three Leagues from them, on their Star-board, a high Coast, and on the
other side a great Island, whither they drove with a small Gale;
approaching the same, two very small Boats came towards the _Hemskerk_;
the biggest of the two carry’d six Men, and the least three, all of them
very deform’d; they went stark naked, onely their Yards were ty’d up
with a String on their Bellies, and about their Arms hung Chains of
Mother-of-Pearl; they were Coal-black, onely red about the Mouth, which
redness was occasion’d by the chewing of _Pisang_; in their Hair stuck
woodden Combs, and on their Foreheads green Leaves; but in each Boat was
one who had a bruised Reed made fast in his Neck like a Plume; the
biggest Vessel was Painted with strange Shapes of Men and Beasts; they
us’d red Bowes and Arrows, and having call’d to the Seamen, they Row’d
back again to the Shore; which _Tasman_ left a Stern of him, and ran
between the Main Coast (by all suppos’d to be _New Guinee_) and several
great Islands, that lay scatter’d along before the Main Coast; from
whence came four small Boats, adorn’d with Imagery like Serpents, but
kept without Gun-shot from the Ships; at last one leaping overboard,
swam to the smallest Boat, out of which one swam back in his stead to
the other, and afterwards came to the _Hemskerks_ side; he was a black
Man, wore Leaves before his Privities, and Armlets about his Elbows;
through the Gristle of his Nose stuck a white Bone Bodkin, sharp at the
ends, and of a Fingers length, and about his Neck a String full of
Cockle-shells.
_Tasman_ Sailing on along the Main Coast, met with eighteen Boats more,
the Rowers whereof laid their Oars upon their Heads, and not without
strange Gestures call’d aloud, and invited the _Hollanders_ to come
ashore: On the Sterns and Heads of these Boats were likewise divers
Shapes Painted, upon a white Ground; in some were two, and in others
three, four, and five Men; eight of them going into the _Hollanders_
Boats, were made Drunk with _Arrack_. These _Southlanders_ went stark
naked, some onely covering their secret Parts with Leaves; their Skins
were black, onely on their Foreheads they drew a red Stroke, which
reach’d to their Ears; their brown curl’d Hair was by some colour’d
grey, by some red, some let it hang loose over their Sholdiers, others
ty’d the same in a Tuft on their Crown, cover’d with a Cap of _Pisang_
Leaves, others wore their Hair scarce two Fingers long, and through the
Gristle of their Nose, a piece of Cane or Quill, and a broad Beard
without Mustacho’s; they had nothing to barter but large Snail-shells,
on which they made a strange noise; and whatsoe’re they receiv’d, they
first smell’d on it like Dogs: they fancy’d not Nails, as all the other
_Southlanders_ had done. Their manner of Fishing was thus: They ty’d
several half _Clappes_-shells, made fast like a Chain, to a long Reed,
shook the same to and again on the Water, to gather the Fish together.
In the Boats lay Planks of an oval fashion, which by Ropes ty’d in the
middle they held before them in stead of Shields. When these
_Southlanders_ went from the Ships, one of them threatned to beat the
Seamen, shaking his great Club at them; whereupon they all Row’d with
great speed to the Shore, whilest one in every Boat knockt with a Staff
against the sides, just as if they had beat an Alarm. Amongst them one
had barter’d for an old Doublet, with which he shew’d many antick
Tricks, putting it on the wrong way, sometimes on his Head, then his
Feet into the two Arm-holes, and anon the Button-holes behind on his
Back.
The Ships Sailing from hence, ran along a broken Coast, and on the
twelfth of _April_ were so terribly shaken by an Earthquake, which
lasted an hour and a half, that they seem’d shivering to pieces in the
Water, as if they had ran against a Rock, notwithstanding they could not
fathom Ground with their longest Line. Somewhat farther they discover’d
a burning Mountain on an Island, between which and the Main (on which
stood also a very high Mountain) they steering their Course, came into a
white Water, mov’d by a strong River from the Continent; and coming to
an Anchor before the Island _Jamna_, they saw the Isles _Moa_ and
_Arimoa_ before them. The _Jamneans_ calling _New Guinee_ by the Name of
_Belah_, inform’d the _Hollanders_, that they Warr’d continually with
the Inhabitants thereof. These People being also Coal-black, some of
them had loose curl’d Hair, hanging down over their Shoulders in long
Braids, and others had onely two thick Locks, which cover’d their Ears;
all of them wore four Feathers on their Heads: the Men pull’d out their
Beards, and hung a great Bone Ring through their Ears, at which also
hung a Shell like a Spur; most of them had red Roses ty’d about their
Heads, and a Necklace of Hogs Teeth about their Necks; under their
Navels they wore Girdles, a handful and a half broad, and about their
Wastes Strings full of Shells, or Sea-Cockles, to which a small Lappet
was ty’d, and hung down before their Privities; but because it was but
two Fingers broad, and mov’d to an again by the Wind, their Nakedness
appear’d to those that took notice thereof; through the Gristle of their
Noses they wore a Hogs Tooth, or the Splinter of a Cane. Upon the Stern
of their small Boats was the Shape of a little Lyon. One of these
Islanders imitated the _Hollanders_ when they spoke, endeavoring to
repeat their words after them, and therefore was call’d _Parrot_.
_Tasman_ Sailing from hence to _Moa_, came to an Anchor before the
Coast, ten Leagues beyond _Jamna_, where a great Boat, carrying
seventeen Men, coming near the Ship, let flie a great many Arrows at the
Seamen; but the next Morning being better reconcil’d, they came aboard,
where the Chirurgeon of the Ship gave a Cap to one of the _Jamneans_,
who, as a testimony of his thankfulness for the Present, requested him
to sit down; which done, he began to braid his Hair from his Forehead to
his Neck, tying the same with a String.
_Tasman_ weighing Anchor, Sail’d between _New Guinee_ and the Island
_Insou_, having got nothing but a few _Jamnean_ words from the
Islanders, who call’d a Bone, _Vertilia_; a Hog, _Paro_; a Knife,
_Sapera_; Beads, _Sassera_; a Nail, _Tortor_; Sleep, _Moeni_; and a Rat,
_Asphoo_. So steering his Course along _Arimoa_, which is both higher
and larger than the neighboring _Amoa_, and resembles a Seaman’s Cap, he
left _New Guinee_ a Stern of him, and Steering on Northerly, Sail’d by
_Schoutes-Island_, where eight large Boats came within Gun-shot of him,
each of which had on each side a Wing, under which sat four Rowers, two
and two together, with their Feet hanging in the Water; at their
approaching near the Ship they put out a long Pole, with a white Flag
upon it; whereupon _Tasman_ also commanded his white Ensign to be put
forth, and threw a String of Beads, ty’d to a piece of Wood, out of his
Cabbin Window; which the _Southlanders_ had no sooner taken up, but in
testimony of thankfulness they all broke their Arrows over their Heads,
and kept near the sides of the Ship, till such time as the Boatswain
thereof sounded a Trumpet, upon the hearing of which they all Row’d away
with as much speed as they could possibly. These People were of a sallow
Complexion; they broke their Arrows with great Ceremony; for first they
pointed with them towards the Skie, then put them into the Water, and
breaking each Arrow in two pieces on their Heads, they threw one over
the Larboard, and the other over the Starboard; he that broke the Arrow,
made a long Speech to the _Hollanders_, who took the same for an Oath of
their Fidelity toward them. In every one of these Boats were twenty
eight or thirty Men.
[Sidenote: _Tasman_’s farther Voyage into _New Guinee_.]
_Tasman_ prosecuting his Voyage farther, discover’d the following day
another Island, and a crooked Arm of _New Guinee_, near which he judg’d
might be an Opening betwixt _New Guinee_ and _Gilolo_; then leaving on
his Starboard a great many blind Cliffs, dangerous Shelves, and uneven
Grounds, he cast Anchor near a Rock, which at high Water was overflow’d.
A Boat coming near the Ship, in which were six Men, whose long Hair hung
down their Backs, one of them amongst the rest standing up, call’d to
the _Hollanders_ in the _Ternaren_ Language, saying, _What People?_ to
which a Seaman, who understood and spake the said Language, answer’d,
_Spaniards_: whereupon he ask’d, _From what Countrey, and whither
bound?_ to which he was answer’d, _From Moa to Ternata_: The
_Southlander_ hereupon reply’d, _You are Deceivers, the Ship is not
Spanish, but Holland make_; whereupon _Tasman_ caus’d the Prince of
_Orange_’s Flag to be put out, which the _Southlander_ no sooner saw,
but he cry’d, _It appears by your Flags that you are Hollanders, who are
always more welcom to us than Spaniards_: However, though the Seaman
acknowledg’d his mistake, in saying they were _Spaniards_; yet the
_Southlanders_ would not stay within shot of them, but at their Rowing
away cry’d aloud, _Here is abundance of Pisang, Clappes, Potato’s,
Sugar-Canes, and other Fruits on Shore_.
From hence _Tasman_ Sail’d Northerly between many Isles, and a Channel
that separates _New Guinee_ from _Gilolo_, by _Cerani_, _Manipe_,
_Bolao_, and _Burro_, to a narrow Opening, where _Pangesane_ being on
his Larboard, rose with exceeding high Rocks, as _Botton_ on the
Starboard. These Rocks are most of them overgrown with Trees and
Brambles. In the middle of this Channel also lies a Rock, for its shape
call’d _A Galley_, by which _Tasman_ Sailing, bent his Course homeward,
and at last, on the fifteenth of _June_, Anno 1643. cast Anchor before
_Batavia_.
[Illustration]
CHAP. V.
Terra Borealis, or The Artick Region.
Having spoken something of the _Terra Australis Incognita_, or _Unknown
South-Land_, there remains something to be said of the opposite part,
namely, the _Terra Borealis_, or the _Artick Region_; which is call’d
_Incognita_ in like manner as the _Terra Australis_, in regard, though
very much, as well of the one as of the other, hath been search’d into,
and in part discover’d by several Voyagers, yet doubtless there is a
very vast Tract of Land, in the _Artick Region_ especially (if it be not
rather Sea,) which is altogether unknown, and those parts which have
been discover’d, as _Groenland_, _Iseland_, _Nova Zembla_, _Spilbergen_,
_Hudson’s Straights_ and _Bay_, &c. so imperfectly known, that they may
well deserve the Title of _Unknown_.
The several parts of this _Artick Region_ are, 1. _Terra Subpolaris
Incognita_, or that part which lies directly under the _Pole_, and is
otherwise call’d _Orbis Arcticus_. 2. _Groenland._ 3. _Spilbergen_, or
_Nieuland_. 5. _Iseland._ 6. _Nova Zembla._
[Sidenote: A Description of _Terra Subpolaris_.]
The _Terra Subpolaris_ is describ’d by a certain Seaman of _Bosleduc_,
to be a great black Rock, about thirty five Leagues in compass, and of
an extraordinary heighth; through the Land adjoyning to which the Sea
violently breaking, makes four great and violent _Euripi_, or
Whirlpools, whose Waters driving Northward with so forcible a Stream,
that no Ship, though carry’d by never so strong a Gale, is able to stem
the Current, are at last swallow’d up in the Earth. It is also reported,
that between two of these _Euripi_, namely that made by the _Scythick_
Ocean, and that on the back side of _Groenland_, there lieth an Island
Northward of _Lappia_ and _Biarmia_, inhabited by _Pygmies_. Much more
to this purpose is related of the _Subpolar_ Region, but since it is
very improbable that any one could come so near as to make any discovery
thereof, to say more of this Matter, would be but to insist upon things
favoring more of Fables than Reality.
[Sidenote: Bounds and Situation of _Groenland_.]
_Groenland_ is that part of _Terra Septentrionalis_, which winds about
from South to East, and decline Northward from Cape _Faruel_, in the
_Deucaledonian_ Sea; however, _Groenland_ hath been generally taken for
an Island; yet many late Navigators think it joyns with the Continent of
_Tartary_, and others leave it in doubt whether it be Island or
Continent: It is bounded towards the East with the _Deucaledonian_
Ocean; towards the West, with _Hudson’s Straights_ and _Bay_, which
separate it from _America_; towards the North its Bounds are altogether
unknown, and is not without reason suppos’d to be the utmost part of the
World towards the _North Pole_. There are who believe it to be one
Continent with _America_, and that upon this ground, because several who
have attempted to pass through the _Straight_ commonly call’d _The
Straight of Davis_, into the _East-Indies_, affirm, that they found it
to be a Gulph; but one Captain _John Monk_, who was also a great
Undertaker in the North-West Passage through this _Straight_, or _Gulf
of Davis_, alledges great Probabilities of this Lands being divided by
Sea from the Continent of _America_.
[Sidenote: The Topography of _Groenland_ from the _Danish_ and _Iseland_
Chronicles.]
This Countrey hath anciently been divided into two Regions,
_East-Groenland_ and _West-Groenland_; answerable to which Division
_Errick_, surnam’d _The Ruddy_, the Son of _Torvalde_, is reported by
the _Danish_ Chronicle to have built two Forts or Lodges, _Ostrebug_ and
_Westrebug_, in the Eastern part. The first Planters of _Christianity_
built the City _Garde_, which became, as the said Chronicle mentions, a
City of great Repute and Traffick, and not long after, the Town _Albe_,
and towards the Sea-Coast, a Monastery, dedicated to _St. Thomas_. The
City _Garde_ was a Bishop’s See, to which belong’d a Cathedral Church,
by the Title of _St. Nicholas_, built in the same City, though a certain
_Iseland_ Chronicle makes mention of the Church of _Strosnes_, as the
chief Metropolitan and Bishop’s See of _Groenland_. The Bishop assisted
oftentimes in the Assembly of the _Estates_ of _Denmark_, and held of
the Bishop of _Nidrosia_ or _Drunthen_ in _Norway_, as the Temporal
_Estate_ of _Groenland_ held of the Crown of _Norway_, the _Norwegians_
being the onely known Planters of this Countrey, deriving their Original
from the aforesaid _Errick_, according to the testimony of _Mr.
Vormius_, and also of _Angrimus Jonas_, in his _Specimen Islandicum_,
and the Vice-Roy of _Norway_, the _Nomophylax_ (as the said _Angrimus_
calls him,) or Sovereign Judge of the Countrey. The Inhabitants of
_Westreburg_, or the Western Coast of _Groenland_, are by some call’d
_Skreglinguers_. According to the _Iseland_ Chronicle, the Towns and
Places of chief note are _Skageford_, in the most Eastern part; a little
farther West the Port of _Funchebuder_, so call’d from a Page of _St.
Olaus_ _King_ of _Norway_, who together with several others were cast
away upon that place; a little higher, the _Roansen_, full of white
Bears, and other wild Beasts. In the Western Coast, _Kindelfiord_, an
Arm of the Sea; on the right Shore whereof stands _Korsekirk_, _i. e._ a
Church built cross-ways; also the Town _Vandalebug_, and not far off a
Monastery, dedicated to _St. Olaus_ and _St. Augustine_; the next Place
is _Rumpesinfiord_, where there is a religious Convent, and divers
little Islands, in which are Springs of Water, warm in the winter, and
temperate in the Summer, which are accounted Medicinal and of great
Vertue in the curing of divers Maladies; upon the same Coast lies
_Etsnatsfiord_; between which and _Rumpesinfiord_ is the Palace _Fos_,
and a great Church, dedicated to _St. Nicholas_; near the Promontory
_Clining_ is another great House call’d _Daller_, and beyond
_Eynatsfiord_, a great Island denominated _Reynatsen_, from the
abundance of Rein-Deer which breed there: In the same Island is a Quarry
of the Stone _Talguestin_, not consumable by Fire, and yet soft enough
to be cut into any form, insomuch that Vessels have been made of it,
containing twelve Tun. More Westerly lies the Island _Langen_, and
another Royal House call’d _Hellestad_, then _Erricksfford_, another Arm
of the Sea, and at the Entrance thereof, the Island _Herrieven_, part
whereof belongs to the _Dome_, or Cathedral, and the other part to the
Church of _Dunes_, the principal Church of _Groenland_, next to the
Cathedral. North-West from _Erricksfiord_ is _Midfiord_, and farther
Northward, _Bondeford_; near which are several little Isles and Ports.
Between _Ostrebug_ and _Westrebug_ is a large Desart, altogether
uninhabited.
This Description of the Countrey, Extracted from the _Iseland_
Chronicle, is look’d upon by a late _French_ Writer of note, as the most
particular and faithful; however, the _Danish_ Chronicle differs in many
things, and amongst others in this, that not the hundredth part of
_Groenland_ is possess’d by the _Norwegians_, but that there inhabit
several different sorts of People, of different Fashions and
Governments, altogether unknown to the _Norwegians_.
[Sidenote: Temperature of _Groenland_.]
_Groenland_, notwithstanding its Northerly Situation, is reported to be
a Countrey not unfertile of Corn, and other Productions of the Earth;
and in respect of its verdant Aspect at some Seasons of the Year, above
the rest of those _Septentrional_ Regions, it is concluded to have
merited the Name of _Groenland_, i.e. _Greenland_; nay, so great is the
Heat that is said to be there during the Moneths of _June_, _July_, and
_August_, by reason of the reverberation of the Sun-beams from the
Rocks, that many times there is but six Weeks space betwixt Seed-time
and Harvest.
[Sidenote: What sort of Animals breed there.]
The Beasts, which are said to breed here in great numbers, are Horses,
Deer, Foxes, Hares, Bears, both black and white, common Wolves, and a
sort of Beast between a Deer and a Wolf, besides great store of Beavers
and Martins, as the _Iseland_ Chronicle testifies, whose Furr in
fineness may compare with the Sables of _Russia_. There are also
Gerfalcons in abundance, both white and grey, of so delicate a kind,
that they were in ancient times sent to the Kings of _Denmark_ as
Presents of great rarity.
The Seas about _Greenland_ abound in very many sorts of Fish, as
Sea-Wolves, Sea-Dogs, Sea-Calves, and above all, incredible numbers of
Whales of a vast bigness.
[Sidenote: Strange kind of Horn found there.]
But the most remarkable Commodity of this Countrey, is a kind of Horn,
commonly call’d the _Licornes_, or _Unicorns-Horn_, which is found there
in great quantities, and great store of it is to be seen in _Denmark_,
some whole, some in great pieces, sometimes onely the Ends or Stumps;
but since it appears very different from all other kind of Horn, there
is great Question made amongst Naturalists, whether it be Horn or Tooth?
and if Horn, whether the Horn of a Beast or Fish? but it is discover’d
of late to be the Horn, or rather Tusk of a certain Fish, which the
Islanders call _Narhual_, being indeed a kind of Whale, as the Name
seems to imply; signifying a Whale which feeds upon Carcases.
[Sidenote: The chief Voyagers thither.]
This Countrey is call’d by the Natives, _Secanunga_; who was the first
Discoverer thereof is not certainly known, but the first chief Voyagers
thither were, of the _Dutch_, _William Barents_, or _Barentson_, of
_Amsterdam_, who set forth towards those Parts in the Year 1594. and
before him, _Dithmar Blefkens_, in the Year 1563. of the _English_, Mr.
_James Hall_, who set out from _Copenhagen_ in _Denmark_, Anno 1605. and
in a second Voyage was slain by a Salvage of the Countrey.
[Sidenote: The Coastings, Havens, and Creeks of _Groenland_.]
The Coastings, Courses, Havens and Creeks of _Groenland_, according as
_Barentson_ receiv’d an Account of them from _Iver Boty_, a
_Groenlander_ written in the _Norsh_ Language, as it is call’d, are as
followeth: From _Stad_ in _Norway_, to _Hornness_, the East part of
_Groenland_, it is seven days Sailing. Between _Iseland_ and _Groenland_
lieth a Riff call’d _Gombornse-skare_, the Ice lying upon which,
hindreth the Passage. Those that Sail from _Bergen_ in _Norway_ South of
_Rokeness_ in _Iseland_, come under _Swafster_, a Promontory, or high
Land in the East part of _Groenland_, and within sight of the high Mount
_Whitsark_; between which and _Groenland_ lieth a Headland, call’d
_Hernoldus Hook_, not far from _Sound-Haven_, formerly much frequented
by the _Norway_ Merchants. Those that Sail from _Iseland_ to
_Groenland_, Steer to _Snoffness_, West of _Rokeness_, and after
South-West. East of _Hernoldus Hook_ lieth the Village of _Skagenford_,
the most Easterly Village of the Island; East of _Skagenford_, the Haven
_Bearford_, inaccessible by Ships, by reason of a great Riff lying at
the Mouth thereof. This Place is chiefly remarkable for the
Whale-fishing, the Whales upon the going back of the Tide running into a
great _Swalth_, as they call it, which is in the Haven. East of
_Bearford_ is the Haven call’d _Allabong Sound_, full of little Isles.
East from the Icy Mountain, the aforemention’d Haven _Fendobothes_.
Farther East is the Highland _Corse Hought_, where they Hunt white
Bears. West from _Hernoldus Hook_ is the Village _Codosford_, and hard
by the Sea-Coast, a fair Church, which we conceive to be the same with
_Korsekirk_ above spoken of, as _Codosford_ may also probably be the
same with _Kindelfiord_. A little farther West lieth the _Boy_, or Town
of _Wartsdale_ (for in the _Norsh_ Language _Boy_ signifies a Town,)
belonging to _Petresuik_, or _Peterswike_ Church: Near this _Boy_ or
Town standeth a Cloyster, or Abbey of Canons Regular, dedicated to _St.
Olafe_ and _St. Augustine_. Next to _Codosford_ is _Rompnesford_, the
same questionless with the above-mention’d _Rumpesinfiord_, where there
is a Cloyster of Nuns of the Order of _St. Benedict_: In this Ford lie
many small Isles. Between _Rompness_ and the next Sound lieth a great
Garden call’d _Vose_, belonging to the King of the Countrey, as also
_St. Nicholas_ Church before mention’d. At the entrance into
_Emnestnesford_ is the Inlet _Southwoderswike_, and somewhat higher on
the same side, the little Cape _Bloming_, beyond the Inlet _Granwike_;
above that, the Garden call’d _Daleth_, belonging to the Cathedral
Church; and on the right-hand to those that Sail out of the said Sound,
a great Wood belonging to the same Church, where they feed their Oxen,
Kine, and Horses. The Highland lying by _Emestnesford_, is call’d _The
Ramas Hayth_, from the Rain-Deer which use to be there Hunted: And
hereabouts is that sort of Stone of which they make large Fats or
Cisterns, as hath been before intimated; it is by some call’d the
_Zevell-Stone_, being a sort of Marble, or (as some will have it)
Load-stone, of all colours. West from this lieth another Highland,
call’d _Long-Highland_. The next Sound is call’d _Swalterford_, having a
Church belonging to it of the same Name, and where there is also a
Garden belonging to the King, call’d _St. Hentelstad_. Next to that
lieth _Erricksford_, and at the entrance thereof the Highland _Erricks
Hought_, belonging to _Deverskirk_, the first Parochial Church in
_Groenland_. North-West from _Erricksford_, is _Megdenford_. Farther out
is a Church call’d _Scogelkirk_; and farther in the Sound, _Leadenkirk_.
Beyond _Erricksford_ is another Ford or Sound, by the Name of _Fossa_,
belonging to the Cathedral Church; and to the North of it, two Villages,
_Ever-boy_ and _Forther-boy_. From thence farther North lieth
_Bredaford_; and after that _Lormontford_; and from thence Westward,
_Icedeep_. To the North of the _Westland_ lieth a spacious Wilderness,
call’d _Hemel Hatsfelt_, and Edg’d with massie Rocks and Cliffs towards
the Sea side; beyond which the Sea is innavigable, by reason of the many
_Swalgen_, or Whirlpools thereabouts.
In _Groenland_ there are divers Hills, wherein are Silver-Mines,
multitudes of white Bears, with red Patches on their Heads; also white
Hawks, and all sorts of Fish. There are moreover in the Countrey divers
Rivers, frozen up for the most part of the Year, and cover’d with Ice;
yet it is generally affirm’d, that it is not so cold there as in
_Norway_ or _Iseland_. On the Hills are said to grow Acorns and Nuts,
very well tasted, and as big as Apples; also as good Wheat as is
commonly produc’d in other Parts.
[Sidenote: An Account of _Groenland_ from _Dithmar Blefkens_ his
_Journal_.]