The third voyage of Captaine Frobisher, pretended for the
discoverie of Cataia, by Meta Incognita, Anno Do.
1578.
THE Generall being returned from the second voyage,
immediately after his arrivall in England
, repaired with
all hast to the Court being then at
Windsore, to advertise
her Majestie of his prosperous proceeding, and good
successe in this last voyage, & of the plenty of gold Ore,
with other matters of importance which he had in these
Septentrionall parts discovered. He was courteously
enterteyned, and hartily welcommed of many noble men,
but especially for his great adventure, commended of her
Majestie, at whose hands he received great thankes, and
most gracious countenance, according to his deserts.
Her Highnesse also greatly commended the rest of the
Gentlemen in this service, for their great forwardnes in
this so dangerous an attempt: but especially she rejoyced
very much, that among them there was so good order
of governement, so good agreement, every man so ready
in his calling, to do whatsoever the General should command, which due commendation gratiously of her Majestie
remembred, gave so great encouragement to all the
Captaines and Gentlemen, that they, to continue her
Highnesse so good and honourable opinion of them, have
since neither spared labour, limme, nor life, to bring this
matter (so well begun) to a happie and prosperous ende.
And finding that the matter of the golde Ore had appearance & made shew of great riches & profit, & the hope
of the passage to Cataya, by this last voyage greatly
increased, her Majestie appointed speciall Commissioners
chosen for this purpose, gentlemen of great judgement,
art, and skill, to looke thorowly into the cause, for the
true triall and due examination thereof, and for the full
handling of all matters thereunto appertaining. And because that place and countrey hath never heretofore beene
discovered, and therefore had no speciall name, by which
it might be called and knowen, her Majestie named it
very properly Meta Incognita, as a marke and bound
utterly hitherto unknowen. The commissioners after
sufficient triall and proofe made of the Ore, and having
understood by sundrie reasons, and substantiall grounds,
the possibilitie and likelyhood of the passage, advertised
her highnesse, that the cause was of importance, and the
voyage greatly worthy to be advanced againe. Whereupon preparation was made of ships and all other things
necessary, with such expedition, as the time of the yeere
then required. And because it was assuredly made
accompt of, that the commoditie of Mines, there already
discovered, would at the least countervaile in all respects
the adventurers charge, and give further hope & likelyhood of greater matters to follow: it was thought
needfull, both for the better guard of those parts already
found, and for further discovery of the Inland and
secrets of those countreys, & also for further search of
the passage to Cataya (whereof the hope continually
more & more increaseth) that certaine numbers of chosen
souldiers and discreet men for those purposes should
be assigned to inhabite there. Whereupon there was a
strong fort or house of timber, artificially framed, &
cunningly devised by a notable learned man here at
home, in ships to be caried thither, wherby those men
that were appointed to winter & stay there the whole
yere, might aswell bee defended from the danger of the
snow and colde ayre, as also fortified from the force or
offence of those countrey people, which perhaps otherwise with too great multitudes might oppresse them.
And to this great adventure and notable exploit many
well minded and forward yong Gentlemen of our countrey
willingly have offered themselves. And first Captaine
Fenton Lieutenant generall for Captaine Frobisher, and in
charge of the company with him there, Captaine Best, and
Captaine Filpot, unto whose good discretions the government of that service was chiefly commended, who, as men
not regarding peril in respect of the profit and common
wealth of their countrey, were willing to abide the first
brunt & adventure of those dangers among a savage
and brutish kinde of people, in a place hitherto ever
thought for extreme cold not habitable. The whole
number of men which had offered, and were appointed to
inhabite Meta Incognita all the yeere, were one hundreth
persons, wherof 40 should be mariners for the use of
ships, 30 Miners for gathering the gold Ore together for
the next yere, and 30 souldiers for the better guard of the
rest, within which last number are included the Gentlemen, Goldfiners, Bakers, Carpenters, & all necessary
persons. To each of the Captaines was assigned one
ship, aswel for the further searching of the coast &
countrey there, as for to returne & bring backe their
companies againe, if the necessity of the place so urged,
or by miscarying of the fleet the next yere, they might be
disappointed of their further provision. Being therfore
thus furnished with al necessaries, there were ready to
depart upon the said voyage 15 saile of good ships,
wherof the whole number was to returne again with their
loding of gold Ore in the end of the sommer, except those
3 ships, which should be left for the use of those Captains
which should inhabite there the whole yere. And being
in so good readinesse, the Generall with all the Captaines
came to the Court, then lying at Greenwich
, to take their
leave of her Majestie, at whose hands they all received
great incouragement, and gracious countenance. Her
highnesse besides other good gifts, and greater promises,
bestowed on the Generall a faire chaine of golde, and the
rest of the Captaines kissed her hand, tooke their leave,
and departed every man towards their charge.
The names of the ships with their severall Captaines.
| 1 In the Aide being Amirall, was the Generall | Captain Frobisher. |
| 2 In the Thomas Allen Viceadmirall | Yorke. |
| 3 In the Judith Lieutenant generall | Fenton
. |
| 4 In the Anne Francis | Best. |
| 5 In the Hopewell
| Carew. |
| 6 In the Beare | Filpot. |
| 7 In the Thomas of Ipswich | Tanfield |
| 8 In the Emmanuel of Exceter | Courtney. |
| 9 In the Francis of Foy | Moyles. |
| 10 In the Moone | Upcot. |
| 11 In the Emmanuel of Bridgewater | Newton
. |
| 12 In the Salomon of Weymouth | Randal. |
| 13 In the Barke Dennis | Kendal
. |
| 14 In the Gabriel | Harvey
. |
| 15 In the Michael | Kinnersley. |
The sayd fifteene saile of ships arrived and met together
at Harwich
, the seven and twentieth day of May Anno
1578, where the Generall and the other Captaines made
view, and mustred their companies. And every several
Captaine received from the Generall certaine Articles of
direction, for the better keeping of order and company
together in the way, which Articles are as followeth.
Articles and orders to be observed for the Fleete, set
downe by Captaine Frobisher Generall, and delivered
in writing to every Captaine, as well for keeping
company, as for the course, the 31 of May.
- 1 INPRIMIS, to banish swearing, dice, and card-playing,
and filthy conmunication, and to serve God twice a day,
with the ordinary service usuall in Churches of England,
and to cleare the glasse, according to the old order of
England
.
- 2 The Admiral shall carie the light, & after his light
be once put out, no man to goe a head of him, but every
man to fit his sailes to follow as neere as they may,
without endangering one another.
- 3 That no man shall by day or by night depart further
from the Admirall then the distance of one English mile,
and as neere as they may, without danger one of another.
- 4 If it chance to grow thicke, and the wind contrary,
either by day or by night, that the Admirall be forced
to cast about, before her casting about shee shall give
warning, by shooting off a peece, and to her shall answere
the Viceadmirall and the Rereadmirall each of them with
a piece, if it bee by night, or in a fogge; and that the
Viceadmirall shall answere first, and the Rereadmirall
last.
- 5 That no man in the Fleete descrying any sayle or
sayles, give upon any occasion any chace before he have
spoken with the Admirall.
- 6 That every evening all the Fleete come up and speake
with the Admirall, at seven of the Clocke, or betweene
that and eight, and if the weather will not serve them
all to speake with the Admirall, then some shall come
to the Viceadmirall, and receive the order of their course
of Master Hall chiefe Pilot of the Fleete, as he shall
direct them.
- 7 If to any man in the Fleete there happen any mischance, they shall presently shoote off two peeces by
day, and if it be by night, two peeces, and shew two
lights.
- 8 If any man in the Fleete come up in the night, &
hale his fellow knowing him not, he shall give him this
watch-word, Before the world was God. The other shal
answere him (if he be one of our Fleete) After God
came Christ his Sonne. So that if any be found amongst
us, not of our owne company, he that first descrieth any
such sayle or sayles, shall give warning to the Admirall
by himselfe or any other that he can speake to, that
sailes better then he, being neerest unto him.
- 9 That every ship in the fleete in the time of fogs,
which continually happen with little winds, and most
part calmes, shall keepe a reasonable noise with trumpet,
drumme, or otherwise, to keepe themselves cleere one
of another.
- 10 If it fall out so thicke or mistie that we lay it to
hull, the Admiral shall give warning with a piece, and
putting out three lights one over another, to the end
that every man may take in his sailes, and at his setting
of sayles againe doe the like, if it be not cleere.
- 11 If any man discover land by night, that he give
the like warning, that he doth for mischances, two lights,
and two pieces, if it be by day one piece, and put out
his flagge, and strike all his sailes he hath aboord.
- 12 If any ship shall happen to lose company by force
of weather, then any such ship or ships shall get her
into the latitude of , and so keepe that latitude untill
they get Frisland. And after they be past the West
parts of Frisland, they shall get them into the latitude
of , and , and not to the Northward of ;
and being once entred within the Streites, al such ships
shal every watch shoote off a good piece, and looke out
well for smoke and fire which those that get in first
shall make every night, untill all the fleete be come
together.
- 13 That upon the sight of an Ensigne in the mast of
the Admirall (a piece being shot off) the whole fleete
shall repaire to the Admirall, to understand such conference as the Generall is to have with them.
- 14 If we chance to meete with any enemies, that foure
ships shall attend upon the Admirall, viz. the Francis
of Foy, the Moone, the Barke Dennis, and the Gabriel:
and foure upon my Lieutenant generall in the Judith,
viz. the Hopewel, the Armenal, the Beare, and the
Salomon: and the other foure upon the Vizadmirall, the
Anne Francis, the Thomas of Ipswich, the Emmanuel,
and the Michael.
- 15 If there happen any disordred person in the Fleete,
that he be taken and kept in safe custodie untill he
may conveniently be brought aboord the Admirall, and
there to receive such punishment as his or their offences
shall deserve.
By me Martin Frobisher.
Our departure from England
.
HAVING received these articles of direction we departed
from Harwich
the one and thirtieth of May. And sayling
along the South part of England Westward, we at length
came by the coast of Ireland
at
Cape Cleare the sixth
of June, and gave chase there to a small barke which
was supposed to be a Pyrat, or Rover on the Seas, but
it fell out indeede that they were poore men of Bristow,
who had met with such company of Frenchmen as had
spoiled and slaine many of them, and left the rest so
sore wounded that they were like to perish in the sea,
having neither hand nor foote hole to helpe themselves
with, nor victuals to sustaine their hungry bodies. Our
Generall, who well understood the office of a Souldier
and an Englishman, and knew well what the necessitie
of the sea meaneth, pitying much the miserie of the
poore men, relieved them with Surgerie and salves to
heale their hurtes, and with meate and drinke to comfort
their pining hearts; some of them having neither eaten
nor drunke more then olives and stinking water in many
dayes before, as they reported. And after this good
deede done, having a large wind, we kept our course
upon our sayd voyage without staying for the taking in
of fresh water, or any other provision, whereof many
of the fleete were not throughly furnished: and sayling
towards the Northwest parts from Ireland
, we mette
with a great current from out of the Southwest, which
caried us (by our reckoning) one point to the Northeastwards of our sayd course, which current seemed to us
to continue it selfe towards Norway
, and other the
Northeast parts of the world, whereby we may be induced
to beleeve, that this is the same which the Portugals
meete at
Capo de buona Speranza, where striking over
from thence to the Streites of Magellan, and finding no
passage there for the narrownesse of the sayde Streites,
runneth along into the great Bay of Mexico, where also
having a let of land, it is forced to strike backe againe
towards the Northeast, as we not onely here, but in
another place also, further to the Northwards, by good
experience this yeere have found, as shalbe hereafter
in his place more at large declared.
Now had we sayled about foureteene dayes, without
sight of any land, or any other living thing, except
certaine foules, as Wilmots, Nodies, Gulles, &c. which
there seeme onely to live by sea.
The twentieth of June, at two of the clocke in the
morning, the General descried land, & found it to be
West Frisland, now named west England. Here the
Generall, & other Gentlemen went ashore, being the first
knowen Christians that we have true notice of, that ever
set foot upon that ground: and therefore the Generall
tooke possession thereof to the use of our Sovereigne
Lady the Queenes Majestie, and discovered here a goodly
harborough for the ships, where were also certaine little
boates of that countrey. And being there landed, they
espied certaine tents and people of that countrey, which
were (as they judge) in all sorts, very like those of Meta
Incognita, as by their apparell, and other things which
we found in their tents, appeared.
The Savage and simple people so soone as they perceived our men comming towards them (supposing there
had bene no other world but theirs) fled fearefully away,
as men much amazed at so strange a sight, and creatures
of humane shape, so farre in apparell, complexion, and
other things different from themselves. They left in
their tents all their furniture for haste behind them,
where amongst other things were found a boxe of small
nailes, and certaine red Herrings, boords of Firre tree
well cut, with divers other things artificially wrought:
whereby it appeareth, that they have trade with some
civill people, or else are indeede themselves artificiall
workemen.
Our men brought away with them onely two of their
dogs, leaving in recompense belles, looking-glasses, and
divers of our countrey toyes behinde them.
This countrey, no doubt, promiseth good hope of great
commoditie and riches, if it may be well discovered.
The description whereof you shall finde more at large
in the second voyage.
Some are of opinion, that this West England is firme
land with the Northeast partes of Meta Incognita, or else
with Groenland
. And their reason is, because the people,
apparel, boates, and other things are so like to theirs:
and another reason is, the multitude of Islands of yce,
which lay betweene it and Meta Incognita, doth argue,
that on the North side there is a bay, which cannot be
but by conjoyning of the two lands together.
And having a faire and large winde we departed from
thence towards Frobishers Streites, the three and twentieth
of June. But first wee gave name to a high cliffe in
West England, the last that was in our sight, and for
a certaine similitude we called it Charing
crosse. Then
wee bare Southerly towards the Sea, because to the
Northwardes of this coast we met with much driving
yce, which by reason of the thicke mistes and weather
might have bene some trouble unto us.
On Munday the last of June, wee met with many great
Whales, as they had bene Porposes.
This same day the Salamander being under both her
corses and bonets, happened to strike a great Whale
with her full stemme, with such a blow that the ship
stoode still, and stirred neither forward nor backward.
The Whale thereat made a great and ugly noyse, and
cast up his body and taile, and so went under water,
and within two daies after, there was found a great
Whale dead swimming above water, which wee supposed
was that which the Salamander strooke.
The second day of July early in the morning we had
sight of the Queenes Foreland, and bare in with the
land all the day, and passing thorow great quantity of
yce, by night were entred somewhat within the Streites,
perceiving no way to passe further in, the whole place
being frozen over from the one side to the other, and
as it were with many walles, mountaines, and bulwarks
of yce, choked up the passage, and denied us entrance.
And yet doe I not thinke that this passage or Sea hereabouts is frozen over at any time of the yere: albeit it
seemed so unto us by the abundance of yce gathered
together, which occupied the whole place. But I doe
rather suppose these yce to bee bred in the hollow soundes
and freshets thereabouts: which by the heate of the
sommers Sunne, being loosed, doe emptie themselves
with the ebbes into the sea, and so gather in great
abundance there together.
And to speake somewhat here of the ancient opinion
of the frozen sea in these parts: I doe thinke it to be
rather a bare conjecture of men, then that ever any man
hath made experience of any such sea. And that which
they speake of Mare glaciale, may be truely thought to
be spoken of these parts: for this may well be called
indeede the ycie sea, but not the frozen sea, for no sea
consisting of salt water can be frozen, as I have more
at large herein shewed my opinion in my second voyage,
for it seemeth impossible for any sea to bee frozen,
which hath his course of ebbing and flowing, especially
in those places where the tides doe ebbe and flowe above
ten fadome. And also all these aforesayd yce, which
we sometime met a hundreth mile from lande, being
gathered out of the salt Sea, are in taste fresh, and being
dissolved, become sweete and holesome water.
And the cause why this yere we have bene more
combred with yce then at other times before, may be
by reason of the Easterly & Southerly winds, which
brought us more timely thither now then we looked for.
Which blowing from the sea directly upon the place of
our Streites, hath kept in the yce, and not suffered them
to be caried out by the ebbe to the maine sea, where
they would in more short time have bene dissolved.
And all these fleeting yce are not only so dangerous in
that they wind and gather so neere together, that a man
may passe sometimes tenne or twelve miles as it were
upon one firme Island of yce: but also for that they open
and shut together againe in such sort with the tides
and sea-gate, that whilest one ship followeth the other
with full sayles, the yce which was open unto the foremost will joyne and close together before the latter can
come to follow the first, whereby many times our shippes
were brought into great danger, as being not able so
sodainely to take in our sayles, or stay the swift way
of our ships.
We were forced many times to stemme and strike
great rockes of yce, and so as it were make way through
mighty mountaines. By which meanes some of the fleete,
where they found the yce to open, entred in, and passed
so farre within the danger thereof, with continuall desire
to recover their port, that it was the greatest wonder
of the world that they ever escaped safe, or were ever
heard of againe. For even at this present we missed
two of the fleete, that is, the Judith, wherein was the
Lieutenant generall Captaine Fenton; and the Michael,
whom both we supposed had bene utterly lost, having
not heard any tidings of them in moe then 20 dayes
before.
And one of our fleete named the Barke Dennis, being
of an hundreth tunne burden, seeking way in amongst
these yce, received such a blow with a rocke of yce that
she sunke downe therewith in the sight of the whole
fleete. Howbeit having signified her danger by shooting
off a peece of great Ordinance, new succour of other
ships came so readily unto them, that the men were all
saved with boats.
Within this ship that was drowned there was parcell
of our house which was to bee erected for them that
should stay all the winter in Meta Incognita.
This was a more fearefull spectacle for the Fleete to
beholde, for that the outragious storme which presently
followed, threatned them the like fortune and danger.
For the Fleete being thus compassed (as aforesayd) on
every side with yce, having left much behinde them,
thorow which they passed, and finding more before them,
thorow which it was not possible to passe, there arose
a sudden terrible tempest at the Southeast, which blowing
from the maine sea, directly upon the place of the Streites,
brought together all the yce a sea-boorde of us upon
our backes, and thereby debard us of turning backe to
recover sea-roome againe: so that being thus compassed
with danger on every side, sundry men with sundry
devises sought the best way to save themselves. Some
of the ships, where they could find a place more cleare of
yce, and get a little birth of sea roome, did take in their
sayles, and there lay a drift. Other some fastened &
mored Anker upon a great Island of yce, and roade under
the Lee therof, supposing to be better guarded thereby
from the outragious winds, and the danger of the lesser
fleeting yce. And againe some where so fast shut up,
and compassed in amongst an infinite number of great
countreys and Islands of yce, that they were faine to
submit themselves and their ships to the mercy of the
unmercifull yce, and strengthened the sides of their ships
with junckes of cables, beds, Mastes, plankes and such
like, which being hanged over boord on the sides of their
ships, might the better defend them from the outragious
sway and strokes of the said yce. But as in greatest distresse, men of best valour are best to bee discerned, so it
is greatly worthy commendation and noting with what
invincible minde every Captaine encouraged his company,
and with what incredible labour the painefull Mariners and
poore Miners (unacquainted with such extremities) to the
everlasting renowne of our nation, did overcome the brunt
of these so great and extreme dangers: for some, even
without boord upon the yce, and some within boord upon
the sides of their ships, having poles, pikes, pieces of
timber, and Ores in their handes, stoode almost day and
night without any rest, bearing off the force, and breaking
the sway of the yce with such incredible paine and perill,
that it was wonderfull to beholde, which otherwise no
doubt had striken quite through and through the sides of
their ships, notwithstanding our former provision: for
plankes of timber of more then three inches thicke, and
other things of greater force and bignesse, by the surging
of the sea and billowe, with the yce were shivered and
cut in sunder, at the sides of our ships, so that it will
seeme more then credible to be reported of. And yet
(that which is more) it is faithfully and plainely to bee
prooved, and that by many substantiall witnesses, that our
ships, even those of greatest burdens, with the meeting
of contrary waves of the sea, were heaved up betweene
Islands of yce, a foote welneere out of the sea above their
watermarke, having their knees and timbers within boord
both bowed and broken therewith.
And amidst these extremes, whilest some laboured for
defence of the ships, and sought to save their bodies,
other some of more milder spirit sought to save the soule
by devout prayer and meditation to the Almightie, thinking indeede by no other meanes possible then by a divine
Miracle to have their deliverance: so that there was none
that were either idle, or not well occupied, and he that
helde himselfe in best securitie had (God knoweth) but
onely bare hope remayning for his best safetie.
Thus all the gallant Fleete and miserable men without
hope of ever getting foorth againe, distressed with these
extremities remayned here all the whole night and part of
the next day, excepting foure ships, that is, the Anne
Francis, the Moone, the Francis of Foy, and the Gabriell,
which being somewhat a Seaboord of the Fleete, and
being fast ships by a winde, having a more scope of
cleare, tryed it out all the time of the storme under sayle,
being hardly able to beare a coast of each.
And albeit, by reason of the fleeting yce, which were
dispersed here almost the whole sea over, they were
brought many times to the extreamest point of perill,
mountaines of yce tenne thousand times scaping them
scarce one ynch, which to have striken had bene their
present destruction, considering the swift course and way
of the ships, and the unwieldinesse of them to stay and
turne as a man would wish: yet they esteemed it their
better safetie, with such perill to seeke Sea-roome, than
without hope of ever getting libertie to lie striving against
the streame, and beating amongst the Isie mountaines,
whose hugenesse and monstrous greatnesse was such,
that no man would credite, but such as to their paines
sawe and felt it. And these foure shippes by the next
day at noone got out to Sea, and were first cleare of the
yce, who now enjoying their owne libertie, beganne a new
to sorrow and feare for their fellowes safeties. And
devoutly kneeling about their maine Mast, they gave unto
God humble thankes, not only for themselves, but besought
him likewise highly for their friendes deliverance. And
even now whilest amiddest these extremities this gallant
Fleete and valiant men were altogither overlaboured and
forewatched, with the long and fearefull continuance of
the foresayd dangers, it pleased God with his eyes of
mercie to looke downe from heaven to sende them helpe
in good time, giving them the next day a more favourable
winde at the West Northwest, which did not onely disperse and drive foorth the yce before them, but also gave
them libertie of more scope and Sea-roome, and they were
by night of the same day following perceived of the other
foure shippes, where (to their greatest comfort) they
enjoyed againe the fellowship one of another.' Some in
mending the sides of their ships, some in setting up their
top Mastes, and mending their sayles and tacklings;
Againe, some complayning of their false Stemme borne
away, some in stopping their leakes, some in recounting
their dangers past, spent no small time & labour. So
that I dare well avouch, there were never men more
dangerously distressed, nor more mercifully by Gods providence delivered. And hereof both the torne ships, and
the forwearied bodies of the men arrived doe beare most
evident marke and witnesse. And now the whole Fleete
plyed off to Seaward, resolving there to abide untill the
Sunne might consume, or the force of winde disperse these
yce from the place of their passage: and being a good
birth off the shore, they tooke in their sailes, and lay
adrift.
The seventh of July as men nothing yet dismayed, we
cast about towards the inward, and had sight of land,
which rose in forme like the Northerland of the straights,
which some of the Fleete, and those not the worst Marriners, judged to be the North Foreland: howbeit other
some were of contrary opinion. But the matter was not
well to be discerned by reason of the thicke fogge which
a long time hung upon the coast, & the new falling snow
which yeerely altereth the shape of the land, and taketh
away oftentimes the Mariners markes. And by reason
of the darke mists which continued by the space of twentie
dayes togither, this doubt grewe the greater and the
longer perilous. For whereas indeede we thought our
selves to be upon the Northeast side of Frobishers
straights, we were now caried to the Southwestwards of
the Queenes Foreland, and being deceived by a swift
current comming from the Northeast, were brought to
the Southwestwards of our said course many miles more
then we did thinke possible could come to passe. The
cause whereof we have since found, and it shall be at
large hereafter declared.
Here we made a point of land which some mistooke for
a place in the straightes called Mount Warwicke: but
how we should be so farre shot up so suddainely within
the said straights the expertest Mariners began to marvell,
thinking it a thing impossible that they could be so farre
overtaken in their accounts, or that any current could
deceive them here which they had not by former experience prooved and found out. Howbeit many confessed
that they found a swifter course of flood then before time
they had observed. And truely it was wonderfull to heare
and see the rushing and noise that the tides do make
in this place with so violent a force that our ships lying
a hull were turned sometimes round about even in a
moment after the maner of a whirlepoole, and the noyse
of the streame no lesse to be heard afarre off, then the
waterfall of London Bridge.
But whilest the Fleete lay thus doubtfull amongst great
store of yce in a place they knew not without sight of
Sunne, whereby to take the height, and so to know the
true elevation of the pole, and without any cleere of light
to make perfite the coast, the Generall with the Captaines
& Masters of his ships, began doubtfully to question of
the matter, and sent his Pinnesse aboord to heare each
mans opinion, and specially of James Beare, Master of
the Anne Francis, who was knowen to be a sufficient and
skilful Mariner, and having bene there the yere before,
had wel observed the place, and drawen out Cardes of
the coast. But the rather this matter grew the more
doubtfull, for that Christopher Hall chiefe Pilot of the
voyage, delivered a plaine and publique opinion in the
hearing of the whole Fleete, that hee had never seene
the foresayd coast before, and that he could not make it
for any place of Frobishers Streits, as some of the Fleete
supposed, and yet the landes doe lie and trend so like,
that the best Mariners therein may bee deceived.
The tenth of July, the weather still continuing thicke
and darke, some of the ships in the fogge lost sight of
the Admirall and the rest of the fleete, and wandering to
and fro, with doubtfull opinion whether it were best to
seeke backe againe to seaward through great store of
yce, or to follow on a doubtfull course in a Sea, Bay, or
Streites they knew not, or along a coast, whereof by
reason of the darke mistes they could not discerne the
dangers, if by chance any rocke or broken ground should
lie of the place, as commonly in these parts it doth.
The Viceadmirall Captaine Yorke considering the foresayd opinion of the Pylot Hall, who was with him in the
Thomas Allen, having lost sight of the Fleete, turned
backe to sea againe, having two other ships in company
with him.
Also the Captaine of the Anne Francis having likewise
lost company of the Fleete, and being all alone, held it
for best to turne it out to sea againe, untill they might
have cleere weather to take the Sunnes altitude, and with
incredible paine and perill got out of the doubtfull place,
into the open Sea againe, being so narrowly distressed
by the way, by meanes of continuall fogge and yce, that
they were many times ready to leape upon an Iland of
yce to avoide the present danger, and so hoping to prolong
life awhile meant rather to die a pining death.
Some hoped to save themselves on chestes, and some
determined to tie the Hatches of the ships togither, and
to binde themselves with their furniture fast thereunto,
and so to be towed with the ship-bote ashore, which
otherwise could not receive halfe of the companie, by
which meanes if happily they had arrived, they should
eyther have perished for lacke of foode to eate, or else
should themselves have beene eaten of those ravenous,
bloodie, and Men-eating people.
The rest of the Fleete following the course of the
Generall which led them the way, passed up above sixtie
leagues within the saide doubtfull and supposed straights,
having alwayes a faire continent upon their starreboorde
side, and a continuance still of an open Sea before them.
The Generall albeit with the first perchance he found
out the error, and that this was not the olde straights, yet
he perswaded the Fleete alwayes that they were in their
right course, and knowen straights. Howbeit I suppose
he rather dissembled his opinion therein then otherwise,
meaning by that policie (being himselfe led with an honourable desire of further discoverie) to induce the Fleete
to follow him, to see a further proofe of that place. And
as some of the companie reported, he hath since confessed
that if it had not bene for the charge and care he had of
the Fleete and fraughted ships, he both would and could
have gone through to the
South Sea, called Mar del Sur,
and dissolved the long doubt of the passage which we
seeke to find to the rich countrey of Cataya.
1 Of which mistaken straights, considering the circumstance, we have great cause to confirme our opinion, to
like and hope well of the passage in this place. For the
foresaid Bay or Sea, the further we sayled therein, the
wider we found it, with great likelihood of endlesse continuance. And where in other places we were much
troubled with yce, as in the entrance of the same, so
after we had sayled fiftie or sixtie leagues therein we had
no let of yce, or other thing at all, as in other places we
found.
2 Also this place seemeth to have a marvellous great
indraft, and draweth unto it most of the drift yce, and
other things which doe fleete in the Sea, either to the
North or Eastwards of the same, as by good experience
we have found.
3 For here also we met with boordes, lathes, and divers
other things driving in the Sea, which was of the wracke
of the ship called the Barke Dennis, which perished
amongst the yce as beforesaid, being lost at the first
attempt of the entrance overthwart the Queenes forelande
in the mouth of Frobishers straights, which could by no
meanes have bene so brought thither, neither by winde
nor tyde, being lost so many leagues off, if by force of
the said current the same had not bene violently brought.
For if the same had bene brought thither by tide of flood,
looke how farre the said flood had carried it, the ebbe
would have recarried it as farre backe againe, and by the
winde it could not so come to passe, because it was then
sometime calme, and most times contrarie.
And some Mariners doe affirme that they have diligently
observed, that there runneth in this place nine houres
flood to three ebbe, which may thus come to passe by
force of the sayd current: for whereas the Sea in most
places of the world, doth more or lesse ordinarily ebbe
and flow once every twelve houres with sixe houres ebbe,
and sixe houres flood, so also would it doe there, were
it not for the violence of this hastning current, which
forceth the flood to make appearance to beginne before
his ordinary time one houre and a halfe, and also to continue longer than his naturall course by an other houre
and a halfe, untill the force of the ebbe be so great that
it will no longer be resisted: according to the saying,
Naturam expellas furca licet, usque recurrit. Although
nature and naturall courses be forced and resisted never
so much, yet at last they will have their owne sway
againe.
Moreover it is not possible that so great course of floods
and current, so high swelling tides with continuance of
so deepe waters, can be digested here without unburdening themselves into some open Sea beyond this place,
which argueth the more likelihood of the passage to be
hereabouts. Also we suppose these great indrafts doe
growe and are made by the reverberation and reflection
of that same current, which at our comming by Ireland
,
met and crossed us, of which in the first part of this discourse I spake, which comming from the bay of Mexico,
passing by and washing the Southwest parts of Ireland
,
reboundeth over to the Northeast parts of the world, as
Norway
, Island, &c. where not finding any passage to
an open Sea, but rather being there encreased by a new
accesse, and another current meeting with it from the
Scythian Sea, passing the bay of Saint Nicholas Westward, it doth once againe rebound backe, by the coastes
of Groenland
, and from thence upon Frobishers straights
being to the Southwestwardes of the same.
5 And if that principle of Philosopie be true, that
Inferiora corpora reguntur a superioribus, that is, if
inferior bodies be governed, ruled, and caried after the
maner and course of the superiors, then the water being
an inferior Element, must needes be governed after the
superior heaven, and so follow the course of Primum
mobile from East to West.
6 But every man that hath written or considered any
thing of this passage, hath more doubted the returne by
the same way by reason of a great downefall of water,
which they imagine to be thereabouts (which we also by
experience partly find) than any mistrust they have of
the same passage at all. For we find (as it were) a great
downefall in this place, but yet not such but that we may
returne, although with much adoe. For we were easlier
carried in one houre then we could get forth againe in
three. Also by another experience at another time, we
found this current to deceive us in this sort: That wheras
we supposed it to be 15 leagues off, and lying a hull, we
were brought within two leagues of the shore contrarie
to all expectation.
Our men that sayled furthest in the same mistaken
straights (having the maine land upon their starboord
side) affirme that they met with the outlet or passage of
water which commeth thorow Frobishers straights, and
followeth as all one into this passage.
Some of our companie also affirme that they had sight
of a continent upon their larboord-side being 60 leagues
within the supposed straights: howbeit except certaine
Ilands in the entrance hereof we could make no part
perfect thereof. All the foresaid tract of land seemeth to
be more fruitfull and better stored of Grasse, Deere, Wild
foule, as Partridges, Larkes, Seamewes, Guls, Wilmots,
Falcons and Tassel gentils, Ravens, Beares, Hares,
Foxes, and other things, than any other part we have
yet discovered, and is more populous. And here Luke
Ward, a Gentleman of the companie, traded marchandise,
and did exchange knives, bels, looking glasses, &c. with
those countrey people, who brought him foule, fish, beares
skinnes, and such like, as their countrey yeeldeth for the
same. Here also they saw of those greater boats of the
countrey, with twentie persons in a peece.
Now after the Generall had bestowed these many dayes
here, not without many dangers, he returned backe
againe. And by the way sayling alongst this coast (being
the backeside of the supposed continent of America
) and
the Queenes Foreland, he perceived a great sound to goe
thorow into Frobishers straights. Whereupon he sent
the Gabriel the one and twentieth of July, to proove
whether they might goe thorow and meete againe with
him in the straights, which they did: and as wee imagined
before, so the Queenes foreland prooved an Iland, as I
thinke most of these supposed continents will. And so
he departed towardes the straights, thinking it were high
time now to recover his Port, and to provide the Fleete
of their lading, whereof he was not a little carefull, as
shall by the processe and his resolute attempts appeare.
And in his returne with the rest of the fleete he was so
intangled by reason of the darke fogge amongst a number
of Ilands and broken ground that lye off this coast, that
many of the shippes came over the top of rockes, which
presently after they might perceive to lie dry, having not
halfe a foote water more then some of their ships did
draw. And by reason they could not with a smal gale
of wind stemme the force of the flood, whereby to goe
cleere off the rockes, they were faine to let an anker fall
with two bent of Cable togither, at an hundred and odde
fadome depth, where otherwise they had bene by the
force of the tydes caried upon the rockes againe, and
perished: so that if God in these fortunes (as a mercifull
guide, beyond the expectation of man) had not carried
us thorow, we had surely perished amidst these dangers.
For being many times driven hard aboord the shore without any sight of land, untill we were ready to make
shipwracke thereon, being forced commonly with our
boats to sound before our ships, least we might light
thereon before we could discerne the same; it pleased
God to give us a cleare of Sunne and light for a short
time to see and avoyde thereby the danger, having bene
continually darke before, and presently after. Manie
times also by meanes of fogge and currents being driven
neere upon the coast, God lent us even at the very pinch
one prosperous breath of winde or other, whereby to
double the land, and avoid the perill, and when that we
were all without hope of helpe, every man recommending
himselfe to death, and crying out, Lord now helpe or
never, now Lord looke downe from heaven and save us
sinners, or else our safetie commeth too late: even then
the mightie maker of heaven, and our mercifull God did
deliver us: so that they who have bene partakers of these
dangers doe even in their soules confesse, that God even
by miracle hath sought to save them, whose name be
praysed evermore.
Long time now the Anne Francis had layne beating
off and on all alone before the Queenes foreland, not
being able to recover their Port for yce, albeit many
times they dangerously attempted it, for yet the yce
choaked up the passage, and would not suffer them to
enter. And having never seene any of the fleete since
twenty dayes past, when by reason of the thicke mistes
they were severed in the mistaken straights, they did now
this present 23 of July overthwart a place in the straights
called Hattons Hedland, where they met with seven ships
of ye Fleete againe, which good hap did not onely rejoyce
them for themselves, in respect of the comfort which they
received by such good companie, but especially that by
this meanes they were put out of doubt of their deare
friends, whose safeties long time they did not a little
suspect and feare.
At their meeting they haled the Admirall after the maner
of the Sea, and with great joy welcommed one another
with a thundring volly of shot. And now every man
declared at large the fortunes and dangers which they
had passed.
The foure and twentieth of July we met with the Francis
of Foy, who with much adoe sought way backe againe,
through the yce from out of the mistaken straights, where
(to their great perill) they prooved to recover their Port.
They brought the first newes of the Vizadmirall Captaine
Yorke, who many dayes with themselves, and the Busse
of Bridgewater was missing. They reported that they
left the Vizeadmirall reasonably cleare of the yce, but the
other ship they greatly feared, whom they could not come
to helpe, being themselves so hardly distressed as never
men more. Also they told us of the Gabriel, who having
got thorow from the backside, and Western point of the
Queenes foreland, into Frobishers straights, fell into their
company about the cape of Good hope.
And upon the seven and twentieth of July, the ship of
Bridgewater
got out of the yce and met with the Fleete
which lay off and on under Hattons Hedland. They
reported of their marvellous accidents and dangers, declaring their ship to be so leake that they must of necessitie
seeke harborow, having their stem so beaten within their
huddings, that they had much adoe to keepe themselves
above water. They had (as they say) five hundreth
strokes at the pump in lesse then halfe a watch, being
scarce two houres; their men being so overwearied therewith, and with the former dangers that they desired helpe
of men from the other ships. Moreover they declared
that there was nothing but yce and danger where they
had bene, and that the straights within were frozen up,
and that it was the most impossible thing of the world,
to passe up unto the Countesse of Warwicks sound, which
was the place of our Port.
The report of these dangers by these ships thus published amongst the fleete, with the remembrance of the
perils past, and those present before their face, brought
no small feare and terror into the hearts of many considerate men. So that some beganne privily to murmure
against the Generall for this wilfull maner of proceeding.
Some desired to discover some harborow thereabouts to
refresh themselves and reforme their broken vessels for
a while, untill the North and Northwest windes might
disperse the yce, and make the place more free to passe.
Other some forgetting themselves, spake more undutifully
in this behalfe, saying: that they had as leeve be hanged
when they came home, as without hope of safetie to seeke
to passe, and so to perish amongst the yce.
The Generall not opening his eares to the peevish
passion of any private person, but chiefly respecting the
accomplishment of the cause he had undertaken (wherein
the chiefe reputation and fame of a Generall and Captaine
consisteth) and calling to his remembrance the short
time he had in hand to provide so great number of ships
their loading, determined with this resolution to passe
and recover his Port, or else there to burie himselfe with
his attempt.
Notwithstanding somewhat to appease the feeble passions of the fearefuller sort, and the better to entertaine
time for a season, whilest the yce might the better be
dissolved, he haled on the Fleete with beleefe that he
would put them into harborow: thereupon whilest the
shippes lay off and on under Hattons Hedland, he sought
to goe in with his Pinnesses amongst the Ilandes there,
as though hee meant to search for harborowe, where
indeede he meant nothing lesse, but rather sought if
any Ore might be found in that place, as by the sequele
appeared.
In the meane time whilest the Fleete lay thus doubtfull
without any certaine resolution what to do, being hard
aboord the lee-shore, there arose a sodaine and terrible
tempest at the Southsoutheast, whereby the yce began
marvellously to gather about us.
Whereupon every man, as in such case of extremitie
he thought best, sought the wisest way for his owne
safety. The most part of the Fleete which were further
shot up within the straights, and so farre to the leeward,
as that they could not double the land, following the
course of the Generall, who led them the way, tooke in
their Sayles, and layde it a hull amongst the yce, and
so passed over the storme, and had no extremitie at all,
but for a short time in the same place.
Howbeit the other ships which plyed out to Seaward,
had an extreme storme for a longer season. And the
nature of the place is such, that it is subject diversly to
divers windes, according to the sundry situation of the
great Alps
and mountaines there, every mountaine causing a severall blast, and pirrie, after the maner of a
Levant
.
In this storme being the sixe and twentieth of July,
there fell so much snow, with such bitter cold aire, that
we could not scarce see one another for the same, nor
open our eyes to handle our ropes and sayles, the snow
being above halfe a foote deepe upon the hatches of our
ship, which did so wet thorow our poore Mariners clothes,
that hee that had five or sixe shifts of apparell had scarce
one drie threed to his backe, which kind of wet and
coldnesse, togither with the overlabouring of the poore
men amiddest the yce, bred no small sicknesse amongst
the fleete, which somewhat discouraged some of the poore
men, who had not experience of the like before, every
man perswading himselfe that the winter there must
needes be extreme, where they found so unseasonable a
Sommer.
And yet notwithstanding this cold aire, the Sunne many
times hath a marvellous force of heate amongst those
mountaines, insomuch that when there is no breth of
winde to bring the colde aire from the dispersed yce
upon us, we shall be wearie of the bloming heate and
then sodainely with a perry of winde which commeth
downe from the hollownesse of the hilles, we shall have
such a breth of heate brought upon our faces as though
we were entred within some bathstove or hote-house,
and when the first of the pirry and blast is past, we shall
have the winde sodainely a new blow cold againe.
In this storme the Anne Francis, the Moone, and the
Thomas of Ipswich, who found themselves able to hold
it up with a saile, and could double about the
Cape of
the Queenes foreland, plyed out to the Seaward, holding
it for better policie and safetie to seeke Sea roome, then
to hazard the continuance of the storme, the danger of
the yce, and the leeshoare.
And being uncertaine at this time of the Generals
private determinations, the weather being so darke that
they could not discerne one another, nor perceive which
way he wrought, betooke themselves to this course for
best and safest.
The General, notwithstanding the great storme, following his own former resolution, sought by all meanes
possible, by a shorter way to recover his Port, and where
he saw the yce never so little open, he gate in at one
gappe and out at another, and so himselfe valiantly led
the way thorow before to induce the Fleete to follow
after, and with incredible paine and perill at length gat
through the yce, and upon the one and thirtieth of July
recovered his long wished Port after many attempts and
sundry times being put backe, and came to anker in the
Countesse of Warwicks sound, in the entrance whereof,
when he thought all perill past, he encountred a great
Iland of yce which gave the Ayde such a blow, having
a little before wayed her anker a cocke bill, that it stroke
the anker flouke through the ships bowes under the water,
which caused so great a leake, that with much adoe they
preserved the ship from sinking.
At their arrivall here they perceived two ships at anker
within the harborough, whereat they began much to
marvell and greatly to rejoyce, for those they knew to
be the Michael, wherein was the Lieutenant generall
Captain Fenton, and the small Barke called the Gabriel,
who so long time were missing, and never heard of
before, whom every man made the last reckoning, never
to heare of againe.
Here every man greatly rejoyced of their happie meeting, and welcommed one another after the Sea manner
with their great Ordinance, and when each partie had
ripped up their sundry fortunes and perils past, they
highly praysed God, and altogither upon their knees gave
him due, humble and hearty thankes, and Maister Wolfall
a learned man, appointed by her Majesties Councell to
be their Minister and Preacher made unto them a godly
sermon, exhorting them especially to be thankefull to
God for their strange and miraculous deliverance in those
so dangerous places, and putting them in mind of the
uncertainetie of mans life, willed them to make them
selves alwayes readie as resolute men to enjoy and accept
thankefully whatsoever adventure his divine Providence
should appoint. This maister Wolfall being well seated
and setled at home in his owne Countrey, with a good
and large living, having a good honest woman to wife
and very towardly children, being of good reputation
among the best, refused not to take in hand this painefull voyage, for the onely care he had to save soules,
and to reforme those Infidels if it were possible to
Christianitie: and also partly for the great desire he
had that this notable voyage so well begunne, might be
brought to perfection: and therefore he was contented
to stay there the whole yeare if occasion had served,
being in every necessary action as forward as the resolutest men of all. Wherefore in this behalfe he may
rightly be called a true Pastor and minister of Gods
word, which for the profite of his flocke spared not to
venture his owne life.
But to returne againe to Captaine Fentons company,
and to speake somewhat of their dangers (albeit they be
more then by writing can be expressed) they reported
that from the night of the first storme which was about
the first day of July untill seven dayes before the Generals
arrivall, which was the sixe and twentith of the same,
they never saw any one day or houre, wherin they were
not troubled with continuall danger and feare of death,
and were twentie dayes almost togither fast amongst the
yce. They had their ship stricken through and through
on both sides, their false stemme borne quite away, and
could goe from their ships in some places upon the yce
very many miles, and might easily have passed from one
Iland of yce to another even to the shore, and if God
had not wonderfully provided for them and their necessitie, and time had not made them more cunning and
wise to seeke strange remedies for strange kindes of
dangers, it had bene impossible for them ever to have
escaped: for among other devises, wheresoever they found
any Iland of yce of greater bignesse then the rest (as
there be some of more then halfe a mile compasse about,
and almost forty fadome high) they commonly coveted
to recover the same, and thereof to make a bulwarke
for their defence, whereon having mored anker, they road
under the lee therof for a time, being therby garded from
the danger of the lesser driving yce. But when they
must needes forgoe this new found fort by meanes of
other yce, which at length would undermine and compasse
them round about, and when that by heaving of the
billow they were therewith like to be brused in peeces,
they used to make fast the shippe unto the most firme
and broad peece of yce they could find, and binding her
nose fast thereunto, would fill all their sayles whereon
the winde having great power, would force forward the
ship, and so the shippe bearing before her the yce, &
so one yce driving forward another, should at length get
scope & searoome. And having by this meanes at length
put their enemies to flight, they occupyed the cleare place
for a prettie season among sundry mountaines and Alpes
of yce. One there was found by measure to be 65 fadome
above water, which for a kind of similitude, was called
Salomons porch. Some thinke those Ilands eight times
so much under water as they are above, because of their
monstrous weight. But now I remember I saw very
strange wonders, men walking, running, leaping and
shooting upon the mayne seas 40. myles from any land,
without any Shippe or other vessell under them. Also
I saw fresh Rivers running amidst the salt Sea a hundred
myle from land, which if any man will not beleeve, let
him knowe that many of our company leapt out of their
Shippe upon Ilandes of yce, and running there up and
downe, did shoote at Buts upon the yce, and with their
Calivers did kill great Seales, which use to lye and sleepe
upon the yce, and this yce melting above at the toppe by
reflection of the Sunne, came downe in sundry streames,
which uniting together, made a pretie Brooke able to
drive a Mill.
The sayde Captaine Fenton recovered his Port tenne
dayes before any man, and spent good tyme in searching
for Mine, and hee found good store thereof. He also
discovered about tenne Miles up into the Countrey, where
he perceived neither Towne, Village, nor likelihoode of
habitation, but it seemeth (as he sayeth) barren, as the
other parts which as yet we have entred upon: but their
victuals and provision went so scant with them, that
they had determined to returne homeward within seven
dayes after, if the Fleete had not then arrived.
The Generall after his arrivall in the Countesses sound,
spent no time in vaine, but immediatly at his first landing called the chiefe Captaines of his Councell together,
and consulted with them for the speedier execution of
such things as then they had in hand. As first, for
searching and finding out good Minerall for the Miners
to be occupyed on. Then to give good Orders to bee
observed of the whole company on shore. And lastly,
to consider for the erecting up of the Fort and House
for the use of them which were to abide there the whole
yeere. For the better handling of these, and all other
like important causes in this service, it was ordeined
from her Majestie and the Councell, that the Generall
should call unto him certaine of the chiefe Captaines and
Gentlemen in
Councell, to conferre, consult and determine
of all occurrents in this service, whose names are as here
they follow.
| Captaine Fenton. | Captaine Carew. |
| Captaine Yorke. | |
| Captaine Best. | Captaine Philpot. |
And in Sea causes to have as assistants, Christopher
Hall and Charles Jackman, being both very good Pilots,
and sufficient Mariners, whereof the one was chiefe Pilot
of the Voyage, and the other for the discoverie. From
the place of our habitation Westward, Master Selman
was appointed Notarie, to register the whole maner of
proceeding in these affaires, that true relation thereof
might be made, if it pleased her Majestie to require it.
The first of August every Captaine by order, from the
Generall and his councell, was commanded to bring
ashoare unto the
Countesses Iland all such Gentlemen,
souldiers, and Myners, as were under their charge, with
such provision as they had of victuals, tents, and things
necessary for the speedy getting together of Mine, and
fraight for the shippes.
The Muster of the men being taken, and the victuals
with all other things viewed and considered, every man
was set to his charge, as his place and office required.
The Myners were appointed where to worke, and the
Mariners discharged their shippes.
Upon the second of August were published and proclaymed upon the Countesse of Warwicks Iland with
sound of Trumpet, certaine Orders by the Generall and
his councell, appoynted to be observed of the company
during the time of their abiding there.
In the meane time, whilest the Mariners plyed their
worke, the Captaines sought out new Mynes, the Goldfiners made tryall of the Ore, the Mariners discharged
their shippes, the Gentlemen for example sake laboured
heartily, and honestly encouraged the inferiour sort to
worke. So that the small tyme of that little leisure that
was left to tarrie, was spent in vaine.
The second of August the Gabriel arrived, who came
from the Vizeadmirall, and beeing distressed sore with
Yce, put into Harborough neere unto Mount Oxford.
And now was the whole Fleete arrived safely at their
Port, excepting foure, besides the Shippe that was lost:
that is, the Thomas Allen, the Anne Francis, the Thomas
of Ipswich, and the Moone, whose absence was some
lette unto the workes and other proceedings, aswell for
that these Shippes were furnished with the better sorte
of Myners, as with other provision for the habitation.
The ninth of August the Generall with the Captaynes
of his counsell assembled together, and began to consider
and take order for the erecting up of the house or Fort
for them that were to inhabite there the whole yeere, and
that presently the Masons and Carpenters might goe in
hande therewith. First therefore they perused the Bils
of lading, what every man received into his Shippe, and
found that there was arrived onely the Eastside, and the
Southside
of the house, and yet not that perfect and
entier: for many pieces thereof were used for fenders in
many Shippes, and so broken in pieces whilest they were
distressed in the yce. Also after due examination had,
and true account taken, there was found want of drinke
and fuel to serve one hundreth men, which was the
number appoynted first to inhabite there, because their
greatest store was in the Shippes which were not yet
arrived. Then Captaine Fenton seeing the scarcitie of
the necessary things aforesayd, was contented, and offred
himselfe to inhabite there with sixtie men. Whereupon
they caused the Carpenters and Masons to come before
them, and demanded in what time they would take upon
them to erect up a lesse house for sixtie men. They
required eight or nine weekes, if there were Tymber
sufficient, whereas now they had but sixe and twentie
dayes in all to remayne in that Countrey. Wherefore it
was fully agreed upon, and resolved by the Generall and
his counsell, that no habitation should be there this yeere.
And therefore they willed Master Selman the Register
to set downe this decree with all their consents, for the
better satisfying of her Majestie, the Lords of the Counsell, and the Adventurers.
The Anne Francis, since shee was parted from the
Fleete, in the last storme before spoken of, could never
recover above five leagues within the streights, the winde
being sometime contrary, and most times the Yce compassing them round about. And from that time, being
about the seven and twentieth of July, they could neither
heare nor have sight of any of the Fleete, until the 3.
of August, when they descryed a sayle neere unto Mount
Oxford, with whom when they had spoken, they could
understand no newes of any of the Fleete at all. And
this was the Thomas of Ipswich, who had layne beating
off and on at Sea with very fowle weather, and contrary
windes, ever since that foresayd storme, without sight
of any man, They kept company not long together, but
were forced to loose one another againe, the Moone
being consort alwayes with the Anne Francis, and keeping very good company plyed up together into the
streights, with great desire to recover their long wished
Port: and they attempted as often, and passed as farre
as possible the winde, weather, & yce gave them leave,
which commonly they found very contrary. For when
the weather was cleare and without fogge, then commonly the winde was contrary. And when it was eyther
Easterly or Southerly, which would serve their turnes,
then had they so great a fogge and darke miste therewith, that eyther they could not discerne way thorow the
yce, or els the yce lay so thicke together, that it was
impossible for them to passe. And on the other side,
when it was calme, the Tydes had force to bring the yce
so suddenly about them, that commonly then they were
most therewith distressed, having no Winde to cary them
from the danger thereof.
And by the sixt of August being with much adoe got
up as high as Leicester
point, they had good hope to
finde the Souther shore cleare, and so to passe up towardes
their Port. But being there becalmed and lying a hull
openly upon the great Bay which commeth out of the
mistaken streights before spoken of, they were so suddenly compassed with yce round about by meanes of the
swift Tydes which run in that place, that they were never
afore so hardly beset as now. And in seeking to avoyde
these dangers in the darke weather, the Anne Francis
lost sight of the other two Ships, who being likewise
hardly distressed, signified their danger, as they since
reported, by shooting off their ordinance, which the other
could not heare, nor if they had heard, could have given
them any remedie, being so busily occupied to winde
themselves out of their owne troubles.
The Fleeboate called the Moone, was here heaved above
the water with the force of the yce, and received a great
leake thereby. Likewise the Thomas of Ipswich, and
the Anne Francis were sore brused at that instant, having
their false stemmes borne away, and their ship sides
stroken quite through.
Now considering the continuall dangers and contraries,
and the little leasure that they had left to tarie in these
partes, besides that every night the ropes of their Shippes
were so frozen, that a man could not handle them without cutting his handes, together with the great doubt
they had of the Fleetes safety, thinking it an impossibilitie
for them to passe unto their Port, as well for that they
saw themselves, as for that they heard by the former
report of the Shippes which had prooved before, who
affirmed that the streights were all frozen over within:
They thought it now very hie time to consider of their
estates and safeties that were yet left together. And
hereupon the Captaines and masters of these Shippes,
desired the Captaine of the Anne Francis to enter into
consideration with them of these matters. Wherefore
Captaine Tanfield of the Thomas of Ipswich, with his
Pilot Richard Cox, and Captaine Upcote of the Moone,
with his master John Lakes came aboorde the Anne
Francis the eight of August to consult of these causes.
And being assembled together in the Captaines Cabin,
sundry doubts were there alledged. For the fearefuller
sort of Mariners being overtyred with the continuall
labour of the former dangers, coveted to returne homeward, saying that they would not againe tempt God so
much, who had given them so many warnings, and delivered them from so wonderfull dangers: that they rather
desired to lose wages, fraight, and all, then to continue
and follow such desperate fortunes. Againe, their Ships
were so leake, and the men so wearie, that to amend the
one, and refresh the other, they must of necessitie seeke
into harborough.
But on the other side it was argued againe to the
contrary, that to seeke into harborough thereabouts, was
but to subject themselves to double dangers: if happily
they escaped the dangers of Rockes in their entring, yet
being in, they were neverthelesse subject there to the
danger of the Ice, which with the swift tydes and currents
is caryed in and out in most harboroughs thereabouts,
and may thereby gaule their Cables asunder, drive them
upon the shoare, and bring them to much trouble. Also
the coast is so much subject to broken ground and rockes,
especially in the mouth and entrance of every Harborough,
that albeit the Channell be sounded over and over againe,
yet are you never the neerer to discerne the dangers.
For the bottome of the Sea holding like shape and forme
as the Land, being full of hils, dales, and ragged Rockes,
suffreth you not by your soundings to knowe and keepe
a true gesse of the depth. For you shall sound upon
the side or hollownesse of one Hill or Rocke under water,
and have a hundreth, fiftie, or fourtie fadome depth: and
before the next cast, yer you shall be able to heave your
lead againe, you shall be upon the toppe thereof, and
come aground to your utter confusion.
Another reason against going to harborough was, that
the colde ayre did threaten a sudden freezing up of the
sounds, seeing that every night there was new congealed
yce, even of that water which remayned within their
shippes. And therefore it should seeme to be more safe
to lye off and on at Sea, then for lacke of winde to bring
them foorth of harborough, to hazard by sudden frosts
to be shut up the whole yeere.
After many such dangers and reasons alledged, and
large debating of these causes on both sides, the Captaine of the Anne Francis delivered his opinion unto the
company to this effect. First concerning the question of
returning home, hee thought it so much dishonorable,
as not to grow in any farther question: and againe to
returne home at length (as at length they must needes)
and not to be able to bring a certaine report of the
Fleete, whether they were living or lost, or whether any
of them had recovered their Port or not, in the Countesses sound, (as it was to bee thought the most part
would if they were living) hee sayde that it would be so
great an argument eyther of want of courage or discretion
in them, as hee resolved rather to fall into any danger,
then so shamefully to consent to returne home, protesting
that it should never bee spoken of him, that hee would
ever returne without doing his endevour to finde the
Fleete, and knowe the certaintie of the Generals safetie.
Hee put his company in remembrance of a Pinnisse of
five tunne burthen, which hee had within his Shippe,
which was caryed in pieces, and unmade up for the use
of those which should inhabite there the whole yeere,
the which, if they could finde meanes to joyne together,
hee offered himselfe to proove before therewith, whether
it were possible for any Boate to passe for yce, whereby
the Shippe might bee brought in after, and might also
thereby give true notice, if any of the Fleete were arrived
at their Port or not.
But notwithstanding, for that he well perceived that
the most part of his company were addicted to put into
harborough, hee was willing the rather for these causes
somewhat to encline thereunto. At first, to search alongst
the same coast, and the soundes thereabouts, hee thought
it to be to good purpose, for that it was likely to finde
some of the Fleete there, which being leake, and sore
brused with the yce, were the rather thought likely to
be put into an yll harborough, being distressed with
foule weather in the last storme, then to hazard their
uncertaine safeties amongst the yce: for about this place
they lost them, and left the Fleete then doubtfully questioning of harborough.
It was likely, also, that they might finde some fitte
harborough thereabouts, which might bee behoovefull for
them against another time. It was not likewise impossible to finde some Ore or Mine thereabouts wherewithall
to fraight their Shippes, which would bee more commodious in this place, for the neerenesse to Seaward,
and for a better outlet, then farther within the streights,
being likely heere alwayes to loade in a shorter time,
howsoever the streight should be pestered with yce within,
so that if it might come to passe that thereby they might
eyther finde the Fleete, Mine, or convenient harborough,
any of these three would serve their present turnes, and
give some hope and comfort unto their companies, which
now were altogether comfortlesse. But if that all fortune should fall out so contrary, that they could neyther
recover their Port, nor any of these aforesayde helpes,
that yet they would not depart the Coast, as long as it
was possible for them to tary there, but would lye off
and on at Sea athwart the place. Therefore his finall
conclusion was set downe thus, First, that the Thomas
of Ipswich and the Moone should consort and keepe
company together carefully with the Anne Francis, as
neere as they could, and as true Englishmen and faithfull
friends, should supply one anothers want in all fortunes
and dangers. In the morning following, every Shippe
to send off his Boate with a sufficient Pylot, to search
out and sound the harboroughs for the safe bringing in
of their Shippes. And beeing arrived in harborough,
where they might finde convenient place for the purpose,
they resolved foorthwith to joyne and sette together the
Pinnesse, wherewithall the Captaine of the Anne Francis
might, according to his former determination, discover
up into the streights.
After these determinations thus set downe, the Thomas
of Ipswich the night following lost company of the other
Shippes, and afterward shaped a contrary course homeward, which fell out as it manifestly appeared, very much
against their Captaine Master Tanfields minde, as by
due examination before the Lordes of her Majesties most
honourable privie Counsell it hath since bene prooved,
to the great discredite of the Pilot Cox, who specially
persuaded his company against the opinion of his sayd
Captaine, to returne home.
And as the Captaine of the Anne Francis doeth witnesse, even at their conference togither, Captaine Tanfield
tolde him, that he did not a little suspect the sayd Pilot
Cox, saying that he had opinion in the man neither of
honest duetie, manhoode, nor constancie. Notwithstanding the sayde Shippes departure, the Captaine of the
Anne Francis being desirous to put in execution his former
resolutions, went with his Shippe boate (being accompanied also with the Moones Skiffe) to proove amongst
the Ilands which lye under Hattons Hedland, if any
convenient harborough, or any knowledge of the Fleete,
or any good Ore were there to be found. The Shippes
lying off and on at Sea the while under Sayle, searching
through many sounds, they sawe them all full of many
dangers and broken ground: yet one there was, which
seemed an indifferent place to harborough in, and which
they did very diligently sound over, and searched againe.
Here the sayde Captaine found a great blacke Iland,
whereunto hee had good liking, and certifying the
company thereof, they were somewhat comforted, and
with the good hope of his wordes rowed cheerefully unto
the place: where when they arrived, they found such
plentie of blacke Ore of the same sort which was brought
into England
this last yeere, that if the goodnesse might
answere the great plentie thereof, it was to be thought
that it might reasonably suffice all the golde-gluttons of
the world. This Iland the Captaine for cause of his good
hap, called after his owne name, Bestes blessing, and with
these good tydings returning aboord his Ship the ninth
of August about teene of the clocke at night, hee was
joyfully welcommed of his company, who before were
discomforted, and greatly expected some better fortune
at his handes.
The next day being the tenth of August, the weather
reasonably fayre, they put into the foresayde Harborough,
having their Boate for their better securitie sounding
before their Shippe. But for all the care and diligence
that could bee taken in sounding the Channell over and
over againe, the Anne Francis came aground upon a
suncken Rocke within the Harborough, and lay thereon
more then halfe drye untill the next flood, when by Gods
Almighty providence, contrary almost to all expectation,
they came afloat againe, being forced all that time to
undersette their Shippe with their mayne Yarde, which
otherwise was likely to overset and put thereby in danger
the whole company. They had above two thousand
strokes together at the Pumpe, before they could make
their Shippe free of the water againe, so sore shee was
brused by lying upon the Rockes. The Moone came
safely, and roade at anchor by the Anne Francis, whose
helpe in their necessitie they could not well have missed.
Now whilest the Mariners were romaging their Shippes,
and mending that which was amisse, the Miners followed
their labour for getting together of sufficient quantitie of
Ore, and the Carpenters indevoured to doe their best for
the making up of the Boate or Pinnesse: which to bring
to passe, they wanted two speciall and most necessarie
things, that is, certaine principall tymbers that are called
Knees, which are the chiefest strength of any Boate, and
also nayles, wherewithall to joyne the plancks together.
Whereupon having by chance a Smyth amongst them,
(and yet unfurnished of his necessary tooles to worke and
make nayles withall) they were faine of a gunne chamber
to make an Anvile to worke upon, and to use a pickaxe
in stead of a sledge to beate withall, and also to occupy
two small bellowes in steade of one payre of greater
Smiths bellowes. And for lacke of small Yron
for the
easier making of the nayles, they were forced to breake
their tongs, grydiron, and fireshovell in pieces.
The eleventh of August the Captaine of the Anne
Francis taking the Master of his Shippe with him, went
up to the toppe of Hattons Hedland, which is the highest
land of all the streights, to the ende to descry the situation
of the Countrey underneath, and to take a true plotte of
the place, whereby also to see what store of Yce was yet
left in the streights, as also to search what Mineral matter
or fruits that soyle might yeeld: And the rather for the
honour the said Captaine doeth owe to that Honourable
name which himselfe gave thereunto the last yeere, in the
highest part of this Hedland he caused his company to
make a Columne or Crosse of stone, in token of Christian
possession. In this place there is plentie of Blacke Ore,
and divers pretie stones.
The seventeenth of August the Captaines with their
companies chaced and killed a great white Beare, which
adventured and gave a fierce assault upon twentie men
being weaponed. And he served them for good meate
many dayes.
The eighteenth of August the Pinnesse with much adoe
being set together, the sayd Captaine Best determined
to depart up the streights, to proove and make tryall,
as before was pretended, some of his company greatly
persuading him to the contrary, and specially the Carpenter that set the same together, who sayde that hee
would not adventure himselfe therein for five hundreth
pounds, for that the boate hung together but onely by the
strength of the nayles, and lacked some of her principall
knees and tymbers.
These wordes somewhat discouraged some of the
company which should have gone therein. Whereupon
the Captaine, as one not altogether addicted to his
owne selfe-will, but somewhat foreseeing how it might be
afterwards spoken, if contrary fortune should happen him
(Lo he hath followed his owne opinion and desperate
resolutions, and so thereafter it is befallen him) calling
the Master and Mariners of best judgement together,
declared unto them how much the cause imported him in
his credite to seeke out the Generall, as well to conferre
with him of some causes of weight, as otherwise to
make due examination and tryall of the goodnesse of
the Ore, whereof they had no assurance but by gesse of
the eye, and it was well like the other: which so to cary
home, not knowing the goodnesse thereof, might be as
much as if they should bring so many stones. And
therefore hee desired them to deliver their plaine and
honest opinion, whether the Pinnesse were sufficient for
him so to adventure in or no. It was answered, that by
carefull heede taking thereunto amongst the yce, and the
foule weather, the Pinnesse might suffice. And hereupon
the Masters mate of the Anne Francis called John Gray,
manfully and honestly offering himselfe unto his Captaine
in this adventure and service, gave cause to others of his
Mariners to follow the attempt.
And upon the nineteenth of August the sayd Captaine
being accompanied with Captaine Upcote of the Moone,
and eighteene persons in the small Pinnesse, having convenient portion of victuals and things necessary, departed
upon the sayd pretended Voyage, leaving their shippe at
anchor in a good readiness for the taking in of their
fraight. And having little winde to sayle withall, they
plyed alongst the Souther shore, and passed above 30.
leagues, having the onely helpe of mans labour with
Oares, and so intending to keepe that shore aboord until
they were got up to the farthest and narrowest of the
streights, minded there to crosse over, and to search
likewise alongst the Northerland unto the Countesses
sound, and from thence to passe all that coast along,
whereby if any of the Fleet had bene distressed by wrecke
of rocke or yce, by that meanes they might be perceived
of them, and so they thereby to give them such helpe and
reliefe as they could. They did greatly feare, and ever
suspect that some of the Fleete were surely cast away, and
driven to seeke sowre sallets amongst the colde cliffes.
And being shotte up about fortie leagues within the
Streights, they put over towardes the Norther shore,
which was not a little dangerous for their small boates.
And by meanes of a sudden flawe were dryven, and faine
to seeke harborough in the night amongst all the rockes
and broken ground of
Gabriels Ilands, a place so named
within the streights above the Countesse of Warwicks
sound: And by the way where they landed, they did
finde certaine great stones set up by the Countrey people
as it seemed, for markes, where they also made many
Crosses of stone, in token that Christians had bene there.
The 22. of August they had sight of the Countesses
sound, and made the place perfect from the toppe of a
hill, and keeping along the Norther shore, perceived the
smoke of a fire under a hils side: whereof they diversly
deemed. When they came neere the place, they perceived
people which wafted unto them, as it seemed, with a
flagge or ensigne. And because the Countrey people had
used to doe the like, when they perceived any of our
boats to passe by, they suspected them to be the same.
And comming somewhat neerer, they might perceive
certaine tents, and discerne this ensigne to be of mingled
colours, blacke and white, after the English fashion. But
because they could see no Shippe, nor likelihood of harborough within five or sixe leagues about, and knewe
that none of our men were woont to frequent those partes,
they could not tell what to judge thereof, but imagined
that some of the ships being carried so high with the
storme and mistes, had made shipwracke amongst the yce
or the broken Islands there, and were spoyled by the
countrey people, who might use the sundry coloured flagge
for a policie, to bring them likewise within their danger.
Whereupon the sayd Captaine with his companies, resolved
to recover the same ensigne, if it were so, from those base
people, or els to lose their lives, and all together. In the
ende they discerned them to be their countreymen, and
then they deemed them to have lost their Ships, and so to
be gathered together for their better strength. On the
other side, the company ashoare feared that the Captaine
having lost his Shippe, came to seeke forth the Fleete for
his reliefe in his poore Pinnisse, so that their extremities
caused eche part to suspect the worst.
The Captaine now with his Pinnisse being come neere
the shoare, commanded his Boate carefully to be kept
aflote, lest in their necessitie they might winne the same
from him, and seeke first to save themselves: for every
man in that case is next himselfe. They haled one
another according to the manner of the Sea, and demaunded what cheere? and either partie answered the
other, that all was well: whereupon there was a sudden
and joyfull outshoote, with great flinging up of caps, and
a brave voly of shotte to welcome one another. And
truely it was a most strange case to see how joyfull and
gladde every partie was to see themselves meete in safetie
againe, after so strange and incredible dangers: Yet to
be short, as their dangers were great, so their God was
greater.
And here the company were working upon new Mines,
which Captaine Yorke being here arrived not long before,
had found out in this place, and it is named the Countesse
of Sussex Mine.
After some conference with our friends here, the Captaine of the Anne Francis departed towards the Countesse
of Warwicks sound, to speake with the Generall, and to
have tryall made of such mettall as he had brought thither,
by the Goldfiners. And so he determined to dispatch
againe towards his ship. And having spoken with the
General, he received order for all causes, and direction as
well for the bringing up of his Shippe to the Countesses
sound, as also to fraight his Ship with the same Oare
which he himselfe had found, which upon triall made, was
supposed to be very good.
The 23. of August, the sayd Captaine mette together
with the other Captaines (Commissioners in counsell with
the Generall) aboorde the Ayde, where they considered
and consulted of sundry causes, which being particularly
registred by the Notarie, were appoynted where and how
to be done against another yeere.
The 24. of August, the Generall with two Pinnisses
and good numbers of men went to Beares sound, commanding the sayde Captaine with his Pinnesse to attend
the service, to see if he could encounter or apprehend any
of the people: for sundry times they shewed themselves
busie thereabouts, sometimes with seven or eyght Boates
in one company, as though they minded to encounter
with our company which were working there at the Mines,
in no great numbers. But when they perceived any of
our Shippes to ryde in that roade (being belike more
amazed at the countenance of a Shippe, and a more
number of men) they did never shewe themselves againe
there at all. Wherefore our men sought with their
Pinnisses to compasse about the Iland where they did
use, supposing there suddenly to intercept some of them.
But before our men could come neere, having belike some
watch in the toppe of the mountaines, they conveyed
themselves privily away, and left (as it should seeme)
one of their great dartes behinde them for haste, which
we found neere to a place of their caves and housing.
Therefore, though our Generall were very desirous to
have taken some of them to have brought into England
,
they being now growen more wary by their former losses,
would not at any time come within our dangers. About
midnight of the same day, the captaine of the Anne
Francis departed thence and set his course over the
streights towards Hattons Hedland, being about 15.
leagues over, and returned aboord his Shippe the 25. of
August, to the great comfort of his company, who long
expected his comming, where hee found his Shippes ready
rigged and loden. Wherefore he departed from thence
againe the next morning towards the Countesses sound,
where he arrived the 28. of the same. By the way he set
his Miners ashore at Beares sound, for the better dispatch
and gathering the Ore togither: for that some of the
ships were behind hand with their fraight, the time of
the yeere passing suddenly away.
The thirtith of August the Anne Francis was brought
aground, and had 8. great leakes mended which she had
received by meanes of the rocks and yce. This day the
Masons finished a house which Captaine Fenton caused
to be made of lyme and stone upon the
Countesse of
Warwickes Island, to the ende we might prove against
the next yeere, whither the snow could overwhelme it,
the frost breake it up, or the people dismember the same.
And the better to allure those brutish and uncivill people
to courtesie against other times of our comming, we left
therein divers of our Countrey toyes, as belles, and knives,
wherein they specially delight, one for the necessary use,
and the other for the great pleasure thereof. Also pictures
of men and women in lead, men on horsebacke, looking
glasses, whistles, and pipes. Also in the house was made
an Oven, and bread left baked therein for them to see and
taste.
We buried the timber of our pretended fort. Also here
we sowed pease, corne, and other graine, to prove the
fruitfulnesse of the soyle against the next yeere.
Master Wolfall on Winters Fornace preached a godly
sermon, which being ended, he celebrated also a Communion upon the land, at the partaking whereof was the
Captaine of the Anne Francis, and many other Gentlemen
and Souldiers, Mariners, and Miners with him. The celebration of the divine mystery was the first signe, seale,
and confirmation of Christs name, death, and passion
ever knowen in these quarters. The said M. Wolfall
made sermons, and celebrated the Communion at sundry
other times, in severall and sundry ships, because the
whole company could never meet together at any one
place. The Fleet now being in some good readinesse for
their lading, the Generall calling together the Gentlemen
and Captaines to consult, told them that he was very
desirous that some further discovery should be attempted,
and that he would not onely by Gods helpe bring home
his Ships laden with Ore, but also meant to bring some
certificate of a further discovery of the Countrey, which
thing to bring to passe (having sometime therein consulted)
they found very hard, and almost invincible. And considering that already they had spent sometime in searching
out the trending and fashion of the mistaken straites,
therefore it could not be sayd, but that by this voyage
they have notice of a further discovery, and that the hope
of the passage thereby is much furthered and encreased,
as appeared before in the discourse thereof. Yet notwithstanding if any meanes might be further devised, the
Captaines were contented and willing, as the Generall
shoulde appoynt and commaund, to take any enterprise in
hand. Which after long debating was found a thing very
impossible, and that rather consultation was to be had
of returning homeward, especially for these causes following. First the darke foggy mists, the continuall falling
snowe and stormy weather which they commonly were
vexed with, and now daily ever more and more increased,
have no small argument of the Winters drawing neere.
And also the frost every night was so hard congealed
within the sound, that if by evill hap they should bee
long kept in with contrary winds, it was greatly to be
feared, that they should be shut up there fast the whole
yeere, which being utterly unprovided, would be their utter
destruction. Againe, drinke was so scant throughout all
the Fleet by meanes of the great leakage, that not onely
the provision which was layd in for the habitation was
wanting and wasted, but also each shippes severall provision spent and lost, which many of our company to
their great griefe found in their returne since, for all
the way homewards they dranke nothing but water. And
the great cause of this leakage and wasting was, for that
the great timber and seacole, which lay so waighty upon
the barrels, brake, bruised, and rotted the hoopes insunder.
Yet notwithstanding these reasons alleaged the Generall
himselfe (willing the rest of the Gentlemen and Captaines
every man to looke to his severall charge and lading, that
against a day appointed, they should be all in a readinesse
to set homeward) went in a Pinnesse and discovered
further Northward in the straights, and found that by
Beares sound and
Halles Island, the land was not firme,
as it was first supposed, but all broken Islands in maner
of an Archipelagus, and so with other secret intelligence
to himselfe, he returned to the Fleet. Where presently
upon his arrivall at the Countesses sound, he began to
take order for their returning homeward, and first caused
certaine Articles to be proclaimed, for the better keeping
of orders and courses in their returne, which Articles were
delivered to every Captaine.
The Fleetes returning homeward.
HAVING now received Articles and directions for our
returne homewards, all other things being in forwardnesse
and in good order, the last day of August the whole Fleete
departed from the Countesses sound, excepting the Judith,
and the Anne Francis, who stayed for the taking in of
fresh water, and came the next day and mette the Fleete
lying off and on, athwart Beares sound, who stayed for
the Generall, which then was gone ashore to dispatch the
two Barkes and the Busse of Bridgewater, for their loading, whereby to get the companies and other things
aboord. The Captaine of the Anne Francis having most
part of his company ashore, the first of September went
also to Beares sound in his Pinnesse to fetch his men
aboord, but the winde grewe so great immediatly upon
their landing, that the shippes at Sea were in great
danger, and some of them forcibly put from their ankers,
and greatly feared to be utterly lost, as the Hopewell
,
wherein was Captaine Carew and others, who could not
tell on which side their danger was most: for having
mightie rockes threatning on the one side, and driving
Islands of cutting yce on the other side, they greatly
feared to make shipwracke, the yce driving so neere them
that it touched their bolt-sprit. And by meanes of the
Sea that. was growne so hie, they were not able to put to
sea with their small Pinnesses to recover their shippes.
And againe, the shippes were not able to tarrie or lie
athwart for them, by meanes of the outragious windes
and swelling seas. The Generall willed the Captaine of
the Anne Francis with his company, for that night to
lodge aboord the Busse of Bridgewater, and went himselfe
with the rest of his men aboord the Barkes. But their
numbers were so great, and the provision of the Barkes so
scant, that they pestered one another exceedingly. They
had great hope that the next morning the weather would
be faire, whereby they might recover their shippes. But
in the morning following it was much worse, for the
storme continued greater, the Sea being more swollen,
and the Fleete gone quite out of sight. So that now their
doubts began to grow great: for the ship of Bridgewater
which was of greatest receit, and whereof they had best
hope and made most account, roade so farre to leeward of
the harborowes mouth, that they were not able for the
rockes (that lay betweene the wind and them) to lead
it out to Sea with a saile. And the Barks were already
so pestered with men, and so slenderly furnished with
provision, that they had scarce meat for sixe dayes for
such numbers.
The Generall in the morning departed to Sea in the
Gabriel to seeke the Fleete, leaving the Busse of Bridgewater, and the Michael behind in Beares sound. The
Busse set sayle, and thought by turning in the narrow
channell within the harborow to get to windward: but
being put to leeward more, by that meanes was faine to
come to anker for her better safetie, amongst a number
of rockes, and there left in great danger of ever getting
forth againe. The Michael set sayle to follow the
Generall, and could give the Busse no reliefe, although
they earnestly desired the same. And the Captaine of
the Anne Francis was left in hard election of two evils:
eyther to abide his fortune with the Busse of Bridgewater,
which was doubtfull of ever getting forth, or else to bee
towed in his small Pinnesse at the sterne of the Michael
thorow the raging Seas, for that the Barke was not able
to receive or relieve halfe his company, wherein his danger
was not a little perillous.
So after hee resolved to commit himselfe with all his
company unto that fortune of God and Sea, and was
dangerously towed at the sterne of the Barke for many
miles, untill at length they espyed the Anne Francis under
sayle, hard under their Lee, which was no small comfort
unto them. For no doubt, both those and a great number
more had perished for lacke of victuals, and convenient
roome in the Barks without the helpe of the sayd Ship.
But the honest care that the Master of the Anne Francis
had of his Captaine, and the good regarde of duetie
towardes his Generall, suffered him not to depart, but
honestly abode to hazard a dangerous roade all the night
long, notwithstanding all the stormy weather, when all
the Fleete besides departed. And the Pinnesse came no
sooner aboord the shippe, and the men entred, but shee
presently shivered and fell in pieces and sunke at the
ships sterne, with all the poore mens furniture: so weake
was the boat with towing, and so forcible was the sea
to bruise her in pieces. But (as God would) the men
were all saved.
At this present in this storme many of the Fleete
were dangerously distressed, and were severed almost all
asunder. Yet, thanks be to God, all the Fleete arrived
safely in England
about the first of October, some in
one place and some in another. But amongst other, it
was most marveilous how the Busse of Bridgewater got
away, who being left behind the Fleete in great danger
of never getting forth, was forced to seeke a way Northward thorow an unknowen channell full of rocks, upon
the backe side of Beares sound, and there by good hap
found out a way into the North sea
, a very dangerous
attempt: save that necessitie, which hath no law, forced
them to trie masteries. This aforesayd North sea
is the
same which lyeth upon the backe side of Frobishers
straits, where first the Generall himselfe in his Pinnesses,
and after some other of our company have discovered
(as they affirme) a great foreland, where they would have
also a great likelihood of the greatest passage towards the
South sea, or Mar del Sur.
The Busse of Bridgewater, as she came homeward, to
the Southeastward of Friseland, discovered a great Island
in the latitude of 57 degrees and an halfe, which was never
yet found before, and sailed three dayes alongst the coast,
the land seeming to be fruitfull, full of woods, and a
champion Countrey.
There died in the whole Fleet in all this voyage not
above forty persons, which number is not great, consider
ing how many ships were in the Fleet, and how strange
fortunes we passed.
