A hundred of our men landed.This being noted by SirJohn Burrough; he soon provided a present remedy for this mischief. For landing 100 of his men (whereof many did swim, and wade more than breast high, to shore) and easily scattering those that presented themselves to guard the coast: he no sooner drew towards their new trenches, but they fled immediately; leaving as much as the fire had spared [of theSanta Cruz] to be the reward of our men's pains.Here were taken, among others, oneVincent Fonseca, a Portugal, Purser of the Carrack; with two others, one an Almain [German], and the second a Low Dutchman [Hollander] Cannoniers: who, refusing to make any voluntary report of those things which were demanded of them, had the torture threatened; the fear whereof, at the last, wrested from them this intelligence:That, within fifteen days, three other greater Carracks than that [theSanta Cruz] lately fired, would arrive at the same Island [of Flores]. And that being five Carracks in the Fleet at their departure from Goa, to wit, theBuen Jesus, Admiral [Flag Ship]; theMadre de Dios; theSan Bernardo; theSan Christophoro; and theSanta Cruz, whose fortune you have already heard: they had received special commandment from the King [Philip II.] not to touch, in any case, at the Island of St. Helena, where the Portugal Carracks, in their return from the East India, were always, till now, wont to arrive, to refresh themselves with water and victuals. And the King's reason was, because of the English Men of War: who, as he was informed, lay there in wait to intercept them. If therefore their necessity of water should drive them to seek [a] supply anywhere, he appointed them Angola, in the main[land] of Africa; with orderAngola, a new watering place for the Carracks.there to stay only the taking in of water, to avoid the inconvenience of infections, whereunto that hot latitude is dangerously subject. The last rendezvous for them all was the Island of Flores: where the King assured them not to miss of his Armada, thither sent of purpose for their wafting [convoy] to Lisbon.Upon this information, SirJohndrew to Council [of War], meeting there CaptainNorton, CaptainDownton, CaptainAbraham Cocke, Captains of three ships of [George Clifford,] the Earl ofCumberland; MasterThomsonof Harwich, Captain of theDaintyof SirJohn Hawkins's, one of SirWalter Raleigh's Fleet; and MasterChristopher Newport, Captain of theGolden Dragon, newly returned from the West Indies; and others.These being assembled, he communicated with them what he had understood of the foresaid Examinates; and what great presumptions of truth their relation did carry: wishing that forasmuch as GOD and good fortune had brought themtogether in so good a season, they would shew the uttermost of their endeavours to bring these Easterlings [here meaning, the Carracks from the East: an unusual application of a word ordinarily applied to Baltic ships] under the lee of English obedience.Hereupon a present accord, on all sides, followed; not to part company, or leave off those seas, till time should present cause to put their consultations in execution.The next day [? 29th June 1592], Her Majesty's good Ship theForesight, commanded by SirRobert Crosse, came in to the rest: and he, likewise informed of the matter, was soon drawn into this Service.Thus SirJohn, with all these ships, departing thence [to some] six or seven leagues to the West of Flores; they spread themselves abroad from the North to the South; each ship two leagues, at the least, distant from another. By which order of extension, they were able to discover the space of two whole degrees [=140miles] at sea.In this sort, they lay from the 29th of June to the 3rd of August [1592].[At] what time, CaptainThomson, in theDainty, had first sight of the huge Carrack, called theMadre de Dios[theMother of God]; one of the greatest receipt [burden] belonging to the Crown of Portugal.TheDainty, being of excellent sail, got the start of the rest of our Fleet: and began the conflict, somewhat to her cost, with the slaughter and hurt of divers of her men.[5]Within a while after, SirJohn Burrough, in theRoebuckof SirWalter Raleigh's [Fleet], was at hand to secondher: who saluted her with shot of great ordnance, and continued the fight, within musket shot, (assisted by CaptainThomson[in theDainty] and CaptainNewport[in theGolden Dragon] till SirRobert Crosse, Vice Admiral of the Fleet [there present], came up; [having] been to leeward.At whose arrival, SirJohn Burroughdemanded of him, What was best to be done?Who answered, That if the Carrack were not boarded; she would recover the shore, and fire herself, as the other had done.Whereupon SirJohn Burroughconcluded to entangle her: and SirRobert Crosspromised also to fasten himself [in theForesight] to her together at the instant. Which was performed.But, after a while, SirJohn Burrough['s ship, theRoebuck,] receiving a shot, with a cannon perier, under water, and [being] ready to sink; [he] desired SirRobert Crosseto fall off that he might also clear himself, and save his ship from sinking: which with difficulty he did. For both theRoebuckand theForesightwere so entangled as, with much ado, could they clear themselves.The same evening, SirRobert Crosse(finding the Carrack then sure, and drawing near the Island) persuaded his company to board her again; or else there was no hope to recover her: who, after many excuses and fears, were by him encouraged. And so [his ship] fell athwart her foreships all alone; and so hindered her sailing, that the rest had time to come up to his succour, and to recover the Carrack ere she recovered the land.TheMadre de Diostaken.And so, towards the evening, after he had fought with her alone three hours singly, my Lord ofCumberland's two ships [theTigerand theSampson] came up: and, with very little loss, [they] entered with SirRobert Crosse; who had, in that time, broken their courage, and made the assault easy for the rest.[6]The General [SirJohn Burrough] having disarmed the Portugals; and stowed them, for better security, on all sides [i.e. in the various English ships]; first had presented to his eyes, the true proportion of the vast body of this Carrack; which did then, and may still, justly provoke the admiration [wonderment] of all men not formerly acquainted with such a sight.But albeit this first appearance of the hugeness thereofyielded sights enough to entertain our men's eyes; yet the pitiful object of so many bodies slain and dismembered could not but draw each man's eye to see, and heart to lament, and hands to help, those miserable people; whose limbs were so torn with the violence of shot, and pain made grievous with the multitude of wounds. No man could almost step but upon a dead carcase, or a bloody floor. But especially about the helm; where very many of them fell suddenly from stirring [steering] to dying. For the greatness of the stirrage [steering] requiring the labour of twelve or fourteen men at once; and some of our ships, beating her in at the stern with their ordnance, oftentimes with one shot slew four or five labouring on either side of the helm: whose rooms being still furnished with fresh supplies, and our artillery still playing upon them with continual vollies; it could not be but that much blood should be shed in that place.Exceeding humanity showed to the Enemy.Whereupon our General, moved with singular commiseration of their misery, sent them his own chirurgions, denying them no possible help or relief he, or any of his Company, could afford them.Among the rest of those, whose state this chance had made very deplorable, was DonFernando de Mendoza, Grand Captain and Commander of this Carrack: who indeed was descended of the House ofMendozain Spain; but, being married into Portugal, lived there as one of that nation. A Gentleman well stricken in years, well spoken, of comely personage, of good stature: but of hard fortune.In his several Services against the Moors, he was twice taken prisoner; and both times ransomed by the King [of Spain].In a former voyage of return from [or rather, going to] the East India, he was driven [in August 1585] upon thebaxosor "sands of India" [now calledBassas da India,and situated midway between Africa and Madagascar], near the coast of Cephala [Sofala]; being then also Captain of a Carrack [theSan Jago], which was there lost: and himself, though escaping the sea danger, yet fell into the handsof infidels on land, who kept him under long and grievous servitude. [An account of this shipwreck will be found in Vol. III., pp.25, 311-316.] Once more the King [PhilipII.], carrying a loving respect to the man and desirous to better his condition, was content to let him try his fortune in this Easterly Navigation; and committed unto him the conduct of this Carrack [theMadre de Dios], wherein he went [in 1591] from Lisbon, General of the whole Fleet: and in that degree had returned, if the Viceroy of Goa, embarked for Portugal on theBuen Jesus, had not, by reason of his late Office, being preferred.SirJohn, intending not to add too much affliction to the afflicted, moved with pity and compassion of human misery, in the end, resolved freely to dismiss this Captain and the most part of his followers to their own country; and for the same purpose, bestowed them in certain vessels, furnished with all kinds of necessary provision.[7]This business thus dispatched, good leisure had he to take such [a] view of the goods as conveniency might afford. And having very prudently, to cut off the unprofitable spoil and pillage whereunto he saw the minds of many inclined, seized upon the whole to Her Majesty's use; after a short and slender rummaging and searching of such things as first came to hand: he perceived that the wealth would arise nothing disanswerable to expectation; but that the variety and grandeur of all rich commodities would be more than sufficient tocontent both the Adventurers' desire and the soldiers' travail.[8]And here I cannot but enter into the consideration and acknowledgment of GOD's great favour towards our nation; who, by putting this purchase [booty] into our hands, hath manifestly discovered those secret trades and Indian riches which hitherto lay strangely hidden and cunningly concealed from us: whereof there was, among some few of us, some small and unperfect glimpse only; which now is turned into the broad light of full and perfect knowledge. Whereby it should seem that the will of GOD for our good is, if our weakness could apprehend it, to have us communicate with them in those East Indian treasures: and, by the erection of a lawful Traffic, to better our means to advance true religion and his holy service. [Just at the timeRichard Hakluytprinted this, 1600A.D.; he and others were chartered by QueenElizabeth, as the English East India Company.]The Carrack, being in burden, by the estimation of the wise and experienced, [of] no less than 1,600 tons; had fully 900 of those, stowed with the gross bulk of merchandise: the rest of the tonnage being allowed, partly to the ordnance, which were 32 pieces of brass of all sorts; partly to the passengers and the victuals; which could not be any smallquantity, considering the number of the persons, betwixt 600 and 700, and the length of the navigation.A brief Catalogue of the sundry rich commodities of theMadre de Dios.To give you a taste, as it were, of the commodities, it shall suffice to deliver you a general particularity of them, according to the Catalogue taken at Leaden Hall, the 15th of September 1592. Where, upon good view, it was found that the principal wares, after the jewels (which were no doubt of great value, though they never came to light), consisted ofSpices,Drugs,Silks,Calicoes,Quilts,Carpets, andColours,&c.TheSpiceswere Pepper, Cloves, Maces, Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Green Ginger.TheDrugswere Benjamin [the gum Benzoin], Frankincense, Galingale [or Galangal], Mirabolams, Aloes, Zocotrina, Camphor.TheSilks[were] Damasks, Taffatas, Sarcenets,Altobassosthat is counterfeit Cloth of Gold, unwrought China Silk, Sleaved Silk, White twisted Silk, Curled Cypress [=Cypress lawn, a cobweb lawn or crape].TheCalicoeswere Book Calicoes, Calico Lawns, Broad white Calicoes, Fine starched Calicoes, Coarse white Calicoes, Brown broad Calicoes, Brown coarse Calicoes.There were also Canopies, and coarse Diaper Towels;Quiltsof coarse Sarcenet, and of Calico;Carpetslike those of Turkey.Whereunto are to be added the Pearls, Musk, Civet, and Ambergris.The rest of the wares were many in number; but less in value: as Elephants' teeth; Porcelain vessels of China; Cocoanuts; Hides; Ebony wood, as black as jet; Bedsteads of the same; Cloth of the rinds of trees, very strange for the matter, and artificial in workmanship.All which piles of commodities being, by men of approved judgment, rated but in reasonable sort, amounted to no less than £150,000 sterling [=£600,000to£700,000now]: which being divided among the Adventurers whereof Her Majesty was the chief, was sufficient to yield contentment to all parties.The [above] cargazon [cargo] being taken out [at Dartmouth], and the goods freighted in ten of our ships, [and]sent for London; to the end that the bigness, height, length, breadth, and other dimensions, of so huge a vessel might, by the exact rules of geometrical observations, be truly taken, both for present knowledge and derivation [transmission] also of the same unto posterity: one MasterRobert Adams, a man in his faculty of excellent skill, omitted nothing in the description which either his art could demonstrate; or any man's judgment think worthy the memory.The capacity and dimensions of theMadre de Dios.After an exquisite survey of the whole frame, he found: The length, from the beak-head to the stern, whereupon was erected a lantern, to contain 165 feet.The breadth, in the second Close deck, whereof she had three; this being the place where was most extension of breadth, was 46 feet 10 inches.She drew in water 31 feet at her departure from Cochin in India: but not above 26 [feet] at her arrival in Dartmouth; being lightened in her voyage, by divers means, some 5 feet.She carried in height, seven several stories [or decks]: one main Orlop, three Close decks, one Fore-castle, and a Spar deck of two floors apiece.The length of the keel was 100 feet: of the Mainmast 121 feet; and the circuit about, at the partners, 10 feet, 7 inches.The main-yard was 106 feet long.By which perfect commensuration of the parts appeareth the hugeness of the whole: far beyond the mould of the biggest shipping used among us, either for war or receit [burden].DonAlonso De Baçan(having a great Fleet: and suffering these two Carracks, theSanta Cruzto be burnt; and theMadre de Diosto be taken) was disgraced by his Prince for his negligence.CaptainNicholas Downton.The firing and sinking of the stout and warlike Carrack, calledLas Cinque LlagasorThe Five Wounds [of the Cross at Calvary, usually called theStigmata]by three tall ships set forth at the charges of the Right Honourable [George Clifford] the Earl ofCumberlandand his friends.IN the latter end of the year 1593, the RightBesides these three ships; there was a Pinnace, called theViolet, or theWhy not I?Honourable [George Clifford,] Earl ofCumberland, at his own charges and his friends', prepared three tall ships, all at [an] equal rate and either [each] of them had [the] like quantity of victuals and [the] like number of men: there being embarked in all three ships, 420 men of all sorts.TheRoyal Exchangewent as Admiral [Flag Ship]; wherein MasterGeorge Cavewas Captain. TheMay Flower, Vice Admiral, [was] under the conduct of [Captain]William Anthonie. And theSampson, the charge whereof, it please his Honour to commit unto me,Nicholas Downton.The directions were sent to us to Plymouth; and we were to open them at sea.The 6th of April 1594, we set sail in the Sound of Plymouth, directing our course toward the Coast of Spain.The 24th of the said month, at the Admiral's direction; we divided ourselves East and West from each other, being then in the height of 43° [North]: with commandment at night to come together again.The 27th, in the morning, we descried theMay Flowerand the little Pinnace [theViolet] with a prize that they had taken; being of Vianna [do Castello] in Portugal, and bound for Angola in Africa. This Bark was of 28 tons; having some 17 persons in the same. There were in her, some 12butts of Galicia wine; whereof we took into every ship a likeCommodities fit for Angola.part: with some Rusk in chests and barrels, with 5 butts of blue coarse cloth, and certain coarse linen cloth for Negroes' shirts; which goods were divided among our Fleet.The 4th of May, we had sight of our Pinnace and the Admiral's shallop: which had taken three Portugal Caravels; whereof they had sent two away, and kept the third.The 2nd of June, we had sight of St. Michael, [one of the Azores].The 3rd day, in the morning, we sent our small Pinnace, which was of some 24 tons, with the small Caravel which we had taken at the Burlings, to range the road[s] [harbours] of all the Islands; to see if they could get anything in the same: appointing them to meet us W.S.W. 12 leagues from Fayal. Their going from us was to no purpose. They missed coming to us, when we appointed: also we missed them, when we had great cause to have used them.The 13th of June, we met with a mighty Carrack of the East Indies, calledLas Cinque Llagas, orThe Five Wounds. TheMay Flowerwas in fight with her before night. I, in theSampson, fetched her up in the evening; and (as I commanded to give her the broad side, as we term it) while I stood very heedfully prying to discover her strength; and where I might give counsel to board her in the night, when the Admiral came [should come] up to us; and, as I remember, at the very first shot she discharged at us, I was shot in a little above the belly; whereby I was made unserviceable for a good while after, without [the Portuguese] touching [hurting] any other for that night.Yet, by means of an honest true-hearted man which I had with me, one CaptainGrant, nothing was neglected.Until midnight, when the Admiral came up; theMay Flowerand theSampsonnever left, by turns, to ply her with their great ordnance: but then CaptainCavewished us to stay till morning; at what time each one of us should give her three bouts with our great ordnance, and so should clap her aboard.But indeed it was long lingered in the morning, until ten of the clock, before we attempted to board her. The Admirallaid her aboard in the mid ship: theMay Flowercoming up in the quarter, as it should seem, to lie at the stern of the Admiral on the larboard side.[William Anthonie] the Captain of the saidMay Flowerwas slain at the first coming up: whereby the ship fell to the stern of the out-licar of the Carrack; which, being a piece of timber, so wounded her Foresail, that they said they could come no more to [the] fight. I am sure they did not; but kept aloof from us.TheSampsonwere aboard on the bow [of the Carrack]; but having not room enough, our quarter lay on the [Royal]Exchange's and our bow on the Carrack's bow.TheExchangealso, at the first coming, had her Captain, Master[George] Cave, shot in both the legs; the one whereof he never recovered: so he, for that present, was not able to do his office; and, in his absence, he had not any that would undertake to lead out his Company to enter upon the Enemy.My friend, CaptainGrant, did lead my men on the Carrack's side; which, being not manfully backed by theExchange's men, his forces being small, made the Enemy bolder than he would have been: whereby I had six men presently slain, and many more hurt; which made them that remained unhurt to return aboard, and [they] would never more give the assault. I say not but some of theExchange's men did very well: and many more, no doubt, would have done the like, if there had been any principal man to have put them forward, and to have brought all the Company to the fight; and not to have run into corners themselves. But I must needs say that their ship [the Carrack] was as well provided for defence as any that I have seen.And the Portugals, peradventure encouraged by our slack working, played the men; and had Barricadoes made where they might stand without any danger of our shot. They plied us also very much with fire, so that most of our men were burnt in some place or other: and while our men were putting out the fire, they would ever be plying them with small shot or darts. This unusual casting of fire did much dismay many of our men, and made them draw back as they did.When we had not men to enter; we plied our great ordnance much at them, as high up as they might be mounted: for otherwise we did them little harm. And by shooting a piece out of our forecastle, being close by her, we fired a mat on her beak-head: which [fire] more and more kindled, and ran from thence to the mat on the bowsprit; and from the mat, up to the wood of the bowsprit; and thence to the topsail-yard; which fire made the Portugals abaft in the ship to stagger, and to make show ofparlé. But they that had the charge before, encouraged them; making show that it might easily be put out, and that it was nothing. Whereupon again they stood stiffly to their defence.Anon the fire grew so strong that I saw it [to be] beyond all help; although she had been already yielded to us. Then we desired to be off from her, but had little hope to [have] obtained our desire. Nevertheless we plied water very much to keep our ship well. Indeed I made little other reckoning for the ship, myself, and divers hurt men; [but] then to have ended there with the Carrack: but most of our people might have saved themselves in boats. And when my care was most, by GOD's Providence only, by the burning asunder of our spritsail-yard with [its] ropes and sail, and the ropes about the spritsail-yard of the Carrack, whereby we were fast entangled, we fell apart; with [the] burning of some of our sails which we had then on board.TheExchangealso, being further from the fire, afterward was more easily cleared; and fell off from abaft.As soon as GOD had put us out of danger, the fire got into the Fore-castle [of the Carrack]; where, I think, was store of Benjamin [the gum Benzoin] and such other like combustible matter: for it flamed and ran all over the Carrack in an instant, in a manner. The Portugals leapt overboard in great numbers.Then sent I, CaptainGrantwith the boat; with leave to use his own discretion in saving of them. So he brought me aboard two Gentlemen:The one, an old man, calledNuno Velio Pereirawhich, as appeareth by the Fourth Chapter in the First Book of the worthyHistoryof[Jan] Huyghen van Linschoten, was Governor of Mozambique and Cefala [Sofala] in the year1582 [SeeEnglish GarnerIII, 27, 28.]: and since that time, had been likewise a Governor in a place of importance in the East Indies. And the ship [a Carrack], wherein he was coming home, was cast away a little to the east of the Cape ofBuona Speranza[Cape of Good Hope]: and from thence, he travelled overland to Mozambique; and came, as a passenger, in this Carrack.The other was calledBras Carrero, and [he] was Captain of a Carrack which was cast away near Mozambique; and [he] came likewise in this ship for a passenger.Also three men of the inferior sort we saved in our boat. Only these two we clothed, and brought into England. The rest, which were taken up by the other ships' boats, we set all on shore in the Isle of Flores: except some two or three Negroes; whereof one was born in the Mozambique, and another in the East Indies.This fight was open off the Sound between Fayal and Pico; six leagues to the southward.The people which we saved told us, That the cause why they would not yield was because this Carrack was for the King; and that she had all the goods belonging to the King in the country [India] for that year in her; and that the Captain of her was in favour with the King; and at his [next] return into the Indies, should have been Viceroy there.And withal this ship was nothing at all pestered; neither within board, nor without: and was more like a Ship of War than otherwise. Moreover, she had the ordnance of a Carrack that was cast away at Mozambique, and the [Ship's] Company of her: together with the [Ship's] Company of another Carrack that was cast away a little to the eastward of the Cape ofBuona Speranza. Yet through sickness, which they caught at Angola, where they watered; they said, They had not now above 150 white men: but negroes, a great many.They likewise affirmed that they had three Noblemen and three Ladies in her: but we found them to differ in most of their talk.All this day [14th June 1594] and all the night she burned: but, next morning, her powder, which was lowest,being 60 barrels, blew her abroad; so that most of the ship did swim in parts above the water.Some of them say, That she was bigger than theMadre de Dios; and some, That she was less. But she was much undermasted, and undersailed [carrying too little sail]: yet she went well for a ship that was so foul.The shot which we [in theSamson] made at her in great ordnance, before we lay her aboard, might be at seven bouts [broadsides] which we had, and 6 or 7 shot at a bout, one with another, some 49 shots. The time we lay aboard [the Carrack] might be two hours. The shot which we discharged [while] aboard the Carrack, might be [that of] some 24 sakers.And thus much may suffice concerning our dangerous conflict with that unfortunate Carrack.The last of June [1594], after long traversing of the seas, we had sight of another mighty Carrack; which divers of our Company, at the first, took to be the greatSan Philip, the Admiral [or Flag Ship] of Spain; but the next day, being the 1st of July [1594], fetching her up, we perceived her indeed to be a Carrack: which, after some few shot bestowed upon her, we summoned to yield; but they, standing stoutly to their defence, utterly refused the same.Wherefore, seeing no good could be done without boarding her, I consulted what course we should take in the boarding. But by reason that we, which were the chief Captains, were partly slain, and partly wounded, in the former conflict; and because of the murmuring of some disordered and cowardly companions: our valiant and resolute determinations were crossed. And, to conclude a long discourse in few words, the Carrack escaped our hands.After this, attending about Corvo and Flores for some West Indian purchase [booty], and being disappointed of our expectation; and victuals growing short, we returned to England: where I arrived at Portsmouth, the 28th of August [1594].Footnotes[5]By noon, or one of the clock, of that day, being the 3rd of August [1592], theDaintycame near her so that the Gunner, whose name wasThomas Bedome(being a proper tall man: and had very good aim at anything, and good luck withal), desired the Captain [Thomson] he might give them a shoot: to let them understand that they were Englishmen; and, under Her Highness, Commanders of the Seas.The Captain (having great care; and not willing to have any shoot shot in vain) commanded him to forbear till they should come nearer her; which was not long: when the Captain commanded him to do his best; and carousing a can of wine to his Company, encouraged them to begin the fight.And coming up, [he] hailed them, after the manner of the sea; and commanded them to strike for the Queen of England: which they no sooner refused, but the Gunner, being ready, gave fire to two whole culverins in her chase; and racked and tore her pitifully.Bearing up with them, [we] gave them the whole [broad] side; and boarded them presently: who resisted most courageously, and put us off again.Thus continued theDaintyin fight a pretty while before any others could come to help her.In which time, she laid her aboard three several times, tore her Ancient [Flag] from her Poop, and slew her Captain [?]. And more harm had done them: but that, by chance, a shot bare their Foremast by the board; which they were compelled to splice again, to their great trouble.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[6]The next was Her Majesty's good Ship, theForesight; whose Commander for that Service was Captain [SirRobert]Crosse(a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath adventured): who with his ship laid her aboard, and very valiantly assailed them; and was most stoutly by the Spaniards also repulsed.Insomuch that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak; and yet being loath Her Majesty's Ship should be shaken off without victory, fired the Carrack: rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded Spaniards, standing on their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other: which three times was kindled [on board theForesight]; to the great cumber of CaptainCrosseand his Company, that would not so leave them.This dangerous conflict between these ships endured [a] long time. Which thePhœnixof Portsmouth perceiving...being of 60 tons or thereabouts...left her for a time; standing with their Admiral and Vice-Admiral, which were theTigerand theSampson: and coming up with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of theForesight; who presently bare up with them all the night. TheSampson, being the first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside: and shutting up into theForesight's quarter, entered his men into her.CaptainNorton, that brave and worthy Gentleman, laid her also aboard, having theTigerwith him.And so [all three crews] entered together, being 100 men at the least, all resolutely minded. At whose entrance they yielded so great a cry as the dismayed Portugals and Spaniards could not bethink themselves what course to take to help themselves: in such a maze were they stricken, although they were [originally] 800 strong, all well-appointed and able men; and of ours but 100. But standing thus, as men amazed, at length [they] yielded themselves vanquished.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[7]They gan to consult, What were best to do with the prisoners, which were many? And finding their great scarcity of victuals; and not knowing what weather they might have; nor how it might please GOD with good wind to prosper them: it was concluded to ship as many of them as they might; and to send them for Lisbon. This they fully determined; and provision was made of a Bark of Dover, which they met: the Fleet taking in her men, and such provision as they had in her; and embarked the Spaniards and Portingals, with their Negroes, whereof were many. And gave them, with them, store of victuals; and so gave them leave to depart; detaining none but the principalest of them.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[8]The conflict ended, it were a world of wonder to recount unto you the true reports, how our men bestirred themselves in searching and prying into every corner of her as far as they might: as they might well do, having with so great danger overcome her. The sight of the riches, within the same contained, did so amaze the Companies (that were within board of her: and that still came from every ship; being desirous to see what GOD had sent them, after so long and hot a fight) that many of them could not tell what to take; such was the store and goodness thereof.Yea, he that had known what [the] things had been worth, in a little room might have contrived great wealth. For it is credibly reported that some younkers happened to find many Jars of Civet, which is of great worth; and [it having been] of some long time closely kept was cause, when they opened the same, it yielded no savour: and they, ignorant and not knowing what it should be, thinking it but trash, as it came to their hands, heaved it overboard. Many other things were so spoiled [destroyed] for want of knowledge; when every man had sufficient, and that not one had cause to complain.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
A hundred of our men landed.This being noted by SirJohn Burrough; he soon provided a present remedy for this mischief. For landing 100 of his men (whereof many did swim, and wade more than breast high, to shore) and easily scattering those that presented themselves to guard the coast: he no sooner drew towards their new trenches, but they fled immediately; leaving as much as the fire had spared [of theSanta Cruz] to be the reward of our men's pains.Here were taken, among others, oneVincent Fonseca, a Portugal, Purser of the Carrack; with two others, one an Almain [German], and the second a Low Dutchman [Hollander] Cannoniers: who, refusing to make any voluntary report of those things which were demanded of them, had the torture threatened; the fear whereof, at the last, wrested from them this intelligence:That, within fifteen days, three other greater Carracks than that [theSanta Cruz] lately fired, would arrive at the same Island [of Flores]. And that being five Carracks in the Fleet at their departure from Goa, to wit, theBuen Jesus, Admiral [Flag Ship]; theMadre de Dios; theSan Bernardo; theSan Christophoro; and theSanta Cruz, whose fortune you have already heard: they had received special commandment from the King [Philip II.] not to touch, in any case, at the Island of St. Helena, where the Portugal Carracks, in their return from the East India, were always, till now, wont to arrive, to refresh themselves with water and victuals. And the King's reason was, because of the English Men of War: who, as he was informed, lay there in wait to intercept them. If therefore their necessity of water should drive them to seek [a] supply anywhere, he appointed them Angola, in the main[land] of Africa; with orderAngola, a new watering place for the Carracks.there to stay only the taking in of water, to avoid the inconvenience of infections, whereunto that hot latitude is dangerously subject. The last rendezvous for them all was the Island of Flores: where the King assured them not to miss of his Armada, thither sent of purpose for their wafting [convoy] to Lisbon.Upon this information, SirJohndrew to Council [of War], meeting there CaptainNorton, CaptainDownton, CaptainAbraham Cocke, Captains of three ships of [George Clifford,] the Earl ofCumberland; MasterThomsonof Harwich, Captain of theDaintyof SirJohn Hawkins's, one of SirWalter Raleigh's Fleet; and MasterChristopher Newport, Captain of theGolden Dragon, newly returned from the West Indies; and others.These being assembled, he communicated with them what he had understood of the foresaid Examinates; and what great presumptions of truth their relation did carry: wishing that forasmuch as GOD and good fortune had brought themtogether in so good a season, they would shew the uttermost of their endeavours to bring these Easterlings [here meaning, the Carracks from the East: an unusual application of a word ordinarily applied to Baltic ships] under the lee of English obedience.Hereupon a present accord, on all sides, followed; not to part company, or leave off those seas, till time should present cause to put their consultations in execution.The next day [? 29th June 1592], Her Majesty's good Ship theForesight, commanded by SirRobert Crosse, came in to the rest: and he, likewise informed of the matter, was soon drawn into this Service.Thus SirJohn, with all these ships, departing thence [to some] six or seven leagues to the West of Flores; they spread themselves abroad from the North to the South; each ship two leagues, at the least, distant from another. By which order of extension, they were able to discover the space of two whole degrees [=140miles] at sea.In this sort, they lay from the 29th of June to the 3rd of August [1592].[At] what time, CaptainThomson, in theDainty, had first sight of the huge Carrack, called theMadre de Dios[theMother of God]; one of the greatest receipt [burden] belonging to the Crown of Portugal.TheDainty, being of excellent sail, got the start of the rest of our Fleet: and began the conflict, somewhat to her cost, with the slaughter and hurt of divers of her men.[5]Within a while after, SirJohn Burrough, in theRoebuckof SirWalter Raleigh's [Fleet], was at hand to secondher: who saluted her with shot of great ordnance, and continued the fight, within musket shot, (assisted by CaptainThomson[in theDainty] and CaptainNewport[in theGolden Dragon] till SirRobert Crosse, Vice Admiral of the Fleet [there present], came up; [having] been to leeward.At whose arrival, SirJohn Burroughdemanded of him, What was best to be done?Who answered, That if the Carrack were not boarded; she would recover the shore, and fire herself, as the other had done.Whereupon SirJohn Burroughconcluded to entangle her: and SirRobert Crosspromised also to fasten himself [in theForesight] to her together at the instant. Which was performed.But, after a while, SirJohn Burrough['s ship, theRoebuck,] receiving a shot, with a cannon perier, under water, and [being] ready to sink; [he] desired SirRobert Crosseto fall off that he might also clear himself, and save his ship from sinking: which with difficulty he did. For both theRoebuckand theForesightwere so entangled as, with much ado, could they clear themselves.The same evening, SirRobert Crosse(finding the Carrack then sure, and drawing near the Island) persuaded his company to board her again; or else there was no hope to recover her: who, after many excuses and fears, were by him encouraged. And so [his ship] fell athwart her foreships all alone; and so hindered her sailing, that the rest had time to come up to his succour, and to recover the Carrack ere she recovered the land.TheMadre de Diostaken.And so, towards the evening, after he had fought with her alone three hours singly, my Lord ofCumberland's two ships [theTigerand theSampson] came up: and, with very little loss, [they] entered with SirRobert Crosse; who had, in that time, broken their courage, and made the assault easy for the rest.[6]The General [SirJohn Burrough] having disarmed the Portugals; and stowed them, for better security, on all sides [i.e. in the various English ships]; first had presented to his eyes, the true proportion of the vast body of this Carrack; which did then, and may still, justly provoke the admiration [wonderment] of all men not formerly acquainted with such a sight.But albeit this first appearance of the hugeness thereofyielded sights enough to entertain our men's eyes; yet the pitiful object of so many bodies slain and dismembered could not but draw each man's eye to see, and heart to lament, and hands to help, those miserable people; whose limbs were so torn with the violence of shot, and pain made grievous with the multitude of wounds. No man could almost step but upon a dead carcase, or a bloody floor. But especially about the helm; where very many of them fell suddenly from stirring [steering] to dying. For the greatness of the stirrage [steering] requiring the labour of twelve or fourteen men at once; and some of our ships, beating her in at the stern with their ordnance, oftentimes with one shot slew four or five labouring on either side of the helm: whose rooms being still furnished with fresh supplies, and our artillery still playing upon them with continual vollies; it could not be but that much blood should be shed in that place.Exceeding humanity showed to the Enemy.Whereupon our General, moved with singular commiseration of their misery, sent them his own chirurgions, denying them no possible help or relief he, or any of his Company, could afford them.Among the rest of those, whose state this chance had made very deplorable, was DonFernando de Mendoza, Grand Captain and Commander of this Carrack: who indeed was descended of the House ofMendozain Spain; but, being married into Portugal, lived there as one of that nation. A Gentleman well stricken in years, well spoken, of comely personage, of good stature: but of hard fortune.In his several Services against the Moors, he was twice taken prisoner; and both times ransomed by the King [of Spain].In a former voyage of return from [or rather, going to] the East India, he was driven [in August 1585] upon thebaxosor "sands of India" [now calledBassas da India,and situated midway between Africa and Madagascar], near the coast of Cephala [Sofala]; being then also Captain of a Carrack [theSan Jago], which was there lost: and himself, though escaping the sea danger, yet fell into the handsof infidels on land, who kept him under long and grievous servitude. [An account of this shipwreck will be found in Vol. III., pp.25, 311-316.] Once more the King [PhilipII.], carrying a loving respect to the man and desirous to better his condition, was content to let him try his fortune in this Easterly Navigation; and committed unto him the conduct of this Carrack [theMadre de Dios], wherein he went [in 1591] from Lisbon, General of the whole Fleet: and in that degree had returned, if the Viceroy of Goa, embarked for Portugal on theBuen Jesus, had not, by reason of his late Office, being preferred.SirJohn, intending not to add too much affliction to the afflicted, moved with pity and compassion of human misery, in the end, resolved freely to dismiss this Captain and the most part of his followers to their own country; and for the same purpose, bestowed them in certain vessels, furnished with all kinds of necessary provision.[7]This business thus dispatched, good leisure had he to take such [a] view of the goods as conveniency might afford. And having very prudently, to cut off the unprofitable spoil and pillage whereunto he saw the minds of many inclined, seized upon the whole to Her Majesty's use; after a short and slender rummaging and searching of such things as first came to hand: he perceived that the wealth would arise nothing disanswerable to expectation; but that the variety and grandeur of all rich commodities would be more than sufficient tocontent both the Adventurers' desire and the soldiers' travail.[8]And here I cannot but enter into the consideration and acknowledgment of GOD's great favour towards our nation; who, by putting this purchase [booty] into our hands, hath manifestly discovered those secret trades and Indian riches which hitherto lay strangely hidden and cunningly concealed from us: whereof there was, among some few of us, some small and unperfect glimpse only; which now is turned into the broad light of full and perfect knowledge. Whereby it should seem that the will of GOD for our good is, if our weakness could apprehend it, to have us communicate with them in those East Indian treasures: and, by the erection of a lawful Traffic, to better our means to advance true religion and his holy service. [Just at the timeRichard Hakluytprinted this, 1600A.D.; he and others were chartered by QueenElizabeth, as the English East India Company.]The Carrack, being in burden, by the estimation of the wise and experienced, [of] no less than 1,600 tons; had fully 900 of those, stowed with the gross bulk of merchandise: the rest of the tonnage being allowed, partly to the ordnance, which were 32 pieces of brass of all sorts; partly to the passengers and the victuals; which could not be any smallquantity, considering the number of the persons, betwixt 600 and 700, and the length of the navigation.A brief Catalogue of the sundry rich commodities of theMadre de Dios.To give you a taste, as it were, of the commodities, it shall suffice to deliver you a general particularity of them, according to the Catalogue taken at Leaden Hall, the 15th of September 1592. Where, upon good view, it was found that the principal wares, after the jewels (which were no doubt of great value, though they never came to light), consisted ofSpices,Drugs,Silks,Calicoes,Quilts,Carpets, andColours,&c.TheSpiceswere Pepper, Cloves, Maces, Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Green Ginger.TheDrugswere Benjamin [the gum Benzoin], Frankincense, Galingale [or Galangal], Mirabolams, Aloes, Zocotrina, Camphor.TheSilks[were] Damasks, Taffatas, Sarcenets,Altobassosthat is counterfeit Cloth of Gold, unwrought China Silk, Sleaved Silk, White twisted Silk, Curled Cypress [=Cypress lawn, a cobweb lawn or crape].TheCalicoeswere Book Calicoes, Calico Lawns, Broad white Calicoes, Fine starched Calicoes, Coarse white Calicoes, Brown broad Calicoes, Brown coarse Calicoes.There were also Canopies, and coarse Diaper Towels;Quiltsof coarse Sarcenet, and of Calico;Carpetslike those of Turkey.Whereunto are to be added the Pearls, Musk, Civet, and Ambergris.The rest of the wares were many in number; but less in value: as Elephants' teeth; Porcelain vessels of China; Cocoanuts; Hides; Ebony wood, as black as jet; Bedsteads of the same; Cloth of the rinds of trees, very strange for the matter, and artificial in workmanship.All which piles of commodities being, by men of approved judgment, rated but in reasonable sort, amounted to no less than £150,000 sterling [=£600,000to£700,000now]: which being divided among the Adventurers whereof Her Majesty was the chief, was sufficient to yield contentment to all parties.The [above] cargazon [cargo] being taken out [at Dartmouth], and the goods freighted in ten of our ships, [and]sent for London; to the end that the bigness, height, length, breadth, and other dimensions, of so huge a vessel might, by the exact rules of geometrical observations, be truly taken, both for present knowledge and derivation [transmission] also of the same unto posterity: one MasterRobert Adams, a man in his faculty of excellent skill, omitted nothing in the description which either his art could demonstrate; or any man's judgment think worthy the memory.The capacity and dimensions of theMadre de Dios.After an exquisite survey of the whole frame, he found: The length, from the beak-head to the stern, whereupon was erected a lantern, to contain 165 feet.The breadth, in the second Close deck, whereof she had three; this being the place where was most extension of breadth, was 46 feet 10 inches.She drew in water 31 feet at her departure from Cochin in India: but not above 26 [feet] at her arrival in Dartmouth; being lightened in her voyage, by divers means, some 5 feet.She carried in height, seven several stories [or decks]: one main Orlop, three Close decks, one Fore-castle, and a Spar deck of two floors apiece.The length of the keel was 100 feet: of the Mainmast 121 feet; and the circuit about, at the partners, 10 feet, 7 inches.The main-yard was 106 feet long.By which perfect commensuration of the parts appeareth the hugeness of the whole: far beyond the mould of the biggest shipping used among us, either for war or receit [burden].DonAlonso De Baçan(having a great Fleet: and suffering these two Carracks, theSanta Cruzto be burnt; and theMadre de Diosto be taken) was disgraced by his Prince for his negligence.CaptainNicholas Downton.The firing and sinking of the stout and warlike Carrack, calledLas Cinque LlagasorThe Five Wounds [of the Cross at Calvary, usually called theStigmata]by three tall ships set forth at the charges of the Right Honourable [George Clifford] the Earl ofCumberlandand his friends.IN the latter end of the year 1593, the RightBesides these three ships; there was a Pinnace, called theViolet, or theWhy not I?Honourable [George Clifford,] Earl ofCumberland, at his own charges and his friends', prepared three tall ships, all at [an] equal rate and either [each] of them had [the] like quantity of victuals and [the] like number of men: there being embarked in all three ships, 420 men of all sorts.TheRoyal Exchangewent as Admiral [Flag Ship]; wherein MasterGeorge Cavewas Captain. TheMay Flower, Vice Admiral, [was] under the conduct of [Captain]William Anthonie. And theSampson, the charge whereof, it please his Honour to commit unto me,Nicholas Downton.The directions were sent to us to Plymouth; and we were to open them at sea.The 6th of April 1594, we set sail in the Sound of Plymouth, directing our course toward the Coast of Spain.The 24th of the said month, at the Admiral's direction; we divided ourselves East and West from each other, being then in the height of 43° [North]: with commandment at night to come together again.The 27th, in the morning, we descried theMay Flowerand the little Pinnace [theViolet] with a prize that they had taken; being of Vianna [do Castello] in Portugal, and bound for Angola in Africa. This Bark was of 28 tons; having some 17 persons in the same. There were in her, some 12butts of Galicia wine; whereof we took into every ship a likeCommodities fit for Angola.part: with some Rusk in chests and barrels, with 5 butts of blue coarse cloth, and certain coarse linen cloth for Negroes' shirts; which goods were divided among our Fleet.The 4th of May, we had sight of our Pinnace and the Admiral's shallop: which had taken three Portugal Caravels; whereof they had sent two away, and kept the third.The 2nd of June, we had sight of St. Michael, [one of the Azores].The 3rd day, in the morning, we sent our small Pinnace, which was of some 24 tons, with the small Caravel which we had taken at the Burlings, to range the road[s] [harbours] of all the Islands; to see if they could get anything in the same: appointing them to meet us W.S.W. 12 leagues from Fayal. Their going from us was to no purpose. They missed coming to us, when we appointed: also we missed them, when we had great cause to have used them.The 13th of June, we met with a mighty Carrack of the East Indies, calledLas Cinque Llagas, orThe Five Wounds. TheMay Flowerwas in fight with her before night. I, in theSampson, fetched her up in the evening; and (as I commanded to give her the broad side, as we term it) while I stood very heedfully prying to discover her strength; and where I might give counsel to board her in the night, when the Admiral came [should come] up to us; and, as I remember, at the very first shot she discharged at us, I was shot in a little above the belly; whereby I was made unserviceable for a good while after, without [the Portuguese] touching [hurting] any other for that night.Yet, by means of an honest true-hearted man which I had with me, one CaptainGrant, nothing was neglected.Until midnight, when the Admiral came up; theMay Flowerand theSampsonnever left, by turns, to ply her with their great ordnance: but then CaptainCavewished us to stay till morning; at what time each one of us should give her three bouts with our great ordnance, and so should clap her aboard.But indeed it was long lingered in the morning, until ten of the clock, before we attempted to board her. The Admirallaid her aboard in the mid ship: theMay Flowercoming up in the quarter, as it should seem, to lie at the stern of the Admiral on the larboard side.[William Anthonie] the Captain of the saidMay Flowerwas slain at the first coming up: whereby the ship fell to the stern of the out-licar of the Carrack; which, being a piece of timber, so wounded her Foresail, that they said they could come no more to [the] fight. I am sure they did not; but kept aloof from us.TheSampsonwere aboard on the bow [of the Carrack]; but having not room enough, our quarter lay on the [Royal]Exchange's and our bow on the Carrack's bow.TheExchangealso, at the first coming, had her Captain, Master[George] Cave, shot in both the legs; the one whereof he never recovered: so he, for that present, was not able to do his office; and, in his absence, he had not any that would undertake to lead out his Company to enter upon the Enemy.My friend, CaptainGrant, did lead my men on the Carrack's side; which, being not manfully backed by theExchange's men, his forces being small, made the Enemy bolder than he would have been: whereby I had six men presently slain, and many more hurt; which made them that remained unhurt to return aboard, and [they] would never more give the assault. I say not but some of theExchange's men did very well: and many more, no doubt, would have done the like, if there had been any principal man to have put them forward, and to have brought all the Company to the fight; and not to have run into corners themselves. But I must needs say that their ship [the Carrack] was as well provided for defence as any that I have seen.And the Portugals, peradventure encouraged by our slack working, played the men; and had Barricadoes made where they might stand without any danger of our shot. They plied us also very much with fire, so that most of our men were burnt in some place or other: and while our men were putting out the fire, they would ever be plying them with small shot or darts. This unusual casting of fire did much dismay many of our men, and made them draw back as they did.When we had not men to enter; we plied our great ordnance much at them, as high up as they might be mounted: for otherwise we did them little harm. And by shooting a piece out of our forecastle, being close by her, we fired a mat on her beak-head: which [fire] more and more kindled, and ran from thence to the mat on the bowsprit; and from the mat, up to the wood of the bowsprit; and thence to the topsail-yard; which fire made the Portugals abaft in the ship to stagger, and to make show ofparlé. But they that had the charge before, encouraged them; making show that it might easily be put out, and that it was nothing. Whereupon again they stood stiffly to their defence.Anon the fire grew so strong that I saw it [to be] beyond all help; although she had been already yielded to us. Then we desired to be off from her, but had little hope to [have] obtained our desire. Nevertheless we plied water very much to keep our ship well. Indeed I made little other reckoning for the ship, myself, and divers hurt men; [but] then to have ended there with the Carrack: but most of our people might have saved themselves in boats. And when my care was most, by GOD's Providence only, by the burning asunder of our spritsail-yard with [its] ropes and sail, and the ropes about the spritsail-yard of the Carrack, whereby we were fast entangled, we fell apart; with [the] burning of some of our sails which we had then on board.TheExchangealso, being further from the fire, afterward was more easily cleared; and fell off from abaft.As soon as GOD had put us out of danger, the fire got into the Fore-castle [of the Carrack]; where, I think, was store of Benjamin [the gum Benzoin] and such other like combustible matter: for it flamed and ran all over the Carrack in an instant, in a manner. The Portugals leapt overboard in great numbers.Then sent I, CaptainGrantwith the boat; with leave to use his own discretion in saving of them. So he brought me aboard two Gentlemen:The one, an old man, calledNuno Velio Pereirawhich, as appeareth by the Fourth Chapter in the First Book of the worthyHistoryof[Jan] Huyghen van Linschoten, was Governor of Mozambique and Cefala [Sofala] in the year1582 [SeeEnglish GarnerIII, 27, 28.]: and since that time, had been likewise a Governor in a place of importance in the East Indies. And the ship [a Carrack], wherein he was coming home, was cast away a little to the east of the Cape ofBuona Speranza[Cape of Good Hope]: and from thence, he travelled overland to Mozambique; and came, as a passenger, in this Carrack.The other was calledBras Carrero, and [he] was Captain of a Carrack which was cast away near Mozambique; and [he] came likewise in this ship for a passenger.Also three men of the inferior sort we saved in our boat. Only these two we clothed, and brought into England. The rest, which were taken up by the other ships' boats, we set all on shore in the Isle of Flores: except some two or three Negroes; whereof one was born in the Mozambique, and another in the East Indies.This fight was open off the Sound between Fayal and Pico; six leagues to the southward.The people which we saved told us, That the cause why they would not yield was because this Carrack was for the King; and that she had all the goods belonging to the King in the country [India] for that year in her; and that the Captain of her was in favour with the King; and at his [next] return into the Indies, should have been Viceroy there.And withal this ship was nothing at all pestered; neither within board, nor without: and was more like a Ship of War than otherwise. Moreover, she had the ordnance of a Carrack that was cast away at Mozambique, and the [Ship's] Company of her: together with the [Ship's] Company of another Carrack that was cast away a little to the eastward of the Cape ofBuona Speranza. Yet through sickness, which they caught at Angola, where they watered; they said, They had not now above 150 white men: but negroes, a great many.They likewise affirmed that they had three Noblemen and three Ladies in her: but we found them to differ in most of their talk.All this day [14th June 1594] and all the night she burned: but, next morning, her powder, which was lowest,being 60 barrels, blew her abroad; so that most of the ship did swim in parts above the water.Some of them say, That she was bigger than theMadre de Dios; and some, That she was less. But she was much undermasted, and undersailed [carrying too little sail]: yet she went well for a ship that was so foul.The shot which we [in theSamson] made at her in great ordnance, before we lay her aboard, might be at seven bouts [broadsides] which we had, and 6 or 7 shot at a bout, one with another, some 49 shots. The time we lay aboard [the Carrack] might be two hours. The shot which we discharged [while] aboard the Carrack, might be [that of] some 24 sakers.And thus much may suffice concerning our dangerous conflict with that unfortunate Carrack.The last of June [1594], after long traversing of the seas, we had sight of another mighty Carrack; which divers of our Company, at the first, took to be the greatSan Philip, the Admiral [or Flag Ship] of Spain; but the next day, being the 1st of July [1594], fetching her up, we perceived her indeed to be a Carrack: which, after some few shot bestowed upon her, we summoned to yield; but they, standing stoutly to their defence, utterly refused the same.Wherefore, seeing no good could be done without boarding her, I consulted what course we should take in the boarding. But by reason that we, which were the chief Captains, were partly slain, and partly wounded, in the former conflict; and because of the murmuring of some disordered and cowardly companions: our valiant and resolute determinations were crossed. And, to conclude a long discourse in few words, the Carrack escaped our hands.After this, attending about Corvo and Flores for some West Indian purchase [booty], and being disappointed of our expectation; and victuals growing short, we returned to England: where I arrived at Portsmouth, the 28th of August [1594].Footnotes[5]By noon, or one of the clock, of that day, being the 3rd of August [1592], theDaintycame near her so that the Gunner, whose name wasThomas Bedome(being a proper tall man: and had very good aim at anything, and good luck withal), desired the Captain [Thomson] he might give them a shoot: to let them understand that they were Englishmen; and, under Her Highness, Commanders of the Seas.The Captain (having great care; and not willing to have any shoot shot in vain) commanded him to forbear till they should come nearer her; which was not long: when the Captain commanded him to do his best; and carousing a can of wine to his Company, encouraged them to begin the fight.And coming up, [he] hailed them, after the manner of the sea; and commanded them to strike for the Queen of England: which they no sooner refused, but the Gunner, being ready, gave fire to two whole culverins in her chase; and racked and tore her pitifully.Bearing up with them, [we] gave them the whole [broad] side; and boarded them presently: who resisted most courageously, and put us off again.Thus continued theDaintyin fight a pretty while before any others could come to help her.In which time, she laid her aboard three several times, tore her Ancient [Flag] from her Poop, and slew her Captain [?]. And more harm had done them: but that, by chance, a shot bare their Foremast by the board; which they were compelled to splice again, to their great trouble.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[6]The next was Her Majesty's good Ship, theForesight; whose Commander for that Service was Captain [SirRobert]Crosse(a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath adventured): who with his ship laid her aboard, and very valiantly assailed them; and was most stoutly by the Spaniards also repulsed.Insomuch that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak; and yet being loath Her Majesty's Ship should be shaken off without victory, fired the Carrack: rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded Spaniards, standing on their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other: which three times was kindled [on board theForesight]; to the great cumber of CaptainCrosseand his Company, that would not so leave them.This dangerous conflict between these ships endured [a] long time. Which thePhœnixof Portsmouth perceiving...being of 60 tons or thereabouts...left her for a time; standing with their Admiral and Vice-Admiral, which were theTigerand theSampson: and coming up with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of theForesight; who presently bare up with them all the night. TheSampson, being the first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside: and shutting up into theForesight's quarter, entered his men into her.CaptainNorton, that brave and worthy Gentleman, laid her also aboard, having theTigerwith him.And so [all three crews] entered together, being 100 men at the least, all resolutely minded. At whose entrance they yielded so great a cry as the dismayed Portugals and Spaniards could not bethink themselves what course to take to help themselves: in such a maze were they stricken, although they were [originally] 800 strong, all well-appointed and able men; and of ours but 100. But standing thus, as men amazed, at length [they] yielded themselves vanquished.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[7]They gan to consult, What were best to do with the prisoners, which were many? And finding their great scarcity of victuals; and not knowing what weather they might have; nor how it might please GOD with good wind to prosper them: it was concluded to ship as many of them as they might; and to send them for Lisbon. This they fully determined; and provision was made of a Bark of Dover, which they met: the Fleet taking in her men, and such provision as they had in her; and embarked the Spaniards and Portingals, with their Negroes, whereof were many. And gave them, with them, store of victuals; and so gave them leave to depart; detaining none but the principalest of them.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[8]The conflict ended, it were a world of wonder to recount unto you the true reports, how our men bestirred themselves in searching and prying into every corner of her as far as they might: as they might well do, having with so great danger overcome her. The sight of the riches, within the same contained, did so amaze the Companies (that were within board of her: and that still came from every ship; being desirous to see what GOD had sent them, after so long and hot a fight) that many of them could not tell what to take; such was the store and goodness thereof.Yea, he that had known what [the] things had been worth, in a little room might have contrived great wealth. For it is credibly reported that some younkers happened to find many Jars of Civet, which is of great worth; and [it having been] of some long time closely kept was cause, when they opened the same, it yielded no savour: and they, ignorant and not knowing what it should be, thinking it but trash, as it came to their hands, heaved it overboard. Many other things were so spoiled [destroyed] for want of knowledge; when every man had sufficient, and that not one had cause to complain.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
A hundred of our men landed.
This being noted by SirJohn Burrough; he soon provided a present remedy for this mischief. For landing 100 of his men (whereof many did swim, and wade more than breast high, to shore) and easily scattering those that presented themselves to guard the coast: he no sooner drew towards their new trenches, but they fled immediately; leaving as much as the fire had spared [of theSanta Cruz] to be the reward of our men's pains.
Here were taken, among others, oneVincent Fonseca, a Portugal, Purser of the Carrack; with two others, one an Almain [German], and the second a Low Dutchman [Hollander] Cannoniers: who, refusing to make any voluntary report of those things which were demanded of them, had the torture threatened; the fear whereof, at the last, wrested from them this intelligence:
That, within fifteen days, three other greater Carracks than that [theSanta Cruz] lately fired, would arrive at the same Island [of Flores]. And that being five Carracks in the Fleet at their departure from Goa, to wit, theBuen Jesus, Admiral [Flag Ship]; theMadre de Dios; theSan Bernardo; theSan Christophoro; and theSanta Cruz, whose fortune you have already heard: they had received special commandment from the King [Philip II.] not to touch, in any case, at the Island of St. Helena, where the Portugal Carracks, in their return from the East India, were always, till now, wont to arrive, to refresh themselves with water and victuals. And the King's reason was, because of the English Men of War: who, as he was informed, lay there in wait to intercept them. If therefore their necessity of water should drive them to seek [a] supply anywhere, he appointed them Angola, in the main[land] of Africa; with orderAngola, a new watering place for the Carracks.there to stay only the taking in of water, to avoid the inconvenience of infections, whereunto that hot latitude is dangerously subject. The last rendezvous for them all was the Island of Flores: where the King assured them not to miss of his Armada, thither sent of purpose for their wafting [convoy] to Lisbon.
Upon this information, SirJohndrew to Council [of War], meeting there CaptainNorton, CaptainDownton, CaptainAbraham Cocke, Captains of three ships of [George Clifford,] the Earl ofCumberland; MasterThomsonof Harwich, Captain of theDaintyof SirJohn Hawkins's, one of SirWalter Raleigh's Fleet; and MasterChristopher Newport, Captain of theGolden Dragon, newly returned from the West Indies; and others.
These being assembled, he communicated with them what he had understood of the foresaid Examinates; and what great presumptions of truth their relation did carry: wishing that forasmuch as GOD and good fortune had brought themtogether in so good a season, they would shew the uttermost of their endeavours to bring these Easterlings [here meaning, the Carracks from the East: an unusual application of a word ordinarily applied to Baltic ships] under the lee of English obedience.
Hereupon a present accord, on all sides, followed; not to part company, or leave off those seas, till time should present cause to put their consultations in execution.
The next day [? 29th June 1592], Her Majesty's good Ship theForesight, commanded by SirRobert Crosse, came in to the rest: and he, likewise informed of the matter, was soon drawn into this Service.
Thus SirJohn, with all these ships, departing thence [to some] six or seven leagues to the West of Flores; they spread themselves abroad from the North to the South; each ship two leagues, at the least, distant from another. By which order of extension, they were able to discover the space of two whole degrees [=140miles] at sea.
In this sort, they lay from the 29th of June to the 3rd of August [1592].
[At] what time, CaptainThomson, in theDainty, had first sight of the huge Carrack, called theMadre de Dios[theMother of God]; one of the greatest receipt [burden] belonging to the Crown of Portugal.
TheDainty, being of excellent sail, got the start of the rest of our Fleet: and began the conflict, somewhat to her cost, with the slaughter and hurt of divers of her men.[5]
Within a while after, SirJohn Burrough, in theRoebuckof SirWalter Raleigh's [Fleet], was at hand to secondher: who saluted her with shot of great ordnance, and continued the fight, within musket shot, (assisted by CaptainThomson[in theDainty] and CaptainNewport[in theGolden Dragon] till SirRobert Crosse, Vice Admiral of the Fleet [there present], came up; [having] been to leeward.
At whose arrival, SirJohn Burroughdemanded of him, What was best to be done?
Who answered, That if the Carrack were not boarded; she would recover the shore, and fire herself, as the other had done.
Whereupon SirJohn Burroughconcluded to entangle her: and SirRobert Crosspromised also to fasten himself [in theForesight] to her together at the instant. Which was performed.
But, after a while, SirJohn Burrough['s ship, theRoebuck,] receiving a shot, with a cannon perier, under water, and [being] ready to sink; [he] desired SirRobert Crosseto fall off that he might also clear himself, and save his ship from sinking: which with difficulty he did. For both theRoebuckand theForesightwere so entangled as, with much ado, could they clear themselves.
The same evening, SirRobert Crosse(finding the Carrack then sure, and drawing near the Island) persuaded his company to board her again; or else there was no hope to recover her: who, after many excuses and fears, were by him encouraged. And so [his ship] fell athwart her foreships all alone; and so hindered her sailing, that the rest had time to come up to his succour, and to recover the Carrack ere she recovered the land.
TheMadre de Diostaken.
And so, towards the evening, after he had fought with her alone three hours singly, my Lord ofCumberland's two ships [theTigerand theSampson] came up: and, with very little loss, [they] entered with SirRobert Crosse; who had, in that time, broken their courage, and made the assault easy for the rest.[6]
The General [SirJohn Burrough] having disarmed the Portugals; and stowed them, for better security, on all sides [i.e. in the various English ships]; first had presented to his eyes, the true proportion of the vast body of this Carrack; which did then, and may still, justly provoke the admiration [wonderment] of all men not formerly acquainted with such a sight.
But albeit this first appearance of the hugeness thereofyielded sights enough to entertain our men's eyes; yet the pitiful object of so many bodies slain and dismembered could not but draw each man's eye to see, and heart to lament, and hands to help, those miserable people; whose limbs were so torn with the violence of shot, and pain made grievous with the multitude of wounds. No man could almost step but upon a dead carcase, or a bloody floor. But especially about the helm; where very many of them fell suddenly from stirring [steering] to dying. For the greatness of the stirrage [steering] requiring the labour of twelve or fourteen men at once; and some of our ships, beating her in at the stern with their ordnance, oftentimes with one shot slew four or five labouring on either side of the helm: whose rooms being still furnished with fresh supplies, and our artillery still playing upon them with continual vollies; it could not be but that much blood should be shed in that place.
Exceeding humanity showed to the Enemy.
Whereupon our General, moved with singular commiseration of their misery, sent them his own chirurgions, denying them no possible help or relief he, or any of his Company, could afford them.
Among the rest of those, whose state this chance had made very deplorable, was DonFernando de Mendoza, Grand Captain and Commander of this Carrack: who indeed was descended of the House ofMendozain Spain; but, being married into Portugal, lived there as one of that nation. A Gentleman well stricken in years, well spoken, of comely personage, of good stature: but of hard fortune.
In his several Services against the Moors, he was twice taken prisoner; and both times ransomed by the King [of Spain].
In a former voyage of return from [or rather, going to] the East India, he was driven [in August 1585] upon thebaxosor "sands of India" [now calledBassas da India,and situated midway between Africa and Madagascar], near the coast of Cephala [Sofala]; being then also Captain of a Carrack [theSan Jago], which was there lost: and himself, though escaping the sea danger, yet fell into the handsof infidels on land, who kept him under long and grievous servitude. [An account of this shipwreck will be found in Vol. III., pp.25, 311-316.] Once more the King [PhilipII.], carrying a loving respect to the man and desirous to better his condition, was content to let him try his fortune in this Easterly Navigation; and committed unto him the conduct of this Carrack [theMadre de Dios], wherein he went [in 1591] from Lisbon, General of the whole Fleet: and in that degree had returned, if the Viceroy of Goa, embarked for Portugal on theBuen Jesus, had not, by reason of his late Office, being preferred.
SirJohn, intending not to add too much affliction to the afflicted, moved with pity and compassion of human misery, in the end, resolved freely to dismiss this Captain and the most part of his followers to their own country; and for the same purpose, bestowed them in certain vessels, furnished with all kinds of necessary provision.[7]
This business thus dispatched, good leisure had he to take such [a] view of the goods as conveniency might afford. And having very prudently, to cut off the unprofitable spoil and pillage whereunto he saw the minds of many inclined, seized upon the whole to Her Majesty's use; after a short and slender rummaging and searching of such things as first came to hand: he perceived that the wealth would arise nothing disanswerable to expectation; but that the variety and grandeur of all rich commodities would be more than sufficient tocontent both the Adventurers' desire and the soldiers' travail.[8]
And here I cannot but enter into the consideration and acknowledgment of GOD's great favour towards our nation; who, by putting this purchase [booty] into our hands, hath manifestly discovered those secret trades and Indian riches which hitherto lay strangely hidden and cunningly concealed from us: whereof there was, among some few of us, some small and unperfect glimpse only; which now is turned into the broad light of full and perfect knowledge. Whereby it should seem that the will of GOD for our good is, if our weakness could apprehend it, to have us communicate with them in those East Indian treasures: and, by the erection of a lawful Traffic, to better our means to advance true religion and his holy service. [Just at the timeRichard Hakluytprinted this, 1600A.D.; he and others were chartered by QueenElizabeth, as the English East India Company.]
The Carrack, being in burden, by the estimation of the wise and experienced, [of] no less than 1,600 tons; had fully 900 of those, stowed with the gross bulk of merchandise: the rest of the tonnage being allowed, partly to the ordnance, which were 32 pieces of brass of all sorts; partly to the passengers and the victuals; which could not be any smallquantity, considering the number of the persons, betwixt 600 and 700, and the length of the navigation.
A brief Catalogue of the sundry rich commodities of theMadre de Dios.
To give you a taste, as it were, of the commodities, it shall suffice to deliver you a general particularity of them, according to the Catalogue taken at Leaden Hall, the 15th of September 1592. Where, upon good view, it was found that the principal wares, after the jewels (which were no doubt of great value, though they never came to light), consisted ofSpices,Drugs,Silks,Calicoes,Quilts,Carpets, andColours,&c.
TheSpiceswere Pepper, Cloves, Maces, Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Green Ginger.TheDrugswere Benjamin [the gum Benzoin], Frankincense, Galingale [or Galangal], Mirabolams, Aloes, Zocotrina, Camphor.TheSilks[were] Damasks, Taffatas, Sarcenets,Altobassosthat is counterfeit Cloth of Gold, unwrought China Silk, Sleaved Silk, White twisted Silk, Curled Cypress [=Cypress lawn, a cobweb lawn or crape].TheCalicoeswere Book Calicoes, Calico Lawns, Broad white Calicoes, Fine starched Calicoes, Coarse white Calicoes, Brown broad Calicoes, Brown coarse Calicoes.There were also Canopies, and coarse Diaper Towels;Quiltsof coarse Sarcenet, and of Calico;Carpetslike those of Turkey.Whereunto are to be added the Pearls, Musk, Civet, and Ambergris.
TheSpiceswere Pepper, Cloves, Maces, Nutmegs, Cinnamon, Green Ginger.
TheDrugswere Benjamin [the gum Benzoin], Frankincense, Galingale [or Galangal], Mirabolams, Aloes, Zocotrina, Camphor.
TheSilks[were] Damasks, Taffatas, Sarcenets,Altobassosthat is counterfeit Cloth of Gold, unwrought China Silk, Sleaved Silk, White twisted Silk, Curled Cypress [=Cypress lawn, a cobweb lawn or crape].
TheCalicoeswere Book Calicoes, Calico Lawns, Broad white Calicoes, Fine starched Calicoes, Coarse white Calicoes, Brown broad Calicoes, Brown coarse Calicoes.
There were also Canopies, and coarse Diaper Towels;Quiltsof coarse Sarcenet, and of Calico;Carpetslike those of Turkey.
Whereunto are to be added the Pearls, Musk, Civet, and Ambergris.
The rest of the wares were many in number; but less in value: as Elephants' teeth; Porcelain vessels of China; Cocoanuts; Hides; Ebony wood, as black as jet; Bedsteads of the same; Cloth of the rinds of trees, very strange for the matter, and artificial in workmanship.
All which piles of commodities being, by men of approved judgment, rated but in reasonable sort, amounted to no less than £150,000 sterling [=£600,000to£700,000now]: which being divided among the Adventurers whereof Her Majesty was the chief, was sufficient to yield contentment to all parties.
The [above] cargazon [cargo] being taken out [at Dartmouth], and the goods freighted in ten of our ships, [and]sent for London; to the end that the bigness, height, length, breadth, and other dimensions, of so huge a vessel might, by the exact rules of geometrical observations, be truly taken, both for present knowledge and derivation [transmission] also of the same unto posterity: one MasterRobert Adams, a man in his faculty of excellent skill, omitted nothing in the description which either his art could demonstrate; or any man's judgment think worthy the memory.
The capacity and dimensions of theMadre de Dios.
After an exquisite survey of the whole frame, he found: The length, from the beak-head to the stern, whereupon was erected a lantern, to contain 165 feet.
The breadth, in the second Close deck, whereof she had three; this being the place where was most extension of breadth, was 46 feet 10 inches.She drew in water 31 feet at her departure from Cochin in India: but not above 26 [feet] at her arrival in Dartmouth; being lightened in her voyage, by divers means, some 5 feet.She carried in height, seven several stories [or decks]: one main Orlop, three Close decks, one Fore-castle, and a Spar deck of two floors apiece.The length of the keel was 100 feet: of the Mainmast 121 feet; and the circuit about, at the partners, 10 feet, 7 inches.The main-yard was 106 feet long.
The breadth, in the second Close deck, whereof she had three; this being the place where was most extension of breadth, was 46 feet 10 inches.
She drew in water 31 feet at her departure from Cochin in India: but not above 26 [feet] at her arrival in Dartmouth; being lightened in her voyage, by divers means, some 5 feet.
She carried in height, seven several stories [or decks]: one main Orlop, three Close decks, one Fore-castle, and a Spar deck of two floors apiece.
The length of the keel was 100 feet: of the Mainmast 121 feet; and the circuit about, at the partners, 10 feet, 7 inches.
The main-yard was 106 feet long.
By which perfect commensuration of the parts appeareth the hugeness of the whole: far beyond the mould of the biggest shipping used among us, either for war or receit [burden].
DonAlonso De Baçan(having a great Fleet: and suffering these two Carracks, theSanta Cruzto be burnt; and theMadre de Diosto be taken) was disgraced by his Prince for his negligence.
The firing and sinking of the stout and warlike Carrack, calledLas Cinque LlagasorThe Five Wounds [of the Cross at Calvary, usually called theStigmata]by three tall ships set forth at the charges of the Right Honourable [George Clifford] the Earl ofCumberlandand his friends.
The firing and sinking of the stout and warlike Carrack, calledLas Cinque LlagasorThe Five Wounds [of the Cross at Calvary, usually called theStigmata]by three tall ships set forth at the charges of the Right Honourable [George Clifford] the Earl ofCumberlandand his friends.
IN the latter end of the year 1593, the RightBesides these three ships; there was a Pinnace, called theViolet, or theWhy not I?Honourable [George Clifford,] Earl ofCumberland, at his own charges and his friends', prepared three tall ships, all at [an] equal rate and either [each] of them had [the] like quantity of victuals and [the] like number of men: there being embarked in all three ships, 420 men of all sorts.
TheRoyal Exchangewent as Admiral [Flag Ship]; wherein MasterGeorge Cavewas Captain. TheMay Flower, Vice Admiral, [was] under the conduct of [Captain]William Anthonie. And theSampson, the charge whereof, it please his Honour to commit unto me,Nicholas Downton.
The directions were sent to us to Plymouth; and we were to open them at sea.
The 6th of April 1594, we set sail in the Sound of Plymouth, directing our course toward the Coast of Spain.
The 24th of the said month, at the Admiral's direction; we divided ourselves East and West from each other, being then in the height of 43° [North]: with commandment at night to come together again.
The 27th, in the morning, we descried theMay Flowerand the little Pinnace [theViolet] with a prize that they had taken; being of Vianna [do Castello] in Portugal, and bound for Angola in Africa. This Bark was of 28 tons; having some 17 persons in the same. There were in her, some 12butts of Galicia wine; whereof we took into every ship a likeCommodities fit for Angola.part: with some Rusk in chests and barrels, with 5 butts of blue coarse cloth, and certain coarse linen cloth for Negroes' shirts; which goods were divided among our Fleet.
The 4th of May, we had sight of our Pinnace and the Admiral's shallop: which had taken three Portugal Caravels; whereof they had sent two away, and kept the third.
The 2nd of June, we had sight of St. Michael, [one of the Azores].
The 3rd day, in the morning, we sent our small Pinnace, which was of some 24 tons, with the small Caravel which we had taken at the Burlings, to range the road[s] [harbours] of all the Islands; to see if they could get anything in the same: appointing them to meet us W.S.W. 12 leagues from Fayal. Their going from us was to no purpose. They missed coming to us, when we appointed: also we missed them, when we had great cause to have used them.
The 13th of June, we met with a mighty Carrack of the East Indies, calledLas Cinque Llagas, orThe Five Wounds. TheMay Flowerwas in fight with her before night. I, in theSampson, fetched her up in the evening; and (as I commanded to give her the broad side, as we term it) while I stood very heedfully prying to discover her strength; and where I might give counsel to board her in the night, when the Admiral came [should come] up to us; and, as I remember, at the very first shot she discharged at us, I was shot in a little above the belly; whereby I was made unserviceable for a good while after, without [the Portuguese] touching [hurting] any other for that night.
Yet, by means of an honest true-hearted man which I had with me, one CaptainGrant, nothing was neglected.
Until midnight, when the Admiral came up; theMay Flowerand theSampsonnever left, by turns, to ply her with their great ordnance: but then CaptainCavewished us to stay till morning; at what time each one of us should give her three bouts with our great ordnance, and so should clap her aboard.
But indeed it was long lingered in the morning, until ten of the clock, before we attempted to board her. The Admirallaid her aboard in the mid ship: theMay Flowercoming up in the quarter, as it should seem, to lie at the stern of the Admiral on the larboard side.
[William Anthonie] the Captain of the saidMay Flowerwas slain at the first coming up: whereby the ship fell to the stern of the out-licar of the Carrack; which, being a piece of timber, so wounded her Foresail, that they said they could come no more to [the] fight. I am sure they did not; but kept aloof from us.
TheSampsonwere aboard on the bow [of the Carrack]; but having not room enough, our quarter lay on the [Royal]Exchange's and our bow on the Carrack's bow.
TheExchangealso, at the first coming, had her Captain, Master[George] Cave, shot in both the legs; the one whereof he never recovered: so he, for that present, was not able to do his office; and, in his absence, he had not any that would undertake to lead out his Company to enter upon the Enemy.
My friend, CaptainGrant, did lead my men on the Carrack's side; which, being not manfully backed by theExchange's men, his forces being small, made the Enemy bolder than he would have been: whereby I had six men presently slain, and many more hurt; which made them that remained unhurt to return aboard, and [they] would never more give the assault. I say not but some of theExchange's men did very well: and many more, no doubt, would have done the like, if there had been any principal man to have put them forward, and to have brought all the Company to the fight; and not to have run into corners themselves. But I must needs say that their ship [the Carrack] was as well provided for defence as any that I have seen.
And the Portugals, peradventure encouraged by our slack working, played the men; and had Barricadoes made where they might stand without any danger of our shot. They plied us also very much with fire, so that most of our men were burnt in some place or other: and while our men were putting out the fire, they would ever be plying them with small shot or darts. This unusual casting of fire did much dismay many of our men, and made them draw back as they did.
When we had not men to enter; we plied our great ordnance much at them, as high up as they might be mounted: for otherwise we did them little harm. And by shooting a piece out of our forecastle, being close by her, we fired a mat on her beak-head: which [fire] more and more kindled, and ran from thence to the mat on the bowsprit; and from the mat, up to the wood of the bowsprit; and thence to the topsail-yard; which fire made the Portugals abaft in the ship to stagger, and to make show ofparlé. But they that had the charge before, encouraged them; making show that it might easily be put out, and that it was nothing. Whereupon again they stood stiffly to their defence.
Anon the fire grew so strong that I saw it [to be] beyond all help; although she had been already yielded to us. Then we desired to be off from her, but had little hope to [have] obtained our desire. Nevertheless we plied water very much to keep our ship well. Indeed I made little other reckoning for the ship, myself, and divers hurt men; [but] then to have ended there with the Carrack: but most of our people might have saved themselves in boats. And when my care was most, by GOD's Providence only, by the burning asunder of our spritsail-yard with [its] ropes and sail, and the ropes about the spritsail-yard of the Carrack, whereby we were fast entangled, we fell apart; with [the] burning of some of our sails which we had then on board.
TheExchangealso, being further from the fire, afterward was more easily cleared; and fell off from abaft.
As soon as GOD had put us out of danger, the fire got into the Fore-castle [of the Carrack]; where, I think, was store of Benjamin [the gum Benzoin] and such other like combustible matter: for it flamed and ran all over the Carrack in an instant, in a manner. The Portugals leapt overboard in great numbers.
Then sent I, CaptainGrantwith the boat; with leave to use his own discretion in saving of them. So he brought me aboard two Gentlemen:
The one, an old man, calledNuno Velio Pereirawhich, as appeareth by the Fourth Chapter in the First Book of the worthyHistoryof[Jan] Huyghen van Linschoten, was Governor of Mozambique and Cefala [Sofala] in the year1582 [SeeEnglish GarnerIII, 27, 28.]: and since that time, had been likewise a Governor in a place of importance in the East Indies. And the ship [a Carrack], wherein he was coming home, was cast away a little to the east of the Cape ofBuona Speranza[Cape of Good Hope]: and from thence, he travelled overland to Mozambique; and came, as a passenger, in this Carrack.
The other was calledBras Carrero, and [he] was Captain of a Carrack which was cast away near Mozambique; and [he] came likewise in this ship for a passenger.
Also three men of the inferior sort we saved in our boat. Only these two we clothed, and brought into England. The rest, which were taken up by the other ships' boats, we set all on shore in the Isle of Flores: except some two or three Negroes; whereof one was born in the Mozambique, and another in the East Indies.
This fight was open off the Sound between Fayal and Pico; six leagues to the southward.
The people which we saved told us, That the cause why they would not yield was because this Carrack was for the King; and that she had all the goods belonging to the King in the country [India] for that year in her; and that the Captain of her was in favour with the King; and at his [next] return into the Indies, should have been Viceroy there.
And withal this ship was nothing at all pestered; neither within board, nor without: and was more like a Ship of War than otherwise. Moreover, she had the ordnance of a Carrack that was cast away at Mozambique, and the [Ship's] Company of her: together with the [Ship's] Company of another Carrack that was cast away a little to the eastward of the Cape ofBuona Speranza. Yet through sickness, which they caught at Angola, where they watered; they said, They had not now above 150 white men: but negroes, a great many.
They likewise affirmed that they had three Noblemen and three Ladies in her: but we found them to differ in most of their talk.
All this day [14th June 1594] and all the night she burned: but, next morning, her powder, which was lowest,being 60 barrels, blew her abroad; so that most of the ship did swim in parts above the water.
Some of them say, That she was bigger than theMadre de Dios; and some, That she was less. But she was much undermasted, and undersailed [carrying too little sail]: yet she went well for a ship that was so foul.
The shot which we [in theSamson] made at her in great ordnance, before we lay her aboard, might be at seven bouts [broadsides] which we had, and 6 or 7 shot at a bout, one with another, some 49 shots. The time we lay aboard [the Carrack] might be two hours. The shot which we discharged [while] aboard the Carrack, might be [that of] some 24 sakers.
And thus much may suffice concerning our dangerous conflict with that unfortunate Carrack.
The last of June [1594], after long traversing of the seas, we had sight of another mighty Carrack; which divers of our Company, at the first, took to be the greatSan Philip, the Admiral [or Flag Ship] of Spain; but the next day, being the 1st of July [1594], fetching her up, we perceived her indeed to be a Carrack: which, after some few shot bestowed upon her, we summoned to yield; but they, standing stoutly to their defence, utterly refused the same.
Wherefore, seeing no good could be done without boarding her, I consulted what course we should take in the boarding. But by reason that we, which were the chief Captains, were partly slain, and partly wounded, in the former conflict; and because of the murmuring of some disordered and cowardly companions: our valiant and resolute determinations were crossed. And, to conclude a long discourse in few words, the Carrack escaped our hands.
After this, attending about Corvo and Flores for some West Indian purchase [booty], and being disappointed of our expectation; and victuals growing short, we returned to England: where I arrived at Portsmouth, the 28th of August [1594].
Footnotes[5]By noon, or one of the clock, of that day, being the 3rd of August [1592], theDaintycame near her so that the Gunner, whose name wasThomas Bedome(being a proper tall man: and had very good aim at anything, and good luck withal), desired the Captain [Thomson] he might give them a shoot: to let them understand that they were Englishmen; and, under Her Highness, Commanders of the Seas.The Captain (having great care; and not willing to have any shoot shot in vain) commanded him to forbear till they should come nearer her; which was not long: when the Captain commanded him to do his best; and carousing a can of wine to his Company, encouraged them to begin the fight.And coming up, [he] hailed them, after the manner of the sea; and commanded them to strike for the Queen of England: which they no sooner refused, but the Gunner, being ready, gave fire to two whole culverins in her chase; and racked and tore her pitifully.Bearing up with them, [we] gave them the whole [broad] side; and boarded them presently: who resisted most courageously, and put us off again.Thus continued theDaintyin fight a pretty while before any others could come to help her.In which time, she laid her aboard three several times, tore her Ancient [Flag] from her Poop, and slew her Captain [?]. And more harm had done them: but that, by chance, a shot bare their Foremast by the board; which they were compelled to splice again, to their great trouble.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[6]The next was Her Majesty's good Ship, theForesight; whose Commander for that Service was Captain [SirRobert]Crosse(a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath adventured): who with his ship laid her aboard, and very valiantly assailed them; and was most stoutly by the Spaniards also repulsed.Insomuch that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak; and yet being loath Her Majesty's Ship should be shaken off without victory, fired the Carrack: rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded Spaniards, standing on their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other: which three times was kindled [on board theForesight]; to the great cumber of CaptainCrosseand his Company, that would not so leave them.This dangerous conflict between these ships endured [a] long time. Which thePhœnixof Portsmouth perceiving...being of 60 tons or thereabouts...left her for a time; standing with their Admiral and Vice-Admiral, which were theTigerand theSampson: and coming up with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of theForesight; who presently bare up with them all the night. TheSampson, being the first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside: and shutting up into theForesight's quarter, entered his men into her.CaptainNorton, that brave and worthy Gentleman, laid her also aboard, having theTigerwith him.And so [all three crews] entered together, being 100 men at the least, all resolutely minded. At whose entrance they yielded so great a cry as the dismayed Portugals and Spaniards could not bethink themselves what course to take to help themselves: in such a maze were they stricken, although they were [originally] 800 strong, all well-appointed and able men; and of ours but 100. But standing thus, as men amazed, at length [they] yielded themselves vanquished.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[7]They gan to consult, What were best to do with the prisoners, which were many? And finding their great scarcity of victuals; and not knowing what weather they might have; nor how it might please GOD with good wind to prosper them: it was concluded to ship as many of them as they might; and to send them for Lisbon. This they fully determined; and provision was made of a Bark of Dover, which they met: the Fleet taking in her men, and such provision as they had in her; and embarked the Spaniards and Portingals, with their Negroes, whereof were many. And gave them, with them, store of victuals; and so gave them leave to depart; detaining none but the principalest of them.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[8]The conflict ended, it were a world of wonder to recount unto you the true reports, how our men bestirred themselves in searching and prying into every corner of her as far as they might: as they might well do, having with so great danger overcome her. The sight of the riches, within the same contained, did so amaze the Companies (that were within board of her: and that still came from every ship; being desirous to see what GOD had sent them, after so long and hot a fight) that many of them could not tell what to take; such was the store and goodness thereof.Yea, he that had known what [the] things had been worth, in a little room might have contrived great wealth. For it is credibly reported that some younkers happened to find many Jars of Civet, which is of great worth; and [it having been] of some long time closely kept was cause, when they opened the same, it yielded no savour: and they, ignorant and not knowing what it should be, thinking it but trash, as it came to their hands, heaved it overboard. Many other things were so spoiled [destroyed] for want of knowledge; when every man had sufficient, and that not one had cause to complain.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
Footnotes[5]By noon, or one of the clock, of that day, being the 3rd of August [1592], theDaintycame near her so that the Gunner, whose name wasThomas Bedome(being a proper tall man: and had very good aim at anything, and good luck withal), desired the Captain [Thomson] he might give them a shoot: to let them understand that they were Englishmen; and, under Her Highness, Commanders of the Seas.The Captain (having great care; and not willing to have any shoot shot in vain) commanded him to forbear till they should come nearer her; which was not long: when the Captain commanded him to do his best; and carousing a can of wine to his Company, encouraged them to begin the fight.And coming up, [he] hailed them, after the manner of the sea; and commanded them to strike for the Queen of England: which they no sooner refused, but the Gunner, being ready, gave fire to two whole culverins in her chase; and racked and tore her pitifully.Bearing up with them, [we] gave them the whole [broad] side; and boarded them presently: who resisted most courageously, and put us off again.Thus continued theDaintyin fight a pretty while before any others could come to help her.In which time, she laid her aboard three several times, tore her Ancient [Flag] from her Poop, and slew her Captain [?]. And more harm had done them: but that, by chance, a shot bare their Foremast by the board; which they were compelled to splice again, to their great trouble.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[6]The next was Her Majesty's good Ship, theForesight; whose Commander for that Service was Captain [SirRobert]Crosse(a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath adventured): who with his ship laid her aboard, and very valiantly assailed them; and was most stoutly by the Spaniards also repulsed.Insomuch that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak; and yet being loath Her Majesty's Ship should be shaken off without victory, fired the Carrack: rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded Spaniards, standing on their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other: which three times was kindled [on board theForesight]; to the great cumber of CaptainCrosseand his Company, that would not so leave them.This dangerous conflict between these ships endured [a] long time. Which thePhœnixof Portsmouth perceiving...being of 60 tons or thereabouts...left her for a time; standing with their Admiral and Vice-Admiral, which were theTigerand theSampson: and coming up with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of theForesight; who presently bare up with them all the night. TheSampson, being the first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside: and shutting up into theForesight's quarter, entered his men into her.CaptainNorton, that brave and worthy Gentleman, laid her also aboard, having theTigerwith him.And so [all three crews] entered together, being 100 men at the least, all resolutely minded. At whose entrance they yielded so great a cry as the dismayed Portugals and Spaniards could not bethink themselves what course to take to help themselves: in such a maze were they stricken, although they were [originally] 800 strong, all well-appointed and able men; and of ours but 100. But standing thus, as men amazed, at length [they] yielded themselves vanquished.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[7]They gan to consult, What were best to do with the prisoners, which were many? And finding their great scarcity of victuals; and not knowing what weather they might have; nor how it might please GOD with good wind to prosper them: it was concluded to ship as many of them as they might; and to send them for Lisbon. This they fully determined; and provision was made of a Bark of Dover, which they met: the Fleet taking in her men, and such provision as they had in her; and embarked the Spaniards and Portingals, with their Negroes, whereof were many. And gave them, with them, store of victuals; and so gave them leave to depart; detaining none but the principalest of them.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.[8]The conflict ended, it were a world of wonder to recount unto you the true reports, how our men bestirred themselves in searching and prying into every corner of her as far as they might: as they might well do, having with so great danger overcome her. The sight of the riches, within the same contained, did so amaze the Companies (that were within board of her: and that still came from every ship; being desirous to see what GOD had sent them, after so long and hot a fight) that many of them could not tell what to take; such was the store and goodness thereof.Yea, he that had known what [the] things had been worth, in a little room might have contrived great wealth. For it is credibly reported that some younkers happened to find many Jars of Civet, which is of great worth; and [it having been] of some long time closely kept was cause, when they opened the same, it yielded no savour: and they, ignorant and not knowing what it should be, thinking it but trash, as it came to their hands, heaved it overboard. Many other things were so spoiled [destroyed] for want of knowledge; when every man had sufficient, and that not one had cause to complain.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
Footnotes
[5]By noon, or one of the clock, of that day, being the 3rd of August [1592], theDaintycame near her so that the Gunner, whose name wasThomas Bedome(being a proper tall man: and had very good aim at anything, and good luck withal), desired the Captain [Thomson] he might give them a shoot: to let them understand that they were Englishmen; and, under Her Highness, Commanders of the Seas.The Captain (having great care; and not willing to have any shoot shot in vain) commanded him to forbear till they should come nearer her; which was not long: when the Captain commanded him to do his best; and carousing a can of wine to his Company, encouraged them to begin the fight.And coming up, [he] hailed them, after the manner of the sea; and commanded them to strike for the Queen of England: which they no sooner refused, but the Gunner, being ready, gave fire to two whole culverins in her chase; and racked and tore her pitifully.Bearing up with them, [we] gave them the whole [broad] side; and boarded them presently: who resisted most courageously, and put us off again.Thus continued theDaintyin fight a pretty while before any others could come to help her.In which time, she laid her aboard three several times, tore her Ancient [Flag] from her Poop, and slew her Captain [?]. And more harm had done them: but that, by chance, a shot bare their Foremast by the board; which they were compelled to splice again, to their great trouble.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
[5]By noon, or one of the clock, of that day, being the 3rd of August [1592], theDaintycame near her so that the Gunner, whose name wasThomas Bedome(being a proper tall man: and had very good aim at anything, and good luck withal), desired the Captain [Thomson] he might give them a shoot: to let them understand that they were Englishmen; and, under Her Highness, Commanders of the Seas.
The Captain (having great care; and not willing to have any shoot shot in vain) commanded him to forbear till they should come nearer her; which was not long: when the Captain commanded him to do his best; and carousing a can of wine to his Company, encouraged them to begin the fight.
And coming up, [he] hailed them, after the manner of the sea; and commanded them to strike for the Queen of England: which they no sooner refused, but the Gunner, being ready, gave fire to two whole culverins in her chase; and racked and tore her pitifully.
Bearing up with them, [we] gave them the whole [broad] side; and boarded them presently: who resisted most courageously, and put us off again.
Thus continued theDaintyin fight a pretty while before any others could come to help her.
In which time, she laid her aboard three several times, tore her Ancient [Flag] from her Poop, and slew her Captain [?]. And more harm had done them: but that, by chance, a shot bare their Foremast by the board; which they were compelled to splice again, to their great trouble.
The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
[6]The next was Her Majesty's good Ship, theForesight; whose Commander for that Service was Captain [SirRobert]Crosse(a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath adventured): who with his ship laid her aboard, and very valiantly assailed them; and was most stoutly by the Spaniards also repulsed.Insomuch that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak; and yet being loath Her Majesty's Ship should be shaken off without victory, fired the Carrack: rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded Spaniards, standing on their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other: which three times was kindled [on board theForesight]; to the great cumber of CaptainCrosseand his Company, that would not so leave them.This dangerous conflict between these ships endured [a] long time. Which thePhœnixof Portsmouth perceiving...being of 60 tons or thereabouts...left her for a time; standing with their Admiral and Vice-Admiral, which were theTigerand theSampson: and coming up with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of theForesight; who presently bare up with them all the night. TheSampson, being the first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside: and shutting up into theForesight's quarter, entered his men into her.CaptainNorton, that brave and worthy Gentleman, laid her also aboard, having theTigerwith him.And so [all three crews] entered together, being 100 men at the least, all resolutely minded. At whose entrance they yielded so great a cry as the dismayed Portugals and Spaniards could not bethink themselves what course to take to help themselves: in such a maze were they stricken, although they were [originally] 800 strong, all well-appointed and able men; and of ours but 100. But standing thus, as men amazed, at length [they] yielded themselves vanquished.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
[6]The next was Her Majesty's good Ship, theForesight; whose Commander for that Service was Captain [SirRobert]Crosse(a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath adventured): who with his ship laid her aboard, and very valiantly assailed them; and was most stoutly by the Spaniards also repulsed.
Insomuch that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak; and yet being loath Her Majesty's Ship should be shaken off without victory, fired the Carrack: rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded Spaniards, standing on their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other: which three times was kindled [on board theForesight]; to the great cumber of CaptainCrosseand his Company, that would not so leave them.
This dangerous conflict between these ships endured [a] long time. Which thePhœnixof Portsmouth perceiving...being of 60 tons or thereabouts...left her for a time; standing with their Admiral and Vice-Admiral, which were theTigerand theSampson: and coming up with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of theForesight; who presently bare up with them all the night. TheSampson, being the first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside: and shutting up into theForesight's quarter, entered his men into her.
CaptainNorton, that brave and worthy Gentleman, laid her also aboard, having theTigerwith him.
And so [all three crews] entered together, being 100 men at the least, all resolutely minded. At whose entrance they yielded so great a cry as the dismayed Portugals and Spaniards could not bethink themselves what course to take to help themselves: in such a maze were they stricken, although they were [originally] 800 strong, all well-appointed and able men; and of ours but 100. But standing thus, as men amazed, at length [they] yielded themselves vanquished.
The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
[7]They gan to consult, What were best to do with the prisoners, which were many? And finding their great scarcity of victuals; and not knowing what weather they might have; nor how it might please GOD with good wind to prosper them: it was concluded to ship as many of them as they might; and to send them for Lisbon. This they fully determined; and provision was made of a Bark of Dover, which they met: the Fleet taking in her men, and such provision as they had in her; and embarked the Spaniards and Portingals, with their Negroes, whereof were many. And gave them, with them, store of victuals; and so gave them leave to depart; detaining none but the principalest of them.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
[7]They gan to consult, What were best to do with the prisoners, which were many? And finding their great scarcity of victuals; and not knowing what weather they might have; nor how it might please GOD with good wind to prosper them: it was concluded to ship as many of them as they might; and to send them for Lisbon. This they fully determined; and provision was made of a Bark of Dover, which they met: the Fleet taking in her men, and such provision as they had in her; and embarked the Spaniards and Portingals, with their Negroes, whereof were many. And gave them, with them, store of victuals; and so gave them leave to depart; detaining none but the principalest of them.
The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
[8]The conflict ended, it were a world of wonder to recount unto you the true reports, how our men bestirred themselves in searching and prying into every corner of her as far as they might: as they might well do, having with so great danger overcome her. The sight of the riches, within the same contained, did so amaze the Companies (that were within board of her: and that still came from every ship; being desirous to see what GOD had sent them, after so long and hot a fight) that many of them could not tell what to take; such was the store and goodness thereof.Yea, he that had known what [the] things had been worth, in a little room might have contrived great wealth. For it is credibly reported that some younkers happened to find many Jars of Civet, which is of great worth; and [it having been] of some long time closely kept was cause, when they opened the same, it yielded no savour: and they, ignorant and not knowing what it should be, thinking it but trash, as it came to their hands, heaved it overboard. Many other things were so spoiled [destroyed] for want of knowledge; when every man had sufficient, and that not one had cause to complain.The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.
[8]The conflict ended, it were a world of wonder to recount unto you the true reports, how our men bestirred themselves in searching and prying into every corner of her as far as they might: as they might well do, having with so great danger overcome her. The sight of the riches, within the same contained, did so amaze the Companies (that were within board of her: and that still came from every ship; being desirous to see what GOD had sent them, after so long and hot a fight) that many of them could not tell what to take; such was the store and goodness thereof.
Yea, he that had known what [the] things had been worth, in a little room might have contrived great wealth. For it is credibly reported that some younkers happened to find many Jars of Civet, which is of great worth; and [it having been] of some long time closely kept was cause, when they opened the same, it yielded no savour: and they, ignorant and not knowing what it should be, thinking it but trash, as it came to their hands, heaved it overboard. Many other things were so spoiled [destroyed] for want of knowledge; when every man had sufficient, and that not one had cause to complain.
The Seaman's Triumph.[30th September] 1592.