our house and the Ice melted in our Cabins and the water dropped downe which was not so before how great soeuer our fire was but that night it was cold againe The eighteenth it was faire cleare weather with a South-east wind then our Wood began to consume and so we agreed to burne some of our Sea-coles and not to stop vp the Chimney and then we should not need to feare any hurt which we did and found no disease thereby but we thought it better for vs to keepe the Coles and to burne our Wood more sparingly for that the Coles would serue vs better when we should sayle home in our open Scute The one and twentieth it was faire weather with a West wind at that time taking of Foxes began to fayle vs which was a signe that the Beares would come againe as not long after we found it to be true for as long as the Beares stay away the Foxes came abroad and not much before the Beares come abroad the Foxes were but little seene The two and twentieth it was faire weather with a West wind then we went out againe to cast the Bullet and perceiued that day-light began to appeare whereby some of vs said that the Sunne would soone appeare vnto vs but William Barents to the contrary said that it was yet two weekes too soone The three and twentieth it was faire calme weather with a South-west wind then foure of vs went to the ship and comforted each other giuing God thankes that the hardest time of the Winter was past being in good hope that we should liue to talke of those things at home in our owne Countrey and when we were in the ship we found that the water rose higher and higher in it and so each of vs taking a Bisket or two with vs wee went home againe The foure and twentieth it was faire cleare weather with a West wind then I and Iacob Heemskerke and another with vs went to the Sea-side on the South side of Noua Zembla where contrary to our expectation I first saw the edge of the Sunne wherewith wee went speedily home againe to tell William Barents and the rest of our companions that ioyfull newes but William Barents being a wise and well experienced Pilot would not beleeue it esteeming it to be about fourteene dayes to soone for the Sunne to shine in that part of the World but we earnestly affirmed the contrarie and said that we had seene the Sunne The fiue and twentieth and sixe and twentieth it was misty and close weather so that wee could not see any thing then they that layed the contrary wager with vs thought that they had won but vpon the seuen and twentieth day it was cleare weather and then wee saw the Sunne in his full roundnesse aboue the Horizon whereby it manifestly appeared that wee had seene it vpon the foure and twentieth day of Ianuary And as we were of diuers opinions touching the same and that wee said it was cleane contrary to the opinions of all old and new Writers yea and contrary to the nature and roundnesse both of Heauen and Earth some of vs said that seeing in long time there had beene no day that it might be that we had ouerslept our selues whereof we were better assured but concerning the thing in it selfe seeing God is wonderfull in all his workes we will referre that to his almightie power and leaue it vnto others to dispute of but for that no man shall thinke vs to be in doubt thereof if wee should let this passe without discoursing vpon it therefore we will make some declaration thereof whereby we may assure our selues that we kept good reckoning You must vnderstand that when we first saw the Sun it was in the fift degr and 25. min. of Aquarius and it should haue staid according to our first ghessing till it had entred into the 16. deg and 27. min. of Aquarius before he should haue shewed there vnto vs in the height of 76. deg Which we striuing and contending about it amongst our selues could not be satisfied but wondred thereat and some amongst vs were of opinion that we had mistaken our selues which neuerthelesse we could not be perswaded vnto for that euery day without sayle wee noted what had past and also had vsed our Clocke continually and when that was frozen wee vsed our Houre-glasse of twelue houres long whereupon wee argued with our selues in diuers wise to know how we should finde out that difference and leaue the trueth of the time which to trie wee agreed to looke into the Ephemeridâs made by Iosephus Schâla Printed in Venice for the yeeres of our Lord 1589. till A. 1600. and we found therein that vpon the foure and twentieth day of Ianuary when the Sun first appeared vnto vs that at Venice the Clocke being one in the night time the Moone and Iupiter were in coniunction whereupon we sought to know when the same coniunction should be ouer or about the house where wee then were and at last wee found that the foure and twentieth day of Ianuary was the same day whereon the coniunction aforesaid happened in Venice at one of the clocke in the night and with vs in the morning when the Sunne was in the East for we saw manifestly that the two Planets aforesaid approached neere vnto each other vntill such time as the Moone and Iupiter stood one iust ouer the other both in the signe of Taurus and that was at sixe of the clocke in the morning at which time the Moone and Iupiter were found by our Compasse to be in coniunction ouer our house in the North and by East-point and the South part of the Compasse was South South-west and there we had it right South the Moone being eight dayes old whereby it appeareth that the Sunne and the Moone were eight points different and this was about sixe of the clocke in the morning this place differeth from Venice fiue houres in longitude whereby we may ghesse how much we were neerer East then the Citie of Venice which was fiue houres each houre being 15. degrees which is in all 75. degrees that we were more Easterly then Venice by all which it is manifestly to be seene that wee had not fayled in our account and that also wee had found our right longitude by the two Planets aforesaid for the Towne of Venice lieth vnder 37. degrees and 25. minutes in longitude and her declination is 46. degrees and 5. minutes whereby it followeth that our place of Noua Zembla lieth vnder 112. degrees and 25. minutes in longitude and the height of the Pole 76. degrees and so you haue the right longitude and latitude but from the vttermost point of Noua Zembla to the point of Cape de Tabin the vttermost point of Tartaâia where it windeth Southward the longitude differeth 60. degrees but you must vnderstand that the degrees are not so great as they are vnder the Equinoctiall Line
same day wee stood for Cherie Iland but meeting with contrary winds and foule weather we bare backe againe for the Cape and fell with the Land the fourth day The fift day in the morning we put the second time from the North Cape and the eight day wee anchored at Cherie Iland It did freeze very hard but we found no Ice about the Iland saue that which claue to the Rockes We went into the Coue with our Shallop and found eight Morses on the Ice hard by the shoares side And we also found all the beasts that were killed the last yeere not washed away with the Sea couered ouer with Snow and Ice Wee thought to haue gotten abundance of Fowle as wee had done in the yeeres before but they would not sit the reason was because they were but new come to the Iland and not setled as then yet some Fowle we got and came aboord And because the wind was Northerly that we could not conueniently goe to the North side with the ship we determined to send some men ouer Land to see if there were any Morses on shoare vpon that side The ninth day I prepared to goe ouer Land to the North side about a North-east Sunne with three men in my companie I my selfe had a Musket and about a quarter of a pound of Powder and sixe Bullets an Halfe-pike in mine hand and an Hatchet at my backe One of the men had a birding Peece the other two had each of them a Iauelin Wee went ouer the Snow and Ice apace outward but came wearily homeward by reason we rested not any where And when we were within a mile of the other side one of my companie said he saw a Beare whereupon we looked vp and saw three great ones Whereupon I made a stand and gaue each of my companie some Aqua vitae and a little Bread and told them that wee must not in any case seeme fearefull because the nature of them is such that whosoeuer seemeth fearefull or offereth to runne away they will seize vpon him In this time I made my Musket readie and the Beares seeing vs to come toward them stood vpon their feet and two of them went toward the Sea The third stood still champing and foming as though hee would haue eaten vs. When I was within shot of him he beganne to follow his fellowes still looking behind him with his former gesture In the meane while I got ground of him the three men following mee with their weapons In the end the angry deuill turned backe and came directly toward mee I let him come within two long Pikes lengths and gaue him such a welcome that hee fell downe stone dead The company that were with me were glad as well as I yet I had beene at the killing of Beares before After this Beare was slayne we told seuenteene more whereof three were young ones This done we went on to the Sea side where we found the Shallop which we left the yeere before Wee were no sooner set to eate a little food but there came a Beare with two young ones as big as Lambes of a moneth old they skipped about their dams necke and played with one another very wantonly The dame came so neere that I shot at her and being loth to hurt the young ones being playing about her fore-parts I shot her through the top of the shoulder then she went away Immediatly we saw another Beare comming toward vs which before he came to vs stood vpon his hinder feet twice or thrice vsing the same countenance that the first did which I slue I let him come very neere and thinking to giue him his pasport the flint of my Musket was broken which made him come very neere vs. Then the fellow that had the birding piece shot him into the foot whereupon he ran away faster then wee could follow him Wee seeing so many Beares and hauing no store of Powder nor Shot bent our iourney toward our ship againe Wee had not come a quarter of a mile but wee saw a huge Beare fast a sleepe on the Snow I went softly toward him and gaue him such a filip that he neuer rose out of the place where he lay His skin when he was flayed was thirteene foot long A neere neighbour of his hearing the report of my Peece came toward me and him I slue also Now hauing but one shot left I thought it not best to bestow it there although I saw another lie vpon the Snow hard by While we sate downe to rest vs in the mid-way there came toward vs another Beare with one young one they came almost within shot and went backe againe presently shee turned againe and came within shot of me and stood on her hinder legs directly vpright and so did the young one I made account they would haue come neerer but they to the contrarie ran away Wee came being very wearie aboord our ship about a North-west Sunne Then wee weighed and stood to the Northward hauing the wind at South and by three of the clocke the next morning wee came to the North-east Point with the ship There wee manned our Shallop and Master Thomas Welden and I went on shoare where hee slue fiue Beares and I one and I wounded two more very sore And before a North Sunne our men had fleyed them all both them that I slue the day before and them that wee slue this last time for they were all together The eleuenth day we went on Land and washed some old fleyed Morses skinnes which had lyen there two yeeres but they will hardly proue good The twelfth day we rid at the West side and got some Fowle with shot and there we rid till the thirteenth The thirteenth wee saw very much Ice to the Southwards and Westwards wich came driuing so fast toward the shoare where wee rid that wee were forced to weigh and stood to the North side of the Iland The Ice followed vs still then wee stood to the East side of the Iland and there wee found both the Iland and our selues encompassed round with Ice But the winde being Westerly and a good stiffe gale it blew the Ice about a mile and an halfe from the Eastern side by which meanes wee got betwixt the Ice and the Iland and stood to the Southward but saw not any thing in all the Sea saue Ice sauing close by the Land a little open Sea trending to the South-westward That way wee stood with our fore top-sayle and stood one while one way and another while another way and could not see open Sea till the fifteenth of the same moneth at a North-west Sunne wee saw the open Sea onely a ledge of Ice which began to part insunder was betwixt vs and it Toward that place we stood and intending by Gods helpe to get through we made prouision to defend the ship from the Ice by hanging Cables ends and Plankes and
mid-night seuenteene leagues then the wind scanted and came at West we stood North North-west one league and a halfe then the wind being more Southerly wee sayled West North-west fiue leagues From the last till this day at noone our way was out of diuers courses North-west and by West foure and twentie leagues We had the Sunne beginning to fall at South and by West in the latitude of 70. degrees 54. minutes The fifteenth faire but towards night like to be stormie with thunder the wind betweene South and South South-east from this till the sixteenth day at noone our course was West and by North seuen and twentie leagues and the Sunne then began to fall at South three quarters of a point Westward in the latitude of 70. degrees 42. minutes The sixteenth faire our way was from this till next day at noone North-west twelue leagues out of diuers courses and we had the wind shifting sometimes at East at West South-west and West and by North the latitude by a bad obseruation 71. degrees 44. minutes The seuenteenth in the fore-noone faire the wind being at West and by North. At foure a clocke this morning we saw Land beare off vs West and South South-west which was about Ward-house this after-noone wee had a storme at West and by North we layed it to trie till eight a clocke in the Eeuening and then set sayle with the wind betweene West North-west and North-west our course till the next day at noone was South-west and by South twelue leagues the Cape Hopewell bore off vs South South-west and we were foure or fiue leagues from land The eighteenth gusty with raine all the fore-noone then we had the wind shifting till next day at noone from South South-east to East and South-east our course in generall was North-west foure and twentie leagues then did North Kene beare off vs West halfe a point Southward being from vs foure leagues and the North Cape in sight bearing West and by North c. The seuen and twentieth cold with raine and storme this night we began to burne Candle in the Betacle which we had not done since the nineteenth of May by reason wee had alwaies day from thence till now The thirtieth we had the Sunne vpon the Meridian due South in the latitude of 68. degrees 46. minutes whereby we found vs to bee afore our ship ten or twelue leagues and Lowfoot bore East of vs but not in sight The seuenth of August I vsed all diligence to arriue at London and therefore now I gaue my companie a certificate vnder my hand of my free and willing returne without perswasion or force of any one or more of them for at my being at Noua Zembla the sixt of Iuly voide of hope of a North-east passage except by the Vaygats for which I was not fitted to trie or proue I therefore resolued to vse all meanes I could to sayle to the North-west considering the time and meanes wee had if the wind should friend vs as in the first part of our Voyage it had done and to make triall of that place called Lumleys Iulet and the furious ouer-fall by Captayne Dauis hoping to runne into it an hundred leagues and to returne as God should enable mee But now hauing spent more then halfe the time I had and gone but the shortest part of the way by meanes of contrary winds I thought it my dutie to saue Victuall Wages and Tackle by my speedy returne and not by foolish rashnesse the time being wasted to lay more charge vpon the action then necessitie should compell I arriued at Grauesend the six and twentieth of August CHAP. XVI The third Voyage of Master HENRIE HVDSON toward Noua Zembla and at his returne his passing from Farre Ilands to New-found Land and along to fortie foure degrees and ten minutes and thence to Cape Cod and so to thirtie three degrees and along the Coast to the Northward to fortie two degrees and an halfe and vp the Riuer neere to fortie three degrees Written by ROBERT IVET of Lime-house ON Saturday the fiue and twentieth of March 1609. after the old Account we set sayle from Amsterdam and by the seuen and twentieth day we were downe at the Texel and by twelue of the clocke we were off the Land it being East of vs two leagues off And because it is a journey vsually knowne I omit to put downe what passed till we came to the height of The North Cape of Finmarke which we did performe by the fift of May stilo nouo being Tuesday On which day we obserued the height of the Pole and found it to bee 71. degrees and 46. minutes and found our Compasse to vary six degrees to the West and at twelue of the clocke the North Cape did beare South-west and by South tenne leagues off and wee steered away East and by South and East After much trouble with fogges sometimes and more dangerous of Ice The nineteenth being Tuesday was close stormie weather with much wind and snow and very cold the wind variable betweene the North North-west and North-east We made our way West and by North till noone Then we obserued the Sunne hauing a slake and found our heigth to bee 70. degrees 30. minutes And the ship had out-runne vs twentie leagues by reason of the set of the streame of The White Sea and we had sight of Wardhouse Then at two of the clocke wee tacke to the Eastward for we could not get about the North Cape the wind was so scant and at eight of the clocke at night on the one and twentieth the North Cape did beare South-east and by South seuen leagues off And at mid-night Assumption Point did beare South and by East fiue leagues off vs. The two and twentieth gusting weather with haile and snow the Sunne breaking out sometimes we continued our course along the Land West South-west And at tenne of the clocke at night we were thwart off Zenam The bodie of it did beare East off vs fiue leagues and the course from the North Cape to Zenam is for the most part West and by South and West South-west fiftie foure leagues The three and twentieth faire Sun-shining weather the wind at East and by South and East South-east wee steered along the Land South-west and South-west and by West eight leagues a Watch for so we found the Land to lye from Zenam to Lofoote And the distance is fiftie leagues from the bodie of Zenam to the Westermost Land of Lofoote And from the one to the other the course is South-west and by West For the Needle of our Compasse was set right to the North. At twelue of the clocke at night the bodie of Lofoote did beare South-east sixe leagues off The foure and twentieth faire cleere Sun-shining weather the wind variable vpon all points of the Compasse but most vpon the South-east and sometimes calme We continued our course West South-west as before And
standing to the Northwards I saw the Sea couered with Ice which lay close to the Land which made me stand to the Southwards again I obserued at Gurnerds-nose and found the Poles height 79. degrees 50. minutes At a North-west Sun the same day I sent the skiffe on Land to search the Coast to the Southwards of Knottie-point where I sounded and had twenty foure fathomes Foule-ground and in the Fayre-way I sounded hauing these depths 30.35.45 and 48. fathomes all Rocky-ground By the seuenteenth day I was in the entrance of Close-coue at a South Sun at which time the Skiffe came aboord and brought a Beares skin and a Buck and a good quantite of Whales Fins and an Vnicornes horne which was fiue foot and seuen inches long and in the biggest part of it it was seuen inches and a halfe about The eighteenth day at a South Sun I came into the Road where I rid all that day hauing very much wind and raine that wee could doe nothing At a North Sunne I sent my Mate with the Skiffe and sixe men to seeke for more Fins c. The ninteenth day at a North Sun they came aboord hauing slaine ten Beares three of their skins and fat they brought aboord and a good quantitie of Fins and six paire of teeth The twentieth day in the morning I sent both the Boat and Skiffe to slay the other seuen Beares the wind being at North faire weather But they were no sooner gone but it blew very hard at North which brought abundance of Ice out of the bottome of the Sound but did the Ship no hurt At a West South West Sunne the Boats came aboord with the Beares skins the wind abouesaid set so much Ice out of the sound vpon the Ship that it inforced mee to set sayle The one and twentieth day at a North Sun I stood towardes Fayer-forland and sent out the skiffe The two and twentieth day at a South-east sunne they came aboord with the skiffe laden with Fins and killed fiue Deere Then I went on Land to search what I could find and I slew a Beare and tooke a young one aliue and at three of the clocke in the afternoone I came aboord with the skiffe laden with Fins The three twentieth day at a South-east sun the Boat came aboord and brought a good quantitie of Finnes and a Beares skinne Then I stood toward Cape-cold and the same day at a South sunne I sent the skiffe on Land to the Northwards of the Cape where they found sixteene Mohorses on a rocke which they slue and at a North-east sun the foure and twentieth day they had brought all the teeth and blubber of them aboord at which time the wind came to the North-west and blew verie hard then I stood towardes the Ice-sound to seeke what commodities it would yeeld At a North sunne I was neere Black-point which hath a great many sunken Rockes lying on the southermost end of it therefore you must come no neerer that shoare then twentie fiue fathomes The fiue and twentieth day till a South sun it was calme and the tyde droue the ship so farre from the Land that I could not send the boat on shoare The sixe and twentieth day at a South South-west Sunne I came aboord more laden with trauell then commodities at which time I slue a Buck. Then I stood toward Ice-sound and at a Point which parteth Foule-sound and Ice-sound I had thirtie fathomes oze so to ten fathomes Rockes then I steered East along the shoare and had betwixt thirtie and fifteene fathomes oze and sand In fifteen fathomes I anchored hauing the wind at North North-west faire weather at a North-west sun at a North sun I sent the skiffe to the shoare to search for commodities The seuen and twentieth day of Iune at an East North-east sun they came aboord and brought a good parcell of fins At six of the clock I sent the Skiffe to the Land againe and set sayle with the ship but it being calme and the tide setting the Ship towards a ledge of rocks made mee to anchor againe At a South South-east Sun they came aboord againe and brought a good quantitie of fins at a South Sunne I sent the Skiffe towardes the mouth of Ice-sound and in the entrance thereof I found a Coue in the which was twentie fathomes and so to thirteene but by reason of the tyde and edy-winds I could not get into it here the Skiffe came aboord and brought a few finnes Then I steered to another Sound in the Southside of Ice-sound where I anchored in twentie fathomes oze the same day at a North Sun The eight and twentieth day I stayed at the place abouesaid and tried the Beares grease to bring it into oyle and when we were all busied a Beare came swimming ouer the Bay towards the ship which I slew and split my Peece the wind being at West The nine and twentieth day at a South-east Sunne I sent the skiffe to search the Coast to the Westwards of this Bay the wind at North-west The last of Iune the skiffe came aboord at a South-east Sunne and brought a few Finnes and a Bucke the wind at North. The first of Iuly being Sunday I rid at the place abouesaid in hope to haue more Moon Land I obserued heere and found this place in 78. degrees 24. minutes and the variation Westwards seuenteene degrees Then I sent the skiffe to see if any more beasts were on Land The wind at Northwest faire weather The second day at a North North-east Sunne they came aboord and brought two Deere The third wee slew a few Morses whose teeth and blubber wee brought aboord at a North-west Sunne at which time I slew a Pricket this place I named the Green-hauen Immediately I sent the skiffe to take the teeth and fat of seuen beasts which lay slaine in another place The wind at West thicke foggie weather It floweth here on the Change day South and by West and hyeth sixe foot water and runneth halfe tyde halfe quarter The fourth day wee rid still at the South-west with fogges and raine and very much wind at the same time I saw great store of Ice in Ice sound The fifth day at a North-east Sunne I wayed the wind at West thicke weather and in standing out wee slew a she Beare and tooke her two young ones Indifferent faire weather we lay becalmed all this day The sixth day I was off Lownesse at a South Sunne the wind being at East blew so hard with raine and thicke weather that I was enforced to take in all the sayles saue a Mayne course which storme continued till eight at night at which time I set more sayle and stood to the Southwardes hoping to get some goods that way The seuenth day at noone the wind came to the North-east and then it began to bee cleere weather at what time I saw the Land of Bel-sound whither
neerer the Land so that wee iudged our selues three leagues off Here we sounded againe and had but eightie fathoms The variation of the Compasse we found to be 22. degrees and 10. minutes Westward At fiue of the clocke there sprung vp a fine gale of winde at East South-east and being so neere night wee stood to the Southward thinking the next day to seeke some harbour But it pleased God the next day being the twelfth to send vs a storme of foule weather the winde being at East and by South with fogge so that we could by no meanes get the shoare Thus wee were forced to beate vp and downe at Sea vntill it should please God to send vs better weather The foureteenth I thought good to stand to the Westward to search an Inlet in the latitude of 56. degrees I haue good hope of a passage that way by many great and probable reasons The fifteenth the winde continued at the South with exceeding faire weather and our course was West We were this day at noone in the latitude of 55. degrees and 31. ãâ¦ã I found the variation to be 17. degrees and 1â minutes to the Westward And about seuen of the clocke at night we descried the Land againe being tenne leagues to the Eastward of this Inlet This Land did beare from vs South-west some eight leagues off and about nine of the clocke the same night the winde came to the West which blew right against vs for our entring into this Inlet The sixteenth the winde was at West North-west and was very faire weather and our course South-west about nine of the clocke in the forenoone we came by a great Iland of Ice and by this Iland we found some peeces of Ice broken off from the said Iland And being in great want of fresh water wee hoysed out our Boates of both Shippes and loaded them twice with Ice which made vs very good fresh water This day at noone wee found our selues to be in the latitude of 55. degrees and twentie minutes when we had taken in our Ice and Boates the weather being very faire and cleare and the winde at West North-west we bent our course for the Land and about three of the clocke in the afternoone we were within three leagues of the shoare It is a very pleasant low Land but all Ilands and goodly sounds going betweene them toward the South-west This Land doth stand in the latitude of 55. degrees and I found the variation to be to the West â8 degrees and 12. minutes This coast is voide of Ice vnlesse it be some great Ilands of Ice that come from the North and so by windes may be âriuen vpon this chast Also we did finde the ayre in this place to be very temperite Truely there is in three seuerall places great hope of a passage betweene the latitude of 62. and 54. degrees if the fogge doe not hinder it which is all the feare I haue At sixe of the clocke wee being becalmed by the shoare there appeared vnto vs a great ledge of roâkes betweene vs and the shoare as though the Sea did flye ouer it with a great height As we all beheld it within one houre vpon a sudden it vanished cleanâ away which seemed very strange vnto vs all And to the Eastward of vs some two leagues we saw a great Rocke lying some three leagues off the Land we then supposing it to be shoald water by this broken ground sounded but could get no ground in one hundred and sixtie fathoms About seuen of the clocke there sprung vp a gale of windâ by the South South-east which was a very good winde to coast this Land But the seuenteenth in the morning the winde being at the South it began to blow so extreamely that we durst not stay by the shoare for it was like to be a great storme then our course was East North-east to get vs Sea roome This storme still increasing our slye-boates did receiue in much water for they wanted a Sparre-decke which wee found very dangerous for the Sea About twelue of the clocke at noone this day there rose vp a great showre in the West and presently the winde came out of this quarter with a whirle and taking vp the Sea into the ayre and blew so extreamely that we were forced alwayes to runne before the Sea howsoeuer the winde did blow And within twelue houres after this storme beganne the Sea was so much growen that we thought our flye Boates would not haue beene able to haue endured it The eighteenth the winde was at North-west and the storme increased more extreame and lasted vntill eight of the clocke in the morning of the nineteenth day so furious that to my remembrance I neuer felt a greater yet when we were in our greatest extremities the Lord deliuered vs his vnworthy seruants And if the winde with so great a storme had bin either Northerly or Southerly or Easterly but one day we had all perished against the Rocks or the Ice for wee were entred thirty leagues within a Head-land of an Inlet in the latitude of 56. degrees But it pleased God to send vs the winde so faire as we could desire both to cleare our selues of the Land and Ice Which opportunitie caused vs for this time to take our leaues of the coast of America and to shape our course for England The fourth in the morning wee descried the Iland of Silly North-east and by East some foure leagues off vs. Then wee directed our course East and by North and at tenne of the clocke in the forenoone wee descried the Lands end and next day were forced to put into Dartmouth CHAP. XIV IAMES HALL his Voyage forth of Denmarke for the discouery of Greeneland in the yeare 1605. abbreuiated IN the name of God Amen we set sayle from Copeman-hauen in Denmarke the second day of May in the yeare of our redemption 1605. with two Shippes and a Pinnace The Admirall called the Frâst a shippe of the burthen of thirty or fortie lasts wherein was Captaine and chiefe commander of the whole Fleet Captaine Iohn Cunningham a Scottish Gentleman seruant vnto the Kings Maiestie of Denmarke my selfe being principall Pilot. The Lyon Viceadmirall being about the foresaid burthen wherein was Captaine one Godscâââ Lindenose a Danish Gentleman and Steereman of the same one Peter Kilsân of Copeman-hauen The Pinnace a Barke of the burthen of twelue Lasts or thereabouts wherein was Steereman or commander one Iohn Knight my Countrie-man So setting sayle from Copeman-hauen with a faire gale of winde Easterly wee came vnto Elsonure where we anchored to take in our water The third day we tooke in our water at which time the Captaines my selfe with the Lieutenants and the other Steeremen did thinke it conuenient to set downe certaine Articles for the better keeping of company one with another to which Articles or couenants wee were all seuerally sworne setting thereunto our
the Meridian at London that morning at foure of the clocke 25. minutes 34. seconds which 17. minutes 24. seconds substracted from 25.34 leaueth 8.10 of time for the difference of longitude betwixt the Meridian of London for which the Ephemerides was made and the Meridian passing by this place in Groenland Now the Moones motion that day was 12. degrees 7. minutes which conuerted into minutes of time were 48. minutes 29. seconds which working by the rule of proportion the worke is thus if 48. minutes 29. seconds the time that the Moone commeth to the Meridian sooner that day then she did the day before giue 360. the whole circumference of the earth what shall 8. minutes 10. seconds giue to wit 60. degrees 30. minutes or neere there abuut which is the difference of longitude betweene the Meridian of London and this place in Groenland called Cockins Sound lying to the Westward of London This finding of the longitude I confesse is somewhat difficult and troublesome and there may be some small errour But if it be carefully looked vnto and exactly wrought there will be no great errour if your Ephemerides be true But some will say that this kinde of working is not for Marriners because they are not acquainted to worke propositions by the table of signes and an instrument is not precise enough to finde out the houre minute and second For the losse of one minute of time is the losse of 7. degrees of longitude I answere that although the most part are not vsed to this worke yet I know some of the better sort which are able to worke this and the like propositions exactly And those which yeâ cannot and are desirous to learne may in short space attaine to such knowledge as shall be sufficient for such things And how necessary it is that the longitude of places should be knowne I leaue to the iudgement of all skilfull Marriners and others that are learned in the Mathematicks This afternoone it was agreed by the chiefe of our Company that our Master Iames Hall should goe in the smaller Ship farther to the Northward The foresaid Thursday in the euening he departed out of the Patience into the Harts-ease to get forth of the Harbor which our Master called Cockins-ford in remembrance of Alderman Cockin one of the Aduenturers which place is in the latitude of 65. degrees 20 minutes And the variation of the compasse is 23. degrees 58. minutes to the Westward That euening was very calme and we towed our Shippe forth with the Shallops and Ships Boat But within an houre or two after we were got into the Offin the winde being at North it blew a great storme which continued all that night The foureteenth our Master turned the Ship vp to the Riuer againe toward the Riuer where the supposed mine should be But the tyde was so farre spent that we could not get to Sea but were constrained to Anker in a roade at the South side of the Riuer some three leagues from the Patience in which place are many good Rode-steeds to be found Thursday the sixteenth day the winde was at North-west and blew so stiffe a âale that we could not get to Sea that day That night eighteene of vs went into the Ilands to looke for some Deere but found none But we perceiued the foote-steps of some great Beast which wee supposed to be of some great Elke the foote was as bigge as any Oxe foote Tuesday the twentie one the weather still continued in such sort that wee could not by any meanes get to the Riuer where the supposed Myne should bee Wherefore our Master bare roome for Ramelsford being a Riuer Southward of another called Cunninghams ford some twelue leagues And we came to an Anchor at the entrance on the Southside of the Ford about seuen of the clocke Wednesday the two and twentieth day about nine or ten of the clocke the Sauages came to barter with vs being about fortie of them and continued about an houre and an halfe At which time our Master Iames Hall being in the Boate a Sauage with his Dart strooke him a deadly wound vpon the right side which our Surgean did thinke did pierce his liuer We all mused that he should strike him and offer no harme to any of the rest vnlesse it were that they knew him since he was there with the Danes for out of that Riuer they carried away fiue of the people whereof neuer any returned againe and in the next Riuer they killed a great numbâr And it should seeme that he which killed him was either brother or some neere kinsman to some of them that were carried away for he did it very resolutely and came within foure yards of him And for ought we could see the people are very kinde one to another and ready to reuenge any wrong offred to them All that day he lay very sore pained looking for death euery houre and resigned all his charge to Master Andrew Barker Master of the Harts-ease willing him to place another in his roome Master of the small Ship Thursday the three and twentieth about eight of the clocke in the morning he dyed being very penitent for all his former offences And after we had shrowded him wee carried him in the Shallop to burie him in some out Iland according to his owne request while he was liuing After we had buried him we went in the Shallop to seeke for the mine which we had expected so long All that day we rowed along toward the North passing by a Cape called Queene Sophias Cape That night we staied at an Iland some three leagues short of the Riuer Friday the foure and twentieth in the morning wee rowed along and came to the place which is on the South-side of the entrance of Cunninghams Riuer And we found diuers places where the Danes had digged it was a kinde of shining stone which when our Goldsmith Iames Carlile had tried it was found of no value and had no mettall at all in it but was like vnto Moscouia slâddâ and of a glittering colour That day after we had dyned wee rowed vp that Riuer some foure leagues where diuers of our company went vp into the Mountaines and found a Valley more pleasant then they had seene in the Countrey That euening we returned and came to the place where the Danes had digged their supposed Mine and tooke some of it in our Boate to carry with vs and returned toward our Ship That night we rowed and sailed and the next morning about nine of the clocke we came to our Ship Saturday the fiue and twentieth being Saint Iames his day in the forenoone we came to our Shippe lying on the South side of the Riuer called Ramels Riuer And as soone as our Master found that the people came no more to trade with vs he determined to depart with the Shippe into the Kings Ford to the Patience
this resolution we put within the Ice the wind being at East North-east this first entrance I liked not very well scarce finding any place to put in our ships head and being neere thirtie leagues from the shoare towards Euening wee were fast amongst the Ice But sometimes each day the Ice would a little open we making what way we could towards the North-west in for the shoare till the two and twentieth day hauing had the wind all Southerly Yet we plainly saw that we set to the Southwards for all that wee could doe The two and twentieth day the wind came vp at North North-west then our Master determined to stand forth againe For if the wind should haue come to the North-east it would be vnpossible for vs to fetch any part of the Channell seeing wee droue so fast to the Southwards with Southerly winds and hauing so farre into the shoare not hauing seene the Land Our Master was also determined to spend some twentie or foure and twentie dayes in Fretum Dauis to see what hopes would be that wayes supposing there would be little good to be done in Hudsons Streights for this time limited then we plying to get to Sea-ward and so by eight a clock at night the three and twentieth day we were cleere of the thick Ice againe the Lord make vs thankfull the wind at North-west and by North faire weather but no sooner were we forth of the Ice but that our Master changed his opinion and beeing cleere of this thicke Ice wee stood to the Northward as much as the Ice and winde would giue vs leaue running some thirteene leagues true North-east by North being in the latitude of 61. degrees 50. minutes The foure and twentieth day faire weather the fiue and twentieth day also faire weather the wind at North and by West till sixe a clocke we hauing made a North-east by North way about twelue leagues and an halfe our latitude at noone 62. degrees 20. minutes at sixe a clocke the wind was at the North North-east The sixe and twentieth day all the forenoone faire weather and cold but in the afternoone it blew very hard being close hasie weather that about two a clocke this afternoone wee tooke in our sailes and hulled with our ship till the next morning at foure a clocke all the time that we sayled this day we past through many ledges of Ice hauing great quantitie to the Northward of vs and hauing runne about twentie one leagues true vpon a West course And note where I put this word true I meane the true course the variation of the Compasse and other accidents allowed The seuen and twentieth day close foggy weather with much snow freezing on our shrowds and tackling the like we had not all this yeare before but towards foure a clocke in the afternoone it began to cleere vp and about fiue a clocke we saw Land being the Iland of Resolution and bearing West from vs about thirteene or fourteene leagues This morning we set sayle and stood to and fro as the Ice would suffer vs and at ten at night wee moored our ship to a piece of Ice the wind being at West The eight and twentieth day being Whitsunday it was faire weather but the winde was at the West and West by North al this day we were fast to the piece of Ice Yet we plainly perceiued that we set a great deale more into the Streights with the floud Then we set forth with the ebbe the nine and twentieth day the wind was variable and faire weather about eleuen a clock we set saile and tacked to and fro along by the Iland And about two a clocke the next morning the wind came to the South South-east but we had so much Ice that we could doe but little good with a faire wind the wind continued all this day and night a stiffe gale this night or rather Euening because it was not darke at all we were set within the point of the Iland so that now we were within the Streights The one thirtieth day also faire weather the wind for the most part at North North-west the afternoone being cleere wee saw the point of the South shoare called Buttons Iles to beare from vs due South by the Compasse which is indeed South South-east somewhat Eastward because here the Compasse is varied to the Westwards twentie foure degrees The first of Iune wee had some snow in the forenoone but very faire weather in the afternoone the wind at West North-west We perceiuing the Ice to be more open close aboord the shoare made the best way we could to get in and to come to Anchor if the place were conuenient and by seuen a clocke we were in a good Harbour on the North-west side of the Iland of Resolution where an East South-east Moone maketh full Sea or halfe an houre past seuen on the change day as Sea-men account the water doth rise and fall neere foure fathomes the Compasse doth vary to the West 24. degrees 6. minutes and is in longitude West from London 66. degrees 35. minutes The breadth of the South Channell or the distance betweene the Iland and the South shoare is sixteene leagues and the North Channell is eight miles wide in the narrowest place Vpon this Iland we went on shoare but found no certaine signe of Inhabitants but the tract of Beares and Foxes Rockes and stonie ground hardly any thing growing thereon it is indifferent high Land to the Northward hauing one high Hill or Hummocke on the North-east side but to the Southward it falleth away very low The second of Iune in the morning the wind came vp at East South-east with much snow and fowle weather about noone wee weighed Anchor and stood vp along by the Iland so well as the Ice would giue vs leaue to get to the North shoare Wee continuing our courses so neere the North shoare as conueniently we could with much variable weather and windes but stedfast in continuance among Ice till the eight day hauing the wind full contrary to vs and being somewhat neere a point of Land or rather a company of Ilands which after wee called Sauage Iles hauing a great Sound or In-draught betweene the North shoare and them At sixe a clocke we came to Anchor neere one of them being the Eastermost sauing one But whiles wee were furling our sailes we heard and saw a great company of Dogges running vp and downe with such howling and barking that it seemed very strange Shortly after we had moored our ship we sent our Boat somewhat neerer the shoare to see if they could perceiue any people who returning told vs that there were Tents and Boats or Canowes with a great many Dogges but people they saw none After Prayer when our men had supt wee fitted our Boate and our selues with things conuenient then my selfe with seuen others landed and went to their Tents where finding no people we marched vp to the top of a Hill
being about a flight shot off where we saw one great Canow or Boat which had about fourteene men in it being on the furthest or North-west point of the Iland and from vs somewhat more then a Musket shot Then I called vnto them vsing some words of Groenlandish speech making signes of friendship They did the like to vs but seeing them so fearefull of vs and we not willing to trust them I made another signe to them shewing them a Knife and other Trifles which I left on the top of the Hill and returned downe to their Tents againe There wee found some Whale Finnes to the number of fortie or fiftie with a few Seale skinnes which I tooke aboord leauing Kniues Beades and Counters instead thereof and amongst their houses I found a little bagge in which was a company of little Images of men one the Image of a woman with a child at her backe all the which I brought away Among these Tents being fiue in number all couered with Seales skinnes were running vp and downe about thirtie fiue or fortie Dogges most of them muzled They were of our mungrell Mastiffes being of a brinded blacke colour looking almost like Wolues These Dogges they vse in stead of Horses or rather as the Lappians doe their Deere to draw their sleds from place to place ouer the Ice their sleds are shod or lined with great bones of fishes to keepe them from wearing and their Dogges haue Collars and Furniture very fitting These people haue their Apparell Boots Tents and other necessaries much like to the Inhabitants in Groineland sauing that they are not so neate and artificiall seeming to bee more rude and vnciuill ranging vp and downe as their fishing is in season For in most places where wee came ashoare we saw where people had beene although not this yeere but where their Habitation or their abode in Winter is I cannot well coniecture This Iland lyeth in the latitude of 62. degrees 30. minutes and in longitude West from London 72. degrees or neere thereabouts being sixtie leagues from the entrance of the Streights here the Compasse doth varie 27. degrees 30. minutes and a South-east Moone foure degrees East maketh a full Sea it doth ebbe and flow almost as much water as it doth at the Resolution and here the floud commeth from the Eastward although our Master was of opinion to the contrarie The tenth day in the morning at sixe a clocke we set sayle the winde at North which continued not but was very variable till noone and then it came to North-west we hauing sayled along by the shoare about some nine leagues and an halfe North North-west the Ice lying so thicke in the offen that wee could not well get out of it then perceiuing a good Harbour betweene two small Ilands and the Mayne wee went in with our ship where wee moored her and stayed till the twelfth day at Euening In this place it is high water on the change day at nine of the clocke or a South-east Moone maketh a full Sea the latitude of this place is 62. degrees 40. minutes and the floud doth come from the Eastward although our Master was perswaded otherwise as well in this place as at Saluage Ilands for being among Ilands euery point hath his seuerall set and eddie But I going to the top of the Iland plainely perceiued the Ice to come from the South-east and from the North-west on the ebbe In this place is no signe of people as we could perceiue The sixteenth day lying still in the Ice the weather being very close and hasey as it hath beene these six dayes and being neere a great company of Ilands in the afternoone the winde being at West North-west wee stood in amongst these Ilands and in the euening we moared our Shippe to one of them in a small coue the better to defend her from the Ice In this place wee stayed all the seuenteenth day and vpon the eighteenth being Sunday about eleuen a clocke we set sayle being almost calme making the best way wee could to get forth Here are a great company of Ilands each hath his seuerall set and eddy that the Ice doth so runne to and fro and with such violence that our Shippe was in more safetie further off then in this place the latitude of the I le we rode by is 63. degrees 26. minutes and longitude West from London neere 72. degrees 25. minutes the Compasse hath variation 27. degrees 46. minutes and at a quarter of an houre after nine on the Change day doth make a full Sea This Euening and the next morning wee had a faire steering gale of winde at South-east wee standing along by the Land it beeing all small broken Ilands to a point of Land about twelue leagues in distance from the I le wee put last from which Point I called Broken Point it being indeede a point of broken Iles. On the nineteenth day by twelue a clocke at noone wee were about foure miles from the Point before named fast inclosed with Ice very faire weather and well we might haue called this Point Fairenesse or Faire Point for from this day till the thirtieth day the weather was so faire and almost or altogether calme that in few places elsewhere finer weather could not be and till the seuen and twentieth at night wee were so fast inclosed vp with Ice that at some times one could not well dippe a paile of water by the Ship sides while wee were thus fast in the Ice vpon the one and twentieth day I saw both the Sunne and Moone at one time as indeede it is vsuall in faire weather This one and twentieth being faire weather as afore is said and I seeing both the Sunne and Moone so faire I thought it a fit time to make an obseruation for the longitude But the two and twentieth day being very faire and cleare and also calme being almost as steedy as on shoare it was no neede to bid me fit my Instrument of variation to take the time of the Moones comming to the Meridian hauing also my quadrant ready to take the Sunnes almicanter it being indifferent large as of foure foote semiââamiter haue taken the variation of my needle as precisely as possible I could which was 28. degrees 20. minutes West and if any be desirous to worke the same they may but my worke was as followeth The Sunnes almicanter at the instant when the Moone was on the Meridian was 26. degrees 40. minutes and the Sunnes declination for that time 23. degrees 6. minutes By which three things giuen I found the houre to be fiue a clocke 4. minutes 52. seconds 1. third 4. fourths or 76. degrees 13. minutes 16. seconds of the equinoctiall afternoone and according to Searles Ephemerides the Moone came to the Meridian at London at foure a clocke 54. minutes 30. seconds and after Origanus the Moone came to the Meridian at foure a clocke 52. minutes 5.
seconds at Wittenberge the same day Now hauing this knowne it is no hard matter to finde the longitude of this place sought For according to the Moones meane motion which is 12. degrees a day that is in time 48. minutes and to this account if she be on the Meridian at twelue a clock this day to morrow it will be 48. min. past 12. So I hauing the time found by obseruation at this place viz. 5. houres 4. minutes 52. seconds 1. third 4. fourths but in this I neede not come so precise and at London at 4. houres 54. minutes 30. seconds which substracted from the former leaueth 10. minutes 22. seconds 1. third 4. fourths now the Moones motion that foure and twentie houres was 22. degrees 38. minutes which conuerted into time is 50. minutes 25. seconds 20. thirds then the proportion standeth thus If 50. minutes 25. seconds 20. thirds giue 360. degrees what shall 10. minutes 22. seconds 1. third 4. fourths giue the fourth proportionall will be 74. degrees 5. minutes which is West of London because the Moone came later by 10. minutes 22. seconds and by the same working by Origanus Ephemerides the distance is 91. degrees 35. minutes West of West But whether be the truer I leaue to others to iudge in these workings may some errour be committed if it be not carefully looked vnto as in the obseruation and also in finding what time the Moone commeth to the Meridian at the place where the Ephemerides is supputated for and perchance in the Ephemerides themselues in all which the best iudicious may erre yet if obseruations of this kinde or some other at places farre remote as at the Cape Bonasperanze Bantam Iapan Noua Albion and Magellan Straits I suppose wee should haue a truer Geography then we haue And seeing I am entred to speake of celestiall obseruations I will note another which I made the twenty sixt of April being outward bound at Sea by the Moones comming in a right line with two fixed Starres the one was the Lyons heart a Starre of the first magnitude the other a Starre in the Lyons rumpe of the second magnitude as followeth The circumference or outward edge of the Moone being in a right or straight line with those two Starres before named at the instant I tooke the altitude of the South ballance which was 2. degrees 38. minutes because I would haue the time but in this it is good to waite a fit time as to haue her in a right line with two Stars not farre distant and those not to be much different in longitude because the Moon will soone alter the angle or position and such a time would be taken when the Moone is in the nintieth degree of the eclipticke aboue the horizon for then there no paralell of longitude but onely in latitude but who so is painefull in these businesses shall soone see what is needefull and what is not my obseruations were as followeth Lyons heart Right assention 46. deg 28. min. 30. sec. Lyons rumpe Right assention 163. deg 23. min. 00. se. Lyons heart Declination 13. deg 57. mi. 30. sec. Lyons rumpe Declination 22. deg 38. min 00. se. Lyons heart Longitude 24. deg 29. mi. 45. sec. Lyons rumpe Longitude 5. deg 53. min. 45. sec. Lyons heart Latitude 00. deg 26. min. 30. sec. Lyons rumpe Latitude 14. deg 20. min. 00. sec. Lyons heart Almicanter 33. deg 40. min. 00. se. Lyons rumpe Moones Paralax 00. deg 47. min. 46. sec. North. Moones Latitude 03. deg 20. min. 00. sec. North. Moones Almicanter 37 deg 00. min. 00. sec. North. Latitude of the place 56. deg 43. min. These notes I haue set downe that if any other be desirous to trie they may spend a little time therein my selfe haue spent some therein and more I would haue spent if leisure would haue permitted but finding it not to my minde I haue not here set downe my particular worke the working of this obseruation I receiued from Master Rudston But if it had pleased God we had performed the action we were bound for I would not feare but to haue brought so good contentment to the Aduenturers concerning the true scituation of notable places that small doubt should haue beene thereof but seeing so small hopes are in this place I haue not set downe so many obseruations as otherwise I would We lying here inclosed with the Ice with faire calme weather as before is said till the seuen and twentieth day at euening at which time we set sayle the winde at South-east an easie gale all the eight and twentieth and nine and twentieth dayes we made the best way through the Ice we could but the nine and twentieth day the Ice was more open then it had beene these ten dayes before and at noone we saw Salisbury Iland it bearing due West from vs. The first of Iuly close foggie weather with much raine the winde at South South-east by noone this day we were some three leagues from the Land but hauing much Ice by the shoare we stood along the Iland to the Northward and the next morning wee were faire by another small Ile or rather a company of small Ilands which after we called Mill Iland by reason of grinding the Ice as this night we made proofe thereof at noone being close to this I le wee took the latitude thereof which is neere 64. degrees Here driuing to and fro with the Ice all this day till seuen or eight a clocke at what time the Ice began to open and seperate The Ice as is said beginning to open we had not stood along by the I le on the East side thereof an houre but the Ice came driuing with the tide of floud from the South-east with such swiftnesse that it ouer went our Shippe hauing all our sayles abroad with a reasonable gale of winde and put her out of the streame into the eddy of these Iles. This Iland or Iles lying in the middle of the channell hauing many sounds running through them with many points or headlands encountering the force of the tide caused such a rebound of water Ice which ran one way and the streame another our ship hauing met the Ice with the first of the floud which put her so neere the shoare that she was in the partition betweene the Ice which the eddy caused to runne one way and the streame the other where shee endured great distresse but God which is still stronger then either Ice or streame preserued vs and our Shippe from any harme at all This continued till towards a high water which was about one a clocke then with no small trouble we got into the channell and stood away to the North-west ward After we had past some distance from this Iland wee had the Sea more open then it was since we put first into the Straits and sailed all the next day through an indifferent cleare Sea with the winde at South-west but towards eight a clocke
and easie for that these eighteene leagues of Land betwixt Nombre de Dios and Panama is more painefull and chargeable then 2300. by Sea whereupon some would say it were a meanes to drowne the Land one Sea being lower then another As in times past we finde it written that for the same consideration they gaue ouer the enterprize to winne the red Sea into Nile in the time of King Sesostris and since in the Empire of the Othomans But for my part I hold such discourses and propositions for vaine although this inconuenience should not happen the which I will not hold for assured I beleeue there is no humaine powerable to beate and breake downe those strong and impenetrable Mountaines which God hath placed betwixt the two Seas and hath made them most hard Rockes to withstand the furie of two Seas And although it were possible to men yet in my opinion they should feare punishment from heauen in seeking to correct the workes which the Creator by his great prouidence hath ordained and disposed in the framing of this vniuersall world Leauing this discourse of opening the Land and ioyning both Seas together there is yet another lesse rash but very difficult and dangerous to search out Whether these two great gulfes doe ioyne in any other part of the world which was the enterprize of Fernando Magellan a Portugall Gentleman whose great courage and constancie in the research of this subiect and happy successe in the finding thereof gaue the name of eternall memory to this straight which iustly they call by the name of the discouerer Magellan of which straight we will intreate a little as of one of the greatest wonders of the world Some haue beleeued that this Straight which Magellan had discouered in the South Sea was none or that it was straightned as Don Alonso d'Arsile writes in his Auracane and at this day there are some that say there is no such Straight but that they are Ilands betwixt the Sea and Land for that the maine Land ends there at the end whereof are all Ilands beyond the which the one Sea ioynes fully with the other or to speake better it is all one Sea But in truth it is most certaine there is a straight and a long and stretched out Land on either side although it hath not yet beene knowne how farre it stretcheth of the one side of the straight towards the South After Magellan a Shippe of the Bishop of Plaisance passed the straight Don Guitieres Caruaial whose Maste they say is yet at Lima at the entrie of the Pallace they went afterwards coasting along the South to discouer the Straight by the commandement of Don Garcia of Mendoca then Gouernor of Chille according to that which Captaine Ladrillero found it and passed it I haue read the discourse and report he made where he saieth that he did not hazard himselfe to land in the Straight but hauing discouered the North Sea he returned backe for the roughnesse of the time winter being now come which caused the waues comming from the North to grow great and swelling and the Sea continually foming with rage In our time Francis Drake and Englishman passed this Straight After him Captaine Sarmiento passed it on the South side And lastly in the yeere 1587. other Englishmen passed it by the instruction of Drake which at this time run along all the coast of Peru. Euen as Magellan found out this Straight vpon the South so some haue pretended to discouer another Straight which they say is in the North and suppose it to be in Florida whose coast runnes in such sort as they know no end thereof Peter Melendez the Adelantade a man very expert at Sea affirmeth for certaine that there is a Straight and that the King had commanded him to discouer it where in he shewed a great desire he propounded his reasons to proue his opinion saying that they haue seene some remainders of Ships in the North Sea like vnto those the which the Chinois vse which had beene impossible if there were no passage from one Sea vnto another Moreouer hee reported that in a certaine great Bay in Florida the which runs 300. leagues within the Land they see Whales in some season of the yeare which come from the other Sea One of the most admirable secrets of Nature is the ebbing and flowing of the Sea not onely for this strange property of rising and falling but much more for the difference there is thereof in diuers Seas yea in diuers coasts of one and the same Sea There are some Seas that haue no daily flowing nor ebbing as we see in the inner Mediterranean which is the Thyrene Sea and yet it flowes and ebbes euery day in the vpper Mediterranean Sea which is that of Venice and iustly giueth cause of admiration that these two Seas being Mediterranean and that of Venice being no greater then the other yet hath it his ebbing and flowing as the Ocean and that other Sea of Italie none at all There are some Mediterranean Seas that apparantly rise and fall euery moneth and others that neither rise in the day nor in the moneth There are other Seas as the Spanish Ocean that haue their flux and reflux euery day and besides that they haue it monethly which commeth twice that is to say at the change and at the full of euery Moone which they call Spring-tides To say that any Sea hath this daily ebbing and flowing and not monethly I know not any It is strange the difference we finde of this subiect at the Indies for there are some places whereas the Sea doth daily rise and fall two leagues as at Panama and at a high water it riseth much more There are other places where it doth rise and fall so little that hardly can you finde the difference It is ordinary in the Ocean Sea to haue a daily flowing and ebbing and that was twice in a naturall day and euer it fals three quarters of an houre sooner one day then another according to the course of the Moone so as the tide fals not alwaies in one houre of the day Some would say that this flux and reflux proceeded from the locall motion of the water of the Sea so as the water that riseth on the one side fals on the other that is opposite vnto it so that it is full Sea on the one side when it is a low water on the opposite as we see in a Kettle full of water when we mooue it when it leanes to the one side the water increaseth and on the other it diminisheth Others affirme that the Sea riseth in all parts at one time and decreaseth at one instant as the boyling of a Pot comming out of the centre it extendeth it selfe on all parts and when it ceaseth it fals likewise on all parts This second opinion is true and in my iudgement certaine and tried not so much for the reasons which the Philosophers giue
deceiâe the Pope as he had deceiued Mangu Chan. Then Vastacius demanded of him whether he had Letters to the Popey because he was a Messenger and should conduct the Messengers of the Tartars But not being able to shew the Letters he tooke him and spoiled him of all that hee haâ gotten and cast him in prison And Moal fell sicke and dyed there But Vastacius sent backe the golden Tablet to Mangu Chan by the seruants of Moal whom I met at Assaron in the entrance into Turkie who told mee what happened to Theodolus Such Cosners runne through the world whom the Moallians kill when they can take them Now the Epiphany was at hand and that Armenian Monke Sergius by name told me That he should baptize Mangu Can vpon the Holy-day I ântreated him to labour by all meanes that I might be present that I might beare witnesse that I saw it and hee promised he would THE feastiuall day came and the Monke called me not but at sixe of the clocke I was sent for to the Court and I saw the Monke with the Priests returning from the Court with his Crosse and the Priests with the Censer and the Gospell For that day Mangu Chan made a feast And his custome is that vpon such daies as his Sooth-sayers doe appoint vnto him feastiuall or with the Nestorian Priests sometimes make Holy-daies that then he holds his Court And vpon such daies the Christians come first with their furniture and pray for him and blesse his Cup. They then departing the Saracen Priests come and doe the like Next after them come the Idolatrous Priests and doe the same And the Monke told me that he onely beleeues the Christians yet will haue all to pray for him but he lyed for he beleeueth none as you shall hereafter heare yet all follow his Court as flyes doe Honey And he giueth vnto all and all men thinke they are his Familiars and all prophesie prosperitie vnto him Then wee sate before the Court a long space and they brought vs flesh to eate To whom I made answere that we would not eate there but if they would prouide vs meate they should prouide it for vs at our house Then they said get yee home to your house because you were inuited for no other cause but to eate Therefore we returned by the Monkes who blushed at the Lye hee told me wherefore I would not speake a word of that matter Yet some of the Nestorians would affirme vnto mee that he was baptized to whom I said that I would neuer beleeue it nor report it to others seeing I saw it not We came to our cold and emptie house they prouided vs bedding and Couerlets they brought vs also fuell and gaue vs three the carkasse of one little leane Ramme meate for sixe dayes and euery day a little Platter full of Millet and lent vs a Caldron and a Triuet to boyle our flesh which being sodden we sod our Millet in the broath of the flesh This was our meate and it had well sufficed vs if they had suffered vs to eate in peace But there are so many hunger-starued who are not prouided of meate that as soone as they saw vs dresse meate they thrust in vpon vs and must eate with vs. There I found by experience how great a Martyrdome liberalitie is in pouertie Then the cold began much to preuaile and Mangu Chan sent vs three Pelt-coates of the Skinnes of Papions Papionum whose haire they turne outward which we thankfully receiued They demanded also how we were prouided of necessary food To whom I answered that little meate sufficed vs but we haue not an house wherein to pray for Mangu Chan. For our Cottage was so little that we could scarce stand vpright in it nor open our Bookes as soone as wee made fire Then they brought him word and hee sent vnto the Monke to know if hee would haue our company who gladly answered that hee would From that time wee were prouided of a better house and we went downe with the Monke before the Court where none lodged but we and their Sooth-sayers but they lodged neerer before the Palace of the greatest Lady and wee in the furthest end towards the East before the Palace of the last Lady And that was done the day before Octabis Epiphaniae On the morrow to wit in Octauis Epiphaniâ all the Nestorian Priests came together before day at the Chappell and smote vpon a board and sang Matines solemnely and put on their Ornaments preparing the Censer and the Incense And while they stayed wayting thus behold in the morning the principall Wife Cotota Caten by name Caten is as much as Ladie and Cotota her proper name came into the Chappell with many other Ladies and with her eldest Sonne called Baltu and other little ones of hers And they cast themselues downe vpon the Earth ducking after the manner of the Nestorians and after this they touched all the Images with their right hands alwayes kissing their hands after they had touched and after that they gaue their right hands to all that stood about them in the Church For this is the custome of the Nestorians when they come into the Church Then the Priests sang many things giuing the Lady Incense in her hand and she put it vpon the fire then they perfumed her After this when the day was cleere shee began to put off the Ornament of her head which is called Baccha and I saw her bare scull then shee commanded vs to goe forth and as I went out I saw a siluer Bason brought whether they baptized her or no I know not but I know they celebrate not Masse in a Tent but in a standing Church And in the Easter I saw them baptize and hallow Fount with great Solemnitie which now they did not And while we went into our house Mangu Chan himselfe came and went into the Church or Oratory and a Golden Bed was brought on which hee sate by his Queene ouer against the Altar Then were we sent for not knowing that Mangu was come And the Doore-keepers searched vs lest we should haue Kniues about vs. But comming into the Oratory hauing a Bible and a Breuiary in my bosome I first bowed downe vnto the Altar and after to Mangu Chan and so passing by we stood betweene the Monke and the Altar Then they made vs sing a Psalme after our manner and chaunt it But we sang of that prose Veni Sancte Spiritus c. And Cham caused our Bookes to be brought vnto him the Bible and the Breuiarie and diligently inquired concerning the Images what they signified The Nestorians answered him at their pleasure because our Interpreter came not in with vs. And when I was first before him I had the Bible in my bosome which he commanded to be brought vnto him who looked earnestly vpon it Then he departed and his Ladie remayned there and distributed gifts to all the Christians
to him what answere I made when he demanded whether I would giue them to Sartach Then hee answered you say true and none can resist the truth I left your goods with my father who remayneth neere Sarai which is a new Towne Baatu hath made vpon Etilia on the East shoare but our Priests haue some of the vestments If any thing like you said I keepe it so my Bookes be restored Then he told me he would report my words to Sartach I must haue Letters said I to your Father to restore mee all But he was readie to bee gone and said vnto mee The traine of the Ladies followeth vs neere at hand Yee shall alight there and I will send you Sartachs answere by this man I was very carefull he should not deceiue me yet I could not contend with him Late in the euening the man came vnto me whom he shewed me and brought two Coats with him which I thought had beene all of Silke vncut and he said vnto me Behold two garments the one Sartach hath sent to you and the other if it seeme good to you you shall present to the King on his behalfe To whom I answered I weare no such garments I will present them both vnto my King in honour of your Lord. Then said hee doe wiâh them what you please but it pleased me to send them both vnto you and I send them to you by the bearer of these presents He deliuered him Letters also to the Father of Coiac to restore mee all which appertayned vnto me because he had no need of any thing which was mine So wee came to the Court of Baatu the same day I departed thence the yeere past the second day after the Exaltation of the blessed Crosse. And I found our young men in health yet much afflicted with penurie as Gosset told me And if the King of Armenia had not comforted them and recommended them to Sartach they had perished for they thought I had beene dead The Tartars also demanded of them if they could keepe Oxen or milke Mares For if I had not returned they had beene brought into their seruitude After this Baatu caused me to come vnto him and made the Letters which Mangu Chan sends vnto you to be interpreted vnto me For so Mangu wrote vnto him that if it pleased him to adde any thing or leaue out or change hee should doe it Then said hee yee shall carrie these Letters and cause them to bee vnderstood Hee demanded also what way I would goe whether by Sea or Land I said the Sea was shut because it was Winter and I must goe by Land For I thought you had beene yet in Syria so I directed my iourney towards Persia. For if I had thought you had passed into France I would haue gone into Hungarie so I should sooner haue come into France and by a more easie way then into Syria Then wee trauelled a moneth with him before wee could haue a Guide At length they appointed mee a certaine Iugur who vnderstanding I would giue him nothing and that I would goe forth-right into Armenia caused Letters to be made to conduct me to the Soldan of Turkie hoping he should receiue gifts of the Soldan and that he should gayne more that way Then we tooke our iourney speedily fifteene dayes before the Feast of Al-Saints towards Sarai going forth right Southward descending neere to Etilia which is diuided into three Armes there below euery one whereof is almost twice as big as the Riuer of Damiata It maketh foure other lesser Armes so that we passed that Riuer in seuen places by Boat Vpon the middle Arme is the Village called Sumerkent without a wall but when the Riuer ouerflowes it is compassed with water The Tartars were eight yeeres about it before they could take it and the Alani and the Saracens were in it There we found one Dutch-man with his wife a very good man with whom Gosset stayed in the Winter for Sartach sent him thither to ease his Court. About those parts was Baatu on the one side of the Riuer and Sartach on the other about Christmas and they goe no further downe And it falleth out that all the Riuer is frozen so they passe ouer Here is great store of grasse and there among the Caues theeues hid themselues till the Ice melt Coiacks father receiuing Sartachs Letters restored my vestments vnto mee except three Albes and an Amice trimmed with fine Silke and a Stole and a Girdle and a Tualia adorned with golden embroyderie and a Surplice He restored also vnto me the siluer Plate except the Censer and the little Boxe where the Chrisme was All which the Priests which were with Sartach had Hee restored my Bookes except our Ladies Psalter which hee kept with my leaue because I could not denie it him for he said Sartach tooke much delight in it Hee also requested me that if it happened that I returned vnto those parts againe I would bring them a man that knew how to make Parchment for he made a great Church by the Commandement of Sartach vpon the West side of the Riuer as he said and a new Towne Yet I know that Sartach meaneth no such matter Sarai and the Palace of Baatu are vpon the Easterne side of the Riuer And the Valley through which the Armes of the Riuer are spread abroad contayneth more then seuen leagues in bredth And there is great store of fish there A Bible also in verse and a certaine Booke in the Arabian worth thirtie Sultanies and many other things I neuer recouered SO departing from him on the Feast of All-Saints alwaies going toward the South in the Feast of Saint Martin we came to the Mountaines of the Alani Betweene Baatu and Sarai in fifteene dayes we found no people but one of his sonnes who went before him with Falcons and his Falconers who were many and one litle Village From the Feast of All-Saints for fiue dayes we found not a man and wee were almost in great danger by reason of thirst one whole day and a night finding no water till about three of the Clocke the next day the Alani in those Mountaines yet hold out so that of ten of the Subiects of Sartach two must come to guard the straight and narrow passages of the Hills left they come forth of the Mountaines and steale their Cattell in the Playne Betweene the Alani and Porta Ferrea which is two dayes iourney thence where the Playne of Arcacci beginneth betweene the Caspian Sea and the Mountaines there are certaine Saracens called Lesgi betweene the Mountaines who likewise resist so that those Tartars who dwell at the foot of the Mountaines of the Alani were faine to giue vs twentie men to bring vs beyond the Iron gate or Porta Ferrea And I was glad because I hoped to see them armed For I could neuer see their Armour though I had beene very desirous And when we came
the which was performed being yet day for the battaile was wonne at foure of the clocke and there was as yet fiue houres of day-light The children of Baiazet were brought before him hee caused them to bee vsed curteously and as the children of an Emperour The next day hee commanded the dead to bee buried they found the Prince of Tirzis dead in the middest of the Ianizaries where he remained enclosed The Emperour did greatly lament this young Prince who was his kinsman and would haue beene one day worthie for to doe him great seruice In that battaile there died manie Captaines almost the chiefe Ottomans This was a great Battaile the which was fought from seuen vnto foure of the clocke in such sort that they knew not vnto whom the victorie did incline Our Armie stayed vntill the next day euery one causing his friends to bee buried The Prince of Tirzis was emblamed and conueyed with two thousand horse vnto Samarcand vntill the Emperour returned All the other dead bodies were buried at Sanas with all the honour that might be Axalla was much grieued for his kinsman because hee was verie well beloued of the Prince his charge was giuen vnto one of his brethren who was verie famous in fighting this same day we might iudge the euents of the matters of the world Behold this Emperour Baiazet who was as hee thought superiour to fortune which in an instant found himselfe and his estate by one battaile onely ouerthrowne euen vnto the lowest place and at such time as hee thought least thereof Hee vsed to say that hee was iustly punished for despising the multitude we had for the assurance that hee had in the valour of his horsmen and especially of his Ianizaries Hee was three dayes as they report before he could bee pacified as a desperate man seeking after death and calling for it The Empeour did not vse him at all curteously but caused small account to bee made of him and for to manifest that he knew how to punish the proud vpon festiuall dayes when as hee mounted on horseback they brought this proud man vnto him and he serued him in stead of a foot-stoole this did he for to manifest the folly and arrogancie of men and how iustly God had humbled him The next day the Prince marched directly towardes Bursia whither all the remainder of Baiazet his Armie was retired with the Bassa Mustapha All the countrie yeelded vnto vs and the Prince caused all the holdes and fortresses to bee ouerthrowne and destroyed and punished all those which were so euill aduised as to stay vntill they were besieged I had forgotten to declare how hee caused the Prince of Tirzis bodie to bee accompanied with diuers prisoners chained and tied together whom hee did send vnto Samarcand the which the Prince had determined to make great for a perpetuall memorie of his greatnesse Euen so had hee greatly peopled with people of China which had beene taken in the Battailes and of those likewise which were taken out of the two great Cities Paguinfou and Quantoufou Now this battaâle did bring great astonishment vnto all the countries possessed by Baiazet and no bodie resâsted vs euen vnto Bursia whither this Armie was fled and therein were also two sonnes of Baiazet verie young Axalla being alwaies aduanced forward before our Armie with fortie thousand Horse and an hundred thousand Foot-men without any carriages who hindred the Enemies from joyning themselues againe together and hee made a cruell Warre vpon the Ottomans deliuering the Graecians from the tyrannie of Baiazet Hee approached neere vnto Bursia where the Ottomans did not stay the comming of Axallas Armie but only they which could not runne remayned behind Baiazet his two Sonnes were sent vnto the Greekish Emperour for to bring them vp and to haue mercie vpon them the rest went vnto Gallipoli for to goe vnto Andrinopoli the which they held hauing conquered it from the Graecians Now the Prince for to returne vnto my purpose dispatched towards the Emperour his Vncle and vnto the Empresse his Wife one of his Familiars called Lieban Captayne of his Chamber for to carrie him newes of this Victorie and to ioyne it also vnto all the rest He sent vnto him Baiazet his Sword and Bow and the Caparisons of his Horse the which was esteemed to be worth aboue two hundred thousand Duckets You may easily thinke that Prince Lieban was well entertayned of the old Emperour and of the young Princesse bringing word vnto them that all the World did bend it selfe to make our Prince victorious who surely receiued these Victories from God without insolencie and at such time as hee sent him most glory then did his men note him to be least puffed vp He was neuer bold but in the day of battaile and on the Eeue for to command seuerely and with greater Majesty To tell you what he was in aduersitie I did neuer see him in that estate but it is to be thought that they which bee not insolent in prosperitie are not faint-hearted in aduersitie So our victorious Prince marched directy vnto Bursia loaden with Spoyles and Trophees which hee daily got departing from the Cities which did come and yeeld themselues vnto him therein obseruing the same manner of proceeding the which we did in the Conquest of China they which did yeeld vnto him without fighting were well vsed and the obstinate well punished the Prince knowing that reward and punishment are the Moderators of Common-wealthes the one to bee vsed towards the good and the other towards the euill In the end we receiued newes by Axalla that he had receiued Bursia in the Emperours name and how the Inhabitants thereof had punished the Garrisons of Baiazet hauing driuen them away and slaine many But I dare not follow our Author any further from Tartaria for whose sake I haue entertayned him Leauing therefore his agreement with the Greeke Emperour and secret visiting Constantinople his comming to Ierusalem and Expedition against the Soldan With his Exploits in Egypt Syria Persia we will returne with him to Samarcand §. IIII. Encrease of Samarcand Affaires of China Funerals of the Can comming to Quinza and description thereof His disposition of his estate and death PErsia as long as he liued was much affected vnto him which greatly serued him for the keeping as well of Syria as of the Soldans Empire leauing continually men there and drawing out Colonies the better to settle his Affaires in those places So the Emperour leauing the Prince of Thanais with his Army to attend his pleasure he marched with the rest of his forces into his owne Countrey with all the Ioyes and Triumphes that might be possible the chiefest Prisoners marching before the Emperour amongst the which was Baiazet Emperour of the Turkes all chayned and was a Spectacle vnto all the World of Fortunes inconstancy hee continued notwithstanding in the same fiercenesse was woont to be in him So wheresoeuer the
two small ships which continually doe goe night and day from one watch to another because they are very swift and those of the great ships doe diuide themselues into watches at their quarters for to watch as well in the small as in the great ones The ships of passage goe alwaies a great number together that they may defend themselues one another while the ships of warre and the watches do come to them and at the watch where they make night there they stay til the morning and by the small boats they are deliuered safe to the next watch forward and so from watch to watch they are accompanied of the small vessels till they bee set in safetie From the Citie of Doncheo that is where the Gouernour of Consi and Cantan is resident vnto the bounds of the Prouince of Cansi which are places more dangerous are continually Armadas of fortie or fiftie ships All these watches are paid of the common Rents of the Kingdome China is almost all a well husbanded Countrey for as the Countrey is well inhabited and people in abundance and the men spenders and vsing themselues very deliciously in eating and drinking and apparell and in the other seruices of their houses especially that they are great eaters euery one laboureth to get a liuing and euery one seeketh wayes to earne their food and how to maintayne their great expences A great helpe to this is the idle people to bee much abhorred in this Countrey and are very odious vnto the rest and that laboureth not shall not eate for commonly there is none that doe giue almes to the Poore wherefore if any poore did aske almes of a Portugal and he did giue it him the Chinas did laugh at them and in mockage said why giuest thou almes to thiâ which is a Knaue let him goe and earne it onely some Iesters haue some reward going to some high place gather the people and telleth them some fables to get something The Fathers and Priests of their Idols are commonly abhorred and not esteemed because they hold them for idle people and the Rulers for any light fault doe not spare them but giue them many stripes Wherefore a Ruler whipping once before a Portugal a Priest of theirs and he asking him wherefore he did vse their Priests so ill and held them in so little esteeme answered him these are idle and wretched Knaues One day I and certayne Portugals entring into the house of the Ouer-seer of the goods about the deliuerie of certayne Portugals that were in prison because the matter belonged to him for the great profit that came thereof to the King much people came in with vs to see vs among the which there was a Priest assoone as the Ruler said Set them downe all of them ran away in great haste the Priest running as all the rest for feare of the whip Euery one laboureth to seeke a liuing for that which hee earneth hee enjoyeth freely and spends it as he will and that which is left him at his death remaynes to his children and grand-children paying onely duties Royall aswell of the fruits that they gather as of the goods they deale in which are not heauie The greatest Tribute they haue is euery married man or that hath house by himselfe pâyeth for euery person in his house two Mazes which are sixtie Reys From Champaa which as we said doth confine with Cauchinchina vnto India are many vnprofitable grounds and made Wildernesses and Woods and the men are generally little curious to get or gather together for they neuer gayne or get so much but it is tyrannized from them that which they haue is onely theirs as long as the King listeth and no more In such sort that as soone as the King knoweth that any of their officers hath much money hee commandeth him to bee puâ in prison and they vse him so hardly that they make him cast all that hee hath gotten wherefore there are many in those parts that if they get any thing or money one day or one weeke they will not labour till they consume all that they haue earned in eating and drinking and they doe it because if any tyrannie should chance to come they may finde nothing to take from them From hence it commeth as I say that they haue in India many grounds in diuers places vnprofitable which is not so in China for euery one enioyeth the fruits of his labour Hence it commeth that all the ground that in China can yeeld any kinde of fruit receiuing seede is husbanded The high places which are not so good for Corne haue very faire Groues of Pine Trees sowing also betweene them some Pulse where it may be in the drie Lands and stiffe they sow Wheate and Pulse in the Marshes which are ouerflowed which are many and very long they sow Rice and some of these Marshes doe yeeld two or three Crops a yeere Onely the Mountaynes that are high and beaten with the weather and are not fit to plant any thing remayne vnprofitable There is nothing lost in the Countrey bee it neuer so vâle for the bones as well of Dogs as of other Beasts they doe vse making toyes and with workes in stead of Iuorie they set them in Tables Beds and otherfaire things they lose not a Ragge of any qualitie for as well of the fine as of the course that are not of Woolâ they make fine and course Paper and they make Paper of barkes of Trees and of Canes and of silken Ragges and in the Paper made of silke they write the rest serueth for to roll betweene the pieces of silke euen the dung or men yeelds profit and is bought for mony or in change of herbs and they carry it from the houses in sort that they giue money or money worth to suffer them to cleanse their houses of office though it smelleth euill through the Citie when they carry it on their backs they carry it in Tubs very cleane without and although they goe vncouered notwithstanding it sheweth the cleanlinesse of the Countrey and Cities In some Cities these Tubs vse to goe couered not to annoy They vse in all things more slight then force whereby they plow with one Oxe making the Plough in such fashion that it cutteth well the Earth though the furrowes are not so bigge as among vs. A ship be it neuer so bigge and haue it neuer so great a leake the Pomps are made by such a slight that one man alone sitting mouing his feet as one that goeth vp a paire of stayres in a very little space he pomps it out these pomps are of many pieces as a water wheele laid along the side of the ship betweene rib and rib euery piece hauing a piece of wood of halfe a yard little more or lesse one quarter well wrought in the middest of this piece of wood is a square little boord almost of a hand breadth and
Gouernement but a great helpe that all might obey him and keepe his Lawes This onely remedie there is in China to reape any fruit and not any other speaking humanely And without this it is impossible for any Religious men to Preach or fructifie and because I had not this remedie hauing the abouesaid inconueniences I came away from China and therefore neither I nor they of the company of IESVS which enterprised alreadie this businesse sundry times could fructifie in China This people hath besides the ignorances abouesaid that filthy abomination that they refraine no sexe among them Notwithstanding I Preaching sometimes as well publike as priuately against this vice they were glad to heare mee saying that I had reason in that which I sayd but but that they neuer had had any that told them that was a sinne nor any thing euill done It seemeth that because this sinne is common among them God was willing to send them a grieuous punishment in some places of the earth the which was common in all China I being in the Citie of Cantan and being willing to know of a rich China Marchant the euils that had happened in the Countrey and hee not able to tell it me by word of mouth gaue me a Letter which they had written vnto him of what had happened saying to me that I should translate it and giue it him againe but not trusting me hee translated it presently and remayning with the copie gaue me the principall which I translated into Portugall with the helpe of one that could speake our language and theirs the tenour of the Letter is this The principall Louthias of Sanxi and of Sauiton wrote vnto the King saying that in those Prouinces the earth did shake terribly and the dayes waxed darke like night hee saith not how long a South-sayer told them all that should happen In the yeere before in the moneth of September the earth opened in many places and vnder it were heard great noyses like the sound of Bells there followed a great winde with much rayne and the winde ranne about all the Compasse This winde is called in China Tufaune and many yeeres it bloweth but once a yeere and it is so raging that it driueth a Ship vnder sayle on the Land a great space and the men cannot keepe their feete not leauing and holding one by another and it doth things worthie admiration and incredible In the yeere that I was in China in the part where the Portugals were they shewed the Boat of a Ship of a good bignesse and the place where it was a land that this winde caârayed it might bee a great stones cast from the water and many did affirme it to mee that the winde had such force that it carryed it tumbling till it blew it into the Sea And all the houses the Portugals had made of timber and couered with strawe which were many and were built vpon great stakes and not very high it threw them all downe breaking the stakes And one house being fastened with foure Cables where many Portugals retired themselues at the last fell also and onely one that was sheltered with a high place escaped that it fell not To blow downe these houses was nothing for it doth many other things incredible This winde is almost euerie yeere in China the which within twentie foure houres that it raigneth it runneth about all the points of the Compasse With this winde and the Lands being shaken with the Earthquakes many Cities fell and were made desolate in the which dyed innumerable people In a Citie called Vinyanfuu in this day was a great Earthquake And on the west side a great Fire burst out that swallowed vp all the Citie in the which innumerable people perished escaping in one place two in another three and so some of the Mogores escaped In another Citie neere to this there happened the same but in this none escaped In a Citie called Leuchimen the Riuer increased in such sort that it ouer-flowed the Citie where infinite people were drowned In a Citie called Hien was an Earthquake with the which many houses fell which slew neere eight thousand soules In Puchio the house of the Kings kinsman fell and slew all that were in the house except a Childe of seuen or eight yeeres old his sonne which was carryed to the King and day and night was a noyse heard vnder the earth like the sound of Bells In a Countrey called Cochue with fire from Heauen and with many waters of a Floud many perished and the land remayned vnable to bee cultiuated againe In a Countrey called Enchinoen at midnight the houses fell and the Citie remayned desolate and ruined where perished neere one hundred thousand soules In a Citie called Inchumen in one day and a night the Riuer did flow and ebbe ten times and with the great floud many people perished Hitherto the translation of the Letter that which followeth was heard by word of mouth of the Portugals that were in the Port of Cantan in the moneth of May and I receiued the Letter in September In a Citie called Sanxi from midnight till fiue of the clocke in the morning the earth shooke three times the eighteenth of Ianuarie 1556. and the next day after from midnight till noone happened the same the next day following the twentie of the sayd moneth the earth shooke mightily after midnight with great Thunder and Lightnings and all the Prouince was burnt and all the people thereof and all the Suburbes Townes and Cities they say it is from bound to bound fiftie or sixtie leagues that there was not one saued but a Childe sonne to a kinsman of the King which was carried to the King And the third of Februarie in the same yeere in the Citie of Panquin where the King is fell a shower of rayne like bloud These newes brought one of China that came to Cantan from a Citie neere to Sanxi to giue newes to a Louthia that hee should resort to his owne house and said that the Citie where he was a dweller was ouerflowne and that he knew not whether it would perish with the rest That which ought to bee held for truth is that in three Prouinces which commonly are sayd to be destroyed there was no more destruction then of those places whereof the Letter maketh mention or little more The agreeing in the Childe sheweth that the Towne whereof the Letter maketh mention with the childe was in the Prouince of Sanxi This hath more apparance of truth because the Letter was written from the Court then to say that all the three Prouinces perished After the happening of the things abouesaid the same yeere in the Prouince of Cantan a woman which went to the Panchasi told him that the Prouince of Cansi would bee destroyed with power from Heauen the which after shee was well whipt was imprisoned but in the moneth of May of the
They doe obserue the Law of the Greekes with such excesse of superstition as the like hath not beene heard of They haue no grauen Images in their Churches but all painted to the intent they will not breake the Commandement but to their painted Images they vse such Idolatrie that the like was neuer heard of in England They will neither worship nor honour any Image that is made foorth of their owne Countrey For their owne Images say they haue Pictures to declare what they bee and how they be of God and so be not ours They say looke how the Painter or Caruer hath made them so wee doe worship them and they worship none before they bee Christened They say wee be but halfe Christians because we obserue not part of the old Law with the Turkes Therefore they call themselues more holy then vs. They haue none other learning but their mother tongue nor will suffer no other in their Countrey among them All their seruice in Churches is in their mother tongue They haue the old and new Testament which are daily read among them and yet their superstition is no lesse For when the Priests doe reade they haue such trickes in their reading that no man can vnderstand them nor no man giueth eare to them For all the while the Priest readeth the people sit downe and one talke with another But when the Priest is at seruice no man sitteth but gaggle and ducke like so many Geese And as for their prayers they haue but little skill but vse to say As bodi pomele As much to say Lord haue mercie vpon me For the tenth man within the Land cannot say the Pater noster And as for the Creed no man may bee so bold as to meddle therewith but in the Church for they say it should not be spoken of but in the Churches Speake to them of the Commandements and they will say they were giuen to Moses in the Law which Christ hath now abrogated by his precious Death and Passion therefore say they wee obserue little or none thereof And I doe beleeue them For if they were examined of their Law and Commandements together they should agree but in few points They haue the Sacrament of the Lords Supper in both kindes and more ceremonies then we haue They present them in a dish in both kinds together and carrie them round about the Church vpon the Priests head and so doe minister at all such times as any shall require They bee great offerers of Candles and sometimes of money which wee call in England Soule pence with more ceremonies then I am able to declare They haue foure Lents in the yeere whereof our Lent is the greatest Looke as wee doe begin on the Wednesday so they doe on the Munday before And the weeke before that they call the Butter-weeke And in that weeke they eate nothing but Butter and Milke Howbeit I beleeue there bee in no other Countrey the like people for Drunkennesse The next Lent is called Saint Peters Lent and beginneth alwayes the Munday next after Trinitie Sunday and endeth on Saint Peters Eeuen If they should breake that Fast their beliefe is that they should not come in at Heauen gates And when any of them dye they haue a testimoniall with them in the Coffin that when the soule commeth to Heauen gates it may deliuer the same to Saint Peter which declareth that the partie is a true and holy Russian The third Lent beginneth fifteene dayes before the later Lady day and endeth on our Lady Eeuen The fourth Lent beginneth on Saint Martins day and endeth on Christmas Eeuen which Lent is fasted for Saint Philip Saint Peter Saint Nicholas and Saint Clement For they foure bee the principall and greatest Saints in that Countrey In these Lents they eate neither Butter Egges Milke nor Cheese but they are very straightly kept with Fish Cabbages and Rootes And out of their Lents they obserue truely the Wednesdayes and Fridayes throughout the yeere and on the Saturday they doe eate flesh Furthermore they haue a great number of Religious men which are blacke Monkes and they eate no Flesh throughout the yeere but Fish Milke and Butter By their order they should eate no fresh-Fish and in their Lents they eate nothing but Colâwârts Cabbages salt Cucumbers with other rootes as Radish and such like Their drinke is like our peniâ Alâ and is called Quass They haue Seruice daily in their Churches and vse to goe to seruice two houres before day and that is ended by day light At nine of the clocke they goe to Masse that ended to Dinner and after that to seruice againe and then to Supper You shall vnderstand that at euerie dinner and supper they haue declared the exposition of the Gospell that day but how they wrest and twine the Scripture and that together by report it is wonderfull As for wheredome and Drunkennesse there bee none such liuing and for Extortion they bee the most abominable vnder the Sunne Now iudge of their holinesse They haue twise as much Land as the Duke himselfe hath but yet hee is reasonable euen with them as thus When they take bribes of any of the poore and simple hee hath it by an order When the Abbot of any of their Houses dyeth then the Duke hath all his goods mooueable and vnmooueable so that the Successour buyeth all at the Dukes hands and by this meane they bee the best Fermers the Duke hath Thus with their Religion I make an end trusting hereafter to know it better Some additions for better knowledge of this Voyage taken by CLEMENT ADAMS Schoole-master to the Queenes Henshmen from the mouth of Captaine CHANCELOR RIchard Chancelor with his Ship and companie being thus left alone and become very pensiue heauie and sorrowfull by this dispersion of the Fleet hee according to the order before taken shapeth his course for Ward-house in Norway there to expect and abide the arriuall of the rest of the Ships And being come thither and hauing stayed there the space of seauen dayes and looked in vaine for their comming hee determined at length to proceed alone in the purposed voyage And as hee was preparing himselfe to depart it happened that hee fell in companie and speech with certaine Scottish-men who hauing vnderstanding of his intention and wishing well to his actions began earnestly to disswade him from the further prosecution of the discouerie by amplifying the dangers which hee was to fall into and omitted no reason that might serue to that purpose But he holding nothing so ignominious and reproachfull as inconstancie and leuitie of minde and perswading himselfe that a man of valour could not commit a more dishonourable part then for feare of danger to auoyd and shun great attempts was nothing at all changed or discouraged with the speeches and words of the Scots remayning stedfast and immutable in his first resolution
forth in May 1555. and Master George Killingworth was made their first Agent the particulars whereof are found at large in Master Hakluyts first Tome of Voyages as also other things touching that Trade then setled which heere I omit and come to Master Ienkinsons Voyage to Mosco and thence to Tartaria §. II. The first Voyage made by Master ANTHONIE IENKINSON from the Citie of London toward the Land of Russia begunne the twelfth of May in the yeare 1557. FIrst by the grace of God the day and yeare aboue mentioned I departed from the said Citie and the same day at Grauesend embarked my selfe in a good ship named the Primrose being appointed although vnworthy chiefe Captaine of the same and also of the other three good ships to say the Iohn Euangelist the Anne and the Trinitie hauing also the conduct of the Emperour of Russia his Ambassadour named Osep Nopea Gregoriwich who passed with his company in the said Primrose And thus our foure tall ships being well appointed as well for men as victuals as other necessary furniture the said twelfth day of the moneth of May we weighed our Anchors and departed from the said Grauesend in the after-noone and plying downe the Thames the wind being Easterly and faire weather the thirteenth day we came a ground with the Primrose vpon a sand called the blacke tayle where wee sate fast vntill the fourteenth day in the morning and then God bee praysed shee came off and that day we plyed downe as farre as our Ladie of Holland and there came to an Anchor the winde being Easterly and there remayned vntill the twentieth day then wee weyed and went out at Goldmore gate and from thence in at Balsey slade and so into Orwell wands where we came to an Anchor but as we came out at the said Goldemore gate the Trinitie came on ground on certayne Rockes that lye to the North-ward of the said gate and was like to be bilged and lost But by the ayde of God at the last she came off againe being very leake and the one and twentieth day the Primrose remaining at an Anchor in the wands the other three ships bare into Orwell Hauen where I caused the said Trinitie to be grounded searched and repayred So we remayned in the said Hauen vntill the eight and twentieth day and then the wind being Westerly the three ships that were in the Hauen weighed and came forth and in comming forth the Iohn Euangelist came on ground vpon a Sand called the Andros where she remayned one tyde and the next full Sea she came off againe without any great hurt God be praysed The nine and twentieth day in the morning all foure ships weighed in the Wands and that tyde went as farre as Orfordnesse where we came to an Anchor because the wind was Northerly And about sixe of the clocke at night the wind vered to the South-west and we weighed Anchor and bare cleere of the Nesse and then set our course North-east and by North vntill mid-night being then cleare of Yarmouth sands Then wee winded North and by West and North North-west vntill the first of Iune at noone then it waxed calme and continued so vntill the second day at noone then the wind came at North-west with a tempest and much raine and we lay close by and caped North North-east and North-east and by North as the wind shifted and so continued vntill the third day at noone then the winde vered Westerly againe and we went North our right course and so continued our way vntill the fourth day at three of the clocke in the after-noone at which time the winde vered to the North-west againe and blew a fresh gale and so continued vntill the seuenth day in the morning wee lying with all our ships close by and caping to the Northwards and then the winde vering more Northerly we were forced to put roomer with the Coast of England againe and fell ouerthwart New-castle but went not into the Hauen and so plyed vpon the Coast the eight day and the ninth The tenth day the wind came to the North North-west and wee were forced to beare roomer with Flamborow head where we came to an Anchor and there remayned vntill the seuenteenth day Then the wind came faire and we weighed set our course North and by East time and so continued the same with a merry wind vntill the one and twentieth at noone at which we took the Sunne and had the latitude in sixtie degrees Then we shifted our course and went North North-east North-east and by North vntill the fiue and twentieth day Then we discouered certain Ilands called Heilick Ilands lying from vs Northeast being in the latitude of sixty sixe degrees fortie minutes Then we went North and by West because we would not come too nigh the Land and running that course foure houres we discouered and had sight of Rost Ilands joyning to the mayne Land of Finmarke Thus continuing our course along the Coast of Norway and Finmarke the seuen and twentieth day we tooke the Sunne being as farre shot as Lofoot and had the latitude in sixtie nine degrees And the same day in the afternoone appeared ouer our heads a Rain-bow like a Semicircle with both ends vpward Note that there is betweene the said Rost Ilands and Lofoot a Whirle-poole called Malestrand which from halfe ebbe vntill halfe floâd maketh such a terrible noyse that it shaketh the Rings in the doores of the Inhabitants Houses of the said Ilands ten miles off Also if there commeth any Whale within the current of the same they make a pittifull cry Moreouer if great Trees be carryed into it by force of streames and after with the ebbe be cast out againe the ends and boughes of them haue beene so beaten that they are like the stalkes of Hempe that is bruized Note that all the Coast of Finmarke is high Mountaynes and Hils being couered all the yeare with Snow And hard aboard the shoare of this Coast there is one hundred or one hundred and fiftie fathomes of water in depth Thus proceeding and sayling forward we fell with an Iland called Zenam being in the latitude of seuentie degrees About this Iland wee saw many Whales very monstrous about our ships some by estimation of sixtie foote long and being the ingendring time they roared and cryed terribly From thence we fell with an Iland called Kettlewicke This Coast from Rost vnto Lofoot lyeth North and South and from Lofoot to Zenam North-east and South-west and from Zenam to Kettelwicke East North-east and West South-west From the said Kettelwicke we sayled East and by North ten leagues and fell with a Land called Inger sound where we fished being becalmed and tooke great plentie of Cods Thus plying along the Coast we fell with a Cape called the North Cape which is the Northermost Land that we passe in our Voyage to Saint Nicholas and is in the latitude of seuentie one
prouiding some victuals and shifting certaine of their Cossacks or Barkmen and so departed thence the same day vp the Sughano and came to Totma which is counted somewhat more then halfe the way from Vstyoug the fifteenth day where they shifted some of their Cossacks and departed thence the same day and came to the Citie Vologda the nineteenth of August where they landed their goods and stayed at that place till the thirtieth of the same Hauing prouided at Vologda Telegas or Waggons whereupon they laded their goods they departed thence with the same by land towards Yeraslaue the said thirtieth of August at eight of the clocke in the morning and came to the East side of the riuer Volga ouer against Yeraslaue with fiue and twentie Telegas laden with the said goods the seuenth of September at fiue of the clocke afternoone Then the three stroogs or barkes prouided to transport the said goods to Astracan where they should meete the ship that should carrie the same from thence into Persia came ouer from Yeraslaue vnto the same side of the riuer Volga there tooke in the said goods And hauing prepared the said Barks ready with all necessarie furniture they departed with them from Yeraslaue down the riuer of Volga on the fourteenth day of September at nine of the clocke in the morning and they arriued at Niznouogrod the seuenteenth day at three of the clocke afternoone where they shewed the Emperours letters to passe free without paying any custome and tarried there about three houres to prouide necessaries and then departing arriued at Cazan or neere the same Towne on the two and twentieth of September at fiue of the clocke afternoone where through contrary windes and for prouiding new Cossacks in the places of some that there went from them they remayned till the sixe and twentieth day at what time they departed thence about two of the clocke after noone and arriued at Tetushagorod which is on the Crim side of Volga and in latitude 55. degrees 22. minutes the eight and twentieth day at ten in the forenoone where they anchored and remained about three houres and departing thence came to Oueak which is on the Crims side on the Westerne side of Volga the fift of October about fiue of the clocke in the morning This place is accounted halfe the way betweene Cazan and Astracan and heere there groweth great store of Liqouris the soyle is very fruitfull they found there Apple-trees and Cherrie-trees The latitude of Oueak is 51. degrees 30. minuts At this place had beene a very faire stone Castle called by the name Oueak and adioyning to the same was a Towne called by the Russes Sodom this Towne and part of the Castle by report of the Russes was swallowed into the earth by the iustice of God for the wickednesse of the people that inhabited the same There remayneth at this day to be seene a part of the ruines of the Castle and certaine Tombes wherein as it seemeth haue beene layd noble personages for vpon a tombe stone might be perceiued the forme of a Horse and a man sitting on it with a Bow in his hand and Arrowes girt to his side there was a piece of a Scutchion also vpon one of the stones which had characters grauen on it whereof some part had been consumed with the weather and the rest left vnperfect but by the forme of them that remained we iudged them to be characters of Armenia and other characters were grauen also vpon another tombe stone Now they departed from Oueak the said fift of October at fiue of the clocke after noone and came to Perauolok the tenth day about eleuen or twelue of the clocke that night making no abode at that place but passed alongst by it This word Perauolok in the Russe tongue doth signifie a narrow straight or necke of land between two waters and it is so called by them because from the riuer Volga at that place to the riuer Don or Tanais is counted thirtie versts or as much as a man may well trauell on foot in one day And seuen versts beneath vpon an Iland called Tsaritsna the Emperour of Russia hath fiftie Gunners all Summertime to keepe watch called by the Tartar name Carawool Betweene this place and Astracan are fiue other Carawools or watches The First is named Kameni Carawool and is distant from Perauolok one hundred and twentie verstes The second named Stupino Carowool distant from the first fiftie verstes The third called Polooy Carowool is one hundred and twentie verstes distant from the second The fourth named Keezeyur Carawool is fiftie verstes distant from the third The fift named Ichkebre is thirtie verstes distant from the fourth and from Ichkebre to Astracan is thirtie verstes The sixteenth of October they arriued at Astracan The ninteenth of Nouember the winde being northerly there was a great frost and much Ice in the Riuer the next day being the twentieth of Nouember the Ice stood in the Riuer and so continued vntill Easter day The sixth of Ianuarie being Twelfe day which they call Chreshenia the Russes of Astracan brake a hole in the Ice vpon the Riuer Volga and hallowed the water with great solemnitie according to the manner of their Countrey at which time all the Souldiers of the Towne shot off their small Peeces vpon the Ice and likewise to gratifie the Captaine of the Castle being a Duke whose name is Pheodor Michalouich Troiocouria who stood hard by the ship beholding them as they were on the Riuer was shot off all the Ordnance of our ship being fifteene Peeces viz. two Faulcons two Faulconets foure Fowlers foure Fowlers Chambers and three oother small Peeces made for the Stroogs to shoot Haile-stones and afterwards the great Ordnance of the Castle was shot off On the one and thirtieth of Ianuarie there happened a great Eclipse of the Moone which began about twelue of the clocke at night and continued before shee was cleere an houre and an halfe by estimation which ended the first of Februarie about halfe an houre past one in the morning shee was wholly darkned by the space of halfe an houre The seuenteenth of Aprill the variation of the Compasse obserued in Astracan was 13. degrees 40. minutes from North to West This Spring there came newes to Astracan that the Queene of Persia the King being blind had beene with a great Armie against the Turkes that were left to possesse Media and had giuen them a great ouerthrow yet notwithstanding Derbent and the greatest part of Media were still possessed and kept by the Turkes The Factors of the Companie consulting vpon their affaires determined to leaue at Astracan the one halfe of their goods with Arthur Edwards and with the other halfe the other three Factors would proceed in the ship on their purposed Voyage to the coast of Media to see what might bee done there where if they could not finde safe trafficke
they determined to proceed to the coast of Gilan which is a Prouince neere the Caspian Sea bordering vpon Persia and thereupon appointed the said goods to be laden aboord the ship and tooke into her also some merchandise of Tisiks or Persian Merchants The second of May they weighed and plyed downe the Riuer Volga toward the Caspian Sea The seuenth of May in the morning they passed by a Tree that standeth on the left hand of the Riuer as they went downe which is called Mahomet Agatch or Mahomets Tree and about three verstes further that is to say to the Southwards of the said Tree is a place called Vchoog that is to say The Russe Weare but Ochoog is the name of a Weare in the Tartar tongâe where are certaine Cotages and the Emperour hath lying at that place certaine Gunners to guard his Fisher-men that keepe the Weare This Vchoog is counted from Astracan sixty verstes they proceeded downe the said Riuer without staying at the Vchoog The ninth and tenth dayes they met with shallow water and were forced to lighten their ship by the Pauos The eleuenth day they sent backe to the Vchoog for an other Pauos This day by mischance the ship was bilged on the grapnell of the Pauos whereby the companie had sustayned great losses if the chiefest part of their goods had not beene layd into the Pauos for notwithstanding their pumping with three Pumps heauing cut water with Buckets and all the best shifts they could make the ship was halfe full of water ere the leake could be found and stopt The twelfth day the Pauos came to them from the Vchoog whereby they lighted the ship of all the goods The thirteenth day in the morning there came to them a small Boat sent by the Captaine of Astracan to learne whether the ship were at Sea cleare off the flats The fifteenth day by great industrie and trauell they got their ship cleare off the shoales and flats wherewith they had beene troubled from the ninth day vntill then they were forced to passe their ship in three foot water or lesse The sixteenth day they came to the Chetera Bougori or Iland of foure Hillockes which are counted fortie verstes from Vchoog and are the furthest Land towards the Sea The seuenteenth day they bare off into the Sea and being about twelue verstes from the Foure hillockes riding in fiue foot and a halfe water about eleuen of the clocke in the fore-noone they tooke their goods out of the Pauoses into the ship and filled their ship with all things necessarie The eighteenth day in the morning about seuen of the clocke the Pauoses being discharged departed away towards Astracan the winde then at South-east they rode still with the ship and obseruing the eleuation of the Pole at that place found it to be 45. degrees 20. minutes The nineteenth day the winde South-east they rode still The twentieth day the winde at North-west they set sayle about one of the clocke in the morning and steered thence South by West and South South-west about three leagues and then anchored in sixe foot and a halfe water about nine of the clocke before noone at which time it fell calme the eleuation of the Pole at that place 45. degrees 13. minutes The one and twentieth hauing the winde at North-west they set sayle and steered thence South by West and South vntill eleuen of the clocke and had then nine foote water and at noone they obserued the latitude and found it to bee 44. degrees 47. minutes then had they three fathoms and a halfe water being cleare off the flats It is counted from the Foure hillockes to the Sea about fiftie verstes From the said noone-tide vntill foure of the clocke they sayled South by East fiue leagues and a halfe then had they fiue fathoms and a halfe and brackish water from that till twelue at night they sayled South by East halfe a league East ten leagues then had they eleuen fathoms and the water salter From that till the two and twentieth day three of the clocke in the morning they sayled three and fiftie leagues then had they sixteene fathoms water from thence they sayled vntill noone South and by West seuen leagues and a halfe the latitude then obserued 43. degrees 15. minutes the depth then eight and twentie fathoms and shallow ground from that vntill eight of the clocke at night they sayled South by East fiue leagues and a halfe then had they three and fortie fathoms shallow ground From thence till the three and twentieth at foure of the clocke in the morning they sayled South South-west three leagues and a halfe then could they get no ground in two and fiftie fathoms deepe From thence vntill noone they sayled South nine leagues then the latitude obserued was 42. degrees 20. minutes From that till the foure and twentieth day at noone they sayled South by West seuenteene leagues and a halfe then the latitude obserued was one and fortie degrees two and thirtie minutes From noone till seuen of the clocke at night they sayled South South-west foure leagues then had they perfect sight of high Land or Hills which were almost couered with Snow and the midst of them were West from the ship being then about twelue leagues from the neerest Land they sounded but could finde no ground in two hundred fathoms From thence they sayled South-west vntill mid-night about three leagues from thence till the fiue and twentieth day foure of the clocke in the morning they sayled West three leagues being then little winde and neere the Land they tooke in their sayles and lay hulling at noone the latitude obserued was 40. degrees 54. minutes they sounded but could get no ground in two hundred fathoms At foure of the clocke in the after-noone the winde North-west they set their sayles and from thence till the sixe and twentieth day at noone they sayled East South-east foure leagues From thence they sayled till eight of the clocke at night South-west three leagues the winde then at North. From thence they sayled vntill the seuen and twentieth day two of the clocke in the morning West South-west eight leagues the winde blowing at North very much From the said two till foure of the clocke they sayled South by West one league then being day light they saw the Land plaine which was not past three leagues from them being very high ragged Land There were certaine Rockes that lay farre off into the Sea about fiue leagues from the same Land which are called Barmake Tash they sayled betweene those Rockes and the Land and about fiue of the clocke they passed by the Port Bilbill where they should haue put in but could not and bearing longst the shoare about two of the clocke after noone they came to Bildih in the Countrey of Media or Sheruan against which place they anchored in nine foot water Presently after they were at
so they continued driuing with the Ice South-east into the Sea by the space of fortie houres and then being the sixteenth day the Ice stood Whiles they droue with the Ice the dangers which they incurred were great for oftentimes when the Ice with force of wind and Sea did breake pieces of it were tossed and driuen one vpon another with great force terrible to behold and the same happened at sometimes so neere vnto the Lighters that they expected it would haue ouer-whelmed them to their vtter destruction but God who had preserued them from many perils before did also saue and deliuer them then Within three or foure dayes after the first standing of the Ice when it was firme and strong they tooke out all their goods being fortie and eight Bales or Packes of Raw Silke c. laid it on the Ice and couered the same with such prouisions as they had Then for want of victuals c. they agreed to leaue all the goods there vpon the Ice and to goe to the shoare and therevpon brake vp their Chests and Corobias wherewith and with such other things as they could get they made Sleds for euery of them to draw vpon the Ice whereon they layed their clothes to keepe them warme and such victuals as they had and such other things as they might conueniently carrie and so they departed from the said goods and Pauoses very early about one of the clocke in the morning and trauelling on the Ice directed their way North as neere as they could judge and the same day about two of the clocke in the after-noone they had sight of the Chetera Babbas foure Hillocks of Ilands so called vnto the same they directed themselues and there remayned that night The goods and Pauoses which they left on the Ice they judged to be from those Chetera Babbas about twentie Versts And the next morning departed thence East-wards and came to the Chetera Bougories or foure Ilands before spoken of before noone the distance betweene those places is about fifteene Versts where they remained all that night departing thence towards Astracan the next morning very early they lost their way through the perswasion of the Russes which were with them taking to much towards the left hand contrary to the opinion of Master Hudson whereby wandering vpon the Ice foure or fiue dayes not knowing whether they were entred into the Crimme Tartars Land or not at length it fortuned they met with a way that had beene trauelled which crost back-wards towards the Sea that way they tooke and following the same within two dayes trauell it brought them to a place called the Crasnoyare that is to say in the English Tongue Red Cliffe which diuers of the company knew There they remayned that night hauing nothing to eate but one Loafe of Bread which they happened to find with the two Russes that were left in the ship to keepe her all the Winter as is aforesaid whom they chanced to meet going towards Astracan about fiue miles before they came to the said Crasnoyare who certified them that the ship was cut in pieces with the Ice and that they had hard scaping with their liues In the morning they departed early from Grasnoyare towards the Ouchooge and about nine of the clocke before noone being within ten Versts of the Vchooge they met Amos Riall with the Carpenter which he found at Ouchooge and a Gunner newly come out of England and also sixtie fiue Horses with so many Cassacks to guide them and fiftie Gunners for guard which brought prouision of victuals c. and were sent by the Duke to fetch the goods to Astracan The meeting of that company was much joy vnto them The Factors sent backe with Amos Riall and the said company to fetch the goods Thomas Hudson the Master Tobias Paris his Mate and so they the said Factors and their company marched on to the Vchooge where they refreshed themselues that day and the night following And from thence proceeded on towards Astracan where they arriued the last day of Nouember These that went for the goods after their departure from the Factors trauelled the same day vntill they came within ten Versts of the Chetera Babbas where they rested that night The next morning by the breake of the day they departed thence and before noone were at the Chetera Babbas where they stayed all night but presently departed thence Thomas Hudson with the Carpenter and Gunner to seeeke where the goods lay who found the same and the next day they returned backe to their company at the Chetera Babbas and declared vnto them in what sort they had found the said goods The third day early in the morning they departed all from the foure Babbas towards the said goods and the same day did lade all the goods they could finde vpon the said sleds and withall conuenient speed returned backe towards Astracan And when they came to the Chetera Bougori where they rested the night in the morning very early before the breake of day they were assaulted by a great company of the Nagays Tartars Horse-men which came shouting and hallowing with a great noyse but our people were so inuironed with the sleds that they durst not enter vpon them but ranne by and shot their Arrowes amongst them and hurt but one man in the head who was a Russe and so departed presently Yet when it was day they shewed themselues a good distance off from our men being a very great troope of them but did not assault them any more The same day our men with those carriages departed from thence towards Astracan where they arriued in safetie the fourth of December about three of the clock in the after-noone where our people greatly rejoyced of their great good hap to haue escaped so many hard euents troubles and miseries as they did in that Voyage and had great cause therefore to prayse the Almightie who had so mercifully preserued and deliuered them They remayned the Winter at Astracan where they found great fauour and friendship of the Duke Captaine and other chiefe Officers of that place but that Winter there hapned no great matter worth the noting In the Spring of the yeere 1581. about the midst of March the Ice was broken vp and cleare gone before Astracan A Letter of Master HENRIE LANE to the worshipfull Master WILLIAM SANDERSON containing a briefe discourse of that which passed in the North-east discouerie for the space of three and thirtie yeeres MAster Sanderson as you lately requested me so haue I sought and though I cannot finde some things that heretofore I kept in writing and lent out to others yet perusing at London copies of mine old Letters to content one that meaneth to pleasure many I haue briefly and as truely as I may drawne out as followeth The rough hewing may bee planed at your leasure or as pleaseth him that shall take the paines First the honourable attempt
were which certaine moneths past they had told him had brought him certaine Images and certaine small Bells which strike of themselues for so they call Clocks and wherefore they brought him not those things and that they should fetch them quickly and he gaue the charge of dispatching our businesse to a great Mandarin of Paquin to whom it belongeth to deale with Strangers These newes were brought to the Eunuch and vs who for the executing of the Kings commandement whose Letter they obey without reply sent vs word that wee must goe to Paquin because the King sent for vs and sent vs eft-soones all the Pieces which hee had in his possession and the most part of those things which he had taken from vs that wee our selues should put them in order that they should receiue no hurt by the way and gaue vs many men to carrie all our stuffe on their shoulders and Horses for all our companie and a Mandarin to accompanie vs. Wee were lodged all the way in the Palaces of the Mandarins very honourably Hauing trauelled foure dayes we came to the walls of Paquin and they lodged vs in an house without the walls And because the King had referred the businesse to the Mandarin which I spoke of the Eunuch feared that hee should lose the thankes which he thought to receiue of the King for that present if another Mandarin should meddle with it That day hee caused all things to be made readie of the Petition and remembrance which therewithall he was to giue vnto the King and earely in the morning with other things and much Siluer of the reuenues which he presented being all guarded with many Horse-men and Foot-men hee carryed it to the Kings Palaces Who hauing the memoriall deliuered vnto him commanded his men to receiue all things They receiued the same and when hee had seene all those strange things the like whereof or of so great excellencie he had neuer seene before they say that he rejoyced greatly considering and viewing all things a very long while with great shew of admiration especially of the Pictures and Clockes Hee commanded them to bring vs to his Palaces and to enquire of vs what kinde of thing those Clockes were and what thing was needfull for to haue them to goe well Wee answered to the point And from the place where we were on horsebacke by poste on two Horses which we mounted and with the like speed we came to the Court. At the same of our comming and for to see vs an infinite multitude of people assembled because Strangers are no ordinarie thing in China and when wee came to the Court those which had the charge of vs were enforced to make roome with staues When we were come to a certayne place a great Eunuch accompanied with aboue two hundred small ones came downe to demand of vs what the King commanded him and to see how wee did handle those Clockes They saw how we vsed them but wee answered to the question that it was needfull to appoint some bodie of good capacitie to learne which in two or three dayes would learne how to vse them When they had returned the answer the King appointed foure Eunuches of his principall Mathematicians to learne it and command them to receiue vs in the meane while in his house withân his owne Palace They receiued vs with much respect and good enteâtaynment A great multitude of Eunuches came to see vs and euery one to enquire what came in his minde But the King which all those dayes was occupied in rejoycing for those new things commanded the Images to bee placed in a principall Hall whether as the Eunuches told vs the chiefe Queene went to doe them reuerence and they told vs of the King that hee durst not keepe them neere him being afrayd because they seemed vnto him to bee aliue Often times he sent Eunuches vnto vs to enquire diuers things concerning our Countrey whether it had any King what manner of Apparell he wore and what kinde of Hat for in China they make great difference of the apparell of the King from the foot to the head and of other men and if wee had any Picture of him that we should shew it We had a picture wherein was the Pope with his triple Crowne and the Emperour and the King with their Ensignes kneeling before the name of God and we gaue them it for a show declaring that those were three kinde of Kings and that all of them did worship the true God which made Heauen and Earth whose Image we had giuen him They carryed it vnto him and because it seemed to bee small he commanded them to draw another greater in colours by it Afterward hee sent another to demand questions of the things of our Countrey particularly of the Kings Houses Wee had a Map of the Escuriall newly cut in Copper and a picture of the Place of Saint Marke in Venice both which wee gaue them Though we suspect that they deliuered but the second saying that they durst not giue the other because straight in haste hee would command them to paint them great and there was none that durst take it vpon him though wee know not whither they deliuered it afterward Hee willed them further to enquire after what manner wee buryed our Kings because in the matter of Burials and Sepulchers the Chinois are great South-sayers and put a great part of their felicitie in a good manner and place of their Burials At that time wee receiued a Map of the Death of his Majestie who liueth with God in glorie and of the manner of his Funerall and so we answered him as it was in the Map to wit that they made him a Coffin within of Lead which continueth long and without of excellent Wood and put these coffins in a Sepulcher of stone and for this purpose there was a Church builded of purpose They enquired many things of vs of this kinde these few dayes where vnto wee answered aduancing the things that belonged to the seruice of our Lord God as much as we might and concerned our Europe as farre as the truth would permit vs because that we deemed it to bee conuenient for the seruice of our Lord. They told the King so many things that it seemed hee greatly desired to see vs But on the other part he thought it would bee too great a courtesie and much beyond his custome who neuer suffereth himselfe to be seene of his owne people but of his Eunuchs and Wiues that serue him and somtime very seldome of some one of the greatest Mandarins yet though he would not suffer himselfe altogether to bee ouercome of this temptation yet he suffered himselfe in part and hee sent to take our Pictures which two Painters did each of them by themselues as well as they could Yet in truth I neither knew my selfe nor my companion in that picture but
oppression of their Subiects being themselues of a Christian profession By this it appeareth how hard a matter it were to alter the state of the Russe Gouernment as now it standeth THe Emperours of Russia giue the name of Counsellour to diuers of their chiefe Nobilitie rather for honours sake then for any vse they make of them about their matters of State These are called Boiarens without any addition and may be called Counsellours at large For they are seldome or neuer called to any publike consultation They which are of his speciall and priuie Counsell indeed whom he vseth daily and ordinarily for all publike matters pertayning to the State haue the addition of Dumnoy and are named Dumnoy boiaren or Lords of the Counsell their Office or Sitting Boarstua dumâa Their names at this present are these in their order First Knez Feoder Ioanowich Methisloskey 2. Knez Iuan Michailowich Glinskoy 3. Knez Vasilie Iuanowich Suskoy Scopin These three are accounted to be of greater birth then wisedome taken in as may seeme for that end rather to furnish the place with their honours and presence then with their aduice or counsell 4. Knez Vasilie Iuanowich Suskoy thought to be more wise then the other of his name 5. Knez Feoder Michailowich 6. Knez Michata Romanowich Trowbetskoy 7. Knez Timophey Romanowich Trowbetskoy 8. Knez Andriew Gregoriwich Curakine 9. Knez Demetrie Iuanowich Forestine 10. Knez Feoder Iuanowich Forestine 11. Bodan Iuanowich Sabaroue 12. Knez Iuan Vasilowich 13. Knez Feoder Demetriwich Shestinoue 14. Knez Feoder Michailowich Troyconioue 15. Iuan Buterlyney 16. Demetrie Iuanowich Godonoe 17. Borrise Federowich Godonoe brother to the Empresse 18. Stephan Vasilowich Godonoe 19. Gregorie Vasilowich Godonoe 20. Iuan Vasilowich Godonoe 21. Feoder Sheremitoue 22. Andrew Petrowich Cleshenina 23. Ignatiâ Petrowich Tatisloue 24. Romain Michailowich Peua 25. Demenshoy Iuanowich Cheremissen 26. Romain Vasilowich Alferioue 27. Andriew Shalcaloue 28. Vasilie Shalcaloue 29. Eleazar Wellusgin 30. Drezheen Penteleoue 31. Zapon Abramoue The foure last of these are called Dumnoy deiakey or Lord-Secretaries These are all of the Emperours priuie Counsell though but few of them are called to any consultation for that all matters are aduised and determined vpon by Borris Federowich Godonoe brother to the Empresse with some fiue or sixe more whom it pleaseth him to call If they come they are rather to heare then to giue counsell and doe so demeane themselues The matters occurrent which are of State done within the Realme are informed them at their âittings by the Lords of the foure Chetfirds or Tetrarchies Whereof mention is made in the Chapter concerning the Gouernment of their Prouinces Who bring in all such Letters as they receiue from the Dukes Dyacks Captaines and other Officers of the Citie and Castles pertayning to their seuerall Quarter or Chetfird with other aduertisements and informe the Counsell of them The like is done by the chiefe Officer of euery seuerall Office of Record who may come into the Counsell-chamber and informe them as occasion incident to his Office doth require Besides matters of State they consider of many priuate Causes informed by the way of supplication in very great numbers Whereof some they entertayne and determine as the Cause or meanes can procure fauour Some they send to the Offices whereto they pertayne by common course of Law Their ordinary dayes for their sitting are Mondayes Wednesdayes and Fridayes Their time of meeting is commonly seuen of the clocke in the morning If there bee any extraordinary occasion that requireth consultation on some other day they haue warning by the Clerke of of the Counsell called Dorofey Bushew who receiueth order from the Roserad or High Constable of the Realme to call them together at the time appointed FOr the receiuing of Customes and other Rents belonging to the Crowne there are appointed diuers Vnder-officers which deliuer ouer the same into the head Treasurie The first is the Office of Dwoertsoua or Steward of the houshold The second is the Office of the Chetfirds which I comprehend vnder one though it be diuided into foure seuerall parts as was said before The third is called Bulsha Prechode or the great Income As touching the first which is the Office of the Steward it receiueth all the Rents of the Emperours Inheritance or Crowne-land which they call Vochin The Vochin or Crown-land contayneth in it sixe and thirtie Townes with the Territories or Hundreds belonging vnto them Whereof the chiefe that yeeld the greatest Rents are these Alexandrisca Corelska Otfer Slobodey Danielska Moisalskoy Chara Sametska Strararouse Bransoue c. The Inhabitants or Tenants of these and the other Townes pay some Rent money some other Rent duties called Obrâkey as certaine Chetfirds or measures of Graine Wheat Rye Barley Oats c. or of other victuall as Oxen Sheepe Swannes Geese Hares Hennes wilde Fowle Fish Hay Wood Honey c. Some are bound to sowe for the Emperours prouision certaine acres of ground and to make the Corne ready for his vse hauing for it an allowance of certaine acres of ground for their owne proper vse This prouision for the houshold specially of Graine serued in by the Tenants is a great deale more then is spent in his house or in other allowance serued out in liuery or for the Emperours honour called Schalouaney for which vse there is bestowed very much both in Graine and other Victuall This surplus of prouision is sold by the Steward to the best hand and runneth into the Emperours Treasurie In the time of Iuan Vasilowich father to this Emperour who kept a more Princely and bountifull house then the Emperour now doth this ouerplus of Graine and other incomes into the Stewards Office yeelded to his Treasurie not past 60000. Rubbels yeerely but riseth now by good husbanding of the Steward Gregory Vasilowich Godonoe to 230000. Rubbels a yeere And this by the meanes of the Empresse and her kindred specially Borris Fedorowich Godonoe that account it all their owne that runneth into the Emperors Treasure Much of this surplusage that riseth out of the Rent prouision is employed to the payment of the wages of his houshold Officers which are very many attending at home and purueying abroad The second Office of Receit is called the Chetfirds being diuided into foure seuerall parts as before was said hath foure head Officers which besides the ordering and gouernment of the Shires contayned within their seuerall Chetfirds haue this also as a part of their Office to receiue the Tagla and Podat belonging to the Emperour that riseth out of the foure Chetfirds or Quarters The Tagla is a yeerly Rent or Imposition raised vpon euery Wiâe or measure of Graine that groweth within the Land gathered by sworne men and brought into the Office The Wite contayneth sixtie Chetfirds Euery Chetfird is three Bushels English or little lesse The Podat is an ordinary Rent of money imposed vpon euery Soake or Hundred within the whole
amend that fault c. And this is a matter of forme with them vttered in as many words and no more in a manner then I haue heere set downe Yet the matter is done with that Grace and Solemnitie in a Pulpit of purpose set vp for this one Act as if hee were to discourse at large of the whole substance of Diuinitie At the Mosko the Emperour himselfe is euer present at this Solemne Exhortation As themselues are void of all manner of Learning so are they wary to keepe out all meanes that might bring any in as fearing to haue their ignorance and vngodlinesse discouered To that purpose they haue perswaded the Emperors that it would breed Innouation and sow danger to their State to haue any nouelty of Learning come within the Realme Wherein they say but truth for that a man of spirit and vnderstanding helped by Learning and liberall Education can hardly indure a tyrannicall Gouernment Some yeeres past in the other Emperours time there came a Presse and Letters out of Polonia to the Citie of Mosko where a Printing House was set vp with great liking and allowance of the Emperour himselfe But not long after the house was set on fire in the night time and the Presse and Letters quite burnt vp as was thought by the procurement of the Clergie-men Their Priests whom they call Papaes are made by the Bishops without any great tryall for worthinesse of gifts before they admit them or Ceremonies in their admission saue that their heads are shorne not shauen for that they like not about an hand breadth or more in the crowne and that place anointed with Oyle by the Bishop who in his admission putteth vpon the Priest first his Surplesse and then setteth a white Crosse on his brest of Silke or some other matter which he is to weare eight dayes and no more and so giueth him authoritie to say and sing in the Church and to administer the Sacraments They are men vtterly vnlearned which is no maruell for as much as their Makers the Bishops themselues as before was said are cleere of that qualitie and make no farther vse at all of any kind of Learning no not of the Scriptures themselues saue to reade and to sing them Their ordinary charge and function is to say the Lyturgie to administer the Sacraments after their manner to keepe and decke their Idols and to doe the other Ceremonies vsuall in their Churches Their number is great because their Townes are parted into many small Parishes without any discretion for diuiding them into competent numbers of Housholds and people for a just Congregation as the manner in all places where the meanes is neglected for increasing of knowledge and instruction towards God Which cannot well be had where by meanes of an vnequall partition of the people and Parishes there followeth a want and vnequalitie of stipend for a sufficient Ministery For their Priests it is lawfull to marry for the first time But if the first Wife dye a second he cannot take but he must lose his Priest-hood and his liuing withall The reason they make out of that place of Saint Paul to Timothy 1.3.2 not well vnderstood thinking that to bee spoken of diuers Wiues successiuely that the Apostle speaketh of at one and the same time If hee will needs marrie againe after his first wife is dead he is no longer called Papa but Rospapa or Priest quondam This maketh the Priests to make much of their Wiues who are accounted as the Matrones and of best reputation among the women of the Parish For the stipend of the Priest their manner is not to pay him any tenths of Corne or ought else but he must stand at the deuotion of the people of his Parish and make vp the Incommes towards his maintenance so well as hee can by Offerings Shrifts Mariages Burials Dirges and Prayers for the dead and the liuing which they call Molitua For besides their publike Seruice within their Churches their manner is for euery priuate man to haue a Prayer said for him by the Priest vpon any occasion of businesse whatsoeuer whether he ride goe saile plough or whatsoeuer else he doth Which is not framed according to the occasion of his businesse but at randome being some of their ordinary and vsuall Church-prayers And this is thought to bee more holy and effectuall if it be repeated by the Priests mouth rather then by his owne They haue a custome besides to solemnize the Saints day that is Patrone to their Church once euery yeere What time all their Neighbours of their Countrey and Parishes about come in to haue Prayers said to that Saint for themselues and their friends and so make an Offering to the Priest for his paines This Offering may yeeld them some ten pounds a yeere more or lesse as the Patrone or Saint of that Church is of credit and estimation among them The manner is on this day which they keepe Anniuersary for the Priest to hire diuers of his Neighbour Priests to helpe him as hauing more Dishes to dresse for the Saint then he can well turne his hand vnto They vse besides to visit their Parishioners houses with Holy Water and Perfume commonly once a quarter and so hauing sprinkled and becensed the goodman and his Wife with the rest of their houshold and houshold-stuffe they receiue some Deuotion or lesse as the man is of abilitie This and the rest layd altogether may make vp for the Priest towards his mayntenance about thirty or forty Rubbels a yeere whereof he payeth the tenth part to the Bishop of the Diocesse The Papa or Priest is knowne by his long Tufts of haire hanging downe by his Eares his Gowne with a broad Cape and a walking staffe in his hand For the rest of his Habit hee is apparelled like the common sort When he sayth the Lyturgie or Seruice within the Church hee hath on him his Surplesse and sometimes his Coape if the day bee more Solemne They haue besides their Papaes or Priests their Churnapapaes as they call them that is Black Priests that may keepe their Benefices though they be admitted Friers withall within some Monasterie They seeme to be the very same that were called Regular Priests in the Popish Church Vnder the Priest is a Deacon in euery Church that doth nothing but the Office of a Parish Clerke As for their Protopapaes or Arch-priests and their Arch-deacons that are next in election to be their Protopopas they serue onely in the Cathedrall Churches Of Friers they haue an infinite rabble farre greater then in any other Countrey where Popery is professed Euery Citie and good part of the Countrey swarmeth full of them For they haue wrought as the Popish Friers did by their Superstition and Hypocrisie that if any part of the Realme be better and sweeter then other there standeth a Friery or a Monastery dedicated to some Saint The number of them is so much the greater
pretended by him was charged by a woman that was familiar with him beeing then fallen out that he halted but in the day time and could leape merrily when hee came home at night And that he had intended this matter sixe yeeres before Now hee is put into a Monastery and there rayleth vpon the Friers that hired him to haue this counterfeit Miracle practised vpon him Besides this disgrace a little before my comming from thence there were eight slaine with in his Church by fire in a Thunder Which caused his Bels that were tingling before all day and night long as in triumph of the Miracles wrought by Basileo their Saint to ring somewhat softlier and hath wrought no little discredit to this Miracle-worker There was another of great account at Plesko called Nichola of Plesko that did much good when this Emperours Father came to sacke the Towne vpon suspition of their reuolting and Rebellion against him The Emperour after he had saluted the Eremite at his lodging sent him a reward And the Holy man to requite the Emperour sent him a piece of raw Flesh being then their Lent time Which the Emperour seeing bid one to tell him that he maruelled that the Holy man would offer him flesh to eate in the Lent when it was forbidden by order of holy Church And doth Euasko which is as much to say as Iacke thinke quoth Nicola that it is vnlawfull to eate a piece of beasts flesh in Lent and not to eate vp so much mans flesh as he hath done already So threatning the Emperour with a prophecy of some hard aduenture to come vpon him except he left murdring of his people and departed the Towne he saued a great many mens liues at that time This maketh the people to like very well of them because they are as Pasquils to note their great mens faults that no man else dare speake of Yet it falleth out sometime that for this rude libertie which they take vpon them after a counterfeit manner by imiâation of Prophets they are made away in secret as was one or two of them in the last Emperours time for being ouer-bold in speaking against his gouernment THeir morning Seruice they call Zautrana that is Mattins It is done in this order The Priest entreth into the Church with his Deacon following him And when he is come to the middle of the Church he beginneth to say with a loude voyce Blaslauey Vladika that is Blesse vs heauenly Pastor meaning of Christ. Then hee addeth In the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost one very God in Trinitie and Aspody pomelui or Lord haue mercy vpon vs Lord haue mercy vpon vs Lord haue mercy vpon vs repeated three times This done he marcheth on towards the Chancell or Sanctum Sanctorum as they vse to call it and so entreth into the Scharsuey Dwere or the Heauenly Doore which no man may enter into but the Priest onely Where standing at the Altar or Table set neere to the vpper wall of the Chancell he sayeth the Lords Prayer and then againe Aspody pomelui or Lord haue mercy vpon vs Lord haue mercy vpon vs c. pronounced twelue times Then praised be the Trinitie the Father the Sonne and holy Ghost for euer and euer Whereto the Deacons and People say Amen Next after the Priest addeth the Psalmes for that day and beginneth with O come let vs worship and fall downe before the Lord c. and therewithall himselfe with the Deacons and People all turne themselues towards their Idols or Images that hang on the wall and crossing themselues bow downe three times knocking their heads to the very ground After this he readeth the Ten Commandements and Athanasius Creed out of the Seruice Booke This being done the Deacon that standeth without the Heauenly Doore or Chancell readeth a piece of a Legend out of a written Booke for they haue it not in Print of some Saints life miracles c. This is diuided into many parts for euery day in the yeere and is read by them with a plaine singing note not vnlike to the Popish tune when they sung their Gospels After all this which reacheth to an houre and an halfe or two houres of length he addeth certaine set Collects or Prayers vpon that which he hath read out of the Legend before and so endeth his Seruice All this while stand burning before their Idols a great many of Waxe candles whereof some are of the bignesse of a mans waste vowed or enioyned by penance vpon the people of the Parish About nine of the clocke in the morning they haue another Seruice called Obeidna or Compline much after the order of the Popish Seruice that bare that name If it be some High or Festiuall day they furnish their Seruice beside with Blessed bee the Lord God of Israel c. and Wee praise thee O God c. sung with a more solemne and curious note Their euening Seruice is called Vecherna where the Priest beginneth with Blaslauey Vladika as he did in the morning and with the Psalmes appointed for the Vecherna Which being read he singeth My soule doeth magnifie the Lord c. And then the Priest Deacons and People all with one voice sing Aspody pomelui or Lord haue mercy vpon vs thirty times together Whereunto the Boyes that are in the Church answere all with one voice rolling it vp so fast as their lips can goe Verij Verij Verij Verij or Praise Praise Praise c. thirty times together with a very strange noise Then is read by the Priest and vpon the Holidayes sung the first Psalme Blessed is the man c. And in the end of it is added Alleluia repeated ten times The next in order is some part of the Gospell ready by the Priest which hee endeth with Alleluia repeated three times And so hauing said a Collect in remembrance of the Saint of that day hee endeth his euening Seruice All this while the Priest standeth aboue at the Altar or high Table within the Chancell or Sanctum Sanctorum whence hee neuer moueth all the Seruice time The Deacon or Deacons which are many in their Cathedrall Churches stand without the Chancell by the Scharsuey Dwere or Heauenly Doore for within they may not be seene all the Seruice time though otherwise their Office is to sweepe and keepe it and to set vp the Waxe candles before their Idols The people stand together the whole Seruice time in the body of the Church and some in the Church Porch for Piew or Seat they haue none within their Churches The Sacrament of Baptisme they administer after this manner The child is brought vnto the Church and this is done within eight dayes after it is borne if it bee the child of some Nobleman it is brought with great pompe in a rich Sled or Wagon with Chaires and Cushions of cloth of Gold and such like sumptuous shew of their best
himselfe prostrate vnto them with knocking his head to the very ground Thus he continueth the space of a quarter of an houre or thereabouts Then commeth againe the Ghostly Father or Chamber Priest with a Siluer Bowle full of Holy-water which they call in Russe Sweta Voda and a sprinkle of Basill as they call it in his hand and so all to besprinkleth first the Image Gods and then the Emperour This Holy-water is brought fresh euery day from the Monasteries farre and neere sent to the Emperour from the Abbot or Prior in the name of the Saint that is Patrone of that Monastery as a speciall token of good will from him These Deuotions being ended he sendeth into the Empresse to aske whether she hath rested in health c. And after a little pawses goeth himselfe to salute her in a middle Roome betwixt both their chambers The Empresse lyeth a-part from him and keepeth not one chamber nor Table with the Emperour ordinarily saue vpon the Eue of their Lents or common Fasts what time she is his ordinary Ghest at Bed and Boord After their meeting in the morning they goe together to their priuate Church or Chappell where is said or sung a morning Seruice called Zautrana of an houre long or thereabouts From the Church hee returneth home and sitteth him downe in a great chamber to be seene and saluted by his Nobilitie such as are in fauour about the Court. If he haue to say to any of them or they to him then is the time And this is ordinary except his health or some other occasion alter the custome About nine in the morning he goeth to another Church within his Castle where is sung by Priests and Choristers the high Seruice called Obeadâa or Complin which commonly lasteth two houres the Emperour in the meane-time talking commonly with some of his Councell Nobilitie or Captaynes which haue to say to him or he to them And the Councell likewise conferre together among themselues as if they were in their Councel-house This ended he returneth home and recreateth himselfe vntill it be Dinner time He is serued at his Table on this manner First euery Dish as it is deliuered at the Dresser is tasted by the Cooke in the presence of the high Steward or his Deputie And so is receiued by the Gentlemen-wayters called Shilshey and by them carryed vp to the Emperours Table the high Steward or his Deputie going before There it is receiued by the Sewer called Erastnoy who giueth a taste of euery Dish to the Taster and so placeth it before the Emperour The number of his Dishes for his ordinary Seruice is about seuenty dressed somewhat grosly with much Garlike and Salt much after the Dutch manner When hee exceedeth vpon some occasion of the day or entertainment of some Ambassadour hee hath many more Dishes The Seruice is sent vp by two Dishes at a time or three at the most that he may eate it warme first the baked then the Roast meats and last the Broths In his dining chamber is another Table where sit the chiefe of his Nobility that are about his Court and his Ghostly Father or Chapleine On the one side of the chamber standeth a Cubboord or Table of Plate very faire and rich with a great Cisterne of Copper by it full of Ice and Snow wherein stand the Pots that serue for that meale The Taster holdeth the cup that he drinketh in all Dinner time and deliuereth it vnto him with a say when he calleth for it The manner is to make many Dishes out of the Seruice after it is set on the Table and to send them to such Noblemen and Officers as the Emperour liketh best And this is counted a great fauour and honour After dinner he layeth him down to rest where commonly he taketh three houres sleep except he employ one of the houres to bathing or boxing And this custome for sleeping after Dinner is an ordinary matter with him as withall the Russes After his sleep he goeth to Euen-song called Vechurna and thence returning for the most part recreateth himselfe with the Empresse till Supper time with Iesters and Dwarfes men and women that tumble before him and sing many Songs after the Russe manner This is his common recreation betwixt meales that he most delights in One other speciall recreation is the fight with wild Beares which are caught in Pits or Nets and are kept in barred Cages for that purpose against the Emperour bee disposed to see the pastime The fight with the Beare is on this sort The man is turned into a Circle walled round about where hee is to quite himselfe so well as hee can for there is no way to flye out When the Beare is turned loose he commeth vpon him with open mouth if at the first push he misse his ayme so that the Beare come within him hee is in great danger But the wilde Beare being very scarce hath this quality that giueth aduantage to the Hunter His manner is when he assayleth a man to rise vp right on his two hinder-legs and so to come roaring with open-mouth vpon him And if the Hunter then can push right into the very brest of him betwixt his fore-legs as commonly he will not misse resting the other end of their Boare-speare at the side of his foot and so keeping the Pike still towards the face of the Beare hee speedeth him commonly at one blow But many times these Hunters come short and are either slaine or miserably torne with the Teeth and Talents of the fierce Beast If the partie quite himselfe well in this fight with the Beare he is carried to drinke at the Emperours Seller doore where he drinketh himselfe drunke for the honour of Hospodare And this is his Reward for aduenturing his life for the Emperours pleasure To maintayne this pastime the Emperour hath certayne Huntsmen that are appointed for that purpose to take the wild Beare This is his recreation commonly on the holy dayes Sometimes hee spendeth his time in looking vpon his Gold-smithes and Iewellers Taylors Embroyderers Painters and such like and so goeth to his Supper When it draweth towards Bed-time his Priest saith certayne Prayers and then the Emperour blesseth and crosseth himselfe as in the morning for a quarter of an houre or thereabouts and so goeth to his Bed The Emperour that now is called Theodore Iuanowich is for his person of a meane stature some-what low and grosse of a sallow complexion and inclining to the Dropsie Hawke-nosed vnsteady in his pase by reason of some weaknesse of his limmes heauy and vnactiue yet commonly smiling almost to a laughter For qualitie otherwise simple and slow witted but very gentle and of an easie nature quiet mercifull of no martiall disposition nor greatly apt for matter of Policie very Superstitious and infinite that way Besides his priuate Deuotions at home he goeth euery weeke commonly on Pilgrimage to some Monasterie or other that is neerest hand
Master tooke one and I the other and made resistance against them as well as we could but the rest of our men ranne to saue themselues in the ship and as they ranne one of them fell into a Clift of Ice which grieued vs much for we thought verily that the Beares would haue ranne vnto him to deuoure him but God defended him for the Beares still made towardes the ship after the men that ranne thither to saue themselues Meane time wee and the man that fell into the Clift of Ice tooke our aduantage and got into the ship on the other side which the Beares perceiuing they came fiercely towards vs that had no other Armes to defend vs withall but onely the two Halberds which wee doubting would not bee sufficient wee still gaue them worke to doe by throwing Billets and other things at them and euery time we threw they ranne after them as a Dogge vseth to doe at a Stone that is cast at him Meane time wee sent a man downe vnder Hatches to strike Fire and another to fetch Pikes but wee could get no Fire and so wee had no meanes to shoote at the last as the Beares came fiercely vpon vs wee strooke one of them with a Halberd vpon the Snowt wherewith shee gaue backe when shee felt her selfe hurt and went away which the other two that were not so great as shee perceiuing ranne away and wee thanked God that wee were so well deliuered from them and so drew our Sled quietly to our House and there shewed our men what had happened vnto vs. The sixe and twentieth the Wind was North and North North-west with indifferent faire weather then wee saw open Water hard by the Land but wee perceiued the Ice to driue in the Sea still towards the ship The seuen and twentieth the Wind blew North-east and it snowed so fast that wee could not worke without the doore That day our men killed a White Foxe which they flead and after they had rosted it ate thereof which tasted like Conies flesh the same day we set vp our Dyall and made the Clocke strike and wee hung vp a Lampe to burne in the night time wherein we vsed the fat of the Bearâ which wee melt and burnt in the Lampe The nine and twentieth the Wind still blew North-east and then wee fetched Segges from the Sea-side and layd them vpon the Sayle that was spread vpon our House that it might bee so much the closer and warmer for the Deales were not driuen close together and the foule weather would not permit vs to doe it The thirtieth the Winde yet continued North-east and the Sunne was full aboue the Earth a little aboue the Horizon The one and thirtieth the Winde still blew North-east with great store of Snow whereby wee durst not looke out of doores The first of Nouember the Wind still continued North-east and then wee saw the Moone rise in the East when it beganne to bee darke and the Sunne was no higher aboue the Horizon then we could well see it and yet that day we saw it not because of the close weather and the great Snow that fell and it was extreame cold so that we could not goe out of the House The second the Wind blew West and somewhat South but in the Eeuening it blew North with calme weather and that day we saw the Sunne rise South South-east and it went downe South South-west but it was not full aboue the Earth but passed in the Horizon along by the Earth and the same day one of our men killed a Fox with a Hatchet which was flayed roasted and eaten Before the Sunne began to decline wee saw no Foxes and then the Beares vsed to goe from vs. The third the Wind blew North-west with calme weather and the Sunne rose South and by East and somewhat more Southerly and went downe South and by West and somewhat more Southerly and then we could see nothing but the vpper part of the Sunne aboue the Horizon and yet the Land where wee were was as high as the Mast of our ship then wee tooke the height of the Sunne it being in the eleuenth degree and fortie eight minutes of Scorpio his Declination being fifteene degrees and twentie foure minutes on the South-side of the Equinoctiall Line The fourth it was calme weather but then wee saw the Sunne no more for it was no longer aboue the Horizon then our Chirurgion made a Bath to bathe vs in of a Wine-pipe wherein wee entred one after the other and it did vs much good and was a great meanes of our health The same day wee tooke a White Foxe that oftentimes came abroad not as they vsed at other times for that when the Beares left vs at the setting of the Sunne and came not againe before it rose the Foxe to the contrarie came abroad when they were gone The fifth the Winde was North and somewhat West and then wee saw open water vpon the Sea but our shippe lay still fast in the Ice and when the Sunne had left vs wee saw the Moone continuall both day and night and neuer went downe when it was in the highest degree The sixt the Winde was North-west still weather and then our men fetcht a Sled full of Fire-wood but by reason that the Sunne was not seene it was very darke weather The seuenth it was darke weather and very still the Winde West at which time wee could hardly discerne the Day from the Night specially because at that time our Clocke stood still and by that meanes wee knew not when it was day although it was day and our men rose not out of their Cabins all that day but onely to make water and therefore they knew not whether the light they saw was the light of the day or of the Moone whereupon they were of seuerall opinions some saying it was the light of the day the others of the night but as wee tooke good regard thereunto wee found it to bee the light of the day about twelue of the clocke at noone The eight it was still weather the Winde blowing South and South-west The same day our men fetcht another Sled of Fire-wood and then also wee tooke a White Foxe and saw open water in the Sea The same day wee shared our Bread amongst vs each man hauing foure pound and tenne ounces for his allowance in eight dayes so that then we were eight dayes eating a Barrell of Bread whereas before wee ate it vp in fiue or six dayes we had no need to share our flesh and fish for we had more store thereof but our drinke failed vs and therefore we were forced to share that also but our best Beere was for the most part wholy without any strength so that it had no sauour at all and besides all this there was a great deale of it spilt The ninth the Wind blew North-east and somewhat more Northerly and then we
South-east and set at West due by the Compasse as I could set it the variation being two points Westerly for at a South South-west the Sunne commeth to the Meridian The twentieth I had conference with a Russe concerning their trade of Molgomsey who had beene there twice and he was the first that euer attempted it and none hath beene farther then he to the Eastwards And he told me that their course from Medenskoy Zauorot at the mouth of Pechora to the Eastward to the two Ilands called Zyelensa is two dayes and three nights distance sayling with a faire wind From thence to Breit-vinnose three dayes and three nights sailing with a faire wind which is within the Streight of Vaygats And from thence by an Iland or rather a Rocke called Socolia Lowdia leauing it on the Starboord side for feare of Rockes still keeping your course North-east vntill you come to a long Point on the Starboord side with a sand lying off into the Sea three miles some fiue or sixe dayes sayling Which when you haue gotten about you must hold your course somewhat more enclining to the South fiue or six dayes more and then you shall come to the Riuer of Ob against the mouth whereof lieth an Iland but you must keepe the Sea-boord of it by reason it is shoald betwixt it and the Mayne The Land all alongst the shoare is a fine lowe Land and the going into the Riuer is on the East side of the Iland The Riuer is reported to be a Summer dayes sayling ouer in bredth and is full of Ilands whereby they report it to be shoald Yet in my opinion so great a Riuer cannot be without a mayne channell which as yet they haue not sought for and therefore they iudge it innauigable Also they report it to bee very plentifull of Fish of diuers sorts but the people here and the Russes are vnwilling that wee should goe thither Moreouer hee told mee that from the Riuer Ob to the Eastwards the Land stretcheth East some sixe or eight dayes sayling more To the Eastward of the Riuer Ob lieth another great Riuer as large as Ob and is very deepe water and runneth from the South how farre as yet it is vnknowne Although that hee affirmed that he himselfe had sayled at the least three weekes vp the Riuer and all along as they went they met with sundry sorts of People differing in Language one from another which they call Samoyeds Yea and the People there did certifie them that vp more towards the South there are Tartars inhabiting who ride vpon Horses And hee affirmed that they found pieces of Ploughes that had beene driuen downe the Riuer by the flouds caused by the Snow melting from the Mountaines This Riuer is very high Land and deepe water on both sides Into this Riuer on the East side falleth another Riuer called Tingussey and the Inhabitants thereof are so called whereby I coniecture that it is not farre from the Citie Tangut in Cathay These Tingusses report that there is another huge Riuer that trendeth to the Southwards which the necke of a Land parteth from the Riuer of Tingussey wherein there are great ships not vnlike vnto the Russes ships that sayle in it hauing many Masts and Gunnes which when they are shot off make all the earth shake with the noyse which should seeme to be the Chinians that trade thither in the Summer and returne backe againe ere the Winter doth come The like also affirmeth another being a Russe who hath beene in the Riuer of Tingussey where the people make this report The first of March the Russes tooke their Iourney from hence from Pustozer into Russia with such commodities as they bought The twelfth the Sunnes altitude by the Quadrant was 67. degrees and 40. minutes and the declination no degrees 52. minutes which being added maketh 68. degrees and 30. minutes being the true heigth of Pustozer The thirteenth the Sun arose at East and by South a little Southerly and set at West North-west This day the Sunnes altitude by the Quadrant was 67. degrees 20. minutes and the declination 1. degree 15. minutes which added together maketh 68. degrees 35. minutes so that I conclude that Pustozer standeth in about 68. degrees 30. minutes The eight and twentieth the Sunne arose at East and by North and set at North-west and by West The eleuenth of Aprill the Inhabitants of this Towne returned from Slobodca bringing with them Rie Rieâmeale and other prouisions The one and twentieth hauing conference with a Permack concerning what commodities were to be had at the Towne of Vst-zilma he told me that there were Losh hides Squerrils Sables white Foxes and Rosomackes Moreouer he told me that beyond the Riuer of Yenissey the Land trendeth due East and then there is a Riuer called Peaseda and beyond that another called Catonga which runneth into Cathay whose King these Permacks and Russes call Teulka tsar The Riuer lieth North and South as they of Yenissey say but they cannot tell how farre for there hath not any beene vp the Riuer by reason they are afraid of their shot And this Permack told me that on the Sea coast betwixt these two Riuers Peaseda and Catonga they found certaine stones like vnto Gold and some like Siluer being about the halfe way betwixt the two Riuers The two and twentieth we had newes brought that the Ice was broken in the Pechora all alongst by the sides The ninth of May the Sunne arose at North-east somwhat Easterly and set at North somwhat Westerly it being iust foure houres by the Houre-glasse vnder the Horizon The three and twentieth the Sun did not goe vnder the Horizon for it was a pretie height aboue the Horizon at a North North-east point of the Compasse it then being at the lowest The foure and twentieth we had newes that the Pechora brake vp vpon the twentieth day of this instant moneth The sixe and twentieth at foure of the clocke in the after-noone I departed from Pustozer to goe to Vst-zilma where I arriued the thirtieth day instant And the Riuer of Pechora lieth most part North North-east and South South-west and sometimes North and South Vst-zilma is a Village of some thirtie or fortie houses and standeth in the height of 66. degrees and 30. minutes They haue Corne growing there both Barley and Rie and their Barley is passing faire and white almost as Rice The ninth of Iune I departed from Vst-zilma backe againe to Pustozer where I arriued the eleuenth of Iune The one and twentieth seuenteene Soymas departed from hence to goe to Molgomsey some belonging to this place some to Vst-zilma and some to Mezen and Penega The two and twentieth diuers Boats went from hence to the Sea to fish for Omelyes and Bealowgaes Oyle The foure and twentieth I sent downe William Pursgloue to the Sea side to buy the Oyle which God shall send them The third of Iuly I
we could The first of September in the morning wee got our goods againe aboord The second in the morning we went roomer with the obscure Harbour the wind being at the North-west but at noone it came to the South-east and East South-east so we weighed and stood to the Westwards againe vntill wee came to the Riuer where wee came on shoare the last yeere which is called Zenouea where wee anchored a little to the Eastwards and ridde the most part of that night The third in the morning we weighed and stood to the Westwards but the wind comming to the West South-west blowing hard and hauing the tyde against vs we anchored againe about ten of the clocke on Thursday being the third day yet within two houres after we were forced to weigh and put roomer to a little Riuer or Creeke that is called Creostoua where wee ridde vntill the ninth day Then we loosed thinking to haue gone forth to Sea the wind being Easterly but it blowing hard and there running a great streame of fresh water that it put vs on ground againe wee were in great danger againe of losing all So wee were forced to get all things on shoare againe and then got her off the eleuenth day and went into the Creake againe and stopping our leakes as well as we could we got our goods aboord againe The fourteenth the winde comming to the East South-east wee got forth to Sea with much adoe and soone after the winde came to the East North-east a faire gale and wee stood it alongst the Land South-east and by South and North-west and by North all that after-noone vntill mid-night at what time we were thwart of Callerose The fifteenth about three of the clocke in the morning the winde came to the North-east and blew very hard so we steered away South South-west and at night wee fell with a shoald which they said is thwart of the Mezen mouth but I take it it was Knocke Iohn The sixteenth in the morning about eight or nine of the clocke hauing carried but an hullocke of our sayle all night we fell with Danieloue Stolbe on the Coast of Lappia the wind being at South and blowing hard so that we went into Harbour at the West of the Iland there standing fiue Crosses on it it being a Rocke And there are foure Warlocks on the Mayne and another on a Rocke to the Westwards yet it is but for Lodyes and that a bad one also beeing full of Rockes round about where we rid vntill the six and twentieth Then we departed forth of Daniela Stolbe about noone and at night we came to Sosnouets where we rid all night The seuen and twentieth in the morning we fell with Churua Nose The eight and twentieth wee arriued at Arkania where wee landed our Oyle The nine and twentieth wee arriued at Colmogro Extracts taken out of two Letters of Iosias Logan from Pechora to Master Hakluyt Prebend of Westminster THere vse to come hither in the Winter about two thousand Samoieds with their Commodities which may be such as we dreamed not on yet For by chance one came to vs with a piece of an Elephants Tooth which he said he bought of a Samoied And heere are men called Tingussies whose Countrey is beyond the Riuers of Obi and Taes and bordereth vpon the great Riuer Yenisse which is a good Riuer and a deepe and falleth into the Sea Naromzie And it should seeme it is not farre from China Therefore you may conceiue what hope there is of this Enterprize if it please God it may be followed as it ought to be Thus beseeching Almightie God to blesse you and vs I commit you to the protection of him who is the giuer of all goodnesse Iul. 24. 1611. THere come two or three thousand Samoieds hither to trade with their Sables Beauers Blacke Foxes Squirrels Wolfes Rosomacks Ermines And here is caught in September good store of Salmon Traine of a certayne great fish called a Bealouga and Morsses and Seales Oyle in the Sommer time and White Foxes and Feathers I had some conference with a Russe who told mee that the Samoieds told him that there lye Minchins which in their Language is strangers buried in the Sand in Coffins with their armes acrosse their brests which they estimate to be about sixtie yeeres ago And that they found Writing Tables in one of their pockets and other small Trifles which they tooke away The Vaygats is sometimes open and sometimes shut and vpon them groweth Christall of the Mount The Russes and Permacks trade yeerely with them of the Riuer Obi and beyond They goe by Sea into the great Bay beyond Pechora called Yowgorsky Shar into which there fall foure Riuers The Eastermost whereof they call Cara Reca on the Blacke Riuer beyond which they passe vnto another called Moetnaia Reca then they come to a Voloc or necke of Land which continueth but three Versts ouer which they draw their Boats and goods and so come to another Riuer called Zelena Reca or The Greene Riuer which bringeth them into Obi Into which on the Easter side the Riuer Taes falleth making but one mouth with the Riuer Obi being shoald and they report it to bee as broad toward the mouth as a man can discerne ouer hauing many Ilands therein Moreouer there is another great Riuer called Yenissey beyond Taes which they say is rather bigger and deeper then Obi and it runneth vp into the Land no man knoweth how farre Although they haue discouered some fourteene dayes rowing vp therein neither can they learne of the Inhabitants thereof how farre it stretcheth whom they call Tingussey who are a proper people of themselues And the Samoieds report that they haue trauelled so farre that they came within sight of a White Citie or Towne which should seeme to be builded of stone for they durst not goe to make triall and they heard great ringing of Bels. Also they say that they saw beasts but they were not like their Deere for they had a great Mane a long Taile no Hornes and their footing was round not clouen as their Deeres are and they vse to ride vpon their backs and not to draw in Sleds as their Deere vse to doe These I assure my selfe are Horses And further they report that there came people vnto them all made of Iron their heads armes hands and legges so that neither Arrowes Swords nor Speares could enter which as I coniecture were people in Armour For they said that two hundred of them they thought were able to conquer all their Realme By this you may gather that they are not farre from Cataia and China Thus haue I shewed ânto you the greatest secret and the neerest to the truth that I know Requesting you if you thinke it meet that the Right Honourable the Earle of Salisburie might haue a Copie thereof Thus wishing you health and prosperitie in this World and felicitie in the World
to come I cease CHAP. XI A briefe Relation of a Voyage to Pechora and wintering there began in the yeere 1611. Written by WILLIAM PVRSGLOVE MAster Iosias Logan and William Gourdon hauing receiued directions from the Right Worshipfull Company of English Merchants Trading Russia The eleuenth of Aprill 1611. departed from Blacke-wall in the Riuer of Thames in a good ship called the Amitie whereof Iames Vndum of Rederiffe was Master The sixteenth of Iuly we arriued at Pustozera being much wondred at by the Inhabitants a Permac receiued vs into his House and let vs haue a Ware-house for our goods We all continued there vntill the fiue and twentieth of Iuly Then wee returned in our Shallop againe to our ship hauing a small Russe Boate in our company to carrie some of the Feathers and Downe which we brought there our owne Boat not beeing able to carrie all being pestered with our Prouision and some Feathers and White Foxes Wee came aboord our ship the seuen and twentieth of Iuly where wee deliuered those White Foxes Feathers and Downe and an exceeding rich blacke Foxe skinne hauing laded the Russe Boate with part of our goods The rest of our goods they laid vpon the Sand to be sent vp afterward leauing mee and Marmaduke Wilson and an hired Russe with them where wee attended to heare of ãâã from the Towne But Master Logan not hearing of any aboue a tunne and an halfe could not get any to come downe to vs because they feared to goe ouer the dry or shoald Sea in their little Boates being laden The one and thirtieth our ship departed ouer the Barre purposing to make their Voyage in Noua Zembla or some Ilands not farre distant from thence At their departure there were fiue and twentie Coaches or Soymas in that Road of Pechora with at least two hundred men in them bound for Molgomsey but hindered by contrary Windes and Ice our shippes being ouer the Barre they all came on shoare to vs some threatning others flattering vs but after I had bestowed two Bottles of Beere among some of the best of them they all went vp to Pustozera where most of them that had any goods to sell stayed all Winter and sold their Commodities in barter with the Inhabitants and when they could happen secretly vpon any Samoieds they would be trading with them also which is contrarie to the Priuiledges granted by the Emperour to the Pustozerits Their Wintering there was no little hinderance to vs for the sale of our goods We arriued at the Towne the seuenth of August In mine absence Master Logan had hired part of an House of one called Tiffon Vriawich a Poloâian who was turned Russe The three and twentieth of Nouember I departed from Pustozera to goe for Russia at three of the clocke in the afternoone in the Company of certayne Russes Permacks and Samoieds which Samoieds were our Guides ouer the Mountaynes and one dayes journey ouer the Rocks which they call Cameni which are not Rockie Hills as in Norway but high Lands yet in most places smooth and most marish grounds full of little Hillocks which being couered with Snow and frozen did not much annoy vs. Our Argeshey or Carauan were about two hundred and ten Sleds drawne the most part with two Deere in a Sled They had also about two hundred spare Deere to ease the wearied We kept company vntill the fourth of December together hauing passed two third parts of our way to Slobotca being the first Towne in the Countrey of Mesen that we saw And then in company of foure Sleds hauing each two choice Buckes with a Samoied in the fift for our Guide we left the Argeshey and rid post for Slobotca where wee arriued the ninth of December at ten of the clocke at night In this Towne I found one Thomas Ligon an Englishman who had serued Master Richard Cockes of London who saluting mee in English maruelled much to meet me there and carried me from the rest of my company to his Lodging and gaue me there very kind entertaynment The next morning I departed thence in his Sled hauing ouer night hired an Horse to the next Towne which was fifteenth Versts off And so trauelling day and night changing Horses at euery conuenient place I came to Colmogro the twelfth of December and deliuered my Letters from Master Iosias Logan our Factor in Pustozera to Master Fabian Smith then Agent for the English Company Hauing rested my selfe foure dayes there and receiued certayne Money to helpe to put off some of our goods at Pechora I departed from Colmogro the seuenteenth of December and came to Slobotca the nineteenth day the height of the Pole being there some sixtie fiue degrees I stayed there till the two and twentieth of the said moneth by which time the Permacks and the Inhabitants of Pustozera were readie to returne to Pechora with their goods being Rie Malt Hops Salt Aqua vitae and some course Cloth Moreouer diuers Russes hauing their Sonnes or Kinsmen Leigers there in Winter doe send Cloth and Money ouer Land Hauing made my prouision for my journey and taken my leaue of Master Thomas Ligon wee set forward that night and rid not aboue fiue and twentie Versts to a place where wee found the Argeshey which set out from Slobotca the two and twentieth day in the morning by breake of day We had better passage in our returne then we had in our journey from Pustozera by reason of much Snow fallen in the time of our being in Russia and frozen so hard that it bare both Deere and Sleds in all places Wee kept together with the Argeshey being then two hundred and fiftie Sleds till we had passed more then two thirds of our way ouer the Mountaynes and then long before day hauing chosen Buckes of the best wee departed the fourth of Ianuarie being eight Sleds in company and rid post all that day and night following beeing Moone-light saue sometimes for the space of an houre that wee stayed where the Samoied our Guide knew there was good store of Mosse which is white to refresh our Deere The fifth of Ianuarie we came to Pustozera hauing in fortie houres trauelled three hundred and fiftie Versts with our choice Buckes Our Argeshey or Carauan arriued there after vs the twelfth of Ianuarie The Samoieds being the onely Guides in Winter either from Pustozera to Slobotca or to any other places Eastward as Ougoria Siberia or Molgomsey know by their continuall trauell the way though it be neuer so thick weather as also where most store of white Mosse is growing and according as they find themselues neere vnto some mossie place be it somthing before night or within night foure or fiue houres before they can come thither there for that Night they pitch their Tents being for the most part made of Deere and Elkes skinnes we had in our companie foure great Tents set vp and some twentie vnder
friends will kill three Deere to draw him in the new World and they will strangle a Slaue to tend on him The Deere they kill in this manner to serue the dead man they make a Stake sharpe which they thrust into the Beasts fundament with many howlings and cryings till they be dead The Master with the Slaue they burie the Deere they eate as well raw as boyled or roast although they vse all three If a young Child dye vnder foureteene of their yeeres which is seuen of ours they doe hang it by the necke on some Tree saying it must flie to Heauen If any Controuersie bee which cannot bee decided or the truth knowne then one of the two betwixt whom the Controuersie is must bee sworne which is in this manner they will make an Image of a Man of Snow bringing a Wolues nose deliuering a Sword to him that must sweare he rehearsing by name all his Friends desiring that they might all bee cut in peeces in that manner as hee doth cut that Image of Snow Then he himselfe doth cut the Image of Snow all to peeces with the Sword then after the Wolues nose being layd before him he desires that the Wolfe may destroy all his tame Deere and that hee may neuer more take or kill any wilde Deere after that if hee speake not the Truth so cutting the Wolues nose in peeces there is no more to bee sayd of that Controuersie The Samoit is stout and bold of Spirit not very tall but broad Brested broad Faces with hollow Eyes Their ordinary instruments for Warre are Bowes and Arrowes very dangerous they haue long Speares the heads bee made in Monganzey by another sort of Samoits and short Swords not much vnlike some that I haue seene brought from East India When they would know any thing to come they send for their Priest or Witch to conuerse with the Deuill sitting in one side of the Tent hauing before his face a peece of an old shirt of Mayle hung with Bels and peeces of Brasse in his right hand a great Tabor made with a Wolues skinne beating vpon the same with a Hares foot making a very dolefull sound with singing and calling for the Deuill to answer his demand which being ended they strangle a Deere for a Sacrifice making merrie with the Flesh. The Women be very hard of Nature for at their Child-bearing the Husband must play the Midwife and being deliuered the Child is washed with cold water or Snow and the next day the Woman able to conduct her Argish The Russes haue a yeerely Trade with the Merchants of Beghar at a place called Tumen in Tartarie whither they of Boghar come with Camels euery yeere From Tumen in Tobal in Siberia they come in foureteene dayes From Tobal they come to Beresoua in nine dayes all downe the Riuer Ob. From Beresoua partly by the Riuer Ob then ouer a necke of Land of halfe a mile ouer into the Riuer Ouse and downe the Riuer Ouse into the Riuer Pechora and so to Pustozera in three weekes At Pustozera the English haue Wintered three yeeres CHAP. XIII Diuers Voyages to Cherie Iland in the yeeres 1604. 1605. 1606. 1608. 1609. Written by IONAS POOLE WEe set sayle from London the fifteenth of Aprill 1604. in a Ship called the God Speed of sixtie Tunnes with thirteene Men and a Boy our Merchant was one Master Thomas Welden our Master was one Steuen Bonnit of Saint Catherins We arriued at Cola in Lapland the first of May where wee tarried till the last of the same Moneth at which time wee set sayle from Cola and went to an Harbour called Pechingo which lyeth betweene Cola and Ward-house In which Harbour of Pechingo we continued vntill the thirtieth of Iune At which time wee set sayle from thence and through contrarie windes and foule weather were put into Ward-house where we tooke in fresh water and stayed vntill the sixth of Iuly The same day the wind came Southerly and we steered away Northwest and by North about 56. leagues wee obserued the Sunne at twelue of the clocke at Noone and found our selues to be in 73. degrees 5. minutes of Northerly Latitude The seuenth of Iuly it was all day calme and wee sounded but had no ground in two hundred and fiftie fathoms The eight day we had little winde which was at South-east and foggie weather and at eight of the clocke at Night wee saw great flockes of Sea-fowles which we call Willockes some of these Fowles had each of them a small Fish in their bills and flew toward the North-west and by North. The other without Fish some of them flew contrarie to the former and some sate in the Sea very neere our Ship About twelue of the clocke at night we sounded and had ground at one hundred and twentie fathomes We steered away North-west and by North till foure of the clocke the eight day in the morning then it fell calme and as the ship lay still our Master spied a Morsse which came to our ship and swamme round about it While we were all gazing at this Monster I spied the Iland ten leagues off bearing North North-west halfe a point Westerly which shewed very high Land and much Snow vpon it The wind came to the North-east The ninth day wee came to an Anchor on the South South-east side in fiue and twentie fathomes streamie ground We âoysed out our Boate and Master Welden went toward the Land but thinking to haue landed he could not because there went a great Sea and great store of Ice all along the shoares side Within one houre the Boate came aboard and they âaid there were so many Fowles that they couered the Rockes and flew in such great flockes that they shewed like a Cloud While thus they were talking close by the Boate rose vpân huge Morsse putting his head aboue the water looking earnestly at the Boate and made such an horrible noyse and roaring that they in the Boate thought he would haue sunke it The same day at eight of the clocke at night we weighed and stood away South-west and by South about foure miles where wee doubled the Southermost point of the Iland and found the Land to trend North North-west and all along the shoare some scattering Ice We sayled along the shoare finding seuenteene eighteene and sometimes twentie fathomes streamie ground with white shels We held this course till wee saw all the Northermost part of the Iland and being within three miles of it and about thirteene miles from the Point wee came round about it And some two miles from the Land we anchored in sixteene fathomes streamie ground We had not ridden one houre to an end but a great piece of Ice came directly with the tyde vpon vs and before wee could weigh it strooke the ship with such force that it hilded on the one side Assoone as it was past we went on shoare where wee found
we founded and had ground at seuentie fiue fathoms white small shelly ground with small blacke stones The third of Iuly wee anchored on the West side of the Iland in twentie fathoms hauing verie much Ice I obserued the Sunne at the lowest and found the latitude of that place to bee in 74. degrees 55. minutes It followeth there South-west and by South and the floud commeth from the South-west The fifth and sixth dayes we were troubled with much Ice but it being broken we brought the ends of our Cables to our maine Masts and hauing a good tyde we did sheere as wee tearme it cleere off the Ice We ridde thus in Ice sixe dayes to wit vntill the thirteenth day at what time the Ice began to goe way and the Morses came on shoare For their nature is such that they will not come on land as long as any Ice is about the land The fourteenth we went on land Master Welden and Master Bennet with the Ships company and I with the company of the Pinnasse And being altogether on shoare and seeing of the beasts sufficient to make our voyage wee prepared to goe to killing Master Welden and Master Bennet appointed mee to take eleuen men with mee and to goe beyond the beasts where they lay that they and wee might meet at the middest of them and so inclose them that none of them should get into the Sea As I fetched a compasse about before we were aware rose a great white Beare within a Pikes length of vs whereupon we made a stand and my selfe hauing both a Musket and a Lance thought to haue shot him but remembring my selfe that the report of my Peece might make all the Morses goe into the Sea and so hazard our Voyage I went to him with my Lance. All this while he sate foming at the mouth and would not stirre but gaped and roared as though he would haue eaten vs all but presently wee pricked him in the sâout and then with an easie pace we proceeded on with our businesse and before six houres were ended we had slayne about seuen or eight hundred Beasts And after that Master Welden slue the Beare For ten dayes space we plyed our businesse very hard and brought it almost to an end The foure and twentieth of Iuly wee had the winde at North-east and it freezed so hard that the Ice did hang on our Clothes The sixe and twentieth we had taken in two and twentie tuns of the Oyle of the Morses and three hogsheads of their Teeth The seuen and twentieth Master Welden slue another Beare The eight and twentieth we tooke in Water and Wood. The nine and twentieth we set sayle for England The fifteenth of August 1606. we arriued in the Thames The sixth Voyage made to Cherie Iland the South part whereof standeth in 74. degrees and 40. minutes of Northerly latitude in the yeere 1608. THe sixteenth of Aprill in the yeere 1608. we set sayle from Blacke wall and came to Grauesend in a ship called the Paul The one and twentieth of May we were within 4. leagues of the North Cape standing in 71. degrees and 2 â of North latitude The foure and twentieth wee came to Ward-house The fiue and twentieth we weighed and came to Tipany in Lapland the sixe and twentieth where we stayed about our businesse till the thirteenth of Iune The thirteenth of Iune aforesaid wee weighed anchor and directed our course for Cherie Iland The eighteenth at foure of the clocke in the morning wee saw Cherie Iland it bearing North North-west 10. leagues off and at foure of the clocke at night wee anchored on the North-west side of it and Master Welden went on Land on the North side and slue a Beare The nineteenth we rid still and Master Welden went to the North side againe and slue another Beare The same day we sent two men to the South side of the land to see if there were any Morses on shoare They came againe the next day and said that there were great store The twentieth and one and twentieth dayes it was calme and the weather cleere and wee had it as hot as I haue commonly felt in England at that time of the yeere For the Pitch did runne downe the ships sides and that side of the Masts that was to the Sunne ward was so hot that the Tarre did frye out of it as though it had boyled The two and twentieth at a North-east Sun we weighed and went to the South side of the Iland and came into a Coue where the Morses were and slue about 900. or 1000. of them in lesse then seuen houres and there wee plyed our businesse vntill the second of Iuly at what time we had taken into our ship 22. tunnes and three hogsheads of Oyle The third of Iuly being Sunday one Richard Steuens of Harewich came to the said Cherie Iland in a ship called the Dragon being set out by Master Duppa a Brewer dwelling in Saint Catharines neere the Tower of London which set out a ship with Master Thomas Welden the yeere before 1607. The ninth day we made our Voyage and came out of the Coue hauing taken in 31. tunnes of Oyle and one hogshead one barrell and one terce of Morses teeth besides 400. other teeth The twelfth we tooke into our ship two young Morses male and female aliue the female died before we came into England the male liued aboue ten weekes When wee had watered we set sayle for England about foure of the clocke in the morning The fourteenth day we saw the Iland bearing North North-west 15. leagues off vs and sounded and had 85. fathoms greene Oze like Doues dung The twentieth of August wee arriued at London and hauing dispatched some priuate businesse we brought our liuing young Morse to the Court where the King and many honourable personages beheld it with admiration for the strangenesse of the same the like whereof had neuer before beene seene aliue in England Not long after it fell sicke and died As the beast in shape is very strange so is it of strange docilitie and apt to be taught as by good experience we often proued The seuenth Voyage to Cherie Iland made in the yeere 1609. WEe were furnished with two ships determining to goe to Tipany in Lapland to buy fish of the Lappes and Russes and afterward to goe to Cherie Iland the one was called the Lionesse in which I went for Master the other the Paul which was there the last yeere 1608. The one and twentieth day of March we weighed anchor at Grauesend and the sixe and twentieth we came to Harwich where it was concluded that the Lionesse should goe directly to Cherie Iland The fifteenth of Aprill we weighed at Harewich and the last of the same moneth we fell betweene Lofoot and Zenam vpon the Coast of Finmark The second of May we came to the North Cape and the
Capstan barres about the bowes of our ship But for all our fendors our ship had a great knocke vpon a piece of Ice About a North Sunne we got out into the open Sea with humble thankes to God for our deliuerance The sixteenth day the Iland did beare North-east and by North eight leagues from vs and it did freeze all that day the wind being at North which was almost calme The seuenteenth at noone the Iland did beare North-east and by North about nine leagues off the wind Southerly snowy weather The same day we saw a sayle bearing East North-east off vs about 5. leagues The eighteenth the Iland did beare North about 15. leagues off the wind being at East and by North Snow and frosty weather The nineteenth at twelue of the clocke at noone the Iland bare North and by East and we finding the Ice somewhat scattered and the wind Southerly put roome toward the Iland and vpon one piece of Ice we saw fiue Seales one I killed and one I tooke aliue and brought it aboord our ship But wee could not come neere the Iland by sixe leagues The wind came to the West with thicke weather and Snow The twentieth at twelue at noone the Iland beare North North-west about twelue leagues off We sounded and had 100. fathoms greenish Oze faire weather but cold The one and twentieth we saw the ship that wee had seene the seuenteenth day wee spake with them about 12. at noone The Master told vs he was of Hull Wee demanded whether he was bound He told vs to Cherie Iland and that there he would make his Voyage The Iland at this time did beare North and by East about nine leagues off and it was faire but cold frostie weather The 22.23.24 and 25. dayes we did beate vp and downe in the Ice The 26.27 and 28. dayes likewise wee sayled vp and downe in the Ice hauing the wind Northerly and the Iland bearing betweene the North and the North North-east cold weather The nine and twentieth the Iland beare North nine leagues off the wind at North-east snowy weather and Frost The thirtieth day we slue 26. Seales and espied three white Beares wee went aboord for Shot and Powder and comming to the Ice againe we found a shee-Beare and two young ones Master Thomas Welden shot and killed her after shee was slayne wee got the young ones and brought them home into England where they are aliue in Paris Garden The one and thirtieth we beate vp and downe in the Ice but could not come neere the Land for Ice the winde was Northerly The first of Iune we got within fiue or sixe miles of the Iland but finding very much Ice close by the Land we stood off againe the wind being at North-east cold weather The second day we got within three leagues of the Iland but finding exceeding much Ice round about vs we stood off againe the wind at North-east cold frostie weather From the second day to the fift wee sayled first one way and then another as the wind and Ice would giue vs leaue The wind being at North and by East and the Iland being betweene the North-west and by North within sixe leagues and lesse The sixth day we spake with the Hull man who told vs that he was put twentie leagues to the North-west of the Iland being fast in the Ice We had the wind Northerly and frosty weather the Land bearing North North-west The seuenth and eight we beate vp and downe in the Ice the Iland did beare North-west eight leagues off The winde was Northerly with cold and frostie weather The ninth the Land beare North-west off vs about six leagues off That day we had the first fogge since the time of our arriuall which was the eight of May. Neither lost wee the sight of the Iland aboue eighteene houres in all this time This day about a North-east Sunne it began to thaw and in sixe houres the snow was melted which lay vpon the Ice aboue sixe inches thicke which put vs in good hope that the Ice was almost past The tenth we got within sixe miles of the shoare where I made an attempt to haue got to the land with the Shallop but comming within three miles of the shoare I could get no farther the Ice was so thicke and such foggy weather I made another attempt the same day and got within one mile of the Land but the Ice was so thicke that I could get no farther The same day wee saw good store of Morses on the Ice and in the Sea The eleuenth and twelfth we plyed vp and downe fayre by the Iland to see if wee could get on Land with our Shallop but the Ice was so close about the Land that wee could not by any meanes This day the wind was at South-east thicke foggie weather The thirteenth we had thicke fogge and calme weather and when it began to cleere wee had sight of the Souther part of the Iland bearing East South-east about sixe miles off but it fell thicke suddenly againe There wee anchored in fortie fathoms white shelly ground and rid till ten of the clocke at night at what time I prepared to goe on shoare as fast as I could with a Shallop and sixe men About eleuen of the clocke we put from the Ship and with great labour got through the Ice to the Iland by a North-east Sunne The fourteenth day I landed on the Wester side of the Iland and determined to goe from thence to the North side where wee slew the Beares The ninth of May I left three men with the Shallop and tooke three men with me In my iourney I found such bad way that I had no stomacke to goe through for where there was no snow the ground was so soft and without grasse that we went vp to the anckles in dirt and where the snow lay which was in some holes three or foure fathoms thicke it was so soft that we slipt each step vp to the twist so that wee were aboue three houres in going scarce two miles Whereupon considering it would bee long before I should get ten miles and backe againe I returned to our Shallop and found that the men which I left had killed some fowle which wee sod and when wee had eaten them I prepared to goe in the Shallop to the North side I went close by the shoare for the Sea was full of Ice As wee went along by the Cliffes we got good store of Fowle which made vs glad and ioyfull because there was no hope to get aboord the Ship that day nor the next About a North-west Sun wee got to the place abouesaid and found nine Beares three of them I slew the other tooke the Sea Those three that were slaine we flead and tooke their flesh and salted it in their skinnes which I stowed in the Shallop for feare of a dearth I had
Caske and other prouision and told mee that they had slaine fiue or sixe hundred Morses on the North side Hee tarried with mee till the seuen and twentieth of Iuly now seeing no beastes did come on Land because the Ice did hang about the Coue he went to the North side againe but the same day after he was gone they began to come on Land The next day following being the eight and twentieth wee slue about eightie and tooke their Blubber and Teeth Then they began to come on shoare againe the thirtieth day at what time Master Bonner was come into the Coue to seeke his Anchors Then his men came on shoare and we slue about one hundred and fiftie beast more But there rose a storme at South-east that brought in such a surge that it washed aboue sixtie beasts into the Sea so that most of them were lost The next day being the last of Iuly Master Welden and Master Iones came to the Coue with about twelue men being all very wearie For they had left the Shallop in a Coue on the North-west side of the Iland and came ouer Land Then to worke wee went on all hands and placed our Coppers And by the fift day of August we had ended our businesse and the ship came from the North side into the Coue. The sixt of August I tooke the Skiffe and seuen men to fetch the Shallop to the Coue that Master Welden had left in a Coue on the North-west side of the Iland the last of Iuly When I came to the place considering I was neere the North side where we commonly make our Voyage and also desired by Master Welden if I could goe to doe so I went thither and found about fiue and fortie as good headed beasts for Teeth as euer I saw Wee had no more Launces to kill thâm with all but two I tooke one and a lustie fellow that was our Cooper had the other we had not killed past ten but his Lance brake Then I slue all the rest in lesse then two houres and wee tooke their Teeth and the next day by a West Sunne wee came aboord the Paul with them The eight day wee got the Southermost Point of the Iland where wee rid all that day Their Skiffe from their long Boats sterne and we manned our Boat to fetch her againe but then rose such a fogge that we had like to haue lost both our Boats and men but they got to the ship againe with much adoe The ninth day it was calme but wee had such a fogge that wee could not see two Cables length from the ship And about eight of the Clocke at night wee lost our Skiffe altogether The tenth day we had a little Wind at North-west and by West Then seeing no amendment of the weather wee left the ship of Hull behind vs in the Iland and about sixe of the Clocke set sayle for England and arriued safely at London the last of August 1609. Blessed bee God A Voyage performed to the Northwards Anno 1603. in a ship of the burthen of fiftie tunnes called the Grace and set forth at the cost and charges of the Worshipfull FRANCIS CHERIE Written by WILLIAM GORDEN being the first Voyage to Cherie Iland which came to my hands since the former or rather later Voyages were in the Presse THe ship being readie the tenth of Aprill whereof was Master Stephen Bennet and for Factor and Ouer-seer William Gorden our Directions from the said Merchant were first to proceed to Cola and there to make sale of such goods as we had and to take in such other as the Countrey of Lappia did affoord and then to proceed vpon some Discouerie Wherefore omitting our Iourney to Cola as a matter of small importance being so well knowne before after our Affaires ended we were readie to proceed forward But our men not being hired thereunto would haue refused if there had not beene made an agreement by meanes of Iosias Logan who was to lye there as Factor for Master Cherie the Master and my selfe partly with promises partly with gifts And thus setting forward the sixt of August from the Riuer of Cola being determined to haue sayled into 80. degrees of latitude if nothing did hinder vs or if we did not light vpon some land our determination was hindered by meanes of meeting with an Iland and likewise the yeere being farre spent keeping our course from the West end of Kilden to the Ilands of Ward-house which wee passed the tenth of August with little wind then directing our course North North-west the wind at South-west easie wind so that the eleuenth day we did reckon our selues to haue sayled twentie leagues North-west The twelfth day it was most part calme and foggie The thirteenth day it was cleere and the wind at South and we had sayled twentie two leagues North North-west The fourteenth day the wind at East we kept our course and sayled ten leagues and the same day being thicke and foggie we had thought wee had seene Land about foure of the clocke in the after-noone bearing from vs West North-west and North-west by West but sayling towards it three houres keeping still his forme and not altering till the wind increasing caused it to fade away for it was no other then a banke of fogges after we had sayled three leagues changing our course we sayled then fifteene dayes twentie leagues North-west and by North still hauing close weather that we could not make any obseruation The sixteenth day in the morning at two of the clock we did see two great high Hils which did seeme to vs aboue the Clouds and did seeme very neere but we found it otherwise for sayling towards it we found it further then we did expect for it was sixe of the clocke at night before wee could come neere vnto the Land where wee anchored in thirtie fathomes In which time we could not sayle lesse then eighteene leagues North and by West That night our Master knowing better what did belong vnto those Affaires would not suffer the Boat to goe aland till the morning which was the seuenteenth day of August and before our going aland the Master caused a shanke of Lines to bee shot for to toy for fish and then he and my selfe with foure of our Company went aland First vpon a little Iland meere adjoyning where we had much adoe to get to our Boat againe by reason of the steepnes of the Rockes then we went on shoare vpon the Mayne where at our comming on Land wee did see two Foxes one White the other Blacke Thus spending most part of the day wee returned aboord our ship without any profit only one of our men tooke vp a piece of Lead and I found a piece of a Morses Tooth by which we perceiued that the Sea Morses did vse thither but the time for that yeere was past for we did see none After our comming aboord hauing haled the Line we found nothing but one
but fish thereon wherefore presently weighing Anchor we sayled West to see if we could haue any true obseruation the next day which wee had and found our selues to bee in 74. degrees 30. minutes The same day directing our course for London where we arriued the tenth of September by Gods helpe in health and safetie CHAP. XIIII Diuers Voyages and Northerne Discoueries of that worthy irrecouerable Discouerer Master HENRY HVDSON His Discouerie toward the North Pole set forth at the charge of certaine Worshipfull Merchants of London in May 1607. Written partly by IOHN PLAYSE one of the Company and partly by H. HVDSON ANno 1607. Aprill the nineteenth at Saint Ethelburge in Bishops Gate street did communicate with the rest of the Parishioners these persons Seamen purposing to goe to sea foure dayes after for to discouer a Passage by the North Pole to Iapan and China First Henry Hudson Master Secondly William Colines his Mate Thirdly Iames Young Fourthly Iohn Colman Fiftly Iohn Cooke Sixtly Iames Benbery Seuenthly Iames Skrutton Eightly Iohn Pleyce Ninthly Thomas Baxter Tenthly Richard Day Eleuenthly Iames Knight Twelfthly Iohn Hudson a Boy The first of May 1607. we weyed Anchor at Grauesând and on Tuesday the sixe and twentieth day in the morning we made the Iles of Shotland and at noone we were in 60. degrees 12. minutes and sixe leagues to the Eastward of them the Compasse had no variation We had sixtie foure fathomes at our sounding blacke ozie sandie with some yellow shels Our ship made more way then we did suppose On Saturday the thirtieth of May by our obseruation we were in 61. degrees 11. minutes This day I found the Needle to incline 79. degrees vnder the Horizon For foure dayes space we made very little way by contrary winds On Thursday the fourth of Iune we were by our obseruation still in 61. degrees and 14. minutes eight and twentie or thirtie leagues from the Norther part of Shotland the Land bearing by our Accompt East and by North off vs I found variation in fiue degrees Westerly The seuenth of Iune wee were in 63. degrees 25. minutes The eighth all the fore-noone we had a fresh gale Southerly we steered away North and by West and by obseruation we were in 65. degrees 27. minutes The eleuenth wee saw sixe or seuen Whales neere our shippe wee were in sixtie seuen degrees thirtie minutes About fiue of the clocke the winde came vp at North-east and by East wee steered away North North-west with a fresh gale all the night at East The twelfth the winde was at East North-east a stiffe gale wee steered away as afore and accounted wee had runne by this day noone thirtie leagues In the after-noone wee steered away North and by West fifteene leagues all the night prooued a great fogge with much wind The thirteenth betweene one and two in the morning we saw some Land on head of vs and some Ice and it being a thicke fogge we steered away Northerly and hauing much wind wee stood away South and by East sixe or eight leagues Our sayle and shroudes did freeze At eight in the morning it cleered vp the wind being at North-east and by East with much wind wee were hardly able to maintayne a sayle This was a very high Land most part couered with Snow The neather part was vncouered At the top it looked reddish and vnderneath a blackish Clay with much Ice lying about it The part which we saw when wee cast about trended East and West And the Norther part which we saw trended North-east and by North and North-east and the length which wee saw was nine leagues wee saw much Fowle Also wee saw a Whale close by the shoare We called the Head-land which we saw Youngs Cape and neere it standeth a very high Mount like a round Castle which wee called the Mount of Gods Mercie All the after-noone and all the Eeuening it rained At eight in the Eeuening we cast about and steered all night North and by West and sometimes North North-west The fourteenth being neere the Land we had Snow At foure in the morning the wind vering Northerly we cast about and stood South-east and by South This day wee had much wind and raine we shorted sayle being neere the Land The fifteenth in the morning it blowed so much wind at North-east that wee were not able to maintayne any sayle wee then strooke a hull and let our ship driue wayting for a fitâer wind this night was very much raine The sixteenth was much wind at North-east The seuenteenth we set sayle at noone we steered away East and by South and East South-east The eighteenth in the afternoone a fine gale South-east which toward the Eeuening increased and we steered North-east three Watches twelue leagues The nineteenth we steered away North North-east sixteene leagues At noone wee had raine with fogge From twelue to foure we steered North North-east eight leagues and did account our selues in seuentie degrees neerest hand purposing to see whether the Land which we made the thirteenth day were an Iland or part of Groneland But then the fogge increased very thicke with much wind at South which made vs alter our course and to shorten our sayle and we steered away North-east Being then as we supposed in the Meridian of the same land hauing no obseruation since the eleuenth day and lying a hull from the fifteenth to the seuenteenth day wee perceiued a current setting to the South-west This day wee saw three Whales neere our ship and hauing steered away North-east almost one watch fiue leagues the Sea was growne euery way we supposed wee were thwart of the North-east part of that Land which we made the thirteenth day and the current setting to wind-ward The reason that mooued vs to thinke so was that after we had sayled fiue or sixe leagues in this Sea the wind neither increasing nor dulling we had a pleasant and smooth Sea All this night was foggie with a good gale of wind we steered away North-east vntill the next day at noone and sayled in that course twentie leagues The twentieth all the morning was a thicke fogge with the winde at South wee steered North-east till noone Then we changed our course and steered away North North-east hoping for an open Sea in our course to fall with the bodie of Newland This day at two in the afternoone it cleered vp and wee saw the Sunne which wee had not seene since the second of this moneth Hauing steered North North-east two watches and an halfe fifteene or sixteene leagues wee saw Land on our Larboord about foure leagues off vs trending as wee could ghesse North-east and South-west We steered away East North-east the wind at South a good gale but reasonable cleere wee saw many Birds with blacke backes and white bellies in forme much like a Ducke we saw also many pieces of Ice driuing at the Sea We loofed for one and went roomer for another And
this morning about foure a thicke fogge we saw a head of vs. The one and twentieth in the morning we steered North-east and East North-east two watches fiue or sixe leagues Then it grew thicke fogge And we cast about and steered North-east and East North-east two watches sixe leagues finding wee were embayed The wind came at East South-east a little gale we tacked about and lay South All this night was a thicke fog with little wind East we lay with the stemme The two and twentieth in the morning it cleered vp being calme about two or three of the clocke after we had a prettie gale and we steered away East and by North three leagues Our obseruation was in 72. degrees 38. minutes and changing our course we steered North-east the wind at South-east a prettie gale This morning when it cleered vp we saw the Land trending neere hand East North-east and West South-west esteeming our selues from it twelue leagues It was a mayne high Land nothing at all couered with snow and the North part of that mayne high Land was very high Mountaynes but we could see no snow on them We accounted by our obseruation the part of the mayne Land lay neerest hand in 73. degrees The many fogs and calmes with contrary winds and much Ice neere the shoare held vs from farther Discouery of it It may bee objected against vs as a fault for haling so Westerly a course The chiefe cause that moued vs thereunto was our desire to see that part of Groneland which for ought that we know was to any Christian vnknowne and wee thought it might as well haue beene open Sea as Land and by that meanes our passage should haue beene the larger to the Pole and the hope of hauing a Westerly wind which would be to vs a landerly wind if wee found Land And considering wee found Land contrarie to that which our Cards make mention of we accounted our labour so much the more worth And for ought that wee could see it is like to bee a good Land and worth the seeing On the one and twentieth day in the morning while we steered our course North North-east we thought we had embayed our selues finding Land on our Larboord and Ice vpon it and many great pieces of Drift Ice we steered away North-east with diligent looking out euery cleere for Land hauing a desire to know whether it would leaue vs to the East both to know the bredth of the Sea and also to shape a more Northerly course And considering wee knew no name giuen to this Land wee thought good to name it Hold with hope lying in 73. degrees of latitude The Sunne was on the Meridian on the South part of the Compasse neerest hand Heere is to bee noted that when we made The Mount of Gods Mercie and Youngs Cape the Land was couered with snow for the most part and extreame cold when wee approached neere it But this Land was very temperate to our feeling And this likewise is to be noted that being two dayes without obseruation notwithstanding our lying a hull by reason of much contrary wind yet our obseruation and dead reckoning were within eight leagues together our shippe beeing before vs eight leagues This night vntill next morning prooued little Winde The three and twentieth in the morning we had an hard gale on head of vs with much rayne that fell in very great drops much like our Thunder showers in England wee tacked about and stood East-Northerly with a short sayle to our feeling it was not so cold as before we had it It was calme from noone to three of the clocke with fogge After the winde came vp at East and East South-east we steered away North-east with the fogge and rayne About seuen or eight of the clocke the winde increased with extreame fogge wee steered away with short sayle East North-east and sometimes East and by North. About twelue at mid-night the wind came vp at South-west we steered away North being reasonable cleere weather The foure and twentieth in the morning about two of the clocke the Masters mate thought he saw Land on the Larboord trending North North-west Westerly and the longer we ranne North the more it fell away to the West and did thinke it to bee a mayne high Land This day the wind being Westerly we steered away North and by obseruation wee were in 73. degrees nearest hand At noone we changed our course and steered away North and by East and at our last obseruation and also at this we found the Meridian all Leeward on the South and by West Westerly part of the Compasse when we had sayled two Watches eight leagues The fiue and twentieth the wind scanted and came vp at North North-west we lay North-east two Watches 8. leagues After the wind became variable betweene the North-east and the North we steered away East and by North and sometimes East we had thicke fogge About noone three Granpasses played about our shippe This After-noone the wind vered to the East and South-east we haled away North and by East This night was close weather but small fogge we vse the word Night for distinction of time but long before this the Sunne was alway aboue the Horizon but as yet we could neuer see him vpon the Meridian North. This Night being by our accompt in the Latitude of 75. degrees we saw small flockes of Birds with blacke Backes and white Bellies and long speare Tayles We supposed that Land was not farre off but we could not discrie any with all the diligence which we could vse being so close weather that many times we could not see sixe or seuen leagues off The sixe and twentieth in the morning was close weather we had our wind and held our course as afore This day our obseruation was 76. degrees 38. minutes and we had Birds of the same sort as afore and diuers other of that colour hauing red Heads that we saw when we first made the Mount of Gods Mercy in Greenland but not so many After we steered away North and by East two VVatches 10. leagues with purpose to fall with the Souther part of Newland accounting our selues 10. or 12. leagues from the Land Then wee stood away North-east one VVatch fiue leagues The seuen and twentieth about one or two of the clocke in the morning we made Newland being cleere weather on the Sea but the Land was couered with fogge the Ice lying very thick all along the shoare for 15. or 16. leagues which we saw Hauing faire wind wee coasted it in a very pleasing smooth sea and had no ground at an hundred fathoms foure leagues from the shoare This day at noone wee accounted we were in 78. degrees and we stood along the shoare This day was so foggie that we were hardly able to see the Land many times but by our account we were neare Vogel Hooke About eight of the clocke this Eeuening we purposed to
shape our course from thence North-west Heere is to bee noted that although we ranne along neere the shoare we found no great cold which made vs thinke that if we had beene on shoare the place is temperate Holding this North-west course about ten of the clocke at night we saw great store of Ice on head off vs bearing Wester off vs which we could not goe cleere off with the foresayd course Then we tact about and stood away betweene the South and the South-east as much desirous to leaue this Land as we were to see it The eight and twentieth was a hard gale of wind all the fore-noone betweene the South and the South-west We shaped our course we did it to bee farther from the Ice and Land It pleased God that about twelue of the clocke this night it cleered vp and we found that we were betweene the Land and the Ice Vogel Hooke then bearing nearest hand East off vs. Then we tacked about and stood in for the shoare hauing Sea-roome between the Ice and the Land The nine and twentieth at foure in the morning the wind at North-east a pretie gale we thought best to shorten our way so we tacked about and stood North North-west the wind a little increasing About twelue at noone we saw Ice a head off vs we cast about again and stood away East South-east with very much wind so that we shortned our sayles for the space of two Watches Then about eight this Eeuening we strucke a Hull and it proued the hardest storme that we had in this Voyage The thirtieth in the morning was stormie about noone it ceased at seuen in the Eeuening it proued almost calme The first of Iuly all the fore-noone the wind was at South-east we stood North-east for the shoare hoping to finde an open Sea betweene the shoare and the Ice About noone wee were embayed with Ice lying betweene the Land and vs. By our obseruation we were in 78. degrees 42. minutes whereby we accounted we were thwart of The great Indraught And to free our selues of the Ice we steered betweene the South-east and South and to the Westward as we could haue sea And about six this Eeuening it pleased God to giue vs cleere weather and we found we were shot farre into the Inlet being almost a Bay and enuironed with very high Mountaynes with low Land lying betweene them wee had no ground in this Bay at an hundred fathoms Then being sure where we were we steered away West the wind at South-east and calme and found all our Ice on the Norther shoare and a cleare Sea to the Southward The second it pleased God to giue vs the wind at North-east a faire gale with cleere weather the Ice being to the Northward off vs and the weather shoare and an open Sea to the South-wards vnder our Lee. We held on our course North-west till twelue of the clocke hauing sayled in that course 10. leagues and finding the Ice to fall from vs to the we gaue thankes to God who maruellously preserued vs from so many dangers amongst so huge a quantitie of Ice and Fogge. We steered away North-west hoping to be free from Ice we had obseruation 78. degrees 56. minutes we fell with Ice againe and trended it as it lay betweene the West and South South-east The third we had obseruation 78. degrees 33. minutes This day wee had our shrouds frozen it was searching cold we also trended the Ice not knowing whether we were cleare or not the wind being at North. The fourth was very cold and our shroudes and sayles frozen we found we were farre in the Inlet The wind being at North we beare vp and stood South South-east and South and South-west by West till ten this night The fift was very much wind at North Easterly at twelue we strooke a Hull hauing brought our selues neare the mouth of the Inlet The sixth in the morning the wind was as before and the Sea growne This morning we came into a very Greene Sea we had our obseruation 77. degrees 30. minutes This after-noone the wind and Sea asswaged About foure of the clocke we set sayle and steered North-west and by West the wind being at North North-east This day proued the clearest day we had long before The seuenth at foure in the morning was very cleare weather and the fairest Morning that we saw in three weekes before we steered as afore being by our account in 78. degrees nearest hand and out of the Sacke We found we were compassed in with Land and Ice and were againe entred into a Blacke Sea which by proofe we found to be an open passage Now hauing the wind at North North-east we steered away South by East with purpose to fall with the Southermost part of this Land which we saw hoping by this meane either to defray the charge of the Voyage or else if it pleased God in time to giue vs a faire wind to the North-east to satisfie expectation All this day and night afterward proued calme The eight all the fore-noone proued calme and very thicke fogge This morning we saw many peeces of Drift-wood driue by vs we heaued out our Boate to stop a leake and mended our riggings This day wee saw many Seales and two Fishes which we iudged to bee Sea-horses or Morses At twelue this night we had the winde at East and by South wee stood away North-east The ninth all the fore-noone was little wind at South-east with thicke fogge This day we were in amongst Ilands of Ice where we saw many Seales The tenth in the morning was foggie afterward it proued cleere we found we were compassed with Ice euery way about vs wee tacked about and stood South and by West and South South-west one Watch fiue leagues hoping to get more Sea-roome and to stand for the North-east we had the wind at North-west The eleuenth very cleere weather with the winde at South South-east we were come out of the Blue Sea into our Greene Sea againe where we saw Whales Now hauing a fresh gale of wind at South South-east it behooued mee to change my course and to sayle to the North-east by the Souther end of Newland But being come into a Greene Sea praying God to direct mee I steered away North ten leagues After that we saw Ice on our Larboord we steered away East and by North three leagues and left the Ice behind vs. Then we steered away North till noone This day wee had the Sunne on the Meridian South and by West Westerly his greatest height was 37. degrees 20. minutes By this obseruation we were in 79. degrees 17. minutes we had a fresh gale of wind and a smooth sea by meanes whereof our ship had out-runne vs. At ten this Eeuening cleere weather and then we had the company of our troublesome neighbours Ice with fogge The wind was at South South-west Heere we saw plentie of Seales
wind at East North-east and East and by North we lay as neere as wee could with a full sayle wee accounted Lowfoot from vs East Northerly 16. leagues distant from vs at foure a clocke this after-noone wee stood all night as afore The fiue and twentieth the wind at East North-east we stood away North as we could lie all this day was cleere weather and searching cold which cold begunne the one and twentieth day and then my Carpenter was taken sicke and so doth yet continue and three or foure more of our companie were enclining to sicknesse I suppose by meanes of the cold All the night it was calme The sixe and twentieth cold but cleere weather the wind betweene East and East North-east we stood North-easterly till twelue a clocke at night then wee had the wind at North-east North North-east we stood South-east and East till noone the next day The seuen and twentieth cold and drie weather at noone we had the wind North and North North-west Wee stood away North-east and East North-east as we could and accounted our selues in 69. degrees 40. minutes and the Needle enclined hauing a smooth Sea neerest 84. degrees All night we had wind and weather as afore The eight and twentieth drie cold cleere weather the wind betweene North North-west and North we made our way good East North-east wee saw the Sunne on the North Meridian aboue the Horizon 5. degrees 35. minutes All this night we had much wind as afore The nine and twentieth a hard gale at North North-west by account we ranne from mid-night to noone 21. leagues East North-east Wee had the Sunne on the Meridian 5. degrees the latitude 73. degrees 13. minutes whereby wee found our ship to haue out-runne vs. At mid-night the wind came to South-east we cast about and stood East North-east This day partly cleere weather with some snow The thirtieth cold cleere weather the wind betweene North-east and East and by North we went East South-east and obseruing were in 73. degrees 50. minutes The one and thirtieth cold and cleere weather from the last day till this day noone we stood South-east and by South in the latitude of 72. degrees 45. minutes The first of Iune a hard gale at East North-East with snow we made our way good South South-east The second a hard gale of wind at North-east towards night calme with fogge our course was South-east all day The third in the morning we had a sight of the North Cape and at a West and by North Sunne the Cape bore off vs South-west halfe a point Southerly being from vs 8. leagues and obseruing the variation I found it to the Westward 11. degrees and hauing a smooth Sea the Needle enclined vnder the Horizon 84. degrees and a halfe the neerest I could finde We had the wind at South-west and wee stood away North-east and by East It was cleere weather and we saw Norway Fisher-men at Sea The fourth warme cleere sun-shine we stood away North-east and by East Now by Gods helpe our Carpenter recouered and made a Mast for our ship-boat and the companie made a Sayle we had the Sunne in the sight on the North Meridian his height was 5. degrees 40. minutes Inclination 23. degrees 21. minutes Poles height 72. degrees 21. minutes The fift in the morning calme weather wee sounded and had 140. fathoms sand Oze here wee saw a swelling Sea setting North-east and by East and South-west and by West with streame-leches and we saw drift wood After we had wind and we sayled and made our way North North-east towards night we sounded and found ground at 150. fathoms sand Oze This day cleere weather and not cold The sixt wee had cleere weather the wind being at East North-East from the last day till this day noone we shaped our way on diuers courses North and by West in the latitude of 73. degrees 24. minutes We found that our ship had out-runne vs sounding in 160. fathoms in the after-noone little wind The seuenth in the morning the wind at South after at South South-east from the last day till this day noone wee accounted our way from diuers courses North-east 15. leagues This day was close but cleere weather and we had a good gale of wind at this time And three dayes before this our Cooke and one more of our companie were very sicke In the morning we had ground at 150. fathoms and at night we had no ground at 180. fathoms which encreased hope This night we had some snow which continued foure houres then the wind came at North-east and by East with storme and with short sayle we stood North and by West here the Needle enclined 86. degrees I accounted that we were in 74. degrees and a halfe at neerest hand This night we saw the Sunne on the North Meridian his height was 7. degrees 40. minutes which maketh the Poles height 74. degrees 23. minuâes The eight from twelue a clocke last night till noone we accounted our way on diuers courses North and by East then our latitude was 74. degrees 38. minutes and we had no ground at 200. fathoms In the after-noone the wind came at South South-east and South-east and by East This day and night wee had cleere weather and we were here come into a blacke blue Sea The ninth cleere weather the wind came at South-east and by East from the last day till this day noone wee had a good way North-east in latitude of 75. degrees 29. minutes then wee entred into Ice being the first we saw in this Voyage our hope was to goe through it we stood into it and held our course betweene North-east and East North-east loosing for one and bearing roome for another till foure in the after-noone at which time we were so farre in and the Ice so thicke and firme ahead being in it foure or fiue leagues that wee had endangered vs somewhat too farre wee returned as wee went in and with a few rubbes of our ship against the Ice by eight a clocke this Eeuening wee got free of it Wee made our way till next day at noone South-west and by South 18 leagues in the middest of this way wee had no ground at 180. fathoms The tenth in the morning hasey weather but at noone it cleered vp and then we cast about and stood away North and by East the wind being at East South-east two watches fiue leagues then we had the wind at East we cast about and stood South South-east and made a South way sixe leagues The eleuenth in the morning a hard storme at East and East and by South we strooke a hull The twelfth in the morning fog and all day after cleere weather the wind at South South-west we steered East and by North at noone being in the latitude 75. degrees 30. minutes From noone till foure a clocke fiue leagues East and by North then we saw Ice ahead of vs and vnder
our Lee trending from the North-west to the North and East of vs We had sounding 100. fathom greenish Oze Here we saw diuers pieces of drift wood by vs driuing and streame Leeches lying South South-west and North North-east We many times saw the like since we saw the North Cape The thirteenth cleere weather the wind at East we made a South way 6. leagues two watches then we cast about and made a North way one watch 3. leagues 1 â At twelue at night much wind with fog we strooke a hull and layed our ships head to the Southward The fourteenth in the fore-noone fog and our shroudes were frozen the after-noone was cleere Sun-shine and so was all the night The fifteenth all day and night cleere sun-shine the wind at East the latitude at noone 75. degrees 7. minutes We held Westward by our account 13. leagues In the after-noone the Sea was asswaged and the wind being at East we set sayle and stood South and by East and South South-east as we could This morning one of our companie looking ouer boord saw a Mermaid and calling vp some of the companie to see her one more came vp and by that time shee was come close to the ships side looking earnestly on the men a little after a Sea came and ouerturned her from the Nauill vpward her backe and breasts were like a womans as they say that saw her her body as big as one of vs her skin very white and long haire hanging downe behind of colour blacke in her going downe they saw her tayle which was like the tayle of a Porposâe and speckled like a Macrell Their names that saw her were Thomas Hilles and Robert Rayner The sixteenth cleere weather the wind being at East From the last day till this day noone we made our way South and by East 9. leagues and from noon to eight a clocke in the Eeuening 6. leagues then we cast about and stood to the Northwards The seuenteenth cleere weather the wind at South-east and by East from the last day till this day noone our way was North-east and by East at noone being in the latitude of 74. degrees 40. minutes At after-noone we sounded and had ground at 86. fathom greene Oze and our water whitish greene Here we saw Whales Porpoises and the Sea full of Fowles from noone to mid-night North-east and by East we had the Sunne at lowest on the North and by East Easterly part of the Compasse latitude 74. degrees 54. minutes Sounding we had 92. fathoms water Oze as before The eighteenth faire weather the wind at South-east and by East from mid-night till this day noone wee sayled North-east and by East in the Latitude of 75. degrees 24. minutes and had ground at ninetie fiue fathome Oze as afore Heere we had Ice in our sight to the Northward off vs. In the after-noone hauing little wind at North-east we cast about and lay East South-east and at sixe a clocke had ground at ninetie fiue fathoms and a halfe Oze as afore From noone to twelue a clocke at night our way was South-east and South-east and by East and had the Sunne on the Meridian North and by East halfe a point Eastward The Sunnes height was eight degrees 40. minutes Sounding ninetie fathom All this day we had Ice on our Larboord trending and at this time from the North-west off vs to the East South-east I haue some reason to thinke there is a Tide or Current setting to the Northwards the course wee held and the way we made betweene this noone and mid-night Obseruations doe make mee suspect it the more The nineteenth faire and warme weather the sea smooth Here the Needle inclined vnder the Horizon 89. degrees and a halfe being in the Latitude at noone of 75. degrees 22. minutes Sounding wee had ground in an hundred fathom From twelue a clocke last night till this day at noone we accounted our way from East and by North to South-east ten leagues hauing Ice alwayes in our sight trending on our Larboord wee had the winde betweene North and North North-west We saw the Sunne at the lowest on the North and by East halfe a point Easterly his height was 8. degrees 10. minutes which maketh the Poles height 74. degrees 56. minutes Sounding we had ground in one hundred and twentie sixe fathom From noone to this time wee accounted our way East and by South and East South-east twelue leagues The twentieth faire warme weather this morning at foure of the clocke wee had depth one hundred and twentie fiue fathom Heere we heard Beares roare on the Ice and we saw vpon the Ice and neare vnto it an incredible number of Seales We had sounding one hundred and fifteen fathom and after ground at ninetie fiue fathom sandie Oze We had the Sun on the Meridian North and by East halfe a point Easterly his height was 7. degrees 20. minutes From twelue a clocke last night to twelue a clocke this night our way was made good by our account South-east and by South twelue leagues and South-east three leagues and a halfe the Ice alwayes being on our Larboord The wind this day betweene North and North-west The one and twentieth at foure a clocke in the morning wee sounded and had one hundred and twentie fathome greene Oze and the Ice bore off vs East the winde variable in diuers courses wee made our way good South South-east our Latitude at noone being 74. degrees 9. minutes we were haled to the Northward beyond expectation All this day faire cleere and warme weather and Ice on our Larboord at a North and by East Sunne being then at lowest his height was 7. degrees 40. minutes which made the Poles height 74. degrees 33. minutes From the last day at noone till twelue a clocke this night by account of our ships way wee made our way good East North-east sixe leagues and a halfe whereby it doth appeare how we were haled to the Northward Heere wee had ground at one hundred and thirteene fathome greene sandie Oze The two and twentieth faire cleare weather the winde at West North-west At eight a clocke in the Morning we had ground at one hundred and fifteene fathom greene Oze From mid-night to noone our course was North-east and by East being in the Letitude of 74. degrees 35. minutes and we found that our ships way and our obseruation were not but there was carefull heed taken of both Heere we had Ice a head off vs trending to the South-east and all day before Ice on our Larboord Here we stood South-east fiue leagues then the Ice trended South and by West sixe leagues we sayled by it and doubled it by eight a clocke in the Eeuening and then it bore East off vs. Heere hauing a smooth sea the Needle inclined 85. degrees from eight a clocke to twelue North and by East Easterly Then we had the Sunne on the Meridian North and by East ½ a
rought for they had beene vp the Riuer sixe or seuen leagues and sounded it from twentie to three and twentie and after brought it to eight sixe and one fathome and then to foure foot in the best they then went ashoare and found good store of wilde Goose quills a piece of an old Oare and some Flowers and greene things which they found growing they saw many Deere and so did we in our after-dayes sayling They being come aboord we presently set sayle with the wind at North North-west and we stood out againe to the South-westwards with sorrow that our labour was in vaine for had this Sound held as it did make shew of for breadth depth safenesse of harbour and good anchor ground it might haue yeelded an excellent passage to a more Easterly Sea Generally all the Land of Noua Zembla that yet wee haue seene is to a mans eye a pleasant Land much mayne high Land with no Snow on it looking in some places greene and Deere feeding thereon and the Hills are partly couered with Snow and partly bare It is no maruell that there is so much Ice in the Sea toward the Pole so many Sounds and Riuers being in the Lands of Noua Zembla and Newland to ingender it besides the coasts of Pechora Russia and Groenland with Lappia as by proofes I finde by my trauell in these parts by meanes of which Ice I suppose there will be no nauigable passage this way This Eeuening wee had the wind at West and by South wee therefore came to anchor vnder Deere Point and it was a storme at Sea wee rode in twentie fathomes Ozie ground I sent my Mate Ladlow with foure more ashoare to see whether any Morses were on the shoare and to kill some Fowle for we had seene no Morses since Saturday the second day of this moneth that wee saw them driuing out of the Ice They found good landing for them but no signe that they had beene there but they found that fire had beene made there yet not lately At ten of the clocke in the Eeuening they came aboord and brought with them neere an hundred Fowles called Wellocks this night it was wet fogge and very thicke and cold the winde at West South-west The sixt in the morning wee had the wind stormie and shifting betweene the West and South-west against vs for doing any good we rode still and had much Ice driuing by vs to the Eastward of vs. At nine of the clocke this Eeuening wee had the wind at North North-west we presently weighed and set sayle and stood to the Westward being out of hope to find passage by the North-east And my purpose was now to see whether Willoughbies Land were as it is layd in our Cardes which if it were wee might finde Morses on it for with the Ice they were all driuen from hence This place vpon Noua Zembla is another then that which the Hollanders call Costing Sarch discouered by Oliuer Brownell and William Barentsons obseruation doth witnesse the same It it layd in plot by the Hollanders out of his true place too farre North to what end I know not vnlesse to make it hold course with the Compasse not respecting the variation It is as broad and like to yeeld passage as the Vaygats and my hope was that by the strong streame it would haue cleered it selfe but it did not It is so full of Ice that you will hardly thinke it All this day for the most part it was fogge and cold The seuenth cleere but cold weather in the morning the wind was at the North from the last Eeuening to this morning we set saile and kept our course West and by South fifteene leagues from morning to eight a clocke in the Eeuening it was calme then we had the wind againe at North and we sayled till nine a clocke next morning West South-west eight leagues then the wind being West and by South wee went North and by West three leagues and wee had the Sunne at the highest South South-west in the latitude of 71. degrees 2. minutes The eight faire weather at noone we had the wind at East North-east we stood North three leagues till foure a clocke then the wind being at west and by North wee stemmed North and by West one league and a halfe till six a clocke in the Eeuening then the wind was at North-east a hard gale and wee stood till next day at noone West and by North by account three and twentie leagues we had the Sunne on the Meridian South and by West halfe a point neerest West in the latitude of 70. degrees 41. minutes The ninth cleere weather from this to the next day at noone we sayled South-west and by West twelue leagues and Northward three leagues and in these courses had these soundings 41.42.46.48 and 45. fathoms we had the Sunne South and by VVest halfe a point to the VVest part of the Compasse The Sea was loftie our latitude was 70. degrees 20. minutes The tenth cleere but close weather from this till next day noone wee had little wind at West North-west by account we made our way fiue leagues North-easterly Wee had the Sun at the highest on the South and by West point and a terce Westward in the latitude of 70. degrees 55. minutes and I thinke we had a rustling tide vnder vs and in this time had sounding betweene fortie fiue and fortie fathomes white sand The eleuenth cleere weather from this to the next day at noone little wind at North North-east and sometimes calme wee sayled West and by North by account fiue leagues and had the Sunne on the Meridian on the South and by West point â
West in the latitude of 70. degrees 26. minutes and found a rustling vnder vs. This fore-noone we were come into a greene Sea of the colour of the mayne Ocean which we first lost the eight of Iune since which time wee haue had a Sea of a black blue colour which both by the last and this yeeres experience is a Sea-pestered with Ice The twelfth faire weather from noone to mid-night wee had the wind shifting betweene the North and West our course was betweene VVest North-west and South South-west Then we had the wind at South we sayled till the next day at noone West and by North thirteene leagues wee accounted our way from the last day till this day noone Westward eighteene leagues This after-noone wee saw more Porpoises then in all our Voyage afore The thirteenth close weather in the after-noone hauing much wind at South with short sayle we stood away West and by North till eight a clocke in the Eeuening then we had the wind at South but most times calme till noone the next day wee stood away as afore foure leagues which made in all twelue leagues we had the Sunne ere it began to fall South and by West in the latitude of 70. degrees 22. minutes The fourteenth wee stood West North-west till
at eight of the clocke at night the Souther part of Lofoote did beare South-east ten leagues off vs. The fiue and twentieth much wind at North-east with some snow and haile The first watch the wind came to the East a fine gale and so came to the North-east the second watch at foure of the clocke and freshed in And at eight of the clocke it grew to a storme and so continued At noone we obserued and made the ship to be in 67. degrees 58. minutes Wee continued our course South-west twelue leagues a watch At nine of the clocke Lofoote did beare East of vs 15. leagues off And we found the Compasse to haue no variation The wind increased to a storme The six and twentieth was a great storme at the North North-east and North-east Wee steered away South-west afore the wind with our fore-course abroad for wee were able to maintayne no more sayles it blew so vehemently and the Sea went so high and brake withall that it would haue dangered a small ship to lye vnder the Sea So we skudded seuenty leagues in foure and twentie houres The storme began to cease at foure of the clocke The seuen and twentieth indifferent faire weather but a good stiffe gale of wind at North and North North-east wee held on our course as before At noone wee obserued and found our heigth to be 64. degrees 10. minutes And wee perceiued that the Current had hindred vs in fortie eight houres to the number of 16. leagues to our best judgement We set our mayne-sayle sprit-sayle and our mayne-top-sayle and held on our course all night hauing faire weather The eight and twentieth faire weather and little wind at North-east we held on our course South-west At noone wee obserued the heigth and were in 62. degrees and 30. minutes The after-noone was little wind at North North-west The second watch it fell calme At foure of the clocke wee had sight of the Iles called Farre and found them to lye out of their place in the Sea Chart fourteene leagues to farre Westerly For in running South-west from Lofoote wee had a good care to our steerage and obseruations and counted our selues thirtie leagues off by our course and obseruation and had sight of them sixteene or eighteene leagues off The nine and twentieth faire weather sometimes calme and sometimes a gale with the wind varying at South-west and so to the North-east Wee got to the Ilands but could not get in So we stood along the Ilands The ebbe being come we durst not put in The thirtieth faire weather the wind at South-east and East South-east In the morning we turned into a Road in Stromo one of the Ilands of Farre betweene Stromo and Mugge-nes and got in by nine of the clocke for it flowed so there that day And assoone as we came in we went to Romage and sent our Boat for water and filled all our emptie Caskes with fresh water Wee made in end of our Romaging this night by ten of the clocke The one and thirtieth faire Sun-shining weather the wind at East South-east In the forenoone our Master with most of his Company went on shoare to walke and at one of the clocke they returned aboord Then we set sayle The first of Iune stilo nouo faire Sun-shining weather the wind at East South-east We continued on our course South-west and by West At noone wee obserued the Sunne and found our heigth to be 60. degrees 58. minutes and so continued on our course all night with faire weather This night we lighted Candles in the Bittacle againe The second mystie weather the wind at North-east At noone we steered away West South-west to find Busse Iland discouered in the yeere 1578. by one of the ships of Sir Martin Frobisher to see if it lay in her true latitude in the Chart or no wee continued our course as before all night with a faire gale of wind this night we had sight of the first stars and our water was changed colour to a white greene The Compasse had no variation The third faire Sun-shining weather the wind at North-east We steered on our course South-west and by West with a stiffe gale of wind At noone we obserued and found our heigth to bee 58. degrees 48. minutes And I was before the ship 16. leagues by reason of the Current that held vs so strong out of the South-west For it is eight leagues in foure and twentie houres We accounted our selues neere Busse Iland by mid-night we looked out for it but could not see it The fourth in the morning was much wind with fogge and raine Wee steered away South-west by west all the fore-noone the wind so increasing that wee were enforced to take in our top-sayle the winde continuing so all the after-noone Wee steered away South-west all the fore-part of the night and at ten of the clocke at night it was little wind and that was at South and so came vp to the South South-east The fift stormie weather and much wind at South and South by East so that at foure of the clocke in the morning we tooke in our fore-sayle and lay a try with our mayne corse and tryed away West North-west foure leagues But at noone it was lesse wind and the Sunne shewed forth and we obserued and found our heigth to be 56. degrees 21. minutes In the after-noone the wind vered to and fro betweene the South-west and the South-east with raine and fogge and so continued all night Wee found that our ship had gone to the VVestward of our course The sixth thicke hasie weather with gusts of wind and showers of raine The wind varied betweene East South-East and South-west wee steered on many courses a West South-west way The afternoone watch the wind was at East South-east a stiffe gale with myst and raine Wee steered away South-west by West eight leagues At noone the Sunne shone forth and we found the heigth to bee 56. degrees 8. minutes The seuenth faire sun-shining weather all the fore-noone and calme vntill twelue of the clocke In the after-noone the wind came to the North-west a stiffe gale We steered South-west by West and made a South-west way At noone we found the height to bee 56. degrees one minute and it continued all night a hard gale The eight stormy weather the wind variable betweene West and North-west much wind at eight of the clocke wee tooke off our Bonnets At noone the Sunne shewed forth and wee obserued and our height was 54. degrees 30. minutes The ninth faire sun-shining weather and little wind all the fore-part of the day vntill eleuen of the clocke Then the wind came to the South South-east and we steered away West South-west At noone we found our height to bee 53. degrees and 45. minutes and we had made our way South by West ten leagues In the after-noone the wind increased and continued all night at East North-east and East The
twelfth faire weather the wind variable betweene East North-east and South-east wee steered on our course as before At foure of the clock in the afternoon the wind came vp at South-east And we held our course as before At noone wee obserued and found our height to be 52. degrees 35. minutes The eleuenth in the morning was thicke and foggie the winde varying betweene South South-west and North-west At foure of the clocke in the morning wee tackt about to the Southward At eleuen of the clocke the winde came to the North-west and so to the West North-west This day we had change of water of a whitish greene like to the Ice water to the North-west At noone it cleered vp and became very faire weather wee put out our mayne top-sayle then we obserued the Sunne and found our height to be 51. degrees 24. minutes We had sayled many courses and found our ship gone to the Southward of our account ten leagues by reason of a current from the North-ward The Compasse varied on point to the East The twelfth faire Sun-shining weather but much wind at the West we stood to the Southward all day the wind shifting betweene the South-west and the West and by North. Wee made our way South halfe a point West eight and twentie leagues Our height at noone was 50. degrees 9. minutes At eight of the clock at night we took off our Bonets the wind increasing The thirteenth faire Sun-shining weather the wind variable betweene the West and North North-west We made our way South South-west seuen and twentie leagues At noone we obserued and found our heigth to be 48. degrees 45. minutes But not to be trusted the Sea went so high In the after-noone the winde was calmer and wee brought to our Bonets and stood to the Southward all night with a stiffe gale The fourteenth faire and cleere Sun-shining weather the winde variable betweene the North-west and South-west by West At mid-night I obserued the North starre at a North-west by West Guarde a good obseruation 49. degrees 30. minutes And at noone wee obserued the Sunne and our heigth was 48. degrees 6. minutes And I made account we ranne betweene the two obseruations twelue leagues At one of the clocke in the after-noone wee cast about to the Westward and stood so all night the winde increased to a storme and was very much winde with Raine The fifteenth we had a great storme and spent ouer-boord our fore-mast bearing our fore corse low set The sixteenth we were forced to trie with our mayne sayle by reason of the vnconstant weather So wee tried foure watches South-east and by South eight leagues and an halfe and two watches sixe leagues The seuenteenth reasonable faire weather the wind variable betweene West South-west and West North-west And a stiffe gale of wind and so great a swelling Sea out of the West South-west that wee could doe nothing So one watch and an halfe wee droue North foure-leagues and an halfe and foure watches and an halfe South and by East halfe a point East twelue leagues The eighteenth reasonable weather but close and cloudie and an hard gale of wind and a great Sea The winde being at the North-west wee lay to the Southward and made our drift South and by West fiue leagues The after-noone prooued little wind and the night part calme The nineteenth in the fore-noone faire weather and calme In the morning we set the piece of our fore mast and set our fore corse The one and twentieth faire Sun-shining weather but much wind and a great Sea We split our fore saile at ten of the clocke then we laid it a trie with our mayne sayle and continued so all day In the night it fell to be little wind This day our heigth was 45. degrees 48. minutes The two and twentieth very faire Sun-shining weather and calme all the after-noone At noone we made a very good obseruation and found our heigth 44. degrees 58. minutes At eight of the clocke at night wee had a small gale of winde at South-east And wee steered away West for Newfound Land The true Compasse varied one point East The three and twentieth thicke weather with much wind and some raine At eight of the clocke in the morning the wind came to the West South-west and West so stiffe a gale that we were forced to take our top-sayle and steered away North North-west vntill foure of the clock in the after-noone Then we tact to the Southward the winde at West North-west At eight of the clocke at night wee tooke in our top-sayles and laid it a trie with our mayne sayle the winde at West The foure and twentieth a stiffe gale of wind varying betweene the West and North North-west we tried till sixe of the clocke at which time we set our foresaile and steered way West and by South by our Compasse eight leagues in foure watches and wee tried away South in one watch and an halfe The fiue and twentieth faire Sun-shining weather the wind at North North-west and North we steered away West by South by our Compasse till twelue of the clocke at which time we had sight of a sayle and gaue her chafe but could not speake with her She stood to the Eastward and we stood after her till sixe of the clocke in the after-noone Then wee tact to the Westward againe and stood on our course It was faire all night and little wind sometimes The six and twentieth all the fore-part of the day very farre weather and hot but at foure of the clocke in the after-noone it grew to bee much winde and raine the winde was at South South-east At noone wee obserued and found our heigth to bee 44. degrees 33. minutes At eight of the clocke at night the wind came to South-west and West South-west Wee steered North-west one Watch and at twelue in the night to the West and West and by South very much wind So we could lye but North North-west The seuen and twentieth very much winde and a soare storme the wind Westerly In the morning at foure of the clocke wee tooke in our fore-corse and layd it a trie with our mayne-corse low set and so continued all the day and night two watches to the Northward At eight of the clocke at night we tackt to the Southward The eight and twentieth faire sun-shining weather the wind at West and by South we lay a trie to the Southward till eight of the clocke in the morning Then wee set our fore-corse and stood to the Southward a stiffe gale of wind but faire weather and a great Sea out of the Westerboord and so continued all night The nine and twentieth faire sun-shining weather the wind at West and by South we stood to the Southward vntill sixe of the clocke at night and made our way South and by East foure leagues Then the winde came to the South-west and wee cast about to the VVestward and made our way VVest North-west
all night At noone I found the height 43. degrees 6. minutes The variation one point VVest The thirtieth faire sun-shining weather the winde at South-west and by VVest we steered North-west and by VVest And made our way so by reason of the variation of the Compasse At noone I found the height to bee 43. degrees 18. minutes wee continued our course all night and made our way North-west and by VVest halfe a point VVesterly fiue and twentie leagues The first of Iuly close mystie and thicke weather but a faire gale of wind at South-west and South-west by South We steered away North-west and by West Westerly and made our way so by reason of the variation of the Compasse At eight of the clocke at night wee sounded for the Banke of New-found Land but could get no ground The second thicke mystie weather but little wind and that at West and West and by South At eight of the clocke in the morning we cast about to the Southward and when our ship was on stayes we sounded for the Banke and had ground in thirtie fathoms white sand and shells and presently it cleered and we had sight of a sayle but spake not with her In the night we had much Rayne Thunder and Lightning and wind shifting The third faire Sun-shining weather with a faire gale of wind at East North-east and wee steered away West South-west by our Compasse which varyed 17. degrees Westward This morning we were among a great Fleet of French-men which lay Fishing on the Banke but we spake with none of them At noone wee found our heighth to bee 43. degrees 41. minutes And we sounded at ten of the clocke and had thirtie fathoms gray sand At two of the clocke wee sounded and had fiue and thirtie fathoms gray sand At eight of the clocke at night we sounded againe and had eight and thirtie fathoms gray sand as before The fourth at the fore-part of the day cleere with a faire gale of wind but variable betweene the East North-east and South and by East wee held on our course as before The after-noone was mystie the wind shifting betweene the South and the West till foure of the clocke Then we tooke in our top-sayle and sprit-sayle and sounded and had no ground in seuentie fathoms The winde shifted still vntill eight of the clocke then it came to the North North-east and North-east and by North and we steered away West North-west by our varyed Compasse which made a West way halfe point North. The Compasse varyed 15. degrees from the North to the West The fift faire sun-shining weather the wind at North-east and by North we steered away West North-west which was West halfe a point North. At noone we found our heighth to be 44. degrees 10. minutes and sounded and had no ground in one hundred fathoms The after-noone proued calme sometimes and somtimes little wind vntill nine of the clocke in the night Then the wind came to the East and we held on our course At mid-night I obserued and found the height to bee 44. degrees 10. minutes by the North Starre and the Scorpions heart The Compasse varyed 13. degrees The sixth the fore-part of the day faire weather and a stiffe gale of wind betweene South South-east and South-west wee steered West and by North and West North-west The after-part of the day from two of the clocke was all foggie and thicke weather the wind a hard gale varying betweene South-west and by South and West and by North we made our way North-west halfe a point Northerly nineteene leagues vpon many points foure Watches At night at eight of the clocke we sounded and had no ground at one hundred fathoms The seuenth faire sun-shining weather the wind varying betweene West and by North and West and by South At foure of the clocke in the morning we cast about to the Southward and stood so till one in the after-noone At noone we found our height to be 44. degrees 26. minutes At seuen of the clocke we tackt to the Northward At eight at night we tackt to the Southward and sounded and had nine and fiftie fathoms white sand The eight in the fore-noone faire weather but the morning foggie till seuen of the clocke At foure of the clocke in the morning we sounded and had fiue fortie fathoms fine white sand and we had runne fiue leagues South and by West Then wee stood along one Glasse and went one league as before Then we stood one Glasse and sounded and had sixtie fathoms Then wee ta kt and stood backe to the Banke and had fiue and twentie fathoms and tryed for Fish and it fell calme and we caught one hundred and eighteene great Coddes from eight a clocke till one and after Dinner wee tooke twelue and saw many great Scoales of Herrings Then wee had a gale of wind at South and it shifted to the West North-west and we stood three Glasses and sounded and had sixtie fathomes and stood two Glasses and had two and fortie fathoms red stones and shells So wee sounded euery Glasse and had seuerall soundings 35.33.30.31.32.33 and 34. fathoms The ninth faire calme weather we lay becalmed all day and caught some Fish but not much because we had small store of salt At three of the clocke in the after-noone wee had a gale at South-east and South South-east and we steered away Westerly our Compasse was West and by South halfe a point South At foure of the clocke we sounded and had but fifteene seuenteene and nineteene fathoms on a fishing Banke and we founded euery Glasse Then we could get no ground in fiue and twentie fathoms and had sight of a sayle on head off vs. At noone our height was 44. degrees 27. minutes We stood to the Westward all night and spake with a French-man which lay Fishing on the Banke of Sablen in thirtie fathoms and we saw two or three more The tenth very mystie and thicke weather the wind at South-west a faire gale We stood to the South-ward and made our way South-east and by East At twelue of the clocke we sounded and had eight and fortie fathoms againe at two we sounded and had fiftie fathoms And at sixe of the clocke we sounded and had eight and fortie fathoms on the end of the Banke Againe at eight of the clocke at night wee sounded and had no ground in eightie fathomes and were ouer the Banke So wee stood along till mid-night The Compasse varyed 17. degrees to the Westward The eleuenth very thicke and mystie weather At twelue of the clocke at night we cast about to the Westward and stood so all day and made our way West North-west We sounded at twelue of the clocke but had no ground so we stood to the Westward all the fore-part of the night and sounded but could get no ground in fiftie or sixtie fathoms till mid-night Then I sounded and had ground at fifteene fathoms white
sand The twelfth was very foggie we stood our course all the morning till eleuen of the clocke at which time we had sight of the Land which is low white sandie ground right on head off vs and had ten fathoms Then we tackt to the Southward and stood off foure Glasses then we tackt to the Land againe thinking to haue rode vnder it and as we came neere it the fog was so thicke that we could not see so wee stood off againe From mid-night to two of the clocke we came sounding in twelue thirteene and foureteene fathoms off the shoare At foure of the clocke we had 20 fathoms At eight of the clocke at night 30. fathoms At twelue of the clocke 65. fathoms and but little winde for it deeped apace but the neerer the shoare the fairer shoalding The thirteenth faire sun-shining weather from eight of the clocke in the fore-noone all day after but in the morning it was foggie Then at eight of the clocke we cast about for the shoare but could not see it the wind being at South by our true Compasse wee steered VVest and by North. At noone we obserued and found our height to bee 43. degrees 25. minutes so we steered away VVest and by North all the after-noone At foure of the clocke in the after-noone we sounded and had fiue and thirtie fathoms And at sixe of the clocke wee had sight of the Land and saw two sayles on head off vs. The land by the waters side is low Land and white sandie Bankes rising full of little Hils Our soundings were 35.33.30.28.32.37.33 32. fathoms The foureteenth full of mysts flying and vading the wind betweene South and South-west we steered away West North-west and North-west and by West Our soundings were 29.25.24.25.22.25.27.30.28.30.35.43.50.70.90.70.64.86.100 fathoms and no ground The fifteenth very mystie the winde varying betweene South and South-west wee steered West and by North and VVest North-west In the morning we sounded and had one hundred fathoms till foure of the clocke in the after-noone Then we sounded againe and had seuentie fiue fathoms Then in two Glasses running which was not aboue two English miles we sounded and had sixtie fathoms and it shoalded a great pace vntill we came to twentie fathoms Then we made account we were neere the Ilands that lie off the shoare So we came to an Anchor the Sea being very smooth and little wind at nine of the clocke at night After supper we tryed for Fish and I caught fifteene Cods some the greatest that I haue seene and so we rode all night The sixteenth in the morning it cleered vp and wee had sight of fiue Ilands lying North and North and by VVest from vs two leagues Then wee made ready to set sayle but the myst came so thicke that we durst not enter in among them The seuenteenth was all mystie so that wee could not get into the Harbour At ten of the clocke two Boates came off to vs with sixe of the Sauages of the Countrey seeming glâd of our comming VVe gaue them trifles and they eate and dranke with vs and told vs that there were Gold Siluer and Copper mynes hard by vs and that the French-men doe Trade with them which is very likely for one of them spake some words of French So wee rode still all day and all night the weather continuing mystie The eighteenth faire weather wee went into a very good Harbour and rode hard by the shoare in foure fathoms water The Riuer runneth vp a great way but there is but two fathoms hard by vs. VVe went on shoare and cut vs a fore Mast then at noone we came aboord againe and found the height of the place to bee in 44. degrees 1. minute and the Sunne to fall at a South South-west Sunne VVe mended our sayles and fell to make our fore-Mast The Harbour lyeth South and North a mile in where we rode The nineteenth we had faire sun-shining weather we rode still In the after-noone wee went with our Boate to looke for fresh water and found some and found a shoald with many Lobsters on it and caught one and thirtie The people comming aboord shewed vs great friendship but we could not trust them The twentieth faire sunne-shining weather the winde at South-west In the morning our Scute went out to catch fresh Fish halfe an houre before day and returned in two houres bringing seuen and twentie great Coddes with two hookes and lines In the after-noone wee went for more Lobsters and caught fortie and returned aboord Then wee espied two French Shallops full of the Countrey people come into the Harbour but they offered vs no wrong seeing we stood vpon our guard They brought many Beauer skinnes and other fine Furres which they would haue changed for redde Gownes For the French trade with them for red Cassockes Kniues Hatchets Copper Kettles Treuits Beades and other trifles The one and twentieth all mystie the wind Easterly wee rode still and did nothing but about our Mast. The two and twentieth faire Sun-shining weather the winde all Northerly we rode still all the day In the after-noone our Scute went to catch more Lobsters and brought with them nine and fiftie The night was cleere weather The three and twentieth faire sun-shining weather and very hot At eleuen of the clocke our fore Mast was finished and we brought it aboord and set it into the step and in the after-noone we rigged it This night we had some little myst and rayne The foure and twentieth very hot weather the winde at South out of the sea The fore-part of the day wee brought to our sayles In the morning our Scute went to take Fish and in two houres they brought with them twentie great Coddes and a great Holibut the night was faire also We kept good watch for feare of being betrayed by the people and perceiued where they layd their Shallops The fiue and twentieth very faire weather and hot In the morning wee manned our Scute with foure Muskets and sixe men and tooke one of their Shallops and brought it aboord Then we manned our Boat Scute with twelue men and Muskets and two stone Pieces or Murderers and draue the Saluages from their Houses and tooke the spoyle of them as they would haue done of vs. Then wee set sayle and came downe to the Harbours mouth and rode there all night because the winde blew right in and the night grew mystie with much rayne till mid-night Then it fell calme and the wind came off the Land at West North-west and it began to cleere The Compasse varyed 10. degrees North-west The sixe and twentieth faire and cleere sunne-shining weather At fiue of the clocke in the morning the winde being off the shoare at North North-west we set sayle and came to sea and by noone we counted our ship had gone foureteene leagues South-west In the after-noone the winde shifted variably betweene West South-west and North-west At
noone I found the height to bee 43. degrees 56. minutes This Eeuening being very faire weather wee obserued the variation of our Compasse at the Sunnes going downe and found it to bee 10. degrees from the North to the VVestward The seuen and twentieth faire sun-shining weather the winde shifting betweene the South-west and West and by North a stiffe gale we stood to the Southward all day and made our way South and by West seuen and twentie leagues At noone our height was 42. degrees 50. minuts At foure of the clocke in the after-noone wee cast about to the Northward At eight of the clocke we tooke in our top-sayles and our fore-bonnet and went with a short sayle all night The eight and twentieth very thicke and mystie and a stiffe gale of wind varying betweene South South-west and South-west and by VVest we made our way North-west and by VVest seuen and twentie leagues wee sounded many times and could get no ground At fiue of the clocke we cast about to the Southward the wind at South-west and by VVest At which time we sounded and had ground at seuentie fiue fathoms At eight wee had sixtie fiue fathoms At ten sixtie At twelue of the clocke at mid-night fiftie sixe fathoms gray sand The Compasse varyed 6. degrees the North point to the VVest The nine and twentieth faire weather we stood to the Southward and made our way South and by VVest a point South eighteene leagues At noone we found our height to bee 42. degrees 56. minutes wee sounded oft and had these 60.64.65.67.65.65.70 and 75. fathoms At night wee tryed the variation of our Compasse by the setting of the Sunne and found that it went downe 37. degrees to the North-ward of the VVest and should haue gone downe but 31. degrees The Compasse varyed 5. 1 â degrees The thirtieth very hot all the fore-part of the day calme the wind at South South-east wee steered away VVest South-west and sounded many times and could find no ground at one hundred and seuentie fathomes VVe found a great current and many ouer-falls Our current had deceiued vs. For at noone we found our height to be 41. degrees 34. minutes And the current had heaued vs to the Southward fourteene leagues At eight of the clocke at night I sounded and had ground in fiftie two fathomes In the end of the mid-night watch wee had fiftie three fathomes This last obseruation is not to be trusted The one and thirtieth very thicke and mystie all day vntill tenne of the clocke At night the wind came to the South and South-west and South We made our way West North-west nineteene leagues Wee sounded many times and had difference of soundings sometimes little stones and sometimes grosse gray sand fiftie six fiftie foure fortie eight fortie seuen fortie foure fortie six fiftie fathomes and at eight of the clocke at night it fell calme and we had fiftie fathomes And at ten of the clocke we heard a great Rut like the Rut of the shoare Then I sounded and found the former Depths and mistrusting a current seeing it so still that the ship made no way I let the lead lie on the ground and found a tide set to the South-west and South-west by West so fast that I could hardly vere the Line so fast and presently came an hurling current or tyde with ouer-fals which cast our ship round and the Lead was so fast in the ground that I feared the Lines breaking and we had no more but that At mid-night I sounded againe and we had seuentie fiue fathomes and the strong streame had left vs. The first of August all the fore-part of the day was mystie and at noone it cleered vp We found that our height was 41. degrees 45. minutes and we had gone nineteene leagues The after-noon was reasonable cleere We found a rustling tide or current with many ouer-fals to continue still and our water to change colour and our sea to bee very deepe for wee found no ground in one hundred fathomes The night was cleere and the winde came to the North and North North-east we steered West The second very faire weather and hot from the morning till noone we had a gale of wind but in the after-noone little wind At noone I sounded and had one hundred and ten fathomes and our height was 41. degrees 56. minutes And wee had runne foure and twentie leagues and an halfe At the Sun-setting we obserued the variation of the Compasse and found that it was come to his true place At eight of the clocke the gale increased so wee ranne sixe leagues that watch and had a very faire and cleere night The third very hot weather In the morning we had sight of the Land and steered in with it thinking to goe to the North-ward of it So we sent our shallop with fiue men to found in by the shore and they found it deepe fiue fathomes within a Bow-shot of the shoare and they went on Land and found goodly Grapes and Rose trees and brought them aboord with them at fiue of the clocke in the Eeuening We had seuen and twentie fathomes within two miles of the shoare and we found a floud come from the South-east and an ebbe from the North-west with a very strong streame and a great hurling and noyses At eight of the clocke at night the wind began to blow a fresh gale and continued all night but variable Our sounding that wee had to the Land was one hundred eightie seuentie foure fiftie two fortie sixe twentie nine twentie seuen twentie foure nineteene seuenteene sometimes Oze and sometimes gray sand The fourth was very hot we stood to the North-west two watches and one South in for the Land and came to an Anchor at the Norther end of the Headland and heard the voyce of men call Then we sent our Boat on shoare thinking they had beene some Christians left on the Land but wee found them to bee Sauages which seemed very glad of our comming So wee brought one aboord with vs and gaue him meate and he did eate and drinke with vs. Our Master gaue him three or foure glasse Buttons and sent him on Land with our shallop againe And at our Boats comming from the shoare he leapt and danced and held vp his hands and pointed vs to a riuer on the other side for we had made signes that we came to fish there The bodie of this Headland lyeth in 41. degrees 45. minutes We set sayle againe after dinner thinking to haue got to the Westward of this Headland but could not so we beare vp to the Southward of it made a South-east way and the Souther point did beare West at eight of the clocke at night Our soundings about the Easter and Norther part of this Headland a league from the shoare are these at the Easterside thirtie twentie seuen twentie seuen twentie foure twentie fiue twentie The North-east point 17. degrees
18. minutes and so deeper The North-end of this Headland hard by the shoare thirtie fathomes and three leagues off North North-west one hundred fathomes At the South-east part a league off fifteene sixteene and seuenteene fathomes The people haue greene Tabacco and pipes the boles whereof are made of Earth and the pipes of red Copper The Land is very sweet The fift all mystie At eight of the clocke in the morning wee tact about to the Westward and stood in till foure of the clocke in the after-noone at which time it cleered and wee had sight of the Head-land againe fiue leagues from vs. The Souther point of it did beare West off vs and we sounded many times and had no ground And at foure of the clocke we cast about and at our staying wee had seuentie fathomes Wee steered away South and South by East all night and could get no ground at seuentie and eightie fathomes For wee feared a great Riffe that lyeth off the Land and steered away South and by East The sixth faire weather but many times mysting Wee steered away South South-east till eight of the clocke in the morning Then it cleered a little and wee cast about to the Westward Then we sounded and had thirtie fathomes grosse sand and were come to the Riffe Then wee kept our Lead and had quicke shoalding from thirtie twentie nine twentie seuen twentie foure twentie two twentie and an halfe twentie twentie nineteene nineteene nineteene eighteene eighteene seuenteene and so deeping againe as proportionally as it shoalded For we steered South and South-east till we came to twentie sixe fathomes Then we steered South-west for so the tyde doth set By and by it being calme we tryed by our Lead for you shall haue sixteene or seuenteene fathomes and the next cast but seuen or six fathomes And farther to the Westward you shall haue foure and fiue foot water and see Rockes vnder you and you shall see the Land in the top Vpon this Riffe we had an obseruation and found that it lyeth in 40. degrees 10. minutes And this is that Headland which Captaine Bartholomew Gosnold discouered in the yeere 1602. and called Cape Cod because of the store of Cod-fish that hee found thereabout So we steered South-west three leagues and had twentie and twentie foure fathomes Then we steered West two Glasses halfe a league and came to fifteene fathomes Then we steered off South-east foure Glasses but could not get deepe water for there the tyde of ebbe laid vs on and the streame did hurle so that it laid vs so neere the breach of a shoald that wee were forced to Anchor So at seuen of the clocke at night wee were at an Anchor in tenne fathomes And I giue God most heartie thankes the least water wee had was seuen fathomes and an halfe We rode still all night and at a still water I sounded so farre round about our ship as we could see a light and had no lesse then eight nine ten and eleuen fathomes The myst continued being very thicke The seuenth faire weather and hot but mystie Wee rode still hoping it would cleere but on the floud it fell calme and thicke So we rode still all day and all night The floud commeth from the South-west and riseth not aboue one fathome and an halfe in nepe streames Toward night it cleered and I went with our shallop and sounded and found no lesse water then eight fathomes to the South-east off vs but we saw to the North-west off vs great Breaches The eight faire and cleere weather In the morning by sixe of the clocke at flake water wee weighed the wind at North-east and set our fore-sayle and mayne top-sayle and got a mile ouer the Flats Then the tyde of ebbe came so we anchored againe till the floud came Then wee set sayle againe and by the great mercie of God wee got cleere off them by one of the clocke this after-noone And wee had sight of the Land from the West North-west to the North North-west So we steered away South South-east all night and had ground vntill the middle of the third watch Then we had fortie fiue fathomes white sand and little stones So all our soundings are twentie twentie twentie two twentie seuen thirtie two fortie three fortie three fortie fiue Then no ground in seuentie fathomes The ninth very faire and hot weather the wind a very stiffe gale In the morning at foure of the clocke our shallop came running vp against our sterne and split in all her stemme So we were faine to cut her away Then wee tooke in our mayne sayle and lay atrie vnder our fore-sayle vntill twelue of the clocke at mid-day Then the wind ceased to a faire gale so wee stood away South-west Then we lay close by on many courses a South by West way fifteene leagues and three watches South-east by East ten leagues At eight of the clocke at night wee tooke in our top-sayles and went with a low sayle because we were in an vnknowne sea At noone we obserued and found our heigth to be 38. degrees 39. minutes The tenth in the morning some raine and cloudie weather the winde at South-west wee made our way South-east by East ten leagues At noone wee obserued and found our heigth to bee 38. degrees 39. minutes Then wee tackt about to the Westward the wind being at South and by East little wind At foure of the clocke it fell calme and we had two Dolphines about our ship and many small fishes At eight of the clocke at night wee had a small lingring gale All night we had a great Sea out of the South-west and another great Sea out of the North-east The eleuenth all the fore-part of the day faire weather and very hot VVee stood to the VVest South-west till noone Then the wind shorted and we could lye but South-west and by South At noone wee found our heigth to bee 39. degrees 11. minutes And that the current had laid vs to the Northward thirtie two minutes contrary to our expectation At foure of the clocke in the after-noone there came a myst which endured two houres But wee had it faire and cleere all night after The Compasse varied the North point to the VVest one whole point The twelfth faire weather the wind variable betweene the South-west and by South and the North little wind In the morning we killed an extraordinary fish and stood to the Westward all day and all night At noone we found our heigth to be 38. degrees 13. minutes And the obseruation the day before was not good This noone we found the Compasse to vary from the North to the West ten degrees The thirteenth faire weather and hot the wind at North-east Wee steered away West and by our Compasse two and twentie leagues At noone wee found our height to bee 37. degrees 45. minutes and that our way from noone to noone was West South-west halfe a point Southerly The Compasse was
7. degrees and a halfe variation from the North point to the West The fourteenth faire weather but cloudie and a stiffe gale of wind variable betweene North-east and South-west wee steered away West by South a point South all day vntill nine of the clocke at night then it began to Thunder and Lighten whereupon we tooke in all our sayles and layd it a hull and hulled away North till mid-night a league and a halfe The fifteenth very faire and hot weather the winde at North by East At foure of the clocke in the morning we set sayle and stood on our course to the Westward At noone wee found our height to bee 37. degrees 25. minutes The after-noone proued little wind At eight of the clocke at night the winde came to the North and wee steered West by North and West North-west and made our way West The Compasse varyed 7. degrees from the North to the West The sixteenth faire-shining weather and very hot the wind variable betweene the North and the West wee steered away West by North. At noone wee found our height to bee 37. degrees 6. minutes This morning we sounded and had ground in ninetie fathomes and in sixe Glasses running it shoalded to fiftie fathoms and so to eight and twentie fathoms at foure of the clocke in the after-noone Then wee came to an Anchor and rode till eight of the clocke at night the wind being at South and Moone-light we resolued to goe to the Northward to finde deeper water So we weighed and stood to the Northward and found the water to shoald and deepe from eight and twentie to twentie fathomes The seuenteenth faire and cleere Sun-shining weather the winde at South by West wee steered to the Northward till foure of the clocke in the morning then wee came to eighteene fathomes So we Anchored vntill the Sunne arose to looke abroad for Land for wee iudged there could not but be Land neere vs but we could see none Then we weighed and stood to the Westward till noone And at eleuen of the clocke wee had sight of a low Land with a white sandie shoare By twelue of the clocke we were come into fiue fathomes and Anchored and the Land was foure leagues from vs and wee had sight of it from the West to the North-west by North. Our height was 37. degrees 26. minutes Then the wind blew so stiffe a gale and such a Sea went that we could not weigh so we rode there all night an hard rode The eighteenth in the morning faire weather and little winde at North North-east and North-east At foure of the clocke in the morning we weighed and stood into the shoare to see the deeping or shoalding of it and finding it too deepe we stood in to get a rode for wee saw as it were three Ilands So wee turned to windward to get into a Bay as it shewed to vs to the Westward of an Iland For the three Ilands did beare North off vs. But toward noone the wind blew Northerly with gusts of wind and rayne So we stood off into the Sea againe all night and running off we found a Channell wherein we had no lesse then eight nine ten eleuen and twelue fathomes water For in comming ouer the Barre wee had fiue and foure fathomes and a halfe and it lyeth fiue leagues from the shoare and it is the Barre of Virginia At the North end of it it is ten leagues broad and South and North but deepe water from ninetie fathoms to fiue and foure and a halfe The Land lyeth South and North. This is the entrance into the Kings Riuer in Virginia where our English-men are The North side of it lyeth in 37. degrees 26. minutes you shall know when you come to shoald water or sounding for the water will looke Greene or thicke you shall haue ninetie and eightie fathomes and shoalding a pace till you come to ten eleuen nine eight seuen ten and nine fathomes and so to fiue and foure fathomes and a halfe The nineteenth faire weather but an hard gale of winde at the North-east wee stood off till noone and made our way South-east by East two and twentie leagues At noone wee cast about to the Westward and stood till sixe of the clocke in the after-noone and went fiue leagues and a halfe North-west by North. Then wee cast about againe to the Eastward and stood that way till foure the next morning The twentieth faire and cleere weather the winde variable betweene East North-east and North-east At foure of the clocke in the morning wee cast about to the Westward and stood till noone at which time I sounded and had two and thirtie fathomes Then we take to the Eastward againe wee found our height to bee 37. degrees 22. minutes We stood to the Eastward all night and had very much wind At eight of the clocke at night we tooke off our Bonnets and stood with small sayle The one and twentieth was a sore storme of winde and rayne all day and all night wherefore wee stood to the Eastward with a small sayle till one of the clocke in the after-noone Then a great Sea brake into our fore-corse and split it so we were forced to take it from the yard and mend it wee lay a trie with our mayne-corse all night This night our Cat ranne crying from one side of the ship to the other looking ouer-boord which made vs to wonder but we saw nothing The two and twentieth stormy weather with gusts of rayne and wind In the morning at eight of the clocke we set our fore-corse and stood to the Eastward vnder our fore-sayle mayne-sayle and misen and from noone to noone we made our way East South-east fourteene leagues The night reasonable drie but cloudie the winde variable all day and night Our Compasse was varyed 4. degrees Westward The three and twentieth very faire weather but some Thunder in the morning the winde variable betweene East by North. At noone wee tackt about to the Northward the winde at East by North. The after-noone very faire the wind variable and continued so all night Our way we made East South-east till noone the next day The foure and twentieth faire and hot weather with the wind variable betweene the North and the East The after-noone variable winde But at foure of the clocke the wind came to the East and South-east so wee steered away North by West and in three Watches wee went thirteene leagues At noone our height was 35. degrees 41. minutes being farre off at Sea from the Land The fiue and twentieth faire weather and very hot All the morning was very calme vntill eleuen of the clocke the wind came to South-east and South South-east so wee steered away North-west by North two Watches and a halfe and one Watch North-west by West and went eighteene leagues At noone I found our height to bee 36. degrees 20. minutes being without sight of Land The sixe and
weather the winde at South in the morning from twelue vntill two of the clocke we steered North North-west and had sounding one and twentie fathoms and in running one Glasse we had but sixteene fathoms then seuenteene and so shoalder and shoalder vntill it came to twelue fathoms We saw a great Fire but could not see the Land then we came to ten fathoms whereupon we brought our tackes aboord and stood to the Eastward East South-east foure Glasses Then the Sunne arose and we steered away North againe and saw the Land from the West by North to the North-west by North all like broken Ilands and our soundings were eleuen and ten fathoms Then wee looft in for the shoare and faire by the shoare we had seuen fathoms The course along the Land we found to be North-east by North. From the Land which we had first sight of vntill we came to a great Lake of water as wee could iudge it to bee being drowned Land which made it to rise like Ilands which was in length ten leagues The mouth of that Lake hath many shoalds and the Sea breaketh on them as it is cast out of the mouth of it And from that Lake or Bay the Land lyeth North by East and wee had a great streame out of the Bay and from thence our sounding was ten fathoms two leagues from the Land At fiue of the clocke we Anchored being little winde and rode in eight fathoms water the night was faire This night I found the Land to hall the Compasse 8. degrees For to the Northward off vs we saw high Hils For the day before we found not aboue 2. degrees of Variation This is a very good Land to fall with and a pleasant Land to see The third the morning mystie vntill ten of the clocke then it cleered and the wind came to the South South-east so wee weighed and stood to the Northward The Land is very pleasant and high and bold to fall withall At three of the clocke in the afeer-noone wee came to three great Riuers So we stood along to the Northermost thinking to haue gone into it but we found it to haue a very shoald barre before it for we had but ten foot water Then wee cast about to the Southward and found two fathoms three fathoms and three and a quarter till we came to the Souther side of them then we had fiue and sixe fathoms and Anchored So wee sent in our Boate to sound and they found no lesse water then foure fiue sixe and seuen fathoms and returned in an houre and a halfe So wee weighed and went in and rode in fiue fathoms Ozie ground and saw many Salmons and Mullets and Rayes very great The height is 40. degrees 30. minutes The fourth in the morning as soone as the day was light wee saw that it was good riding farther vp So we sent our Boate to sound and found that it was a very good Harbour and foure and fiue fathoms two Cables length from the shoare Then we weighed and went in with our ship Then our Boate went on Land with our Net to Fish and caught ten great Mullets of a foot and a halfe long a peece and a Ray as great as foure men could hale into the ship So wee trimmed our Boate and rode still all day At night the wind blew hard at the North-west and our Anchor came home and wee droue on shoare but tooke no hurt thanked bee God for the ground is soft sand and Oze This day the people of the Countrey came aboord of vs seeming very glad of our comming and brought greene Tabacco and gaue vs of it for Kniues and Beads They goe in Deere skins loose well dressed They haue yellow Copper They desire Cloathes and are very ciuill They haue great store of Maiz or Indian Wheate whereof they make good Bread The Countrey is full of great and tall Oakes The fifth in the morning as soone as the day was light the wind ceased and the Flood came So we heaued off our ship againe into fiue fathoms water and sent our Boate to sound the Bay and we found that there was three fathoms hard by the Souther shoare Our men went on Land there and saw great store of Men Women and Children who gaue them Tabacco at their comming on Land So they went vp into the Woods and saw great store of very goodly Oakes and some Currants For one of them came aboord and brought some dryed and gaue me some which were sweet and good This day many of the people came aboord some in Mantles of Feathers and some in Skinnes of diuers sorts of good Furres Some women also came to vs with Hempe They had red Copper Tabacco pipes and other things of Copper they did weare about their neckes At night they went on Land againe so wee rode very quiet but durst not trust them The sixth in the morning was faire weather and our Master sent Iohn Colman with foure other men in our Boate ouer to the North-side to sound the other Riuers being foure leagues from vs. They found by the way shoald water two fathoms but at the North of the Riuer eighteen and twentie fathoms and very good riding for Ships and a narrow Riuer to the Westward betweene two Ilands The Lands they told vs were as pleasant with Grasse and Flowers and goodly Trees as euer they had seene and very sweet smells came from them So they went in two leagues and saw an open Sea and returned and as they came backe they were set vpon by two Canoes the one hauing twelue the other fourteene men The night came on and it began to rayne so that their Match went out and they had one man slaine in the fight which was an English-man named Iohn Colman with an Arrow shot into his throat and two more hurt It grew so darke that they could not find the ship that night but labored too and fro on their Oares They had so great a streame that their grapnell would not hold them The seuenth was faire and by ten of the clocke they returned aboord the ship and brought our dead man with them whom we carryed on Land and buryed and named the point after his name Colmans Point Then we hoysed in our Boate and raised her side with waste boords for defence of our men So we rode still all night hauing good regard to our Watch. The eight was very faire weather wee rode still very quietly The people came aboord vs and brought Tabacco and Indian Wheat to exchange for Kniues and Beades and offered vs no violence So we fitting vp our Boate did marke them to see if they would make any shew of the Death of our man which they did not The ninth faire weather In the morning two great Canoes came aboord full of men the one with their Bowes and Arrowes and the other in shew of buying of Kniues to betray vs but we perceiued
had beene there and that was strange to them for they could not tell how to take it The Canoes and folke went all on shoare but some of them came againe and brought stropes of Beades some had sixe seuen eight nine ten and gaue him So he slept all night quietly The two and twentieth was faire weather in the morning our Masters Mate and foure more of the companie went vp with our Boat to sound the Riuer higher vp The people of the Countrey came not aboord till noone but when they came and saw the Sauages well they were glad So at three of the clocke in the after-noone they came aboord and brought Tabacco and more Beades and gaue them to our Master and made an Oration and shewed him all the Countrey âound about Then they sent one of their coâpanie on land who presently returned and brought a great Platter full of Venison dressed by themselues and they caused him to eate with them then they made him reuerence and departed all saue the old man that lay aboord This night at ten of the clocke our Boat returned in a showre of raine from sounding of the Riuer and found it to bee at an end for shipping to goe in For they had beene vp eight or nine leagues and found but seuen foot water and vnconstant soundings The three and twentieth faire weather At twelue of the clocke wee weighed and went downe two leagues to a shoald that had two channels one on the one side and another on the other and had little wind whereby the tide layed vs vpon it So there wee sate on ground the space of an houre till the floud came Then we had a little gale of wind at the West So wee got our ship into deepe water and rode all night very well The foure and twentieth was faire weather the winde at the North-west wee weighed and went downe the Riuer seuen or eight leagues and at halfe ebbe wee came on ground on a banke of Oze in the middle of the Riuer and sate there till the floud Then wee went on Land and gathered good store of Chest-nuts At ten of the clocke wee came off into deepe water and anchored The fiue and twentieth was faire weather and the wind at South a stiffe gale We rode still and went on Land to walke on the West side of the Riuer and found good ground for Corne and other Garden herbs with great store of goodly Oakes and Wal-nut trees and Chest-nut trees Ewe trees and trees of sweet wood in great abundance and great store of Slate for houses and other good stones The sixe and twentieth was faire weather and the wind at South a stiffe gale wee rode still In the morning our Carpenter went on Land with our Masters Mate and foure more of our companie to cut wood This morning two Canoes came vp the Riuer from the place where we first found louing people and in one of them was the old man that had lyen aboord of vs at the other place He brought another old man with him which brought more stropes of Beades and gaue them to our Master and shewed him all the Countrey there about as though it were at his command So he made the two old men dine with him and the old mans wife for they brought two old women and two young maidens of the age of sixteene or seuenteene yeeres with them who behaued themselues very modestly Our Master gaue one of the old men a Knife and they gaue him and vs Tabacco And at one of the clocke they departed downe the Riuer making signes that wee should come downe to them for wee were within two leagues of the place where they dwelt The seuen and twentieth in the morning was faire weather but much wind at the North we weighed and set our fore top-sayle and our ship would not flat but ran on the Ozie banke at halfe ebbe Wee layed out anchor to heaue her off but could not So wee sate from halfe ebbe to halfe floud then wee set our fore-sayle and mayne top-sayle and got downe sixe leagues The old man came aboord and would haue had vs anchor and goe on Land to eate with him but the wind being faire we would not yeeld to his request So hee left vs being very sorrowfull for our departure At fiue of the clocke in the after-noone the wind came to the South South-west So wee made a boord or two and anchored in fourteene fathomes water Then our Boat went on shoare to fish right against the ship Our Masters Mate and Boat-swaine and three more of the companie went on land to fish but could not finde a good place They tooke foure or fiue and twentie Mullets Breames Bases and Barbils and returned in an houre We rode still all night The eight and twentieth being faire weather as soone as the day was light wee weighed at halfe ebbe and turned downe two leagues belowe water for the streame doth runne the last quarter ebbe then we anchored till high water At three of the clocke in the after-noone we weighed and turned downe three leagues vntill it was darke then wee anchored The nine and twentieth was drie close weather the wind at South and South and by West we weighed early in the morning and turned downe three leagues by a lowe water and anchored at the lower end of the long Reach for it is sixe leagues long Then there came certaine Indians in a Canoe to vs but would not come aboord After dinner there came the Canoe with other men whereof three came aboord vs. They brought Indian Wheat which wee bought for trifles At three of the clocke in the after-noone wee weighed as soone as the ebbe came and turned downe to the edge of the Mountaines or the Northermost of the Mountaines and anchored because the high Land hath many Points and a narrow channell and hath many eddie winds So we rode quietly all night in seuen fathoms water The thirtieth was faire weather and the wind at South-east a stiffe gale betwene the Mountaynes We rode still the after-noone The people of the Countrey came aboord vs and brought some small skinnes with them which we bought for Kniues and Trifles This a very pleasant place to build a Towne on The Road is very neere and very good for all winds saue an East North-east wind The Mountaynes looke as if some Metall or Minerall were in them For the Trees that grow on them were all blasted and some of them barren with few or no Trees on them The people brought a stone aboord like to Emery a stone vsed by Glasâers to cut Glasse it would cut Iron or Steele Yet being bruised small and water put to it it made a colour like blacke Lead glistering It is also good for Painters Colours At three of the clocke they departed and we rode still all night The first of October faire weather the wind variable betweene the West and the
himselfe great matters by his meanes and therefore would haue all the Kniues and Hatchets which any man had to his priuate vse but receiued none but from Iohn King the Carpenter and my selfe To this Sauage our Master gaue a Knife a Looking-glasse and Buttons who receiued them thankefully and made signes that after hee had slept hee would come againe which hee did When hee came hee brought with him a Sled which hee drew after him and vpon it two Deeres skinnes and two Beauer skinnes Hee had a scrip vnder his arme out of which hee drew those things which the Master had giuen him Hee tooke the Knife and laid it vpon one of the Beauer skinnes and his Glasses and Buttons vpon the other and so gaue them to the Master who receiued them and the Sauage tooke those things which the Master had giuen him and put them vp into his scrip againe Then the Master shewed him an Hatchet for which hee would haue giuen the Master one of his Deere skinnes but our Master would haue them both and so hee had although not willingly After many signes of people to the North and to the South and that after so many sleepes he would come againe he went his way but neuer came more Now the Ice being out of the Sounds so that our Boat might go from one place vnto another a company of men were appointed by the Master to go a fishing with our net their names were as followeth William Wilson Henry Greene Michael Perce Iohn Thomas Andrew Moter Bennet Mathewes and Arnold Lodlo These men the first day they went caught fiue hundred fish as big as good Herrings and some Troutes which put vs all in some hope to haue our wants supplied and our Commons amended but these were the most that euer they got in one day for many dayes they got not a quarter so many In this time of their fishing Henry Green and William Wilson with some others plotted to take the net and the shallop which the Carpenter had now set vp and so to shift for themselues But the shallop being readie our Master would goe in it himselfe to the South and South-west to see if hee could meete with the people for to that end was it set vp and that way wee might see the Woods set on fire by them So the Master tooke the Sayue and the Shallop and so much victuall as would serue for eight or nine dayes and to the South hee went They that remained aboord were to take in water wood and ballast and to haue all things in a readinesse against hee came backe But hee set no time of his returne for he was perswaded if he could meet with the people hee should haue flesh of them and that good store but hee returned worse then hee went forth For hee could by no meanes meete with the people although they were neere them yet they would set the woods on fire in his sight Being returned hee fitted all things for his returne and first deliuered all the bread out of the bread roome which came to a pound a piece for euery mans share and deliuered also a Bill of Returne willing them to haue that to shew if it pleased God that they came home and he wept when hee gaue it vnto them But to helpe vs in this poore estate with some reliefe the Boate and Sayue went to worke on Friday morning and stayed till Sunday noone at which time they came aboord and brought fourescore small Fish a poore reliefe for so many hungry bellies Then we wayed and stood out of our wintering place and came to an Anchor without in the mouth of the Bay from whence we wayed and came to an anchor without in the Sea where our bread being gone that store of cheese we had was to stop a gap whereof there were fiue whereat the company grudged because they made account of nine But those that were left were equally diuided by the Master although he had counsell to the contrarie for there were some who hauing it would make hast to bee rid thereof because they could not gouerne it I knew when Henrie Greene gaue halfe his bread which hee had for fourteene dayes to one to keepe and prayed him not to let him haue any vntill the next Munday but before Wednesday at night hee neuer left till hee had it againe hauing eaten vp his first weekes bread before So Wilson the Boatswaine hath eaten in one day his fortnights bread and hath beene two or three dayes sicke for his labour The cause that moued the Master to deliuer all the Cheese was because they were not all of one goodnesse and therefore they should see that they had no wrong done them but euery man should haue alike the best and the worst together which was three pounds and a halfe for seuen dayes The wind seruing we weighed and stood to the North-west and on Munday at night the eighteenth day of Iune wee fell into the Ice and the next day the wind being at West we lay there till Sunday in sight of Land Now being here the Master told Nicholas Simmes that there would be a breaking vp of chests and a search for bread and willed him if hee had any to bring it to him which hee did and deliuered to the Master thirty cakes in a bagge This deed of the Master if it bee true hath made mee maruell what should bee the reason that hee did not stop the breach in the beginning but let it grow to that height as that it ouerthrew himselfe and many other honest men but there are many deuices in the heart of man yet the counsell of the Lord shall stand Being thus in the Ice on Saturday the one and twentieth of Iune at night Wilson the Boatswayne and Henry Greene came to mee lying in my Cabbin lame and told mee that they and the rest of their Associates would shift the Company and turne the Master and all the sicke men into the shallop let them shift for themselues For there was not fourteen daies victual left for all the Company at that poore allowance they were at and that there they lay the Master not caring to goe one way or other and that they had not eaten any thing these three dayes and therefore were resolute either to mend or end and what they had begun they would goe through with it or dye When I heard this I told them I maruelled to heare so much from them considering that they were married men and had wiues and children and that for their sakes they should not commit so foule a thing in the sight of God and man as that would bee for why should they banish themselues from their natiue Countrie Henry Greene bad me hold my peace for he knew the worst which was to be hanged when hee came home and therefore of the two he would rather be hanged at home then starued abroad and for the good will they
not maintaine a fore-course and draue vs backe to the altitude 63. degrees 56. minutes The storme continued so exceeding violent that I was faine to spoone before it fortie eight houres and the same wind and weather continued till the twentie one day and in that time wee were driuen as farre to the Southwards as Shottland And being faire by the Land and seeing no likelihood of faire weather I got a Fisher-man to conduct mee to a good Harbour called Hamersound not so much to eschew the stormy weather as to stop some leakes and to amend our rackling I tarryed in Shottland till the twelfth of April 1610. at which time the wind was Southerly The former wind came to the North at midnight with great store of Snow which froze as fast as it fell which wind continued till the fourteenth at noone At two of the clocke it came to the East north-east and I stood to the Northwards after many stormes much cold Snow and extreame Frosts I had sight of the North-cape the second day of May. Then I stood towards Chery Iland the winde being at West North-west The third day at noone the Cape bare South South-east seauenteene leagues off we had much Snow with Frost The fourth day it was thicke weather with great store of Snow and Frost the winde at North-west and by North. The fift day it was faire weather the winde at North North-east The sixt day at two of the clocke in the morning I met with some Ice but not very thicke so that I held my course toward Chery Iland the winde being at South at fiue of the clocke I saw the Ice so thicke that I could not possibly get through it Then I stood to the West wards with a short sayle and sounded but had no ground at a hundred fathome thicke foggie weather at eight of the clocke it began to cleere vp and I stoode into the Ice finding it scattered in some places and at twelue at noone I found the Pole eleuated aboue the horizon 74. degrees 7. minutes and sounded but had no ground at one hundred and seauentie fathomes From twelue till foure I ran North North-west two leagues and sounded and had a hundred and sixtie fathomes Then Chery Island did beare as I iudged North North-west about fifteene leagues off or more from foure till eight it was calme at eight of the clocke the winde came Southerly and I stood towards the Iland and found the Ice so thicke that the Ship had no roome to wend and withall such a fogge that I could not see one Cables length in which time the Ship had many a knocke but thankes be to God no harme was done By twelue of the clocke the seauenth day I got out of the Ice and lay a hull till the North Sunne at which time it began to be cleere weather then I set saile and stood to the Eastwards cold frosty weather The eight day it was very foggie the winde at North and by East with Snow and Frost I stood to the Eastwards in hope to get the Easter end of the Ice and so to Chery Island and I ranne into a Channell betweene two firme bankes of Ice and could finde no way through but lay in the Ice till the ninth day at a South Sunne Then I obserued and found the Ship in the altitude 74. degrees and 17. minutes the winde being at North North-west very faire weather but frostie I sailed in the abouesaid Ice one while one way and another while another in hope to finde some opening towards the Iland but which way soeuer I stood I saw all the Sea couered with Ice At a South Sunne the tenth day I obserued both with my Astrolabe and Crossestaffe and found the Poles height 74. degrees and 15. minutes and the variation 13. degrees and 30. minutes the North point Westerly by a North Sunne I got out of the Ice into the open Sea and to write each course way and winde with all other accidents would be too tedious but the thirteenth day of May at midnight I sounded being in very thicke Ice and had a hundred thirtie eight fadoms there presently I espied the Lionesse standing into the Ice I kept her company till eight of the clocke at night and then I steered as followeth from eight aboue said till twelue at noone The foureteenth day I sailed North-west and by North twelue leagues the winde at South South-east thicke foggie weather from twelue till foure at night I sailed seauen leagues North the same winde and weather with raine And by the fifteenth day at foure of the clocke in the morning I had sailed North twentie seauen leagues the same winde and weather at what time I supposed that I was not farre from land because I see great store of Sea-Foule about the Ship at eight of the clocke I sounded but had no ground at a hundred and fortie fathome very foggy weather likewise I sounded at twelue of the clocke at noone no ground at a hundred thirtie fiue fathomes where I met with Ice and grear store of Fowle as before winde at South and foggie weather I stood through the Ice till eight of the clocke at night holding no course by reason of it at which time I sounded and had nintie fiue fathom greene oze the weather being all one and very much Ice from eight till ten of the clocke I sayled North one legaue and a halfe and had seuentie fiue fathoms rockie ground From ten till twelue at midnight I sayled North one league and a halfe and sounded and had thirtie seuen fathoms the wind being at South with great store of raine and fogs and abundance of Ice round about but something broken Then I stood off West and by South and tooke in all the Sayles except the fore-saile and maine top-saile and at one of the clocke the sixteenth day sounded and had fortie fathomes oze likewise I sounded at two of the clocke and had fiftie two fathomes I could neither perceiue Current nor Tide in all this time and it did raine as fast as I haue commonly seene in England then I stood to the East wards and at three of the clocke sounded and had fortie fathomes oze and thus I sailed among the Ice East and East and by South and East North-east keeping no certaine course by reason of the Ice and had these depths following 30.20.19.16 and fifteene fathomes and then I saw the Land within two leagues and lesse of me bearing betweene the South and by East and the North-west then I stood in East and by South supposing to haue found a harborough within a ledge of rocks that lay off a low point which seemed like an Iland and standing in I found depths 10.9.8.7.6.7.4 and three fathomes standing in it a shoald bay and full of rockes Then I steered a way North-west and by West and had six seuen eight and ten fathome foule ground this
part of this Land is foule ground a great way off therefore come no neerer this place then ten fathome and that will carry you cleere of all dangers that I could see Towards noone it cleered vp and I did looke the Meridian altitude of the Sunne which was 34. degrees and 20. minutes the declination being 21. degrees and 10. minutes North the Equator must bee 13. degrees and 10. minutes aboue and beneath my Horizon The Complement being 76. degrees and 50. minutes the Poles height Likewise I found by true obseruation the Compassâ to vary 16. degrees and before I had sayled foure leagues I saw a Sound that lay East and by South in the winde comming to the East South-east then I sent the Skiffe on land in the mouth of the Sound because I supposed I had seene Morses on the land but they proued Rocks I followed into the said Bay with the ship but standing in I had a stiffe gale of winde off the shoaâe which draue abundance of Ice out of the Sound through the which I enforced the ship in hope there to haue found an Harbour in turning in I found these depths thirtie fiue thirtie twentie and eighteene fathoms The Boat came aboard about a North-west Sunne and the men told me they found deepe water within and foule ground they saw great store of Mohorses lying on the Ice but none on land and they brought a piece of a Deeres horne aboord therefore I called this Sound Horne Sound and a Mount that lyeth foure leagues to the South of it the Muscouy Companies Mount because it was my first landfale Then finding no benefit here to bee had nor Hauen for the ship I stood to Sea and sayled North-west and by North foure leagues at midnight it blew very hard and I stood to the Westwards with a short sayle and sayled foure leagues West by eight of the clock the seuenteenth day Then I stood to the Landwards the winde being at South South-west thick weather and three leagues from me I saw a Point which I named the Ice Point because there lay abundance of Ice vpon it Then I saw another Point beare North North-west fiue leagues off which I named Bell Point because of a Hill formed like a Bell on the top and to the Northwards of Bell Point goes in a great Bay with two Sounds in it the one lieth in East South-east the other North-east and by East the last Sound you can hardly discerne by reason there is a long Iland lying in the mouth of it But the going into the said Sound is on the North side yet there is an Inlet vnder Point-partition but very narrow and full of Rocks and an exceeding strong Tyde setteth in there This day I found the weather very warme and farre temperater then I haue found it at the North Cape at this time of the yeere this place lying in 77. degrees and 25. minutes and the Cape in 71. degrees and 20. minutes this place being to the Northwards of the Cape 6. degrees and 5. minutes and note two leagues to the Southwards of Bell Point is a ledge of Rocks three miles off the shoare and come no neerer the shoare then fifteene fathom vpon the North side of the Bay is low land which I named Lownesse Iland I called the North Sound Lowe Sound Into the Bay I turned the winde at East North-east faire weather turning in I had no lesse then fortie fathoms close by the shoare and in the middest no ground at sixtie fathoms and being neere the Point that parteth both the Sounds the winde increased with raine Then I saw the Sound frozen ouer from side to side and vpon the Ice a Beare and great store of Mohorses but the winde blew so extreme hard that the Boat could not row to windwards to trie if we could kill some of them The fogs and raine continued till ten of the clock the nineteenth day at which time the raine ceased and it did freeze with snow and winde and fogs as before From twelue at mid-night the nineteenth day till foure in the morning the twentieth day I sayled three leagues South-west and by South then I found the Ice thicker then before It was very thick fogs with winde frost and snow and cold that I thinke they did striue here which of them should haue the superioritie I put into the Ice aforesaid in hope to get through and after many a sore stroke with the ship in it I got through at a South-west Sunne at what time it began to be faire weather Then I stood through the Ice towards the land againe in hope that that land would proue worth the labour and trauell and going to set the mayne top sayle it was frozen as hard as euer I saw any cloath in all my life time so that all my company could very hardly set it and whereas I supposed and haue often said that this climate is not so subiect to foggs in May and Iune as it is in Iuly and August it is contrarie for I haue not seene the Sunne on the Meridian these fiue dayes nor seene it at all in sixtie houres I had not sailed three leagues North-east when it was as thicke as it was before with Frost and Snow yet I stood still towards the Land The twentie one I saw the Land at an East Sunne and stood towards it and at a South and by West Westerly I obserued the Sunne and found the Meridian altitude of it 33. degrees 30. minutes the declination being 21. degrees 56. minutes c. the altitude of the Pole was 78. degrees 26. minutes The winde at North North-east cold frostie weather This place I called the Black-point Ile I called a point that lyeth foure leagues to the North-west of Black-point Cape-cold and to the South-east of Black-point is a great sound which because it was couered with Ice I called Ice-sound and standing neerer to the shore I could not see any Sound or Harbour open therefore I determined to stand to the Northwards to seeke what good might be done that way to profit the Merchants and also to get some Wood for we had but little left I sounded at the Black-point and had twentie three fathomes streamy ground At two of the clocke I stood off and at midnight stood to the shore againe cold weather with frost the winde at North and by East The two and twentieth day at an East Sunne I was faire by the Land betweene Cape-cold and Black-point a league off where it fell calme and I sounded there and had twentie eight fathoms where I tried for Fish but could take none The three and twentieth day at an East North-east Sunne I was within three leagues of Capecold this day it was faire weather and I tooke the Sunnes height at twelue of the clocke and found it to be 33. degrees 30. minutes the declination being 22. degrees 13
minutes the distance of the Pole from my Zeneth was 11. degrees 17. minutes the complement thereof being 78. degrees and 43. minutes the Poles altitude All this day it was calme aâl the forenoone warme sunshine weather and whereas I named this place Cape-cold if I had fâlne with it this day or the like I should haue giuen it another name Here I tried to take fish but could perceiue none Item there is a point that beareth from Cape-cold North by West which I called Faire-forland this Forland and Cape-cold and Black-point are all one Iland At sixe of the clocke at night the winde came to the North North-west then I determined to view the Ice-sound better but comming neere it I perceiued it packt ful of Ice so that I could see no end thereof at the Top-mast-head neither could I see any open water in it At a North Sun the wind came to the North-east and by North then I stood to the Northwards as before The foure and twentieth day at a North-east Sunne the wind came to the South-west faire weather and warme At a North north-east Sun I tooke the Meridian Altitude which was eleuen degrees aboue the Horizon and by working accordingly I found the eleuation of the Pole aboue the Horizon to be 78. degrees 37. minutes The fiue and twentieth day at an East-south-east Sun I set the boat to the land neere Fayer-forland and it being calme I sounded fortie fiue fathoms where I proued for fish but could find none and within one league of the shoare I had fiue and thirtie and thirtie fathome streamy ground At a South-east Sunne the Boat came aboord laden with Wood and some Whales fins The men told mee there was great store of Morses in the Sea about the shoare side and about thirtie on Land Immediately I sent my Mate Nicholas Woodcock with the Boat on Land againe to see if they could kill any of the said Mohorses and also to search what other thing they should hap to find that might proue beneficiall Moreouer I was certified that all the Ponds and Lakes were vnfrozen they being Fresh-water which putteth mee in hope of a milde Summer here after so sharpe a beginning as I haue had and my opinion is such and I assure my selfe it is so that a passage may bee assoone attayned this way by the Pole as any vnknowne way whatsoeuer by reason the Sun doth giue a great heat in this climate and the Ice I meane that that freezeth here is nothing so huge as I haue seene in 73. degrees The sixe and twentieth day at a North-east Sunne the Boat came aboord againe hauing slaine but two Morses at twelue at midnight the wind came to the North and blew so hard that I was enforced to try with a Mayne-course cold frosty weather with snow The sayd wind and weather continued till a South Sun the seuen and twentieth day at eight of the clocke at night the wind came to the North-west and by West faire weather then I stood towards the Land again And at a South-east sun the eight twentieth day I was within three leagues of Fayer-forland and standing in I sounded diuers times and had these depths 15.17.19 and 18. fathoms within fiue sixe and seuen myles of the shoare and when Fayer-forland did beare South and by East by the Compasse It being two miles from me I saw the Land beare North-east and by North about nine leagues off the which because it was full of knottie Mountaines I called Knottie-point and betweene Knottie-point and Fayer-forland I saw a great Bay which because it was foggy on the sudden I could not discouer In the Sea about the Forland I saw great store of Mohorses and Sea-fowle I sounded in the Bay and had nintie fiue fathomes rockie ground I stood to Sea and had very foule weather with snow and fogs and frost which weather continued till the thirtieth day at foure of the clocke in the morning at which time I was within one mile of Fayer-forland in nine fathomes and then I sayled East North-east about two miles and had these dephs 18.17.16.14 and 12. fathomes all rockes Then I steered South with the like depths and grounds but when I had runne South South-east three miles further I had sandie ground then did Fayer-forland beare West and by North about three leagues of the next cast I had tenne fathomes foule ground and from thence I steered two leagues South and by East hauing these depths 10.9.8 and 7. fathomes then I saw the Bay couered ouer with Ice I turned out the wind at North. This Sound I named Fowle-sound for in this Bay are three Sounds this I spake last of which lyeth in South and goeth out at Black-point another lyeth in East South-east which I named Deere-sound another goeth in North which is called Closse-coue and being neere the point betweene Fowle-sound and Deere-sound it fell calme and I sent the Skiffe on Land and standing after with a little wind at West I found the sayd Point very shoale with a ridge of Rockes where I had these depths 4.5.6.7.9.10.18 and then 30. fathomes At a South Sun the Boat came aboord and brought Wood and some Whale-fins The last of May at an East North-east Sun I was within three leagues of Knotty-point at which time I saw Ice all the Sea ouer betwixt the West and the Land then I saw another Point foure leagues distant from Knotty-point the one bearing of the other North and by East and South and by West and it is smooth Land the which I named the Gurnerds-nose indifferent warme weather and finding the Ice to bee so thicke that I could not passe it and the wind comming to the West I stood to the Southwards againe determining to search the Sounds better for a Road and for commodities because I saw no good to bee gotten in keeping the Sea amongst the Ice and at a North Sun I was in the entrance of Close-coue where I had no ground at one hundred twenty fathomes and yet I was within two Cables length of a sunken ledge of Rockes that lyeth on the Larboord side of the Bay a mile from the shoare The first of Iune I found a good Road in Close-coue on the South-west side where I rid in seuen fathomes sand mingled with oze at an East Sun I sent a Skiffe to a low Point that lyeth on the North side of the Bay where they found some Whales fins and three pieces of Mohorse teeth and vpon a little rockie Iland they saw neere one hundred Mohorses which were there sleeping In this time I went towards the bottome of the Sound and slue a white Beare At a South-west Sun I went towards the rocke to see if I could kill any of the Morses that lay there and as wee went by the shoare side I espied Deere three of them I slue and one of my
company one But when I came to the rocke the Ice that the beasts lay on was hollow and the rocks that was betwixt the Ice and the sea stood sloping toward the Sea the which when I saw I determined to go aboord and let them alone yet afterward I went on the rocke betwixt the Ice and the Sea and as I with the rest of my company were killing them the Ice brake and Ice and beasts slid into the Sea together and carryed one of the men with them so that he escaped out of that danger very hardly for besides the weight of dead Mohorses and Ice that bruised him the beasts that were aliue strook at him in the water and bruised him very soare I had beene in the same case if I had not beene the nimbler and slipt on one side I killed three Morses whose teeth I tooke off Then I espied the Beare which my Mate had hurt before with a shot hee went into the Sea when hee saw the Boate where I slue him with a Lance and brought him aboord The second day at a North and by East Sunne At a South Sunne I went to the South shoare of Deere-sound where I found a good quantitie of Fins and came aboord at a North North-west Sunne The third day being Sunday I rid still hauing the wind at West South-West much wind Then vpon the side of a Hill a mile to the Westwards of the Road I set vp a Crosse with a writing vpon it signifying the day of my arriuall first in this Land by whom I was set out and the time of my being heere This Road I called Crosse-road At a South-east sunne the fourth day I wayed the wind at West South-west and when I was almost out the wind increased with fogs which made me put back into the Road where I anchored the same day at six of the clocke at afternone The fifth day at a North-east and by East sunne I wayed and it fell calme then I went to the East side and killed some Fowle which I found in great abundance and when I was readie to go aboord I saw fourteene Deere at which time I spent all my powder and shot but one shot with the which I slue a fat Buck. The same day at a South sun I went on Land and slue two Deere more And at a South-west sun I went on Land and slue a Dog and took the Faune aliue and brought it aboord but it dyed the next day The calme continued till the sixth day at an East North-east sunne and we droue in the Bay with a little soaking tyde that runneth there Then I sent the skiffe to the rocke aforesaid to see what store of Mohorses were there at three of the clocke they came aboord and told mee there was neere two hundred beasts I tooke both the boat and skiffe with all my company and went to the rock and in going thither I slue a Beare but when I came to the rocke the beasts began to goe into the sea then I presently went on land with all my company and slue eightie beasts whose teeth I tooke and in going aboord slue another Beare and came aboord the seuenth day at a North-east sun Then I saw two white fishes which at the first fight I supposed to be Beares they had long snouts like Scurgeons two flat Fins close by their gils flat bodied small towards their tailes and a broad taile The tenth day I went on shoare and slue fiue Deere with the which and them that I slue before I haue lengthened out my victuals blessed be the Creator of the World which hath not made any part thereof in vaine but so that in these parts which hath seemed vnpossible to our Ancestors to bee trauelled vnto by reason of the extreame cold which they supposed to bee here I find the ayre temperate in the Lands and nothing so cold as I haue found at Chery Iland in fiue seuerall Voyages Moreouer in this Land I haue seene great store of Deere which haue neither bush nor tree to shelter them from the nipping cold of Winter nor yet any extraordinarie pasture to refresh them If these I say hauing nothing but the Rockes for a house and the Starry Canopie for a couering doe liue here why may not man which hath all the gifts of God bestowed vpon him for his health and succour The eleuenth day in the morning I sent the skiffe to a Beach that lyeth Northwards from the Rocke where we slue our beasts but when they came to the Rocke it beganne to blow hard at North North-west that they could not proceed any further vpon the Rocke they found a Beare and slue him and came aboord In which time I tooke the boate and went to the East side and slue two Beares and two Deere The twelfth day at a North-east sunne I wayed and hauing very little wind I sent the skiffe to goe to the place abouesayd at a North sunne they came aboord and brought some Whales Finnes and a Beare and told mee that it did blow very much wind at Sea yet I had it all this time calme in the Bay Yet before I could get out of the Sound the wind came to the North-west and blew very hard which made mee to put roome for Crosse-road where I rid till the fourteenth day in which time I caused both the boates to bee trimmed and the thirteenth day at noone I obserued on Land in this place and found the Poles height 79. degrees fifteene minutes and the variation of the Compasse 18. degrees 16. minutes North-west the same day I slue a Bucke The fourteenth day at a South-east Sunne I wayed the wind at South-west foggie weather at a South-west Sunne I went on Land and slew a Buck. The fifteenth day at East Sunne I got out of the Bay at which time I saw abundance of Ice to the Sea-wards but the wind came to the South-east and I sayled betwixt the Ice and the shoare At a North-west Sunne I sent the skiffe with seuen men in it to the Land vnder Knottie-point at which time the wind came to the North-east and I stood to the North-wardes where I had these depths fifteene thirteene and eleuen fathomes foule-ground These depths were about a league and to the Northwards of Knottie-point I saw great store of Whales the like I saw in Deere-sound The sixteenth day the Skiffe came aboord and brought a few Finnes and fiue Deere and they told mee that within the Bay that lyeth betwixt Knottie-point and Gurnerds-nose is a Hauen in the entrance whereof is an Iland and seuen fathomes going in but within eight nine fifteene and twentie fathomes good ground This maketh Gurnerds-nose an Iland for this Hauen goeth out on the North-west side of Gurnerds-nose I named this Hauen the Fayre-hauen I found a great tyde heere which runneth South South-west the floud commeth from the Southwards Then
I purposed to goe yet could not by reason of abundance of Ice which lay aboue three leagues from the Land which I could not possibly passe At a North-west and by West sun I saw abundance of Ice all along the Land to the Southwards of Bel-sound The eight day at twelue at noone I stood into the Ice in hope to get to the shoare the wind at North and by West hasie weather Hornâ-sound bearing East North-east nine leagues of I stood to the landwards till foure of the clocke at which time I found the Ice so thick that I was forced to stand to the Southwards to eschew it I sayled by and amongst the Ice till a North North-west Sunne at which time I was within three leagues of the shoare Then I sounded and had thirtie sixe fathomes Then I stood to the Westwards and finding all this part of the Land full of Ice I purposed to stand to the Northwards againe to search for commodities that way the wind being at North-west I turned to windwards till the tenth day at eight of the clocke before noone at which time weâ found a part of a dead Whale which I caused to bee made fast to the Ship determining to get into some Harbour there to make the best of it I could get into Bel-sound at which time I saw all the bottom of the Sound full of Ice so that there was no refuge for the Ship Then I was faine to turne out with the winde at West and beganne to blow verie hard At a North-west Sunne it was fayre weather and I sent my Mate with the skiffe to search the Coasts towardes Bel-point The fourteenth day at a North-east Sunne the skiffe came aboord and brought three Beares which they had slaine Immediately I sent the Boat for water and wood and then I stood through the Ice and got through it by a North Sun the fifteenth day the wind at North-west foggie weather Then I turned to windwards to double Lownesse and got cleere of it at sixe of the clocke at night thicke foggie weather The sixteenth day at fiue of the clocke in the afternoone I got to Black-point the wind comming to the South thicke weather Then I sent the skiffe to range the Coast and to search what they might find The seuenteenth day at ten of the clocke they came aboord and brought some Fins and three Deere Then I stood towards Crosse-road and ankered there at a North-sun the wind and weather as abouesaid The eighteenth day about fiue of the clocke in the morning I sent the skiffe to see if they could find any Morâes on Land on the Rocke or in Deere-sound and in the meane time I with the rest of the company got drift-wood and water readie and about a South sunne a Beare with two young ones the Dam I slew and tooke the young ones aboord the ship the wind Northerly cold foggie weather The nine and twentieth day in the morning I went to thâ Eastside to see if any Mohorses were on land there I slew foure exceeding fat Buckes and a Doe In which time the skiffe came aboord and brought two Beares skins but found no beasts and in Deere-sound they found Sea-coales which burnt very well The twentieth day I sent the Skiffe into the bottome of Closse-coue to search it for commodities the wind at South close weather with raine at eight of the clock at night they came aboord but found nothing immediately I got wood and water aboord which was ready before preparing to set sayle the wind and weather abouesaid we slue three Deere The one and twentieth I wayed the wind at North faire weather The two and twentieth day the wind came to the West and then I stood to the Northward at eight of the clocke haââ-weather At twelue of the clocke at noone the wind came to the North and I stood to the Southwards by Fayer-forland The three and twentieth day at an East north-east Sunne the Boat brought some Whales finnes and three Buckes and one Doe In which time I thought I had seene Land beare West from me I stood to the Westwards and by a South South-east sunne had run fifteene leagues West and by South then I perceiued it to be fogs The foure and twentieth day at seuen of the clocke in the afternoone I came into Bel-sound and found but little Ice then I sent the Skiffe to seeke for a Road for the Ship and also for commodities The fiue and twentieth day at three of the clocke in the morning the Skiffe came aboord hauing beene in the mouth of the North Inlet which I call Low-sound they went into it by Point-partition but there is no good Channell that way for a Ship neuerthelesse there seemeth to bee an Inlet or Channell but it is full of Rockes from side to side and the men told mee that vpon the Land lay some Mohorses which I sent them to kill At eight of the clocke the Skiffe came aboord and brought the teeth of the sayd beasts and some blubber Immediately I sent them into Bel-sound to seeke for a Road for the Ship the wind at West thicke foggie weather About an North West Sunne I anchored in Bel-sound in sixteen fathomes ozie ground this Harbour lyeth about two leagues aboue Point-partition on the South-side of it and here a ship may ride safe from all windes At a North Sunne my Mate slue a Beare The six and twentieth day in the morning it blew hard and I went on Land and slue a Beare and a Bucke which had three inches and an halfe in thicknesse of fat on the haunches At nine of the clocke I sent both the Boats to fetch the fat of those Mohorses which were slaine the day before and likewise to search if they could find any more the wind at North with fogs At six of the clocke at night the Boats came aboârd with the fat and brought two Buckes but found no beasts on Land The seuen and twentieth day at a South South-east Sunne I weighed the winde being at North and by West faire weather and I steered out betwixt an Iland and the point where I rid South-west and by West hauing these depths 10.7.6.5 and 4. fathomes then I was in the middest betwixt the said point and a shoald which lay South and North one of the other and after keeping the same course I had these depths 5.6.7.8.9.10.12 and 13. fathomes in all these depths I had sand and after oze At sixe of the clocke the wind came to the South-west with fogges and I turned to the wind-wards And at twelue the eight and twentieth day Lownesse did beare North-east about foure leagues off where I sounded hauing thirtie two fathomes streamie ground with blacke stones at which time it was calme and continued so till the nine and twentieth day at sixe of the clocke in the morning then the wind came to the North with fogges and I stood to the
Southwards and to see what Commodities I could find that way At nine of the clocke I was neere the Ice-sound where I met with much Ice which put mee from the Land and I was enforced to ãâã South-west and by South to shunne it the winde at North-west which blew hard with fogges The wind increased I stood towards Cherrie Iland if possible I could attayne it for fogges and Ice The thirtieth day at foure of the clocke in the morning I saw no Ice hauing kept to certayne course by reason of the Ice which I had past the winde at North and by West cold foggie weather with raine From the time aboue-said till twelue of the clocke at noone I sayled South South-east and ranne fifteene leagues the same wind and weather at which time I sounded had eightie fathoms greene oze like Kowes dung I sounded at two of the clocke and at foure of the clock the first eightie eight the second eightie two fathomes and sayled sixe leagues the formes course wind and weather At which time I heard a breach which proued Ice then I steered West to eschew it the fogges being so thicke that I could not see one Cables length The last of Iuly at noone I had sayled South and by East halfe a point Southerly eight leagues hauing little wind and sounded and found one hundred and fortie fathomes thicke foggie weather and in haling vp the Lead a fish followed it to the top of the water then I tryed to take fish but could not At foure of the clocke in the afternoone the winde came Southerly and I stood to the Westward by reason the Ice lay both to the South and East of vs at a North ãâã it was cleere weather and I saw the Ice round about vs cold weather with frost The first of August we beat in the Ice till noone but could finde no end thereof because it was so foggie and the Ice packed very close yet after many intricate courses I got to the Westwardâ of it at mid-night the same day the winde at South-east cold weather with raine and fogges And after I had seene so much Ice that I could not come neere Cherry Iland to prosecute the rest of my Voyage I determined to stand for England as God would giue me leaue From mid-night the first day till eight of the clocke the second day before noone I sayled South-west and by South fiue leagues the wind at East South-east thicke fogges with raine From the second day at eight of the clocke till the third day at twelue of the clock at noone I sayled West South-west fifteene leagues the wind at South and by East wet foggie weather From noone abouesaid till twelue at noone the fourth day I sayled foure leagues South the winde variable and the most part of that time calme and so continued till eight of the clocke at night at which time the wind came to the South and by East and blew very hard from the fourth day at noon till the fift day at noone I sayled South-west Westerly seuen leagues The sixt day the winde was at South-east cleere weather at noone I found the shippe in 73. degrees the North Cape bearing by my computation East South-east Easterly The seuenth day at noone I found the ship in 72. degrees 22. minutes indifferent faire weather And from the seuenth day at noone till the eight day at noone I sayled foure and twentie leagues the course South South-west the wind at South-east and by East at which time it beganne to be very foggie and the winde came to the South but immediatly it was calme and continued so till mid-night Then the wind came to the North little wind and at a South Sunne the ninth day I had sayled South seuen leagues From the ninth day at noone till the tenth day at that time I sayled South and ranne seuen leagues South it being calme most part of the day with much rayne and fogges From twelue the tenth day till noone the eleuenth day I sayled South and by West and ranne seuenteene leagues the wind Northerly And from the eleuenth day at noone till the twelfth at that time I sayled South and by West eighteene leagues the winde at North North-west faire weather From noone the twelfth day vntill twelue at noone the thirteenth day I sayled South and by West fortie eight leagues the wind betweene the North and the West North-west gustie weather From the thirteenth at noone till the fourteenth at noone I sayled South and by West fortie fiue leagues the wind betwixt the West North-west and the West South-west gustie weather latitude 64. degrees 21. minutes From the fourteenth day at noone till the fifteenth day at that time I sayled South and by West nine and twentie leagues at which time I obserued and found the ship in 62. degrees 53. minutes faire weather the wind at North. At foure of the clocke the same day I saw Skutsnesse in Norway seuenteene leagues off and bearing South-east from whence I hold it superfluous to write it being a place well knowne The last of August I arriued at London Blessed be God for euer and euer Amen A briefe note what Beasts Fowles and Fishes were seene in this Land BEasts Buckes and Does white Beares and Foxes of colour dunne and grey Fowles white Partridges a small land Bird like a Sparrow partly white and partly browne a Fowle with a combe and a tayle like a Cock a redde Fowle of the bignesse of a Pidgeon a white Fowle with a greene bill the top of the bill of it and the eyes were redde with blacke feet Wild Geese Coluidines Gulls Sea-mewes Willockes Noddies Ice-birds Reeks and Sea-pidgeons Fishes great store of Whales Gramposes Mohorses the white fish I spake of the seuenth of Iune a small fish like Cuplen likewise I saw the bones of Cods or Haddocks but could take no fish I often looked for Shel-fish but could take none diuers of my company did see two Beauers CHAP. II. A Commission for IONAS POOLE our Seruant appointed Master of a small Barke called the Elizabeth of fiftie tunnes burthen for Discouerie to the Northward of Greenland giuen the last day of March 1610. IN as much as it hath pleased Almightie God through the industry of your selfe and others to discouer vnto our Nation a Land lying in eightie degrees toward the North-pole We are desirous not only to discouer farther to the Northward along the said Land to find whether the same be an Iland or a Mayne and which way the same doth trend either to the Eastward or to the Westward of the Pole as also whether the same be inhabited by any people or whether there be an open Sea farther Northward then hath beene alreadie discouered For accomplishing of all which our desires we haue made choice of you and to that end haue entertayned you into our seruice for certayne yeares vpon a stipend certayne not doubting but you will so
Northwards as the latitude of sixtie fiue we were all separated by reason of contrarie windes and foule weather the Elizabeth in which Ship I was was stokâd that the water which was in her could not come to the Pumpe but lay vpon the balast which was the cause we could beare no sayle to keepe the Mary-margaret companie Yet by the thirteenth day of May I came to Cherie Iland and the foureteenth I spake with the Amitie The sixteenth day I met with the Mary-margaret which kept mee companie to Greeneland but in our passage thither we saw a banke of Ice to the East wards of vs aboue fortie leagues long The nine and twentieth of May we anchored in a place named by me the last yeare Crossroad but before we got thither wee were much troubled with Ice and contrarie windes and we found almost all the sounds full of Ice that the Biscainers could not strike one Whale although they saw diuers which as they said were of the best kinde of Whales I staid there till the sixteenth of Iune in which time we set vp our shalops and ranged some part of the Coast but found little by reason the beaches were couered with Snow and Ice Likewise in the same time I was put out of the roade with Ice and stood out West and by North into the Sea about foureteene leagues where I found a banke of Ice then I stood into the sound againe and got off the Shalop which was in the roade at which time which was about the eleauenth of Iune I stood to the Sea againe and had a storme at South which sunke our Shalop and I saw the Ice lye close to the Land in 80. degrees Then I went into Crosse roade againe and had a Shalop from the Mary-margaret and because I perceiued the Ice aboue said to lye close to the land and vnpossible to passe that way there running verie strong Tides in the which it is dangerous dealing with the Ice I determined to stand to the Southwards alongst the said Ice to see if I could finde the Sea open that way and so get to the Westwards of the said Ice and then proceeded on my Voyage but I found it to lye the next hand South South-west and South-west and by South and ranne alongst it about one hundred and twentie leagues at which time I supposed my selfe neere Greenland as it is laied downe by Hudson and others and called Hold with hope I ranne neere fortie leagues to the West wards of the Eastermost part of the said Land as it is laid downe and by my accounts I was to the Southwards of it neere the latitude 74. degrees where I saw abundance of Whales by the sides of the Ice for I sailed all this time sometimes in and sometimes by the said Ice and sounded most commonly each watch but had no ground at 160.140.180 and 200. fathomes Then the winde came to the North-west and I perceiuing the Ice to trend still to the Southwards determined to stand to Greeneland from whence I came there to make my Voyage and likewise to try the certaintie concerning the misplacing of the Land but the next day being about the seauen and twentieth of Iune the winde came to the North and I stood for Cherie Iland and came to it the nine and twentieth of the same Moneth where I found that place of my being when I supposed I should haue found Land did beare from Cherie Iland West and by South aboue one hundred twentie fiue leagues When I came to the Iland I saw about three hundred Morses on land but a storme comming they went all into the Sea The twelfth of Iuly we slue aboue two hundred and by the three and twentieth day wee had taken all their fat Hides and Teeth which with the Victuals we had laded the ship then I determined to hale vp a shalop to goe to Greeneland to search if I could finde any Land or Ilands that might proue beneficiall the next yeere and likewise to search for Teeth and Whales Finnes The foure and twentie and fiue and twentie dayes it was very much wind at North which caused the Sea to goe so high that we could not land Yet at eight aclocke at night the wind ceased and I went on land where I found certayne of the Marie Margaretâ men by whom I vnderstood that the said ship was cast away and that Master Thomas Edge seruant to the right Worshipfull Company c. with Stephen Bennet Master of the said shippe and others to the number of thirtie persons were arriued on the South side in three Boats and that they parted from two Boats in Greenland with nine men in them Immediately Master Edge and Master Bennet came aboard and I weighed and stood to the West side of the Iland and anchored there and put neere one hundred Morse hides on land and some emptie caske and haled vp a shallop The six and twentieth day about noone we weighed and stood to the South-west side of the Iland and sent men on land to hale vp two shallops there And at mid-night I set sayle for Greenland carrying with mee two Biscaine shallops determining there to try the Blubber of those Morses we had killed and bring it to Oyle and to bring all the Oyle Teeth and Finnes which they had gotten in that Countrey And after diuers winds but indifferent faire weather I arriued at Blacke-point the last of Iuly and hauing the wind at North I was perswaded by diuers that had gone that way to go betwixt the Iland and the Mayne but when I was almost through and in sight of that place where the Mary Margaret lyeth sunke I could not find water enough for the ship yet I was told there was enough by diuers that had gone that way in the shallops Here we stayed two dayes to buoy the channell which is shoald and narrow for we had at three quarters floud but eleuen foot water The third of August I got ouer and about eight of the clockâ at night I anchored neere the Mary Margaret the Sunne being in 79. degrees and there I found a shippe of Hull conducted thither by one Nicholas Woodcock he being in one of the Boats which stayed in Greenland when those came from thence that came to Cherrie Iland The ships name was called the Hopewell one Thomas Marmaduke being Master Here we found that hee had slaine aboue one hundred and thirtie Mohorses which were left on land when Master Thomas Edge came from thence with the Boats aforesaid and we did determine to kill at my arriâall Assoone as the ship was moored wee got out Blubber and sent it on land to bee brought into Oyle and wee followed our worke till the seuenth of August at noone at which time hauing Oyle by the ships side we put out all the Blubber which was in hold saue two tunnes and a halfe supposing the ship had
their gorges and few feathers on their backes he leaueth them to get more not for themselues but for him We found on the shoares many huge Morses There is great store of fresh water in euery Valley which proceedeth most of the melted snow On euery Beech is great plentie of drift wood but neuer a bush nor tree groweth in those quarters as farre as we haue hitherto discouered CHAP. IIII. A Relation written by IONAS POOLE of a Voyage to Greenland in the yeere 1612. with two ships the one called the Whale the other the Sea-horse set out by the Right Worshipfull the Muscouie Merchants THe seuenth of Aprill 1612. wee set sayle at Blacke-wall and went to Grââesend The third of May we came to Cherie Iland where we found a ship of Holland in which one Alan Saloâes an Englishman was Pilot. The same day about a North sunne we anchored on the West side of the Iland The fourth we trimmed a shallop which I left there the last yeere and Alan Salowes went aboard our Admirall and Master Russell sent for Master Thomas Edge Master Arthington Iohn Mason and my selfe where wee had some speech about detayning him and to haue brought him into England but in the end hee was let goe At a North sunne we sent our shallop to the South-east side of the Iland to fetch a shallop which was left there the last yeere but they could not get thither for Ice and came aboard againe at an East North-east Sunne the fift day at which time we weighed and stood to the Westward but immediatly we altered our course and stood toward the Iland againe among the Ice and about a West North-west Sunne wee sent our Skiffe and Shallop to fetch the Shallop aforesaid The winde was at North and by West frostie weather with snowe The eight wee stood toward Cherie Iland againe and were faire by it at a South sunne at which time the winde came to the South-east and wee saw the Hollander standing with vs. Then we altered our course and sayled West North-west determining if hee followed vs to stay for him At ten of the clock at night hee came to vs and the Admirall sent his shallop aboord of him to command him to be gone out of our companie and at a North sunne hee stood away from vs and sayled North and by East and we lay by the lee The twentieth at a South Sunne we saw our Consort and spake with them and they told vs that they had almost split their ship with a piece of Ice which brake nine of their Timbers so that they had fiue foot water in hold The one and two and twentie dayes wee plyed to windward the winde being at North faire weather And at Blacke Point wee saw great store of Ice driuing to the South At eight of the clocke at night Blacke Point did beare from mee East and by North nine leagues And the three dayes past we saw great store of Whales within ten or twelue leagues off the Land The three and twentieth we were faire off Cape Cold where Master Edge and Master Arthington went with the Basks in their Shallops for Crosse-rode in hope to kill some Whales And we saw store of Whales in the Sea The fiue and twentieth we got into Foule Sound all the Sounds being full of Ice and the Shallops came aboord and brought some Venison which was very leane And at six of the clock the Basks went with the Shallops to Faire Foreland to see if they could kill a Whale and at a North-west Sunne Master Edge went with a Shallop to see if Crosse-rode were open The six and twentieth the two ships abouesaid came into Foule Sound one of them was that Hollander before mentioned the other was a ship of London called The Diana whereof one Thomas Bustion dwelling at Wapping wall was Master The seuen and twentieth Alââie Saloâes came aboord of our ship and told vs that his Merchant had broke his necke downe a Cliffe The same day the Hollânder and the Diana stood to the Southward The winde was at North North-west and Northwest which kept the Ice in the Sounds The twentie eight we sent the long Boat and our Shallop to Brokennesse with a Shallop of ten Tunnes there to be set vp The winde was at West with snowe and frost The same day the Basks came aboord but could kill neuer a Whale The winde came to the South Southwest with frost and snowe The nine and twentieth the winde was at South with much snowe The same day one of our men dyed named Iohn Butcher hauing layen sicke about three weeks The thirtieth one Michael Perkins dyed aboord The Whale The last of May the winde was at South and wee stood toward the Foreland in 79. degrees The sâme day aâ midnight the Chyrurgeon of The Whale dyed The first of Iune we stood into Foule Sound where wee saw abundance of Ice driue out with the winde at East The second day the winde was at North and by East cold frostie weather All which day wee lay vnder saile in the mouth of the Sound The third day wee spake with Thomas Marmaduke of Hull in a ship called The ãâã wâll Wee sent for him to come aboord but he answered that he was not well and sent his Mate Christopher Nayler The same day we stood to the mouth of the Sound but it was couered with Ice And Marmaduke stood to the Northward and as we were afterward informed discouered as farre as 82. degrees two degrees beyond Hakluyts Headland The fourth we sent our shallop on shoare in Foule Sound to see if any harbour were open to ride in and to put our Admirall on ground to stop her leake The same day our long Boate came to vs from Brokennesse And we turned into the Sound because we saw the Ice driue out with the winde at South and blew hard The fift we anchored in Foule Sound in seuenteene fathoms water and sandie ground where we saw the place where both the ships lay which wee lost the last yeere couered with Ice The same time wee sent our shallop with our Carpenters to finish the aforesaid shallop at Brokennesse The winde continued at South and the Whale turned into the Sound by vs and achnored there at a South-west by South Sunne The ninth the Admirals Boate and ours went with prouision and men to worke vpon a Whale which the Basks had killed and we stood toward the Foreland with the ships whâre the Whale was killed the winde at South thicke foggie weather And by an East North-east Sunne wee anchored in the mouth of Foule Sound in fifteene fathoms gray sand with some shells At a West sunne the Boate came aboord for caske and other prouision and told vs that the Basks had killed two other Whales The seuenteenth one Baske named Chapel tooke fiue of our English men to him and they trimmed the shallop to
being about eight or nine leagues off The Southwardest part of it bare South-east and by East off it which shortly wee perceiued to bee the Land lying in 76. degrees and 55. minutes which is called Horne-sound This Land lyeth by our common Compasse North North-west Within two houres after we had sight of Land it began to snowe and was very cold This euening the Compasse was varied thirteene degrees West The one and thirtieth day variable weather with snowe and very cold and the winde also variable and in the afternoone the winde was at the North-east In the morning wee espied a ship and about noone we spoke with her and their Master and Pilot came aboord of vs. And wee knew them to bee that ship of Saint Iohn de Luz which had leaue of the Companie to fish And they told vs that there were eight Spaniards on the Coast. Also wee espied another ship which we supposed to be a French man and had one Allan Sallas to their Pilot. The second of Iune in the morning about fiue of the clocke our Generall sent our shallop to a small Pinke that all this night we saw along the shoare to bid their Master and Pilot come aboord vs which presently they did The Masters name was Claiâ Martin of Horne and his ship was for Dunkerke and he told vs that he was consorted with another ship that was his Admirall the Captaines name was Fopp of Dunkerke and that he was on the Coast. Wee kept the Master and Pilot aboord of vs and sent some of our men aboord of her and brought her vnder our lee and then we sent their Master aboord againe charging them to follow vs. This afternoone we tooke their shallop with fiue or sixe men whereof two were English men and one Scot at the Faire foreland The fourth day also faire weather This morning was the first Whale killed Wee had no night since the three and twentieth of May. The fift day faire weather but very cold the winde North. Wee sayled along the Iland being about eighteene or twentie leagues in length lying for the most part by the common Compasse North and by West halfe Westward About nine of the clocke in the afternoone we saw our other three ships viz. the Gamaliel the Desire and the Richard and Barnard which lay there to and fro because they could not goe into their Harbour by reason of the Ice and also because there were foure other ships in a Bay or Coue called Pooppy Bay or Nickes Coue and also other ships on the other side in Greene Harbour We sayled along the drift Ice vntill about one or two of the clocke in the morning at which time we came to an anchor in the entrance of the Sound because the Ice came driuing out so fast The sixt day faire weather the winde variable till the afternoone at which time it came to the Northwards About three in the afternoone we weighed anchor and about ten of the clocke we came to the foure ships lying in Pooppy Bay two of them being Hollanders and one a Rocheller and the other a ship of Burdeaux The Masters of the Hollanders came aboord of our ship to speake with the Generall both of them being of Amsterdam and brought a Commission granted by the Graue Maurice for to fish in this Countrey But when they saw our Kings Maiesties Commission granted to the worshipfull Companie they told our Generall that they would depart this Coast hauing our Generals Ticket to shew to their Aduenturers that they were there and had made their Port and how he would not suffer them to fish We anchored close by the French ship wherein was Allane Sallas being readie to fight if they refused to come aboord vs. So when we sent our shallop the Master came presently and their Surgeon who could speake English At the first they denyed that Sallas was aboord of them but being hardly vrged they confessed that hee and one Thomas Fisher an English man were aboord who were both presently sent for This Sallas was their Pilot and Fisher was their Gunner The seuenth day faire weather we road still at an anchor This day I obserued the latitude of the place and found it in 78. degrees 24. minutes The variation of the Compasse is in this place 15. degrees 21. minutes West About a North Sunne a small ship of Biscay came into the harbour where we roade The eight day for the most part snow the winde Southward This day the Master of the French ship being a ship of nine score or two hundred called the Iaques of Bardeaux agreed with our Generall that hee might fish on the coast our Generall was to haue halfe the Whales he could kill Also this day the Master of the ship of Râchel and the Master of the small ship of Biscay were agreed to depart from the coast The ninth day faire weather This morning the Gamaliel our Reare-Admirall and the Desire weighed anchor to goe for Greene harbour where two ships lay one of Dunkerke and the other of Saint Sebastian in Biscay The Captaine of the Dunkerke called Fopp had beene with our Generall and told him that he would depart from this Coast. Our Generall gaue him leaue to take the Pilot of the small Pinke and the other Dutch men he had taken of his keeping only the English men and the Scots Also the two ships of Holland with the ship of Biscay and that of Rochel weighed anchor and departed from this Harbour About six of the clocke in the afternoone came the Master of the ship of Saint Sebastian aboord of vs being brought by one of the Masters Mates of the Desire they hauing taken two of his Shallops to know our Generals pleasure whether he should haue them againe or no. Our Generall gaue them him againe vpon condition that he would depart the Coast. About a North North-west Sunne we weighed anchor to goe for Horne-Sound where we heard that there were diuers ships the wind Northward a small gale The tenth day faire weather the winde at North being very close weather About a North Sunne we came to an anchor in the entrance of Low Sound where we saw two ships ride at anchor Our Generall sent our shallop to see what ships they were who found them to bee the two ships of Holland Also our long Boate went on shoare to set vp the Kings Maiesties Armes vpon a low point of land lying a great way off called Low-nesse We set vp a Crosse of wood and nayled the Armes vpon it The thirteenth day in the morning it snowed very fast being very thicke weather the winde variable we standing off from the land About seuen of the clock it began to cleere vp at which time we espied three ships and making toward them at length we perceiued them to be the three ships which came from the Bay where we road the winde also was at East and by South
and blew a very stiffe gale Then we stood in for the shoare and spent most of this day in turning vp Horne-Sound And about a North North-west Sunne at ten a clock wee espied six ships lying at anchor on the South side of the Sound in a small Bay The one of them was Captaine Fopp the Dunkerker who came in before vs and was appointed by our Generall to come into this harbour and there to stay for vs and to goe to the Foreland to haue his other ship which we kept there Foure of them were Biscaines of Saint Sebastian and one of them was in the harbour where we road and found the French ship The sixt was a ship of Amsterdam wherein Thomas Bonner was Master and Pilot and aboue twentie English men more All the Biscaines came aboord of vs as soone as we were at an anchor but Thomas Bonner refused to come being sent for by our Generall Our Generall commanded our Gunner to shoot at him he himselfe discharging the second Ordnance Then presently he began to set saile and cut his cable thinking to get from vs but wee hauing shot him through three or foure times they began to weaue vs so we sent our shallop and he came aboord There were fiue or sixe more of the English men fetched aboord and some of our men sent to bring her to an anchor where shee might ride safe for shee was almost run ashoare This was about a North sunne or eleuen a clocke The Biscaines were charged presently to depart so soone as they had filled fresh water which they said they wanted and to bring what Whale finnes they had found or had taken or other things The fourteenth day faire weather the winde at East North-east This morning one of the Biscaines brought a few Whale finnes aboord of vs and the skin of a Beare which they had killed Then was our Boate-swaine sent aboord of them to search their ships and to bid them depart Our Generall kept the Holland ship wherein was Thomas Bonner to the vse of the Companie This day I obserued the latitude of this place by a Quadrant of foure foote Semidiameter and found it to stand in 75. degrees 55. minutes the Declination of the Needle vnder the Horizon is 67. degrees 30. minutes pointing to the Northwards but pointing to the Southwards it is 80. degrees The variation of the Compasse is 12. degrees 14. minutes west from the true Meridian but from our common sayling Compasse it is 17. degrees because the Compasse is touched fiue degrees and a halfe to the Eastward and the variation is to the Westward This day in the afternoone the foure ships of Biscay departed from this Harbour which is called Horne-Sound and about a North sunne I with the Master Thomas Sherin went ashoare with other to set vp another Crosse with the Kings Maiesties Armes cast in Lead nayled vpon it Then I obserued the Sunne vpon his North Meridian by my foresaid Quadrant and found it eleuated aboue the Horizon 10. degrees and thirtie minutes but because his heigth at the South Meridian and his heigth at the North did not agree in finding of the Latitude I did abate fiue minutes from each as the meane betwixt both for his altitude at the South Meridian was 36. degrees 40. minutes the declination 23. degrees and 29. minutes The fifteenth day faire weather the winde in the morning South but almost calme This day about noone we weighed anchor with the ship of Amsterdam and diuers of her men were fetched aboord vs with their Shipper and some of our men were sent aboord her with one of our Masters Mates called Master Spencer All this day it was so calme that wee were faine to towe our ship Our Carpenter did trim vp two of the Biscaine Shallops which they did leaue behinde them and they did leaue diuers Hoopes and Caske staued ashoare The eighteenth day faire weather the winde variable we stearing away Northward This afternoone wee met with another ship of Biscay being a ship of two or three hundred Tunnes Our Generall as he did to the rest caused her Master and Pilot to come aboord vs to whom he shewed his Commission charging them to depart this Countrey They seeing no remedie were content so soone as they had filled fresh water Wee met with them off the Southward part of the Iland Our Generall being so neere Greene Harbour where the Gamaliel and the Desire road wee went into the Sound to see them with this great ship of Biscay and the ship of Amsterdam We found that the entrance of Greene Harbour was quite stopped with Ice and ran our ship into it thinking to get through but wee could not Then wee got her out againe and came to the Bay where wee roade on the other side of the Sound in Pooppy Bay or Niches Coue. The nineteenth day faire weather the winde Northward This day about twelue of the clock we came to an anchor in the foresaid Bay This afternoone there came another ship of Saint Sebastian into the Bay where wee roade and about seuen of the clocke the Captaine came aboord of vs who told vs that he had lost six of his men and a shallop vpon the coast of Groineland vpon an Iland in the latitude of 72. degrees or thereabouts This was the Master which had beene here the last yeere and made a great voyage Master Woodcocke being their Pilot. His making so great a voyage was the cause that so many ships were here this yeere The twentieth in the morning we had newes that the Iohn and Francis was come about two dayes agoe and that they had killed one and twentie Whales at the Foreland and had also killed two at Greene harbour This day it was very close weather with some snowe the winde North-west This afternoone the Captaines of the two Biscay ships were commanded to depart this Coast. The one and twentieth wee perceiued another ship standing toward vs. Wee lessâned our sailes and stayed for her to see what shee was At length we perceiued her to bee another Biscaine About a North sânne we came to an anchor in Greene harbour by the Gamaliel and the Desire and the ship of Burdeaux and the Biscaine followed vs. So soone as they were come to an anchor their Captaine came aboord of vs to whom our Generall shewed his Commission as he had done to the rest charging him to depart those Coasts and told him that hee would take away some of their shallops They earnestly intreated him not to take them away and they would depart the Captaine offering his bond to our Generall that if he stayed either in Greenland Groineland or Cherie Iland he would willingly forfait all he was worth There was another Whale killed in Greene-harbour in the killing whereof there was a man slaine and a Boate ouerwhelmed by too much haste of following him after the harping Iron was in him The three and twentieth day
which is in the latitude of 79. degrees 8. minutes This night was very cleere and faire weather and also calme by which meanes I had very good opportunitie to finde the suââies refraction For beholding it about a North North-east sunne by the common Compasse at which time the sunne was at the lowest it was but one fift part of his body aboue the Horizon hauing about foure fifth parts below so neere as I could gesse His declination for that instant was 10. degrees 35. minutes North being at noone in the 2. degree 7. minutes of Virgo his daily motion was 58. minutes whose halfe beeing nineteene to bee added to the former because it was at twelue houres afore noone I say his place at that instant was 2. degrees 26. minutes of Virgo whose declination was as before 10. degrees 35. minutes the Latitude of the place was 78. degrees 47. minutes whose complement was 11. degrees 13. minutes the declination being substractâd from the complement of the Poles eleuation leaueth 38. minutes foure fiue part of which 12. minutes which being substracted from 38. leaueth 26. minutes for the Refraction But I suppose the Refraction is more or lesse according as the ayre is thicke or cleare which I leaue for better schollers to discusse but this I thought good to note for the better helpe of such as doe profesie this studie The sixteenth day also very faire weather and for the most part calme the winde that was was aâ North-west This morning we espied a ship out in the often ouer against Cold-cape which we stood with and she also stood with vs. And when we came to her wee found her to be the Desire a shippe of Alborough Our Generall sent for the Master and Merchant aboard of vs who certified him that they came from Killedeene and that they had made but a bad Voyage of fiâh and they were come to see if we could fraight them home The Merchant was of London whose name was Master Cudner the Masters name was Fletcher who also brought sixe men which Thomas Bonner had left at Cherie Iland These sixe men had killed but one Morse all this yeere at the Iland who also told vs that William Gourdon was gone to the Northwards At noone the three and twentieth day I obserued the variation of the Compasse and found it to be one degree 5. minutes East The three and twentieth day faire weather with a fine gale at North and by East We stearing away South and by West halfe South being aâ noone by supposition in the latitude of 69. degrees no minutes Hauing sailed since yesterday noone some thirtie leagues South true The foure and twentieth day very faire weather and cleere the winde all the fore-noone Northwards but about noone it came to the South-east This morning I obserued the middle starre in the Great Beares tayle and found it to bee in the latitude of 68. degrees 24. minutes about two a clocke at which time that starre was on the Meridian vnder the Pole Also I obserued the starre in the Beares Rumpe about one a clock and found the like latitude Also all this day we had sight of Rost Ilands being about ten or eleuen leagues off vs. Also at noone I obserued the latitude by the Sun and found vs to be in the latitude of 68. degrees no minutes which did agree with the former Obseruations by the starres Also the variation of this placâ is 4. degrees 8. minutes East from the true Meridian wee hauing runne since yesterday noone some two and twentie leagues South and by West Almost all the afternoon it was almost calme The fiue and twentieth day also very faire weather the winde this morning came to the East South-east a fine easie gale We steered away South and by West halfe West ten leagues being at noone in the latitude of 67. degrees 5. minutes The variation of this place is 5. degrees 3. minutes East neere to the set of our Compasse This Euening the winde came to the South South-west which continued about two Watches The nine and twentieth day faire weather with a good gale of winde at North North-east From two this last night to sixe we stood away South-west and by South and at sixe we steered away South South-west being at noone by obseruation in 62. degrees no minutes The land about Scoutesnesse lyeth in this sort from sixtie three toward sixtie two it is nineteene leagues South South-west halfe Westward from thence tenne leagues South and by West which is two or three Ilands which are the West wardest land in Norway lying in the latitude of 62. degrees 44. minutes But whether these Ilands or a Point of land which lyeth about three or foure leagues more to the North be called Scoutesnesse I know not The sixt of September we entred the Thames CHAP. VI. A Voyage of Discouerie to Greenland c. Anno 1614. Written by RO. FOTHERBYE THe ship Thomasine went downe from Black-wall to Woolwich the sixteenth of Aprill and from thence to Grauesend the three and twentieth where shee remayned vntill the eight and twentieth of the same and weighing from thence she anchored againe in Tilberie Hope with ten ships more of good burthen and two Pinnasses all of the Greenland Fleet set forth also at the charge of the said Company vnder the command of Master Beniamin Ioseph Chiefe Captayne and Generall of the said Fleet. We set sayle out of Tilberie Hope the fourth of May and came to an anchor the same day in Lee Road where we stayed till the next morning then wee set sayle againe and went forth to Sea before night We proceeded in company of the Fleet and met with stragling Ice the fiue and twentieth of May in the latitude of 75. degrees 10. minutes through which wee passed without danger holding on our course all thaâ day till time of mid-night then we found the Ice so close packt together that we were forced to tacke about and stand to the Westward till wee found more open passage wee plyed through it without any great danger till the eight and twentieth day but then being in fight of Land we passed amongst very much Ice all the fore-noone which lay in great abundance on both sides of vs but a desire as it seemes to get through it drew vs on to be the more intangled with it for about noone we could neither find a passage to goe forward nor way to retyre backe againe but being nine ships and two Pinnasses for the Prosperous and the Desire lost Company through foule weather the one and twentieth of May otherwise we had beene thirteene sayle we began very suddenly to bee inclosed and shut vp with Ice Now euery one wrought the best meanes he could for the safetie of his ship Our Master in the Thomasine caused a Hauser and a Grapnell to be carried forth and laid vpon a great Iland of Ice and so we rid as at an
shoare we searched two little Beaches which had some wood on them but nothing that we found of better value About two leagues within the Sound on the East side there is an Harbour where shippes may ride in good ground Land-lockt but if other yeeres be like this I cannot say that it is an Harbour fitting for ships because it is late ere the Sound breake vp for euen now there lay much Ice at the bottome of it insomuch that I was forcst to leaue the shallop because I could not passe with her for Ice and walke two miles ouer stonie Mountaynes with another man in my company to bee satisfied concerning a point of Land that shot into the Sound whether it were an Iland or no as by all likelihood it seemed to bee but when I came to the farthest part of it I saw it joyne to the mayne Land wherefore I called it Point Deceit because it deceiued mee so much From hence wee proceeded toward our shippe and came aboord of her in the North Harbour of Faire Hauen on Friday night being the nineteenth of August where she rid alone for Master Marmaduke was gone forth to Sea that day The two and twentieth of August Iohn Mason Master of the Gamaliell came ouer from the South Harbour for helpe to hayle vp a Whale which had beene sunke fourteene dayes in one hundred and twentie fathome depth or else to pull the Wârpe and Harping Iron out of her for now it was time to take her or forsake her Master Sherwin our Master caused our long Boate to bee manned and went with him when they came where the Whale was sunke they haled and shee presently rose bolting suddenly vp with a thundring cracke made with the bursting of her bodie and notwithstanding shee had layen so long yet had shee all her Finnes fast Whilst this was in doing the Hartsease was comming into the Harbour from the Northward and anchored by our ship an houre after Here wee stayed till the seuen and twentieth of August and since my last returne hither in the shallop from the Eastwards the weather hath beene commonly warme and the Mountaynes were now more cleere of Snow then they had beene any time this yeere notwithstanding there had much snowe fallen since the beginning of this moneth but it was quite consumed and a greater signe of warmth and thaw was now to bee obserued then any time of the yeere heretofore namely by the often falling of the Ice into the Sea from the huge snowie bankes making a noyse like Thunder so that the time was very hopefull but thus wee made vse of occasion offered The seuen and twentieth of August it was faire and warme weather calme till noone then had wee a gale of winde from the South South-west wherewithall wee set sayle out of Faire-hauen in the company of the Hartsease with whom wee had beene in termes of consortship but nothing was concluded About sixe a clocke at night wee were sixe leagues from Cape Barren which bore from vs South-west and by South Wee proceeded still to the North-eastward and on the eight and twentieth day in the morning wee had runne about twentie leagues from Cape Barren in an East North-east way by the ordinary Compasse being open of Sir Thomas Smiths Inlet nine or tenne leagues from the shoare at which time wee were come to the Ice that trended East South-east and West North-west but the Sea being very rough wee stood off againe from the Ice in the afternoone it fell calme and at night we had a gale of winde at East and the ship was steered West and then South-west homewards The nine and twentieth day the winde Easterly an easie gale at foure a clockâ in the afternoone Hackluyts Head-land bore from vs South-east by East foure leagues distant ãâ¦ã was very warme The thirtieth day the winde at North-east an easie gale at foure a clocke in the afternoone Maudlon Point bore East North-east halfe a Point Easterly about three leagues distant ãâã the Euening it fell calme the weather not cold The thirtieth day faire Sunne-shine weather and calme till noone and then we had a good gale of winde from the North-east being fiue leagues distant from the Fore-land which bore South-east now wee altered our course and stood to the West-ward therefore to keepe vs still in the parallel that now wee were in which was 79. degrees 8. minutes West North-west course was directed in respect of the Variation to make good a true West way This course wee held till we had runne about twentie leagues and then wee ranne twentie leagues more in a West and by North course till one a clocke on Friday morning at which time it fell calme and wee heard the Sea make a great noyse as if wee had beene neere Land but wee rather iudged it to bee Ice as indeed it proued to bee for in the morning when it was light and cleere wee saw the Ice about a league from vs which trended Southerly hauing now a gale at East North-east wee steered away South and South South-east but in the afternoone we were embayed with a long banke of Ice which wee could not weather therefore wee were faine to tacke about and the winde hauing come more Southerly then it was in the morning wee stood off from the Ice North-east and North-east and by North and then to the Southwards againe making sundrie boardes to get forth to wind-wards of the Ice The third day before noone wee had sight againe of Ice to Westwards of vs and at noone were vnder the parallel of 78. degrees 27. minutes according to my Obseruation then wee stood a way South to keepe cleere of the Ice for wee had a great homing Sea although but little winde and therefore durst not be to bold to edge too neere it especially the wind being Easterly as then it was On the fourth day our men saw the Ice againe from the mayne top-mast head and therefore wee still maintayned a Southerly course the next day it began to be foggie and continued close weather and hazie for three dayes so that wee had no more sight of the Ice neyther could wee at this time receiue any further satisfaction concerning the same therefroe wee kept a Southerly course so neere as wee could although wee had but little winde and the same very variable till the ninth day but then wee had a good gale of winde at West North-west On the tenth day beeing Saturday wee were by my reckoning fiftie leagues distant from Low-foot which bore from vs East South-east halfe a Point Southerly this day the wind shifted to the South-west and at night came to the South with much raine then came backe againe to the West North-west and began a great storme This night the Master and others saw a light vpon the Fore-bonnet which the Saylers call a Corpo Santo it appeared like the flame of a Candle and as
Sea-men obserue it alwayes presageth an ensuing storme which to verifie this foule weather continued the next day and grew to be so vehement on Sunday night that the Sea oftentimes ouer-raked our ship and wee were faine to lye aâry with our fore course onely and our Mayne top-mast also strucke which last thing as Sea-men say is seldome done at Sea then about one a clocke we were forced to take in our fore course and to lye a-hull for fiue houres The fourth day of October the shippe came to Wapping with the whole number of men that shee carryed forth my selfe excepted that was come before being sixe and twentie all in perfect health CHAP. VII A true report of a Voyage Anno 1615. for Discouerie of Seas Lands and Ilands to the Northwards as it was performed by ROBERT FOTHERRIE in a Pinnasse of twentie tunnes called the Richard of London set forth at the charge of the Right Worshipfull Sir THOMAS SMITH Knight my very good Master and Master RICHARD WICHE Gouernours and the rest of the Worshipfull Company of Merchants called the Merchants of New Trades and Discoueries trading into Moscouia and King IAMES his New Land BY the prouidence of Almightie God I went forth of Harwich Harbour in the foresaid Pinnasse the twelfth of May in the company of eight shippes of the Fleet for King Iames his New Land who in foule weather out-fayled me in the latitude 71. degrees or thereabouts So I proceeded alone towards King Iames his New Land and met with Ice in latitude 73. degrees 30. minutes I stood North-eastwards for the wast of King Iames his New Land and had sundry conflicts with the Ice in rainie and wet foggie weather and had sight of Land the eleuenth of Iune and on the nineteenth of the same I anchored in Faire Hauen Here I stayed till the third of Iuly for the Pinnasse had receiued some hurt amongst the Ice which to amend I was faine to hale her aground besides diuers other things necessary to be done which detayned mee longer then willingly I would haue stayed there From hence I sayled Northward but met with Ice in latitude 79. degrees 50. minutes being six leagues from Hackluyts Head-land then I coasted the Ice as it lay in Points and Bayes to the Westwards and South-westward and being thirtie leagues from the Land in latitude 79. degrees 10. minutes I found it to trend Northward and North-westwards and coasted it to the latitude of 79. degrees 50. minutes but then I was embayed with Ice and was faine to stand out againe and sailed aboue ten leagues before I got cleere when I was out of this Bay I proceeded South Westerly with the Ice on the starboord to the latitude 78. degrees 30. minutes where being fortie leagues from the shoare I was againe embayed with the Ice and hauing had faire Sun-shine weather all the day which made mee the bolder to stand so neere it the weather on a sudden fell foggie and the wind beganne to blow hard at South which put vs to great trouble and no small perill but the Almightie power who hath mercifully deliuered vs heretofore out of as great dangers preserued vs also from this when wee were gotten cleere off the Ice we had the Sea much growne and the storme increasing but beeing desirous still to keepe the Sea I stood close by the wind vnder a payre of coarses till the Pinnasse waxt leake with bearing too much sayle and there was forced to lye atry vnder a mayne coarse only and although shee stemmed South-east and South-east by South yet was she hurried violently to the North-eastwards and by the mercifull prouidence of God we fell right with the Fore-land in latitude 79. degrees then I stood ouer Sir Thomas Smiths Bay for harbour in Crosse-road where I anchored the thirteenth of Iuly being Thursday I stayed here foure dayes in which time my men mended the Sayles and ships tackling that had receiued hurt by the late storme and made a new mayne Sayle to serue in time of need and on the seuenteenth of Iuly I weighed out of Crosse-road and sayling Westwards from thence came to Ice againe in latitude 78. degrees 40. minutes which I coasted as it lay neerest South-west or more Westerly but with many Points Bayes wherewith I was sometimes intangled yet God be thanked got cleere againe either by helpe of Oares or Sayles without any hurt In this sort I proceeded with good satisfaction although not with so good content till I came to the latitude of 76. degrees beeing aboue one hundred leagues from Point Looke-out but then was crossed with a contrarie storme from the South-west and South South-west which droue me to the South-eastward till I came in the latitude of 74. degrees and then I made my way Westward againe so neere as I could lye close by the winde and ouer-ranne the formerly supposed Land of Groynland which some haue layd downe in plats and extended to 75. degrees When I came into the latitude of 73. degrees I stood West and North-west and fell with Ice againe in latitude 73. degrees 50. minutes and thought indeed at that time that I was neere Land by abundance of Fowle which we saw in great flockes but such thicke fogges haue continued for three or foure dayes together that we might sooner heare the Land if anywere then see it and so did we first find this Ice by hearing the rut thinking till we saw it that it had beene Land so that we were embayed with it before we thought that we had beene neere it then I stood out againe and coasted the Ice still to the Westwards Southerly but could see no Land as I expected to haue done vntill wee came vnder the latitude of 71. degrees thirtie minutes and then we espyed a snowie Hill very high in the cloudes for this day was very cleere at Sea but the fogge was not yet cleered from the Land so that we could see no part of it but only the top of a snowie Mountayne which appeared very high although wee were fourteene or fifteene leagues distant from it bearing off vs South-east and by South Then I stood in for the shoare supposing it had beene part of the Mayne of Groynland for the fogge lay on each side of this Mount as if there had beene a great Continent vnder it but it proued otherwise for as we came neerer to it the fogge dispersed more and more and when wee were fiue leagues distant the Land appeared in forme like an Iland When I came neerer the shore I could find no Harbor to anchor in Notwithstanding the weather being faire calme I hoist out my Boat went ashore with three men more and set vp the Kings Armes then we searched a Sandie Beach which was abundantly stored with drift wood but yeelded no other fruits that we could find worth the taking vp so I returned aboord againe and sent ashoare my Boat to fetch some
wood But before the men had laid into her the little quantitie that she was able to carrie they came aboard againe for the wind began to blow hard and the Sea to goe loftie so that here was no place for vs to abide any longer otherwise I was purposed to haue searched further alongst the shoare but this gale of winde comming Northerly I stood from hence to the Westwards being desirous to see more Land or finde a more open Sea And hauing sayled about fifteene or sixteene leagues I met with Ice again in latitude 71. degrees and coasted it eight or nine leagues further Westward and South-westward as it lay but then the wind came to the South-west and we stood close by it a while to the Southwards but finding the gale to increase and considering that it was the most contrary winde which could blow against my further proceeding for the Ice as we found did ââend neerest South-west and besides if there had beene any high Land within twentie leagues of vs wee might perfectly haue made it the weather was so faire and cleere In these respects and for the Reasons following I tooke the benefit of this wind to returne to the North-eastwards againe being now about two hundred leagues from King Iames his New Land in latitude 71. degrees First I purposed to sayle alongst the South-east side of the Land that I had discouered to bee better satisfied what Harbours there were and what likelihood of profit to ensue and from thence to proceed to the place where I first fell with Ice in latitude 73. degrees when I was driuen to the South-eastwards with a Westerly storme for I am yet verily perswaded that being there we were not farre from Land although wee could not see it by reason of thicke foggie weather Then my further intent was if I found no good occasion to spend my time there for to coast the Ice or try the open Sea to the Northwards betwixt 73. and 76. degrees where formerly I had not receiued desired satisfaction by reason of a storme that draue me off and then I purposed if time might seeme conuenient to proceed to the North Coast of King Iames his New Land to haue seene what hope was there to be had for passage Northward or for compassing of the Land which is most like to be an Iland I stood away East and by South and being neere the foresaid Iland the winde came to the West and blew a very hard gale wherewith I passed alongst the South-east side of the Iland vnder a paire of coarses but without that satisfaction which I expected for the winde blowing so stormie and the Sea growne very great I was forced to stand further from the shoare then willingly I would haue done and besides there was a thicke fogge vpon the Land whereby I could not be satisfied what Harbours or Roads were about it yet might we see three or foure Capes or Head-lands as if there went in Bayes betwixt them I sayled about it and then stood to the Northward againe and being now assured that it was an Iland I named it Sir Thomas Smiths Iland This Iland is about ten leagues in length and stretcheth North-east and South-west it is high Land and at the North end of it there is a Mountayne of a wonderfull height and bignesse all couered with Snow which I called Mount Hackluyt the base or foot of it on the East side is almost foure leagues long it hath three such sides at the base lying out to the Sea and from the fourth side doth the rest of the Iland extend it selfe towards the South-west which is also as it were a place fortified with Castles and Bulwarkes for on each side there bee three or foure high Rockes which stand out from the Land appearing like Towres and Forts It lyes in the parallel of 71. degrees where the Needle varieth from the true Meridian Westwards eight degrees The Land is generally so farre as I haue seene Rockie and very barren and worse then the Land that I haue seene in King Iames his New Land vnder eightie degrees for there is no grasse but mosse and where I first landed vpon low ground all the stones were like vnto a Smiths finders both in colour and forme the sand is generally mixed with a corne like Amber the Beaches are abundantly stored with drift wood and many stones light like Pumis which will swimme on the water I saw many traces of Foxes and the footing of Beares but not any signe of Deere or other liuing creatures and very small store of Fowle From hence I stood to the Northward according to my former purpose but was crossed with a contrarie storme from the North-west which put me off to the Eastward but as the wind shifted I made my way to the North-westwards all I could and came againe to the Ice in latitude 75. degrees from whence I proceeded towards King Iames his New Land and had sight of the Land the eighteenth of August being in latitude 77. degrees 30. minutes and hauing a hard gale of wind then at North-west I stood close by it vnder a paire of coarses but could not weather Prince Charles Iland and therefore I bore vp intending to goe into Nicks Coue which is on the North side of Ice-sound there to attend a faire winde and in the meane time to get ballast aboard the Pinnasse and all other things necessary But comming to enter into the Harbour I thought it not a place conuenient because I could hardly haue gotten out againe with a Southerly wind which would carrie me to the Northwards and therefore I stood ouer for Green-harbor where I anchored at one a clocke in the morning the nineteenth of August Here I caused my men to launch a shallop and to get ballast and water aboard the Pinnasse and before nine a clocke at night I was readie to proceed Northward with the first faire winde I stayed here fiue dayes during which time it blew hard for the most part at North and North-west and on the foure and twentieth of August the winde came to the East North-east as wee supposed till we were out of the Harbour so I set sayle to proceed Northward and had the wind Easterly out of Ice-sound wherewith I stood North-west towards Cape Cold but being cleere of the high Land we found the wind to bee at North North-east therefore I resolued of another course which was this Hauing perused Hudsons Iournall written by his owne hand in that Voyage wherein hee had sight of certayne Land which he named Hold-with-hope I found that by his owne reckoning it should not be more then one hundred leagues distant from King Iames his New Land and in the latitude of 72. degrees 30. minutes or thereabouts therefore seeing I could not proceed Northward I purposed to goe to the South-westwards to haue sight of this Land and discouer it if wind and weather would permit So I stood away
killed sufficient to fill all our Casks to leaue for them if there be occasion The foure and twentieth of Iune there was killed at Faire-hauen eighteene Whales which proue verie small to yeelde by their estimation one hundred and twentie tunnes hauing there fiue Flemmings well fortified and ships of fiue hundred Tuns some of them and two more expected thither euerie day which I feare will hinder much our shippes in their fishing this yeare and in my iudgement not to be remoued from thence for they hauing a Commission from the States to fish vpon this Coast were our whole Fleete there and could put them away yet would they flie to one of our Southerne harbours and so should we spend our time in following of them and lose our Voyage There were two French Ships of Saint Iohn de Luz at Faire-Hauen which were put away by the Flemmings and our Ships which they iudge are gone for the Cape With a beanie heart I write you the lamentable accident which happened here the eight and twentieth of Iune our shallops all out in chase and my selfe asleepe my brother hauing a shallop lying by the ships side spide a Whale going into the Ice Bay followed him and strucke him and his rope being new ranne out with kinckes which ouerthrew his shallop where he lost his life with my Boy Bredrake being as we thinke carried away with the rope the dearest Whale to me that euer was strucke in this harbour there was neuer anie losse I thinke went so neere my heart c. Many other Letters I could haue added but doubt I haue already wearied you with this vncouth Coast whereto our English Neptunes are now so wonted that there they haue found not onely Venison but Pernassus and Helicon and haue melted a Musaaâ Fountain out of the Greenland Snowes and Icie Rockes who le Elaborate Poems haue I seene of Master Heley as also of Iames Presson there composed but we haue harsher Discoueries in hand to which wee are now shipping you This I thought good at our parting to aduertise thee that Master Heley hath affirmed to me touching the diuersitie of weather in Greeneland that one day it hath beene so cold the winds blowing out of some quarter that they could scarce handle the frozen sailes another day so hot that the pitch melted off the ship so that hardly they could keepe their cloathes from pollution yea he hath seene at midnight Tobacco lighted or fired by the Sunne-beames with a Glasse Likewise for a farewell to our Whale-storie I thought good to deliuer Stowes relation touching a Whale somewhat differing in forme from those here vsually found in Greeneland my selfe also hauing spoken with some diligent viewers thereof in Thanet where it was taken Iulie 9. 1574. shooting himselfe on shore besides Rammesgate in the Parish of Saint Peter and there dying forsaken of his Ocean parent Hee came on shoare about sixe of the clocke at night and died about sixe the next morning before which time he roared and was heard more then a mile on the land The length was two and twentie yards the nether iaw twelue foote in the opening one of his eyes which in the Greene-land Whale is verie small not much greater then the eye of an Oxe being taken out of his head was more then sixe Horses in a Cart could draw a man stood vpright in the place whence the eye was taken The thicknesse from the backe whereon he lay to his bellie which was vpwards was fourteene foote his taile of the same breadth three men stood vpright in his mouth betwixt his eyes twelue foote some of the ribs sixteene foote long the tongue fifteene foote long his liuer two Cart load into his nostrils anie man might haue crept the Oyle of his head Spermaciti c. CHAP. IX The late changes and manifold alterations in Russia since IVAN VASILOWICH to this present gathered out of many Letters and Obseruations of English Embassadors and other Trauellers in those parts §. I. Of the reigne of IVAN PHEODORâ his sonne and of BORIS REader I here present thee not what I would of Russian affaires but what I could We Englishmen vnder the gouernment of his Maiestie haue enioyed such a Sun-shine of peace that our Summers day to many hath beene tedious they haue loathed their Manna and lenged for I know not what Egyptians flesh pots For what else are Warres but pots set ouer the fire of Anger how often of Furie yea of Hell the Furies or Deuils blowing the coales and boyling mans flesh who le Families Villages Townes Cities Shires Prouinces not onely hurried thereby in confusions of State harried and enflamed with combustions of goods and goodnesse but the flesh of Men Women and Children but chered and as it were boyled beyond the manifold shapes of Death vnto the bones into the Vapors Froth Scumme Chaos nothing and lesse then nothing of Humanitie Such is the inhumanitie the immanitie the inanitie of Warres And such Warres haue made impressions into all our Neighbour Countries whiles wee sit vnder the shadow of Beati Pacifici haue lightened on Turkie and blasted the Seraglio haue thunder-stricken Barbarie haue torne the Atlas there and rent the Grison Alpes in Europe haue shaken France with earthquakes haue raysed Belgian stormes Bohemian broyles Hungarian gusts Germanian whirlewinds these selfe-diuided in Ciuill that is the vilest vnciuillest massacres and worst of Warres that I mention not the inundations and exundations of Poland the Snowes and Mists of Sweden the Danish Hailes and Frosts But all these and more then all these Tempests Turnado's Tuffons haue combined in Russia and there made their Hell-mouth centre there pitching the Tents of Destruction there erecting the Thrones of Desolation Pestilence and Famine had gone two yeeres before as direful Heralds to denounce these dreadfull warres and mutations of State the Pestilence possessing the Northerne parts of the World and dispossesing it of many thousands the Famine in Russia wanting necessaries to eate necessarily deuoured all things not onely Cats Mice and impure Creatures but mens flesh also and that in neerest necessitude Parents reuoking to their wombes by vnnaturall passage the dearest pledges of Nature which hauing euen now dyed with hunger were made preseruatiues from like death to those which first had giuen them life The Mightier made sale of the Poorer yea Fathers and Mothers of their Sonnes and Daughters and Husbands of their Wiues that price might bee had to buy Corne which was now beyond all names of whatsoeuer price credible But these things must be further searched Bloudinesse is a slipperie foundation of Greatnesse and the Mercifull haue the promise to finde mercy other wisedome how euer seeming politike is earthly sensuall deuillish yea ruine to the foole-wise Consultors as appeareth in Pharaohs working wisely that is cruelly to preuent the multiplying Israelites The greatest of Creatures on Sea and Land the Elephant and Whale liue on grasse weeds
by the common people was as narrowly performed for they did not onely watch vs as the Gouernor commanded but amongst themselues a secret conspiracie was made that in the dead of night when wee should be fast asleepe they should come and take vs in our beds and there to binde vs with cords it being an easie thing to doe so when our company were diuided one from another ouer the whole Iland At the houre agreed vpon the plot was put in force for they entred our Chambers and bound euery Souldier as he lay making them all ready like so many sheepe marked out for the slaughter For mine owne part I had fiue men and three women to binde me who so cunningly tyed me fast with cords whilst I slept and felt nothing nor deampt of any such matter that with a twitch onely I was plucked starke naked out of my bed and laid vpon the cold earth vnderneath a Table with my armes bound behinde me so extreamely hard as foure men could draw them together my feete tyed to the foote of the Table and my necke bound to the vpper part or bord of the Table In these miserable tortures lay I and all the rest in seuerall houses all that night and the most part of the next day our armes and legges being pinched and wrung together in such pittilesse manner that the very bloud gushed out at the fingers ends of many The enduring of which torments was so much the more grieuous because none knew what we had done that could incense them to this so strange and spitefull cruelty neither could we albeit we inquired learne of our tormenters the cause because we vnderstood not their language Whilest thus the whole Iland was full of the cries of wretched men and that euery house seemed a shambles ready to haue Innocents there butchered the next day and that euery Ilander had the office of a common cut-throate or executioner Gods wonderfull working turned the streame of all their cruelty For the two ships that came out of the low Countries and whose arriuall draue so many miserable soules almost vpon the rocks of destruction hauing in that dolefull and ruinous night gotten some prouision aboord weighed Anchor and departed towards Swethland Which happy newes being serued vp at breakfast to the Lord Gouernour betimes in the morning and that the Shippes had offerd no violence to the Countrey but had paid for what they tooke About eleauen of the clocke the very same day at noone wee were all like vnto so many dead men cut downe and bidden to stand vpon our legges although very few had scarce legges that could stand Of one accident more that befell I thinke it not amisse to take note which began merrily but ended tragically and in bloud and that was this Foure of our company being lodged in one Village and they being bound to the peace as you may perceiue the rest were it happened that an Hoast where one of them lay had ââpled hard and gotten a Horses disease called the Staggers In comes he stumbling to the roome where the poore Englishman was bound to the Table hand and foote which thing the drunken Sot beholding drew his Hatchet which he wore at his girdle according to the fashion of the Country and because hee would be sure his prisoner should not escape with his Hatchet he cleft his head And thinking in that drunken murderous humour he had done a glorious act away he reâles out of his owne house to that house where the other three Souldiours lay bound where beating at the doores and windowes and the Hoast asking what he meant to make such a damnable noyse he told him so well as he could sâammeâ it out that the Lord Gouernour had sent him thither to put the three English-men to death Vpon this the diuell and he hand in hand were let in the one standing so close at the others elbow that he neuer left him till he had cleft two of their heads that lay bound and being then weary it should seeme with playing the butcher he neuer ceased swearing and staring and flourishing with his bloudy Axe about their heads till the people of the house had hung the third man vpon a beame in the roome But they hauing lesse cunning in the Hang-mans trade then will to practise it eyed not the halter so fast about his necke as to strangle him so that after hee had hung an houre hee was cut downe reuiued againe was well and afterwards was slaine in Russia This bloudy feast being thus ended and all stormes as we well hoped being now blowne ouer to our freedome and sitting at liberty from our tormentors on the necke of these former miseries fell a mischiefe more dangerous to vs then all the rest for tidings were brought to the Gouernour that our Auncient who trauailed with the Gouernours two men to the King had trayterously murdered those his guides and then ranne away himselfe vpon this rumour nothing but thundring and lightning flew from the common peoples mouthes there was no way now with vs but one and that one was to haue all our throats cut or our heads cleft with their Axes But the Gouernor pittying our misfortunes laboured both by his authority by faire speeches to keepe that many-headed dogge the multitude from barking And in the end when he saw nothing but the bloud of vs poore Englishmen would satisfie their thirst because they still held vs in suspition and feare he most nobly and like a vertuous Magistrate pawned to the inhumane Rascals to my knowledge his honour all that euer he was worth yea his very life vnto them that within three dayes the messengers sent to the King should returne home and that during those three dayes we should be of good behauiour to the Ilanders and besides that if they did not returne in such a time that then he would deliuer vs vp into their hands Our Auncient with the Gouernours two men came home vpon the third day to the Gouernours house and brought from the King of Denmarke his licence to carry vs not onely through the Country but commanding that we should be allowed shipping also at conuenient place to carry vs to Sweueland whither we were to goe And according to this Licence the Gouernour caused vs to be called all together the very next day at which time Thomas Griffin the Welch Iâdas who had all this while lyen feasting in the house of the Lord Gouernour began to tremble and repent him of his villanie begging most base forgiuenesse on his knees both from the Gouernour and vs his Countrimen and fellow Souldiours protesting that what he did came out of his feare to saue his owne life But our Officers vpon hearing him speake thus had much adoe to keepe the companies from pulling downe the house where Griffin lay because they would in that rage haue hewed the villaine in peeces But leauing him and all such betrayers of mens
the Hauen of Saint Iohn the third day of August written in haste 1527. By your seruant Iohn Rut to his vttermost of his power I haue by me also Albert de Prato's originall Letter in Latin stile almost as harsh as the former English and bearing the same date and was indorsed Reuerend in Christo Patri Domino Domino Cardinali Domino Legatâ Angliae and began Reuerendissime in Christo Pater salutem Reuerendissime Pater plaeceat Reuerendissima peternitati vestra scire Deo fauente post quam exiuimus à Plemut quae fuit x. Iunij c. the substance is the same with the former and therefore omitted Datum apud le Baya Saint Iohan in Terris Nouis die x. Augusti 1527. Reuer Patr. vest humilis seruus Albertus de Prato the name written in the lowest corner of the sheet The voyage of Captaine GEORGE WEYMOVTH intended for the discouerie of the North-west Passage toward China with two flye Boates. ON Sunday the second day of May 1602. in the afternoone I weighed anchor and set saile from Redcliffe with two Fly-boates the one called the Discouery of seuentie Tunnes and the other called the God speed of sixtie Tunnes to discouer the North-west passage hauing in my ships fiue and thirtie men and boyes throughly victualled and abundantly furnished with all necessaries for a yeere and an halfe by the right Worshipfull Merchants of the Moscouie and Turkie Companies who for the better successe of the voyage prouided mee of a great trauailer and learned Minister one Master Iohn Cartwright The Master vnder mee in the Discouerie was one William Cobreth a skilfull man in his profession and in the God speed one Iohn Drewe and Mate in the said ship one Iohn Lane The first of Iune we descried Buquhamnes in the Latitude of 57. degrees The second day we saw the Point of Buquhamnes North-west from vs being a very smooth land and the land by it to the Southward riseth with many Homocks There lyeth a ledge of Rockes hard by the Nesse in a sandie Bay faire by the shore When we came neer the land we met with a fisher Boat and I agreed with one of the fisher men to carry me betweene the Isles of Orkney because I was not acquainted with the coast The fourth day at ten of the clocke wee descried the Isles of Orkney Some of those Southerne Ilands are prettie high land but the Northerne Iland which is called the Start is very low land There is no danger giuing the shore a good birth vnlesse it be by the Norther point of the Start there doth a ledge of Rockes lye a mile from the shoare At noone I found my selfe to be in the latitude of 59. degrees and 30. minutes the point of the Start bearing West and at one of the clocke in the afternoone we saw a faire I le which bare North-east and by North from vs and at eight of the clocke at night wee were North of the Start Then I directed my course West and by North. The fifth day about ten of the clocke in the morning we ranne some tenne leagues and then we saw two small Ilands some two leagues off and at eight and nine of the clocke we saw foure or fiue Boats of Fisher-men and spake with one of them and they were Scottish-men The sixt in the morning fell much raine and lasted till nine of the clocke and at ten of the clocke it cleared vp and became very faire weather and very temperate and warme and our course was West The seauenth the winde was at East and by North faire weather and our course West The eight at noone I obserued the Sunne and found vs to be in 59. degrees and fortie seuen minutes and we ran West South-west The twelfth day we held our course West the winde at East North-east with fogge in the morning at noone I obserued the Sunne and found my selfe in 57. degrees and 55. minutes the variation here was nothing at all The thirteenth at noone our course was West and by North the winde at North-east with fogge some three or foure houres and then cleare againe the ayre very warme as in England in the moneth of May. The foureteenth was faire weather and the winde at East North-east and our course West and by North. The fifteenth much raine all the forenoone our course West the winde at East and by North. The sixteenth the winde was at North North-east with much raine winde and fogge In the forenoone being very cold and at noone I obserued the Sun and found vs to be in 57. degrees and 35. minutes we found the variation to be eleuen degrees Westward and by that meane I found my selfe to be one degree more to the Southward then we should haue bin by our course for we could not see the Sunne in 96. houres before this day at noone and at our last obseruation before this which was the twelfth day we could not finde any variation at all Then we stood close by a winde to the Westward the winde being at North North-east The seauenteenth wee ranne North and by West the winde at North North-east faire weather This day we saw many gray Gulles and some Pigions The eighteenth at noone I obserued the Sunne and found our selues to be in the latitude of 59. degrees and 51. minutes And then we first descried a great Iland of Ice which lay North from vs as farre as we could ken it from the head of our maine topmast and about two of the clocke in the afternoone we saw the South part of Groneland North from vs some ten leagues As we coasted this Ice to the Northward we found it to be a maine banke of Ice for we saw the other end of it to beare West North-west from vs the winde being at South South-west little winde Then we ranne West South-west to cleere vs of the Ice The nineteenth the winde was at East South-east with some small raine The twentieth our course was West North-west the winde being at North and by East little winde This day sometimes we came into blacke water as thicke as puddle and in sailing a little space the water would be cleare againe Seeing this change of water so often to be thick and cleare againe so suddenly we imagined it had beene shallow water then we founded and could fetch no ground in one hundred and twenty fathomes and the Sea was so smooth that we could discerne no current at all At this time I reckoned the Cape of desolation to beare North North-east twentie foure leagues from vs. The one and twentieth the winde was variable The two and twentieth we were in the latitude of 60. degrees and 37. minutes the winde being at West wee ranne North and by West The seauen and twentieth the winde was at West South-west then our course was North-west and by North the weather faire and warme as in England in
vnto them that I would not offer any violence vnto them for so doing And indeede they had drawn in writing the causes of their bearing vp of the helme and thereunto set their hands and would haue left them in my Cabin but by good chance I vnderstood their pretence and preuented them for that time The twentieth day I called the chiefest of my Company into my Cabin before Master Iohn Cartwright our Preacher and our Master William Cobreth to heare what reasons they could alleadge for the bearing vp of the Helme which might he an ouerthrow to the Voyage seeing the Merchants had bin at so great a charge with it After much conference they deliuered mee their reasons in writing Concluding that although it were granted that we might winter betweene 60. and 70. degrees of latitude with safetie of our liues and Vessels yet it will be May next before wee can dismore them to lanch out into the Sea And therefore if the Merchants should haue purpose to proceede on the discouerie of these North-west parts of America the next yeare you may be in the aforesaid latitudes for England by the first of May and so be furnished better with men and victuals to passe and proceede in the aforesaid action Seeing then that you cannot assure vs of a safe harbour to the Northward wee purpose to beare vp the Helme for England yet with this limitation that if in your wisedome you shall thinke good to make any discouery either in 60. or 57. degrees with this faire Northerly winde we yeelde our liues with your selfe to encounter any danger Thus much we thought needefull to signifie as a matter builded vpon reason and not proceeding vpon feare or cowardise Then wee being in the latitude of 68. degrees and 53. minutes the next following about eleuen of the clocke they bare vp the Helme being all so bent that there was no meanes to perswade them to the contrary At last vnderstanding of it I came forth of my Cabin and demanded of them who bare vp the Helme They answered me One and All. So they hoysed vp all the sayle they could and directed their course South and by West The two and twentieth I sent for the chiefest of those which were the cause of the bearing vp of the Helme and punished them seuerely that this punishment might be a warning to them afterward for falling into the like mutinie In the end vpon the intreatie of Master Cartwright our Preacher and the Master William Cobreaths vpon their submission I remitted some part of their punishment At twelue of the clocke at noone wee came hard by a great Iland of Ice the Sea being very smooth and almost calme wee hoysed out the Boates of both our Shippes being in want of fresh water and went to this Iland to get some Ice to make vs fresh water And as wee were breaking off some of this Ice which was verie painefull for vs to doe for it was almost as hard as a Rocke the great Iland of Ice gaue a mightie cracke two or three times as though it had bin a thunder-clappe and presently the Iland began to ouerthrow which was like to haue sunke both our Boates if wee had not made good haste from it But thankes be to God we escaped this danger very happily and came aboord with both our Boates the one halfe laden with Ice There was great store of Sea Foule vpon this Iland of Ice The fiue and twentieth and six and twentieth the winde being at East did blow a hard gale and our course was West and by South with fogge This day in the afternoone I did reckon my selfe to be in the entering of an Inlet which standeth in the latitude of 61. degrees and 40. minutes The seuen and twentieth the winde was at South South-east and blew very hard our course was West The eight and twentieth and nine and twentieth our course was West and by South the winde blowing very hard at East South-east with fogge and raine The thirtieth the winde came vp in a showre by the West North-west blowing so hard that wee were forced to put a fore the Sea Now because the time of the yeare was farre spent and many of our men in both Shippes sicke wee thought it good to returne with great hope of this Inlet to bee a passage of more possibilitie then through the Straight of Dauis because I found it not much pestered with Ice and to be a straight of fortie leagues broad Also I sayled an hundred leagues West and by South within this Inlet and there I found the variation to be 35. degrees to the Westward and the needle to decline or rather incline 83. degrees and an halfe The fifth of August the winde all that while Westerly wee were cleare of this Inlet againe The sixth the winde was at East South-east with fogge The seauenth eight and ninth we passed by many great Ilands of Ice The ninth day at night we descried the land of America in the latitude of 55. degrees and 30. minutes This Land was an Iland being but low land and very smooth then the night approaching and the weather being something foggie and darke we were forced to stand to the Northward againe This night we passed by some great Ilands of Ice and some bigge peeces which did breake from the great Ilands and we were like to strike some of them two or three times which if we had done it might haue endangered our Shippes and liues Our consort the Godspeede strooke a little piece of Ice which they thought had foundred their Shippe but thankes be to God they receiued no great hurt for our Shippes were very strong The tenth day the winde was at North-east and by North with fogge and raine and our course was to the South-eastward for we could by no meanes put with the shoare by reason of the thicknesse of the fogge and that the winde blew right vpon the shoare so that we were forced to beare saile to keepe our selues from the land vntill it pleased God to send vs a cleare which God knoweth we long wanted At sixe of the clocke in the afternoone it was calme and then I iudged my selfe by mine account to be neere the Land so I founded and had ground in 160. fathomes and fine grey Osie Sand and there was a great Iland of Ice a ground within a league of vs where we sounded and within one houre it pleased God to send vs a cleere Then we saw the land some foure leagues South-west and by South from vs. This land lyeth East and by South and West and by North being good high land but all Ilands as farre as wee could discerne This calme continued vntill foure of the clocke in the afternoone of the eleuenth day the weather being very cleere we could not discerne any Current to goe at all by this Land This day the Sea did set vs in about a league
hands The sixt we came to Flâcârie into which harbour by Gods helpe we came at two a clocke in the afternoone The seauenth day we supplied our wants of wood and water The eight day about two a clocke in the afternoone we set sayle forth of the harbour of Flecoriâ about six a clock it fell calme till about eight about which time the Nasâ of Norway by the Danish men called Lyndis-âose bare next hand North-west of vs sixe leagues off at which time I directed my course West North-west finding the compasse varied 7. degrees 10. minutes to the Eastwards of the true North. The thirteenth we had sight of the Hand of Faire I le and also of the South-head of Shâtland called Swimborne hâad which are high Lands at noone the Iland of Faire Ile bearing West halfe a point Northerly foure leagues off I made obseruation and found vs in the latitude of 59. degrees 20. minutes This night about seuen a clocke wee came about an English league to the Northwards of the North-west and of Faire I le wee met with a great race of a tyde as though it had beene the race of Portland it setting North North-west Being out of the said race I directed my course West and by North hauing the winde North-east and by North this euening Faire Ile bearing East South-east foure leagues Swimborne head North-east and by North eight leagues the Iland of Foolâ North-east and by East seuen leagues I found by exact obseruation the compasse to be varied to the East-ward of the true North 60. degrees 10. minutes The fourteââth in the morning the winde came to the East South-east wee steering West and by North away this morning the Iland of Faire Ile did shew in my sight to bee about ten leagues off at which time we did descrie two of the Westermost Ilands of Orkney which did beare South-west and by South The eighteenth the winde at North-west and by West wee laid it away South-west and by West and sometimes South-west This day ãâã noone wee were in the Latitude of 58. degrees 40. minutes The nineteenth day the winde at South-west and South-west and by West wee lying as the night before being at noone in the Latitude of 59. degrees and a halfe The foure and twentieth day the winde at North-east and by East we steering still with a fresh gale West South-west this euening we looked to haue seene Busse Iland but I doe verily suppose the same to be placed in a wrong Latitude in the Marine Charts The sixe and twentieth at noone wee were in the latitude of 57. degrees 45. minutes The thirtieth day in the morning betweene seuen and eight the weather began to cleere and the Sea and winde to waxe lesse wee looking for the Lion and the Pinnasse could haue no sight of them we supposing them to bee a sterne off vs we standing still vnder our courses This day the winde came to the North-east and by East being very cold weather we lying North North-west away Making my obseruation at noone I found vs in the latitude of 59. degrees 15. minutes our way North North-west fortie leagues This afternoon between one and two a clock we descried Land it bearing North North-east off vs about ten leagues off North-east by North off vs about ten leagues it being a very high ragged land lying in the latitude of 59. degrees 50. minutes lying alongst South-east and by South and North-west and by North. This Head-land wee named after the Kings Maiesties of Denmarke because it was the first part of Groenland which we did see This afternoone about one a clock bearing in for the shoare we saw an Iland of Ice which bore West South-west of vs three leagues off so hauing the wind at East South-east we bore in for the shoare where wee found so much Ice that it was impossible either for vs or any other ship to come into the shoare without great danger yet wee put our selues into the Ice as wee thought conuenient being incumbred and compassed about with the same in such sort as the Captaine my selfe the Boatswaine with another of our companie were forced to goe ouerboord vpon an Iland of Ice to defend it from the ship at which time I thought it conuenient to stand off into the Sea againe and so being cleere of the Ice to double Cape Desolation to the North-westwards of which I doubted not but to find a cleer coast so standing away all this night West South-west to cleere vs of the Ice which lay farre from the shoare being very thicke towards the Land with great Ilands of Ice that it is wonderfull This euening the Cape Christian bearing North-east and by East fiue leagues I found the Compasse varied 12. degrees 15. minutes to the North-westwards Moreouer standing to Seaward from the foresaid Cape we came in blacke water as thicke as though it had beene puddle water we sayling in the same for the space of three houres The one and thirtieth in the morning faire weather with the winde somewhat variable wee steering away North-west and by West betweene foure and fiue in the morning we had sight of the Lion againe but not of the Pinnasse They being a Sea-boord off and hauing espied vs they stood with vs at which time the Captaine Lieutenant and Steereman came aboord vs earnestly intreating mee to bestow a Sea Chart of the Steerman and to giue him directions if by tempestuous weather they should lose vs they protesting and swearing that they would neuer leaue vs as long as winde and weather would permit them to keepe companie with vs. By whose speechees I being perswaded did giue them a Sea Chart for those Coasts telling them that if they would follow me that by Gods assistance I would bring them to a part of the Land void without pester of Ice and also harbour the ships in good Harbour by Gods helpe they swearing and protesting that they would follow mee so long as possibly they could with which oathes and faire speeches I rested satisfied thinking they had thought as they had sworne but it fell out otherwise So hauing made an end with vs about noone they went aboord againe wee being this day in the latitude of 59. degrees 45. minutes hauing stood all the night before and this forenoone also so nigh the shoare as wee could for Ice the Cape Christian South South-east and North North-west and from the Cape to Cape Desolation the Land lyeth East and by South and West and by North about fiftie leagues This day betweene one and two a clocke the Vice-admirals Boat being newly gone aboord it fell very hasie and thicke so that wee could not see one another by reason of the fog therefore our Captaine caused to shoote off certaine Muskets with a great peece of Ordnance to the intent the Lion might heare vs which heard of them they presently stood with vs at which time
said means they catch them So comming aboord our ships hauing left certaine trifles behind vs in their Tents and taking nothing away with vs within halfe an houre after our comming aboord the Sauage to whom wee had giuen the Knife with three others which we did suppose to be them which we saw first came rowing to our ships in their Boats holding vp their hands to the Sunne and striking of their brests crying Yota We doing the like they came to our shippe or Captaine giuing them bread and Wine which as it did seeme they made little account of yet they gaue vs some of their dryed fishes at which time there came foure more who with the other bartered their Coats and some Seale skinnes with our folke for old Iron Nailes and other trifles as Pinnes and Needles with which they seemed to be wonderfully pleased and hauing so done holding their hands towards the Sunne they departed The thirteenth there came fourteene of them to our ship bringing with them Seale skinnes Whale Finnes with certayne of their Darts and Weapons which they bartered with our people as before This day I made obseruation of the latitude and found this Roadsted in the latitude of 66. degrees 25. minutes and the mouth of this Bay or Sound lyeth in the latitude of 66. degrees 30. minutes Also here I made obseruation of the tydes and found an East and West Moone to make a full Sea vpon the Full and Change more it floweth three fathome and an halfe water right vp and downe The fourteenth and fifteenth dayes we rode still the people comming to vs and bartering with vs for pieces of old Iron or Nailes Whale Finnes Seales Skinnes Morse Teeth and a kind of Horne which we doe suppose to be Vnicornes Horne at which time the Captaine went with our Boat to the place where we had seene their Tents but found them remoued and the other fish and the Seale fish lying still a drying the Captaine taking a quantitie of the Sea fish into the Boat caused some of the Mariners to boyle it ashoare the Sauages helping our men to doe the same the Captaine vsing them very friendly they hauing made about a barrell and an halfe of Oyle leauing it aland all night thinking to bring the same aboord in the morning But the Sauages the same night let the same forth Yet notwithstanding the Captaine shewed no manner of discontent towards them The sixteenth day I went into the Pinnasse to discouer certaine Harbours to the Northwards the wind being at East South-east I loosed and set saile but instantly it fell calme and so continued about an houre When the wind came opposite at the West North-west a stiffe gale we spending the tide till the floud being come I put roome againe and came to an Anchor a little from the Frost in twelue fathomes sandie ground About one in the afternoone the Frost departed from vs further vp the Bay which we did suppose to be a Riuer promising to abide our returne two and twentie dayes The seuenteenth day the wind continuing at the West North-west blowing very hard wee rode still the people comming and bartering with vs. The eighteenth day the winde and weather as before wee riding still This forenoone there came to the number of thirtie of them and bartered with vs as they had done before which done they went ashoare at a certaine point about a slight-shot off vs and there vpon a sudden began to throw stones with certaine Slings which they had without any iniury offered at all yea they did sling so fiercely that we could scarce stand on the hatches I seeing their brutish dealing caused the Gunner to shoot a Falcon at them which lighted a little ouer them at which time they went to their Boates and rowed away About one a clocke in the afternoone they came againe to vs crying in their accustomed manner Yliânt they being sixtie three in number the shripper inquired of me whether they should come to vs or not I willed him to haue all things in a readinesse they comming in the meane time nigh to the Pinnasse I did perceiue certaine of them to haue great bagges full of stones they whispering one with another began to sling stones vnto vs. I presently shot off a little Pistol which I had for the Gunner and the rest of the folke to discharge which indeed they did but whether they did hurt or kill any of them or not I cannot certainly tell but they rowed all away making a howling and hideous noise going to the same point whereas in the forenoone they had beene being no sooner come on Land but from the Hils they did so assaile vs with stones with their slings that it is incredible to report in such sort that no man could stand vpon the Hatches till such time as I commanded for to lose sailes and bonnets two mens height to shield vs from the force of the stones and also did hide vs from their sight so that we did ply our Muskets and other Peeces such as wee had at them but their subtiltie was such that as soone as they did see fire giuen to the Peeces they would suddenly ducke downe behind the Cliffes and when they were discharged then sling their stones fiercely at vs againe Thus hauing continued there till foure a clocke they departed away The nineteenth day in the morning about foure a clocke it beeing calme I departed from this Roadsted so causing our men to row alongst the shoare till the tide of the ebbe was bent at which time it began to blow a fresh gale at North-west and by West we turning downe till about two a clocke when the tide of âloud being come when I came to an Anchor in an excellent Hauen on the South side of Cunninghams Mount which for the goodnesse thereof I named Denmarkes Hauen The twentieth day in the morning the weather beeing very rainie with a little aire of wind I loosed and caused to row forth of the foresaid Harbour and comming forth betweene the Ilands and the maine the people being as it seemed looking for vs espied vs making a hideous noise at which time at an instant were gathered together about seuentie three Boats with men rowing to vs. I seeing them thought it best to preuent the worst because we were to come hither againe therefore to dissemble the matter I thought it best to enter into barter with them for some of their Darts Bowes and Arrowes wee finding euery one of them to bee extraordinarily furnished therwith so rowing forth to Sea amongst the Ilands there stil came more Boats to the number of one hundred and thirtie persons they still rowing by vs made signes to vs to goe to anchor amongst some of the Ilands but I preuenting their deuices made certaine Skonces with our sailes to defend vs from their Stones Arrowes and Darts They seeing this went certaine of them from vs rowing to certaine Ilands to
did very much villanie to them in the ship so that the Captaine tooke three of them other of them also he slew but the three which he tooke he vsed with all kindnesse giuing them Mandillions and Breeches of very good cloth also Hose Shoes and Shirts off his own backe This afternoone I with my Boy came againe aboord the ship taking in this Euening all our prouision of water The eleuenth day the wind being at North North-east we set saile forth of the Sound which we named Frost Sound but before our comming forth of the same our Captaine commanded a young man whose name was Simon by the expresse commandement of the State-holder of Denmarke to bee set aland wee also in the Pinnasse set another aland they both being Malefactors the which was done before our comming away we giuing to them things necessarie as victuall and other things also Thus hauing committed both the one and the other to God wee set saile homewards we standing forth to Sea South-west and South-west and by West till noone when making obseruation Queene Annes Cape bearing South and by East halfe Easterly some ten leagues I found my selfe in the latitude of 66. degrees 10. minutes when I directed my course South South-west till sixe a clocke when wee were amongst much Drift Ice being to lee-ward two points vpon our lee-bow so that I was forst to lie off West North-west till we were cleere of the same at which time I directed my course South-west and by South wee sayling so all the night following The twelfth day the wind at North North-east wee went away South-west and by South till ten a clocke when we were amongst more Drift Ice wee being againe to lie West North-west to get cleere of the same which we did about noone we hauing this day and the Euening before a mightie hollow Sea which I thought to be a current the which setteth thorow Fretum Dauis to the Southwards as by experience I proued for making obseruation this day at noone we found our selues in the latitude of 62. degrees 40. minutes whereas the day before we were but in the latitude of 66. degrees 10. minutes hauing made by account a South and by West way about ten leagues This afternoone I directed my course South South-west The thirteenth day the wind as before we steered still South and by West being at noone in the latitude of 60. degrees 17. minutes going at the same time away South and by East This foresaid current I did find to set alongst the Coast of Gronland South and by East The fourteenth day close weather being an easie gale we steering South-east and by East The fifteenth day stil close weather til noone we steering as before being in the latitude of 59. degrees This day at noone I went away East South-east this afternoone it was hasie and still weather when we had sight of some Drift Ice The 16. day close weather with the wind at North-west and by West our course East South-east til about ten a clock when we met with a mightie bank of Ice to wind-ward of vs being by supposition seuen or eight leagues long wee steering South South-east to get cleere of the same We met all alongst this Ice a mightie scull of Whales Moreouer wee light with a great current which as nigh as we could suppose set West North-west ouer for America This day at noone the weather being very thicke I could haue no obseruation this Euening by reason of the Ice wee were forced to lye South and by West and South South-west to get cleere of the same amongst which we came by diuers huge Ilands of Ice The seuenteenth day being cleere of the Ice about foure in the morning I directed my course South-east by South till noone at which time I went away East and by South the weather being very haysie and thicke about midnight it fell calme the wind comming vp Easterly The eighteenth day the wind still Easterly we lying East South-east away vnder a couple of courses larboord tackt This day in the forenoone we saw certayne Ilands of Ice The nineteenth day the wind still Easterly with the weather very hasie The first day of August also it was very thicke weather with a faire gale at South-west and by West This forenoone wee met with a scull of Herrings so that I knew wee were not farre from the Iles of Orkney so hauing a shrinke at noone I found vs in the latitude of 58. degrees 40. minutes at which time I founded with the deepest Lead finding 42. fathomes redde sandie ground with some blacke dents This Euening betweene fiue and sixe a clocke wee founded againe when we had no more but twentie fathomes dent ground whereby I knew that we were faire by the shoare when some of our men looking forth presently espied one of the Ilands of Orkeney it being very thicke wee cast about and stood with a small sayle to Seaboord againe we lying West North-west off all this night The tenth day about fiue in the morning we came thwart of the Castle of Elsonuere where we discharged certaine of our Ordnance and comming to an Anchor in the Road the Captaine with my selfe went ashoare and hearing of his Majesties being at Copeman-Hauen wee presently went aboord againe and set sayle comming thither about two a clocke The Pinnasse also which he had lost at Sea in which my Countreyman Iohn Knight was Commander came also the same night about foure a clocke both they and we being all in good health praised bee Almightie God Amen CHAP. XV. The second Voyage of Master IAMES HALL forth of Denmarke into Groenland in the yeere 1606. contracted WE departed from Copeman-Hauen the seuen and twentieth of May in the yeere of our Redemption 1606. with foure ships and a Pinnasse The Frost beeing Admirall wherein went for principall Captaine of the Fleet Captaine Godske Lindeno a Danish Gentleman with my selfe being vnder God Pilot Maior of the Fleet. In the Lyon which was Vice-Admirall went for Captaine and Commanmander Captaine Iohn Cunningham a Scottish Gentleman who was with me the yeere before In the Yewren went Hans Browne a Gentleman of Norway In the smal ship called The Gilleflowre went one Castine Rickerson a Dane In the Pinnasse called the Cat went one shipper Andres Noll of Bergen in Norway So by the prouidence of God wee weighed and set saile about sixe a clocke in the Euening with a faire gale at South South-west comming to an Anchor in Elsonoure Road to take in our water The nine and twentieth in the morning we shot off a Peece of Ordnance for all the Captaines and Commanders to come aboord of vs who being come our Captaine commanded the Kings Orders to bee read which done they returned aboord at which time wee weighed with a faire gale at East North-east standing away North and by West till I had brought the Cole North-east and by East off when I
steered away North North-west and North-west and by North. This Euening about fiue a clocke I set the Annold it bearing West halfe Northerly three leagues and an halfe All this Euening wee stood away North-west and by North. The thirtieth day the wind at East South-east wee steering as before this morning about sixe a clocke the Lesold bore West and by North of vs sixe leagues off At fiue this Euening the Scaw bearing West South-west fiue leagues I directed my course West North-west with the wind at North-east and by East The one and thirtieth in the morning very hasie weather with a stiffe gale at East North-East we steering West North-west away till about nine a clocke when we had a shrinke of the Land which was the wâster gate of Mardo we steering alongst the Land Wee came to an anchor in Flecorie where we were to make and take in wood and water The second of Iune we weighed and came forth of the Harbour of Flecorie about sixe in the morning hauing a fresh gale at East North-east About eleuen at noone I set the Nase of Norway it bearing North North-west foure leagues off The fourth day in the morning about two a clock we were faire by the high Land of the Yeddoe I causing to cast about stood to the South-wards West and by South and sometimes West This day at noone I found my selfe in the latitude of 57. degrees 45. minutes the Nase of Norway bearing East North-east two and twentie leagues off This day at noone also I cast about and stood to the Northwards lying North with the stemme hauing the winde at North North-west This afternoone dyed one of our Groinlanders called Oxo All this euening and the night following the winde as before we lying also North with little winde The seuenth day the winde at South-west and by South and South South-west we steering West and West and by North. This day at noone we were in the latitude of 58. degrees 40. minutes The tenth day about foure in the morning it began to blow a fresh gale at East and by South at which time we stood alongst the Land to the Southward till I had brought the South Head of Shotland called Swinborne Head North-west and by North about three leagues off and Faire Ile next hand South-west and by South eight leagues off at which time I directed my course away West with a fresh gale at East South-east about halfe an houre to three I set the South head of Shotland it bearing North-east eight leagues off Faire Ile next hand South-east seuen leagues off foule next hand North foure leagues wee still steering away West with a fresh gale at East South-east All this afternoone and the night following it was very thicke and raynie weather the winde continuing as before This night at midnight dyed the Groenlander which we had aboord vs named Omeg The fourteenth day the winde as the night before a faire gale we steering as we did before with haysie weather hauing a shrinke at noone I found vs in the latitude of 58. degrees 40. minutes hauing made a West and by South way Southerly two and thirtie leagues differing to the Westward from the Meridian of the Nase 19. degrees 45. minutes This afternoone we had a faire gale at South-east with thicke weather we steering away West The fifteenth day the winde as before we steering away West being by my imagination in the latitude of 58. degrees 40. minutes The three and twentieth day the winde at the North-east a faire gale we steering betweene the West North-west and the West and by North being at noone in the latitude of 56. degrees 10. minutes hauing by reason of a Northerly current contrarie to my expectation made a West way Southerly two and twentie leagues The Compasse also as I doe suppose being varied more then a Point to the westwards The first of Iuly wee saw Land being eight leagues off with a great banke of Ice lying off South-west wee setting our tacks aboord laid off East and by South and East South-east to double the same about two a clocke hauing doubled the same wee went away West and by South all this euening and night following This Land I did suppose to be Busse Iland it lying more to the Westwards then it is placed in the Marine Charts The second day thicke weather with the winde at North North-west we steering West and by North. This afternoone we were in a great Current setting South South-west The which I did suppose to set betweene Busse Iland and Freseland ouer with America wee steering West North-west with a faire gale at North. This night about nine a clocke the Pinnasse came foule of the Vice-admirall where with her anchor shee tore out about a foot of a planke a little aboue water and broke downe the beakes head The sixth making obseruation I found vs in the latitude of 58. degrees 50. minutes contrarie to my expectation whereby I did see the Southerly Current to bee the principall cause The seuenth day the winde at North and by East we lying West North-west being at noone in the latitude of 59. degrees 40. minutes our way North-west two and twentie leagues This euening I found the North Point of the Compasse to be varied 12. degrees 5. minutes to the Westward of the true North. The eight day the winde came vp more Southerly betweene the South-west and the South-west and by West with an easie gale we steering away North-west and by West being at noone in the latitude of 59. degrees 30. minutes hauing by reason of the Current and Variation made a West way Southerly about ten leagues The ninth day close weather it being calme all the forenoone wee perceiuing by our ships which lay becalmed a violent Current setting South-west This day at noone we were in the latitude of 59. degrees 40. minutes The tenth about foure in the morning the winde came vp to the North North-west I casting about stood to the Westwards lying West with the stemme being in the latitude of 60. degrees 16. minutes We saw the coast of America about nine leagues off at which time I made obseruation of the variation and found the Needle varie 24. degrees to the Westwards of the true North. The Hill tops were couered with snow and the shoare to the Northwards full with Ice but to the Southwards it seemed cleere Here I found a great Current to set West into the shoare which about midnight did bring vs to bee incumbred with very many Ilands of Ice hauing much to doe to get cleere off the same without danger but by Gods helpe it being faire weather with a fresh gale at South-west wee got cleere off the same standing East South-east and South-east and by East The fourteenth in the morning being cleere of the Ice I went away East North-east and North-east and by East till eight a clocke when I directed
compâst with Ice we hearing to the same the winde comming vp to the East South-east we ãâã South to the Ice were forced to loose for one Iland and to beare roome for another till about foure a clocke when by Gods helps ãâ¦ã cleere off the same the winde comming vp to the South-east and by South wee lay South-west and by South off all this night The two and twentieth thicke weather the winde ãâã before This morning about seuen a clocke we saw a saile West and by South of vs we standing to him for it was our Vice admirall the Lion who had beene greatly troubled with the Ice wee being glad to meete one another againe The eight and twentieth about foure in the morning the storme ceased the winde comming vp to the West South-west About three a clocke wee set our sailes standing South-east away But being vnder saile we spyed great bankes and Ilands of Ice to leeward of vs lying off East and by South which Ice I did iudge to lye off Cape Desolation about eight leagues off the which by reason of the fogge we could not ãâã The nine and twentieth about sixe in the morning the winde came vp to the North-east and by North we making saile went South South-east away till noone with a stiffe gale wee seeing in the morning pieces of drift Ice to windward of vs hauing at noone a shrinke of the same I found vs in the latitude of 39. degrees 46. minutes hauing from noone to noone made a South-east and by South way eight leagues The one and thirtieth the winde continuing wee holding still our course with the winde still at North North-west with faire and cleere weather it blowing very much so that wee stood away vnder a couple of courses low set the Sea very ãâã growne being in the ââtitude of 59. degrees 10. minutes hauing made an East South-east way somewhat Easterly foure and thirtie leagues This afternoone after my obseruation wee saw some Ilands of Ice ãâã some drift Ice I something maruelling of the same knowing both by my account and my ãâã ââseruation that we were shot too farre from ãâã part of Groinland that was described ãâ¦ã Marine Chart. For the southermost part described therein is not in the latitude of 60. degrees and we being now in the latitude of 59. degrees ten minutes Cape Desolation bearing West North-west halfe Northerly about sixtie foure leagues and Cape Christian which was the next known part of Groenland North-west and by West westerly eight and thirtie leagues so holding our course East South-east away about foure a clocke we had sight of Land being very high Land it lying alongst East South-east about sixteene leagues the westermost part seemed either to fall away East North-east and the southermost point bearing East northerly fell away East and by North. This Land is very high hauing the Hills couered with snow the shoare being very thicke with Ice this place because I knew not whether it was of the Mayne or an Iland I named Frost Iland after the name of the ship The first of September at noone I made obseruation and found vs in the latitude of 58. degrees hauing made a South-east and by South way southerly sixe and twentie leagues This day at noone I directed my course East and by South This afternoone about sixe a clock it fell calme and so continued all the night following This euening I found the variation 10. degrees 50. minutes Northwesting The fourth day the winde at East and by South we lying South and by East hauing a shrinke of the sunne about noone I did suppose vs in the latitude of 57. degrees 20. minutes hauing made a South-east and by South way southerly about ten leagues all this day and the night following we lay as before The eight day faire weather the winde as before it being almost calme wee going away as before being at noone in the latitude of 58. degrees 36. minutes hauing made an East North-east way northerly twentie leagues by reason of the great southerly Sea All this afternoone and the night following it was for the most part calme This euening I found the Compasse varied about two degrees 45. minutes northwesting The ninth day also faire weather the winde southerly a fresh gale our course still East being at noone in the latitude of 58. degrees 40. minutes our way East and by North easterly twelue leagues This afternoone the winde came vp to the South or South and by East with raine This night about midnight thicke weather with raine the winde comming to the South-east we lying East North-east and North-east and by East with the stemme The tenth day about two in the morning the winde came vp to the South South-west wee steering our course East being at noone in the latitude of 59. degrees 10. minutes hauing made an East and by North way easterly foure and fortie leagues wee hauing a fresh gale westerly This day wee saw one of the Fowle the which are on the Iland of Bas in Scotland called Bas Geese This euening I found the Variation 1. degree 4. minutes northeasting The eighteenth this forenoone about nine a clocke wee espyed land rising somewhat ragged the Eastermost point of the same bearing South-east and by South and the Westermost part South and by West about eight leagues These Ilands by my account and obseruation I found to be the Ilands of Ferris being at noone in the obseruation of 62. degrees 5. minutes The nineteenth I set a little Rocke called the Monke which lyeth off to the South-east end it being about fiue a clocke East South-east of vs three leagues off This night about ten a clocke it fell calme The twentieth wee did see the streame had set vs to the Northwards This streame setteth vnder the Ilands of Farre next hand East and West So casting about wee stood to the westwards lying West South-west and sometimes West and by South and sometimes South-west it being very raynie weather about midnight it fell calme and so continued all night vnto the morning The first of October in the afternoone about foure of the clocke we had sight of The Holmes The second day wee steered away South-east and by South and South South-east for The Col. And about eight of the clocke this night wee came into Turco where wee rode all the day following The third day at night the winde came to the North-east so wee weighed and came into Elsenor Road. The fourth day by the prouidence of God we arriued in our desired Port of Copen Hauen 1606. The seuerall burthens and numbers of men employed in the ships of the Fleet aforesaid were as followeth THe Trust being Admirall was of sixtie tunnes had eight and fortie men The Lion Vice-admirall was of seuentie tunnes had eight and fortie men The Vrin or Eagle Reare-admirall of one hundred tunnes had fiftie men The Gilliflowre was of fortie tunnes had sixteene men
The Pinnasse called the Cat was of twentie tunnes had twelue men Bredaransies Foord is most Northerly Cunninghams Foord is next in sixtie seuen degrees and odde minutes The Foord wherein they saw the Towne ten leagues vp the same is two leagues to the South of Cunninghams Foord The Kings Foord is in sixtie sixe degrees and an halfe William Huntris of Stowborow in Yorke-shire is Master Hall his man and is allowed thirtie pound by the yeere of the King of Denmarke for his skill in Nauigation I haue also Master Halls Voyage of the next yeere 1607. to Groenland from Denmarke written and with representations of Land-sights curiously delineated by Iosias Hubert of Hull but the Danes enuious perhaps that the glory of the Discouery would be attributed to the English Pilot after the Land saluted ãâã and in fine forced the ship to returne for Island For which cause I haue here omitted the whole CHAP. XVI The Voyage of Master IOHN KNIGHT which had beene at Groenland once before 1605. Captaine of a Pinnasse of the King of Denmarke for the Discouery of the North-west Passage begun the eighteenth of Aprill 1606. I Set sayle from Grauesend in a Barke of fortie tunnes called the Hope-well well victualled and manned at the cost of the Worshipfull Companies of Moscouie and the East Indie Merchants for the Discouerie of the North-west Passage the eighteenth of Aprill 1606. and arriued the sixe and twentieth of the same moneth in the I le of Orkney in a Sound called Pentlefrith Heere wee were stayed with contrary winds at West and North-west and with much storme and foule weather aboue a fortnight In which meane space I entertained two men of this Countrey which are both lustie fellowes at Sea and Land and are well acquainted with all the Harbours of these North parts of Scotland These men brought vs into a very good Harbour called Saint Margarites Hope where we had the Sea open to vs for all winds that are good for vs to proceed on our Voyage In this Countrey we found little worthy of Relation For it is poore and hath no wood growing vpon it Their Corne is Barley and Oates Their fire is Turffe their houses are low and vnseemely without and as homely within Vpon Munday the twelfth of May I set sayle from Saint Margarites Sound or Hope in Orkney at nine of the clocke in the morning our course being West and by South and at eight of the clocke at night the Hill called Hoyce did beare West Southerly eleuen or twelue leagues and the Stacke South and by East Easterly three leagues and an halfe the winde beeing at East South-east This day was for the most part calme and sometimes wee had a fresh gale of winde our course was West and by South halfe a point Southerly This day I passed by two small Ilands The one of them is called the Clete and the other the Run They are distant foure leagues the one from the other The course betweene them is South-west and North-east The Southermost is called the Clete and is the lesser of the twaine it is distant from the North-east part of Lewis called the Bling-head seuen leagues and the course betwixt them is North-west and South-east Also this Bling-head is distant from the Farrâ Headpunc of the Hieland of Scotland West and by North halfe a point Westerly and is distant seuenteene leagues Also the course betweene Bling-head and the North-west part of Lewis is West and by South halfe a point Westerly and faire low Land without Wood. There is good riding all along the shoare the winde beeing off the Land and in some places are very good Harbours for all winds From eight to twelue at night we ran sixe leagues West South-west This morning we had a fresh gale of wind at East North-east our course was South-west and by West two houres fiue leagues From two to ten South-west and by South 20. leagues From ten to twelue West South-west sixe leagues The latitude at noone was 58. degrees 27. minutes From Wednesday at noone till Thursday at noone was for the most part raine and fogge the wind at North-east and by East our course was West halfe a point Southerly our latitude at noone being Thursday 58. degrees 23. minutes From Thursday at noone till Friday at noone being the sixteenth our way was West Southerly about twentie leagues the latitude at noone was 58. degrees 19. minutes This night the wind was sometimes variable betweene the South and by West and South-east with faire weather the Magneticall Declination 18. degrees the height of the Pole was 58. degrees 10. minutes Also in the morning the Sunne beeing tenne degrees aboue the Horizon was distant from the East to the North-wards of the East twentie two degrees From Friday at noone vntill midnight was little wind Southerly and sometimes calme and from midnight till twelue at noone the next day a stiffe gale of wind at East North-east This foure and twentie houres I judged our way to be made good West something Southerly thirtie leagues The latitude at noone was 58. degrees 10. minutes Also the sunne did rise fiftie degrees to the Northward of the East From Saturday at noone being the seuenteenth till Sunday at noone being the eighteenth our course was West and by South a stiffe gale of wind fiftie leagues being close weather we made no obseruation of latitude From Sunday at noone till Munday at noone I steered away West and West and by South hauing a storme at East and by North our course was West and Southerly fiftie leagââs From Munday at noone till midnight our course was West and Southerly and from that time till noone West and by North and West among I iudged wee sayled fortie leagues these foure and twentie houres being for the most part foggie The latitude at noone was 57. degrees 50. minutes From Tuesday at noone till noone on Wednesday our course was West and by North fortie fiue leagues being foggie weather without obseruation Here wee had a current which I iudge setteth to the Northwards From Wednesday at noone till Thursday at noone being the two and twentieth our course was West and by North fiftie leagues with much fogge and close weather and much winde at North-east and by East From Thursday at noone till midnight our course was West and by North. Then the winde came to the North wee tooke in our mayne course and I spooned away with our fore-saile till Friday the winde being at North North-east I iudged our way West South-west the twelue houres that I spooned about fifteene leagues the other twelue houres West Northerly fiue and twentie leagues This three and twentieth day wee saw many Gulles and much Rock-weed From Friday at noone till Saturday at noone I iudged our way to bee made South-west and by West but it proued West and by South rather Westerly twentie leagues by reason of a current that I
iudge setteth to the North-eastward The latitude at noone was 57. degrees 53. minutes The variation of the Compasse was about a point to the Westward This forenoone and all night the wind was at North a very hard gale wee spooned with our fore-sayle Also this forenoone we saw much Sea Tange and Rock-weed From Saturday at noone till Sunday at noone our course was Southward about twentie leagues the wind being Northerly This day we saw much Rock-weed and Drift-wood The latitude was fiftie seuen degrees The variation was to the Westward thirteene degrees or thereabout The sunne being fiue degrees high in the morning was twentie foure degrees to the Northward of the East From Sunday at noone till two of the clocke the next day in the morning beeing Munday our course was West North-west we made our way West and by North twentie leagues hauing a fresh gale at South-east and by East it fell calme till foure of the clocke then it blew an easie gale at West South-west wee stemming North-west c. betweene that and North North-east the wind being variable The wind freshed toward noone This morning we saw an Owle The latitude at noone the eight and twentieth was 57. degrees 57. minutes The variation of the Compasse was fourteene degrees and an halfe to the West This day wee had blacke water and many ouer-falls streame leeches and sets of currents as it seemed to the Northward and some to the Westward The thirtieth we found our latitude to be fiftie eight degrees Heere it seemed that we were in a tyde gate which I iudged to set North and South or that it was the Eddie of the currents which we saw the other day Also wee saw white Fowles which cheeped like Spar-hawkes Also we saw driuing many dead Cowes The one and thirtieth the sunne being fiftie degrees aboue the Horizon I found it to bee twentie seuen degrees to the Eastward of the South againe in the afternoone the sunne beeing fiftie degrees high it was distant from the South to the Westward fiftie one degrees at noone it was 55. degrees 6. minutes the height of the Pole was 58. degrees 3. minutes The variation of the Compasse was twentie foure degrees toward the North-west Our way made these twentie foure houres was not aboue sixe leagues West being little wind for the most part From Saturday at noone till two of the clocke it was calme then it began to blow an easie gale at North. At night I obserued the sunne setting and found it to set twentie one degrees to the Westward of the North the winde continuing variable betweene the North and the West North-west till noone being the first of Iune Then I found my selfe by obseruation to be in the latitude of 57. degrees 35. minutes I iudged our way from noone to noone West and by South or thereabout thirteene leagues From Sunday at noone till ten of the clocke the same Euening it was calme Then it began to blow a stiffe gale of wind at South South-east Our course was West till noone the next day being Munday twentie three leagues This day wee saw many blacke Fowles like Willockes flying in flockes together The fourth my latitude at noone was 56. degrees 40. minutes The latitude next day at noone was fiftie sixe degrees The variation of the Compasse by the Scale was twentie degrees and by my other Instrument twentie foure degrees to the West The sunne was twentie two degrees and an halfe high and to the North of the West thirtie degrees by the Instrument and twentie sixe degrees by the Scale Our latitude at noone the eleuenth was fiftie eight degrees And at night the sunne did set fourteene degrees to the Westward of the North and did rise fiftie degrees to the Eastward of the North. The thirteenth the Ice seemed to be dispersed thinner with the wind or some other accident then I set sayle with our two courses but was forced to take them in againe and mooââd to another great Iland of Ice about a mile to the Westward of the other Here setteth some smal ãâã to the South-westward For the great flaâeâ of Ice that weâe somewhat deep draue to the Southward and the other small Ice which was stoâie draue with the wind which waâ variable betwixt the North-west and the North. Here we were in sight of Land which bore West South-west from vs shewing in some parts like Ilands Our latitude at noone was 57. degrees 25. minutes From Friday at noone till eight of the clocke at night wee contââued moored to the aforesaid Ice then it fell calme and I loosed and âowed to the West-ward with our Oares hoping to get thorough till twelue of the clocke then the Ice grew very thicke I moored againe till foure of the clocke the next morning Then we rowed and sayled with an easie gale of wind till eight of the clocke the next morning bâing Saturday Then it began to blow a fresh gale Easterly and we cunned the ship among the Ice with ouâ Oares till noone Our latitude was fiftie eight degrees From Saturday at noone till midnight wee guided our shippe to the Westward among the Ice with our Oares hoping to get thorough but wee were suddenly compassed about with many great Ilands of Ice and continued so distressed with a sore storme of wind at South-east being foggie and thicke weather we were so bruised betweene mightie great Ilands of Ice that we were in danger euery minute to be crushed in pieces with force of the heauing and setting of the said Ice with the great Sea that the wind made had not God of his mercie prouided for vs for our owne endeuours did little auaile to our helpe though wee employed all our industries to the vttermost of our powres The nineteenth we descryed the Land of America which riseth like eight Ilands the Northermost part of it did beare North and by West about fifteene leagues from vs. I obserued the latitude and found my selfe to be in 56. degrees and 48. minutes The variation of the Compasse was twentie fiue degrees to the Westward All this Coast sheweth like broken Land or Ilands and the tyde of floud commeth from the Northward Tuesday the foure and twentieth all the morning there blew a storme Northerly and such a suffe of the Sea and so much Ice came in that our fasts brake that were fast on shoare and our Rudder was driuen from our sterne with the force of mightie Ilands of Iâe so that we were forced to hale close into the bottome of the Coue to saue our clothes furniture and victuals wee did our best but before we had done our ship was halfe full of water the night comming vpon vs being wearie we tooke a little rest On Wednesday we went hard to worke when the ship was on ground to get the water out of her and to stop so many of her leakes as we could come by and to saue so much of our bread
and rowing about the harbour where we lay to finde some neerer way out to the Sea we found among the Ilands where many of their winter houses had bin and some of their Tents were but lately carried away In which place wee also found one of their long Boates made of wood and bound together for the most part with shiuers of Whales fins and couered with Seales skinnes being some two and thirtie foote in length and some fiue foote broad hauing tenne thoughts or seates in it That day about twelue of the clocke we weighed anchor and departed out of Ramels Ford which lieth in the latitude of 67. degrees and the variation of the compasse is 24. degrees 16. minutes being a very faire Riuer and one of the most principall which wee saw in that Countrey stretching in East and East and by South This night about one of the clocke we came to the Patience lying in the Kings Ford. Sunday the sixe and twentieth Master Andrew Barker and our Merchant Master Wilkinson with other of the Company were in conference about returning home because that since our Master was slaine none of the Sauages would trade with vs as they were wont Wednesday the nine and twentieth we were likewise occupied about taking in of ballast for our Shippe was very light and that euening it was agreed that Andrew Barker Master of the Harts-ease should goe Master of the Patience which was sore against the minde of William Gourdân and William Huntrice was appointed Master of the Harts-ease and Iohn Garteâây one of the quarter Masters of the Patience was Masters mate of the Harts-ease Tuesday the fourth of August in the morning the winde being Northerly a very small gale we got to Sea where the winde came to the Southward and we tacked sometime on the one boord and sometime on the other making small way on our course Munday the tenth was raine and foule weather as it had continued euery day since wee came from harbour sauing the seuenth day which was somewhat faire For commonly while the winde is South it is very thick and foule weather We tacked sometimes on one boord and sometimes on the other making a South by West way at noone sixe leagues Wednesday the twelfth it waxed calme we being somewhat Southward of a Cape called Burnils Cape and about three or foure of the clocke in the afternoone the winde came to the North and by West an easie gale with faire weather The eighteenth at noone we were in 58. deg 50. min. The seuenteenth day I tooke the variation of the compasse finding it to be 13. degrees 22. minutes contrary to the obseruations of others in this place And if any doe doubt of the truth thereof they may with a little paines proue it The eighteenth of August the declination of the Sunne was 9. degrees 58. minutes for the Meridian of London But we being almost foure houres of time to the Westward thereof there are three minutes to be abated from the rest and so the declination was 9. degrees 55. minutes and his height aboue the horizon was 24. degrees 40. minutes in the latitude of 59. degrees 0. min. and his distance from the South to the Westward by the compasse was 81. degrees And for truth of the first obseruation I tooke another shortly after finding them not to differ aboue 4. minutes Wednesday the nineteenth the winde still continued with thicke and hasie weather we being at noone in the latitude of 58. degrees 30. minutes or thereabout making a South South-east way about ten leagues Thursday the twentieth was faire weather the winde at East North-east wee steered away South-east and South-east and by East making at noone a South-east and by South way about thirtie leagues being at noone in the latitude of 57. degrees 20. minutes This day in the afternoone I tooke the variation of the compasse and found it about 11. degrees 10. minutes Friday the one and twentieth faire weather with the winde at North and North by East and we made an East South-east way halfe Southerly twentie foure leagues being at noone by obseruation in the latitude of 56. degrees 50. minutes Saturday the two and twentieth faire weather the wind at North and Nrth by East wee made an East way halfe Southerly some twentie two leagues being at noone in the latitude of 56. degrees 47. minutes Sunday the three and twentieth faire weather the wind at West North-west we making an East and East by North way about twentie foure leagues This day I tooke the variation of the Compasse and found it to be 7. degrees 23. minutes being at noone in the latitude of 57. degrees 26. minutes Munday the foure and twentieth being S. Bartholomewes day faire weather with an North North-west wee making an East North-east way halfe Northerly about twentie seuen leagues and were at noone by obseruation in the latitude of 58. degrees 4. minutes This day I obserued and found the Compasse to be varied 7. degrees 20. minutes Tuesday the fiue and twentieth faire weather and calme the winde at North wee made a North-east and by East way seuenteene leagues being at noone in the latitude of 58. degrees 30. minutes This day I found the common Compasse to be varied one point and the true variation to bee 6. degrees 4. minutes Wednesday the sixe and twentieth faire weather also with the wind North North-west we made a North-east and by East way halfe about twentie two leagues being in the height of 59. degrees 10. minutes Thursday the seuen and twentieth indifferent faire weather with a stiffe gale of wind at the North North-west we making a North-east way about thirtie one leagues being at noone in the latitude of 60. degrees 10. minutes Friday the eight and twentieth the wind at South-east with a stiffe gale wee made good about noone a North-east and by East way about twentie nine leagues This day in the afternoone it blew so great a storme that wee were in great distresse the winde at East South-east But about eleuen of the clocke it came to the North-west and North-west by North. And we ranne some twentie leagues Saturday the nine and twentieth it blew so stiffe that wee could beare none but our fore-saile making an Easâ and by South way halfe Southerly about thirtie leagues Sunday the thirtieth all the forenoone it blew a very stiffe gale and about noone the winde came Southerly and it blew a very great storme which continued all that day and that night in such sort that we could not saile at all but all that night lay at hull Munday the one and thirtieth in the morning about foure of the clocke the winde came to the South-west a very stiffe gale At which time we set our fore-saile The wind continued all this day and night we steered away East and by South making at noone an East North-east way about thirtie foure leagues Tuesday the first of
September the wind still continued at South-west blowing a very stiffe gale we steered away East and by South making an East way about fiftie leagues This day at noone we were in the latitude of 60. degrees 45. minutes Wednesday the second faire weather with the wind at South-west wee made an East and by South way halfe a point Southerly about fortie two leagues being at noone in the latitude of 60. degrees 10. minutes This day I obserued and found the Compasse to be varied three degrees to the Westward Thursday the third day faire weather the wind at South-west wee made an East by North way at noone about twentie leagues This day in the after-noone the winde being at North North-west it blew a very stiffe gale for two Watches and toward seuen or eight of the clocke the storme so increased that our shippe was not able to beare any saile And all that night wee lay at hull Friday the fourth the storme still continued and we could beare no saile all that day till about foure of the clocke in the afternoone at which time we set our fore course and our maine course The night before in the storme we lost The Harts-ease This day wee made some twelue leagues East and by North. And we fell to lee-ward lying at hull some fiue leagues South by West Saturday the fift calme weather but very thicke and close all the forenoone the wind continued still at North North-west we making from the time wee set our courses the day before about twentie leagues East halfe Southerly beeing at noone in the latitude of 59. degrees 53. minutes Sunday the sixt faire weather the wind at North North-west we steering away East North-east and East and by North made an East by North way halfe Northerly some 29. leagues being at noone in 60. degrees 10. minutes This day the Compasse was varied to the East sixe degrees This afternoone it was almost calme and wee sounded and found ground at sixtie eight fathomes This Euening about ten of the clocke the wind came to the South-east Munday the seuenth very faire weather the wind South-east and South-east by East wee tacked in the morning to the North-ward and ranne East North-east and East by North vntill seuen or eight in the afternoone at which time we tacked vp to the Southward and went away South-west till toward twelue a clocke that night twentiâ leagues Tuesday the eight in our morning Watch I found our selues to be in 59. degrees 20. minutes And about fiue of the clocke I espied Land which we supposed to bee the Iles of Orkney as afterward we found them to be the same And toward three of the clocke we came to an Anchor in a Channell running betweene the Ilands where the people came to vs and brought vs Hennes Geese and Sheepe and sold them to vs for old clothes and shooes desiring rather them then money There are about eighteene of these Ilands which are called by the name of the Orkeneis Wednesday the ninth it was thicke weather and the winde so Easterly that wee could not weigh Anchor Thursday the tenth faire weather and the wind came to the North-west and about noone we weighed Anchor and toward fiue of the clocke we were cleere off the Iles. The Channell for the most part lyeth North-west and South-east All that night we stood away South-east Friday the eleuenth faire weather with the wind at North North-west And about nine of the clocke in the morning we steered away South South-east At which time wee had sight of Buquham-nesse And about two of the clocke we were thwart of it The seuenteenth we came to an Anchor in Hull Road for which the Lord bee praysed Here I thinke it not amisse briefly to relate the state and manners of the people of Groenland forasmuch as I could learne As also what likelihood there is of a passe into the Sea which lyeth vpon Tartarie and China The North-west part of Gronland is an exceeding high Land to the Sea-ward and almost nothing but Mountaynes which are wonderfull high all within the Land as farre as wee could perceiue and they are all of stone some of one colour and some of another and all glistering as though they were of rich value but indeed they are not worth any thing For our Gold-smith Iames Carlile tryed very much of the Vre and found it to bee nothing worth If there bee any Mettall it lyeth so low in the Mountaynes that it cannot bee well come by There are some Rocks in these Mountaynes which are exceeding pure Stone finer and whiter then Alabaster The sides of these Mountaynes continually are couered with Snow for the most part and especially the North sides and the Noth sides of the Valleyes hauing a kind of Mosse and in some places Grasse with a little branch running all along the ground bearing a little blacke Berrie it runneth along the ground like Three-leafed Grasse heere in England There are few or no Trees growing as farre as wee could perceiue but in one place some fortie miles within the Land in a Riuer which wee called Balls Riuer There I saw on the South-side of an high Mountayne which we went vp and found as it were a yong Groue of small Wood some of it sixe or seuen foot high like a Coppice in England that had beene some two or three yeeres cut And this was the most Wood that wee saw growing in this Countrey being some of it a kind of Willow Iuniper and such like We found in many places much Angelica We suppose the people eate the Roots thereof for some causes For we haue seene them haue many of them in their Boats There are great store of Foxes in the Ilands and in the Mayne of sundry colours And there are a kind of Hares as white as Snow with their furre or haire very long Also there be Deere but they are most commonly vp within the Mayne very farre because the people doe so much hunt them that come neere the Sea I saw at one time seuen of them together which were all that wee did see in the Countrey But our men haue bought diuers Coates of the people made of Deeres skinnes and haue bought of their Hornes also Besides we haue diuers times seene the footsteps of some beast whose foote was bigger then the foot of a great Oxe Furthermore the Inhabitants haue a kinde of Dogges which they keepe at their Houses and Tents which Dogges are almost like vnto Wolues liuing by fish as the Foxes doe But one thing is very strange as I thought for the Pizzels of both Dogges and Foxes are bone The people all the Summer time vse nothing but fishing drying their fish and Seales flesh vpon the Rockes for their Winter Prouision Euery one both man and woman haue each of them a Boate made with long small pieces of Firre-wood couered with Seales skinnes very well drest and sewed so
on the North-west side of Nottinghams Ile where are two or three smal Iles lyeth off from the greater which make very good Sounds Harbors about this I le we had store of Ice but nothing as we had heretofore in other places We staied about this Iland til the seuen and twentieth day hauing much foule weather many stormes often fogs and vncertaine windes many times we weighed anchor to goe to that side of the I le where this Ship road when Captaine Button was in her finding in other places of this I le the tyde of floud to come from the South-east ward and the time of high water on the change day to be at halfe an houre past ten and not at halfe an houre past seuen as they supposed In these ten dayes we staied about this I le we fitted our Ship with ballast and other necessaries as we had neede of Then proceeded as followeth the sixe and twentieth day being indifferent faire weather we passed betweene Salisburies Ile and Nottinghams Ile at the South Point thereof I meane of Nottinghams Ile where are many small low Iles without the which had beene a fit place for vs to haue anchored to haue found out the true set of the Tyde But our Master being desirous to come to the same place where they had rode before stood along by this I le to the Westward and came to an anchor in the eddy of these broken grounds where the ship rode at no certaintie of Tyde The seuen and twentieth the next morning the weather proued very foule with much raine and winde so that our Reger anchor would not hold the ship at eightie fathoms scope but was driuen into deepe water that wee were forced to set saile the winde being at East and then come to the East North-east and about noone at North-east still foule weather being vnder saile we stood away towards Sea horse Point our Master as I suppose was perswaded that there might bee some passage betweene that Point of Land and that Land which they called Swan Iland so this afternoone we saw both Sea horse Point and Nottinghams Iland the distance betweene them is not past fifteene or sixteen leagues bearing the one from the other North-west and South-east The eight and twentieth day in the morning wee were neere to Sea horse Point the Land trending away West South-west so farre as wee saw and very much pestred with Ice At seuen a clocke our Master caused vs to tacke about and stood away South-east and by South The nine and twentieth the next day at eleuen a clocke we came to anchor at Digges I le hauing very foule weather At this place where we rode it lyeth open to the West hauing two of the greatest Iles breake off the force of the Flood till the Tyde be well bent for after the water were risen an houre and a halfe by the shoare then would the ship ride truly on the Tyde of Flood all the Tyde after Now the time of high water on the change day is halfe an houre past ten or neere thereabout The thirtieth day being faire weather wee weighed and stood along close by Digges I le where we presently perceiued the Saluages to bee close on the top of the Rocks but when they saw we had espyed them diuers of them came running downe to the water side calling to vs to come to anchor which we would haue done if conueniently we could But in this place the water is so deepe that it is hard to finde a place to ride in which we seeing lay to and fro with our ship while some of our men in the Boat killed about some seuentie fowles for in this place is the greatest number of fowles whom we call Willocks that in few places else the like are not seene for if neede were we might haue killed many thousands almost incredible to those which haue not seene it Here also as we lay to and fro with our ship wee had sufficient proofe of the set of the Tyde but when our men were come aboord againe we set all our sailes for homewards making the best expedition we could but on the third of August wee were forced to come to anchor about thirtie leagues within the Resolution I le on the North shoare The next day wee weighed anchor And the fifth day in the forenoone we past by the Resolution Iland but saw it not Thus continuing our courses as in the briefe Iournall may be seene with much contrarie windes and foule weather Wee had sight of Cape Cleere in Ireland the sixt of September the next morning by day light we were faire by Seely and that night at two a clocke the next morne we came to anchor in Plymouth Sound with all our men liuing hauing onely three or foure sicke which soone recouered The next yeere being againe employed in discouerie amongst other instructions they receiued this For your course you must make all possible haste to the Cape Desolation and from thence you William Baffin as Pilot keepe along the Coast of Groenland and vp Fretum Dauis vntill you come toward the height of eightie degrees if the Land will giue you leaue Then for feare of inbaying by keeping too Northerly a course shape your course West and Southerly so farre as you shall thinke it conuenient till you come to the latitude of sixtie degrees then direct your course to fall with the Land of Yedzo about that height leauing your farther sayling Southward to your owne discretion according as the time of the yeere and windes will giue you leaue although our desires be if your voyage proue so prosperous that you may haue the yeere before you that you goe so farre Southerly as that you may touch the North part of Iapan from whence or from Yedzo if you can so compasse it without danger we would haue you to bring home one of the men of the Countrey and so God blessing you with all expedition to make your returne home againe CHAP. XIX To the Right Worshipfull Master IOHN WOSTENHOLME Esquire one of the chiefe Aduenturers for the discouerie of a passage to the North-west WOrthy Sir there neede no filling a Iournall or short Discourse with preamble complement or circumstance and therefore I will onely tell you I am proud of any Remembrance when I expose your Worth to my Conceit and glad of any good fortune when I can auoid the imputation of ingratitude by acknowledging your many fauours and seeing it is not vnknowne to your Worship in what estate the businesse concerning the North-west hath beene heretofore and how the onely hope was in searching of Fretum Dauis which if your selfe had not beene the more forward the action had well nigh beene left off Now it remayneth for your Worship to know what hath beene performed this yeere wherefore I entreat you to admit of my custome and pardon me if I take the plaine highway in relating the particulars without vsing
want of time to stay in the Countrey may bee some let yet they may well tarry till the last of August in which space much businesse may be done and good store of Oile made neuerthelesse if store of Whales come in as no feare to the contrarie what cannot bee made in Oile may bee brought home in Blubber and the Finnes will arise to good profit Another hinderance may bee because the bottome of the Sounds will not be so soone cleere as would be wished by meanes thereof now and then a Whale may be lost the same case sometime chanceth in Greenland yet I am perswaded those Sounds before named will all be cleere before the twentieth of Iuly for we this yeere were in Whale Sound the fourth day among many Whales and might haue strooke them without let of Ice Furthermore there is little wood to bee expected either for fire or other necessaries therefore Coles and other such things must bee prouided at home they will bee so much the readier there Thus much I thought good to certifie your Worship wherein I trust you will conceiue that much time hath not beene spent in vaine or the businesse ouer carelesly neglected and although wee haue not performed what we desired that is to haue found the passage yet what wee promised as to bring certaintie and a true description truth will make manifest that I haue not much erred And I dare boldly say without boasting that more good discouerie hath not in shorter time to my remembrance beene done since the action was attempted considering how much Ice we haue passed and the difficultie of sayling so neere the Pole vpon a trauerse and aboue all the variation of the Compasse whose wonderfull operation is such in this Bay increasing and decreasing so suddenly and swift being in some part as in Wostenholme Sound and in Sir Tho. Smiths Sound varied aboue fiue Points or 56. degrees a thing almost incredible and matchlesse in all the world beside so that without great care and good obseruations a true description could not haue beene had In fine whatsoeuer my labours are or shall be I esteeme them too little to expresse my thankefull minde for your many fauours wherein I shall be euer studious to supply my other wants by my best endeuours and euer rest at Your Worships command WILLIAM BAFFIN A briefe and true Relation or Iournall contayning such accidents as happened in the fift voyage for the discouerie of a passage to the North-west set forth at the charges of the right Worshipfull Sir Tho. Smith Knight Sir Dudly Digges Knight Master Iohn Wostenholme Esquire Master Alderman Iones with others in the good ship called the Discouerie of London Robert Bileth Master and my selfe Pilot performed in the yeere of our Lord 1616. IN the Name of God Amen The forenamed ship being in full readinesse vpon the twentie sixe of March we set saile at Grauesend being in number seuenteene persons hauing very faire weather which continued till the second of April by that time we were off Portland then the winde comming Westward with foule weather we kept Sea till the fourth day then being not able to fetch Plimouth bore roome for Dartmouth where wee stayed eleuen dayes in which time was much foule weather and westerly windes The fifteenth day of Aprill being cleere of Dartmouth we were forced the next day to put into Plimouth The nineteenth day we set saile from thence and the twentieth in the morning we past betweene the Lands end and Silly with a faire winde Continuing our course as in the briefe Table or Iournall is set downe with euery particular from noone to noone that here I need not make a tedious repetition nothing worthy of note hapning but that we had a good passage and the first Land we saw was in Fretum Dauis on the coast of Groinland in the latitude of 65. degrees 20. minutes On the fourteenth of May in the forenoone then sixe of the people being a fishing came to vs to whom we gaue small pieces of Iron they keeping vs companie being very ioyfull supposing wee had intended to come to anchor but when they saw vs stand off from shoare they followed vs a while and then went away discontented to our seeming We prosecuting our Voyage were loth to come to anchor as yet although the winde was contrarie but still plyed to the Northward vntill we came into 70. degrees 20. minutes then wee came to anchor in a faire Sound neere the place Master Dauis called London Coast. The twentieth of May at euening the people espying vs fled away in their Boates getting on Rocks wondring and gasing at vs but after this night we saw them no more leauing many Dogs running to and fro on the Iland At this place we stayed two dayes in which time wee tooke in fresh water and other necessaries here we had some dislike of the passage because the Tydes are so small as not arising aboue eight or nine foot and keepe no certaine course but the neerest time of high water on the change day is at a quarter of an houre past nine and the Flood commeth from the South The two and twentieth day at a North Sunne wee set saile and plyed still Northward the winde being right against vs as we stood off and on Vpon the sixe and twentieth day in the afternoone we found a dead Whale about sixe and twentie leagues from shoare hauing all her finnes Then making our ship fast wee vsed the best meanes wee could to get them and with much toile got a hundred and sixtie that euening The next morning the Sea went very high and the winde arising the Whale broke from vs and we were forced to leaue her and set saile and hauing not stood past three or foure leagues North-westward came to the Ice then wee tacked and stood to the shoare-ward a sore storme ensued By the thirtieth day in the afternoone wee came faire by Hope Sanderson the farthest Land Master Dauis was at lying betweene 72. and 73. degrees and that euening by a North Sunne we came to much Ice which we put into plying all the next day to get through it The first of Iune we were cleere of the Ice before named and not farre from shoare the winde blowing very hard at North North-east then we put in among diuers Ilands the people seeing vs fled away in all haste leauing their Tents behinde and vpon a small Rocke they hid two young Maides or Women Our ship riding not farre off we espyed them to whom our Master with some other of our companie went in the Boate they making signes to be carried to the Iland where their Tents were close adioyning When they came thither they found two old women more the one very old to our esteemation little lesse then fourescore the other not so old The next time we went on shoare there was another Woman with a child at her back who had hid
anchors at the ground then were we forced to set sayle and stand forth this Sound wee called Wostenholme Sound it hath many Inlets or smaller Sounds in it and is a fit place fot the killing of Whales The fourth day at one a clocke in the morning the storme began againe at West and by South so vehement that it blew away our forecourse and being not able to beare any sayle wee lay a drift till about eight a clocke then it cleared vp a little and we saw our selues imbayed in a great Sound then we set sayle and stood ouer to the South-east side where in a little Coue or Bay we let fall an anchor which we lost with cable and all the winde blowing so extreamely from the tops of the hils that we could get no place to anchor in but were forced to stand to and fro in the Sound the bottome being all frozen ouer toward two a clocke it began to be lesse winde then we stood forth In this Sound we saw great numbers of Whales therefore we called it Whale Sound and doubtlesse if we had beene prouided for killing of them we might haue strooke very many It lyeth in the latitude of 77. degrees 30. minutes All the fift day it was very faire weather and wee kept along by the Land till eight a clock in the euening by which time we were come to a great banke of Ice it being backed with Land which we seeing determined to stand backe some eight leagues to an Iland we called Hackluits Ile it lyeth betweene two great Sounds the one Whale Sound and the other Sir Thomas Smiths Sound this last runneth to the North of seuenty eight degrees and is admirable in one respect because in it is the greatest variation of the Compasse of any part of the World known for by diuers good Obseruations I found it to be aboue fiue points or fifty six degrees varied to the Westward so that a North-east and by East is true North and so of the rest Also this Sound seemeth to bee good for the killing of Whales it being the greatest and largest in all this Bay The cause wherefore we minded to stand to this Iland was to see if we could find any finnes or such like on the shore and so indeed this night wee came to anchor but with such foule weather that our Boat could not land The next day wee were forced to set sayle the Sea was growne so high and the wind came more outward Two dayes wee spent and could get no good place to anchor in then on the eight day it cleered vp and wee seeing ãâã company of Ilands lye off from the shoare twelue or thirteene Leagues wee minded to goe to them to see if there we could Anchor When wee were something neere the winde tooke vs short and being loth to spend more time we tooke opportunitie of the wind ând left the searching of these Ilands which wee called Careyes Ilands all which Sounds and Ilands the Map doth truly describe So we stood to the Westward in an open Sea with a stiffe gale of wind all the next day and till the tenth day at one or two a clocke in the morning at which time it fell calme and very foggie and wee neere the Land in the entrance of a faire Sound which wee called Alderman Iones Sound This afternoone being faire and cleere we sent our Boat to the shoare the ship being vnder sayle and assoone as they were on shoare the wind began to blow then they returned againe declaring that they saw many Sea Morses by the shoare among the Ice and as farre as they were they saw no signe of people nor any good place to anchor in along the shoare Then hauing an easie gale of wind at East North-east we ranne along by the shoare which now trendeth much South and beginneth to shew like a Bay On the twelfth day we were open of another great Sound lying in the Latitude of 74. degrees 20. minutes and we called it Sir Iames Lankasters Sound here our hope of passage began to be lesse euery day then other for from this Sound to the Southward wee had a ledge of Ice betweene the shoare and vs but cleare to the Sea ward we kept close by this ledge of Ice till the foureteenth day in the afternoone by which time wee were in the latitude of 71. degrees 16. minutes and plainely perceiued the Land to the Southward of 70. degrees 30. minutes then wee hauing so much Ice round about vs were forced to stand more Eastward supposing to haue beene soone cleare and to haue kept on the off side of the Ice vntill we had come into 70. degrees then to haue stood in againe But this proued quite contrary to our expectation for wee were forced to runne aboue threescore leagues through very much Ice and many times so fast that wee could goe no wayes although we kept our course due East and when wee had gotten into the open Sea wee kept so neere the Ice that many times we had much adoe to get cleare yet could not come neere the Land till we came about 68. degrees where indeede we saw the shoare but could not come to it by eight or nine leagues for the great abundance of Ice This was on the foure and twentieth day of Iuly then spent we three dayes more to see if conueniently wee could come to anchor to make triall of the tides but the Ice led vs into the latitude of 65. degrees 40. minutes Then wee left off seeking to the West shoare because wee were in the indraft of Cumberlands Iles and should know no certaintie and hope of passage could be none Now seeing that we had made an end of our discouery and the yeare being too farre spent to goe for the bottome of the Bay to search for drest Finnes therefore wee determined to goe for the Coast of Groineland to see if we could get some refreshing for our men Master Hubert and two more hauing kept their Cabins aboue eight dayes besides our Cooke Richard Waynam which died the day before being the twenty six of Iuly and diuers more of our company so weake that they could doe but little labour So the winde fauouring vs we came to anchor in the latitude of 65. degrees 45. minutes at six a clocke in the euening the eight and twentieth day in a place called Caukin Sound The next day going on shoare on a little Iland we found great abundance of the herbe called Scuruie Grasse which we boyled in Beere and so dranke thereof vsing it also in Sallets with Sorrell and Orpen which here groweth in abundance by meanes hereof and the blessing of God all our men within eight or nine dayes space were in perfect health and so continued till our arriuall in England Wee rode in this place three dayes before any of the people came to vs then on the first of August six of the Inhabitants in
their Canoas brought vs Salmon Peale and such like which was a great refreshment to our men the next day following the same six came againe but after that we saw them no more vntill the sixt day when we had wayed anchor and were almost cleere of the harbour then the same six and one more brought vs of the like commodities for which we gaue them Glasse Beads Counters and small peeces of Iron which they doe as much esteeme as we Christians doe Gold and Siluer In this Sound we saw such great Scales of Salmon swimming to and fro that it is much to be admired here it floweth about eighteene foote water and is at the highest on the change day at seuen a clocke it is a very good harbour and easie to be knowne hauing three high round hils like Piramides close adioyning to the mouth of it and that in the middest is lowest and along all this coast are many good harbours to be found by reason that so many Ilands lye off from the maine The sixt of August by three a clocke in the afternoone wee were cleere of this place hauing a North North North-west winde and faire weather and the Lord sent vs a speedy and good passage homeward as could be wished for in nineteene dayes after wee saw Land on the coast of Ireland it being on the fiue and twentieth day the seuen and twentieth at noone we were two leagues from Sâlly and the thirtieth day in the morning wee anchored at Douer in the roade for the which and all other his blessings the Lord make vs thankfull CHAP. XX. A briefe Discourse of the probabilitie of a passage to the Westerne or South Sea illustrated with testimonies and a briefe Treatise and Mappe by Master BRIGGES I Thought good to adde somewhat to this Relation of Master Baffin that learned-vnlearned Mariner and Mathematician who wanting art of words so really employed himselfe to those industries whereof here you see so euident fruits His Mappes and Tables would haue much illustrated his Voyages if trouble and cost and his owne despaire of passage that way had not made vs willing to content our selues with that Mappe following of that thrice learned and in this argument three times thrice industrious Mathematician Master Brigges famous for his readings in both Vniuersities and this honourable Citie that I make no further Voyage of Discouery to finde and follow the remote Passage and extent of his name Master Baffin told mee that they supposed the tyde from the North-west about Digges Iland was misreported by mistaking the houre eight for eleuen and that hee would if hee might get employment search the passage from Iapan by the coast of Asia or qua data porta any way hee could But in the Indies he dyed in the late Ormus businesse slaine in fight with a shot as hee was trying his Mathematicall proiects and conclusions Now for that discouery of Sir Thomas Button I haue solicited him for his Noates and receiued of him gentle entertainment and kinde promises but being then forced to stay in the Citie vpon necessary and vrgent affaires he would at his returne home seeke and impart them Since I heare that weightie occasions haue detained him out of England and I cannot communicate that which I could not receiue which if I doe receiue I purpose rather to giue thee out of due place then not at all Once he was very confident in conference with me of a passage that way and said that he had therein satisfied his Maiestie who from his discourse in priuate inferred the necessitie thereof And the maine argument was the course of the tyde for wintering in Port Nelson see the following Mappe hee found the tyde rising euery twelue houres fifteene foote whereas in the bottome of Hudsons Bay it was but two foote and in the bottome of Fretum Dauis discouered by Baffin but one yea and a West winde equalled the nep tydes to the spring tydes plainely arguing the neighbourhood of the Sea which is on the West side of America The Summer following he found about the latitude of 60. degrees a strong race of a tide running sometimes Eastward sometimes Westward whereupon Iosias Hubbard in his plat called that place Hubbarts Hope as in the Map appeareth Now if any make scruple because this discouery was not pursued by Sir Thomas Button let him consider that being Prince Henries Seruant and partly by him employed whence I thinke he named the Country New Wales the vntimely death of that Prince put all out of ioint nor was hee so open that others should haue the glory of his discouerie And if any man thinke that the passage is so farre as the Maps vse to expresse America running out into the West it is easily answered that either of negligence or ouer-busie diligence Maps by Portugals in the East and Spaniards in the West haue beene falsely proiected Hence that fabulous strait of Anian as before by Francis Gaules testimonie and nauigation is euident And hence the Portugals to bring in the Moluccas to that moity of the world agreed vpon betwixt the Spaniards and them are thought to haue much curtalled Asia and the longitude of those Ilands giuing fewer degrees to them then in iust longitude is requisite So the older Maps of America make the Land from the Magelane Straits to the South Sea runne much West when as they rather are contracted somewhat Easterly from the North. The like is iustly supposed of their false placing Quiuira and I know not nor they neither what Countries they make in America to run so farre North-westward which Sir Francis Drakes Voyage in that Sea his Noua Albion being little further Westward then Aquatulco plainely euince to be otherwise Yea the late Map of California found to be an Iland the Sauages discourses in all the Countries Northwards and Westwards from Virginia fame whereof filled my friend Master Dermer with so much confidence that hearing of strange Ships which came thither for a kinde of Vre or earth the men vsing forkes in their diet with Caldrons to dresse their meate c. things nothing sutable to any parts of America hee supposed them to come from the East neere to China or Iapan and therefore he made a Voyage purposely to discouer but crossed with diuers disasters hee returned to Virginia frustrate of accomplishment that yeare but fuller of confidence as in a Letter from Virginia he signified to me where death ended that his designe soone after But how often are the vsuall Charts reiected by experience in these Nauigations in this worke recorded Painters and Poets are not alwayes the best Oracles For further proofes of a passage about those parts into the West Sea or South as it is called from the first discouery thereof to the South from the parts of New Spaine whence it was first descried by the Spaniards there is mention of a Portugall and taken in a Carricke in Queene Elizabeths dayes of
to the South from 60. degrees of Septentrional altitude vnto fiftie three Austral which are 1977. leagues of ground which hath in breadth at the broadest 1300. and thence downewards vnto eighteene which is the narowest by Nombre de Dios or Portobelo vnto Panama whereby Nature diuided this Land leauing almost the halfe of it to the North and the rest to the South which are the two parts of these bounds The third is the Ilands and firme land that lye to the East of Mallaca where through passeth the Line of the partition betweene the two Crownes of Castile and Portugall the which although they are part of the East India they are named of the West in respect of Castile as shall bee seene in the generall Map that followeth And because the Discouerie of all these Regions from whence so great Riches haue beene brought to these Kingdomes is due vnto the Load-stone I will set downe heere a wonderfull effect of his discouered by Don Antonie Ossorio a Gentleman of Valladolid and it is that it doth communicate to the Iron more attractiue vertue then naturally it hath of it selfe seeing that applying an Iron to the part of the stone that hath most force much more weight will bee raysed with the Iron then with the stone it selfe so it bee ioyned with it in sort that to a Loadstone that weigheth no more then two pound one quarter and hath no naturall vertue for to lift more then sixe ounces weight it made the Iron in my presence to lift fourteene pound of Iron and this vertue hath not the Load-stone of Spaine a thing that causeth the Philosophers to muse much vpon The Author had here inserted a Table or Generall Map of America the defect of which wee haue supplyed with this farre more complete of Hondius HONDIVS his Map of AMERICA AMERICAE DESCRIP THe Ocean that is toward the East is called the North Sea and that which falleth to the West Mar del Sur or the South Sea this washeth Noua Hispania and Peru that washeth those Regions which are situated on the South coast of Brasile toward the Magellan Streight and especially the North coast from Brasile toward Castile and other Septentrional parts These two vast Seas are diuided into other lesser Seas and Gulfes and are sayled by foure principall Nauigations The first and most ancient from Castile to Terra firme and to Noua Hispania The second from Castile to the Riuer of Plate and the Streight of Magellan The third from the coast of Noua Hispania to Guatimala and Panama to Peru Chile and the Streight And the last and newest from Noua Hispania to the Ilands of the West and trafficke of China as it is seene in the Table preceding The first Nauigation because it is most vsed called Carrera de las Indias The course of the Indies is diuided in two one to the port of Saint Iohn of Vlua in Noua Hispania whitherto from Siuil is sayled about one thousand and seuen hundred leagues in two moneths and an halfe and another to Nombre de Dios and now to Porte bello which is in the Kingdome which they call Terra firme of one thousand and foure hundred leagues in two moneths large and both goe by one course till they come to the Ilands of the North Sea from Saint Lucar of Barrameda whence yee cannot take Sea without a Pilot skilfull in the Channell a fit winde and spring Tydes and light of the day or lights for to see the markes of the Barre The Times for to begin these Nauigations are diuers For Noua Hispania the winter being past from the beginning of April vnto the end of May and not after that they may not come to the Ilands of the North Sea after August when the North windes begin to reigne and the Vracanes doe begin which are stormes and great gusts arising of contrarie windes And to Terra firme the Nauigation is before the entring of the Winter in all August and September that they may come to Porte bello from Nouember forward when by the beginning of the North windes that Coast is alreadie least diseased and more healthfull From Saint Lucar they goe to the Canaries whither there is about two hundred and fiftie leagues of Nauigation of eight or ten dayes through the Gulfe de las Yeguas which in winter is very dangerous for stormes and in the Port of Canarie they cast anker when they thinke it good or else in the Port of Gomera which is the best of those Ilands From the Canaries they saile to Desseada which stands in 15. degrees and little more and to Dominica whither they make seuen hundred leagues through the great Ocean and they stay fiue and twentie dayes whereby they cannot returne because the Brises are ordinarie and contrarie at their returne The Brises are windes which comprehend all the Easterne windes with all their quarters and are so ordinarie and firme because the swift motion of the First Moouer doth carry after him the Element of the Aire as the other superior Orbes and so the Aire followeth alwaies the motion of the Day going from East to West neuer varying and the effectuall motion of the Aire carrieth after him also the vapours and exhalations that doe arise from the Sea and therefore the Brise winde which runneth from the East is so continuall in those parts This voyage from the Canaries to Dominica Peter Arios of Auila which was called Gentill and the Iuster made the first the yeere of 1514. when hee went with an Armie for Gouernour and Captaine generall of the Kingdome of Golden Castile now called Terra firme since which the Nauigation hath beene ordered that vntill then went out of order Because it is now ordered that fresh water and wood be not taken in the Iland of Desseada and in Dominica the Fleet of Noua Espanna goe hence to Occoa a Port of the Iland Hispan-yola to take refreshing and they stay long because the stormes from Cuba doe ouertake it And they that goe for Noua Espanna doe water in the Iland of Guadalupe and there they diuide the courses The fleet of Noua Espanna goeth in demand of the Cape of Saint Antonie which is in the furthest part and most Occidentall of the Iland of Cuba to which place they saile about fiue hundred leagues in twentie dayes ordinarily in sight of Saint Iohn of Porto Rico and of Espannola two leagues off the Port of Saint Domingo running along the coast by the Point of Nizao and betweene the Ilands of Cuba and Iamayca they goe with great heede of the shoales which are called the Iardines neere to the middest of the coast of Cuba where many ships haue beene lost passing afterward in sight of the Iland of Pinos and Cape Correntes twelue leagues short of the Cape of Saint Antonie From whence there are two courses to the Port of Venacruz both of ten or twelue dayes one which
their Neighbours Stone Timber Lime in exchange of Fish Frogs and young Kids and for Ducks Water-hens Courlieus and diuers other kindes of Sea fowles All which things they did fish and hunt for in this Lake whereof there is great abundance They went with these things to the Markets of the Townes and Cities of the Tapanecans and of them of Tescuco their neighbours and with policy they gathered together by little and little what was necessarie for the building of their Citie so as they built a better Chappell for their Idoll of lime and stone and laboured to fill vp a great part of the Lake with rubbish This done the Idoll spake one night to one of his Priests in these termes Say vnto the Mexicans that the Noblemen diuide themselues euery one with their Kinsfolks and Friends and that they diuide themselues into foure principall quarters about the house which you haue built for my rest and let euery quarter build in his quarter at his pleasure The which was put in execution and those be the foure principall quarters of Mexico which are called at this day Saint Iean Saint Mary the round Saint Paul and Saint Sebastian After this the Mexicans being thus diuided into these foure quarters their god commanded them to diuide amongst them the gods he should name to them and that they should giue notice to euery quarter principall of the other foure particall quarters where their gods should bee worshipped So as vnder euery one of these foure principall quarters there vvere many lesse comprehended according to the number of the Idols which their god commanded them to worship which they called Calpultetco which is as much to say as God of the quarters In this manner the Citie of Mexico Tenoxtiltan was founded and grew great This diuision being made as aforesaid some old Men and Ancients held opinion that in the diuision they had not respected them as they deserued for this cause they and their Kinsfolke did mutinie and went to seeke another residence and as they went through the Lake they found a small piece of Ground or Terrasse which they call Tloteloli where they inhabited calling it Tlatellulco which signifies Place of a Terrasse This was the third diuision of the Mexicans since they left their Country That of Mechonacan being the first and that of Malinalco the second Those which separated themselues and went to Tlatellulco were famous men but of bad disposition and therefore they practised against the Mexicans their neighbours all the ill neighbourhood they could They had alwayes quarrels against them and to this day continues their hatred and old leagues They of Tenoxtiltan seeing them of Tlatellulco thus opposite vnto them and that they multiplyed feared that in time they might surmount them hereupon they assembled in counsell where they thought it good to choose a King whom they should obey and strike terrour into their Enemies that by this meanes they should bee more vnited and stronger among themselues and their Enemies not presume too much against them Being thus resolued to choose a King they tooke another aduice very profitable and assured to choose none among themselues for the auoyding of dissentions and to gayne by their new King some other neighbour Nations by whom they were inuironed being destitute of all succours All well considered both to pacifie the King of Culhuacan whom they had greatly offended hauing slaine and slayed the daughter of his predecessor and done him so great a scorne as also to haue a King of the Mexican blood of which generation there were many in Culhuacan which continued there since the time they liued in peace amongst them they resolued to choose for their King a young man called Acamapixtli sonne to a great Mexican Prince and of a Lady daughter to the King of Calhuacan Presently they sent Ambassadors with a great Present to demand this man who deliuered their Ambassage in these termes Great Lord wee your Vassals and Seruants placed and shut vp in the Weedes and Reedes of the Lake alone and abandoned of an the Nations of the World led onely and guided by our god to the place where wee are which falls in the iurisdiction of your limits of Ascapusalco and of Tescuco Although you haue suffered vs to liue and remayne there yet will wee not neither is it reason to liue without a Head and Lord to command correct and gouerne vs instructing vs in the course of our life and defending vs from our Enemies Therefore wee come to you knowing that in your Court and House there are Children of our generation linckt and allied with yours issued from our entrailes and yours of our bloud and yours among the which wee haue knowledge of a Grand-child of yours and ours called Acamapixth Wee beseech you therefore to giue him vs for Lord wee will esteeme him as hee deserues seeing hee is of the Linage of the Lords of Mexico and the Kings of Culhuacan The King hauing consulted vpon this point and finding it nothing inconuenient to bee allied to the Mexicans who were valiant men made them answere That they should take his grand-child in good time adding thereunto that if he had beene a woman hee would not haue giuen her noting the foule fact before spoken of ending his discourse with these wordes Let my grand-child goe to serue your god and be his Lieutenant to rule and gouerne his Creatures by whom we liue who is the Lord of Night Day and Windes Let him goe and be Lord of the Water and Land and possesse the Mexican Nation take him in good time and vse him as my sonne and grand-child The Mexicans gaue him thankes all ioyntly desiring him to marry him with his owne hand so as hee gaue him to wife one of the noblest Ladies amongst them They conducted the new King and Queene with all honor possible and made him a solemne reception going all in generall forth to see the King whom they led into Palaces which were then but meane and hauing seated them in Royall Thrones presently one of the Ancients and an Orator much esteemed amongst them did rise vp speaking in this manner My sonne our Lord and King thou art welcome to this poore House and Citie amongst these weeds and mud where thy poore fathers Grand-fathers and Kinsfolks endure what it pleaseth the Lord of things created Remember Lord thou commest hither to be the defence and support of the Mexican Nation and to be the resemblance of our god Vitzliputzli whereupon the charge and gouernment is giuen thee Thou knowest wee are not is our Country seeing the Land we possesse at this day is anothers neither know we what shall become of vs to morrow or another day Consider therefore that thou commest not to rest or recreate thy selfe but rather to indure a new charge vnder so heauy a burden wherein thou must continually labour being slaue to this multitude which is fallen to thy lot and to all this
so make them as holy as a horse Their set day for the solemne action of hallowing their Riuers is that we call Twelfth-day The like is done by other Bishops in all parts of the Realme Their manner is also to giue it to their sicke in their greatest extremitie thinking that it will either recouer them or sanctifie them to God Whereby they kill many through their vnreasonable superstition as did the Lord Borris his onely sonne at my being at the Mosko whom he killed as was said by the Physitians by powring into him cold Holy-water and presenting him naked into the Church to their Saint Basileo in the cold of Winter in an extremitie of sickenesse They haue an Image of Christ which they call Neruchi which signifieth as much as Made without hands for so their Priests and superstition withall perswadeth them it was This in their Processions they carry about with them on high vpon a pole enclosed within a Pixe made like a Lanthorne and doe reuerence to it as to a great mysterie At euery brewing their manner is likewise to bring a dish of their woort to the Priest within the Church which being hollowed by him is powred into the brewing and so giueth it such a vertue as when they drinke of it they are seldome sober The like they doe with the first fruits of their Corne in Haruest They haue another Ceremony on Palm-sunday of ancient tradition what time the Patriarch rideth through the Mosko the Emperour himselfe holding his horse bridle and the people crying Hosanna and spreading their vpper garments vnder his horse feet The Emperour hath of the Patriarch for his good seruice of that day two hundred Rubbels of standing pension Another pageant they haue much like to this the weeke before the Natiuitie of Christ when euery Bishop in his Cathedrall Church setteth forth a shew of the three children in the Ouen Where the Angell is made to come flying from the roofe of the Church with great admiration of the lookers on and many terrible flashes of fire are made with rosen and gun-powder by the Chaldeans as they call them that run about the Towne all the twelue dayes disguised in their players coats and make much good sport for the honor of the Bishops pageant At the Mosko the Emperour himselfe and the Empresse neuer faile to be at it though it be but the same matter plaid euery yeere without any new inuention at all Besides their fasts on Wednesdayes and Fridayes throughout the whole yeere the one because they say Christ was sold on the Wednesday the other because he suffered on the Friday they haue foure great Fasts or Lents euery yeere The first which they call their great Lent is at the same time with ours The second about Mid-summer The third in Haruest time The fourth about Hallontide which they keepe not of pollicie but of meere superstition In their great Lent for the first weeke they eat nothing but bread and salt and drinke nothing but water neither meddle with any matter of their vocation but intend their shriuing and fasting only They haue also three Vigils or Wakes in their great Lent which they call Stoiania and the last Friday their great Vigil as they call it What time the whole Parish must be present in the Church and watch from nine a clocke in the Euening till sixe in the morning all the while standing saue when they fall downe and knocke their heads to their Idols which must bee an hundred and seuentie times iust through the whole night About their burialls also they haue many superstitious and prophane Ceremonies as putting within the finger of the corps a letter to Saint Nicolas whom they make their chiefe mediatour and as it were the porter of heauen gates as the Papists doe their Peter In Winter time when all is couered with snow and the ground so hard frozen as that no spade nor pick-axe can enter their manner is not to bury their dead but to keepe the bodies so many as die all the Winter time in an house in the suburbs or out-parts of the Towne which they call Bohsedom that is Gods house where the dead bodies are pyled vp together like billets on a woodstacke as hard with the frost as a verie stone till the Spring-tide come and resolueth the frost what time euerie man taketh his dead friend and committeth him to the ground They haue besides their yeeres and moneths mindes for their friends departed What time they haue prayers said ouer the graue by the Priest who hath a peny ordinary for his paines When any dieth they haue ordinary women mourners that come to lament for the dead partie and stand howling ouer the body after a prophane and heathenish manner sometimes in the house sometimes bringing the body into the back-side asking him what he wanted and what he meant to die They bury their dead as the party vsed to goe with coat hose bootes hat and the rest of his apparell Many other vaine and superstitious Ceremonies they haue which were long and tedious to report By these it may appeare how farre they are fallen from the true knowledge and practice of Christian Religion hauing exchanged the Word of God for their vaine Traditions and brought all to externall and ridiculous Ceremonies without any regard of Spirit and Truth which God requireth in his true worship THe Emperours priuate behauiour so much as may be or is meet to bee knowne is after this manner Hee riseth commonly about foure a clock in the morning After his apparrelling and washing in commeth his ghostly Father or Priest of his chamber which is named in their tongue Otetz Duhouna with his Crosse in his hand where with he blesseth him laying it first on his forehead then vpon his cheekes or sides of his face and then offereth him the end of it to kisse This done the Clerke of the Crosse called Chresby Deyack Profery bringeth into his Chamber a painted Image representing the Saint for that day for euery day with them hath his seuerall Saint as it were the Patrone for that day This hee placeth among the rest of his Image Gods wherewithall his Chamber is decked as thicke almost as the wall can beare with Lampes and Waxe-candles burning before them They are very costly and gorgeously decked with Pearle and Precious Stone This Image being placed before him the Emperour beginneth to crosse himselfe after the Russe manner first on the fore-head then on both sides of his brest with Aspody Pomeluy Pomeluy mena hospody sacroy mena gresnick Syhodestua which is as much to say as Helpe me O Lord my God Lord comfort me defend and keepe me a Sinner from doing euill c. This he directeth towards the Image or Saint for that day whom hee nameth in his Prayer together with our Lady whom they call Precheste Saint Nicholas or some other to whom he beareth most deuotion bowing