the worshipfull Iohn Dimmocke Citizen and Draper of London, situate within
the famous Citie of London in the Realme of England, the abouenamed
honourable Osep Gregorywich Napea, Ambassadour and Orator aboue mentioned,
personally constituted and present, hauing declared vnto him by the mouth
of the right worshipfull master Anthony Hussie Esquire, the effect of the
causes and contents, of, and in this booke, at the interpretation of Robert
Best his interpreter sworne, recognized, and knowledged in presence of me
the Notarie and personages vnderwritten, the contents of this booke to be
true, as well for his owne person as for his seruants aboue named, which
did not subscribe their names as is ahoue mentioned, but onely recognized
the same. In witness whereof, I Iohn Incent, Notary Publike, at the request
of the said master Anthonie Hussie, and other of the Marchants haue to
these presents vnderwritten set my accustomed signe, with the Subscription
of my name, the day and yeere aboue written, being present the right
Worshipfull,
Andrew Iudde, Knight.
George Barne, " and Alderman of London.
William Chester " "
Rafe Greeneaway, "
Iohn Mersh Esquier.
Iohn Dimmock.
Blase Sanders.
Hubert Hussie, and
Robert Best aboue mentioned.
* * * * *
The voyage of the foresaid M. Stephen Burrough, An. 1557. from Colmogro to
Wardhouse, which was sent to seeke the Bona Esperanza, the Bona
Confidentia, and the Philip and Mary, which were not heard of the yeere
before. [Footnote: This voyage of Burrough's, undertaken at his own
instance, to the coast of Russian Lapland, has attracted little notice:
we learn from it, however, that the Dutch, even at this time, carried on
an extensive trade with Russian Lapland.]
May.
Vpon Sunday the 23 of May, I departed with the Searchthrift from Colmogro,
the latitude whereof is 64. degrees, 25. minutes, and the variation of the
compasse, 5 degrees, 10. minutes from the North to the East.
Wednesday (26) we came to the Island called Pozanka, which Island is within
foure leagues of the barre Berozoua. It floweth here at an East and by
South moone full sea.
Saturday (29) in the morning we departed from Pozanka, and plied to the
barre of Berozoua Gooba, whereupon wee came to anker at a lowe water, and
sounded the said Barre with our two Skiffes, and found in the best upon the
shoaldest of the barre 13. foote water by the rule. It higheth vpon this
barre, in spring streames 3. foote water: and an East Moone maketh a full
sea vpon this barre.
Sunday (30) in the morning wee departed from the barre of Berozoua, and
plied along by the shoalds in fiue fadome, vntill I had sight of S.
Nicholas roade, and then wee cast about to the Northwards, and went with a
hommocke, which is halfe a mile to Eastwards of Coya Reca, which hommocke
and S. Nicholas abbey lye Southsouthwest, and Northnortheast, and betweene
them are 11. leagues. Coia Reca is halfe a mile to the Eastwards of
Coscaynos. Coscaynos and the middles of the Island called Mondeustoua
ostroue, which is thwart of the barre of Berozoua lieth South and by East,
North and by West, and betweene them are 4. leagues, or as you may say from
the Seaboord part of the barre to Coscaynos are 3. leagues and a halfe.
Munday (31) at a Northeast and by East sunne we were thwart of Coscaynos.
Dogs nose lieth from Coscaynos Northnorthwest, and betweene them are eight
leagues: and Dogs nose sheweth like a Gurnerds head, if you be inwardly on
both sides of it: on the lowe point of Dogs nose there standeth a crosse
alone.
Iune.
1. From Dogs nose to Foxnose are three leagues, North, and by West.
The 2 day of Iune I went on shoare 2. miles to the Northwards of Dogs nose,
and had the latitude of that place in 65. degrees, 47. minutes. It floweth
a shoare at this place, at an East moone full sea, and the ship lay thwart
to wende a flood, in the off, at a Southsoutheast moone. So that it is to
be vnderstoode, that when it is a full sea on the shoare, it is two points
to ebbe, before it be a lowe water in the off. The variation of the
Compasse at this place is 4. degrees from the North to the East.
This day (3) the Northnorthwest winde put vs backe againe with Dogs nose,
where a ship may ride thwart of a salt house, in 4. fadome, or 4. fadome
and a halfe of water, and haue Landfange for a North and by West winde:
which Salt house is halfe a mile to the Southwards of Dogs nose.
Friday (4) at a Southsouthwest Sunne, wee departed from this Salt house. It
is to be noted that foure miles to the Norhwards of Dogs nose there growe
no trees on the banke by the water side and the bankes consist of fullers
earth. Ouer the cliffes there growe some trees: so that Dogs nose is the
better to be knowen because it is fullers earth, and the like I haue not
seene in all that Countrey.
A head of Foxe nose a league from the shoare there are 15. fadome: betwixt
Foxe nose and Zolatitsa there are 6. leagues, I meane the Southerly part of
Foxe nose.
Sunday (6) I sounded the barre of Zolatitsa, which the Russes told me was a
good harborow, but in the best of it I found but 4. foote water.
Munday (7) I had the latitude in 66. degrees, and then was point Pentecost
sixe leagues south of vs.
Wednesday (9) I went on land at Crosse Island, and tooke the latitude,
which was 66. degrees, 24. minutes.
We being one league Northeast of Crosse Island, I sawe the land on the
Eastside, which I iudged to be Cape good fortune, and it was then
Eastsoutheast of vs 9 leagues.
Cape grace is 7. leagues and a halfe Northeast from Crosse Island.
There are 2. Islands 5. leagues Northnortheast from Cape grace, the
Southermost of them is a little long Island almost a mile long, and the
Northermost a little round island, and they are both hard aboord the shore.
Cape Race is from the Southermost Island North and by West, betweene them
are two leagues, and from that and halfe a league Northnorthwest, there is
another poynt. Betweene which poynt and Cape Race, the Russes haue a
Stanauish or harborow for their Lodias: and to the Westwards of the sayd
poynt, there is a shoale bay.
Three leagues and a halfe to Northwards of Cape Race, we had the latitude
on the 10. day of this moneth in 67. degrees 10. minutes. Riding within
half a league of the shoare in this latitude I found it to be a full sea at
a North and by East moone. I had where we roade, two and twentie fadoome,
and the tallow which is taken vp is full of great broken shels, and some
stones withal like vnto small sand congealed together.
From a South sunne that wee weyed, the winde being at North and by East,
wee driued to the windwards halfe the ebbe, with the ships head to the
Eastwards. [Sidenote: Frost in Iune] And then when we cast her head to the
Westwards, we sounded, and had 22. fadome broken shels, and gray sand; this
present day was very mistie, with frost on the shrowds as the mist fell.
Friday (11) in the morning at an East sunne, the mist brake up a little,
the winde being at North and by West a stiffe gale, our shrowdes and roapes
ouer head being couered with frost, and likely to be a storme: I thought it
good to seeke an harborow, and so plied roome with the Islands which are
two leagues to the Southwards of Cape Race, and within these Islands
(thankes bee to God) we found harborow for vs. It higheth at these Islands
two fadome water: it floweth in the harborow at this place at a
Southsoutheast moone ful sea: and a sea boord it floweth at a
Southsouthwest moone a full sea. The Russes call this Island Tri Ostroue.
You may come in betweene the little Island and the great Island, and keepe
you in the mids of the Sound, and if you borrowe on any side, let it bee on
the greatest Island, and you shall haue at a low water, foure fadome, and
three fadome and a halfe, and three fadome, vntill that you be shot so
farre in as the narrowest, which is between the Northermost point of the
greatest Island, and the Southerne point of the maine which is right
against it, and then hale to the Northwards with the crosse which standeth
in the maine, and you shall haue at a lowe water 10. foote water, and faire
sand. And if you be disposed to goe through the Sound to the Southwards,
keepe the Northwest shoare aboorde, for on the Island side after you be
shotte so far in as the crosse, it is a shoale of rockes halfe the sound
ouer: which rockes do last vnto the Southerly part of the great Island, and
rather to the Southwards. And if you be constrained to seeke a harbor for
Northerly windes, when you come out of the sea hale in with the Southerly
part of the great Island, gluing the Island a faire birth, and as you
shoote towards the maine, you shall finde roade for all Northerly windes,
in foure fadome, fiue, sixe, and seuen fadome, at a lowe water.
Also within this great Island (if neede bee) you may haue a good place to
ground a ship in: the great Island is almost a mile long and a quarter of a
mile ouer.
This storm of Northerly winde lasted vntill the 16. of this moneth and then
the winde came Southerly, but we could not get out for ice. I went on shore
at the crosse, and tooke the latitude, which is 66. degrees, 58. minutes,
30. seconds: the variation of the Compasse 3. degrees and a halfe from the
North to the East.
Thursday (17) being faire weather, and the winde at North we plied to the
winde-wards with sailes and oares: wee stopped the flood this day three
leagues to the Northwards of Cape Race, two miles from the shore, and had
twentie fadome water, faire gray and blacke sand, and broken shels. And
when the slake came wee wayed and made aboord to the shoare-wards, and had
within two cables length of the shoare, eighteene fadomes faire gray and
blacke sand: a man may finde roade there for a North winde, and so to the
Westwards.
Two leagues to the Southward of Corpus Christi poynt, you may haue Landfang
for a North and by East-winde, and from that to the Westwards in 23. fadome
almost a mile from shoare, and faire sand, and amongst the sand little yong
small limpets, or such like as growe vpon muscles: and within two cables
length and lesse of the shoare are eighteene fadomes, and the sounding
aforesayd, but the yong limpets more plentifull. It was a full sea where we
roade, almost a mile from shoare, at a South and by West moone: two leagues
to the Southwards of Corpus Christi point is the vttermost land, which land
and Cape Race lyeth South and halfe a point to Westwards, and North and
halfe a point to the Eastwards, and between them are sixe leagues. Riding
this day (19) sixe leagues to the Northwards of Cape Race, the winde at
Northnorthwest, with mist and frost, at noone the sunne appeared through
the mist, so that I had the latitude in 67. degrees, 29. minutes.
Munday (21) we were thwart of Corpus Christi point, two leagues and a halfe
from shoare, or rather more, where we sounded, and had 36. fadoms, and
broken cocle shels, with brannie sand, but the broken shels very thicke.
Tuesday (22) in the morning we were shotte a head of Cape gallant, which
the Russes call Sotinoz. And as were shot almost halfe a league betwixt it,
and Cape comfort, the wind came vp at the Northwest, and after to the
Northwards, so that we were faine to beare roome to seeke a harbour, where
we found good harbour for all windes, and the least 7. fadome water
betweene S. Iohns Islands and the maine.
After that we came to an ancre, we tooke the latitude, which was 68.
degrees, 1 minute, after noone, the winde at North with plentie of snowe.
At a West Sunne there came aboord us certaine Lappians in a boate, to the
number of sixeteene persons, and amongst them there were two wenches, and
some of them could speake the Russe tongue: I asked them where their
abiding was, and they tolde mee that there was a companie or heard of them,
to the number of 100. men, besides women and children, but a little from vs
in the riuer Iekonga.
They tolde me that they had bene to seeke meate among the rockes, saying,
If wee get no meate, wee eate none. I sawe them eate rocke weedes as
hungerly, as a cowe doeth grasse when shee is hungrie. I sawe them also
eate foules egges rawe, and the yong birdes also that were in the egges.
I obserued certaine wordes of their language, which I thought good to set
downe for their vse, that hereafter shall haue occasion to continue this
voyage.
COWGHTIE COTEAT, what call you this.
PODDYTHECKE, come hither.
AUANCHYTHOCKE, get the hence.
ANNA, farewell.
TEYRUE, good morrowe.
IOMME LEMAUFES, I thanke you.
PASSEUELLIE, a friend.
OLMUELKE, a man.
CAPTELLA, a woman.
ALKE, a sonne.
NEIT, a daughter, or yong wench.
OVUIE, a head.
CYELME, an eye.
NENNA, a nose.
NEALMA, a mouth.
PANNEA, teeth.
NEUGHTEMA, a tongue.
SEAMAN, a beard.
PEALLEE, an eare.
TEAPPAT, the necke.
VOAPT, the haire.
KEAT, a hand.
SOARME, fingers.
IOWLKIE, a legge.
PEELKIE, the thombe, or great toe.
SARKE, wollen cloth.
LEIN, linnen cloth.
PAYTE, a shirt.
TOL, fire.
KEATSE, water.
MURR, wood.
VANNACE, a boate.
ARICA, an oare.
NURR, a roape.
PEYUE, a day.
HYR, a night.
PEVUEZEA, the Sunne.
MANNA, the Moone.
LASTE, starres.
COSAM VOLKA, whither goe you.
OTTAPP, sleepe.
TALLYE, that.
KEIEDDE PIEUE, a weeke.
ISCKIE, a yeere.
KESSE, Sommer.
TALUE, Winter.
IOWKSAM, colde.
PAROX, warme.
ABRYE, raine.
YOUGHANG, yce.
KEATYKYE, a stone.
SELLOWPE, siluer.
SOLDA, golde.
TENNAE, tinne.
VESKUE, copper.
ROWADT, yron.
NEYBX, a knife.
AXSHE, a hatchet.
LEABEE, bread.
IEAUEGOAT, meale.
PENCKA, the winde.
IOWTE, A platter.
KEMNIE, a kettle.
KEESTES, gloues.
SAPEGE, shoes.
CONDE, a wilde Deare.
POATSA, the labouring Deare.
Their wordes of number are these as followeth.
OFTE, One.
NOUMPTE, Two.
COLME, Three.
NELLYE, Four.
VITTE, Five.
COWTE, Six.
KEYDEEM, Seven.
KAFFTS, Eight
OWGHCHTE, Nine.
LOCKE, Ten.
OSTRETUMBELOCKE, Eleven.
COWGHTNUMBELOCKE, Twelve.
COLMENONBELOCKE, Thirteen.
NELLYNOMBELOCKE, Fourteen.
VlTTIENOMBELOCKE, Fifteen.
COWTENOMBELOCKE, Sixteen.
KEYDEMNOMBELOCKE Seventeen.
KAFTSNOMBELOCKE, Eighteen.
OWGHTNOMBELOCKE, Nineteen.
COFFTEYLOCKE, Twenty.
COLMELOCKE, Thirty.
NELLY LOCKE. Forty.
VITTELOCKE, Fifty.
COWTELOCKE, Sixty.
KEYDEMLOCKE, Seventy.
KAFFTSELOCKE, Eighty.
OUGHCHETELOKE, Ninety.
TEWET, One hundred.
Friday (25) in the morning we departed from Saint Iohns Island: to the
Westwards thereof, a mile from the shoare, we sounded, and had 36. fadoms,
and oazie sand.
Iuana Creos is from Cape gallant Westnorthwest, and halfe a point to the
Northwards, and betweene them is 7. leagues. The point of the Island, which
is Cape comfort, lyeth from Iuana Creos, Northwest and by North, and almost
the 3. part of a point to the Westwards, and betweene them are 3. leagues.
The Eastermost of S. Georges Islands, or the 7. Islands, lyeth from Iuana
Creos Northwest, and halfe a point to the Northwards, and betweene them are
14. leagues and a halfe. The vttermost of the 7. Islands, and Cape Comfort,
lieth Northwest, and by North, Southeast, and by South.
Vnder the Southermost Island you shall finde good roade for all Northerly
windes from the Northwest to the Northeast. From the Southeast part of the
7. Islands, vnto the Northwest part of them, are 3. leagues and a halfe.
From the Northwest part of the Islands aforesaid, vnto S. Peters Islands,
are 11. leagues Northwest.
(26). S. Peters Islands rise an indifferent low point, not seeming to be an
Island, and as if it had a castle vpon it.
S. Pauls Islands lie from S. Peters Islands Northwest and to the Westwards,
and betweene them are 6. leagues. Within these Islands there is a faire
sandy bay, and there may be found a good roade for Northerly windes.
Cape Sower beere lyeth from S. Pauls Islands Northwest and by West, and
betweene them are 5. leagues.
Cape comfort, which is the Island of Kildina, lieth from Cape Sower beere,
6. leagues West Northwest, and it is altogether a bay betweene them seeming
many Islands in it.
From Cape Bonauenture, to Chebe Nauoloche are 10. leagues Northwest, and a
litle to the Westwards. Chebe Nauoloche is a faire point, whereon standeth
a certaine blacke, like an emptie butte standing a head.
From Chebe Nauoloch to Kegor, is 9. leagues and a halfe Northwest, and
halfe a poynt to the Westwards. Kegor riseth as you come from the Eastwards
like 2. round homocks standing together, and a faire saddle betweene them.
It floweth where we road this Sunday (27) to the Eastwards of Kegor, at a
Southeast and by East moone, a full sea: we roade in 15. fadome water
within halfe a mile of the shoare: at a Northwest Sunne the mist came downe
so thicke, that we were faine to come to an ancre within lesse then a mile
of the point that turneth to Doms haff, where we had 33. fadome, and the
sounding like to the skurfe of a skalde head.
Munday (28) at afternoone, wee came into the Sound of Wardhouse, although
it were very mistie. Then I sent a man a shoare to know some newes, and to
see whether they would heare any thing of our ships [Marginal note: Which
were the Bona Esperanza, the Bona confidentia and the Philip and Marie.
Whereof the two first were lost].
Tuesday (29) I went on shoare, and dined with the Captaines deputie, who
made mee great cheere: the Captaine himselfe was not as yet come from
Bergen: they looked for him euery houre, and they said that he would bring
newes with him.
At a Northwest and by North sunne we departed from Wardhouse, toward
Colmogro.
Wednesday (30) we came to Kegor, where we met with the winde at East
Southeast, so that we were faine to go in to a bay to the Westwards of the
point Kegor, where a man may moare 2. or 3. small ships, that shall not
draw past 11. or 12. foote water, for all windes, an East Northeast winde
is the worst. It is a ledge of rocks that defendeth the Northerly winds
from the place where they moare. When we came into the bay we saw there a
barke which was of Dronton [Marginal note: Or, Trondon], and three or foure
Norway yeaghes, belonging to Northberne: so when I came a shoare, I met
first with the Dutchmen, amongst whom was the Borrowmasters sonne of
Dronton, who tolde me that the Philip and Mary wintered at Dronton, and
departed from thence for England in March: and withall he shewed me that
the Confidence was lost, and that he had bought her sailes for his ship.
Then the Dutchmen caried me to their Boothe, and made me good cheere, where
I sawe the Lappians chepen of the said Dutchmen, both siluer platters and
dishes, spoones, gilt rings, ornaments for girdles of siluer and gilt, and
certaine things made to hang about the necke, with siluer chaines belonging
to them.
The Dutchmen bring hither mightie strong beere, I am certain that our
English double beere would not be liked of the Kerile and Llappians, as
long as that would last.
Here I sawe the Dutchmen also haue course cloth, both blew, greene, and
redde, and sad horseflesh colour. And hither they bring also Ottars cases
and foxe cases, both blacke and redde: our English foxe cases are but
counterfaits vnto them.
They would not let me vnderstand any of their prises, but as I otherwise
vnderstood they bartered 2. load of siluer for 100 of stockfish, and 2.
loade is a doller. And the Dutchmen told me, and they had made a notable
good yeere this present yeere 1557. They tolde me that they should be faine
to goe to Wardhouse with one lading, and lay it on land there, and so come
againe and fetch another. The Borrowmasters sonne told me, that he would go
to Amsterdam with his lading of stockfish, who gaue me a barrell of strong
beere, and brought it in aboord our ship himseelf.
After this I went among the Russes and Kerils, who offered me fish to sell,
and likewise the Lappians desired me to look vpon their fish. I made them
answere, that I had nowe no wares nor money to barter with them, and said
that I came only to see if I might meete with our English ships. Then they
desired me that I would come thither the next yeere: I said to them, If I
should come the next yeere, I think here would not be fish ynough to serue
the Dutch and vs also. They answered me, that if more ships did resort
thither, there would more people labour to kill and make fish: and further
they said, that some of them came thither a fishing 8 weekes iourney with
Deere, which Deere will trauaile more speedily then horses will.
As I was thus in talke with the Kerils and Lappians, the Emperour of Russia
his deputie (who was there to gather the tribute of the Lappians) sent for
me to come to his tent, who after familiar salutations, made me good
cheere. He demanded of me why none of our ships came thither. I answered
him, because we knew not the place before now, neither yet heard of any
faire that was kept there. Then said he, If you will come hither, here
would more people resort to kill fish, I think it good (said he) that you
make a beginning. I tolde him, that by the grace of God the next yeere, one
English ship should come thither.
Because I sawe the seruants of the King of Denmarke there also gathering
the tribute, I asked Vasilie Pheodoruich the Russie deputie, whether the
Denmarks would not be a let to vs, if we should come to this Kegor. And he
said no, they should not: for this land is my kings, and therefore be bolde
to come hither.
The Kerils and the Lappians solde no fish, vntil the said deputie had
looked upon it, and giuen them leaue to sell. I asked him what wares were
best for vs to bring thither, and he said, siluer, pearles, cloth, blewe,
red, and greene, meale, strong beere, wine, pewter, foxe cases, and gold.
The Lappians pay tribute to the Emperour of Russia, to the king of
Denmarke, and to the king of Sweden. He told me that the Riuer Cola is
little more then 20. leagues to the Southwards of Kegor, where we should
haue great plentie of salmon, if corne were any thing cheape in Russia: for
then poore men would resort thither to kill salmon.
The Dutchmen tolde me that they had made a good yeere of this, but the
Kerils complained of it because they could not sell all their fish, and
that which they sold was as pleased the Dutchmen, and at their own price. I
asked the Kerils at what price they sold their fish to the Russes, and they
said good cheape: wee sell 24. fishes for 4. altines. I thinke they solde
little aboue 20. pence, the 25. fishes this yeere.
The Dutchmen tolde me that the best stockfish is made at Kegor. I sawe at
Vasiltes tent 7. or 8. iauelins, and halfe a dozen of bowes bent, with
their budgets of arrowes, and likewise swords with other weapons: Otherwise
I sawe no weapons there.
I was also conueyed to their lodgings, which gathered tribute for the king
of Denmarke, where I sawe a pair of bilbowes: and I asked whether they were
for the Lappians (if neede were,) and they said no, but onely for their
owne company if they should chance to be vnruly.
The Kerils and the Lappians are not to be trusted, for they will steale as
well as the Russes, if they may conueniently come by any thing.
Concerning my voyage, because the winde was scant to goe backe againe to
Colmogro, I tarried to the Eastwards of the poynt Kegor, and sent to land,
and baked two batches of bread in the ouens that the Kerils haue for their
prouision.
* * * * *
Instructions giuen to the Masters and Mariners to be obserued in and about
this Fleete, passing this yeere 1577. toward the Bay of S. Nicolas in
Russia, for this present Race to be made and returne of the same by Gods
grace to the port of London, the place of their right discharge, as in
the Articles ensuing is deduced.
First, it is accorded and agreed betweene the seuerall proprietaries and
owners, masters and companies of the foure ships, surnamed the Primrose,
the Iohn Euangelist, the Anne and the Trinitie, and the Lieutenant,
Consuls, assistants and companie of the Marchant aduenturers, that the
aboue named foure ships shall in good order and conduct, saile, passe, and
trauaile together in one flote, ging, and conserue of societie, to be kept
indissolubly and not to be seuered, but vnited within continuall sight, so
farre foorth as (by winde and weather) by possibilitie shall or may be
without any separation or departure of one from the other.
2 Item, it is agreed that the good ship named the Primerose, shalbe
Admirall of this flote, and that Anthonie Ienkinson Gentleman, shalbe
captaine thereof: and that all the other 3. ships shall ensue and folow her
in all courses, and that no course or waying (in harborough especially)
shall be made without aduice, consent and agreement of the sayd Captaine,
the Master, his mate, and two other officers of the said ship, or of three
of them at the least.
3 Item, that the said Anthonie is and shalbe reputed and taken for Captaine
general of the said flote together with all such orders, preeminences,
priuiledges and preferments as by the order of seas is due and accustomed
to a Captaine during his abode and exercise of the same.
4 If is also ordeined, that if any one or moe of the said 3. ships shalbe
out of sight either before or behinde the Admirall, that then the rest of
the ships shall tacke or take off their sailes in such sort as they may
meete and come together, in as good order as may be, to the intent to keepe
the consortment exactly in all poynts.