of Ships aduantageable to all purpose hath not in any nation his equall And now that I may returne to the painefull Seaman it is not vnknowne to all nations of the earth that the English goeth before all others in the practises of sayling as appeareth by the excellent discouery of Sir Franncis Drake in his passage through the straights of Magilane which being then so rawly knowne he could not haue passed vnlesse he had beene a man of great practise and rare resolution so much I may boldely say because I haue seene and tasted the frowardnes of the place with the great vnlikelyhoode of any passage to be that way I might heere repeate the most valiant and excellent attemps of Sir Hugh Willougbie Sir Iohn Hawkins Sir Humfry Gilbert and your Lordships seruant M. George Raymond with diuers others that haue giuen most resolute attempts in the practises of Nauigation as well for the discouery as other execution whereby good proofe is made that not onely in the skill of Nauigation but also in the mecanicall execution of the practises of sayling we are not to be matched by any nation of the earth And sith Nauigation is the meane whereby Countries are discouered and comunitie drawne betweene nation and nation the word of God published to the blessed recouery of the forraine of castes from whome it hath pleased his deuine Maiestie as yet to detaine the brightnes of his glory and that by nauigation common weales through mutuall trade are not onely susteined but mightily enriched by whole hard aduentures such excellent benefites are atchieued for by his exceeding great hazzards the forme of the earth the quantities of Countries the diuersitie of nations and the natures of Zones Climats countries and people are apparantly made known vnto vs Besides the great benefites mutually interchanged betweene nations of such fruites commodities and artificiall practises wherewith God hath blessed eche perticular Countrie coast and nation according to the nature and scituation of the place For what hath made the Spaniard to be so great a Monarch the Commaunder of both Indias to abound in wealth and all natures benefites but onely the painefull industrie of his Subiects by Nauigation their former trade was onely figs Orenges and Oyle but now through Nauigation it is brought to be golde siluer pearles silkes and spice by long and painefull trade recouered Which great benefites onely by her Maiesties louing clemencie and mercifull fauour he doth possesse for if her highnes and her most honourable Lords would but regarde the small distance betweene her dominions and those famous rich kingdomes the easines of the passage being once discouered the Northwest I meane with the full sufficiencie of her highnes Subiects to effect the same there could then be no do doubt but her stately seate of London should be the storehouse of Europe and a nursse to all nations in yeelding all Indian commodities in a farre better condition and at a more easie rate then now brought vnto vs exchanging commodities of our owne store with a plentifull returne at the firste hand which now by many exchanges are brought vnto vs. Then should the Spaniard againe returne to his olde trade and our sacred Soueraigne be seated the Commaunder of the earth which trade and most fortunate discouery we aboue all nations ought most principally to regarde because of the singularitie and inviolable force of our Shipping which is not onely the commaunding fortresse of our Countrie but also the dread of our aduersary and glory of our nation wherein we doe in no sorte flatter our selues for it was made apparant to all nations of the earth by the late most famous conquest that her Maiestie had against the huge supposed inuincible fleete of the Spaniard being by her Nauie vnder the commaund of your Lordship who there in person and in place of her Maiestie to your eternall glorious same did disgrace their glory and confound their force and manifest their weakenes by their dastardly flight through Gods prouidence and your Lordships stately resolution Then sith Nauigation is a matter of so great moment I suppose that euery man is bound in dutie to giue his best furtherance thereunto among whome as the most vnmeete of all yet wishing all good to the painefull traueller I haue published this shorte treatise naming it the Seamans Secrets because by certaine questions demaunded and answered I haue not omitted any thing that appertaineth to the secret of Nauigation whereby if there may growe any increase of knowledge or ease in practise it is the thing which I cheefely desire To manifest the necessary conclusions of Nauigation in breefe and shorte tearmes is my onely intent and therefore I omit to declare the causes of tearmes and diffinition of artificiall wordes as matters superfluous to my purpose neither haue I laide downe the cunning conclusions apt for Schollers to practise vpon the shore but onely those things that are needfullye required in a sufficient Seaman beseeching your honourable Lordship to pardon my boldenesse and with your fauourable countenance to regarde my dutifull affection I most humblye commit your good Lordship to the mercies of God who long preserue your health with continuall increase of honour From Sandrudge by Darthmouth the 20. of August 1594. Your Lordships in all dutifull seruice to commaund Iohn Dauis Imperiall The first mouable Cristalin The firmamēt Saturnus Iupiter Mars Sol Venus Mercurius Luna THE FIRSTE BOOKE OF THE SEAMANS SECRETS What is Nauigation NAuigation is that excellent Arte which demonstrateth by infallible conclusion how a sufficient Ship may be conducted the shortest good way from place to place by Corse and trauers What are those infallible conclusions NAuigation consisteth of three partes which being well vnderstood and practised are conclusions infallible wherby the skilfull Pilote is void of all doubt to effett the thing purposed Of which the first is Horizontall Nauigation which manifesteth all the varieties of the Ships motion within the Horizontall plaine superficies where euery line drawne is supposed a parallell The second is a peradoxall or Cosmographicall Nauigation which demonstrateth the true motion of the Ship vpon any course assigned in longitude latitude and distance either perticular or general and is the skilfull gathering together of many Horizontall Corses into one infallible and true motion peradoxall The third is great Circle Nauigation which teacheth how vpon a great Circle drawn betweene any 2. places assigned being the only shortest way betweene place and place the Ship may be conducted and is perfourmed by the skilfull application of Horizontall and peradoxall Nauigation What is a Corse A Corse is that peradoxall line which passeth betweene place and place according to the true Horizontall position of the Magnet vpon which line the Ship prosecuting her motion shal be conducted betweene the saide places What is a Trauers A Trauers is the varietie or alteration of the Ships motion vpon the shift of windes within any Horizontall plaine superficies by the good
obliquitie of the sphere What is the axis of the worlde THe Axis of the worlde is a right line passing by the center of the sphere and limited in the circumference about the which the Sphere moueth and is therefore called the Axis of the Sphere and as all lines comensurable are limited betweene two pointes or pricks so is the Axis of the worlde and those two limiting pricks are called the Poles of the worlde What are the Poles of the Zodiac THe zodiac hath likewise two Poles Artick and Antartick being two prickes fixed in the firmament limiting the Axis of the zodiac and are distant from the Poles of the world 23. degrees 28. minutes which Poles by the motion of the sphere doe describe the Polar circles perfourming their motion about the Poles of the worlde in euery 24. howers by vertue of the first mouer vpon these poles the Ecliptick and zodiac is described also a quarter of a great circle graduated into 90 degrees being fastened to either of these Poles and brought to the center of any Star sheweth by that graduation the latitude of the same Starre and where the quarter retire circle toucheth the Ecliptick that is likewise his longitude also the 7. Planets do perfourme their naturall reuolutions vpon these Poles whose motion is from the West towards the East coutrary to the motion of the first mouer What is the Axis of the Zodiac THe Axis of the zodiac is a right line passing by the center of the sphere and limited in the circumference whose limiting pointes are the Poles of the zodiac and this Axis is moued with the Sphere as are his Poles What are the Poles of the Horizon THere are two Poles of the Horizon which are the limits of his perpendicular dimetient being equidistant 90. degrees from all parts of the Horizon and are the extreme limits of all altitude that Pole which is in the vpper Hemisphere is called the zenith and his opposite pole is called Nadir they are extended to the firmament but not fixed in it for they moue neuer but remaine alwaies stable to shew proper Horizon which could not be if they were fixed in the firmament for then should they be moued with the firmament as the rest are by the helpe of these Poles is found the Azumuth and Almicanter of any celestiall body for a quarter circle deuided into 90. degrees and fixed to the zenith as is the Quarta altitudo being moued to any celestiall body doth by those degrees shew the almicanter or altitude of the same bodye from the Horizon and that parte of the Horizon which the quarter circle teacheth is the azumuth of the same body alwaies prouided that the zenith stand auswerable to the Poles eleuation that is so many degrees from the Equator as the Pole is from the Horizon How many Zones are there THere are 5. zones 2. temperate zones 2. frozen zones and one burning zone the burning zone lyeth between the two Tropicks whose latitude is 46. degrees 56. minutes which zone by auncient Geographiers is reported to be not habitable by reason of the great heat which there they supposed to be through the perpendicularitie of the Sunne beames whose perpetuall motion is within the saide zone but we finde in our trauels contrary to their reporte that it is not onely habitable but very populous contayning many famous and mightie nations and yeeldeth in great plentye the most purest thinges that by natures benefits the earth may procreate twice I haue sayled through this zone which I found in no sorte to bee offenciue but rather comfortable vnto nature the extremetie of whose heate is not furious but tollerable whose greatest force lasteth but 6. howers that is from 9. of the clocke in the morning vnto 3. in the afternoone the rest of the day and night is most pleasing and delightfull therefore they did nature wrong in their rash reporte Of the frozen Zones THe frozen zones are contained within the polar circles the Artick frozen zone within the Artick polar circle and the antarttck frozen zone within the Antartick Polar circle which are also reported not to be habitable by reason of the great extremetie of colde supposed to be in those parts because of the Sunnes farre distance from those zones but in these our dayes we finde by experience that the auncient Geographiers had not the due consideration of the nature of these zones for three times I haue beene within the Artick frozen zone where I haue found the aire very temperate yea and many times in calme wether meruailous hot I haue felt the Sunne beames of as forcible action within the frozen zone in calmes neere vnto the shore as I haue at any time found within the burning zone this zone is also inhabited with people of good stature shape and tractable conditions with whome I haue conuersed and not found them rudly barberous as I haue found the Caniballs which are in the straights of Magilane and Southerne partes of America In the frozen zone I discouered a coast which I named desolation at the first viewe thereof supposing but by the loathsome shape to be waste and desolate but when I came to an Ancker within the harbours thereof the people presently came unto me without feare offering such poore thinges as they had to exchange for iron nailes and such like but the Canibals of America flye the presence of men shewing themselues in nothing to differ from brute beastes thus by experience it is most manifest that those zones which haue beene esteemed desolate and waste are habitable inhabited and fruitfull If any man be perswaded to the contrary of this truth he shall doe himselfe wrong in hauing so base an imagination of the excellency of Gods creation as to thinke that God creating the worlde for mans vse and the same being deuided but into 5. partes 3. of those partes should bee to no purpose but 〈◊〉 let this saying therefore of the Prophet Esaias be your ful satisfaction to confirme that which by experience I haue truly spoken For thus saith the Lord that created heauen God himselfe that framed the earth and made it hee that prepared it hee created it not in vaine hee framed it to be inhabited c. Esai 45 18. Of the temperate zones THe temperate Artick zone is included betweene the tropick of ♋ and the Artick Polar circle whose latitude or bredth is 42 degrees 2. miuntes within the which we haue our habitation THe temperate Antartick zone is limited by the tropick of ♑ and the Aatartick Polar circle and hath breadth or latitude 42 degrees 2 minutes What is a Climate A Climate is the space or difference vpon the vpper face of the earth included betweene two perallells wherein the day is sensibly lengthened or shortned halfe an hower for as you trauaile from the Equator toward the Artick Pole the Sunne hauing North declination the daies doe grow Ionger and longer vntill at last the Sunne not setting under the
The Poles altitude is the distance betweene the Pole and the Horizon or that portion of the Meridian which is contained betweene the Pole and the Horizon The altitude of the Sunne aboue the Horizon is that portion of the circle of Azumuth which is contained betweene the Horizon and the Sunne Latitude is that arke of the meridian which is contained betweene the parallell of any place and the Equator or that part of the Meridian which is included betweene the Zenith and the Equinoctiall Longitude is that portion of the Equator contained betweene the Meridian of S. Mihels one of the Iles of the Assones and the Meridian of the place whose longitude is desired the reason why the accompt of longitude doth begin at this I le is because that there the Compasse hath no varietie for the Meridian of this I le passeth by the Poles of the worlde and the Poles of the Magnet being a Meridian proper to both Poles The longitude betweene place and place is the portion of the Equator which is contained betweene the Meridians of the same places Declination is the distance of the Sunne Moone and Starres from the Equinoctiall or that portion of the Meridian which passeth by the Center of any celestiall body and is contained betweene the same center and the Equinoctiall Hidrographie is the description of the occean Sea with all Iles bancks rocks and sands therein contained whose limits extend to the geographicall borders of the earth the perfect notice whereof is the cheefest thing required in a sufficient Pylote in his excellent practise of sayling Geographie is the description of the earth onely whereby the terrestriall forme in his due situation is giuen whose distinction is by mountaines riuers vallies cities and places of fame without regarde of the Circles Clymates or Zones Cosmographie is the description of the heauens with all that is contained within the circute thereof but to the purpose of nauigation we must vnderstand Cosmographie to be the vniuersall description of the terrestriall Globe distinguished by all such circles by which the distinction of the celestiall Sphere is vnderstoode to be giuen with euery Countrie Coast Sea Harborow or other place seated in their true longitude latitude Zone and Clyme The Chart is a speciall instrument in Nauigation pretending the Cosmographicall description of the terrestriall Globe by all such lynes circles corses and diuisions as are required to the most exquisite skill of nauigation The end of the First Booke THE SECOND PART OF THIS TREATISE OF NAVIGATION WHERIN IS TAVGHT THE nature and most necessary vse of the Globe with the Circles Zones Climates and other distinctions to the perfect vse of Sayling By which most excellent Instrument is perfourmed all that is needfully required to the full perfection of all the three kindes of Nauigation THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE SEAMANS SECRETS What is the Sphere THe Sphere is a solide body contained vnder one superficies in the midst whereof there is a point or prick which is the Center of the Sphere from whence all right lines drawn to the circumference are equall the one to the other whereby it is to be vnderstoode that the centre of the Sphere is so euenly placed in his midst as that it hath like distance from all parts of the Circumference And forasmuch as the Sphere is an instrument demonstrating nnto us the nniuersall ingine of the world we must therfore vnderstand this Center to be this terrestrial Globe wherin we haue our being which compared to the celestial Globe or heauenly circumference doth beare propertie as the center to his circle which earthly globe by the diuine mightie workmanship of God doth admirably hang vpon his center being of equall distance from all partes of the circumference What are the distinctions of the Sphere THe Sphere is distinguished by ten circles whereof sixe are great circles and 4. are lesser circles whereof there are onely 8. described vpon the body of the Globe limiting the Zones and motion of the Planets as the Equinoctiall the Ecliptick the Equinoctiall Colure the Solsiticial Colure the Tropick of Cancer the Tropick of Capricorne the Artick Polar Circle and the Antartick Polar Circle The Horizon and Meridian are not described vpon the body of the Globe but artificially annexed thereunto for the better perfection of his vse Which are the great circles and which the lesser THe Equator the Ecliptick the 2. Colures the Meridian and the Horizon are great circles because they deuide the sphere into 2. equall parts The 2. Tropicks the 2. Polar circles are lesser circles because they deuide the Sphere into 2. vnequall partes What is the Equator or Equinoctiall THe Equinoctial is a great circle deuiding the Sphere into 2. equal parts leauing the one halfe towardes the North and the other halfe towards the South and is equally distant from both the Poles of the worlde 90. degrees placed euenly betweene them and described vpon them this line crosseth the Horizon in the true points of East and West and hath alwaies his owne halfe aboue the Horizon vnles it be vnder either of the Poles for there the Equator is in the Horizon it crosseth the Meridian at right Spherick angles and it also crosseth the Ecliptick line in the first minute of Aries and Libra diuiding the Ecliptick and Horizon and is also by them deuided into two equall partes This line is also deuided into 360. equall partes or degrees which are the degrees of Longitude beginning the account in the point of Aries reckoning twoards the East concluding the number 360. in the place where the first account began viz where the Equator doth intersecte the Ecliptick in the first minute of Aries vnder which Meridian S. Mihels one of the yles of the assores is to be placed in the geographicall description of the terrestriall Globe What is the vse of the Equator THe vse of the Equinoctiall is to know the declination of the Sunne Moone Starres wherby the latitude of places is giuen for that portion of the Meridian which is contained betweene the Equator and the Centre of the Sunne Moone or Starres is their declination also by the Equinoctiall is knowne the Longitude of places for a quarter of a great Circle being drawne from the Pole to the place whose Longitude is desired and so continued to the Equinoctiall that degree and minute in which the quarter circle dooth touch the Equator is the Longitude of the same place or if you bring any place that is described vpon the Globe whose Longitude you would know vnder the Meridian of the Globe that degree of the Equinoctiall that is then likewise directly vnder the Meridian is the Longitude desired When the sunne commeth vpon the Equator then the Daies and nights are of one length through the whole worlde and then the Sunne riseth vpon the true point of East and setteth vpon the true point of West and not els at any time This circle being fixed in the