Port Praya Road on Board the Sweepstakes riding there at the Island of St. Jago Novemb. 5. 1669. John Narbrough To Captain Humphrey Fleming Commander of the Batchelour Pink. DEcember 4. many flying Fish seen to day and Bonetto's Sharkfish and Albycores a Fish larger than a Bonetto but of that Mackrel shape and feaverish Diet they live upon the flying Fish like the Bonetto's to day we caught some of them with Hooks and one Shark our Men eat them both and account the Shark a good Fish December 7. To day the Cooper found two Buts of Beer had leaked out this day all of us drank Water only for it was ever my order that the meanest Boy in the Ship shoud have the same allowance with my self so that in general we all drank of the same Cask and eat one fort of provision as long as they lasted I never permitted any Officer to have a better piece of Meat than what fell to his lot but one blinded with a Cloth serv'd every Man as they were called to touch and take by which means we had never any Difference upon that score Saturday December 18. All the Ship 's company God be praised in good health most of them were let blood after I has cross'd the Tropick of Cancer and none troubled with the Calenture in this Voyage Whilst I am in the hot Weather I allow a quart of Vinegar to 6 Men per Week and also to eat with their Fresh fish which I didvide equally among the whole Ship 's Company be it little or much or caught by whomsoever Friday December 24. I find great Difference within this 48 hours between my dead Account as we call it which is kept by the Log and the Observation I made these 2 days when the Sun was on the Meridian for I find I have gone more Southerly by 12 Miles than the Log allows I can't perceive any variation and the Log is well kept and the half minute Glass good I judge the Current sets to the Southward now the Winds are at the East and the Moon near the full December 30. This Afternoon I took an Azimuth and find six degrees ten minutes variation Easterly my Observation being of a good one fair Weather to Night at 9 a Clock Nebeles major was very visible in the Heaven and seems to be a piece of the Milky-way broke from it the Southern Constellations appear which are near the Pole Antarctick the Camelion the Bird of Paradise the Tail of little Hydra and the Water-snake which are all small Stars of the 5th and 6th Magnitude no Pole-star nor any Star fit for Observation to be seen within 15 degrees of the Pole the Crosers Stars of the first and second Magnitude are good for Observation and are in this form when they are on Meridian above the Pole Some Fowls flying to and fro a kind of Sea-gulls and Gannet a black Sea-Fowl as big as a Pigeon and some large ones of that kind three Tropick Birds flying over the Ship of a grey Colour with a long spired Tail as big as Pigeons Some Bonetto's taken to day A great broad flat Fish like a Scate following the Ship called by the seamen a String-Ray having a long Tail and a sharp bow at the end of it when it pricks a Man it puts him to much pain they are called by some Clock-fishes the lesser sort are good to eat January 5. Variation of the Compass by an Amplitude in the Morning 06 d. 46 m. East this Afternoon I brought the Ship to and sounded one hundred and eighty four fathom right down and had no ground I being thwart of the Shoals of Brazil caused me to sound I thought the Sea look'd whiter than usual variation at Sun-set 6 d. 46 m. East little Wind this Afternoon at East by North I made all the Sail I could Stay-sails Steering-sail Boats-sails and Bonadventure misen all set to draw away Southerly some Fowls flying over the ship which we call Men of war they prey on flying Fish c. January 14. Few Fish seen now and then a small Bonetto taken small Sea-Fowls call'd Black Nodies flying to and fro and 2 Curlieus flying to the Eastward January 24. I judge a Current sets out of the River of Plate for I find nine miles more to the Southward than I expected I have been careful of my Course and Variation which is but 18 d 20 m. East by an amplitude taken to Night I am open of the mouth of the River of plate sounded to Night but no ground at one hundred and forty five Fathom Wind at North and by East all Night close Weather I steered South-west and by South Monday January 31. Calm this Morning at 8 a Clock the Wind came to the North-west a fine gale at eleven a Clock the Wind went round the Compass and came to North with much thunder lightning and some rain very dark Clouds cold hasey Weather several spots of Sea-weeds driving in the Sea and a great many Sea-fowls of a brown colour swimming in it smoath Water Course steered is South-west by my Compass this day one main shroud and one fore-shroud broke and to strope of the Main-jeer block Variation of Sun-rising by an Amplitude is 19 d. 43 m. East all my Men in good health God be praised All the Albycores Bonettos and flying Fish have quite left the Ship no Fish to be seen but Whales Tuesday February 1. Cloudy foggy Weather this Morning and little Wind at South-east I stood to the South-westward I saw abundance of Sea-fowl flying to and fro striking about the weeds for small Fish several beds of Sea-weeds driving by the Ship it fell calm this Afternoon many small Shrimps about the Ship and eight young Seal-fishes close to it they were as big as an ordinary Spaniel-dog of a black colour and went away to the Westward this Afternoon a fresh gale at South-south-east I steer'd away Southward and by West by my Compass the Air was cold here on a sudden as 't is in England in September These Seas are very much exposed to sudden Gusts and variable Winds for the Wind has run round the Compass twice or thrice a day these 3 day the Sea-water is changed whiter then the usual colour whence I conjecture I must be in Soundings also by my account of Longitude kept from the Lizard I am not 1 d. 28 m. off from land according to Mercator's Draught This Evening I sounded but had no ground at 130 Fathom Wind at South a fine gale I steer'd in West-south-west at ten a Clock to Night I observed the Water to riple as if it were over a shoal and had ground at seventy Fathom I caused the Head-sails to be braced to the Mast and sounded sine red Sand inclining to gray at 70 Fathom February 2. Meridian distance from the Lizard West 839 Leagues 2 miles 〈◊〉 Longitude at Noon from the Lizard West 49 deg 43 m. little Wind this Afternoon and fair Weather we lay
Kent Hugh Cooe Trumpeter aged twenty eight Years and born in Wappen Thomas Highway Linguist aged thirty five Years and born in Barbary of Moorish Parents He turned Christian and lived in London This Thomas Highway is a Tawny-Moor he speaks the Spanish Tongue very clear for he had lived formerly at Cadiz with an English Merchant All these four were very healthy sound Men and of good Presence and Spirit which gives me great hopes that they will live to give an Account of that Country and of their Travels Cape-Gallery which is the outermost Point on the South-side of the Harbour of Baldavia lieth in the Latitude of thirty nine Degrees fifty seven Minutes South of Equinoctial as also in Longitude to the Westward of the Meridian of the Lizard of England seventy Degrees twenty Minutes according to my Account and in Meridian distance one thousand one hundred and eight Leagues West and in Longitude East from the West-mouth of Magellan Streights and Cape-Pillar two Degrees and forty Minutes and in Meridian distance 42 Leagues nearest according to my reckoning Thursday December 22. This Morning it prov'd very fair Weather at Day-light the Wind was at South-west a fresh gale the Sea indifferent smooth I plied to the Windward along the Coasts and was about three Leagues off the Shore somewhat to the Southward of Cape-Gallery out of sight of the People of Baldavia for the Cape was shut in with the Land to the Northward of the Harbour At twelve of the Clock I had a good Observation of the Sun with my Quadrant and I found my self in the Latitude of 40 degrees 3 minutes South I was then three Leagues off the Shore and could not get ground at eighty Fathom I was to the Southward of Baldivia Harbour December 31. This afternoon it blew hard at N. W. and rained I steered South-west and by South by my Compass this Afternoon and to Night Here are several sorts of Porpus Fishes in these Seas unlike ours in Europe some pied white and black and some grey and large ones Rainy Weather to Night and no Observation to be made of the Shore January Anno. Dom. 1670-71 Sunday January 1. Raw cold cloudy Weather Rain and some Hail the Wind at N. W. a stout gale and a great Sea I was much afraid that I should lose my Main-mast it fetched such way and broke the spikes that fastned the Fetches with working I steered S. S. W. to ease the Ship from rolling what I could After several Courses made from Saturday Noon till to day Noon I make the true Course to be South 39 d. 00 m. Westerly and distance sailed 105 Miles and departure West 66 Miles and difference of Longitude 101 d. 37 m. 4 tenths difference of Latitude 1 d. 22 m. 3 tenths Latitude by Account 47 d. 47 m. South Wednesday January 4. Indifferent fair Weather the Wind at North-west and sometimes at W. N. W. a fine gale I kept on my Course South Some Porpus Fishes seen to day and some Whales and Sea-Fowl many little Peterels This Morning I took the Suns Amplitude and I find the Compass to have 10 Degrees 28 Minutes variation Easterly My Course made true from Tuesday Noon till to day Noon is South distance sailed 84 Miles and the difference of Latitude is 1 d. 24 m. 8 tent Lat. by good Observation of the Sun on the Meridian 51 d. 31 m. South Meridian distance from Point-Gallery West 70 leag 1 mil. 5 ten Longitude at Noon from Point-Gallery West 4 d. 48 m. 4 ten Longitude at Noon from the Lizard West 75 d. 8 m. 4 ten Meridian distance from the Lizard West 1178 Leagues 1 Mile 5 Tenths Friday January 6. Hasey foggy Weather this Morning the Wind at W. S. W. a stout gale I steered in for to make the four Islands which I called the Isles of Direction or to make Cape Desiade My Course was E. N. E. by my Compass the Nights being but short and light for the Moon was at the full so that I could see at some time clear a League before us At four of the Clock this Morning it being fair day-light I caused the Lead to be cast forth but could not get ground at eighty Fathom I reckon my self about ten Leagues from Cape Desiade and on the Latitude of 52 d. 53 m. South A little past four of the Clock it cleared up on the East Horizon we looked well abroad and saw the four Isles called The Directions which lie at the Mouth of the Streights N. N. W. from Cape Desiade distance from thence abought eight Leagues These Islands made in four Hommaccoes like Hay-cocks when I saw them they bear N. E. of me distant about four Leagues they lie in the Latitude of 52 d. 42 m. and at five of the Clock the Islands bore North of me distant three Leagues off I sounded but could not get ground at 70 Fathoms I saw Cape Desiade it cleared up for the Fog was much on the Hills the Cape was E. S. E. of me distant near eight Leagues the tops of the ragged Hills or rocky Spires were clouded with the flying Fog so as I could not see the Cape sooner for in clear Weather the Land at Cape-pillar and Cape Desiade may be seen fifteen or sixteen Leagues it is so high and ragged I steered by Cape-pillar East and by South the Wind at West-south-west a fresh gale a great humming Sea ran here which came out of the South-west I saw the Sea break upon broken ground which lieth at least four Leagues from the point of Cape Desiade West into the Sea and many Rocks that were sunk and prints of Rocks above Water which the Sea breaketh terribly these lie off Cape Desiade about two Leagues and a League and some not half a Mile off very dangerous As I came nearer the Streights-mouth I raised the Land on the North-side by Cape Victory and the broken Islands within the Streights which I called Westminster Isle and the Lodgers Isle they make ragged in Hillocks at the first sight At nine of the Clock Cape-pillar bore South of me being distant about a Mile and an half from me No Tide or Current as I could perceive set either in or out of the Streights so as to prejudice Navigation The difference of Longitude East is 1 d. 39 m. 4 tenths the Latitude by my Account now is but 52 d. 51 m. South but formerly my Account of the Latitude of this place was South 52 d. 58 m. Meridian distance at 9 of the Clock from Point Gallery West 35 leag 00 mil. 2 10. Longitude at 9 of the Clock from Point Gallery West 2 deg 43 min. â— Longitude at 9 of the Clock from the Lizard West 73 d. 3 m. â— Meridian distance at 9 of the Clock from the Lizard West 1153 leag 00 mil. 2 10. I find but very little Tide or Current in this Sea of Mare del Zur for I am but 3 Minutes of Longitude out of my Account in
Voyages to the North-East at the Charge of the United Provinces in the last of which he was compell'd to winter in Nova Zembla about the 75 deg of North Lat. In these Voyages they Discovered Bear or Cherry-Island and went upon Greenland These Dutch Navigations were written by Gerart de Veer and contain great variety of curious Observations to which Mr. Boyle owns himself much beholden in the composing his History of Cold. They conversed with and described the Samoyeds coasted Nova Zembla giving Names to several Points Capes Bays Islands c. They discovered the Bernacle Goose or Clakis sitting upon their Eggs under the 80th deg North Lat. They give good Descriptions of the Whales Morses Birds c. and relate Phoenomena of Cold during their melancholy winter Abode there with ingenuity and judgment An. Dom. 1611. That worthy Seaman Sir Thomas Button Servant to Prince Henry pursued the North-West Discoveries at the instigation of that glorious young Prince He passed Hudsons Streight and leaving Hudsons Bay to the South sailed above 200 Leagues to the South-West-ward over a Sea above 80 Fathom deep and discovered a great Continent called by him New Wales where after much misery and sickness in his wintering at Port Nelson he beat and searched the whole Bay with great Industry called afterwards Button's Bay even back again almost to Digge's Island He discovered the great Land he called Cary's Swans-nest Many men were lost during his abode in that River named by him Port Nelson in North Lat. 57 deg 10 min. tho he kept three Fires in his Ship all the Winter and was supply'd with great store of white Partridges and other Fowl of which his Company is reported to have kill'd 1800 Dozen besides some Deer Bears and Foxes on the Shores of those North-West Bays grows abundance of Orpine Sorrel and Scurvygrass very much Angelica whose Root the Gronelanders eat They kill Morses and make their Cords or Ropes of Whalebone In the years 1610 1612 1615 1626. Mr. Hudson James Hall and William Baffin proceeded much further in the North-West Parts giving Names to their several Discoveries which may be seen in the Northern Maps and in the Collection of Voyages as also in our Supplement at the end The King of Denmark observing the progress of his Neighbours in the Northern Seas began to send out Ships for making Discoveries in the year 1605 1606 1607 but these performed little At last in the year 1619 he equipp'd John Munck with two Ships who tracing Forbisher and Hudson came to the 63 deg 20 min. where he was forced to winter and called it Muncks Harbour and the Country New Denmark It seems to be near Diggs Island See Muncks Voyage Printed in French at Paris also our Supplement at the end In 1608. Henry Hudson was sent out by the English Company to discover the North Pole he proceeded to the 82 deg of Lat. as also did Thomas Marmaduke of Hull 1612. who saw divers Islands beyond that and gave names to divers Places upon Greenland He went upon Nova Zembla in June and July and observed Deer feeding here and there on green places tho at that very time of the year it freezes in that Climate In the year 1610. the Company began to apply themselves to the killing of Morses and to the Whale Fishing which they found most plentiful about Cherry Island and Greenland they began also to find those long Bones commonly called Unicorns Horns In the years 1611 1612 1613 1614 1617 1619 1620 1622. the English Company finding these Northern Expeditions so very profitable encreas'd the number of their Shipping to 13 or 14 yearly under the Conduct of Poole Fotherby Edge Heley and others who gave names to several Sounds and Points c. Yet we find little worth relating of Greenland till 1630. in which year some English commanded by Captain Goodler were forced to wander up and down the Country and to Winter there A full Relation whereof being Published by Dr. W. Watts we shall refer the Reader thereunto Some English also wintered in Greenland in the year 1633. and another Company in 1634 the last all perished there In these several Navigations to Greenland our Men gave Names to many places as Hackluit's Headland Whale-Bay Horn-Sound from the long Bones call'd the Unicorns Ice-Point Bell-Point Lowness-Isle Black-Point Cape-Cold Ice-Sound Knotty-Point Deer-Sound Smiths-Bay Hope-Island Edges Island Wyches Island Bear-Island Charles Island Afterwards the Dutch gave other Names of their own to these places which has bred some confusion in Maps and Books Our men that wintered in Greenland 1630. lost the light of the Sun October 14. and saw him not again till February 3. Those that staid there in 1633 say that Octob. 5. was the last day they perceived the light of the Sun tho they had a twilight by which they could read till Octob. 17. On the 22. the Stars were plain to be seen all the 24 hours and so contiuued all Winter Jan. 15. they perceived for 6 or 7 hours about noon so much light as to read by it Feb. 12. they saw the Rays of the Sun upon the tops of the Mountains and the next day his whole Body Our men that remained in Greenland 1634. left in writing before they perished that the Sun disappeared October 10. and was seen again Feb. 14. The Dutch that wintered in Nova Zembla in 1596. lost the Sun on Novemb. 4. but the Moon in her highest degrees was seen night and day Jan. 24. they saw the edge of the Sun above the Horizon The difference of these appearances doth not proceed from different Refractions but from the difference of Latitude in which the English and Dutch wintered tho the cold in Nova Zembla exceeded that felt in Greenland In these Countries there is a continued Day for four or five months in the year as well as a perpetual Night for three months so for the most part there is either all Light or all Darkness The English that were necessitated to winter in Greenland liv'd upon Venison of which there is great store perhaps 't is of the Rhin-deer upon Morses Bears Foxes c. The Bears Flesh was tolerably pleasant and wholsom but the Liver made their skins peel off which was also observed by the Dutch that wintered in Nova Zembla As the Sun and Day-light began to appear the Fowls and Foxes crept abroad for which they set Traps and Springs and so took vast numbers The Foxes proved wholsom Food for by it the Dutch were also relieved in their Scurveys In May they found great store of Eggs laid by Willocks The cold had prodigious Effects on our Men in Greenland and on the Dutch in Nova Zembla as blistering and ulcering their Flesh freezing their Sack and Spirits stopping their Clocks freezing everything by the fire side all which Captain James suffer'd in the Island of Charleton tho only in the 51 Deg. of North Lat. whereas the English and Dutch winter'd in 75 and 78 Deg.
from me distant about a mile and an half there are craggy Rocks to the South of the Road on the shore side but to the North a low sandy shore the Road is on the North-west and by West part of the Island in a small sandy Bay there 's the Salt-pond a bow 's shot from the Sea in the low flat Land fresh water is very scarce here I went ashore presently after I had anchored and found a heap of Salt of about 20 Tuns I got aboard again immediately and sent the Long-boat ashore which brought off 2 Tuns and ½ the Suff came in so much that no more could be got off we halled the Seyne here and caught abundance of good Mullets with some Cavalle and silver Fish one of the Islanders a Negro came aboard whom I sent ashore to tell the People that if they brought down some Cattle I would buy some of them I rode here all Night fair Weather the Wind Easterly This side of the Island is dry land without wood here are many Goats and Guinea Hens Friday October 29. fair Weather the wind at NE. a fine gale this Morning I sent my Boat ashore and bought of the Islanders some Goats at ½ a piece of Eight per Head and 8 Cows excellent good meat at 6 pieces of Eight a Cow giving the skins again my men caught a great many Fish with the Seyne which this day we split and laid in pickle four Hours then dried them to keep which they will a long time in any Climate as I have experienced in other Voyages and are very good Victuals at Sea I made what dispatch I could to be gone for St. Jago Island This day in the forenoon a Ship passed by to the Westward on the South side of the Isle and in the afternoon we saw several Ships coming from the Northward which were the Portuguese Fleet bound for Brazil they halled into Port Praya in the Isle of St. Jago to water this night I weighed and stood away at twelve a Clock South-south-west for Port Praya with the Pink in Company I touched at the Isle of May for Salt which I knew would be a great help to get Provisions in the Voyage Saturday October 30. fair wind at North-east and by North a fresh gale This Morning I steered South-west for the South side of St. Jago where is the Road of Port Praya lying near South-west from the Road of the Isle of May and distant nine Leagues This day at 12 a Clock I cast my best Bower-anchor in Port Praya Road in 10 fathom rough Ground the East Point bore East of me and the West Point about West-south-west about half a mile off I could not go into the best of the Road the Portuguese Fleet of about thirty six Sail riding in it the Great Padre Eternel Admiral bound for Brazil is a very great Ship and well built they say she is in Burthen 1700 Tuns she hath Ports for three Tier of Guns flush but now she had but eighty and poorly mann'd with Seamen and so were all the rest six Frigats might have taken most of the Fleet. At my coming in to Anchor the Admiral saluted me with seven Guns I thanked him with as many Captain Francis Wilksheir in the Jerusalem fired five I returned him three so did the Reer-Admiral and I return'd the Complement in the like number several of the Fleet fired three whom I answer'd in conclusion with three for all I rode on the broad side of the Admiral and saluted the Fort with five Guns which return'd three then I sent my Lieutenant ashore to ask leave of the Governour to water which he granted forthwith my Coopers got the Cask ready and this Evening put one boat 's lading aboard Sunday Octobor 31. fair Weather the wind at North-east a fine gale This Morning Don Carolus went ashore to Pryam with much ado I got off a boats lading of Water for the Portuguese boats were filling too and a great many Soldiers at the watering place snatch'd some of our mens Hats off and run away wherefore I would not let my men go any more this day for fear of quarreling This Bay of Port Praya as they call it is no Port but a fine round Bay having high steep Cliffs on the East side and in the bottom a steep Hill where the Castle is that hath but four Guns and is of no force there is a small Fort on the top of a Hill on the East side which hath three Guns On the North-west part of the Bay the shore is gravelly and sandy and there 's a Grove of Coco-nut trees A fresh water Rivulet runs down into the Valley and thence through the Sand soaks into the Sea this Water is in great quantity very good and keeps well at Sea to the west part of this Bay lies a small Island close on the shore which has Grass on it that may be cut off for Cattle which I did this Road is no safeguard for Shipping for a Man of War may take any Ship out of the Bay without receiving any damage from the Forts ashore and with Fire-Ships a whole Fleet may be spoiled at pleasure for it 's a fresh gale every day and there 's but two points of Land by which a man may fetch into any part of the Bay also the Bay lies open to the Sea from the East Southerly to the W. S. W. I called for my Lieutenants and Master and acquainted them that I had Orders to sail from thence to the Coast of America to the Southward of the River of Plate to the streights of Magellan through which we were to pass into the South Seas and that we must shape our Course to make the shortest way of it and be careful to keep Easterly enough of it to weather the shoals of Brazil called the Abroholls lying in and about eighteen degrees of Southerly Latitude for the Wind blows for the most part thereabouts between the Latitude of ten South and the Latitude of twenty South at East by South and East South-east fresh gales whilst this pass'd in came the Master and told me all things were stowed and the Wind at E. b. N. fresh I concluded with him that our best Course at present would be South and by East and as we got Southerly and the Wind grew large we might alter our Course when we would we steered a Point or two from the Wind that the Ship might have fresh way through the Sea I ordered my Master to steer South and by East by the Compass and my Lieutenant to call all hands to Prayer read Service and beg'd of God Almighty a prosperous Voyage continuance in Health and love to one another and that we might prosper in this Vndertaking c. Instructions for Mr. Humphrey Fleming Commander of his Majesty's hired Pink the Batchelour By vertue of an Order from His Royal Highness dated the twenty ninth day of August 1669. to me directed YOU are hereby
sometimes one way sometimes another Wind at South-west and by South a small gale I hoisted out my Boat and sounded but no ground at 140 Fathoms I tried the Current with my Boat but found little or none worth notice the Sea ripled in many places I sounded on them but no ground at 108 Fathom several Beds of Sea-weed driving to and fro in knots these Weeds are five or six Fathom long in strings with broad leaves on them of a brown colour at the root hangs a Clod or Rock of 2 or 3 pound weight several Sea-Fowls flying and swimming near the Ship being quite clam my Men kill'd some of them with their Birding-pieces for they were very tame not moving at the report of of a Gun they are very like to Sea-Gulls and good meet some Seals and Whales seen February 5. were seen several beds of Rock-weed and Sea-Fowls much like Gannets some black others white pied and grey small Seal-fishes like so many Dogs for their Heads resemble Bull-dogs which they 'l keep above Water a long time and look at the Ship they are very nimble at diving and skipping out of the Water This Afternoon at seven a Clock I was in the Latitude of 41 degrees South and Longitude West from the Lizard of England 52 deg and 50 min. and in Meridian distance from the Lizard 895 Leagues Meridian distance from Port Praya 616 Leagues Longitude from Port Praya West 36 d. 34 m. This Night I advised with Don Carolus where it would be best for us to hale in with the Land in what Latitude or at what Cape or Harbour on this Coast of America being now to the South-ward of the River of Plate and according to my Instructions before the Coast to be discover'd and a Trade set on foot with the Natives He told me I might do what I would for he did not understand the Coast nor where 't was inhabited 't was his whole Discourse in the Voyage that he had been here in a Galley and knew all the Coasts from the River of Plate to the Streights and thorow the Streights all along the West Coast to Baldavia and Lima being arrived here as far as I can perceive by him he knows nothing of the matter nor any thing appertaining to Navigation all I can fancy of him is that he may have liv'd with a West Indian Governour whom he has heard talk of these Parts February 8. at 7 a Clock this Afternoon the Wind came to the West South-west a stiff gale I stood to the Southward much Rock-weed pass'd by the Ship to day and several Sea-Fowls seen very cold for the Season being Summer which Don Carolus began to complain of and told me he did not think we should have come so far Southerly I shew'd him by my Plates how far we were to go through the Streights and along the West Coast he said the Spaniards went to Chile a nearer way I answer'd 't was into the River of Plate and over Land which we could not do My Company are all in good health but some of a puny Race grow weak in being so long on Shipboard I give them Vinegar once a Week which is very good to prevent the Scurvy in their Mouths also I order'd every Man to wash his Mouth Face and Hands before the receive his daily Allowance of Bread and appointed one Man to see it performed if any neglected it the Steward kept their Allowance for one day likewise every Man is commanded to keep himself clean and free from Lice upon forfeiture of his daily Allowance to the Party accusing him by these means the Ship is kept neat sweet and clean tho' the dirty foggy Weather is a great Enemy to this Discipline February 19. I sounded often to day and had fifty and fifty three Fathom dark black Sand wth some bright fine Sand in it Beds of Rock-weed Seals and Porpoises such as are in the European Seas seen to day three Whales many Fowls flying about and some Penguins in the Sea swimming near the Ships at 2 a Clock in the Afternoon the Wind was at E. b. S. a stout gale and a great Sea I stood to the Southward close haled under my Courses the Pink half a Mile to Wind-ward of me udner her's she out-sails us now it blows and puts us past our Top-fails and steers along with us with only her Main-sail set the Sea runs lofty Monday February 21. At a quarter of an hour past eight this Morning I saw the Land bearing West of me and distant about 4 Leagues I sounded and had 21 Fathom small Stones and Sand still I stood in West by my Compass The Land makes but an ordinary heighth towards the Sea side but farther up round high Hills and looks reddish the Northermost Land I could see which was Cape Blanco bore North-north-west of me about two Leagues and the Southermost Land at the face of the Cape The Land trented away to te Southward of me Southwesterly of an ordinary height by the Water side but up in the Land are Hills like Tables on the top a little higher than the rest the Land makes in Hills and Valleys all along like Downs of an ordinary heighth at nine a Clock this Morning I braced the Head-sails to the Mast and lay so half an hour till the Fog cleared up that I might make the Land plainly being within five miles of the shore side which made a kind of Bay breached on the shore I sounded and at 17 Fathom had rough ground with some small stones drawn up in the Tallow of the Lead which was dinted by Rocks between nine and ten a Clock there was a fine clear by which I saw the Land very plainly it look'd reddish like seared Grass no Woods to be seen on any of the Hills or Valleys but all as bare as the Grass-Downs in England I durst not send my Boat a-shore for fear of losing her in the Fog or being sunk at the shore whereon the Sea breaks very much the Wind was at North and by East a fresh gale blew almost along the shore and being out but 24 hours before made the Sea run high the Land lies by the Sea-side South-south-west and North-north-east as far as I could see to the Southward no fire or smoak to be see upon the Land Course made true after several Courses from yesterday Noon till to day at nine a Clock when I was 3 Leagues off the Land true Course is West 6 d. 50 m. Northerly distance sailed fifty miles seven tenths Departure West 50 miles difference of Longitude West 1 d. 15 m. difference of Latitude North 0d 6 m. Latitude by account is 47 d. 14 m. South no Observation this three days being foggy Weather Meridian distance from the Lizard West 1014 League 1 mile 7 tenths Longitude at 9 a Clock from the Lizard West 61 d. 56 m. 6 tenths Longitude from Port Praya West 44 deg 38 m. 5 tenths Meridian distance from Port Praya West
a half into the Land in the Valleys between the Rocks grows abundance of wild Pease which had green leaves and blewish blossoms both tasting like green Pease-leaves in England growing on vines and tangled together also very sweet smelling Herbs much like Tares very green and white and yellow Flowers likewise green Herbs much like Sage but grow in knots near the ground like Lettice these Herbs with the Pease-leaves made a good Sallad to refresh such as were inclining to the Scurvy for want of which fresh Trade several of my Men were falling into it Here are abundance of very good Muscles and Limpets on theRocks and an Island frequented by many Seals and Fowls in the River were pied Divers as big as Ducks some of them grey and black shags Ducks and other Sea-Fowls breed on them amongst the Rocks and Bushes to day I went upon one of these Islands and caught as many young black Shags in their Nests as loaded the Pinnace when I have discovered better the particulars of the Fowls and other things seen here I will mention them hereafter Night coming on and it beginning to blow hard I went aboard with Herbs Fowls and what else I had got to day and divided all things equally among the Company the Boys Dividend being as large as my own or any Man's it blew very hard this Evening and looked very black in the South-west an ordinary gale I kept a Light out all Night in the Poop for the Pink this day all the Company eat of young Seals and Penguins and commended them for good Food I judged this a very fit Harbour to fit the Ship in for the main Mast must be unrig'd and a new gang of shrouds fitted and Ballast be had and it might be a means to fall in with the Pink for from the tops of the Hills we could see a great way into the Sea so that if she should come near the Coast we could not miss her We found 2 Springs of fresh Water one in a Valley close by the Water-side in a gully above the Ship half a mile up the River the other up a Valley between the Rocks just a-brest where the Ship rode about half a mile from the River's side right from Coopers-Bay in the same Valley these Springs are but small and the Water 's a little brackish or saltish for in the dry Valleys the Earth is naturally saltish the Ground and Rocks have a white Rhime of Salt-petre hanging on them I went into the Land 2 miles North-west and saw the Country hilly and dry Land without Wood or Water some craggy Rocks and Valleys low but dry and of a Salt-petre nature here and there some Bushes with prickly Branches and Leaves like White-Thorn Bushes in England the lesser Bushes have small dry Gauls growing oâ— them with a small dry Seed as hot in the Mouth as Pepper not a Tree to be seen the Soil is graâ— velly and sandy generally with tufts of dry feared Grass growing on it I digged in several places but saw nothing but gravelly Sand and Rocks no sort of Metals or Minerals I looked also among the broken Rocks for Metals but saw no sign of any from the tops of the Hills I could see a great way into the Land which is all Hills and Downs like Cornwall toilsom travelling to those that were not used to it I could travel as far in an hour as many of my Men could in two to day we saw nine Beasts feeding on the Grass very like Deer but larger and had longer Necks but no Horns reddish coloured on the Back and aloft whitish under their Bellies and up their Flanks when we had got within a Furlong of them they fell a neighing like Horses one answered another and then all run away Tuesday March 1. Fair Weather this Morning Wind at North a fine gale and a cold Air. This Forenoon I filled the Casks out of the Spring and dug them deeper I set up a long Pole with a white Cloath upon it on a Hill near a mile into the Land where 't was most likely to be seen by the Inhabitants with it I left Beads a Looking-glass a Knife a Hook and an Hatchet to invite the People of the Country to shew themselves for I was willing to see 'em that I might discover what they had but through I went about the Hills this Afternoon I could see neither People Fire nor Smoak I saw three Ostriches but could not get near enough to make a shot at them they were feeding on Grass and at first sight of me ran â—way I had a Greyhound with me which I turn'd loose upon 'em who gave Chase to one of them and at last gave her a turn which she recovered took to the Hills and so escaped they are grey coloured and larger than a great Turky-cock in England they can't fly but have long Legs and trust to their running I saw two handfuls of Wooll among the Grass where the Natives had made a Fire it was the Spanish red Wooll which they bring out of India and very fine I brought it away with me and set the Greyhound at 3 of the large Beasts like Deer but they were too swift for him Night coming on I returned on Board at 7 a Clock this Night the Wind came to the North a fresh gale and hasey Weather no sight of the Pink to day I could see a long way on the Sea at 10 a Clock it rain'd and the Wind came to the South-East Friday March 4. Fair Weather this Morning the Wind at East a fine gale I went ashore and filled fresh Water the rest of the Seamen fitted rigging this day at 12 a Clock I went with both the Boats and forty Men to Seal-Island into the Harbour every Man with his Staff and Club we landed drove the Seals up together beset them round and in half an hours time killed four hundred young and old striking them on the head kills them presently as soon as they were knocked down we cut their throats that they might bleed well whilst they were hot then loading both the Boats with them I carried them to the Bay where the Tent was landed and laid them upon the Rocks to Night the Boat fetch'd them all off the great Male Seals are as big as Calfs and resemble a Lion in their shaggy Necks Heads and Faces as well as in their Roar the Females are like Lionesses before only they are hairy all over like a Horse and smooth and the Male is smooth all over his hind-parts their shape is very deformed for their hind-part tapers till it come to a point where grow two Fins or Feet two more grow out of their Breast so that they can go on Land a great pace and climb Rocks and Hills of a good height they delight much to lie and sleep ashore some are very large upwards of eighteen Foot in length and thicker about than a But in the Bilge and excessive fat there are
not come near it nor meddle with it The People of the Country have made in a Valley the form of the Ship in Earth and Bushes and stuck up pieces of sticks for Masts and redded the Bushes all over with red Earth the Model I imagine is to record our Ship for they cannot have any Records but by imitation This Fancy we let alone untouched only I laid a string or two of Beads on it and came away close Weather to Night These People must certainly have received some injury in former times from some People that have been here in Shipping otherwise they would come in sight of us or else they have heard of the cruel dealings of the Spaniards toward the Indians where they lived near I have used all endeavours possibly by fair means to have Conference with them but all is in vain Tuesday October 11. The Wind at West-south-west a stout gale very cold Hail and sleety Snow to day Our Men are all in good health and are lusty and fat those wihch had the Scurvy are got very well with eating of fresh Meat and such green Herbs as they can get on the shore as green Pease-leaves and such trade they mince it fry it with Eggs and Seal-oil and it hath raised every Man in as good health as they were at our coming out of England We fare very well and have great plenty of good Provisions Here is Provision enough of Seals and Penguins if salt be plenty to lade Ships I can confidently say that on the Island of Penguins there are more Seals and Penguins at this present than three hundred Tuns of Cask can hold when dressed and salted besides what are going off and coming on if any Men should have occasion for provisions of Flesh If they have Salt here they may furnish themselves with what quantity shall seem fit for them and I can assure them it will last four Months sweet if not longer if care be taken in bleeding and dressing and salting as I have prescribed before the Salt may also be had at Saint Julian's Salt-pond in Summer-time also I believe that Salt may be made at Port Desier in the Summer-time for here is some dried Salt on the holes of the Rocks Here are several Flats where Men may make Pits and let in Salt-water and so make Salt as I have seen in other places The Penguin is a Fowl that lives by catching and eating of Fish which he dives for and is very nimble in the Water he is as big as a brant-goose and weighs near about eight pounds they have no Wings but flat stumps like Fins their Coat is a downy stumped Feather they are blackish grey on the Backs and Heads and white about their Necks and down their Bellies they are short legged like a Goose and stand upright like little Children in white Aprons in companies together they are full-necked and headed and beaked like a Crow only the point of their Bill turns down a little they will bite hard but they are very tame and will drive in herds to your Boats-side like Sheep and there you may knock them on the head all one after another they will not make any great hast away Here are a great many Sea-Pies and Ducks and Ox-Birds and Sea-Mews and Gulls and white Sea-Pigeons and white-breasted Divers and Dobchicks October 13. I weighed and sailed out of Port Desier standing Southward Octob. 16. I was in Lat. 49 d. 8 m. South Octob. 19. I passed by the Cape called Beachy-Head by our Men and the Hill of St. Ives Lat 50 d. 10 m. The Compass has variation 16 d. 37 m. Easterly The Land here makes in a Bay where the River of St. Cruce goes in Octob. 21. We passed by Cape Fair-weather in 51 d. 30 m. South-Lat Here goes on the River of Gallegoes Octob. 22. We came to Cape Virgin-Mary at the entrance of the Streight of Magellan Cape Virgin-Mary at the North-entrance lies in the Latitude of 52 d. 26 m. And in Longitude from the Lizard in England West 65 d. 42 m. Meridian distance form the Lizard in Leagues West 1062. Leagues Variation of the Compass here I find to be Easterly 17 Degrees Here is Anchoring all about this Part of the Streights in the fair way from Cape Virgin-Mary till you come into the Narrow I did not find much Tide any where hereabout but in the Narrow and there the Tide runs stronger than it does in the Hope a good matter the floud Tide sets into the Streights and the Ebb sets out it keepeth its course as on other Coasts it is six hours Floud and two hours Ebb it riseth and falls near four Fathom perpendicular it is an high Water here on the change day of the Moon at eleven of the Clock as far as I could perceive Many beds of Rock-weed are driving to and fro here This day at two of the Clock I was a-breast of Point Possession I steered from thence West-north-west about two Leagues and then West and West-south-west and South-west and by South rounding by the North-shore As I shoaled my soundings I had 22 and 18 and 16 and 12 and 9 Fathoms sandy and sometimes gravelly Ground and pebble Stones I sailed rounding the shore being unacquainted and could not tell certainly where the Narrow lay for it was shut in one Land with the other so as I could not see the opening I was open of the Narrow at five a Clock having a fine gale at North-north-east I steered in South-west and by South into the chops of it but could not get past a League into it the Tide being bent out and run so strong as I could not stem it I was in danger of running the Ship against steep Rocks which lie in the North-side the taking a shear with the Tide and the Wind was a fresh gale at North-north-east There grew long Rock-weed on the Rocks I went and sounded over them and had five foot Water on them and fourteen Fathom by the side of them next the Channel they come trenting from the point of the Narrow of the North-side a mile off At six of the Clock the Wind came to the North at eight of the Clock it came to the North-west it fell very dark and rained much I was forced to fall back again out of the Narrow as well as I could the shore I could not see it was so dark it fell a flat Calm I finding twenty five Fathom Water pebble Stones and oary I anchored and rode all Night little Wind at South-west and dark It is eight Leagues from the first Narrow to the second and something better the Course from one to the other is West and by South and East and by North. This Reach from the first Narrow to the second is seven Leagues broad from the North-shore to the South-shore it shews like a little Sea when one comes into it for we could not see to the second Narrow till I had sailed therein three
as he comes out from the South-Sea if he lose sight of the South-shore Here lie four small Islands at the North part of the mouth of the Streight in the South-Sea they lie pretty near together the Eastermost stands singly by it self and is round copling up of a fair height like an Hay-cock or Sugar-loaf the other three are flattish they lie from Cape-pillar North-north-west by the true Compass 6 Legues off they are distant from Cape-Victory near four Leagues South-west I called them The Islands of Direction they are good wishing to fall with the Mouth of the Streight November 26. The Land makes in Islands lying near the main Land is high and large Hills In-land which stretch North and South some Snow lying on the tops of the highest Hill At eight of the Clock I made the Island of Nuestra Sennora del Socoro in the Spanish Tongue it is called The Island of our Lady of Sucore I steered with it North-east and by East it made rounding up at the Eastermost end and lower in the middle that at either end it maketh with a ridge running from one end to the other and Trees growing on it the Shore-side is rocky on the South-side of the Island and some broken Rocks lie near the Shore-side and on the South-east end of the Island there stand two peaked copling Rocks close to the Shore they are white on the top with Fowls dung The Island is of a fine heighth and all woody on the North-side of it the Trees grow down to the Water-side and fresh Water runs down in five or six Gullies the Woods are all green and very thick spicy Trees Meridian distance at Noon from Cape-pillar East 20 d. â— m 4 ten Longitude at Noon from Cape-pillar East 1 d 19 m. Longitude at Noon from the Lizard West 71 d. 42 m. Meridian distance at Noon from the Lizard West 1128 leag 2 mil. 9 ten The Island Nuestra Senore di Socoro lies in the Latitude of forty five degrees South and in Longitude East from Cape-pillar one degree nineteen minutes Meridian distance from Cape-pillar East 20 leag 0 min. 4 ten Meridian distance from the Lizard West 1128 deg 2 min. 42 min. Longitude from the Meridian of the Lizard West 71 deg 9 ten The Compass hath eleven Degrees Variation Easterly here I went a-shore with my Boats for fresh Water which I had them laden with presently for here is fresh Water enough and very good I searched the Shore what I could I saw on old Hutt or Arbour of the Indians making and several sticks that were cut but all old done I could not see any sign of People on the Island now I believe the People come rambling to this Island from the Main in the best season of the Year to get young Fowls for I do not see any thing else in the Island for the sustenance of Mans Life I could not see any kind of Mineral or Metal the Soil is a sandy black Earth and some Banks of Rocks the Island is irregular and grown all over with impenetrable thick Woods so as I could not see the inward part of it the Woods are ordinary Timber none that I saw was fit to make Planks of the nature of the Wood is much like Beech and Birch and a sort of heavy Wood good for little but the fire it is white no Fruit or Herbs very little Grass the Woods are so thick much kind of long sedgy Grass no wild Beast to be seen several small Birds in the Woods like Sparrows there are several Fowls like Kites in the Woods several black and white brant-Geese and pied Shags and other such Sea-Fowls as Pinks and Sea-mews what else the Island affords I cannot tell I made a Fire on the Shore in hopes to have some answer of it on the Main but had not At Noon I went aboard and sent my Boats a-shore again for more Wood and Water whilst the Weather permitted landing November 30. This Forenoon I was over on the main side the Ship lay off and in I went ashore with my Boat on an Island which lieth adjacent to the Main There runs a Channel between that and the Main and many Rocks lie in it and foul Ground so as I durst not venture the Ship in it This Island shewed as if it had been the Main till I went to it with the Boat being about four Leagues long from the North-point to the South-point and in some places a League broad The Island is of a mean height and in some places two Leagues broad and grown all over with Woods very thick the Timber is such like as is on the Isle of Socoro I could not see any kind of Mineral or Metal in it the Shore-side sandy in many places and rocky in others the Earth on this Island is of a sandy black soil but very wet with the continual Rains that are here Not finding this noted in my Draughts I called it after my own Name Narbrough's-Island I took possesion of it for his Majesty and his Heirs I could not see any People or any sign of them here South-east from Narbrough's-Island on the Main distant about three Leagues there runs into the Land a River or Sound and some broken ground lies before it The Shore-side is rocky and the Hills are high in the Land on both sides of it this opening lies in East and West I take it for that place which in the Draughts is called Saint Domingo This place lies in the Latitude of forty four Degrees fifty Minutes South and more to the Southward thereof lie many round coplin high Islands grown over with Woods all along the Coasts as far as I could see there lie Islands adjacent to the Main and they are of a great height This Day all the Bread in the Ship is expended all the Company of the Ship my self as well as any other eat Pease in lieu of Bread my Company are all indifferent well in health I thank God for it being seventy two in Company no Fish to be taken with Hooks many Porpusses seen and some Whales several Sea-Fowls seen swimming to day much Wind to Night at North-west I ride fast but doubtful of my Cable No-Man's Island lies in the Latitude of forty three Degrees forty seven Minutes South and in Longitude West from the Lizard in England seventy one Degrees thirty two Minutes And in Meridian distance from the Lizard of England one thousand one hundred and twenty six Leagues and one Mile and in Meridian distance from Cape-pillar East twenty two Leagues two Miles and two tenths and in Longitude East from Cape-pillar one degree twenty nine minutes 1 10. The variation of the Compass is ten Degrees Easterly here This Island is that which the Draughts make to lie at the South-end of the Island of Castro at the Mouth of the going in of that Channel which is between Castro and the Main the Draughts are false in laying down of this Coast for they
West-south-west fair Weather Course per Compass North-east by East distance sailed by the Log 83 Miles true Course Protracted and variation allowed is East 33 d. North difference of Lat. 47 Miles by Observation departure 66 Miles Lat. by a good Observation 70 d. 30 m. Meridian distance 367 Miles East Yesterday and this Day we saw many Whales Monday June 19. From the 18. Noon to this Day Noon a fresh Gale at West by South thick hasey Weather with Rains at seven a Clock in the Forenoon saw many Sea Fowles more than at any time yet with many Jubartesses at ten a Clock saw the Land being the Islands that lie about 20 Leagues to the Westward of the North Cape true Course allowed for variation is North-north-east distance sailed by the Log 135 Miles difference of Lat. 50 Miles departure East 30 Miles Lat. per Judgment 71 d. 20 m. Meridian distance 497 Miles At Noon the Island Sanden bore South by East about 8 or 9 Leagues off this Island is a high craggy Land with some Snow on the Land Tuesday June 20. From the 19. Noon to this day Noon Course per Compass between the East-north-east and the North-east distance sailed by the Log 128 Miles true Coursed allowed for the variation is North 43 d. East difference of Lat. 91 Miles departure 88 Miles East Lat. per Judgment 72 d. 51 m. Meridian distance 585 Miles From yesterday Noon to this day Noon the first 12 Hours a fresh Gale at South-west but the last 12 Hours much Wind with small Rains and great Fogs saw many Sea Fowles Wednesday June 21. From the 20. to the 21. Noon a stiff Gale with Gusts and small Rains Course per Compass North-east distance sailed by Log 35 Miles true Course allowed by variation is North 40 d. East difference of Lat. 103 Miles departure East 86 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 34 m. Meridian distance 671 Miles thick cloudy Weather saw many Sea Fowles Thursday June 22. From the 21. Noon to this 22. Noon Course per Compass North-east distance sailed per Log 116 Miles true Course allowed by variation and Leeward way is North 43 d. East difference of Lat. 85 Miles departure East 79 Miles Lat. per Judgment 75 d. 59 m. Meridian distance 750 Miles East the Wind at North-west a fresh Gale Weather variable sometime cloudy and sometimes fair but very cold At Noon we saw Ice right a Head about a League off we sailed close to it and found it to lie away East-south-east and West-north-west we bore away East-south-east along the Ice in the Afternoon we had some small Snow and very cold Weather Friday June 23. From yesterday Noon to this Day Noon we steered along the Ice finding it to have many openings which we sailed into but found them to be Bays our true Course sailed along the Ice the variation allowed was East 14 d. South 77 m. Lat. per Judgment 75 d. 41 m. difference of Lat. 19 m. departure 74 Miles Meridian distance 824 Miles Wind N. N. W. At Noon we sounded and had 158 Fathom soft green Oar and found the Current to set South-south-east we have found very smooth to Leeward of this Ice and in some places found pieces of the Ice driving off a Mile sometimes more or less from the main body of the Ice finding it to be in several strange shapes resembling Trees Beasts Fishes Fowles c. The main Body of the Ice being low but very Craggy being many pieces lying close together and some a top of each other and in some places we saw high hillocks of blue colour but all the rest of the Ice very white as though it were Snow In some places we saw drift Wood amongst the Ice we took up some of the Ice and melted it and the Water very fresh and good this Day we found very cold and freezing Saturday June 24. From the 23. Noon to this Day Noon little Wind at North by West we steered close along the Ice sailing into every opening but could not find any Passage through neither could we see over the Ice in any place from our Topmast-Head true Course Protracted as we sailed along the Ice is East 34 d. South difference of Lat. 24 Miles South departure East 34 Miles Lat. per Judgment 75 d. 18 m. but by a good Observation at Noon the Lat. 74 d. 50 m. the difference between the Dead Lat. and the observed Lat. is 28 Miles which difference hath been caused by the Current setting South-south-east At Noon we sounded and had 128 Fathom Water and the Current as yesterday South-south-east this last 24 Hours fair Weather with little Winds having some small Fogs but lasted not above half an Hour at a time Meridian distance 858 Miles Sunday June 25. From the 24. Noon to this Day Noon little Wind with Calms and the most part foggy so that we durst not venture in the Ice but lay by and stood off true Course Protracted is East 30 d. South difference of Lat. 13 Miles South departure East 19 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 37 m. Meridian distance 877 Miles East Wind variable from the North-west to the West-south-west At One in the Afternoon the Fog broke up hard freezing Weather our Rigging and Sails frozen for as fast as the Fog fell it freezed Monday June 26. From the 25. Noon to this Day Noon little Wind from the North-west to North Course per Compass between the West-south-west and the North-east distance sailed by the Log 63 Miles difference of Lat. 7 Miles North departure East 58 Miles true Course Protracted is East 7 d. North Lat. per Judgment is 74 d. 40 m. Meridian distance 935 Miles At Noon we stood is close with the Ice and saw something to move we judging it might be Sea-Horses or Morses lying on the Ice we sent our Boat to see and they found two Sea-Horses upon the Ice they fired several shot at them but could not kill them notwithstanding that they were much wounded they got into the Water and so went under the Ice We have found the Ice to lie away East these 24 Hours the Wind at North and very cold and at 12 at Night 70 Fathom green Oar at 9 in the Evening saw Land the North part of it bearing East and the South part South-east being high and covered with Snow about 15 Leagues off Sounded and had 125 Fathom Tuesday June 27. From Monday the 26. to Tuesday 27. little Wind from the North-west to the North by East with Calms we kept close with the Ice and found it joyn to the Land of Nova Zembla true Course Protracted is East by North 30 Miles difference of Lat. 16 Miles departure East 29 Miles Lat. per Judgment 74 d. 46 m. Meridian distance 964 Miles at Noon 83 Fathom Water about 6 Leagues from the Shore we rowed in towards the Shore and found the Ice to lic about 5 Leagues from the Shore we went out of our Boat on
again the Sea was tempestuous and tossed our Ship very much The 3d of May was cold snowy with hail and misty Sun-shine the wind North-west and by west the Sun set no more we saw it as well by night as by day The fourth we had snow hail and gloomy Sun-shine with cold weather but not excessive the wind at North-west the weather every day unconstant Here we saw abundance of Seales they jump'd out of the water before the Ship and which was strange they would stand half out of the water and as it were dance together The 5th-in the forenoon it was moderately cold and Sun-shine but toward noon darkish and cloudy with snow and great frost the wind North-west and by North. We saw daily many Ships failing about the Ice I observed that as they passed by one another they haled one another crying Holla and asked each other how many fish they had caught but they would not stick sometimes to tell more then they had When it was windy that they could not hear one another they waved their Hats to signifie the number caught But when they have their full Fraight of Whales they put up their great Flag as a sign thereof then if any hath a Message to be sent he delivers it to them as you may see in the Plate A by A. The 7th we had moderate frost clouds and snow with rain In the evening we sailed to the Ice the wind was quite contrary to us and the Ice too small wherefore we sailed from it In the afternoon we saw Spitzbergen the South point of the North-foreland we supposed it the true Harbour The Land appeared like a dark Cloud full of white streeks we turned to the West again that is according to the Compass which is al 's to be understood of the Ice and Harbour The 9th was the same weather and cold as before the Wind South-west and by west In the afternoon a Fin-fish swam by our Ship which we took at first to be a Whale before we saw the high fins of his tail and came near to it We had let down our Sloop from the Ship but that labour was lost for he was not worth taking From the 25th of April to this day we had not taken the Sun's altitude we were then in 70 degrees and 3 minutes and sailed towards the North and the Ice It may seem strange that we so often sailed to the Ice and from it again but I shall give you a reason for that hereafter The12th it was stormy and excessive cold the wind North and we had the greatest frosts in this Month of May. On the 14th the wind was North-west fine weather with Sun-shine we were within 75 degrees and 22 minutes We told twenty Ships about us the Sea was very even and we hardly felt any wind yet it was very cold In this place the Sea becomes smooth presently again after a storm chiefly when the wind blows from the Ice but when it blows off the Sea it always makes a great Sea The same day we saw a Whale not far off from our Ship we put out four Boats from on board after him but this labour was also in vain for he run under water and saw him no more On the 19th we had a dull Sun-shine the wind was North and it was so calm that we could hardly feel it we rowed in the Ship-boat to the Ice and killed two Sea-hounds or Seales there were so many of them on the Ice that they could not be numbred On the 20th it was exceeding cold so that the very Sea was all frozen over yet it was so calm and still that we could hardly perceive the wind which was North there were nine Ships in our Company which sailed about the Ice we found still the longer we sailed the bigger the Ice On the 30th it was fair weather in the morning snowy about noon the wind was Southwest and very calm We rowed in the great Sloop before the Ship farther into the Ice In the morning we heard a Whale blow when the Sun was in the East and brought the Whale to the Ship when the Sun was at South-west and by east the same day we cut the Fat from it and filled with it 70 Barrels which they call Kardels By this fish we found abundance of Birds most of them were Mallemucks that is to say foolish Gnats which were so greedy of their food that we kill'd them with sticks This fish was found out by the Birds for we saw every where by them in the Sea where the Whale had been for he was wounded by an Harping Iron that stuck still in his flesh and he had also spent himself with hard swimming he blowed also very hollow he stank alive and the birds fed upon him This Whale fermented when it was dead and the steam that came from it inflamed our eyes and made them sore See Tab. A at a. This same night Cornelius Seaman lost his Ship by the squeezing and crushing together of the Ice for in this place are very great Sheets or Islands of Ice and the Seamen call it West-Ice because it lieth towards the West as you may see in the Plate B marked with b. On the 2d of June we had a severe frost in the forenoon and in the night we saw the Moon very pale as it used to look in the day time in our Country with clear Sun-shine whereupon followed mist and snow the wind North-east and by north In the morning June the 4th we were a hunting again after a Whale and we came so near unto one that the Harponier was just a going to fling his Harpoon into her but she sunk down behind and held her head out of the water and so sunk down like a stone as is to be seen by d on the cut A and we saw her no more it was very like that the great Ice-field was full of holes in the middle so that the Whale could fetch breath underneath the Ice A great many more Ships lay about this sheet of Ice one hunted the Whales to the other and so they were frighted and became very shy So one gets as many fishes as the other and sometimes they all get one We were there several times a hunting that very day and yet we got never a one On the 8th it was foggy and snowed all day we saw that day very many Sea-dogs or Seales on the Ice about the Sea-side so we set out a Boat and killed 15 of them On the 12th it was cold and stormy all day at night Sun-shine he that takes not exact notice knows no difference whether it by day or night On the 13th in the afternoon it was windy and foggy we were in 77 degrees we sailed along by the Ice somewhat easterly towards Spitzbergen as is to be seen in the Cut A at e. That night we saw more then 20 Whales that run one after another towards the Ice out of them we got
weather and warm Sun-shine all night Hard by us rode a Hollander and the Ships crew busie in cutting the fat of a Whale when the fish burst with so great a bounce as if a Canon had been discharged and bespattered the Workmen all over On the 8th the wind turned North-west with snow and rain We were forced to leave one of our Anchors and thank'd God for getting off from Land for the Ice came on fiercely upon us at night the wind was laid and it was colder although the Sun shined On the 9th we got another male Whale being the eighth which was yellow underneath the head we filled with him 54 Kardels with fat the Sun shined all night On the 12th we had gloomy Sun-shine all day At night we sailed with three Boats into the Ice before the Weigatt and got three white Bears an old one with two young ones they swam in the water like fish On the Ice lay abundance of Sea-horses and the further we came into the Ice there were the more of them we rowed up to them and when we came near to them we killed ten of them the rest came all about our Boat and beat holes through the sides of the Boat so that we took in abundance of water we were forced at length to row away from them because of their great number for they gathered themselves more and more together they pursued us as long as we could see them very furiously Afterwards we met with another very great one who lay in the water fast asleep but when he felt our Harpoon within him he was very much frightned and ran away before the Boat again where he was soon eased of his fright by our Lances We saw but very few Whales more and those we did see were quite wild that we could not come near them That night it was so dark and foggy that we could hardly see the Ships length we might have got Sea-horses enough but we were afraid of loosing our Ships for we had examples enough of them that had lost their Ships and could not come to them again but have been forced to return home in other Ships When after this manner any have lost their Ships and cannot be seen they discharge a Cannon from the Ship or sound the Trumpets or Haut-boys according as they are provided in their Ships that the men that are lost may find their Ship again On the 13th we had cloudy Sun-shine the wind towards night turned to North-east and by east The Ice came a floating down apace we sailed from the South-east Land to the west and we could but just get through by the North side from the Bear-Harbour or Bay We sailed on to the Rehenfelt or Deer-field where the Ice was already fixed to the Land so that we could but just get through we sailed further to the Vogelsanck Birds-song as you may see by b in the Plate D. Then we turned toward the East with a North-east wind in company with twelve Ships more to see whether there were any more Whales left with George and Cornelius Mangelsen and Michael Appel who sailed in four fathoms water and touched upon the wreck of a Ship that was lost there On the 14th in the morning we sailed still amongst the Ice the wind being North-east and by east we had a fogg all that day with Sun-shine with a Rainbow of two colours white and pale yellow and it was very cold and we saw the Sun a great deal lower On the 15th it was windy cold and foggy the whole day the wind turned North-west and the Ice came on in abundance so that we could hardly sail for it was every where full of small sheets of Ice At this time there were many ships beset with Ice in the Deer or Muscle-Bay We sailed all along near the shoar and at night we entred the South-Harbour marked with c in the Cut D where 28 Ships lay at Anchor 8 whereof were Hamburgers the rest Dutchmen From that time when we sailed out of the South-haven we kept always within sight of the Land and saw it always except it was foggy and so long the Skippers stay by the Ice to see whether there is any more Whales to be had That night we fetched water from the Land near the Cookery of Harlingen out of a hole marked by b in the Plate C. On the 16th in the morning we saw the Moon and afterwards it was windy with abundance of snow On the 18th we had fair weather with Sun-shine and we were also becalmed that we could not sail wherefore we towed with a Boat into the Danish Harbour to gather some Herbs from the Rocks In the South-Haven rode 30 Ships at Anchor On the 19th we had warm Sun-shine and fair weather but in the night stormy and rain On the 20th storms rain and a great deal of snow the wind South-west On the 21th rain all day long CHAP. II. Of our home Voyage from Spitzbergen to the Elbe ON the 22th day of July in the morning when the Sun was North-east we waied our Anchors and sailed out of the South-Haven we had a fogg all day long and Sun-shine at night in the night we saw abundance of Fin-fishes On the 24th it was so warm with Sun-shine that the Tarr wherewith the Ship was daubed over melted we drove it being calm before the Haven or Bay of Magdalen On the 25th it was cloudy and Sun-shine but cold withal at night we came to the Forelands the night was foggy the wind South-west On the 26th we had the very same weather all day the Sun was very low in the night On the 28th we turned from the side of the North-Foreland towards the west when the Sun was South-east and we did sail South-west and by west towards the Sea then we changed our Course southwards and stood South-east On the 29th 30th and 31th we sailed South-east and by south all along by the Land the south side of the Foreland was 8 Leagues from us bearing North-east then we sailed South-west and by south it was very cold with a North-west wind We saw daily abundance of Fin-fishes but no more Whales On the 9th of August it was windy all day with a gloomy Sun-shine in the forenoon it cleared up towards noon the wind was South-east when we took the Meridian heighth of the Sun and were at 66 degrees 47 minutes we sailed South-westward all along the Northern shoar of the Country On the 13th being Sunday in the morning the wind was North-west stormy with rain and west winds In the night we had very clear Moon and Star-light In the morning we saw the northern part of Hitland we sailed southward after the rain we saw Fair-Isle and sailed in betwixt Hitland and Fair-Isle first South-west and afterwards South-west and by south and then southward On the 20th it was fair weather warm Sun-shine and somewhat windy When the day began to appear we saw Hilgeland South-eastward of us
Harpoon with Packthread wound all about the Iron somewhat higher up about two spans off there is a hole made through the Stick as you may see marked with k in the Tab. Q. The Harpoon is light behind and heavy towards the point or before like an Arrow that is made heavy before with Iron and light behind with Feathers so that fling it which way you will it doth fall always upon the point Through this hole cometh a piece of Pack-thread wherewith the end of the Fore-runner is fastened to the Handle or Stick of the Harpoon but this is soon torn off and it serveth for nothing more after the Harpoon sticks in the Body of the Whale neither is the Wooden Handle of any further use and so it doth soon come out from the Iron When the Whale is struck with the Harpoon all the other Long-boats row out before and take notice which way the Line doth stand and sometimes they pull at the Rope or Line as you may see in the Tab. A marked with p. If it is stiff and heavy the Whale doth draw it still with his might but if it doth hang loose so that the Long-boat is before and behind equally high out of the Water then the Men pull in the Rope again as you may see in the Tab. A marked with q and the Rope-giver layeth it down in very good order as you may see at n in the Tab. A round and one row above the other that if the Whale should draw on again he may have it ready to give him without being entangled Here is also this to be observed that if the Whale runs upon the level they must not give him too much Rope for if he should turn and wind himself much and often about he might easily wind the Rope about a Rock or heavy Stone and so fasten it to it and so the Harpoon would come out and all the Labour would be lost which hath often hapned and we ourselves lost one that way The other Long-boats that are towed behind wherein the Men look all before them and sit still and let the Whale draw them along If the Whale doth rowl upon the Ground so that the Long-boats or Sloops lye still they draw their Lines in again by degrees and the Rope-master doth lay them down again in their proper places as they had been laid before When they kill the Whale with Launces they also pull their Lines in again until they come near to the Whale yet at some distance that the others may have room to launce But they must have great care that all the Lines of every Sloop may not be cut off together because some Whales sink and others do swim even with the Water when they are dead which no body can tell before-hand whether they will do one or the other The fat ones do not sink presently after they are fresh killed but the lean ones sink immediately after they are dead but after some few days they come up again and swim on the Water But it would be too long a while for a Man to stay until he cometh up again and the Sea is never so quiet that one can stay long in the same place and where the Sea is quiet and without Waves there the Stream doth carry the Ships and the Ice along together so that we should be forced to leave the Whale unto others that would find him dead some days after ' T' is true this is the easiest way to catch Whales but it is very nasty and stinking work for long and white Maggots grow in their Flesh they are flat like unto Worms that breed in Mens Bellies and they smell worse than ever I smelt any thing in my Life The longer the Whale lies dead in the Water the higher he doth swim above it some swim a foot high above the Water others to their middle and then they do burst easily and give a very great report They begin immediately to stink and this encreases hourly and their Flesh boils and ferments like unto Beer or Ale and holes break in their Bellies that their Guts come out If any Man is enclined to sore Eyes this Vapour enflames them immediately as if Quicklime was flung into them But when the live Whales rise and swim again some of them are astonish'd others wild or stark mad To those that are wild we come softly or gently from behind as we do when we are going to trapan them for when the Wind is down the Weather calm and Aâ— serene so that the Sea doth not foam or roar the Whales hear immediately the striking of the Oars If many small Ice-sheets lye near to one another so that we cannot follow the Whale with our Sloops or Long-boats we fetch in our Line with all might and strength and if with one or more pulls we can fetch out the Harpoon it is well if not we chop off the Rope or Line The Whale is best and surest struck with a Harpoon when he spouts Water as is already said above for we do observe that when they lye still and very quiet that they then listen and are sometimes under and sometimes above Water so that their Back doth not quite dry and before we are aware of it he flings up his Tail behind out of the Sea and so bids us good-bâ—wy as you may see at s in the Tab. A. The Whales may easily be caught when the Air is very serene and clear and the Sea quiet and where there float neither great nor small Ice-sheets so that we may go in between them with our Boats or Sloops to follow them â—or at the Ice-fields the Whales do commonly lye and rub themselves at them perhaps by reason of the Lice that bite them Besides against the Ice-sheets the Sea beats dashes and foams with small curling Waves so that the Whales do not observe nor mind the striking of the Oars and so they are easily struck with the Harpoon It is very dangerous to kill a Female chiefly when she is big with young for they defend themselves very long and are harder to be killed than a Male one Oftentimes the Long-boats wait six or seven hours nay a whole day for a Whale before they see one Where great quantity of small Ice is crowded together there it is also very dangerous and hard to come to the Whale for he is so cunning that when he perceives where the Ice is he retires thither immediately The Harpoonier stands at the Head of the Long-boat and doth draw on the Rope as you may see at p in the Tab. A to try whether it is heavy or light if it feels heavy so that we are afraid that it will pull the Boat under Water then we give him more Rope if he runs streight out before he draweth the Sloops after him If he doth run underneath a great Ice-field the Harpoonier taketh a Knife into his Hand as you may see at R in the Tab A which they