short time by proof understood.
For Sir JOHN BURROUGH (not long after the taking of his last
prize, the Fly-boat), as he sailed back again towards the rest of
his company, discovered the Spanish Fleet to seaward of him: which,
having likewise spied him betwixt them and the shore, made full
account to bring him safe into [a] Spanish harbour; and therefore
spread themselves in such sort before him, that indeed his danger
was very great. For both the liberty of the sea was brought into a
narrow straight [_distance_]; and the shore, being enemy [_hostile_]
could give him no comfort of relief. So that, trusting to GOD's help
only and his good sail [_sailing_], he thrust out from among them, in
spite of all their force; and, to the notable illusion of all their
cunning, which they shewed to the uttermost in laying the way for his
apprehension.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: The Isle of St. Michael.]
But now Sir JOHN BURROUGH, having happily escaped their
clutches; finding the coast guarded by this Fleet; and knowing it was
but folly to expect a meeting there with Sir MARTIN FROBISHER
(who understanding of this Armada, as well as himself, would be sure
not to come that way), began to shape his course to the Azores,
according to Sir WALTER RALEGH's direction: and came in sight
of St. Michael; running so near by Villa Franca, that he might easily
discern the ships lying there at anchor.
[Sidenote: Divers small ships taken.]
Divers small Caravels both here and between St George's [Island] and
the Pike [_Pico_], in his course towards Flores, he intercepted: of
which no great intelligence for his affairs could be understood.
[Sidenote: Santa Cruz, a village in the Isle of Flores.]
Arriving before Flores, upon Thursday the 21st of June, towards
evening, [in the _Roebuck_], accompanied only by Captain
CAUFIELD and the Master of his ship; the rest not being yet
arrived: he made towards the shore with his boat: finding all the
people of Santa Cruz, a village of that island, in arms; fearing their
landing, and ready marshalled to defend their town from spoil.
Sir JOHN, contrariwise, made signs of amity unto them by
advancing a white flag, a common token of peace: which was answered
again of them with the like. Whereupon ensued intercourses of good
friendship; and pledges were taken on both sides, the Captain of
the town for them and Captain CAULFIELD for ours. So that
whatsoever our men wanted, which that place could supply, either
in fresh water, victuals, or the like, was very willingly granted
[_i.e. for payment_] by the inhabitants; and good leave had they to
refresh themselves on shore, as much and as oft as they would, without
restraint.
[Sidenote: News of the East Indian Carracks.]
At this Santa Cruz, Sir JOHN BURROUGH was informed that indeed
there was among them no expectation of any Fleet to come from the West:
but from the East, that no longer since than three days before his
arrival [_i.e._ 18th June 1592] a Carrack was passed by for Lisbon, and
that there were four Carracks more behind, of one consort [_company or
Fleet_].
Sir JOHN, being very glad of this news, stayed no longer on
shore, but presently embarked himself: having only in company a small
Bark, of 60 tons [? the _Phœnix_, see page 255], belonging to one
Master HOPKINS of Bristol.
In the meanwhile that these things thus passed at Flores; part of the
rest of the English Fleet, which Sir JOHN BURROUGH had left upon the
coast of Spain, drew also towards the Azores. And whereas he quickly,
at sea, had discovered one of the Carracks [the _Santa Cruz_]: the same
evening, he might descry two or three of [GEORGE CLIFFORD] the Earl of
CUMBERLAND's ships [_two of them were the_ Tiger _and the_ Sampson],
whereof one Master NORTON was Captain [_or as_ _we should now say,
Commodore_]; which having, in like sort, kenned the Carrack, pursued
her by that course which they saw her to run towards the Islands.
But on no side was there any way made, by reason of a great calm which
yielded no breath to spread a sail. Insomuch that (fitly to discover
her what she was; of what burden, force, and countenance) Sir JOHN
BURROUGH took his boat, and rowed the space of three miles, to
make her [out] exactly; and, being returned, he consulted with the
better sort of the Company then present, upon the boarding [of] her in
the morning.
But a very mighty storm arising in the night, the extremity thereof
forced them all to weigh anchors; yet their care was such in wrestling
with the weather, not to lose the Carrack: [so] that, in the morning
(the tempest being qualified, and our men bearing again with the
shore), they might perceive the Carrack very near the land; and the
Portugals confusedly carrying on shore such things as they could, [in]
any manner of way, convey out of her. And seeing the haste our men made
to come upon them; [they] forsook her.
[Sidenote: A Carrack, called the _Santa Cruz_, set on fire.]
But first, that nothing might be left commodious to our men; [they]
set fire to that which they could not carry with them: intending by
that means, wholly to consume her; that neither glory of victory, nor
benefit of ship, might remain to ours.
And lest the approach and industry of the English should bring means
to extinguish the flame, thereby to preserve the residue of that which
the fire had not destroyed: being 400 of them in number and well armed,
they intrenched themselves on land so near the Carrack, that she, being
by their forces protected and our men kept aloof off; the fire might
continue to the consumption of the whole.
[Sidenote: A hundred of our men landed.]
This being noted by Sir JOHN BURROUGH; he soon provided a
present remedy for this mischief. For landing 100 of his men (whereof
many did swim, and wade more than breast high, to shore) and easily
scattering those that presented themselves to guard the coast: he no
sooner drew towards their new trenches, but they fled immediately;
leaving as much as the fire had spared [of the _Santa Cruz_] to be the
reward of our men's pains.
Here were taken, among others, one VINCENT FONSECA, a
Portugal, Purser of the Carrack; with two others, one an Almain
[_German_], and the second a Low Dutchman [_Hollander_] Cannoniers:
who, refusing to make any voluntary report of those things which were
demanded of them, had the torture threatened; the fear whereof, at the
last, wrested from them this intelligence:
[Sidenote: Angola, a new watering place for the Carracks.]
That, within fifteen days, three other greater Carracks than that
[the _Santa Cruz_] lately fired, would arrive at the same Island [of
Flores]. And that being five Carracks in the Fleet at their departure
from Goa, to wit, the _Buen Jesus_, Admiral [_Flag Ship_]; the _Madre
de Dios_; the _San Bernardo_; the _San Christophoro_; and the _Santa
Cruz_, whose fortune you have already heard: they had received special
commandment from the King [PHILIP II.] not to touch, in
any case, at the Island of St. Helena, where the Portugal Carracks,
in their return from the East India, were always, till now, wont to
arrive, to refresh themselves with water and victuals. And the King's
reason was, because of the English Men of War: who, as he was informed,
lay there in wait to intercept them. If therefore their necessity of
water should drive them to seek [a] supply anywhere, he appointed them
Angola, in the main[land] of Africa; with order there to stay only the
taking in of water, to avoid the inconvenience of infections, whereunto
that hot latitude is dangerously subject. The last rendezvous for them
all was the Island of Flores: where the King assured them not to miss
of his Armada, thither sent of purpose for their wafting [_convoy_] to
Lisbon.
Upon this information, Sir JOHN drew to Council [of War], meeting
there Captain NORTON, Captain DOWNTON, Captain ABRAHAM COCKE, Captains
of three ships of [GEORGE CLIFFORD,] the Earl of CUMBERLAND; Master
THOMSON of Harwich, Captain of the _Dainty_ of Sir JOHN HAWKINS's, one
of Sir WALTER RALEIGH's Fleet; and Master CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT, Captain
of the _Golden Dragon_, newly returned from the West Indies; and others.
These being assembled, he communicated with them what he had understood
of the foresaid Examinates; and what great presumptions of truth their
relation did carry: wishing that forasmuch as GOD and good fortune
had brought them together in so good a season, they would shew the
uttermost of their endeavours to bring these Easterlings [_here
meaning, the Carracks from the East: an unusual application of a word
ordinarily applied to Baltic ships_] under the lee of English obedience.
Hereupon a present accord, on all sides, followed; not to part company,
or leave off those seas, till time should present cause to put their
consultations in execution.
The next day [? 29th June 1592], Her Majesty's good Ship the
_Foresight_, commanded by Sir ROBERT CROSSE, came in to the
rest: and he, likewise informed of the matter, was soon drawn into this
Service.
* * * * *
Thus Sir JOHN, with all these ships, departing thence
[to some] six or seven leagues to the West of Flores; they spread
themselves abroad from the North to the South; each ship two leagues,
at the least, distant from another. By which order of extension, they
were able to discover the space of two whole degrees [=140 _miles_] at
sea.
In this sort, they lay from the 29th of June to the 3rd of August
[1592].
[At] what time, Captain THOMSON, in the _Dainty_, had first
sight of the huge Carrack, called the _Madre de Dios_ [the _Mother of
God_]; one of the greatest receipt [_burden_] belonging to the Crown of
Portugal.
The _Dainty_, being of excellent sail, got the start of the rest of our
Fleet: and began the conflict, somewhat to her cost, with the slaughter
and hurt of divers of her men.[5]
Within a while after, Sir JOHN BURROUGH, in the _Roebuck_ of Sir WALTER
RALEIGH's [Fleet], was at hand to second her: who saluted her with
shot of great ordnance, and continued the fight, within musket shot,
(assisted by Captain THOMSON [in the _Dainty_] and Captain NEWPORT [in
the _Golden Dragon_] till Sir ROBERT CROSSE, Vice Admiral of the Fleet
[there present], came up; [having] been to leeward.
At whose arrival, Sir JOHN BURROUGH demanded of him, What was
best to be done?
Who answered, That if the Carrack were not boarded; she would recover
the shore, and fire herself, as the other had done.
Whereupon Sir JOHN BURROUGH concluded to entangle her: and
Sir ROBERT CROSS promised also to fasten himself [in the
_Foresight_] to her together at the instant. Which was performed.
But, after a while, Sir JOHN BURROUGH['s ship, the _Roebuck_,]
receiving a shot, with a cannon perier, under water, and [being] ready
to sink; [he] desired Sir ROBERT CROSSE to fall off that he
might also clear himself, and save his ship from sinking: which with
difficulty he did. For both the _Roebuck_ and the _Foresight_ were so
entangled as, with much ado, could they clear themselves.
The same evening, Sir ROBERT CROSSE (finding the Carrack then
sure, and drawing near the Island) persuaded his company to board
her again; or else there was no hope to recover her: who, after many
excuses and fears, were by him encouraged. And so [his ship] fell
athwart her foreships all alone; and so hindered her sailing, that the
rest had time to come up to his succour, and to recover the Carrack ere
she recovered the land.
[Sidenote: The _Madre de Dios_ taken.]
And so, towards the evening, after he had fought with her alone three
hours singly, my Lord of CUMBERLAND's two ships [the _Tiger_
and the _Sampson_] came up: and, with very little loss, [they] entered
with Sir ROBERT CROSSE; who had, in that time, broken their
courage, and made the assault easy for the rest.[6]
The General [Sir JOHN BURROUGH] having disarmed the Portugals;
and stowed them, for better security, on all sides [_i.e. in the
various English ships_]; first had presented to his eyes, the true
proportion of the vast body of this Carrack; which did then, and may
still, justly provoke the admiration [_wonderment_] of all men not
formerly acquainted with such a sight.
But albeit this first appearance of the hugeness thereof
yielded sights enough to entertain our men's eyes; yet the pitiful
object of so many bodies slain and dismembered could not but draw
each man's eye to see, and heart to lament, and hands to help, those
miserable people; whose limbs were so torn with the violence of shot,
and pain made grievous with the multitude of wounds. No man could
almost step but upon a dead carcase, or a bloody floor. But especially
about the helm; where very many of them fell suddenly from stirring
[_steering_] to dying. For the greatness of the stirrage [_steering_]
requiring the labour of twelve or fourteen men at once; and some of our
ships, beating her in at the stern with their ordnance, oftentimes with
one shot slew four or five labouring on either side of the helm: whose
rooms being still furnished with fresh supplies, and our artillery
still playing upon them with continual vollies; it could not be but
that much blood should be shed in that place.
[Sidenote: Exceeding humanity showed to the Enemy.]
Whereupon our General, moved with singular commiseration of their
misery, sent them his own chirurgions, denying them no possible help or
relief he, or any of his Company, could afford them.
* * * * *
Among the rest of those, whose state this chance had made very
deplorable, was Don FERNANDO DE MENDOZA, Grand Captain and
Commander of this Carrack: who indeed was descended of the House of
MENDOZA in Spain; but, being married into Portugal, lived
there as one of that nation. A Gentleman well stricken in years, well
spoken, of comely personage, of good stature: but of hard fortune.
In his several Services against the Moors, he was twice taken prisoner;
and both times ransomed by the King [of Spain].
In a former voyage of return from [_or rather_, going to] the East
India, he was driven [in August 1585] upon the _baxos_ or "sands of
India" [_now called_ Bassas da India, _and situated midway between
Africa and Madagascar_], near the coast of Cephala [_Sofala_]; being
then also Captain of a Carrack [the _San Jago_], which was there lost:
and himself, though escaping the sea danger, yet fell into the hands
of infidels on land, who kept him under long and grievous servitude.
[_An account of this shipwreck will be found in Vol. III., pp._ 25,
311-316.] Once more the King [PHILIP II.], carrying a loving
respect to the man and desirous to better his condition, was content to
let him try his fortune in this Easterly Navigation; and committed unto
him the conduct of this Carrack [the _Madre de Dios_], wherein he went
[in 1591] from Lisbon, General of the whole Fleet: and in that degree
had returned, if the Viceroy of Goa, embarked for Portugal on the _Buen
Jesus_, had not, by reason of his late Office, being preferred.
* * * * *
Sir JOHN, intending not to add too much affliction to the
afflicted, moved with pity and compassion of human misery, in the
end, resolved freely to dismiss this Captain and the most part of his
followers to their own country; and for the same purpose, bestowed them
in certain vessels, furnished with all kinds of necessary provision.[7]
This business thus dispatched, good leisure had he to take such
[a] view of the goods as conveniency might afford. And having very
prudently, to cut off the unprofitable spoil and pillage whereunto he
saw the minds of many inclined, seized upon the whole to Her Majesty's
use; after a short and slender rummaging and searching of such things
as first came to hand: he perceived that the wealth would arise nothing
disanswerable to expectation; but that the variety and grandeur of all
rich commodities would be more than sufficient to content both the
Adventurers' desire and the soldiers' travail.[8]
* * * * *
And here I cannot but enter into the consideration and acknowledgment
of GOD's great favour towards our nation; who, by putting this
purchase [_booty_] into our hands, hath manifestly discovered those
secret trades and Indian riches which hitherto lay strangely hidden
and cunningly concealed from us: whereof there was, among some few of
us, some small and unperfect glimpse only; which now is turned into
the broad light of full and perfect knowledge. Whereby it should seem
that the will of GOD for our good is, if our weakness could apprehend
it, to have us communicate with them in those East Indian treasures:
and, by the erection of a lawful Traffic, to better our means to
advance true religion and his holy service. [_Just at the time RICHARD
HAKLUYT printed this, 1600 A.D.; he and others were chartered by Queen
ELIZABETH, as the English East India Company._]
* * * * *
The Carrack, being in burden, by the estimation of the wise and
experienced, [of] no less than 1,600 tons; had fully 900 of those,
stowed with the gross bulk of merchandise: the rest of the tonnage
being allowed, partly to the ordnance, which were 32 pieces of brass of
all sorts; partly to the passengers and the victuals; which could not
be any small quantity, considering the number of the persons, betwixt
600 and 700, and the length of the navigation.
[Sidenote: A brief Catalogue of the sundry rich commodities of the
_Madre de Dios_.]
To give you a taste, as it were, of the commodities, it shall suffice
to deliver you a general particularity of them, according to the
Catalogue taken at Leaden Hall, the 15th of September 1592. Where,
upon good view, it was found that the principal wares, after the
jewels (which were no doubt of great value, though they never came to
light), consisted of _Spices_, _Drugs_, _Silks_, _Calicoes_, _Quilts_,
_Carpets_, and _Colours_,&c.
The _Spices_ were Pepper, Cloves, Maces, Nutmegs,
Cinnamon, Green Ginger.
The _Drugs_ were Benjamin [_the gum Benzoin_],
Frankincense, Galingale [_or Galangal_], Mirabolams,
Aloes, Zocotrina, Camphor.
The _Silks_ [were] Damasks, Taffatas, Sarcenets,
_Altobassos_ that is counterfeit Cloth of Gold, unwrought
China Silk, Sleaved Silk, White twisted Silk, Curled
Cypress [=_Cypress lawn, a cobweb lawn or crape_].
The _Calicoes_ were Book Calicoes, Calico Lawns, Broad
white Calicoes, Fine starched Calicoes, Coarse white
Calicoes, Brown broad Calicoes, Brown coarse Calicoes.
There were also Canopies, and coarse Diaper Towels;
_Quilts_ of coarse Sarcenet, and of Calico; _Carpets_
like those of Turkey.
Whereunto are to be added the Pearls, Musk, Civet, and
Ambergris.
The rest of the wares were many in number; but less in value: as
Elephants' teeth; Porcelain vessels of China; Cocoanuts; Hides; Ebony
wood, as black as jet; Bedsteads of the same; Cloth of the rinds of
trees, very strange for the matter, and artificial in workmanship.
All which piles of commodities being, by men of approved judgment,
rated but in reasonable sort, amounted to no less than £150,000
sterling [=£600,000 _to_ £700,000 _now_]: which being divided among the
Adventurers whereof Her Majesty was the chief, was sufficient to yield
contentment to all parties.
* * * * *
The [above] cargazon [_cargo_] being taken out [at Dartmouth], and the
goods freighted in ten of our ships, [and] sent for London; to the end
that the bigness, height, length, breadth, and other dimensions, of so
huge a vessel might, by the exact rules of geometrical observations, be
truly taken, both for present knowledge and derivation [_transmission_]
also of the same unto posterity: one Master ROBERT ADAMS,
a man in his faculty of excellent skill, omitted nothing in the
description which either his art could demonstrate; or any man's
judgment think worthy the memory.
[Sidenote: The capacity and dimensions of the _Madre de Dios_.]
After an exquisite survey of the whole frame, he found: The length,
from the beak-head to the stern, whereupon was erected a lantern, to
contain 165 feet.
The breadth, in the second Close deck, whereof she had
three; this being the place where was most extension of
breadth, was 46 feet 10 inches.
She drew in water 31 feet at her departure from Cochin
in India: but not above 26 [feet] at her arrival in
Dartmouth; being lightened in her voyage, by divers
means, some 5 feet.
She carried in height, seven several stories [or decks]:
one main Orlop, three Close decks, one Fore-castle, and a
Spar deck of two floors apiece.
The length of the keel was 100 feet: of the Mainmast 121
feet; and the circuit about, at the partners, 10 feet, 7
inches.
The main-yard was 106 feet long.
By which perfect commensuration of the parts appeareth the hugeness of
the whole: far beyond the mould of the biggest shipping used among us,
either for war or receit [_burden_].
* * * * *
Don ALONSO DE BAÇAN (having a great Fleet: and suffering these
two Carracks, the _Santa Cruz_ to be burnt; and the _Madre de Dios_ to
be taken) was disgraced by his Prince for his negligence.
Captain NICHOLAS DOWNTON.
_The firing and sinking of the stout and warlike Carrack,
called_ Las Cinque Llagas _or_ The Five Wounds [_of the
Cross at Calvary, usually called the_ Stigmata] _by
three tall ships set forth at the charges of the Right
Honourable [GEORGE CLIFFORD] the Earl of CUMBERLAND and
his friends._
[Sidenote: Besides these three ships; there was a Pinnace, called the
_Violet_, or the _Why not I?_]
IN the latter end of the year 1593, the Right Honourable [GEORGE
CLIFFORD,] Earl of CUMBERLAND, at his own charges and his
friends', prepared three tall ships, all at [an] equal rate and either
[_each_] of them had [the] like quantity of victuals and [the] like
number of men: there being embarked in all three ships, 420 men of all
sorts.
The _Royal Exchange_ went as Admiral [_Flag Ship_]; wherein Master
GEORGE CAVE was Captain. The _May Flower_, Vice Admiral, [was]
under the conduct of [Captain] WILLIAM ANTHONIE. And the
_Sampson_, the charge whereof, it please his Honour to commit unto me,
NICHOLAS DOWNTON.
The directions were sent to us to Plymouth; and we were to open them at
sea.
The 6th of April 1594, we set sail in the Sound of Plymouth, directing
our course toward the Coast of Spain.
The 24th of the said month, at the Admiral's direction; we divided
ourselves East and West from each other, being then in the height of
43° [North]: with commandment at night to come together again.
[Sidenote: Commodities fit for Angola.]
The 27th, in the morning, we descried the _May Flower_ and the little
Pinnace [the _Violet_] with a prize that they had taken; being of
Vianna [do Castello] in Portugal, and bound for Angola in Africa. This
Bark was of 28 tons; having some 17 persons in the same. There were in
her, some 12 butts of Galicia wine; whereof we took into every ship a
like part: with some Rusk in chests and barrels, with 5 butts of blue
coarse cloth, and certain coarse linen cloth for Negroes' shirts; which
goods were divided among our Fleet.
The 4th of May, we had sight of our Pinnace and the Admiral's shallop:
which had taken three Portugal Caravels; whereof they had sent two
away, and kept the third.
The 2nd of June, we had sight of St. Michael, [ one of the Azores].
The 3rd day, in the morning, we sent our small Pinnace, which was
of some 24 tons, with the small Caravel which we had taken at the
Burlings, to range the road[s] [_harbours_] of all the Islands; to see
if they could get anything in the same: appointing them to meet us
W.S.W. 12 leagues from Fayal. Their going from us was to no purpose.
They missed coming to us, when we appointed: also we missed them, when
we had great cause to have used them.
* * * * *
The 13th of June, we met with a mighty Carrack of the East Indies,
called _Las Cinque Llagas_, or _The Five Wounds_. The _May Flower_ was
in fight with her before night. I, in the _Sampson_, fetched her up in
the evening; and (as I commanded to give her the broad side, as we term
it) while I stood very heedfully prying to discover her strength; and
where I might give counsel to board her in the night, when the Admiral
came [_should come_] up to us; and, as I remember, at the very first
shot she discharged at us, I was shot in a little above the belly;
whereby I was made unserviceable for a good while after, without [the
Portuguese] touching [_hurting_] any other for that night.
Yet, by means of an honest true-hearted man which I had with me, one
Captain GRANT, nothing was neglected.
Until midnight, when the Admiral came up; the _May Flower_ and the
_Sampson_ never left, by turns, to ply her with their great ordnance:
but then Captain CAVE wished us to stay till morning; at
what time each one of us should give her three bouts with our great
ordnance, and so should clap her aboard.
But indeed it was long lingered in the morning, until ten of the clock,
before we attempted to board her. The Admiral laid her aboard in the
mid ship: the _May Flower_ coming up in the quarter, as it should seem,
to lie at the stern of the Admiral on the larboard side.
[WILLIAM ANTHONIE] the Captain of the said _May Flower_ was
slain at the first coming up: whereby the ship fell to the stern of the
out-licar of the Carrack; which, being a piece of timber, so wounded
her Foresail, that they said they could come no more to [the] fight. I
am sure they did not; but kept aloof from us.
The _Sampson_ were aboard on the bow [of the Carrack]; but having not
room enough, our quarter lay on the [_Royal_] _Exchange_'s and our bow
on the Carrack's bow.
The _Exchange_ also, at the first coming, had her Captain, Master
[GEORGE] CAVE, shot in both the legs; the one whereof he never
recovered: so he, for that present, was not able to do his office; and,
in his absence, he had not any that would undertake to lead out his
Company to enter upon the Enemy.
My friend, Captain GRANT, did lead my men on the Carrack's
side; which, being not manfully backed by the _Exchange_'s men, his
forces being small, made the Enemy bolder than he would have been:
whereby I had six men presently slain, and many more hurt; which made
them that remained unhurt to return aboard, and [they] would never
more give the assault. I say not but some of the _Exchange_'s men
did very well: and many more, no doubt, would have done the like, if
there had been any principal man to have put them forward, and to have
brought all the Company to the fight; and not to have run into corners
themselves. But I must needs say that their ship [_the Carrack_] was as
well provided for defence as any that I have seen.
And the Portugals, peradventure encouraged by our slack working, played
the men; and had Barricadoes made where they might stand without any
danger of our shot. They plied us also very much with fire, so that
most of our men were burnt in some place or other: and while our men
were putting out the fire, they would ever be plying them with small
shot or darts. This unusual casting of fire did much dismay many of our
men, and made them draw back as they did.
When we had not men to enter; we plied our great ordnance much at
them, as high up as they might be mounted: for otherwise we did them
little harm. And by shooting a piece out of our forecastle, being close
by her, we fired a mat on her beak-head: which [fire] more and more
kindled, and ran from thence to the mat on the bowsprit; and from the
mat, up to the wood of the bowsprit; and thence to the topsail-yard;
which fire made the Portugals abaft in the ship to stagger, and to make
show of _parlé_. But they that had the charge before, encouraged them;
making show that it might easily be put out, and that it was nothing.
Whereupon again they stood stiffly to their defence.
Anon the fire grew so strong that I saw it [to be] beyond all help;
although she had been already yielded to us. Then we desired to be
off from her, but had little hope to [have] obtained our desire.
Nevertheless we plied water very much to keep our ship well. Indeed I
made little other reckoning for the ship, myself, and divers hurt men;
[but] then to have ended there with the Carrack: but most of our people
might have saved themselves in boats. And when my care was most, by
GOD's Providence only, by the burning asunder of our spritsail-yard
with [its] ropes and sail, and the ropes about the spritsail-yard of
the Carrack, whereby we were fast entangled, we fell apart; with [the]
burning of some of our sails which we had then on board.
The _Exchange_ also, being further from the fire, afterward was more
easily cleared; and fell off from abaft.
As soon as GOD had put us out of danger, the fire got into the
Fore-castle [of the Carrack]; where, I think, was store of Benjamin
[_the gum Benzoin_] and such other like combustible matter: for it
flamed and ran all over the Carrack in an instant, in a manner. The
Portugals leapt overboard in great numbers.
* * * * *
Then sent I, Captain GRANT with the boat; with leave to use
his own discretion in saving of them. So he brought me aboard two
Gentlemen:
The one, an old man, called NUNO VELIO PEREIRA which, as
appeareth by the Fourth Chapter in the First Book of the worthy
_History_ of [JAN] HUYGHEN VAN LINSCHOTEN, was Governor of
Mozambique and Cefala [_Sofala_] in the year 1582 [See _English
Garner_ III, 27, 28.]: and since that time, had been likewise a
Governor in a place of importance in the East Indies. And the ship [_a
Carrack_], wherein he was coming home, was cast away a little to the
east of the Cape of _Buona Speranza_ [Cape of Good Hope]: and from
thence, he travelled overland to Mozambique; and came, as a passenger,
in this Carrack.
The other was called BRAS CARRERO, and [he] was Captain of a
Carrack which was cast away near Mozambique; and [he] came likewise in
this ship for a passenger.
Also three men of the inferior sort we saved in our boat. Only these
two we clothed, and brought into England. The rest, which were taken
up by the other ships' boats, we set all on shore in the Isle of
Flores: except some two or three Negroes; whereof one was born in the
Mozambique, and another in the East Indies.
* * * * *
This fight was open off the Sound between Fayal and Pico; six leagues
to the southward.
The people which we saved told us, That the cause why they would not
yield was because this Carrack was for the King; and that she had all
the goods belonging to the King in the country [_India_] for that year
in her; and that the Captain of her was in favour with the King; and at
his [next] return into the Indies, should have been Viceroy there.
And withal this ship was nothing at all pestered; neither within board,
nor without: and was more like a Ship of War than otherwise. Moreover,
she had the ordnance of a Carrack that was cast away at Mozambique,
and the [Ship's] Company of her: together with the [Ship's] Company of
another Carrack that was cast away a little to the eastward of the Cape
of _Buona Speranza_. Yet through sickness, which they caught at Angola,
where they watered; they said, They had not now above 150 white men:
but negroes, a great many.
They likewise affirmed that they had three Noblemen and three Ladies in
her: but we found them to differ in most of their talk.
* * * * *
All this day [14th June 1594] and all the night she burned: but, next
morning, her powder, which was lowest, being 60 barrels, blew her
abroad; so that most of the ship did swim in parts above the water.
* * * * *
Some of them say, That she was bigger than the _Madre de Dios_; and
some, That she was less. But she was much undermasted, and undersailed
[_carrying too little sail_]: yet she went well for a ship that was so
foul.
The shot which we [in the _Samson_] made at her in great ordnance,
before we lay her aboard, might be at seven bouts [_broadsides_] which
we had, and 6 or 7 shot at a bout, one with another, some 49 shots. The
time we lay aboard [the Carrack] might be two hours. The shot which
we discharged [while] aboard the Carrack, might be [that of] some 24
sakers.
And thus much may suffice concerning our dangerous conflict with that
unfortunate Carrack.
* * * * *
The last of June [1594], after long traversing of the seas, we had
sight of another mighty Carrack; which divers of our Company, at the
first, took to be the great _San Philip_, the Admiral [_or Flag Ship_]
of Spain; but the next day, being the 1st of July [1594], fetching her
up, we perceived her indeed to be a Carrack: which, after some few shot
bestowed upon her, we summoned to yield; but they, standing stoutly to
their defence, utterly refused the same.
Wherefore, seeing no good could be done without boarding her, I
consulted what course we should take in the boarding. But by reason
that we, which were the chief Captains, were partly slain, and partly
wounded, in the former conflict; and because of the murmuring of
some disordered and cowardly companions: our valiant and resolute
determinations were crossed. And, to conclude a long discourse in few
words, the Carrack escaped our hands.
* * * * *
After this, attending about Corvo and Flores for some West Indian
purchase [_booty_], and being disappointed of our expectation; and
victuals growing short, we returned to England: where I arrived at
Portsmouth, the 28th of August [1594].
[Footnote 5: By noon, or one of the clock, of that day, being the 3rd
of August [1592], the _Dainty_ came near her so that the Gunner, whose
name was THOMAS BEDOME (being a proper tall man: and had
very good aim at anything, and good luck withal), desired the Captain
[THOMSON] he might give them a shoot: to let them understand
that they were Englishmen; and, under Her Highness, Commanders of the
Seas.
The Captain (having great care; and not willing to have any shoot shot
in vain) commanded him to forbear till they should come nearer her;
which was not long: when the Captain commanded him to do his best; and
carousing a can of wine to his Company, encouraged them to begin the
fight.
And coming up, [he] hailed them, after the manner of the sea; and
commanded them to strike for the Queen of England: which they no
sooner refused, but the Gunner, being ready, gave fire to
two whole culverins in her chase; and racked and tore her pitifully.
Bearing up with them, [we] gave them the whole [broad] side; and
boarded them presently: who resisted most courageously, and put us off
again.
Thus continued the _Dainty_ in fight a pretty while before any others
could come to help her.
In which time, she laid her aboard three several times, tore her
Ancient [_Flag_] from her Poop, and slew her Captain [?]. And more
harm had done them: but that, by chance, a shot bare their Foremast by
the board; which they were compelled to splice again, to their great
trouble.
_The Seaman's Triumph._ [30th September] 1592.]
[Footnote 6: The next was Her Majesty's good Ship, the _Foresight_;
whose Commander for that Service was Captain [Sir ROBERT]
CROSSE (a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath
adventured): who with his ship laid her aboard, and very valiantly
assailed them; and was most stoutly by the Spaniards also repulsed.
Insomuch that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak; and yet
being loath Her Majesty's Ship should be shaken off without victory,
fired the Carrack: rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies
to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded Spaniards, standing on
their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other: which
three times was kindled [on board the FORESIGHT]; to the great
cumber of Captain CROSSE and his Company, that would not so
leave them.
This dangerous conflict between these ships endured [a] long time.
Which the _Phœnix_ of Portsmouth perceiving...being of 60 tons or
thereabouts...left her for a time; standing with their Admiral and
Vice-Admiral, which were the _Tiger_ and the _Sampson_: and coming up
with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of the _Foresight_; who
presently bare up with them all the night. The _Sampson_, being the
first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside: and
shutting up into the _Foresight_'s quarter, entered his men into her.
Captain NORTON, that brave and worthy Gentleman, laid her also
aboard, having the _Tiger_ with him.
And so [all three crews] entered together, being 100 men at the least,
all resolutely minded. At whose entrance they yielded so great a cry as
the dismayed Portugals and Spaniards could not bethink themselves what
course to take to help themselves: in such a maze were they stricken,
although they were [originally] 800 strong, all well-appointed and able
men; and of ours but 100. But standing thus, as men amazed, at length
[they] yielded themselves vanquished.
_The Seaman's Triumph._ [30th September] 1592.]
[Footnote 7: They gan to consult, What were best to do with the
prisoners, which were many? And finding their great scarcity of
victuals; and not knowing what weather they might have; nor how it
might please GOD with good wind to prosper them: it was concluded to
ship as many of them as they might; and to send them for Lisbon. This
they fully determined; and provision was made of a Bark of Dover, which
they met: the Fleet taking in her men, and such provision as they had
in her; and embarked the Spaniards and Portingals, with their Negroes,
whereof were many. And gave them, with them, store of victuals; and so
gave them leave to depart; detaining none but the principalest of them.
_The Seaman's Triumph._ [30th September] 1592.]
[Footnote 8: The conflict ended, it were a world of wonder to recount
unto you the true reports, how our men bestirred themselves in
searching and prying into every corner of her as far as they might: as
they might well do, having with so great danger overcome her. The sight
of the riches, within the same contained, did so amaze the Companies
(that were within board of her: and that still came from every ship;
being desirous to see what GOD had sent them, after so long and hot
a fight) that many of them could not tell what to take; such was the
store and goodness thereof.
Yea, he that had known what [the] things had been worth, in a little
room might have contrived great wealth. For it is credibly reported
that some younkers happened to find many Jars of Civet, which is of
great worth; and [it having been] of some long time closely kept was
cause, when they opened the same, it yielded no savour: and they,
ignorant and not knowing what it should be, thinking it but trash, as
it came to their hands, heaved it overboard. Many other things were
so spoiled [_destroyed_] for want of knowledge; when every man had
sufficient, and that not one had cause to complain.
_The Seaman's Triumph._ [30th September] 1592.]
[Illustration: LAURA.
The Toys of a Traveller:
or
The Feast of Fancy.