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CPIRONOLOGICAL HISTORY
OF THE
VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES
IN THE
SOUTH SEA
O R
PACIFIC OCEAN.
PART II.
From the Year 1579, to the Year 1620.
ILLUSTRATED WITH CHARTS AND OTHER PLATES.
By JAMES BURNEY,nS^O'lS 3l|
CAPTAIN IN THE ROYAL NAVY.
LONDON:
I-BINTED BY LUKE HANSAl:!;, NEAR LIVCOLN's-INN UELDS J AKU SOLD EY
O. AND W. NICOL, BOOKSELLERS TO HIS MAJESTY, PALL-MALLJ
T. PAYNE, MEW's-GATE; WILKIE AND ROBINSON, PATERNOSTER ROW;
CADELL AND DAVIES, IN THE STRAND ; AND NORNAVILLE AND FELL, BOND-STREET.
«y/J i^J.J^iM
PubUiiuii niwnlu^ b' Jet cffurtianum fy' JiimAr Jluni^UanAifi'''iJliit,'.
CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY
OF THE
VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES
IN THE
SOUTH SEA
O R
PACIFIC OCEAN.
PART II.
From the Year 1579, to the Year 1620.
ILLUSTRATED WITH CHARTS AND OTHER PLATES.
By JAMES BURNEYjlTo-) S Ji/
CAPTAIN IN THE ROYAL NAVY.
LONDON:
JRIVTEB BY LUKE HANBA<:K, NEAR LINCOLn's-INV FIELDS J ANU SOLD BY
G. AND Vr. NICOL, BOOKSELLERS TO HIS MAJESTY, PALL-MALLJ
T. PATNE, MEW'S-GATE ; WILKIE AND ROBINSON, PATERNOSTER ROW ;
CADEIL AND DAVIES, IN THE STRAND ; AND NORNAVILLE AND FELL, BOND-STREET.
I8O6.
o
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4 Oil
ADVERTISEMENT to the READER.
SOME Observations which have been made on the First
Volume of this History, render it necessary for me to explain
to the Reader the method which has been pursued in adducing
the aiithorities throughout the work ; and to remark, that from
the attention which I have constantly fliewn to original docu-
ments, it ought not to be inferred that I have neglected to
examine modern collections. These are not admissible as evi-
dence to early facts : but in matters of opinion, and for inter-
pretation of passages in the old narratives, it will be found
that writers of late date have been consulted with much
advantage.
To each voyage is prefixed, either in a note or as an intro-
ductory remark, a short account of the original journals or early
publications; and those which have been followed are specified.
By this general notice is obviated the necessity of interrupting
the narrative with too great a frequency of notes of reference.
In all the geographical facts the particular authority is invariably
pointed out, and the same rule has been observed in every case
where the nature of the fact or the veracity of the original
account appeared doubtful. I have been faithful to my autho-
rities, but have no where departed from the respect due to truth,
by negligently suffering to pass with silent acquiescence any
representation that might impress the reader with a belief which
I did not myself entertain. In relating cirtmmstances of suspi-
cious credit, the original authors are called on to speak for
themselves, and to their accounts such remarks are added as
may assist to remove doubts.
a 2 On
IV . TO THE READER.
On many occasions I have cited the words of an originaJ
journal for another reafon, and have adopted them in the
narrative in preference to any others which occurred. The
words of an eye-witness, flowing naturally from first impressions,,
are frequently more expiessive, and convey ideas more just
than studied descriptions ; though the language may often be fuch
as it would scarcely be allowable in other persons to write.
Attention has been exerted on every convenience which might
facilitate reference to any part of the work. Besides a copious
Table of Contents, the head and margin of each page shews
the subject matter, the number of the chapter, the date, and
place of the transactions there narrated. This I mention, because
omission in these particulars occasions much labour to be ex-
pended in researches for what such helps would have readily
supplied.
An investigation of the situations of the lands difcovered is
given with each voyage, generally at the conclufion of the nar-
rative. In pei'forming this task, I have delivered my opinions
freely on geographical questions, and on a few occasions have
offered conjectures; for liable as conjectures are to error, in-
stances must frequently occur where there is a necessity to
resort to them. This is experienced by the navigator in seas
imperfectly known, where he is inspirited with a degree of
confidence if Iris conjectures, instead of wandering at random,
are directed by the knowledge of any circumstance aflbrding
inference that will limit the uncertainty.
In the second volume, occasion has arisen in two instances to
correct geographical errors committed in the first, (see pp. 41
and 349 of Vol. 11.) These errors were brought to light by
the examination of the journals of two of the voyages contained
in this second volume. Throughout the composition of succeffive
1 1 Volumes,
TO THE READER^
Volumes, the study of a subject is necessarily continued;
yet in a long work requiring much search and investigation,
there are very fufficient reasons to induce an author to publish
by parts rather than to wait until his manuscript is compleated.
The most important of these is, to secure an opportunity of
revisal in the press; for large manuscripts on scientific subjects,
when deprived of the fostering care of their author, are seldom
fortunate. If they escape total neglect, they often fall into a
worse evil, that of being published by a negligent or unskilful
editor.
Concerning the extent to which this Work may be continued,
I cannot speak with any confidence. As Avell as I am able to
judge from the progress already made, another volume may be
expected to carry the History of South Sea Discoveries to the
commencement of the reign of His present Majesty.
The authorities and materials from which the Charts and
other Plates are formed or copied, will appear in the narrative
and in the subjoined list.
LIST OF THE PLATES AND CUTS.
Chart of the Islands discovered in the Sodth Sea,
to the Year 1620, with the Tracks of some of the
principal Discoverers - - - - - - To face the Title..
Chart of the Gulf de la Santissima Trinidad, with the
Channels leading to the South. Formed on the
authority of Sarmiento's Journal - - - - To face page 9
Chart showing the Islands las Marquesas de Mendo^a
which were discovered by Alv. de Mendana. Extracted
from the Chart of the Marquesas made by Captain Cook
in. his second Foyage round the World - - - - p. 140
Chart
LIST OF THE PLATES AND CVTS^continued.
Chart of part of the Santa Cruz Islands. Formed from
various authorities, as explained in t/ie narrative - - - P- ^77
Chart of the American Coast from Cape San Lucas to
Cape Mendocina. Formed by combining the Plans
made by S. Vizcaino in 1 602. First published in 1 802,
in the Atlas to the Voyage of the Spanish ships Sutil and
Mexicana - - - - - - -.To face p. 256
Balza of Payta, seen in Admiral Spilbergen's Voyage,
in 1615. From the Miroir Oost fcf West Indical.
Edit. 1 621 - - - - p. 341
Balza of Guayaquil, in 1736. From Don Antonio de
Ulloa """--P-343
Chart of the Harbours St. Jago, Salagua, and Nati-
vidad. Copied from the Miroir Oost i^ West Indical - To face p. 34}}
Chart of the Strait of Manila. From the Miroir Oost
. & West Indical - ~ - - -- -To face p. 350
Plan of Port Desire. From Journal du Merveilleiix
Voyage^de Gu. Schouten. Amsterdam 1619 - - To face p. ^^-j
Sailing Canoe, met in the South Sea out of sight of
land, by Le Maire and Schouten. From Merveilleux
Voyage de Gu. Schouten - - - - - To face p. 385
View of Cocos and Verrader's Islands. From Merv.
Voy. de Gu. Schouten ------ To face p. 389
View ofEendracht Bay at the Home Islands. From
Merv. Voy. de Gu. Schouten ----- To face p. 40 1
Chart of the North coast of Nova Guinea. From
Merv. Feg^ de Gu. Schouten ----- To face p. 419
Contents of Volume II.
CHAPTER I.
Voyage of Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa, froiTi Peru to the Strait of
Magallianes, and thence to Europe.
Pan;e
Sliips equipped in Peru, under Sarmi-
ento, tor the Strait of Magallianes
Instructions to the Commanders
Departure from Lima - - ' -
At Pisco ------
Description of Sarmiento's Journal, and
Method of keeping a reckoning - ib
Gulf de la Santissima Trinidad
Port del Rosario . - - - -
Expedition in the boat for discovery -
The ships anchor in Port Bermcjo
Second Bo.at Expedition - - -
Third Boat Expedition - - _
Geographical descriptions within the
Gulf de la S. Trinidad -
Gape Primero - - - - -
Port Bermejo - _ - - -
Islands Silla, Roca Partida
Cape S" Lucia - - _ _ _
Ancon sin salida _ _ - _
Cape Santa Isabel - - - -
Of the chart of the Gulf de la Santa
Trinidad _ - - - -
3
ib.
5
6
0
lO
11
13
ib.
15
17 2S
17
19
21
22
24
26
27
Page
Probability of channels communicating
between the Gulf and the Strait of
Magalhanes - ' - - - 3°
Sarmiento's opinion concerning the va-
riation of the compass - - - 31
The ships leave Port Bermejo - - 32
The Almiranta separates - - - ib.
The Brigantine is abandoned - - ib.
Sarmiento enters the Strait of Magalhanes 33
Port Ac la Miscricordia - - - ib.
Port Candelaria - - - - ib.
Proceedings of the Almiranta - - 35
Sarmiento from Port Candelaria - 36
Port Santa Monica - . - ib.
Island de Carlos II I. - - - 37"
River de S. Juan - - - - 3^
Attempt to change the name of the Strait 39
Angostura de S. Simon - - - 40
Angostura de la Esperanza - - ib.
Four fathoms bank near C. Virgenes - 41.
Lunar Observations for the Longitude 42
Island Ascension - _ - - ib.
Azores. Arrival in Spain - -- — 44,
C H A P. II.
Expedition of Pedro Sarmiento to fortify the Strait of Magalhanes.
Ill conducted voyage and return of two English ships under Edward
Fenton a7id Luke Ward. Spanish Colony founded in the Strait.
Distressed co7idition of the Colony.
Pase
Powerful armament £tted out by Spaia
for South America - - - 45
Five ships wrecked. The remainder
return to Cadiz - - _ _ 46
Sail again. Winter at Rio Janeiro - 47
Sail for the Strait - . - _ ib.
Driven back - - - - - 48
Voyage of Fenton and Ward - - ib. .
Page
Sarmiento arrives in the Strait - - 51 -
City del N ombre de Jesus founded - 52
Town de San Felipe built - - - 53
The Colony left without a ship - - ib,
Sarmiento sails for Spain - - - 55
Is taken by the English - - - 5^
The Colony neglected by Spain - - 57
CHAP.
Contents of Volume II.
CHAP. III.
Notice of Formosa. Navigation of Francisco de Gualle, or GaVi,from
New Spain to the Philippines, and from Macao to New Spain.
Formosa - - - -
Voyage of Francisco Gali -
Prom New Spain to China
Pdge
58
ib.
59
Return to New Spain
Lequios Islands
Islands East of Japan
Page
- 59
- ib.
ib. — 60
CHAP. IV.
Voyage of Robert Witherington and Christopher Lister, from
England, intended for the South Sea.
Lopez Vaz taken prisoner
Page
- 63 J His History of the West Indies
C H A P. V.
Voyage of Thomas Cavendish round the World.
P?.e;e
Page
Departure frcni England - - - 64
Sierra Leone . - - - - - 65
Brasil - - - - -66
Port Desire . . - - . 6y
T. Fuller's directions for sailing into Port
Desire - - - - - - ib.
Rock to the South of Port Derire - 68
Strait of INIagalhanes _ . - H.
Spaniards in the Sirait - - - 69
Accownt of the Colony left by Sarmi-
ento in the Strait - - - - 71
Extract fiom the Declaration of T. Her-
nandez ----- 7-1
Port Famine - - - - ~ 77
Cavendish enters the South Sea - - 78
I. Mocha. I. Sta Maria - - - ib.
Qnintero Bay - • -
Morro Moreno - - -
Arica ------
Paita. Island Puna - - - -
Gualtulco - -
Bay of Compostella. Mazatlan -
Cape S. Lucas _ - - .
Rich Spanish ship taken - - -
Aguada Segura _ _ - -
Of the crew of the Santa Ana -
Track of Cavendish across the Pacifi
Ocean _ . _ _ _
Ladrones. Philippines. Java - ••
Island Santa Helena - - _
Arrival at Plymouth - - - -
Notes by Tliomas Fuller - - -
Page
79
82
83
85
86
ib.
ib.
88
89
90
91
92
93
CHAP. VI.
Voyage of Andrew ^Merick to the Strait of Magalhanes.
Page
Five vessels sail under John Chidley - 95
Merick arrives at Port Desire - - ib.
Enters the Strait - - - - 96
Takes on board one Spaniaid remaining
Page
of Sarmiento's garrison
Merick obliged to turn back
06
- ib.
CHAP.
•Contents of Volume II.
CHAP. VII.
Second Vai/age of Mr. Cavendish.
departure from England - - -
iiiasil. Town of Santos surprised
Enter the Strait of Magallianes -
Sail back out of the Strait - - -
Captain John Davis lofes company
Proceedings of Mr. Cavendish
His death ------
Captain John Davis discovers the land
afterwards named Hawkins's Maiden-
land .- - - - -
Page
GO
ib.
lOO
lOl
ib.
102
- ib.
iP3
Page
Sails through tlie Strait, and enters the
South Sea - - - - - 103
Is three times forced back - - ib. — 104
Port Desire - - - - - 104
Sails for Europe - - - - :p5
Remarks on Kny vet's narrative - - 106
This the last South Sea navigation in
Hakluyt's collection - - _ 107
CHAR viir.
Brief Review of various Reports concerning the Discovery of a North
West Passage to the Pacific Ocean. Doubtful Relation of a Voyage
by Juan de Fuca. Reports of the Discovery of Islands named
Fontacias.
Page
Report of a discovery by Andres de Ur-
daneta ----- 108
Declaration of J. F. de Ladrillero - 109
Thomas Cowles. Martin Chack - 109
Maldonado - - - - - ib.
Captain James Lancaster, Postscript to
his letter - ^ - . no
Page
Juan de Fuca - - - - - no
• 01;)servations on Michael Lok's account
of Juan de Fuca - - - - 115
Reports of Islands Fontacias - - iiQ
CHAP. IX.
Voyage of Sir Richard Hawkins to the South Sea.
Page
Plan of the voyage - - - - 118
Account of the loss of the Great Harry j 20
Hawkins sails from Plymouth - - ib.
Distillation of fresh water from sea water 1 2 1
Brasil. Worms - - - - 122
The Pinnace deserts - - - - ib.
Davis's Southern Islands seen by Sir
Richard Hawkins - - - 123
In the Strait of Magalhanes - - 125
Method of sallinc; penguins - - ib.
Ducks. Tteir nests - . - ib.
Vol, XL
Island Mocha - - _ -
Coast of Peru - - _ - -
Spanish armament sent in pursuit of the
English - , , _ _
The English escape - - - -
Bay de Catames . - - ,
Hawkins attacked by the Spaniards -
Arrows fired from muskets
Hawkins's ship is captured
A relation of Mendana's last voyage
seen by Sir R. Hawkins at Panama
Page
126
12J
128
129
ib.
130
131
ib.
133
i)
C H A P.
Contents of Volume II.
CHAP. X.
Second Voyage of Alvaro de Mendana.
Page
Pedro Fernandez de Quiros sails as pilot
with Mendana - - - - 134
Departure from Peru - - - 135
Island La Madalena . - - ib.
Islands La Madaicna, San Pedro, La
Dominica, S'^ Cliristina - 140 — 141
Are named las Marquesas de Mendoga ib.
Port Madre de Dios - - - - 142
Natives. Their habitations
Canoes. Food - _ .
The Bread Fruit
Islands de San Bernardo -
La Solitaria - - - -
Island Santa Cruz discovered -
The Almiranta missino;
Volcano Island
Santa Cruz
La Graciosa Bay
144
145
ib.
147
ib.
140
ib.
ib.
150
156
Pa^e
Discoveries made by Don Lorenco in
the frigate - - - - - 1 58
Spanish town built in la Graciosa Bay :6o
Death of Alvaro de Mendana - - 162
The frigate sent in search of the Almiranta 163
164
ib.
166
169
170
172
ib.
The Spaniards abandon their town
La Guerta Island - - - _
Description of Santa Cruz
The ships sail from Santa Cruz -
Island discovered in <5° N -
The Capitana arrives at Manila
Unfortunate catastrophe of the frigate
Remarlis on the situations of the lands
discovered in the second voyage of
Mendana - - - - 173 to 179
Perplexity created concerning the Salo-
mon Islands - - - - 180
Quiros goes to Spain - - - 181
CHAP. XI.
The ship San Agustin wrecked on the Western coast of North America.
Expedition of Sebastian Vizcaino to California.
Page
Wreck of the San Agustin - - 182
Vizcaino sails to California - - 183
SetLlenient formed at Puerto de Cortes ib.
The Almiranta sent within the gulf - ib.
Page
Her boat overpowered by the natives of
California - - - - - 1S4
The settlement atPucrto de Cortes aban-
doned - - - _ _ 185
CHAP.
ContentsopVolumeII,
CHAP. XII.
Voyage of Five Ships of Rotterdam, under the command of Jacob Mahu
. and Simon de Cordes, to the South Sea.
Equipment - ^ - _ _
Departure from Holland . - -
^lahu dies. De Cordes succeeds
They arrive in the Strait of Magalhanes
Winter in the Strait _ . _
Bay de Cordes. Bay de Chevaliers - ib
Enter the South Sea - - -
Tlie fleet are separated - _ _
Course pursued by the Admiral -
Death of De Cordes, and of the Vice
Admiral - _ ^ - -
Island Sta Maria - - - -
Two ships sail for Japan - - -
Islands m 16° N -
Page
187
188
ib,
189
390
IQI
ib.
1Q2
ib.
193
ib.
194
ib.
Of the Islands Caspar Rico
Las Colufias - - . . .
One ship arrives at Japan - -
William Adams, his account
D. Gherritz discovers land in 64° S
One ship sails to the Moluccas
Sebald de Weert _ . - _
Takes prisoner a native woman in the
Strait of Magalhanes - - .
Meets Olivier Van Noort ^ - .
Parts from Van Noort - - _
Penguin Islands. A Patagonian woman
Davis's Southern Islands - -
Islands i.a i6° N. Gherritz' land
Page
195
ib.
igS
ib.
198
^99
ib.
200
201
202
ib.
203
204
CHAP. XIII.
Voyage of Olivier Van Noort romid the JVcj'ld,
Page
Departure from Holland
-
-
-
206
Prince's Island
-
-
-
207
Coast of Brasil
.
-
-
208
Island Sta Clara
-
-
-
209
Punishment for mutiny
-
-
-
210
Island San Sebastian
-
.
-
ib.
Port Desire
-
-
-
ib.
Cape Virgenes
-
-
-
212
■Strait of Magalhanes
-
-
-
ib.
A native tribe exterminated
by
Van
L
Noorl's men
-
-
214
-Cape Frov.'iird. Olivier's
Bay
-
-
216
V. Noort enters the South Sea
-
-
219
Vice Admiral loses company
-
.
ib.
island Mocha -
,
„
•
220
Page
2 '.'2
223
224
Valparaiso. Guasco ^ - -
Arequipa. Dry fog - - - -
Sails from the coast of America -
Juan de S. Aval. His description of the
coast of America - - - - ib,
Ladrones ----- 225
Philippine Islands. Bay la Bahia - 22&
Capul - - - - - -227
V. Noort arrives off Manila - - 229
Ant. de Morga attacks the Hollanders 2 jo
Ship of de Morga sunk - - - 231
Tlie Dutch Vice Admiral taken - - 232
Borneo. Java. S" Helena - - 233
V. Noort arrives in Holland - - 23^
;b-2
C H A P
Contents of Volume II.
CHAP. XIV.
Spaivsh ship seized by the Natives of the Ladrone Islands, Voyage
of Sebastian Vizcaino, to examine the Western coast of California^
and the continuation of the coast Northward.
Page
Spanish ship taken by the natives of the
Lach-ones ----- 235
Exfjcdilion undertaken to llie NW coast
of America - - - - -
Vizcaino sails from New Spain -
Bay de San Bernab^ _ _ _
Bay de la Magdalena _ - -
Bay de Sta M arina - - - -
Bay de Sta Maria - . -
Bay de S. Christoval - _ -
Bay de Ballenas - - -
Island de la Asuncion _ - -
Pelicans - - - _ -
Island San Marcos. Island S. Roque
Port S. BartoIomS _ « _ ^
A gum iound ihere like amber -
Sierra Fintada - _ - -
Morro tlerraoso - _ - -
Island la Natividad . _ _
Isle de Cedros - - - -
I. San Geronimo. I. de Cenizsis
Bay de S. Simon y Judas - - -
Bay de-Todos los Santos - - -
Islands los Coronados, or de S. Martin
230
237
238
240
241
ib.
ib.
ib.
ib.
242
ib.
243
ib.
ib.
ib.
ib,
244
245
246
247
Port de San Diego - - - -
Island S" Catalina - - - -
Of the inhabitants. Their manner of
fishino' ^ _ - _ -
o
Island San Clemente _ - -
Canal de S» Barbara - - _
Mount Santa Lucia - -
River del Carmelo _ - - _
Point de Pinos - _ _ _
Monterey - -
The Almiranta sent back to New Spain
The Capitana and frigate separated
Proceedings of the Capitana
Cape Mendocino - _ _ _
Cape Blanco de S. Sebastian . -
The Capitana returns to New Spain -
Proceedings of the frigate
Cape Blanco and river of Martin de
Aguilar _ _ _ _
Of the natives of the N W toast -
P.emarks on Vizcaino's chart
Plan formed for another expedition
Pagt?
Vizcaino
aside
dies, and the plan is laid
247
248
ib.
249
250
251
ib.
ib.
252
253
ib.
ib.
254
ib.
ib.
ib,
255
256
257
258
159
CHAP. XV.
Concerning the Navigation from New Spain to the Philippines, and
the Beturn from thence to New Spain : a7id of the Islands Rica de
Oro and Rica de Plata.
Page
Ant. de Morga's description of the
passage from New Spain to the
Philippines ----- 260
The return to New Spain - - - 261
Enquiry concerning the Islands Rica de
Oro and Rica de Plata - . - ib.
TheGinsimaandKinsimaofliie Japanese 262
Page
Informations taken from Spanish pilots
at Manila - - - _ _ 263
Attempts made to discover them - 265
Rica de Oro of the Spanish charts - 266
The Lot's Wife of Mr. Meares - - 267
Rica de Plata - - - - - ib.
C H A P.
Contents of Volume II.
CHAR XVI.
Preliminary to the Discoveries of Pedro Fernandez de Quiros.
Page !
Report of ships iailing to the Salomon
Islands in the jear 1600 - - 268
Note in Puichas - _ - - 269
Page
Accounts published of the voyage of
Quiros - - _ _ _ 371
Narrative written by De Torres lately
discovered - - - - - 272^
CHAP. XVII.
Voyage of Pedro Fernandez de Quiros.
Quires sails from Peru - -
Island la Encarnacion _ - _
San Juan Bautista. Santelmo -
Los 4 Coronados _ _ _ _
S. Miguel. Conversion de S. Pablo
La Dezena _ _ _ _ -
Page
273
274
275
ib.
La Sagittaria _ - -
La Sagittaria of Quiros believ
Otaheite - - _ . Note
La Fugitiva _ _ .
La del Peregrino
De la Gente Heimosa
Taumaco _ _ .
Tucopia - - - -
N. Sena de la Luz -
Santa Maria _ _ -
Baj' de S. Felipe y Santiago
Australia del Espiritu Santo
Port de la Vera Cruz
Australia del Espiritu Santo
Soil. Vegetable produce -
Animals. Birds
Fish. Pearl oysters - »
ib.
ib.
ed to be
in 281 — 282
- 282
- - 283
- 284
- 287
- 203
- 294
" 295
- 298
- 299
- ib.
- 300
- 306
- ib.
' 307
Page'
Silver ore _---.; 308
Climate and temperature - - _ ib.
Inhabitants. Their knowledge in the
arts, and state of civilisation - - 309'
Proceedings of Quiros from the Bay de
S. Felipe y Santiago - - - 310
Sails to New Spain - - - - 31^1
Proceedings of L. V. de Torres - - ib.
South coast of JNevv Guinea - - 312
Passage of de Torres between New
Guinea and the Great Terra Au-
stralis _ - - _ ib. and 31 3
The Great Terra Australis twice seen
in 1606 ' - - - - 314
De Torres arrives at Manila - - 316
Farther account of Quiros - - ib.
Enquiry concerning the situations of
the lands discovered by Quiros and
de Torres - - - - -318
Regulation suggested for the advance-
ment of Maritime Geography - 319
Table of Situations - - - - 325
C H A P.
Contents of Volume II,
CHAP. XVIII.
Voyage of Admiral Joris Spilbergen, round the World.
Increase of the power of the Dutch in
the East Indies
Fleet under Admiral Spilbergen departs
from Holland - _ _
At Brasil - - , _
Strait of Mngalhanes
Enters theSouth Sea
Island Mocha - - . -
Island Santa Maria - - -
La Conception. Valparaiso
Quinttro. Arequipa
The Holland fleet and Spanish fleet
meet - , - - -
Page
Page
L
Victoiy gained by Spilbergen
- 339
329
Callao. Payta _ . -
- 340
Isle de Lobos _ - - -
- 341
331
Embarcation called Balza -
«^- to 345
ib.
Coast of New Spain. Acapulco -
- 346
333
Salagua. Santiago r - -
- 347
334
Port de Navidad - . -
- 34S
335
Islands Santo Tomas
- ib.
33S
La Annublada - . - -
- ib.
337
Iloca Partida of Villalobos
- 349
ib.
Ladrones. Philippines
- 350
Arrival at the Moluccas -
- 351
33S
Anecdote of Admiral Spilbergen
- 353
CHAP. XIX.
Voyage of Jacob Le Maire and VVilhelm Cornelisz Schouten, round
the World.
Page
Enterprising speculation on which tliis
expedition was undertaken - - 355
Account of the early publications of the
voyage - - ... 357
Equipment - . _ - . 361
Departure from Holland - - - 36a
Cape Verde. Sierra Leone - - ib.
Dorados, or Dolphins - - - 363
Port Desire ----- 364
Provisions obtained there - - - 365
The Home galiot burnt by accident 360
Fresh water found - - - - ib.
Explanations to plan of Port Desire - 367
Davis's Southern Islands - - - 360
Tierra del fuego _ . _ - j^.
Schouten's account of the discovery of a
New Strait - - _ _ 370
Cape Home - - - - - 371
Name of Strait Le Maire given to the
newly discovered Strait - - - 372
Remarks ou the'name - - ^ ib.
Island Juan Fernandez
Honden Island
Sondergrondt
Waterlandt
Vlieghen Island
A strange vessel seen
Cocos island -
Verrader's Island
Goode Hope Island -
Home Islands
Eendracht Bay
Natives of the Home Islands
Habitations - - -
Of the situation of Eendracht
Groupe of small Islands
Another groupe, named Mar
Grocne Islands. Island of St
Land discovered, supposed
East Cape of New Guinea
Sail along the North coast
The 25 Islands .
Page
-
- 374
-
- 37<'
-
- 378
-
- 383
-
- 3S3
-
- 384
-
- 387
-
- 394
-
- ib.
-
- 399
-
- 401
descri
bed 413
-
- 413
Bay
- 414
-
- 416
•qucn
- 417
. Jan
- 418
to be
the
-
- 419
-
- ib.
424
C H A R
Contents of Volume II.
CHAP. XIX.— continued.
Papua or New Guinea - _ _
Vulcan's Island - . _ _
Navigation along the North coast of
Papua - . . - -
Description of the natives
Islands Moa and Insou - - -
Arimoa ------
Schouten's Island - _ -
Its Western point, named Cape de
Goede Hoop - - •= -
A bank - - - - _
Page
425
ib.
426
ih.
428
430
- 432
ib.
434
Page
434
435
435
Maba - - - - _
Arrival at the Moluccas - - -
Java ------
The ship of Le Maire and Schouten
seized by the Dutch East Ijidia
Company ----- e3.
Death of Jacob Le Maire - - 438
W. Schouten returns to Europe - ib.
Vocabulary of the languages of the
South Sea Islands - - - 440
CHAP. XX.
On the Situations of the Discoveries of Le Maire and Schouten.
Page
Explanation of the method pursued
in estimating the situations - 44810452
Table of situations
Page
' 453
CHAP. XXI.
First certain Knowledge obtained of ihe Great Terra Australis. Expe-
dition of Bartolome Garcia de Nodal and Goncalo de Nodal to
examine Strait Le Maire.
Page
The Great Terra Australis discovered
by Theodoric Hertoge - - - 456
Ships fitted out by Spain to examine
Strait Le Maire - - - - 457
Rio Janeiro . _ _ - - 45S
Regular soundings near the coast of
South America - - - - ib.
Ledge of rocks_, South from Port Desire 459
Cape Virgenes. Canal de San Sebastian ib.
Strait Le Maire
il^.
Variation of the compass -
B. de Buen Suceso. Cape Home
Isles of Diego Ramirez _ - -
The Tierra del fuego circumnavigrited
• Natives in the Strait of Magailiaues -
Their accuracy of pronunciation -
The Nodales return to Europe
Spurious account of this expedition
published at Amsterdam - - 462
Page
460
ib.
ib.
461
ib.
ib.
ib.
APPENDIX.
Contents of Volume II.
APPENDIX.
N' I.
Relation of Luis Vaez de Torres, concerning the Discoveries of
Quiros, as his Almirante. Dated Manila, July \2,lh, 1607.
Page
■ Being a tranflation nearly literal, by Alexander Dalrymple, Esq. from a
Spanish manuscript copy in his possession - - - r 467
N'll.
Information collected from the natives of Islands in the South Sea,
by Pedro Fernandez' de Quiros, in 1606, and inserted by him
in his memorials, concerning undiscovered lands situated in the
"fieighbourhood of the Australia del Espiritu Santo - - 479
ERRATA.
Page Si, line 9, > r *i • . j At • .
„„ J ; ■ J far Almirante read Almiranti.
and in margin 3 •'
33, line 9, - • for fashoms read fathoms,
158, line 9, • - for Figuerora read Figueros.
271. line 4, - - for 1506 read 1606.
ilS, line 81, • ; for ner read nor.
HISTORY
OF THE
DISCOVERIES
IN THE
S O U T H S E A.
CHAPTER I.
Toijage of Pedro Sarmiento de Garaboa, from Peru to fJie
Strait o/Magalhanes, a7id thence to Europe.
=^T^HE Spaniards had remained in the quiet and exclufive chap. t.
possession of the navigation of the Pacific Ocean during a
space of nearly 60 years, when they were first disturbed by the
appearance of European competitors. Other maritime powers,
it is true, had endeavoured to disco\^r a navigable communica-
tion between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, by the North of
America ; and it can scarcely be affirmed, that the attempt is
yet wholly discontinued. The uncertainty of the existence of
fuch a jundion did not prevent the fancied communication from
teing very early distinguished by the appellation of ' the North
West Passage.' The ardour for making this discovery was most
conspicuous in England, and it continued there long unabated.
Three Voyages to the North West had been undertaken in the
Vol. it. B three
VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. three successive years 1576, 1577, and 1578, by Captain Martiir
Frobisher, who discovered the Strait since known by his name,,
the North shore of which was then beUeved to be the Continent
of Asia. As no termination was found to the opening discovered
by Frobisher, the hopes of the EngUsh were kept ahve ; yet sO'
remote and uncertain a prospect of success cannot be supposed
to have occasioned much imeasiness to the Spanish settlements-
in the South Sea. The attempt of Oxnam had been fo com-
pletely frustrated, as to leave no apprehension that other attacks
would be made across the Isthmus of Darien : but the expe-
dition of Drake, being in the established known route, was of
a more formidable nature, and the Spaniards in South America
were too well instructed in the influence of successftd adventure
not to regard it as the prelude to new enterprizes. On their
part, tliey were not wanting in exertions, as Avell to avenge the
injuries they had already sustained, as to provide for the future
security of their possessions in the South Sea against similar,
invasions.
It has been mentioned*, that Don Francifco de Toledo, the
Yiceroy of Pe7'u, sent Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa with ships
trom the port of Callao^ in purfuit of Drake. This fruitless chace
v/as continued along the coast as far as to Tanamay and the
Englishmen had great good fortune in its being then disconti-
nued ; for the Island Canno, where Drake stopped to refit, is
not 100 leagues distant from the B^uij. of Panama, and he did not
sail from that island till the 24th of March (1579), which was
twenty-three days after his capturing the rich Spanish ship. It
may therefore be deemed extraordinary that during, so long a
stay at Canno, his ship should have escaped the observation of
cither Spaniard or Native, who might liave carried the intelli-
gence to Panama.
Vol. ill. p. 336.-
It
FUOM PERU TO SPAIN. «
It was known in Peru, that with Drake's ship two others of chap. t.
the fame nation had entered the South Sea; and it was beheved "^"'7X7'^
that Drake wonld bend his conrse homeward by the Strait of
AIagalha}ies. As soon therefore as the vessels a\ hich had been Two ships
«ent in pursuit of him returned to Lima, the Viceroy ordered ^.j."|j^ j,""[
two ships to be equipped for a voyage to the Strait, and ap- for the
pointed P. Sarmiento de Gamboa*, General of the expedition, Magal-
^vith the title of Capitan Superior. The ships were the Nuestra li^'i^*"
Senora de Esperanza (which was the Capitan a or ship of the
Commander in chief), and the San Francisco (Almiranta), com-
manded by Juan de Villalobos. In the Capitana, Anton Pablos
Corzo and Hernando Alonso, sailed as pilots ; and in the Almi-
ranta, Hernando Lamero, The whole number of persons em-
barked were 108, who were equally divided between the two
iships, each of which was provided Avith no more than two pieces
of artillery and 20 muskets : they carried with them the frame
<)f a brigantine in feparate pieces, to be set up when there should
be occasion.
The account of this voyage will be found rather barren of
incident; but the geographical information it communicates is
•of importance, and the methods of navigating and keeping a
ship's reckoning in Sarmiento's tim^e, are more clearly feen in his
journal than in the journal of any other navigator which has
been published.
The obiects of the expedition, as expressed in the instructions Instnif-tfons
c . .1 ■ 1 to the Coin-
delivered to P. Sarmiento, and likewise m a letter written by manders.
* Argensola says, that previous to this appointment, P. Sarmiento had twice
fought with Drake ; once in the port of Callao, and afterwards in following him
towards Panama. Conq. de las Malucas, lib. 5. The inaccuracy of this ftatement
appears in a letter from the Viceroy of Peru, addressed to the Governor of Rio
de la Plata, wherein the Viceroy writes, ' with great diligence we sent two ships
* in search of this Corsair, but the sea is so wide and he sailed with so much
* expedition, that he could not be taken.' Carta del P'irrei, 8cc. pubiiflied witli
I'iage at Estrccho por P. Sarmiento de Gamboa, p. Ixxx.
B 2 the
^, VOYAGE OF p. SARMIENTO ^
CHAP. 1. the Viceroy of Pei'u, for the Governor of Rio de la Plata, were^
'^ t5jg. ~' to make a careful examination of the Straits of Magalhanes, to
endeavour to discover all the entrances that led into it from
either Sea, with the breadth of the channels, and depth of water :
To obtain every other information which circumstances would
permit respecting the Navigation, each ship being, particularly
directed to keep a careful account of the courses navigated, and
to mark all the coasts, and lands discovered, on a chart. The
journal or diary of the proceedings were to be publicly read
every day in the presence of the officers and pilots^ who were
required to remark if it appeared to them that there were any
omissions or mis-representations ; and each ship was ordered to
keep four copies of her journal *. All the places in the Strait*
which appeared convenient for a settlement, or which might be
fortified as stations for guarding the passage, were to be noted^
Search was to be made after Drake, and, if found,- the Spanish,
ships were to use their utmost endeavour to take him, and their
success was to be liberally rewarded both from the re-captured
booty, and by other gratifications which the instructions pro-
mised. If other Corsairs were met with, they were to be at-
tacked or not, as should appear most convenient. If any town,
or settlement was discovered in the Strait belonsing to the".
English, or to any other foreign nation, all circumstances of their
* One of the journals so kept, is preserved among tlie MSS. in the royal
library at Madrid, and waspiiblished in 1 768, under the title of I'iaje al Estrec/io
J.e Magallanes, por el Capitan Pedro Sarmieuto de Gamboa, en los anos i579y
1580. The Editor remarks^ in his preface, how great Would have been his satis-
faction if he could have given to the engraver the Sea Charts made by Sarmiento ;
but his greatest diligence could not discover their retreat. He thinks it probable
that they were lodged in the Ca$a df. la Contratacion at Seville, or in the Archives
of the Convent of San Francisco al Cadiz, ' where are deposited, or, more pro-
' perly speaking, buried, the journals, obfervations, and original Charts, of tlie
' aiost famous Voyages and Discoveries of tiie Spanish Navigators.'
Vifije, ^c. por Sarmiento : Prologo, pp. iv; xxxvi ; xxxvii.
situatiorv.
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 5
Situation and strength were to be observed and noted. If both chap. i.
the ships arrived in company at the entrance into the North Sea 157^.
f Mar del Norte ), the Almiranta was to be sent back to Lima
if the winds allowed of her return ; if otherwise, she was to
make for the Kio 3e la Plata, to deliver to the Governor of that
place copies of the journals, one to be forwarded by him to
Spain, and another by land to Feru. Sarmiento- was to sail with '
the other ship to Spain, to lay before liis Majesty and before the
Supreme Council of the Indies, all the information he should
have obtained, that his Majesty might be enabled to order such
measures as should effectually bar the passage of the Strait
against the vessels of other nations. If the ships were at any
time separated by weather or other accident, the commanders
were ordered, notwithstanding such separation, to continue
their endeavours to accomplish the purposes of the equipment.
Whenever it could conveniently be done» possession was to be
taken of the countries in the naime of the king of Spain ; and
observations were to be made on the soil, the produce, and oa
the customs of the natives, some of whom were to be taken and
carried away in the ships, that knowledge might be acquired of
their lano-ua^e.
The instructions throughout are drawn up with great attention
to all minute particulars, and they certainly deserve the character
of having been dictated with ability.
On the nth of October, 1579, the two ships sailed from the Octbbe?,
c r^ 11 c< ■ • 1 f' 1 1 r Departure"
port ot Lallao. Sarmiento appointed tor the place or rendezvous, from Limt*
in case of separation, the first safe port that should be found
within the entrance of the Strait of Magalhanes, and either ship
on arriving there singly, if she found no indication of tlie
other ship, was to wait 15 days, making signals from the land
during that time, and was afterwards to proceed Eastward,
feaving notices in the different ports where she should chance to
touch.
The-
a VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
0 H A P. r.
Tlie 1 7th, tlicj anchored at Pisco, to repah* some defect in
the Capitana. At this place they took on board four seamen in
Ociobt-r. addition to their former number. The pay of the seamen em-
I'isco. , ,
p!o3'ed would appear extraordinary tor that age, if it did not
enter into the consideration that the ships were fitted out from
Peru. ' To three of the men engaged here, the customary wages
' were given ; and one, who was a caulker, received the ad-
' vantage of being paid as a man and a half, which is 37l proof
* pesos f pesos cnsmjados) each monUi/*
Description The 2 1 st, the ships sailed from Pisco, toAvards the South West,
Z.'- ?^!!!.',?"r ^^'Jth winds from the South East quarter. The journal contains a
regular account of the navigation of each day, and the day is
reckoned as at present, from noon to noon. The run of each
hour is not separately specified ; but the different courses
steered, and the distance sailed on each course (a few instances
of omission excepted) with the winds, are set down in a summary
manner, in divisions regulated by the times when any alteration
of course or of wind occurred. The latitude is set down when-
ever found by observation, and generally, at the fame time, the
estimated course and distance made good since the observation
preceding ; with the estimated distance of the ship at noon from
some port or station on the American coast ; and sometimes the
distance from the meridian of Lima.
Such a journal is in form a near approach to the present me-
thod of keeping a Reckoning: but all the means of correct
computation appear to have been out of reach. In observing
for the latitude, Sarmiento and the pilots generally differed from
each other more than half a degree ; the distances sailed were
not measured, but marked from conjecture ; and, what is extra-
ordinary in an experienced seaman, it appears to have been
* The pay of the seamen was accordingly, per month, 25 pesos, equal in value
*o £. 5. sterling.
disbelieved
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 7
disbelieved by Sarmiento that the needle had any such property c h a p. i.
as variation; all the courses and bearings by compass being re- j^yq.
ceived as the true bearings. October.
The character of this jovirnal will appear in the following,
extracts :
* Thursday, October 22d. It was calm all day, and towards
' night we Avere near the island Sangallan, which is in 14
' degrees South. Two hours after night-fall the wind sprung
* up from the SSE, and we stood to Seaward SW, all the
* night, and till Friday noon, having sailed according to our
'judgement 12 leagues [12 leguas por el arhitrio.^
' Friday, October 23d, froirtnoon we sailed WSW till night,.
*- 6 leagues. This day the arms and accoutrements were distri-
' buted. The M'hole night we sailed SW a little Southerly^
' 8 leagues by conjecture [ocho leguas por fantasia. ~[
Another extract from the journal ^
* From Monday to Tuesday at noon, the 27th of October,
* with moderate winds from the SE and SSE we steered on
* courses from SW to SSW. The sky was clear, and the sea
' smooth. We observed this day the latitude ; Pedro Sarmi-
' ento, in 19* 22' S; Anton Pablos, in 19° 50' S; Hernando
* Alonso, in 19° 05' S, according to which, from Monday noon
' to Tuesday noon, Ave have gone SWbS 28 leagues. The
' currents \\2i\e set to Avmdward in our favour (to the South)..
* We are this day East and West Avith the Jlivep of Jiian Diaz,
' distant 1 40 leagues. For this Sea, we saAV but few fish ; and
' of birds, avc saw son>e Avhite boobies.. Hailed the Almiraiita to
' ask her pilot Avhat latitude he had made ; and he answered
' that he had not taken the Sun this day, though tiie Aveather
* Avas fair for so doing- Pedro Sarmiento reprehended him for
^ his negligence, and ordered tliat hereafter he should not omit
' to
CHAP. K
VOYAGE OP P. SARMTENTO
' to observe for the latitude on every day that the sky was clears
'~^::^7~' ' enough for that purpose.'
Tlie care and attention observable in this journal deserve
commendation. It has been censured for being prolix, and
(with more reason) for magnifying the hardships and dangers
that were encountered,. Almost every escape is represented as
•miraculous, and the exertions of the Spanish seamen as fuper-
natural : these representations, with the frequent recvirrence of
pious ejaculations, occupy much room in the journal. There
appears, likewise, an ambition in Sarmiento to imitate the
actions, and to enuilate the fame of Magalhanes : speeches of
the oificers and pilots endeavouring to dissuade him from pro-
ceeding farther, are entered in the journal, with his answers
declaring his resolution not to abandon the w«rk he had under-
taken ; and this species of affectation is continued after the
difficulty had been so far conquered, that to proceed' was be-
come more easy than to return. In many other respects, the
length of his remai;ks,are advantageous; and it may be fairly
observed, that very few sea journals of the present day, if like
this they were published in the state they were written, would
be found less charged with remark of little moment.
■November. November the 1st, they passed within 18 leagues, by their
reckoning, to the West of the islands San Felix and San Amhor ;
but did not see them. It is a curious circumstance, that Sar-
miento and his officers knew so little concerning the first navi-
gation across the South Sea, as to suppose that these islands
were the Desventuradas of Magalhanes.
In latitude 33° South, being then by the reckoning 1 40 leagues
to the West of the meridian of Lima, the winds became variable,
and the course was inclined towards the land ; but at the same
time with so Southerly a direction, that they did not regain
sight of the American coast till they had passed the 49th degree
. ,of" South latitude. Complaints are made in the journal of the;
7 conduct
4''ii^'^''A A
..'■1^
^
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 9
conduct of the Almirante * in this passage, charging him with chap. i.
an intention to separate. 157^.
November 1 7th. In the morning land was seen to the East November.
South East, towards which the ships stood. At noon the ^'^ •
latitude was observed 49° 30' S : by the observation of the
pilot H. Alonso 49° 09' S. A large and deep opening was
seen running in to the South East, and at a great distance
within, there appeared a chain of mountains covered with snow.
This bay or gulf, the General named de la Santissima Trinidad. Gulf de la
The land forming its Southern coast was steep and rocky, and 'Trinidadr
near the shore were many rocks above water : on its outer cape
was a mountain which had three peaks, for which reason the
Cape was named de Tres Puntas. All the land near the coast
had a rugged and broken appearance.
After a short consultation with the Almirante, the ships steered
for this opening, with the intention to examine if it would lead
to the Strait of Magalhanes. As they stood in, they sounded.
* Almirante was the title of the officer second in command, as Almiranta was
of the ship commanded by him. The name is derived from the Saracens, as is
our word Admiral from the Spanish Jlmiraute. ' Mir. An abbreviation of
' Emir, which signifies in Arabic, Chief, Prince, and Commandant. The
' Persians and Turks frequently ufe this abbreviation.' Al is the Article ' The'
D'Herbe/ot. Bibliotheque Orientate. In the time of the Crusades, it signified a
Corainander by land, rather than a Naval Commander, or perhaps applied in-
differently to either. ' The Turks lost on this occasion thirty-two Admirals (so
• were called their men of the greatest renown and di&tinction)^ and 7,000 car-
* casses were found in the field.' Ricardi iter Jiierosolym. apud Gale. Hist.
Angl. Scrip. Vol. II. p. 360. See also Spehnan of Admir. Jitriid. wherein is
the following quotation. ' N. Trevet saith, that in the great ship of the Saracens,
which he calleth a Dromond, taken by K. Eichard I. there were seven Amirak.'
The Spaniards made the title peculiar to Sea Commanders^ either before or in
the time of Alphonso IX. King of Castile (1158 to 1214). Almirante: el que
es cabdillo de todos los que van en los navios para fazcr guerra sobre mar [Almi-
rante : he who is the Chief of all those who go in ships to fight upon the Sea.l
Quoted by Dii Cange. Glossarium. med. Lat. T. 1. p. 169. under the word
Amiralius. It afterwards became with the Spaniards the title of the second in
command of a fleet.
Vol. II. C but
Fw
GOLi
r.'Iiw funtafi
i-vr^. ,
Lon^tudje W &oiu Greenwicli.
^
-i-^
GULF de la S.VNTIS S1>L\ TRINIDAD,
idth thf Ch.uniels adjoining' to tlie Soiitli,
(pEDnO SARMIEXTO.
TQ.C. Signifies Cape
B.l Bm
If nil-Ill' irPiirt
r'.' ■ Pimla orFoint
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 9
conduct of the Almirante * in this passage, charging him with chap. i.
an intention to separate. i^^g.
November 1 7th. In the morning land was seen to the East November.
South East, towards which the ships stood. At noon the ^'^
latitude was observed 49° 30' S : by the observation of the
pilot H. Alonso 49° 09' S. A large and deep opening was
seen running in to the South East, and at a great distance
within, there appeared a chain of mountains covered witli snow.
Tliis bay or gulf, the General named de la Santtssima Trinidad. Gulf de la
The land forming its Southern coast was steep and rocky, and -fr^nfjad!'
near the shore were many rocks above water : on its outer cape
was a mountain which had three peaks, for which reason the
Cape was named de Tres Piintas. All the land near the coast
had a rugged and broken appearance.
After a short consultation with the Almirante, the ships steered
for this opening, with the intention to examine if it would lead
to the Sti^ait of Magalhanes. As they stood in, they sounded,
* Almirante was the title of the officer second in command, as Almiranta was
of the ship commanded by him. Tiie name is derived from the Saracens, as is
our word Admiral from the Spanish Almirante. ' Mir. An abbreviation of
* Emir, which signifies in Arabic, Chief, Prince, and Commandant. The
' Persians and Tm'ks frequently ufe this abbreviation.' Al is the Article ' The'
D'Herbelot. Bibliotheque Oricntale. In the time of the Crusades, it signified a
Commander by land, rather than a Naval Commander, or perhaps applied in-
differently to either. ' The Turks lost on this occasion ihiity-two Admirals (so
* were called their men of the greatest renown and distinction)^ and 7,000 car-
* casses were found in the field.' Ricardi iter IJierosoli/m. apud Gale. Hist.
Angl. Scrip. Vol. II. p. 360. See also Spelman of Adinir. Jurisd. wherein is
the following quotation. * N. Trevet saith, that in the great ship of the Saracens,
which he calleth a Dromond, taken by K. Richard I. there were seven Amirals.'
The Spaniards made the title peculiar to Sea Commanders, either before or in
the time of Alphonso IX. King of Castile (1158101214). Almirante: el que
es cabdi/lo de todos los que van en los navios paraj'azer guerra sobre mar [Almi-
rante : he who is the Chief of all those who go in ships to fight upon the Sea.}
Quoted by Da Cange. Glossarium. rued. Lat. T. 1. p. 169. under the word
Jmiralius. It afterwards became with the Spaniards the title of the second in
command of a fleet.
Vol. II. C but
10 yOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. but no bottom was found with mucb length of Hne, till they
1579. drew near to the shore on the Southern side, where the Capitana
November, anchored in 30 fathoms, 5 leagues within the outer capes ; but
tiulr de la ' n i
Trinidad, the bottom being foul, she could not remain at this anchorage,
and both the ships ran nearer to the South shore, where they
anchored in 20 fathoms, the bottom rocky, and their situation
exposed to winds from the North West; but the coast was bold
[steep] and clear.
iStl). The 18th. The General and the pilots went with the boats,
in ditferent directions, to search for a safe port. The General
found a tolerable good harbour (Puerto razonahle) to the South
East ; but the pilot of the Almirante did not return in time for
the ships to be moved that day.
jQili. The next morning the wind blew strong from the North,
which being directly on the nearest shore, rendered it dangerous
to get under sail. In this situation, the Capitana parted from
her anchors, and was nearly driven on the rocks, but her other
anchors held her. The remainder of the 19th, and all the
following day, the ships continued in the same situation, and
in great danger, the gale not abating.
21ft. The 21st, the pilot, H. Alonso, Avas sent to examine if there
was sufficient depth of water for the ships within a small island
near the land to the South of them ; and between the larger
Puerto del land and this small island, a narrow port was discovered, with
osano. anchorage at 5 fathoms depth, into which the ships were taken,
one after the other, and within was found good shelter. This
port was named Nuestra Senora del Rosario. The anchoring
place they had quitted was named by the seamen * Cache
Diablo.
Sunday, the 2 2d. Sarmiento with the greater part of his
people went on shore, and erected a cross, and took possession
Cache, signifies a bo.\ on the ear.
of
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. U
of the country for King Philip II. On the same day observations c h a p. i.
were made with three astrolabes, which gave for the latitude 1579.
50° South.* Footsteps of people were seen, and some spears, G°{f "j'j'fa'^
paddles, and fishing nets were found, but no natives appeared. Trinidad.
Sarmiento went with some of his men to the summit of a hill,
from whence he saw many other harbours and arms of the sea,
and counted 85 islands, large and small, and the broken ap-
pearance of the land on which he stood, made him suppose it
to be one of an archipelago of islands. The General deter-
mined to leave the ships in Port del Rosario, whilst with one of
the boats he examined farther within the gulf.
On Wednesday the 25th, Sarmiento, accompanied by the Expedition
pilots Anton Pablos and Hernando Lamero, and ten mariners, on difco-
with arms, and provisions for four days, departed in the boat of ^"^"^y-
the Alniiranta.
They followed the direction of the coast from Port Rosario,
keeping near the right hand shore of the gulf, which led first
towards the East and South East, and afterwards to the South
and South West. In this excureion, they examined above 20
leagues of coast, within which extent were found many harbours
and inlets. The geographical descriptions and remarks are much
dispersed in the original journal, for which reason it has been
thought necessary to collect the most material parts under one
head. For the present they M'ill be only occasionally and ge-
nerally noticed-
On the 3d day from Port Rosario, they entered a harbour
which was judged to be a convenient station for the ships, from
whence the farther examination of the gulf and the canals com-
municating with it might be prosecuted in the boats. This
* The latitudes in the chart are governed by the latitude of Cape Tres Puntas,
as found by late observations, and by the distances and bearings given in Sar-
laiento's journal.
C S harbour,
12 VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. harbour, on account of a red sandy beach withm it, received
1570. the name of Puerto Bermejo (the Red Harbour). Beyond Port
.November, j^^j./j^go^ to the South Weft, was clearly difcerned a free passage
Trinidad, to the Open sea, in Avhich direction the boat proceeded 3 leagues
farther, and then turned back towards the ships ; their stock of
provisions being nearly consumed.
The land by Avhich the boat went was craggy and mountain-
ous, but in many parts covered with wood. Among the trees
•seen are mentioned Cypresses, Savins, Holme, (Acebos, Carascas)
Myrtles; befides which there was brush wood or furze, other
herbage, and berries.
The birds seen were ' black Geese, by some called Sea
* Crows'*, Penguins, Gulls, and other sea fowl, among which is
mentioned and described the Tropic bird-f-. In the woods there
were thrushes and other singing birds, owls and hawks of various
kinds. By the sea shores, shell fish were found in great quan-
tity, and in the muscles many small pearls.
The wdnd, during this excursion, blew constantly from between
the North and West, sometimes strong. In the return, they
rowed the greater part of the way, and were necessitated, officers
as well as men, to exert themselves at the oars as the only means
of protection against the cold.
December. They rejoined the ships in Port Rosario, December the 1st;
±he journal says ' having gone outward and in their return more
' than 60 leagues, in sounding ports, channels, bays, inlets, and
' banks; in putting names and marking the courses and latitudes.
' The whole that was discovered was drawn fpintando) and
' written by the General openly before those who accompanied
,' him, Anton Pablos and Hernando Lamero, the pilots.'
* Patos negros, a que otros llaman Cuervos Marinos. Viaje por Sarmiento, p. 94.
t liabos de Juncus. There is perhaps no similar instance to be found of the
Tropic bird being in so high a latitude.
3 December
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 13
o
December the 2d. Boats Avere sent to endeavour to recover ^^^J^l;^
the anchors parted from at the first anchoring place ; in which 1579.
^ December,
they did not succeed. Gulf de la
The 3d and 4th, a strong gale. The Almiranta was in some Triaidad.
danger of bein^ driven against the rocks. Her commander,
Juan de Villalobos, and several of his people folloAving his
example, sought their own safety by going on shore, where they
remained till the violence of the gale was past; for Avhich ' they
were reprehended with moderation' by P. Sarmiento.
Monday the 7th. The ships left Port Rosario, At noon they The ships
Avere in the channel between an island named En medio (Island ''"y"^^'^
in the middle) and the entrance of a Avide arm of the sea (brazo Bermejo.
ancho). In the evening of the same day, they anchored in
Port Bermejo. Here the General ordered the brigantine, the
frame of Avhich had been brought in separate pieces, to be set
up ; but as this Avould be a Avork of some time, on December
the 11th, he departed in the boat of the Capitana, Avhich Avas
named the Santiago, to renew the examination of the inlets,
taking Avith him the pilots Pablos and Lamero, and fourteen
seamen (soldados marineros), Avith arms, and provisions for
eight days.
They left Port Bermejo at eight in the morning. Their first Second
course Avas towards the South West, to Point Anunciada, and ExpedUion.
afterwards their progress was toAvards the South. In the evening
of the first day they put into a bay Avhich they named De San
Francisco, intending there to pass the night. They had scarcely
landed, when one of the soldiers shot at a bird, and immediately
the report made by the gun Avas answered by the shouts of
people on the opposite side of the bay. Sarmiento embarked
again, and Avent thither with the boat, where he found a number
of natives, Avhose bodies Avere painted. One of them, an old
man, appeared to have authority over the rest. The Spaniards
approached, making signs of peace, and Sarmiento gave them
some
U. VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. some gloves and a handkerchief; the pilots and seamen likewise
j^_p made them presents. Some biscuit and wine was given to
December, them : the biscuit they eat, but the wine, (not much to the
Gult de la . .
Trinidad. Credit of the wine of PeruJ after having tasted, they threw
away. These gifts did not induce the natives to regard the new
comers with confidence, and it is probable that the behaviour of
the Spaniards gave cause for suspicion, as they were meditating
how to entrap some of the natives. This part of the shore, how-
ever, was dangerous for the boat; Sarmiento therefore returned
to the first landing place, and made signs to the natives to
follow. Their curiosity prevailed over their distrust, and they
went to the place where the Spaniards had purposed to lodge
for the night. Sarmiento caused one of them to be seized and
carried into his boat, and to get out of the reach of any attempts
that might be made to a rescue or to revenge, he quitted the
place, and went with his people and prisoner to pass the remain-
der of the night at some small islands, which they named la
Dormida (the Sleeping Place).
The history of early discoveries exhibits many similar in-
stances of violence committed by European navigators upon the
natives of the discovered countries ; yet the method practised
by Sarmiento ihould not be suffered to pass without notice.
He went to meet these people with signs of peace to invite their
confidence, whilst his purpose was to deceive them. The motive
for this seizure was to procure an interpreter, and to gain some
information respecting the coast and country ; but in both these
objects they were disappointed, for their prisoner, after suffering
two days of captivity, escaped, the boat being then at an
island near the entrance of a canal, which was named de San
Bias, about 10 leagues to the SSW from the Bay de Sa7i
Francisco.
A cape, to which was given the name of Santa Lucia, about
two leagues South West from the entrance of San Bias, Avas the
farthest
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 15
farthest extent of land discovered in this second boat excursion, c h a p. i.
In the return, Sarmiento stopped at an island named by him 1579.
Roca Partida, (the cleft rock). At one end of a sandy beach Q^^f ^e k*
on the Eastern side of this island, is a large cave in a rock, Trinidad,
wherein was found a skeleton and the furniture complete (arma-
diira entera) of a native man or woman. Bad weather detained
the boat at the ifland Roca Partida two days and nights. They
afterwards went to a bay in the nearest Eastern land, whicji they
named the Bay de Guadalupe, and entered an inlet, M-here they saw
a canoe and some natives ; but on the approach of the Spanish
boat, the natives abandoned their canoe and fled to the hills.
Near the sea shore was a low hut, built with twigs or sticks,
and covered with lioht branches of trees and skins of seals: the
furniture found within consisted of baskets, nets, fishing imple-
ments, and some red ochre, which last the natives use in anoint-
ing their bodies. Other natives were seen, but they all kept at
a distance.
Thursday the 24th, Sarmiento rejoined the ships in Port
Rertnejo, having been enabled, by birds, shell-fish, and herbs,
to prolong his absence to 1 3 days.
The brigantine Avas not yet quite finished. Some natives had
made their appearance in Port Bermejo, and the Spaniards had
seized and carried one on board the Almiranta, from whence he
contrived to make his escape ; and the natives at this place
had the prudence not to give the Spaniards fuch another op-
portunity.
As Sarmiento hoped to find a passage to the Strait of Magal- Third Boat
hanes among the canals and broken land which appeared to the ^P^ '''°"*
South East, he would not lofe time by waiting for the brigantine,
but renewed his examination, taking the boat of the Almiranta,
and the pilots Pablos and Lamero, with twelve mariners, and
provisions for ten days. He left Port Bermejo December
the 29th.
In
16 VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. In this expedition, Sarmiento penetrated by channels, which
1580. lie discovered towards the South Eaft and South Soutli Eaft, to>
January, ^j^g distance of above 30 leagues from Fort Bermeio ; his farther
Gulr (le la i i ■ i i i i • i
Trinidad, progress was prevented by the channel which he had navigated
to this extent, being found to terminate in a bay near the foot
of a ridge of snowy mountains, which seemed to be part of a
chain extending from North to South on the land to the East
of all the canals which were discovered. This bay, the utmost
limit of the discoveries made in the boat towards the South and
East, is named in the charts Ancoii sin salida (the bay or inlet
without thoroughfare).
The return Avas by a different route, and a great number of
channels and islands were discovered, but which did not forward,
the object of their examination. On a rocky island near the
Northern entrance of a canal, which was named the Canal de
S. Ester an, some sea otters* were seen.
Tuesday, January the 1 2th, Sarmiento arrived at Port Bcrmejoy
having been absent on this third excursion a fortnight, in the
whole of which he had not met a single native.
The Remarks which immediately follow are entirely geogra-
phical and nautical, and will probably be interesting ordy to
navigators, who may be desirous of more particular information
than is contained in the preceding narrative, and for whose use
they are designed. The difference of the type, as well as a notice
prefixed, will show where the narrative part of the voyage is
resumed.
* Nutrias. Sarmiento's journal, p. 156.
TROM PERU TO SPAIN. 17
Geographical and Nautical Descriptions of the Coasts, Harbours, ^^J^:^
Islands Sec. within the Gulf de la Santissima Trinidad, aiid the Nautical
Channels to the South. Frotn the Journal of P. Sarmiento. nemar s.
N. B. The bearings are all as taken by the compass ; but they were be-
lieved to be the true bearings. The distances were set down by esti-
mation. On comparing the charts with these descriptions, it will be
seen that some small conciliatory allowances were indispensable.
Wherever any material variation occurs, the case is particularly spe-
cified.
Remar-ks previous to the First Boat Expedition.
The outer capes which form the entrance of the Gulf de la S. Tri-
nidad, were named Cape Primero * (the First Cape) and Cape Tres
Puntas, and are distant from each other 6 [Spanish] leagues. Cape Cape
Primero is a high headland : Mhen seen at a distance from the SW, it i^nmero.
appears like an island. It lays North a little Eafterly from Cape Tres
Piuitas. Along the outer coast to the North from Cape Primero are
small islands.
From Cape Tres Puntas to Port Rosario, the distance is not spe-
cified : the first anchorage was .5 leagues within the outer capes, and the
circumstances lead to a helief (which has been adopted in the Spanish
charts) that Port Rosario is a small distance farther within the gulf.
Ronarks and Observations made in the First Boat Ejpcdition.
From P. Rosario, EbN i of a league, is a point named la Caiidc/aria : Point
midway in this distance an inlet runs in SEbS, near the entrance of
which are 23 islands.
From Point Candelaria EbS 600 paces [whether by the pace is
meant a single or double step is not explained], a large harbour runs in
to the South : the breadth of the entrance is not mentioned. Near the
NW point of this harbour the depth is 20 fathoms, clear bottom. On Poit
the Southern land within, is a mountain ; wherefore this port was named ut^'aiNiono.
Puerto de la Jllorro (the Harbour of the IMountain).
* In some charts this cape is named Cape Corso, probably after the pilot
Ant" Pablos Corso, who wrote a relation of the voyage, but which has not bceo
preserved.
Vol. II. D From
18 VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. From Puerto de la Morro, ESE f of a league, is a headland ; from
j^^^^^^l^^ thence the coast runs SE -^ of a league : and SEbS; 2 leagues farther, is
Remarks, a mountain named Fail de Azucar, (tlie Sugar Loaf). INlidway in the
Azucar. ^^^^ distance a bay runs in SSW.
From the Pan de Azucar, South half a league, is a round moun-
tain, and between these two mountains an inlet runs in to the SW,
Ancon del which was named Ancon del Sudueste (the South- weft Inlet), M'ith
"'"^^ ^' 22 fathoms depth, gravelly bottom at the entrance, near Avhich, on the
Northern side, is a small round island covered with trees ; and v/ithin
the inlet on the same side, and near the entrance, is a pool of still water,
in -which a ship may lay close to the shore moored head and stern.
From the entrance of the Ancon del Sudueste Eaft half a league, arc
some small islands ; and near to them, soundings at various depths from
15 to 40 fathoms. Towards the middle of the main stream of the gulf
(which in the journal is called the Canal Madre, i.e. the INIother Canal)
no bottom was found at the depth of 120 fathoms. A chain of rocks,
some of them above water, are mentioned here, but their situation is not
clearly described. In the middle of the Canal Madre, and it is said a
, J T^ leao-ue East of the rocks, is a small island M'hich was named /. de En
J. de En ° • i i
Medio, Medio, from whence a part of the open sea, without the entrance of the
gulf, was seen, bearing NWbW. To the SW of the island En Medio,
about a furlong distant {como un ahuste* de distancia) is a ledge of
rocks ; between which and the island is a channel with eight fathoms
depth.
From the Ancon del Sudueste, the coast lies SbE one league to a
Cane linked mountain : and thence SSE | of a league to a point named
Delgada. Delgada (which signifies Slender). Beyond Point Dclgada the main
canal takes a Westerly direction, and in it is a chain of islands laying
from each other NWbW and SEbE.
From Point Delgada, the shore runs one league SWbS, in Avhich
distance are two mountains, and to the SE of the Southern mountain is
a small bay. Nearly abreast this part, in the middle of the canal, is a
round island, and to the West of it are four other islands. These seem
to be the chain just before mentioned. The depth near them 40
fathoms.
* Ahmte, a cable's length. Forttiguese Dictionary/.
Three
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. ig
Three leagues farther SWbS [four from Point Delgada] is another chap. i.
point which was named del Brazo Ancho (of the Broad Canal). In j^^i'Tl
this distance are two large openings, with soundings near them from 50 Remarks,
to 20 fathoms, rocky bottom : South of, and near. Point del Brazo ^^^ "^'
Ancho, there is good bottom, depth from 34 to 15 fathoms. , Ancho.
Four leagues SWbS from P. del Brazo Ancho, is a point named Point
Galcotilla (which signifies a small Galley), and three leagues SWbS ^^leotilla.
from Point Galeotilla, is a point which was named Hocico de Caiman H^S'^° "^
^ Caiman,
(the Crocodile's Snout).
On the North side of the Hocico de Caiman is a port, with anchorage
from 14 to 7 fathoms. The coast continues half a league South West
from the Hocico to a point of land, to the NW of which is a good
harbour, within which is a red sandy beach ; and it was therefore named
Puerto Bermejo de la Concepcion. In this port there is secure anchorage Port
in depth from 6 to 9 fathoms, a clear sandy bottom, where vessels may ^^''^^jo-
lay protected from all winds ; and close to the shore is a good run of
fresh A\^ater. In the mouth of the harbour is a mountainous island, by
Avhich two entrances are formed. The entrance to the North East is
rendered the narrowest by a shoal Mhich runs off from the island : the
depth in this channel is 4 fathoms at low water. In the other entrance,
there was 7 fathoms depth, and the deepest part of the channel was near
the island.
From P. Bermejo, a continuation of the Canal Madre ran South West
6 leagues, where it joined the open sea, Avhich M'as clearly seen and
ascertained from the hills in Port Bermejo. This part of the main
Canal, or Canal Madre, was named Brazo de la Concepcion. Another Brazo de la
canal was seen, which ran in a WNW direction, and was supposed to cion'^^"
pass through to the open sea.
From Port Bermejo South West 3 leagues, is a low point Avhich M'as
named de la Anunciada ; and in the middle of this distance, a canal or Point
arm of the sea, a league and a half wide at its entrance, runs to the -^""Hciada.
WXW, which was named U/Y/co rfe/ Oe*/^e (the Western Canal). [This Brazo del
seems to be the canal which was seen from the hills in Port Bermejo.'] ^e.,te.
It may be supposed that there were more openings in the land between
Port Rosario and Point Anunciada than have been particularized; as
the journal describes the coast to be much broken and pierced by
canals ; in each of which were seen islands.
D 2 In
20 ' VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. In the first boat expedition, the Eastern coast of the Gulf was at too
Vr^':"*Y' o-reat a distance for minute description ; but the following remarks
iMautical &
Remarks, were made ;
Eastern NEbE from Point del Bra zo Ancho is an opening in the opposite
Shore of gi^o^e, M'hich is 3 leagues wide at its entrance, and runs NE towards
the GuU. ' ^ . „, . . ,-, • 17 7
a chain of snowy mountams. Ihis opening was likewise named del
Canal Brazo Ancho. To the North of its entrance, the coast of the Gulf
del Brazo ^^^^^^^ jj^ ^ North Westerly direction M'ith inlets and islands ' more than
Ancho. "^
' could be reckoned.'
Abra From the same Point del Brazo Ancho SEbS is an inlet, which was
CeiTof named Abra de Tres Cerros (Inlet of the Three Mountains).
From Point Galeotilla EbS 4 leagues, is an opening a league wide
r. 1 , at its entrance, which was named Canal de San Andres. Two leagues
Canal de i • i tvt i -n
S.Andres. North of this is another canal running to tlie JNorth East; and to the
West of its entrance, in the middle of the Canal Aladre, is a small
island.
The latitudes observed within the foregoing extent are inserted at the
end of the Geographical Remarks. They are to be regarded as more
liable to error than any other particulars of Sarmiento's survey.
Geographical Remarks made in the Second Beat E.vpedition.
From Point Anunciada, the coast runs i of a league SW, and
thence SWbW 2 leagues, but with two small bays in that distance, to
Point a point which was named Nacslra Sen'' de la Pena de Fraiicia (our
Francia. Lady of the Rock of France) : and near the point, there is a small
rock.
From Point Anunciada was seen, far out towards the sea, a higli cape
Cape ' °^ ^^^^ ^'"^'""^^ ^" ^^^ '^^^'' ^"^''^'■'"S" f'""'' Anunciada SVVbS a little
Santiago. Westerly, G leagues distant ; this cape was nameil Santiago.
From Point Anunciada, SE 2 leagues, is a small island, and beyond
it, a chain of 7 small islands, laying NE and SW, the whole occupying
a space one league and a half in length.
From Point Anunciada SbE a little Easterly, distant 5 leagues, in
Brazo de los ^]jg opposite sliore of the Brazo de la Concepcion, is a rocky ba}', M'hich
was named dc los Arrccifcs. From the SW point of tliis bay, to
the
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 21
the SSW, If league distant, is a small island, which was named San chap. i.
Buenaventura (Saint Goodfortune). A smaller island NbE half a \auticiil
leasriie from San Buenaventura, was named de Lobos, i. e. the Island Hemarks.
, ^ , • , r ^ • ^ ■ Islands
of Seals or Sea Calves ; some of those animals ot very large size bemg g Bueua-
seen there. Near the Isle de Lobos was found 8 fathoms depth, the ventura,aiid
bottom stony, with much sea weed ; a reef or ledge of rocks extended
from one to the other island. Cape Santiago bore from Lobos SWbS
distant about 4 leagues. [This bearing of Cape Santiago ill agrees with
the bearing taken from Point Anunciada, and places the Cape more to
the South].
In the land from the SW point of the bay de Arrecifes to abreast
Buenaventura Island, is a deep bay or inlet ; and about a league and Bay of S.
a half farther, is a point, and a bay which was named the bay of San '^^^^ ^^
Francisco. The Southern point of the bay was named Punta de la Point de
^ , ^ ' , "^ . , la Gente.
Gente ( Point of the People), because some natives were seen there.
To the South of P. de la Gente is another deep inlet, and the shore
is much broken. SSW one league from P. de la Gente, and near the
coast, are three small islands in a triangular position, which were
named la Dormida : they are East and West with the land of Cape^^^^^™^^
.Santiago.
From la Dormida SbW 3 leagues, and from Cape Santiago SE
Easterly 6 leagues, is a high mountain on an island which was named
Silla (the Saddle). Between Silla and the Eastern land was found a Wand Silla.
strong current or tide running from the North, and in the channel are
rocks and shoals M'hich extend if leaa;ue tOMards the grand canal. In
the Eastern land from abreast of la Dormida to abreast of Silla is a
large opening, with many small islands, rocks, and patches of sea weed.
Within half a league to the NW of Silla likewise are IS small islands;
and SVVbS from Silla one league, are breakers.
From Silla SV/bS 2 f leagues, is an island wliich was named i?oc« Island Roca
Partida. near the East side of which is good anchorage for small
vessels, Haifa mile from tiie shore, and opposite to a sandv beach ; the
depth is 7 fathoms, but the bottom is rocky. On the North pait of
tlie island, there is fresh M-ater and wood. Near the NE part are
rocks. The island is di;,lunt from the land to the East one league and
a half.
From
22 VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. From Roca Partida WSW 2 leagues, are two rocky islands, from
Nautical ^vbich a range of rocks and breakers extends a considerable distance to
Remarks, the West, likewise to the North and NE.
Cape From Roca Pa?'tida, Cape Santiago bears NNW ; and a high head-
s' Lucia, land, which was named Cape S'" Lucia, SWbS 5 leagues.
From Roca Partida towards S" Lucia, the sea is full of small islands
and rocks ; and about C leagues before arriving at Cape S'" Lucia, in
the land contiguous to it, is an opening that runs in to the SSW.
S^BJas^ which was named the Canal de San Bias; in the entrance are small
islands. This inlet was examined, and no passage through Aras found.
Bay of ENE from Roca Partida is a bay named Guadalupe. There are two
Cxuadalupe. . '
mlets m the bay ; one leads to the East, and one to tlie North. The
Northern inlet, after quitting the bay, divides into two branches ; one
leading Eastward ; the other runs in a serpentine direction towards the
NE 3 leagues, and turns short round WbS i league, and SW half a
league, where it again meets the open sea, a league from the Bay of
Guadalupe, and nearly opposite to the Island Silla.
Geographical ReiJiarks made in the Third Boat E.vpedition.
From Poi't Bermejo SEbJi^ 2 leagues, is an island one league in length
Inocentes. from NNW to SSE, which was named los Inocentes, and 4 leagues
p . farther to the SE is a point on the Eastern shore of the Brazo de la
S.Juan. Concepcion, which was named &<« Jifm«.
From los Inocentes SSE is a large canal ; and NE from the same
island is anotlier.
On the North side of Point S. Juan is a bay ; and a league NE from
the Point is the entrance of an inlet [in the journal erroneously sup-
posed to be the Canal de S. Andres'].
A channel, wide at the beginning, runs to the SE from .S'. Juan ; but
one league and a lialf from that point, tlie canal narrows to onl}' 300
paces across. Behind a point on the North side is a good port, with
Port del 20 fathoms deptli, sandy bottom ; which was named del Ochavario
Ochavario. ^Poj-t of the Octagon), fieyond Ochavario, the canal widens again,
forming a bay on the Eastern side, wherein are islands covered with
2 ' trees ;
FROM PERU TO SPAIN.
23
Puerto
Bueno.
trees ; and 2 leagues SSE from the narrowest part, is an island wliicli chap, u
was named de dos Canales, because by it two channels are formed ; one j ^^ ^^^
leading to the SSE; the other SbW. A Point 3 leagues within the Canales.
latter channel was named San Estevan. Estevan.
The SSE canal was navigated. At the end of the first league is a
point which was named San Antonio : on the North side of this point, Point S.
an opening or arm of the sea runs Eastward towards the snowy moun-
tains, and divides into various branches.
The Isle de dos Canales is about one league in extent from North to
South. South of it is land intersected by channels, which join the
Canal de San Estevan with the SSE Canal.
The latter was followed Ijy the boat in a direction varying between
the South and SSE. In the Eastern shore are inlets or arms of
the sea leading towards a range of high mountains : and in the same
shore about 1 1 league from Point S. Antonio, is a large bay with good
anchorage, 5 to 9 fathoms, which was named Piiej^to Bueno.
In the middle of the SSE Canal there is great depth of M'ater, in
some parts 50 fathoms, and in other parts no bottom was found with
much length of line. Several points, islands, and bays are particularised
in Sarmiento's journal, which have been attended to and marked with
their names in the chart annexed to this account of the voyage.
The breadth of the channel is in general about one league ; but in
one part it is contracted to one-third of that breadth.
In the Western shore, about l8 leagues distant from Poitit San
Antonio is a point which projects far out, and was named S" Catalina.
The Canal is joined here by another from the NE. To the SW is a
large bay ; and SE from S'" Catalina, the sea is spread 4 leagues in
width.
On the SW side of, and near to. Point S'" Catalina is a small bay ;
and from that bay, SEbS 3 leagues, is a headland and mountain
which was named de Ano Nuevo (of the New Year). This headland Cape and
extends half a league East and West; to the Eastward the shore rounds ^j^ojnJ^,^;^,^^
to the SE and SSE, making small bays ; and about a league from the
Cape, a river that descends from the mountain runs into the sea.
Eastward from this river is an opening which appears like the entrance
of a large canal, being <i leagues Avide, but Avhich turns to the North,
and,
Point
Sw Catalina
24 VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
c H A p. I. and, at the end of one league in that direction, terminates ; proving to
Nautical ^^ ^ ^^Y without any thoroughfare, which is expressed by the name
Remarks. Ajicon sin Saliiia given to it. The sea here approaches close to the foot
Salida. °^ '-^^ snowy mountains. In the bay are four islands, the most Western
of which is nearly two leagues distant from the land of Jno Nuevo.
In the coast West from Aiio Niievo, within two or three leagues of
that cape, are three bays. In the first there is 8 and lO fathoms depth.
,T Near the Westernmost bay is a mountain M'hich was named de la
Mount •'
Oracion. Oracion (the Mountain of Prayer), from the top of which was seen, to
the West, a broad and strait arm of the sea running in a direction NNW
and SSE ; and, communicating with it, a bay, in which are 33 islands.
A salt marsh only divides this arm of the sea from that which the boat
had been exailiining ; and at high tide this marsh is covered with suffi-
cient depth of water for boats to pass over.
NW half a league from the bay de la Oracion, are small rocks, where
Pcnas de the latitude M'as observed 52° S. These rocks were named Ptnus de
Altura. AUura (Rocks of the Latitude).
From this part, the boat returned tOAvards the North ; and thus far
the discoveries made by Sarmiento in his boat expeditions may be traced
in uninterrupted connection. The sequel of his account, to his rejoin-
ing the ships in Poi'f Bermejo, is less intelligible ; some of the distances
are omitted, and there appear to be mistakes in the printed copy. Tlie
journalist was at the pains of setting down all the bearings double, that
is to say, of giving both the opposite points of bearing; an addition of
trouble which, instead of being recompenced by any convenience, has
created doubt in many cases, where M'ith the single bearing the mean-
ing would have been perfectly clear. Instances of this will be seen.
From tlie Penis de Allura, the boat kept near the Western shore, and
the first day M'ent 7 leagues towards the North. They continued
(rowing) to the North a jjart of the next day [neither the length of
time nor distance is sjjccificd, but as they did not sail, the distance was
probably short], and then quitted the canal by whicli tl\ey had o-one
Southward, and turned into another which led Westwartl to an arcni-
pelago of small islands and rocks that lie spread over a space that was
judged to extend io leagues across.
At the end of the first league in this Westerly direction, is a point on
the
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 35.
the South shore which was named Punta delOestc (West Point). From chap., i.
Pnnta del Oeste, the shore turns towards the WSW 2 leagues to the ^^j^T^^TTT^
entrance of the arm of the sea, which was discovered iVom the top Remaiks.
of Mount de la Oracion, ^^^ Ocijie
The printed journal says, ' from Punta del Oeste we navigated by
* the middle of the archipelago 3 leagues to the East,* to some islands
' which we named de LobosJ The ' East' here is e\idently a mistake, jj;]ps
(probably of the press) and West may without scruple be substituted, de Lobos-
since it appears, as well in the sequel as by the part preceding, that
Sarmiento was then going Westward.
From the Lsks de Lobos, Weft and WNW 3 leagues, is a knot cv
cluster of many islands ' large and small.' The journal says, ' From
.* the last small island of this archipelago, NE, SW, at the distance of
' one league and a half, is a high cape of land, which was named
' Nuestra Scnora de la Victoina : — seen in this direction, it has the C. de la
' appearance of being the outermost land towards the sea^' Cape de la Victoria.
Victoria consequently must be SW from the island. To the NE is a
cape, which Avas named JV" Sen" de las Virtudes (Our Lady of the C. de !as
•Virtues). Two leag-ues WNW from the last-mentioned small island, .. _;"
^ ^ . . _ Mount San
is a bay or creek, near to a mountain mIucIi was named Sa?i Jusepe. Jusepe.
The journal here presents another difficulty : it sa3-s, ' Cape N" Sen" Difficulty in
' de la Victoria lays NbW, SbE, with Mount S. Jusepe, having ijg. Sanniento's
' tween them 2 IcagueB clear breadth of channel : and another Gape
* more without [towards the sea] vvhich was named de Santa Isabel,
' hes with' Mount San Jusepe NWbN, SEbS,t with 4 It-agues of
' canal bet\\een. The land of Cape de la Victoria is a separate island
' from the land of .S'" Isabel, and in the channel between them aie
' many small islands and rocks.'
The last bearings in the foregoing paragraph must be erroneous; for
otherwise Cape de la Victoria and Cape S'" Isabel.i\\ui,t be placed to the
North o^ Mount San Jusepe, which would contradict many positions in
the preceding part of tlie journal. The constructors of the Spanish charts,,
*■ Viage al Estrecko,poT P. SarmlciUo, p. 149. .
•{• Ibid, p, 151.
Yoi, II. S:. whethe;-
26
VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I.
Nautical
Remarks.
Cape Sta
Isabel.
Mount
Trigo.
Mount de
la Zorra.
whether from other authority or from their own judgment, have placed
S" Isabel to the South and Westward of Mou?it San Jttsepe, and there
appears good reason for following their example. It is probable that ia
the printed journal the bearings have been set down by mistake NWbN,
SEbS, instead of NEbN. SWbS.
From Mount San Jusepe, a Cape which is a continuation of tlic
land of Cape S'" Lucia, bears WSW 4 leagues ; between which and
S" Lucia there are two great bays with many small islands and rocks.
From San Jusepe the boat went to the NE about 6 leagues, by a con-
tinued length of coast, passing many small islands in that distance, to
a bay which is WSW from Cape N. S. de las Firiudes. Between this
bay and the Cape are two inlets with smali islands ; and beyond Cape
de las Virtudes, another large inlet or opening leads towaids the North.
From the same Cape, a Canal is open to the NE.
About 3 leagues ENE from Cape de las Virtudes, the boat took
shelter from a North wind, in a Bay, near a mountain which had been
seen in the progress outward, and was named Trigo, which signifies
Wheat, the surface of the mountain having an appearance like a field
of wheat. This bay of Mount Trigo is near tlie South entrance of the
Canal de San Estevan, the ' first point' of which lies NbW i league
from the bay. The canal from thence runs North one league, and
afterwards NbW ; and is about a league wide. On the Eastern side,
2| leagues from Mount Trigo, there is another mountain, which was
named de la Zorra (the Fox Mount) on account of a patch of snow
on its SW side, resembling the figure of that animal. In the coast
fronting Mount de la Zorra, is a bay with anchorage from 30 to lo
fathoms.
The observations which were made for the latitude in the conise of
these intricate navigations, may not be admitted to contribute towards
forming a chart, except in their general results, the instruments and
methods of computation of that time being so defective. It is, how-
ever, to be remarked of these observations, that they have a more just
correspondence with each other than is to be found in the obser-
vations which were made at sea daring the same voyage. They are
as follows : -
Port
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. §7
Pflrf llo$aiio - .---._ 5o»
Between /. de En Medio, and the entrance of el Brazo Ancho 50
Port Bermejo - - - in full - - - 50
Island Roca Partida - - - - - -51
Near the entrance of the Canal de S. Bias - - -51
Near Point San Marcos
C51
l51
o'S
C H A p. I.
eo
30
Nautical
Remaike.
10
15
0
15
>
0
Penas de Altura, near Mount Oracion - - - - 52
The charts of Sanniento most probably have perished. In the Spanish Chart of the
chart of the Southern part of South America, published in 17S8 M'ith^^l'^5''^
the Relacion del Ultimo Viage al Estrecho, the Gulf de la Santissima''
T^'inidad, and the channels from thence to Cape Santa Ysabel, are
professedly laid down from the relation given by Sarmiento,* -without
assistance from any original chart. The Spanish chart of 1798 varies
in some particulars from that of 1788, and on the authority of later
information concerning the position of the outer coast. In the chart
of 1798 is drawn the track of a ship Avith the date 1793. This track is
at too preat a distance from the coast for the purpose of a correct
sojrvey, but sufficiently near for describing its general direction. Both
the charts preserve the names imposed by Sanniento; and within the
Gulf no other namCs are inserted than those found in his journal, nor
has it been attempted to fill up parts which he has left undescribed.
The most materiab variation between the two Spanish charts is in the
positions given to the Capes S" Lucia and S" Ysabel M'ith respect to
Cape Tres Pitntas. The earliest of the two charts, by closely adhering
to Sarmiento's journal, places Cape S'" Lucia to the West of the
meridian o^ Cape Tres Puntas. The cliart of 1798, on the authority
♦©f actual aljsei'vation, places S'" Lucia the Eastern of the two capes.
This has been followed in the chart Constructeil for the present account :
the latitude of Cape Tres Puntas has likewise been taken from the
chart of 1708; and M'here the journal has appeared obscure or defec-
tive, the Spanish charts have been consulted. Tlie variations produced:
by diflferent iuterpTCtations Or applications of Sarmiento's te.xt are.
Dot many.
* XJU. Tiage al Estrecho, p. i6S,.
E a No
28 VOTAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. 1. No account has appeared of any European having been withui the
^, — '-T—' Gulf since the voya<;e of Sarmiento, thouoh its situation mav be
Chart ot the , , , , , , • , ^ , ,.;, ,
Gulf de supposed to have attracted those employed in the Southern Whale
S^ Trinidad, fishery.*
A chart constructed from the materials which have been mentioned,
must present a very imperfect outline or sketch of this archipelago.
The positions of particular points may be marked from description with
the correctness of actual survey; but tlic windings or irregularities of
intermediate portions of coast cannot be drawn with much pretension
to accuracy by any other then an eye-M'itness. Croupes of islands,
likewise, may be spread over the spaces assigned to them in a journal;
but it most frequently happens that no other than general information is
given respecting the number, their sizes, shapes, and relative positions :
either, therefore, there must be omissions, or these particulars must in
many instances be supplied by conjecture or fancy. Whoever with
such a guide may have to approach a coast, should keep these con-
siderations in mind, and by no means should neglect to consult the
journals or written directions. In fact, it is always incumbent on the
^ navigator, as a general precaution, to endeavour to become acquainted
with the circumstances under which the chart he uses was constructed.
The length to which the foregoing Geographical Remarks have been
extended will not be thought unreasonable, when it is considered that
there is not known to exist any other account of this archipelago than
what is furnished by the journal of Sarmiento. The whole which was
examined by him to the North of the Strait of Magalhanes, is by some
called the Archipelago de Chonos ; Chonos, it is said, being the name
"by which some native tribes inhabiting that part of the American coast
are known.
* It is known that they have visited the outer coast. Mr. Arrowsmith has in his
possession a chart of a ])ort on the West side of America in latitude 51° 30' S, with
a sketch of the coast contiguous, which was received from a vessel employed in
the Whale fishery. Many inlets are marked in it, and therein it agrees with the
general character of the coast as described by Sarmiento. No soundings are laid
down, and little labour seems to have been bestowed in drawing the outline of the
Coast. The harbour in which the vessel anchored seems to be the Canal de San
Bias. In other respects, this chart has less resemblance than might have been
expected to the descriptions in Sarmicnto's journal ; and it is not easy to identify
any other part.
Narrative
FROM PERU TO SPAIN.
. Narrative of the Voyage continued.
When Sarmiento returned to tlie ships, the brigantine was 1580.
completed. During this last absence, the Almirantc, Villalobos, in Poi'T
had ordered the daily allowance of bread to the ship's conipa- ^*^i™«j^-
nies to be increased from 10 ounces to a pound for each man.
The journal accuses him, apparently with reason, of having done
this with a view to the more speedy consumption of the pro-
visions, that necessity might oblige the ships to return to Chili. •
Sarmiento immediately reformed this abuse, and reduced the
allowance to the former establishment.
On the 17th, the General held a council, at which were pre-
sent the Almirantc and all the pilots. The pilots were require4
to give their opinions whether they thought it most adviseable
to continue the search for a passage to the Strait of Magalhanes
among the canals of the Archipelago, or to sail for the Strait by
the open sea. Each of the pilots delivered separately his opinion
in writing, subscribed with his name, and they are inserted
in the journal. The pilot major, Hernando Laniero, remarked
that two months had been expended among the canals, and
therefore advised to proceed by the open sea. Anton Pablos
observed, in his reply, on the dangers of storms and of a rocky
coast in the outer passage ; that if the coast should be obscured
by the weather, they must seek for the Strait by the latitude,
' a thing not visible to the eyes,' and if they should not get an .
observation, the risk would be great : he likewise expressed ap_
prehensions for the safety of the brigantine, if the weather
should be stormy : for these reasons he advised that they should
try for a passage ' by the canal discovered on the right hand'
[by which it is probable he meant the canal discovered from
Mount de la Oracio?!^. The advice of Hernando Alonso was,
to remove the ships to Puerto Bueno, and from thence to
send
so VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAT. I. send the brigantine to discover for them a passage to the
] 580. Strait.
January. rjij^g opinion of the Almirante, though not dehvered in writing,
Bermejo. is hkewise entered in the journal, where it is said that he advised
the leaving one ship in Tori Bermejo, whilst the other went to
seek the Strait : Avhich advice helped to confirm the belief of his
tinwillingness to proceed in the expedition.
Sarmicnto gave a preference to the advice of H. Laniero, and
determined for the outer passage.
Piobability jt ]§ to be'obserVed, that in the progress towards the SE in the
of channels , . , -p> -n t a o
commiini- thud Boat Expedition, several openings which led Eastward
thesfrairof^^^''^ passed without being entered. All the passages and
3Iagalhanes channels seen conld not have been examined by a single boat
under a great length of time. In fact, it is not easy to point
but an infallible method for ascertaining to wha.t extent any
inlet of the sea penetrates into a land. The method most ob-
tiotiS to be adopted, when it is determined not to admit any
thing upon conjecture, is, to trace from the entrance of the inlet
one of the shores in a continued unbroken line in all its windinsrs,.
imtil it retntns to the sea. If the coast thus traced proves td
be an island, it will be necessary to make a second experiment
from the entrance alontg the other shore of the inlet, which
likewis'e may prove an island, and the determination of the main
question be still distant. This would frequently happen in such
a maz^e as that in which Sarmiento was en2;ao;ed. Sarmiento,
however, acted upon h. belief that the range of mountains to the
East of the channels navigated by him, were continental land ;
and he thence concluded that none of the inlets which he saw
to 'the North of the Ajicon sin salida, could communicate with
tht; Strait of Magalhanes. This point will possibly at some
-futttre period be fully investigated. BetA\'ccn Mount de la^
Oracion and Cape S" Isabel, there is reason to expect that- a
passage may be found leading into the Strait ; and this opinioi\
6 we
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. si
we see was entertained by the pilots who were with Sanniento; chi^p. r.
in favour of which, the shortness of the distance, and the inlets • 1580.
which are known to exist in the North shore of the Strait, J*'^"^''/-
hitherto unexamined by Europeans, are strong arguments.
Whilst the ships were in Fort Bermejo, observations were in Port
made on shore to discover if the compass had any variation, ^'"'"'y'^-
The following singular account is given of this experiment.
' In this port P. Sarmiento drew a meridian line on shore, and Sajmiento's
• 1 1 1-11 • 1 > opinion c<n-
* exaniined the sea compasses, and oiled, repaired, and putceming the
* them in order ; because with the storms and the damps they ^^"^^^'on-
* had received much damage. And let it be noticed by every
' one, that those which were well oiled had neither North
* Easting nor North Westing, but only that half point whida
' the needles, in fluctuating, vary from the point of the Fleur-
* de-hs. And it is the opinion of those who are not muck ex-
* perienced, to affirm that there is North Easting or North
* Westing, although the compass be well oiled and well finished ;
* and Avhen there is found any error which appears to produce
* variation in the needle, the secret is of some other nature
* which admits of remedy; and it is proved not only in this
* instance, but by habitual experience.'*
* Fiage al Estrecho, por el Capit. P. de Sarmiento, p. 162. The fact that the
compass had no variation in Port Bermejo in Sarmiento's time, is in a great
measure confirmed by observations of later date taken sufficiently near to the same
place. Sir John Narborongh observed the variation in the Western entrance of
the Strait of Magalhanes in 1670, to be 14° 10' Easterly; and Capt. Wallis, iu
1767, found the variation there 23" East, which shows an increase of one degree
in eleven years. In December 1793, the variation was observed in sight of Cape
Trcs Puiitasai' 30' East. Admitting the rate of increase in the Gii/fde Trinidad
to have been the same as at the entrance of the Strait, the variation there at the
time of Sarmiento's voyage must have been very small. It is, however, extraor-
dinary that Sarmiento, who had been practised in long navigations, should have
been so ill iufonned oa a point at that time so well established as tlic variation of
the needle.
Thursday.
52 VOYA'GE OF P. SARMIENTO
c n A p. 1.
Thursday, January the 21st. The two ships, with the brigan»-
"T^So'^ tine, which was navigated by the pilot H. Alonso and seven other
January n^en^ jeft Port Bermejo. The wind was from the NW, and
The ships stormy, as it was observed generally to be when from that
Bemejo', quarter. About the point of Santiago, the Capitana took the
brigantine in tow, and kept close to the wind to avoid being
near the shoals and rocks of Za Roca Pariida ' which are many
and extend far out.' As night came on, the wind veered more
The Westerly, blowing from the "NYNW. The Almirante dropped
Almiiante ^gtern, and did not keep to the wind so well as the ship of the
Commander in chief, and it was apprehended that she would not
be able to weather Cape S'^ Lucia. The Capitana shewed lightsj
which at first were answered, but the ship of Villalobos conti-
nued visible only a short time after it became dark, and it was
believed that he had stood back towards Cape Santiago or for
Port Bermejo. The remaining part of the night was spent
by Sarmiento in standing backwards and forwards on different
tacks ; but during that time the gale increased, and the people
in the brigantine called out that their vessel was sinking, and
desired to be taken on board the ship. The sea being high
rendered it dangerous for the brigantine to be drawn alongside,-
but by means of ropes with buoys or planks fastened to them^
and such other assistance as could be given, the people quitted
the brigantine and were taken into the ship, one man exceptexl
The who had belonged to the Almirante, who missing his hold, was
abandontd. ^^"""^^"cd. The brigantine was then cast loose.
sad. Friday the 2 2d. The gale continued the whole of this day,,
veei'lng between the North and the West. The ship M^as kept
close to the Avind, sometimes on one tack, sometimes on ther
ather ; and no land was seen.
23^ Saturday the 23d. Early in the morning, land was seen to
the East, with many rocks and breakers near it, not more than
two leagues distant from the ship. This land Avas supposed to-
ba
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. S3
he an Island, and named Santa Ines. The wind dying away, chap. i.
they were in some apprehension of being thrown by the swell of 1580.
the sea upon the rocks ; but a renewal of the bi-eeze enabled garmiemo
the ship to clear and ' pass M'ithin' a Cape of S'" Ines, Avhich enters the
was named Cape Espiritu Santo, and which by the reckoning of Magalhane*
Pedro Sarmiento, was South, distant 1 8 leagues from Cape
S'" Lucia. A broad clear channel appeared leading towards the
South East ; and the ship, after sailing two leagues within Cape
Espiritu Santo, anchored in 15 fashoms, in a Bay which was
named Port de la Misericordia.
It was late in the evening when they entered the port, and - ^*'''^ ^^ '*
° ' ' Misencor-
they had anchored in the outer part. In the night the weather dia.
became stormy, and they were so straitened in their situation,
that they could not venture to move the ship, but were obliged to
remain eight days at an anchorage badly sheltered from Northerly
winds, which blew fresh the whole of that time. The bottom was
of clay and good holding ground, and three small islands lay
to the North, but at too great a distance to afford much shelter.
The latitude of Port Misericordia they reckoned ' full' 53° f S.
and from an eclipse of the moon which was observed in the
night of January the 31st, it was computed, rather unfortunately
for the credit of the observation, that they were to the West of
the Meridian of Lima.
February the 2d. Sarmiento sailed from Port Misericordia to Febniary.
another port 3 leagues to the SE (on the same Island S" Lies), Candelaria.
which was named Port de la Candelaria. Here it Avas proposed
to stop the remainder of the time which had been appointed
for the ships to wait for each other near the entrance of the
Strait.
From the circumstances just related, it seems clear that the Ports
Misericordia and Candelaria, are in the Southern shore of the
Strait of Magalhanes, and they may be considered as the first ports
on that side, within the Western entrance, which afford shelter.
Vol. II. F The
34 VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. The Cape Bspiritu Santo of Sarmiento must aceordingly be the
1 580. Cape Pilares of the present chart *.
sl'^ait^'f '^^^^ second day the ship was in Poi^t Candelaria, some natives
Magalhanes Avere seen on a hill, who called aloud to the Spaniards, and were
in like manner answered. The pilot Alonso v/as sent on shore to
them with presents. The natives shewed him a small flag of
European linen ; and by the signs they made, it was understood
that two ships, with men who had beards, and who were dressed
and armed like the Spaniards, either had been or then were in
some port to the Soxith East. Sarmiento conjectured that these
were the two ships which had entered the South Sea the year
before with Drake. After this communication, the Indians
departed, making signs that in a short time they would come
again. The same day, the ceremony of taking possession of the
country was performed, a testimonial of which was drawn up in
writing, wherein it is set forth that Pedro Sarmiento took pos-
session of this port and territory for Philip the 2d King of Spain
and of the Indies, ' without contradiction from the natives of
the said land.'
Priday the 5th. The natives, agreeable to their promise,
again made their appearance. Sarmiento sent a boat, in which
went the pilot Alonso, the Standard-bearer, and others, with
instructions to bring some of them to the ship. Three natives
were taken, not indeed ' without contradiction," as they fought
and struggled for their release to the utmost of their power, but
* In a Spanish Chart of the Strait of Magalhanes published in 1769, con-
structed by D. Juan de la Cruz Cano y Olniedilla, the Island S'" Ines, with the
Ports de la Misericordia and Candelaria, are laid down in the North shore of the
Strait ; and the geographer has endeavoured with much ingenuity of contrivance
to make the shape of the coast correspond with that hypothesis. The Spanish
survey of 1786 (published in 17SS), which was made with the best opportunities,
has placed Port Candelaria on the Southern side ; with which decision all the cir-
cumstances related in Sarmiento's voyage entirely agree : but the Ca?idelaria of the
latter chart seems to be the Port de la Misericordia of Sarmiento.
in
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. SS
in vain: they were carried on board, and Sarmiento so far sue- chap. i.
ceeded in reconciling them to their new situation, that they ate "^"T^g^*"^
and drank, and assumed an appearance of chearfuhiess. February.
It is pretended that at Fori cle hi Candelaria no one in the iNia^alhanes
ship except the General believed they had yet found the Strait
of Mogalhanes ; and that the pilots remonstrated against pro-
ceeding, which they said wovdd be to tempt God. This, with
the General's answer expressing his resolution to persevere, is
entered in the journal.
Saturday the 6th. Which was a fortnight from the time of
entering the Strait, in the journal called 15 days, no hope being-
entertained that the Almiranta would again join company,
Sarmiento determined not to wait longer in this Port. Accord-
ing to the constant tenor of the journal, the whole of the conduct
of Villalobos betrayed such a want of alacrity, and so much
unwillingness to proceed in the imdertaking, that the General Account
seems to have acted remissly in not removing him from hisT, °^*'j?
•' ° Froceedings
command- Notwithstanding these representations, some writers of the
r\ 1 1 Tl 1 1*0 Tl fr 51
of that time, who notice the voyage, do not charge Villalobos
•\S' ith having designedly separated from Sarmiento. Jos. Acosta*,
who received his information from the pilot of the Almiranta,
Hernando Lamero, laj^s the blame of the separation on the
Capitana for not carrying a good light. Villalobos afterwards
went in quest of his commander, and was forced from the coast
and to the South, by a storm which lasted three days. In 56° S,
he sailed to the East, expecting to fall in with the land ; but -
not finding any, it was concluded that to the South of the Strait
the coast turned towards the Eaft. In returning to the North,
the ship came in sight of the entrance of the Strait, but Villa-
lobos then allowed himself to be persuaded by his people that
the season was too far advanced for continuing in so high a
* Jos. Acosta. Hist. Nat. y Mar. de lat Indias. lib. 3. cap. :i.
F 2 latitude,
36 VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
1580.
CHAF. I. latitude, and he sailed on for Chili. Argensola relates,* that
in his return he stopped at the Island Mocha, where he obtained
provisions from the natives, and afterwards invited the Caciques
or Chiefs to an entertainment on board. They accepted the in-
vitation, and as soon as they were in the ship, Villalobos got under
sail and carried his deluded guests, 30 of the principal people of
the Island, prisoners to Chili.
Sarmiento To return to Sarmiento, Leaving Port Candeldria, three
Eastward, leagues SEbE from thence, he passed a harbour, beyond which,
February, ^wo leagues to the ESE, h^ entered another, which the Indian
prisoners on board pointed out as the place where the ships and
bearded people before described by them had been, and had
taken on board fresh water. This port was by the Indians called
Sta Monica, Ciiaviguilgua, but by Sarmiento it was named S" Monica. It is
sheltered from all winds, with depth of water from 20 to 22
fathoms, a clear sandy bottom. I'hree leagues NE from this
port, and near the opposite side of the Strait, is an Island which
was named S'" Ana. This remark in the journal ascertains, that
Sarmiento had thus far navigated the Strait by the Southern
shore, and that the S" Monica and S'" Ana mentioned by him,
are the same Port and Island which appear so named in the
chart of 1788.
The careful surveys which have in later times been made of
the Strait of Magalhanes, and the superiority of the instruments
employed, render it unnecessary to trace closely the sequel of
the navigation of P. Sarmiento.
No strange ships were found in Santa Monica, nor is any ad-
ditional circumstance noticed that shows Europeans had been
there before. Nothing therefore being found to detain the
ship, they left that port on the 7th, and proceeded towards the
* Conq. de las Malucas, lib. '3.
East
TROM PERU TO SPAIN. 37
East entrance of the Strait, navigating generally by day, and chap, i:
passing the nights, unless prevented by accident, at anchor in 1580.
1 , February.
some bay or port. Strait of
The 8th, some fires were observed on an Island near to -which Magalhanes
the ship passed, which sight caused the natives who were pri-
soners in the ship, to weep and make lamentations. The journal,
with a simplicity bordering on stupidity, has attributed these
lamentations to apprehensions entertained by the prisoners, lest
the people who made the fires should attack and killthem ; adding,
' but we consoled them by making signs that we would defend
* them and kill the other natives.'* An Island on which Sarmiento
landed this day, was remarked for being almost covered M'ith a
fruit of a dark colour, Avhich resembled small grapes.
The 9th. Some natives with their canoes were seen at an island de
Island which, in the present charts, is named de Carlos III. The Carlos 111.
Pilot Alonso was sent there with a boat and armed crew. He
entered a good harbour, within which he found a village. The
natives, who were people of large stature, on seeing the boat
approach, sunk their canoes, and retreated to a hill, from whence
they called to the Spaniards to land. The Spaniards likewise
called and made signs to the natives to come to the water side ;
but neither party would put trust in the other. The Spaniards,
in anger at their disappointment, and believing that the Indians
were waiting in ambuscade with intention to attack them if they
should land, fired their muskets. Some of the women on shore
immediately set up a great cry, upon which the Spaniards dis-
continued firing, and returned to the ship, taking with them one
of the Indian canoes.
Many whales, seals, and porpoises, were seen in this part of
the Strait.
Thursday, February 1 1th. The ship anchored in a bay which
Sarmiento named Bahia de la Gente (Bay of the People], but
* Viage al Estrecho, por Sarmiento, p. 209.
Avhich
-88 VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
t H A P. 1. Avliich has since been named Puerto clc Hamhre, or Tort Famine.
1580. At this place t'.vo large and fat deer (venados) were shot, but
sSrot" °"^-^ ^"^ "^ ^^'^"'' t'^k<-'J^ '• these animals are not described in the
Magalhanesjournal. In the woods were parrots, parroquets, goldfinches and
other singing birds. A river Avliich empties itself in the bay,
River de was named de San Juan. Near its entrance, Sarmiento erected
a cross in a situation visible to any ship that might pass.
Some natives here came in a friendly manner to the Spaniards,
and it was their peculiar good fortune to experience friendly
treatment in return, and no molestation. The next day they
came again, with their women and children, and brought the
Spaniards a present of seal ilesh, sea birds, some berries ; and
a flint, with a piece of metallic earth, with which they struck
fire, using for tinder some feathers ^vhich they had brought for
that purpose. This visit was interrupted by the appearance of
, smoke in the woods, which caused great consternation among
the natives, and made them apprehend the approach of some
other tribe. The fire, however, had been kindled by the
Spaniards to melt wax or pitch, but they were unable to
make this comprehended by the natives, or to prevent their
sudden departure.
At the river de San Juan the ceremony of taking possession
was performed. An account of the discoveries made in the
Gulf de Trinidad, and a written declaration of the act of pos-
session, were put in an earthen jar, the mouth of which was
stopped up and waxed, to secure the contents from damp. This
jar was buried at the foot of the cross, and on the cross was
carved a notice to search underneath.
A copy of this declaration fills above ten pages of the printed
journal. With it was interwoven an order for Villalobos, di-
recting him, if it should come to his hands, to return to Peru,
and inform the Viceroy that the Capitana had proceeded towards
Spain, and that she had arrived at this Bay with all the people
3 ahve
TROM PERU TO SPAIN. 39
alive who sailed in her from Lima. The names of the officers, chap. i.
soldiers, and mariners, are inserted, 44 in number: the remainder 1580.
of the ship's company being servants, mulattoes, or Indians, February.
their names were not deemed Avorthy the same honour. The Magalhanes
most remarkable part of this declaration is the following notice
formally given for changing the name of the Strait. " Be it Attempt to
*' known to all men, that to make this Voyage and Discovery, ^ , 'e^YtJf
" we chose for our advocate and patroness, our most serene Strait.
" Lady the Virgin Santa Maria, conformably to the instruction
" of his excellency (the Viceroy of Feru). For which reason,
" and for the Avonders which through her intercession have been
" wrought in our behalf, the name of the Strait de la
*' Madre de Digs is given to this Strait heretofore called
*' de Magallanes."*
It would perhaps be regarding this piece of vanity with too
much severit}", to suppose that it proceeded from a Avish to
detract from the reputation of Magalhanes ; but it appears
with peculiar ill grace in Sarmiento, Avho in this particular has
been treated with great respect by subsequent navigators. More
of the names imposed by him remain unaltered in the charts,
than of any other of the early navigators f. Posterity, however,
has. not countenanced the injustice designed against Magalkanes,
and the Strait continues, and will probably long continue, to be
distinguished by his name.
After sailing from this ba}'", some natives of large stature were
seen on the coast opposite (of Tierra ddfuego). The standard-
bearer was sent with an armed party, with orders to biino- one
of them on board. When the boat arrived at the shore, the
natives laid down their arms, and began singing and jumping
with their hands extended aloft. ' The standard-bearer made
* Sai'^nitnto's journal, ip. i^g.
•f Besides the names in the Gulf de la Tibiidad, above So names given by
Sarmiento are to be found in tiie chart of the last survey of the Strait of
Magalhanes.
* the
40 VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
c HA p. T. ' the same signals of peace,' on which the natives came to the
1580. boat, and the Spaniards executed their intention by seizing one
Stra^rof ^^ them. The rest took directly to their arms, which were bows
Blagalhanes and arrows, and attacked the Spaniards, who in the hurry of
their embarkation lost two muskets, and the ship's steward was
wounded in the eye with an arrow. The natives, however, were
not able to rescue their countryman. When taken to the ship,
the Spaniards used their endeavours to comfort and inspire him
with confidence, which he appeared to take in good part, but he
refused to eat all that day and night.
This part of the coast was without mountains and level : the
soil was clay, and rabbits like those of Caftile burrowed in the
earth.
Bay de In a bay which was named de San Gregorio, Sarmiento landed
legoiio.^^j^j^ some of his people, and they were attacked by four na-
tives, who wounded several, and among them the General in
the face with an arrow, but not dangerously. Sarmiento men-
tions, on the information given by one of his Indian prisoners,
that the country in this part of the Strait produces cotton.
Near the Eastern entrance of the Strait, two places are remarked
by Sarmiento, which appeared to him well adapted for defending
the passage. These are at the narrowest parts, and he proposes
that forts should be constructed on each side. The Westernmost
Angostura of these places was named the Amyostura * de San Simon : the
de San ■
Simon, breadth is here one geographical league and a half. The
Eastern, which is the narrowest part of the Strait, was named
Angostura Angostura de la Msperanza, Avhere Sarmiento estimated the
Esperanza. distance across to be ' less than half a [Spanish] \eng\\e.'-\-
* Angostura signifies narrow ; and some of the English charts name these
parts of the Strait, The Narrows.
■f Sarmicnto's Journal, p. S72. The Derrotero (Directory) to the Chart of 1788,
says the breadtli of the Strait at the Angostura de la Esperanza is scarcely two
Spanish miles. Relacion del Ult. Viage al Estreclw, p. 101. And in the Chart
the distance across is laid down two geographical ujiles ; which is ^ of a mile
more than it was supposed by Sarmiento.
All
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 4i
All the natives seen in the Eastern part of the Strait were of c h a p. i.
large stature: the tribes of smaller size inhabited the parts to- 15S0.
wards the South Sea. February.
Sarmiento passed the Eastern Angostura on February the
23d, which was 17 days after his leaving Fort de la Camldaria. 23d.
The weather during that time was in general temperate, the
winds variable, and they had frequent calms. The remarks
entered in the journal are directed to both shores, the situations
of the Capes and Bays on each side being described by Sar-
miento wherever opportunity admitted. If no guide of later
date had reached us, this journal would deservedly have been
esteemed a valuable directory for the Strait.
The 24th. The ship was standing Eastward from the Strait 24th.
with a fresh wind from the North. Being ESE (per compass)
from the Cape de las Virgenes, distant 8 f Spanish leagues, it was
discovered that she was sailing over a bank on which there was
only four fathoms depth of water. The Journal says, * we were
* 6 leagues from the Cape de las Virsenes. which bore from ,1^°"'' f^-
° t- \ , i^r ^^^oms bank
* US N W : here we had soundings in 1 2 fathoms, sand. We near Cape
* made sail EbN 2 leagues: here we sounded in 13 fathoms, *^"'S^"^^-
* the Cape bearing W N W 8 leagues ; and sailing half a
* league to the ESE, we sounded in 4 fathoms ; and then we
* sailed EbN half a league, and sounded in 49 fathoms. And
' from hence we steered ENE one league in one hour, and had
' soundings in 70 fathoms. All the bottom was small gray
* sand.'*
Having
* Sarmientos Journal, p. 278, 279. This bank is placed not more than 6
leagues distant from Cape Firgenes in the Chart of Ohnedilla ; and on that au-
thority its situation was marked in the Chart of the Southern part of America
in Vol. I. of this work, as I had not, when that volume was published, seen the
above passage in Sarmiento's Journal. Tire variation of tlie Compass on the
Eastern coast of Patagonia has been Easterly and increasing from the time of
Magalhanes. In ^520, the variation in Port San Julian, was 8° 15' East. In
1619, the Nodales observed the variation along the coast to be from 12° to 17°
Vol. II. G Easterly;
42 VOVAGE OF P. SARMIENTO
CHAP. I. Kavlns entered the Atlantic Ocean, Sarmiento directed the
1580. course towards the NE for Europe.
March. In this passage, on March the 25th, being under the Southern
Tropic, a hinar rainbow ('• Iris hhincd ) was seen in the part of
the hemisphere opposed to the moon.
March 3 1st. In latitude 21 i" S. Sarmiento observed for the
longitude with a cross-staff of his own making, ' with which,' says
Lunar the journal, ' at the beginning of day, the General took the degrees
^^br the°" ' °^ longitude by the full of tlie moon and the rising of the sun,
Longitude. ' and found that we were 18 degrees more West than the Meridian
' of Seville.'* An observation so taken and calculated by the tables
of that time, could only by chance have a near agreement with the
truth : this appears to have erred about 5 degrees ; but the in-
genuity and perseverance which must have been exercised in
the endeavour to overcome so many difficulties is entitled to
respect ; and so early an atteiupt to ascertain the longitude at
sea by lunar observation merits notice.
April. April the 11th. The ship anchored at the Island Ascension^
111
Ascension, where they found turtle in abundance, but no w^ater ; but they
Easterly; anil in 1766, in Captain Wallis's voyage, the variation near Cape
Virgenes was 23° E. About 12 degrees East variation may be allowed at tlie time
Sarmiento discovered the 4 fathom bank, and will give tbr its true bearing from
Cape Virgenes S. 55^° E; the distance is, 29 geographical miles. This position
is between two and three leagues to tlie SE of the one before assigned to it.
* Al amanecer iomo el General los grados de Longitud pot; la llenu de la Luna
y nacimiento del Sol- I'iage por Sarmiento, p. 30:. ' By the full of the Moon'
may be undersiood neurit/ at the fulh It seems apparent from no eclipse being
remarked, that the Sun and Moon did not come in direct opposition, nor does tlie
observation appear to have been made on such a presumption : for if it had been
taken for granted that the Sun and Moon were ou the same Azimuth circle (on
direct opposite sides of the Zenith), the observation would have been simply of the
Moon's altitude. But as Sarmiento found it necessary to make a cross-staft*
for his observation, it was probably for the purpose of taking an angle larger
than 90 degiecs (perhaps by the method praitised in what is called a back obser-
vation), and therefore this observation seems to have been of the angular distance
of the Sun and Moon.
«r<" were
FROM PERU TO SPAIN. 43
were afterwards told at the Island Santiago, that on the South side chap. i.
of Ascension there was water and good anchorage.* Sarmiento 1580.
took here another oljservation for the longitude ; and this £d
observation (from Avhich he calculated that the Island Ascension
was 3 degrees -West of the IMeridian of Cadiz) differed about
the same in quantity from the truth as the former ; but the first
observation erred to the West, and the latter to the East.
They left Ascension April the 12th. On the 23d of May, May.
near the Island Santiago, they were attacked by a French ship,
■which was beaten off, without injury sustained, except to the
sails and rigging. On arriving at Santiago, Sarmiento had some At
difficulty in convincing the Portuguese that he had come from *" ^'^^^'
the South Sea through the Strait of Magalhanes. It was here
reported that Drake had arrived in England, with many other
circumstances equally void of truth, all which are detailed at
length in the journal.
June the 19th. The Standard-bearer, Juan Gutierrez de June.
Guevara, was executed : but the particulars of his crime are not
explained. The journal says ' he was strangled for being
• a traitor to the Royal crown, a seditious man, and a dis-
• honourer of the Royal ensign and flag, and because he had
' endeavoured to obstruct the service of discovery on which
• they had been employed.' Two men likewise were dismissed
from the ship at Santiago, one of them for mutiny, the other,
Avho was the ship's steward, for Avasting the provisions. Other
punishments were inflicted, according to Argensola, without
sufficient evidence of guilt to justify the severities exercised.-f-
The same day, Sarmiento sailed from Santiago, having in
company a packet boat which he had purchased tliere for the
purpose of transmitting to America a narrative of his proceed-
'■■■-" I I.I.I ■ i»..i -I. ■ .. I > 1^ y — I. I I. ^
* Sarmiento's Journalj p. 3o8.
f Conq. de las Malucas, lib. 4.
G 2 ino-s;
U VOYAGE OF P. SARMIENTO.
CHAP. I. ings : and the fourth day after leaving Santiago, the pilot Her-
'^■'JTgo/ nando Alonso \fas dispatched in the packet boat to the West
Indies, with a copy of the journal to be conveyed to the Viceroy
of Peru, and an account of all the intelligence which had been
received. Alonso executed his commission with fidelity, deli-
A'ering with his own hands the journal to the Viceroy at Lima^*
who rewarded his diligence.
J"'y- July the 13th. Sarmiento passed the ^^^ores, at one of which,
Azores, the Island St. George, on the first of the preceding month, sub-
terraneous fires had burst forth in seven different places, by
which nine men had been killed, and the country entirely co-
vered with ashes a span in depth.
Arrival in August the 15 th, the ship made the coast of Spain, near
August. Cape St. Vincent.
Here the journal concludes ; and to it is annexed a certificate,
vouching its contents to be true in all things, without exaggera-
tion in any ; which is subscribed with the signatures of Pedro
Sarmiento, his officers and several of his people : dated August
the 1 7th, at which time it is probable the ship was in port.-j^
The reader will feel some degree of interest, and consequently
of curiosity, concerning the fate of the natives of the Strait of
Magalhanes, who were carried from thence by Sarmiento. The
journal affords very little satisfaction on this head. The Indian
who was last taken (the Patagonian) is once afterwards men-
tioned by the name of Felipe, with the addition of el Indio grande,
(Philip, the large Indian) : and it is remarked in the journal,
that at the Island Santiago the Portuguese were astonished to see
in the ship, men of such various figures and countenances.
* Acoita. Hist. Nat. y Mor. dc las hidius, 1. 3. c. 11.
•t" The account given of this voyage inserted by Barl. Leonardo de Argensola
in his history of the conquest of the Mohiccas, is professedly taken from tiie
journal sent by Sarmiento to King Philip II. and consequently there has been
little occasion to confult it. Argensola is obscure in all that relates to the
geography of the voyage : in other respects he has been accused, with sufficient
reason, of having indulged his fancy.
[ 45 ]
C H A P. II.
Expedition of Pedro Sarmiento to fortify the Strait of Magalhanes.
Ill conducted voyage and return of two English ships under
Edward Fen ton and Luke Ward. Spanish Colony founded in
the Strait. Distressed condition of the Colony.
QARMIENTO, upon his arrival in Spain, repaired to chap. 2.
Badajoz, where PhiHp the lid. then was, and presented his ^'^"'"'^^
journals and observations to that monarch. Ke represented
that by fortifying both the shores of the Eastern Angostura*,
the passage of the Strait would be completely guarded, and that
within the Strait there were places convenient for the settlement
of colonies. This proposal met with strong opposition from
some of the principal persons in Philip's court, particularly from
the Duke de Alba, who made a remark on the occasion, which
became proverbial, that ' if a ship carried out only anchors
and cables sufficient for her security against the storms in that
part of the world, she would go well laden." A belief, however,
which Avas then entertained by many Spaniards, that the English
W'Cre making preparations for seizing into their own hands the
passage of the Strait, determined Philip in favour of Sarmiento's j .gj
plan. 23 ships were equipped at Seville, for the support of Powerful
the Spanish dominion in South America, and in them were em- fitted out
barked 3500 men. Diego Flores de Valdes was appointed Com- ^J^ |P^["j
mander in chief of this Armada, Avhich w^as formed into three America,
divisions, each destined for a separate service : but the whole
fleet were directed first to sail in company to the Strait of
Magalhanes, to assist Sarmiento in planting the intended colony.
Afterwards, one division of the force was to proceed to Chili
* Desa-ip. de las Indias. Herrera, cap. 23.
under
46 EXPEDITION OF SARMIENTO
CHAP. 2. under the command of Don Alonso de Soto Mayor, who was
1581. appointed Governor of that province. A second division was
to sail to Brasil with the Commander in chief, on whom had
been conferred the additional title of Captain General of the
coast of Brasil (Portugal and her settlements having recently
become a part of the Spanish monarchy). The third division was
allotted wholly for the service of the intended establishment in
the Strait, and was to be left there at the disposal of Sarmiento.
On board this third division were embarked artificers of various
descriptions, with large stores of ammunition and ordnance.*
Thcv depart '^'^^^ powerful armament sailed from Seville, September the
irouiSeville.25tij^ 1581, a time which the pilots disapproved, either on
account of the Sun then crossing the Equinox, or because the
sky wore a threatening appearance ; but the orders of the
Spanish ministry were peremptory. On the eve of "the day of
October. S. Francisco (October the 3d), whilst the fleet was yet near their
own coast, a violent gale of wind arose from the SW, by which
Tive ships five of the ships were wrecked, and 800 men perishecL One of
wrecked. , . . •
these ships was the Esperanza, in which Sarmiento had per-
Theremain- formed his voyage from Lima to Spaiiu The vessels that survived
to' Cadiz" ^'^® storm put back in distress to Cadiz, two of them totally dis-
qualified for. service.
* An account of this Expedition of Pedro Sarmiento is given by Lopez Vaz.
See Ilakliiyt's Collection, vol. iii, p. 794. Tliere has likewise been published,
as an Appendix to the Journal of Sariniento's former expedition, a Declaration
made by Tome Hernandez, one of the Spaniards who went with Sarmiento from
Spain to found the settlement in the Strait. This Declaration was made upon
oalh, and taken down by a notary, in presence of the Viceroy of Peru, in the cily
oi Los Reyes, where T. Hernandez tlien resided, March the 21st, 1620, nearly
39 years after the time of his embarking as a private soldier in the expedition of
which he gives an account. And in the Noficias de las Exped. al Magallaiies,
Madrid 1788, is given an abstract of a MS Relation, written by Sarmiento-
iiimself, which is preserved in the Spanish Archives.
In
To FORTIFY THE STFxAIT. 4.7
In December, the fleet, now sixteen in number, departed c« a^- 2.
again ; but as it was supposed that the season would be too far 1581.
advanced for them to proceed direct for the Strait, they were Sall a^-ainj
ordered to winter at Rio Janeiro, which orders were given by the
King himself, though it had been objected against this port by
Sarmiento and other officers, that stopping there to winter
would render the ships liable to much injury from the worms.
January the 9th, the fleet anchored at Saint Jago, one of the 158'- -
Cape lie Verde Islands, where they stopped above a month. In
sailing from thence to Brasil, 1 50 men were lost by sickness.
March the 24th, they anchored at Rio Janeiro, and remained „^^'."^^'"^*
there during the winter, in which time 150 jnore of the people
died, and many of the intended settlers deserted'; The bottoms
of the ships, as had been foretold, were attacked by the worms:
several became leaky, and one ship was abandoned as unser-
viceable. Tlie two commanders, Flores de Valdcs and Pedro
Sarmiento, had sailed from Europe to America in the same ship,
but having had disagreements, they now separated to different
ships. Whilst the fleet lay at Rio Janeiro, the frames of two
houses, composed of wood, intended to be used in the Strait,
were made, and the frames of a brigantine and lanch which had
been brought from Spain, intended likewise for service in the
Strait, were, by the order of the Commander in chief, set up in
Rio Janeiro.
Toward the end of November, the fleet departed fi-ora Novembe:.
Brazil. In the first boisterous weather the brigantine and lanch the'stiait
were lost. In 38° S. latitude, one of the largest ships, named
the Riola, of 500 tons, in which were most of the stores de-
signed for the Strait of Magalhancs, sprung a leak, and the
water gained on her so fast and unexpected!}', that though the
weather was moderate, she went dcvn before any assistance
was sent to her from the other ships, and 350 persons perished,
20 of whom were women who had embarked for the proposed
colony.
48 EXPEDITION OE SARMIENTO
CHAP.:, colony. Dismayed by tins new misfortune, Elores returned
1582. with the fleet to Brasil, losing by the way another of his ships,
Return to ^j Santa Maria, which was wrecked on the coast.
Drasil. '
December. At a port near the Island S'" Catalina, Elores met a Spanish
bari<, from Avhich he received intelligence that three English
vessels had stopped on the coast in their way towards the Strait
of Magalhanes.
g The Spanish fleet went afterwards to the Island S" Catalina,
where disputes arose among the commanders concerning their
future proceedings ; but it was at length agreed that the fleet
should sail again for the Strait. Three of the largest ships were,
however, reported to be in too shattered a state to attempt
going again to the Southward, and Elores directed that they
should be left behind, with 300 soldiers, mostly of the sick
and least serviceable men,* and ordered them to sail to Rio
Janeiro.
Voyage of The English vessels just mentioned, were two ships under the
Fenton and i p -n i in i t i tur i i
Ward, command or Edward 1 en ton and Luke Ward, and a pmnace
commanded by John Drake, a name fruitful in maritime enter-
prizes. The declared purpose of their undertaking was com-
mercial, and their proposed destination the H^ast Indies and
China. Fenton, who had the chief command, had received in-
structions for the regulation of his conduct from the Lords of
her Majesty's council, a copy of which are inserted at length in
Hackluyfs collection,-^ as is likewise a narrative of this Voyage
written by Luke Ward, who was second in command and styled
the Vice-Admiral. The instructions are dated April 9th, 1582:
they enjoin all pei'sons embarked in the voyage to demean
themselves • like good and honest merchants, not to do spoile
-* or take any thing from any of the Queen's friends or allies, or
* Discourse of Lopez Vaz. Hakluyt, vol. in. p. 794.
t Vol. III. p. 754.
from
VOYAGE OF FENTON AND WARD. 49
* from any Christians ^vitllout paying for the same, and not to use ^ h a p. 2.
'force but in their own defence.' The commander was directed, 1582.
to go by the Cape of Good Hope, but with a reservation expressed
in the following discretionary clause, ' and not to pass by the Strait
' of Magellan, either going or returning, except upon great occa-
' sion or incident, that shall be thought otherwise good to you, by
' the advice and consent of your said assistants.' Under these
instructions, they sailed from England in May 1582, four vessels
in company, two of them stout ships, and two small barks, the
burthen of the whole being 790 tons : [the number of men Ward
has omitted to mention]. They went first to the coast of Guinea,
and there sold one of the small vessels: from thence they sailed
to Brasil, and made that coast in December, near the Island
S'" Cataltna, where they captured a Spanish ve^isel ; but, after
a short detention, set her again at liberty. From her they
learnt, that the Spanish fleet under Flores and Sarmiento had a
short time before sailed from Rio Janeiro for the Strait. This
did not prevent the English commanders from adopting the plan,
probably long before intended though here first openly avowed,
of prosecuting their voyage to China by the way of the Strait of
Magalhanes. They accordingly bent their course Southward, but
after sailing eight days in that direction, they became irresolute:
to endeavour a passage through the Strait, which they had
reason to expect M'ould be preoccupied by a force so greatly su-
perior to their own, began to be considered as they ought at first to
have considered it, an attempt dangerous and not likely to
succeed : after new deliberations, the plan of going by the Strait
was relinquished, and they returned to the coast of Brasil, in-
tending to recmit their stock of provisions, and then to deter-
mine the plan of their future proceedings. Near the River de
la Plata, tiie pinnace was separated from them. The two shi|)s
anchored at St. Vincent, January the 19th, 1583; and a few days Jiuuiary.
after, the three disabled ships which Flores had dismissed from
Vol. II. H his
50 EXPEDITION OF SAIIMIENTO
CHAP. 2. his fleet came to the same port, which lay in their way to Hio
1583. Janeiro. They attacked tlie Enghsh, and in the engagement
Jiuiiiiiiy. ^j^g ^£ ^jjg Spanish ships was sunk ; but the English ships
thought proper to quit the port, and being shortly after sepa-
lated, they made no farther attempt to prosecute their voyage,
but returned home,* vithout having attempted any thing cre-
ditable to themselves or beneficial for their employers. The
pinnace commanded by John Drake, was cast away on the
coast, and her people fell into the hands of the natives in the
River de la Flafa. Some of them afterwards escaped to the
Spanish settlements, of which number was John Drake, who was
sent to Peru.-f What afterwards became of him or of the rest
does not appear.
Flores and ^^he adventures of the Spanish armament subsequent to those
Siirmiento •/•it -ni
piocced already related, continued to be umtonnly disastrous. 1 lores
had sailed again for the Strait, on January the 11th, 1583; but
in leaving the Island S" Catalina, one ship of his reduced fleet
got on a bank and was Avrecked. When they were in latitude
34° S. the ship in which Sarmiento sailed became leaky, and
was discovered to be in a condition unfit to proceed. A council
of the commanders and pilots of the fleet was summoned on
board the ship of the Captain General, where, after much de-
bate, it was determined, contrary to the opinion or wishes of
Flores, the Commander in chief, that they should [persevere in
going to the Strait. The council, however, consented that Don
* The copy of Ward's journal in the edition of 1 589 of Ilakhiyt's Voyages, re-
cords tlie following circumstance, which is similar to one reli.led by Pigafetta in
his account of the voyage of Magalhanes (See vol. 1. p. 50). ' February i2th,
' having considerea the lacke of water, the cunipany were contented to have the
' pease boiled with three jacks of fresh water, and two jacks of salt water for the
* prolonging of the same.' liakluyt, p. 6(58. Edit. 1589. Their distress was of
short continuance; for on the 17th it rained hard, and they saved two tons of
fresh water.
•\ Discourse of Lopez Fax.
Alonso
again
Southward.
TO FORTIFY THE STRAIT. 5i
Alonso de Sotoniaj'or should depart from the fleet with three chap. 2.
ships for the Bivevdc la Flata, that froiu thence tie might march 1583.
bj laud to his government of C/iili. '
Five ships proceeded towards the South, and on February the February.
yth, they arrived in the mouth of the Strait, and cast anchor in ^"^^^'^'' !"
•^ the htrait,
the First Angostura or Narrows,* but a gale of vvdnd came on in n'^f* me
the night which forced them out again. After endeavouring in again.
vain till the end of INIarch to regain entrance, being constantly
frustrated by contrary winds, the resolution and patience of
Flores were completely exhausted, and he bore away with the
fleet under all the sail that could be set to return to Brazil, Return
when, according to Sarmiento, the wind was not strong, Biasil.
and he might have anchored under the shelter of the Cape de las
Virgenes. But the favourable time of the year had been
wasted by the former irresolution of Flores, and winter was now
at hand.
The fleet arrived at Rra Janeiro early in May, and found May.
there four ships laden Avith stores, which had been sent from
Spain to assist the purposes of the Armada, and which brought
letters for the chiefs to exhort them to persevere in their exer-
tions. During the Avinter, the ships were repaired ; but Flores
himself quitted the coimnand, and sailed for Spain, leaving
Diego de Rivera, his lieutenant, to co-operate with Sarmiento
in the business of fortifying the Strait.
The 2d of December, Sarmiento and Rivera departed from December.
Rio Janeiro with five ships and 530 persons. They arrived in ^ttej^^'pt
the Strait on the 1st of February Avithout accident, and passing 1.184-
the First Angostura, anchored between that and the Second; Saimicnto
but the stren£i;th of the ebb tide forced them from their anchors.-f f'''^;'^* '."
•^ ' ' the btrait.
« Declaration of T. Jhrnaudez, p. vi.
f The tide in the first A>igostura runs with great rapidity, sometimes at the rate
of 8 geographical miles per hour.
H 2 and
52 EXPEDITION OF SARMIENTO
cHAv. 2. and carried them back without the <S^ /•«/>. They however aiv-
1584. chored again close to tlie Cape de las Vir genes, and for fear of
February, f^.^l^er disappointment, began without loss of time to disem-
The bark the settlers. On the 5th, when 300* persons had landed,
are landed. ^ g^'^ of wind obliged the ships to quit their anchorage. When
thej regained the Strait, one of the ships, named the Trinidad,
being M'ithin the entrance, ran aground and was wrecked ; her
people, with the artillery and provisions that were in her were
saved, but the provisions were damaged. J3efore all the stoves
could be landed, Rivera with three of the remaining ships,
without orders from Sarmiento or giving notice of such intention,
departed from the Sti-ait during the night [this M-as in February],
and they bent their course for Spain, leaving with Sarmiento and
his colony only one ship, the Maria.
This circumstance, and most of the others in the foregoing
account, are taken from the short abstract of Sarmiento's narra-
tive published in the Noticias de las Exp. al Magalhaues. Tome
Hernandez likewise avers that Rivera left the Strait without
having landed the Stores. But it is most natural to believe that
Rivera was forced from his anchors, seeing the pains he had
before taken to get within the Strait.
City del The number of the Spaniards left with Sarmiento were 400
Nombre jj^g^ .^^^ 3q ^yomen, with provisions for eight months.-h The
de Jesus ^ _ ^ '
founded, foundation of their first town was laid near the mouth of the
Strait on the North side,|. and was named la Ciiidad del Nombre
de Jesus [the City of the Name of Jesus]. Sarmiento placed
there 150 men under the command of Andres de Viedma, and
* Noticias de las Exp. al Magal.
t Lopez Fuz.
J Ibid. In the charl of Olinedilla the site of Xomire de Jesus is marked near
the present Cape de la Possession, whicii is nearly niitlvvay between Cajje de las
Virgenes and the first Angostura.
sent
TO FORTIFY THE STRAIT. 53
sent forward the ship Maria, with orders to stop at Point S" Ana, c h a p. 2.
(a point on the continental shore about 25 Spanish leagues within 1584.
the iiv^t Angostura) whilst with 100 men he travelled by land for
the same place. He set out on this joume}-, the 4th of March : March.
the I'oad proved very circuitous, and in their march they had
skirmishes with the Indians, in vvhich one Spaniard was killed
and ten wounded, and the chief of a native tribe was killed.
Near Point S" Ana, a situation was chosen for another town. Town of
in a nook to the JN VV 01 the pomt,* winch place was reconi- buiit.
mended by a. port ^vith good ancliorage and abounding with
fish, as did the shore with birds ; by a fresh water river, and a
surrounding country well furnished with wood. It was likewise
esteemed a convenient distance from the other settlement, as
' in one tide a boat could go from hence to the First Angos^
' tiira.' -f This town received the name of San Felipe: the
houses and all the edifices were at first built of wood.
Appearances in April threatened them with a severe winter : April.
the snow fell without intermission fifteen days. On the 25 ih of
May, Sarmiento left the town of San Felipe under the govern- ^^*
ment of Juan Suarez, and sailed in the Maria, on board of
which ship were 30 seamen, for the city del Nombre de Jesus, in^
tending to give directions for fortifying the Angosturas, and to
convey more of the settlers from 2V. de Jesus to San Felipe ;
and afterwards to go with the ship to Chili for a supply of
provisions, j:
Sarmiento arrived off Nombre de Jesns and anchored : but a ^armiento
driven from
violent tempest, according to the abstract of his own narrative, the Strait,
drove the ship from her anchors, and after beating against the '^yj^j^'y i^f^
witliout .1
ship.
* Rattier, from the R. of Plate to the Strait ofMagelane. Haklui/t,\o\. in.
p. 726.
f 'Notictas.
% Declaration of T. Hernandez, p. xiii.
storm
54 EXPEDITION OF SARMIENTO
CHAP. 2. storm 20 days, he was no longer able to maintain the struggle,
1584. 'i"d Avas necessitated to steer for Broxil.
The departure of Saruiiento has, however, been represented
as the effect of design, and not of unavoidable necessity. Lopez
Vaz relates that Sarmicnto, after sailing from San Felipe,
' remained a day or two at Nomhre de Jesus, from whence a
' storm broke the ship loose ; but his men said he cut his
' cables.' In the declaration of Tome Hernandez it appears,
that tlie people had already began to experience distress for
want of provisions and clotliing, and that some of them had
formed a conspiracy, in which it was proposed to kill Sarmicnto,
and return in the ship to BrasiL Hernandez has claimed to
himself the merit of revealing this conspirac}' to Sarmicnto, who
executed some of the ringleaders ; but he thought it necessaiy
afterwards, either for his own personal sat-ety, or to prevent the
ship from being run away with, to sleep on board every night.
Sarmicnto, who was a laborious and careful, though certainl}'
an unfortunate man, ought not to be lightly suspected, and his
subsequent conduct fully acquits him of any intention to desert
his people. He had declared his purpose of going from the
new settlement to Chili for provisions: Brasil was equally
capable of furnishing supplies, and economy of time must have
June, been the most reasonable motive for preference between the
two places. The winds, as far as the decision depended upon
them, seemed to pronounce in favour of Brasil.
The Southern winter was at its height when Sarmicnto arrived
at Rio Janeiro. He procured a bark there, M-hich he loaded
with meal ; and leaving directions for her to sail for the Strait
at the proper season, he went to other ports of Brasil in search
of farther supplies for his settlement. In this progiess along
the coast, his ship was driven on shore and wrecked ; many of
the crew were drowned, and Sarmicnto himself with difficulty
escaped on a plank. He procured another bark of about 60
*^ tons
TO FORTIFY THE STRAIT. 55
tons burthen, and loading her with such things as were most chap. 2.
Avanted in the Strait, he sailed thitherward from Rio Janeiro in 5585.
January 1585. In 39° S. a storm obliged him to throw his -^""""'T-
cargo into the sea to save the vessel from foundering, and 51 '
da^^s after his departure he returned again to Itio Janeiro, wheve
he had the aggravated mortification to find the bark which he
had first dispatched with provisions for the Strait, which had
returned without effecting her passage. Before the vessels March,
could be refitted, the favourable season for sailino- to the Strait
was past. The Governors at the different ports of Brasil became
weary of furnishing assistance to Sarmiento, especially as they
learnt by the accounts from Europe that the King was much
dissatisfied with the undertaking, and entertained a belief that
Sarmiento had deceived him in his representations ; for Diego
de Rivera, on his return to Spain, had reported the narrowest
part of the Strait to be above a league across, and that if a ship
■went with wind and current in her favour, it was not in the
power of ordnance on shore to stop her.
Sarmiento thus every way persecuted, and without resource, Sarniiento
determined to sail for Spain, and, with that intention, departed Spam.
from Brasil in the latter part of April.
The disappointments of Sarmiento fell most heavy on his un-
fortunate colony. After the departure of Sanni(>nto for Europe,
the Governor of Rio Janeiro made one more effort to^^ ards their
relief by sending a ship with provisions and stores for the Strait,
but she was driven back by contrary winds, * or by despair ;
and no farther trouble appears to have been taken either by
Spain or by her American dominions to save these people.
Lopez Vaz, in this part of his discourse, concludes his account
of the Strait in the following language (as translated in Haklujt);
* and this is all the discovery of the Strait of Magellan made
• Discourse of Lopez Fuz. Haklui/t, vol. in. p. 796.
' as
56 EXPEDITION OF SARMIENTO
' as well by Spaniards as other nations unto this present year
' 1586. It is full four years since these poor and miserable
« Spaniards were left in the Straits, from which time no succour
' has gone unto them, so God he knoweth wliether they be dead
' or alive.' *
As for Sarmiento himself, few men had less reason to accuse
Fortune of inconstancy. In his passage to Europe, near the
Western Islands, he was attacked by three English ships, and
being unable to defend his ship, he threw all his papers into the
Is captured sea. AVhcu the English carried their prize into port, Queen
En-lish. Flizabcth had the curiosity to order the Governor of the Strait
of Magalhants to be presented to her. It is said, they discoursed
together in the Latin language, and that her Majesty not only
gave him his liberty and a passport to Spain, but presented him
with 1000 crowns. By various mis-adventures, his return to his
own country was some years longer retarded. On his arrival in
Spain he wrote in his own justification, a circumstantial relation
of his expedition, the miscarriage of which he attributes to the
inactivity and want of resolution of the Commander in chief,
Diego Flores dc Valdcs. f-
And the The Spanish writers term this expedition the most disastrous
Nvitbout f'f ^"y which to that time had been sent by their nation to the
Relici. Strait of Magalhunes. They might have added, likewise, the
most discreditable to their nation, for the negligence and in-
difference with which their countrymen in the Strait were suf-
fered to perish.
• Discoinsf of Lopez Faz. An account of llic fate of tile Coicnj will be found
in chap. 5. of this volume.
t Pedro Sarmiento wns living at the PhiVrpphie Islands when Argensola wrote
his Hislort/ of the (Jv/irfnesi of thf Moluccas, tiie li'.'<Mico and approbation to wliicli
is dated 1608. He had been employed by tlie Uoveriior of the F/iilippiiifs as
General, in an aitcmpt to leciice the Moluccas to ubedieiKe to the Spanish
monarchy, which p.. ject then miscarried^ as if the fortune of the General was
At
TO FORTIFY THE STRAIT. SI
At the time the Spaniards undertook to fortify the passage of
the Straif, the probabiHty of a passage to the South of the
Tierra del fuego had been surmised, but without obtaining a
■degree of credit that could make it a consideration of much
weight. The Strait continued to be regarded as the key to the
Facific Ocean, the exchisive possession of which, if attainable,
was certainly a desirable object to the Spaniards. Sarmiento,
the great advocate for the plan, and who rested his reputation
upon its success, had, as already shewn, under-rated the distance
of the opposite shores of the Strait from each other ; but it is
not to be doubted that if the settlement had prospered, the
ships of other European nations would have been deterred from
those enterprises to the South Sea, which almost immediately
followed the knowledge of Sarmiento 's failure. The contrast
arising from tliese enterprizes furnishes argument little fa-
vourable to human nature, and too strongly evinces tliat the
hest motives are not the most powerful springs of action. Whilst
the Spaniards were unmoved by the distressed condition of their
countrymen, and readily resigned themselves to the belief that
all attempts to relieve them must be vain, the seamen of other
nations, allured by the love of gold, with the greatest alacrity
opposed themselves to tlie dangers which deterred the Spaniards
from the better cause.
The reproach, however, does not, properly speaking, attach
to the Spanish nation, but to the individuals who at that time
held the powers of government.
Vol. II.
[ 58 ]
CHAP. III.
Notice of Formosa. Navigation of Francisco de Gualle, or
Gali, frojn New Spain to the Philippines, and from Macao
to New Spain.
CHAP. 3. '\/\7^'^-'^'^'^ Sarmiento was employed in his unfortunate
^■*'*'^''""*^ expedition to the Strait of Magalhanes, some events
occurred in the Pacific Ocean which it is necessary to notice.
Formosa In 1582, a Spanish ship, in saiUng from Macao towards the
*SpaniIiidr Japanese Islands, was wrecked on the Island Formosa.* This is
^582. the earliest mention I have found of that Island in the accounts
of European navigations.
Voyage of In the same year, Francisco de Gualle, or Gali,-f- a Spanish
rrancisco pjiot and Captain of a ship, sailed from New Spain to the
Philippine Islands and to Macao; and in 1584 returned to Nezc>
Spain. An account of this voyage, written by F. Gali, was
translated from the Spanish original into low Dutch by J.
Huighen Van Linschoten, and published ; and afterwards frojn
Linsehoten was rendered into other languages. J The only cir-
cumstance worth noticing in the passage from New Spain, is the
description of the route.
* P. Fr. Colin sa}'s, * on the Islaiui Hermosa between the Lequios and Manila.^
Hist, de la Comp. de Jesus en las Philipinas, lib. 2. cap. 4. The Spaniards called
this IsUuid Hermosa, which in their language signifies Beautiful, as does Formosa
in the Portuguese language. The native name is Pekan. Vide vol. 1. p. 375.
•(- The author of the introduction to the Fiage por las Goletas, Sutil y Mexieaiia,
en 17Q'2, writes the name Gali, on the authority of papers which are preserved in
the Arehivo General de Indias.
J Into English, in Discourse of Voyages to. the East and West Indies, by J. H.
Van Linschoten, Book 3. chap. 54. Published by J. Wolfe, London 1598. See
likewise llakUiyt, vol, in, p. 442. Edit. idoo.
Francisco
BETWEEK NEW SPAIN AND CHINA. S§
Francisco Gaii sailed from Acapiilco on Marcli the lOtli, ctiAp. 3.
1582, and steered WSW to the latitude of 16° N., and after- 1582.
vards West and WbS, till he made the Southernmost of the H'«'»fe
r:oin New
Ladrone Idamls, from whence he proceeded to the Fhilippines, h| aia to
and afterw'ards to Macao.
He sailed from Macao, on- his return to New Spain, July the 1584.
24th, 1584. He passed near the Leqtiios Islands, not in sight jy[g^ gp.jij°
of them ; but he was informed by a Chinese mariner, that thcjr Lequios
• 1 1 -11 1 1 1 • I I • • 1 islands,
are many islands, with good ports ; that the inhabitants painted
their bodies and dressed like the Bisayas (the people of the NE
part of Mindanao) ; that they traded to China ; and that the
most Northern and Eastern of these islands was in 29° N lati-
tude. * Gali continued sailing towards the NE and East.
From the Chinese mariner beforementioned, he received in- Islands East
formation that 70 leagues beyond (i. e. to the East of) the ° '^^'^°"
Islands of Japan, he should see ' some mines of brimstone or ,
* The name by which the natives call these islands ha;s been variously vvritten>
according to the national orthography of the different European voyagers. The
Spaniards and Portuguese write the name Leqiiio or Leqitcyo ; the French Lieou-
Kieon; and the English Loo-Choto (See Captam Broiigfilon's vvynge, ]i. 241).
The Portuguese were, no doubt, the first Europeans who liad any Ivnowledge of
these Islands, for Antonio Galvaom has mentioned tlicm twice in the introductory
part of his Hisioiij of the Discoveries of the World; but they do not appear among
the discoveries related in his history, which comes down to the year 1555, and
therefore it is probable that he knew of them only from Indian information. In
the Cliinese History, the Leqitios Is/arids are mentioned lor the first time, in the
■year of the Cln-istian Era 605. They are formed into a kingdom which is tribiitary
■ to China. The Japanese contested for the sovereignly over them ; but the hihabi-
tants of the Leqtiios have been constant in their attachment to the Chinese, whose
• rule has been mildly exercised, and have resisted the attempts of the Japanese.
Vide Lettres Edifiantes et Curieux, vol. 23. This Groupe consists of one large and
'many small Islands. They were visited by Captain Brougliton, in i 797, and since
(in September, iSo^) by a ship named the Frederick, of Cftlciitlu, coinmand<'d
■ by Captain Torie. The Great Lequio is placed by Captain Brougliton in latitude
sS" 5' to 2.6" 55' N., and in longitude 12S" 11' to 128" 45' E. from the me-
ridian of Greenwich. A MS. chart in Mr. Arrowsmith's possession, ilravvn by
the commander of the Frederick, places it in latitude ao" 3' to 27° 3' N., and
in longitude 128" 5' to 129° 17' East.
1 2 * fiery
60 FRANCISCO GALI
c H A p. 3. ' fiery hills/ — From what follows, it may be supposed that he
^^84?^ did see them, for he adds ' and that 30 leagues farther I should
^ find four islands lying together,- which I likewise found, as he
' had told me.' Nothing is said of their latitude; but after
passing Japan, the course had been continued East and EbN.
In the Spanish cliart of the track of the Galeon,* and in some
Spanish MS charts, several Volcanic and other islands are laid
down^ from 4° to 6V of longitude to the Eastward from the
South Ea&t part of the Japan Islands. The charts do not attri-
bute the discovery of any of these islands to F. Gali, and some
of them are marked as being discoveries of a date posterior to
his voyage. It is .probable, however,, that they are designed
for the same islands of which Gali fpeaks, but laid down from
the accounts of later voyages : the difference in the dates may
be regarded as a, confirmation that such islands do really exists
and nearly in the situations Avhich have been thus assigned to-
them, both in Gali's account and in the charts.
Gali relates ' when we had sailed East and EbN about
* 300 leagues from Japan^ we found a very hollow water with
^ the stream running ou.t of the North and NNW, with a fuU
' and broad sea :• and what wind so-ever blew^, the sea continued
' all of one sort with the same hollow water and stream, until
' we had passed 700 leagues. About 200 leagues from the
' coast of New Spain, we began to lose the said hollow sea and
' stream, whereby I most assuredly think that there [to the
North and NW] ' you shall have a channel or strait passage
' between the firm land of Kew Spain and the countries of
' Asia and Tar tar i a.'
Gali made the coast of America in 371° N latitude. f
Upon
* Published with the Voyage of Commodore Anson.
■\ The author of lit (ai ion del Fiage htc/io., en 1 702 . para reconocer tl Esttecho dc
Fucu, appears to have lact with some edition of the Voyagej in which Gali is said
to
FROM CHINA TO NEW SPAIN. 6i
Upon his arrival in New Spain, the Archbishop of Mexico, who c h a p. 3,
then governed as Viceroy, consulted him concerning the e&ta- ^.^4,
bli&hment of a port on the coast o^ California, which was desired
both for the convenience of the navigation from the Philippine
Islands, and for the purpose of obtaining fuller knowledge of the
American coast to- the North : but, a Spanish author observes?
* the short term of the Archbishop's government, which was
* only of one year's continuance, and the propensity which
* people who enter into office have not to adopt the ideas or
* foHow the measures of their predecessors^ prevented the plan
*■ of the Archbishop from being put in execution.' *
Voyages or Travels of individuals round the AYorld were be-
come at this time not uncommon, the means of completing the
tour being facilitated by the regular intercourse which was-
carried on between New Spain and the Philippine Islands..
to have made the American coast in 571° N, which must doubtless be a tj'pogra-
phical error. The course steered from Japan, as mentioned in tbe.aecountj does-
not accord with so high a latitude ; and the land of America which Gali first fell ia .
«itli,he has describeJ to be wholly without snow, although very high.
- * ile/. dd Fiage, en 1792, para neon, el Estr. de Fuca, Introd. xlyi.
[ 62 ]
CHAP. IV.
Voyage of Robert Withrington and Christopher Lister, from
England, intended for the Sonth Sea.
'T^HE semblance of peace, which for several years past had
been very negligently maintained between England and
Spain, was at length thrown aside, and the two nations engaged
in open war. In 1536, two hostile expeditions were fitted out
by the English for the South Sea ; one by Mr. Thomas
Cavendish, the other by the Earl of Cumberlaiid (Lord George
Clifford.) The ships of Mr. Caventlish sailed from England the
earliest by about a montli ; but his voyage being much tire
longer of the two in duration, and extending to the later date,
it is most convenient on that account to relate first the voyage
-undertaken by the ships of the Earl of Cumberland, which can
be done in small space, and to reserve the narrative of Mr.
Cavendish's voyage for the ensuing Chapter.
The vessels fitted out by the Earl of Cumberland were, the
Clifford of 260 tons burthen, with 130 men, commanded by
Robert Withrington ; and a bark of ISO tons and 70 men, com-
manded by Christopher Lister. * They were equipped in the
June. River Thames, from whence they departed in June, 15S6, but
stopped at Plymouth, where they were joined by another ship
named the Roe, and by a pinnace named the Dorotliy which
belonged to Sir Walter Raleigh.
They did not get clear of the English coast before the end of
August ; and after that time, neither the Roe nor the Dorothy
are again mentioned ; and it may be concluded that they did
not long associate with the other ships.
* An account of ihe voyage of Wilherin^ton and Lister was written by Mr.
John Sarracoll, who sailed with them, and is inserted In Hak/uj/i's Co/iection,
vol. III. t>. 769.
AVITHRINGTON AND LISTER. 63
In October, Withrington and Lister put into Sierra Leone, chap. 4,
From thence they sailed to the coast of Brasil, which they made
on the 2d of January, 1587, in 28° S. Here the Commanders 158?.
disagreed, Withiington proposing that they should remain on
the coast of Brasil to attack the Portuguese settlements, and
Lister that they should proceed for the Strait of Mugaihanes and
the South Sea. Lister's opinion prevailed for a short time, and
they contimaed on a Southerly course as far as to 44° S. latitude,
when the wind became contrary. This served Withrington as a
pretext for bearing away to the North, and Lister followed.
They remained about three months on the coast of Brasil, and
plundered some Portuguese vessels of small value ; after which
they returned to England.
This feeble attempt to enter the South Sea has been rendered I^opez Vs.z
remarkable by one circumstance, which has probably saved it prisoner.
from oblivion. In one of the Portuouese vessels canfured on
the coast of Brasil, Lopez Vaz, a Portuguese, the author of a
History of the West Indies and of the South Sea (\vhich has been
frequently quoted in the present M'ork) was taken prisoner ; and
with him, his history, then in manuscript, fell into the hands of ^?.'^^^'*i°'7
•^ . ot ihe Vvest
the English. VVhetiier he was carried to Eno^land, or liberated Indies.
in the Brasils, is not told. His history, which throws ranch light
on the early discoveries, and is a work of merit, was brought to
this country, and by the industry of Mr. Hakluyt, a translation
of it was given to the public in his Collection of Voyages and
Navigations.*
* In vol. HI. o'i Ilaklui/t. Edit. 1600.
I ^4 ]
C H A P. V.
VoTjage of Thomas Cavendish round the World.
C H A p. 5.
A /I" R. Thomas Cavendish, a gentleman of the county of Suffolk,
1556, in 15 86, at his own charge equipped three vessels for an
expedition to the South <Sefl, and undertook the chief command
himself* The largest of the vessels employed by him in this
enterprise Avas of IL'O tons burthen, and was named the Desire :
the other two were, the Content of 60 tons, and the Hugh
Gallant of 40 tons. They were victualled and stored for a two
years voyage, and the whole number of persons embarked was
123. Mr. Cavendish, who, according to the custom of that
time, was styled the General, sailed in the Desire, -f-
July. This light squadron left Plymouth, July the 21st, 1586. On
^Tom"'^ the 26th of the same month, near the coast of Spain, they met
England, five Spanish ships, with which they had a slight engagement :
but night coming on, they parted.
Augnst. The 5th of August, they made the Canary Islands, from whence
Leone, the}' ran along the coast of Africa, and, on the 26th, anchored
* Sir William Monson relates; ' Mr. Cavendish having spent his best means
at court, tliought to recover himself again by a voyage into the South vjea ; for
then the wars with Spain began, and it was lawful to make any spoil upon the
•Spaniards. Sir W. Monsoii's Tracts, Book iv. Churchill's Collection, vol. lift
p. 368—9.
■f- A short account of this voyage, subscribed with the initials N. H. appeared in
the first publication of Haklui/t's Collection of Voi/agcs and Navigations. London
1589. p. 809, to p. 813. But a more full and circumstantial narrative written by
Francis Pretty, one of the persons who sailed with Mr. Cavendish, is given in the
edition of //«A/«y/, of the year 1600. In these early accounts, the name of the
Commander is contracted and written Candifli. Tliere is likewise pubhshed in
Hakluijt, edit. 16OO. ' Certain Rare and Special Noftt concerning the heights,
' sn.indin IS, li/ings of lands, 8cc.' by Mr. Thomas Fuller, Master of the Desire.
Uaklnifl, vol. iii. p. 803, and p. 825.
t^ at
VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH. 6?
at Sierra Leone. The inhabitants here (negroes) did not venture
on board the ships without first requiring an Englishman to be
sent on shore as a hostage for their security ; a precaution which g"f^"^^
the practices of Europeans on that coast had rendered necessary. Lepne.
Intelligence was received from the natives that a Portuguese ship
lay farther up the river, and the Hugh Gallant Avas sent after
iher ; but for want of a pilot to conduct the Hugh Gallant, the
Portuguese remained unmolested.
On Sunday the 2&th, same of the English went on shore, who aSth.
■'were upon such familiar and friendly terms with the natives,
that they were playing and dancing with them all that fore-
noon. As the Englishmen were embarking to return to the
«hip, they espied a Portuguese who had lain concealed among
the bushes to watch them. They caught him and carried him
on board with them.
Notwithstanding the merriment and good humour which had ?9*'
prevailed between the English seamen and the natives, on the
next morning (the 29th) the General landed with 70 men, and
marched to a town of the natives, which he plundered of
the little that was found worth taking, and set fire to many
of the houses. The inhabitants at the first alarm fled, but.
they rallied afterwards and attacked the Englishmen in their
retreat with bows and arrows, and wounded several, the rela-
tion says, with poisoned arrows ; but the wounded men re-
covered.
What cause of offence the natives had given to occasion this
attack on their town is not explained. The account in the first
edition of Hakluyt says, ' we burned some 150 of their houses
' because of their bad dealings with us and all Christians.'*
Francis Pretty, however, has related the circumstance without
assigning any reason or making any observation on such a change
• Hakluyt, p. 809. edit. 1589.
Vol. II. K of
m VOYAGE OF THOMAS CxlVENDISH
CHAP. 5. of conduct; and it is extremely probable that their being
1586. negroes was thought explanation sufficient.
August. j^ f^^^ ^^ after this adventure, some of the English seamea
Leone, having landed at the watering place, were attacked by the
natives, in consequence of which, one man who was wounded
in the thigh by an arrow, lost his life ; but his death Avas not
occasioned by the arrow being poisoned, but by a brokea
piece of it remaining in the waund, which -brought on a mor-
tification,
^piember. September the 6th. They sailed from Sierra Leone for tlte
* coast of Brasil.
Nsovember. November the 1st. They anchored in a port between the
S^ebastian. '^^i'^"*'^'^^ of Brasil and an Island named San Sebastian, which is
about 40 leagues to the WSW from Rio Janeiro. This anchorage
was near the NW part of the Island ; the depth 10 fathoms.*
Here they completed their water, and set up a pinnace.
They took a Portuguese in a canoe which had come from Rio
Janeiro, and released him on his promise to assist in procuring
them fresh provisions; but they heard nothing of him after*-
Vards.
December. The 23d. They sailed from S. Sebastian, towards the South,
Desire, and on the 17th of December, near the 48th degree of latitude,
they anchored in a harbour which the General named after his
ship. Port Desire.
In this harbour there are islands on which were found o-veat
numbers of seals and sea birds. Tiie seals here are described to
be ' of a Avonderful great bigness, and monstrous of shape: the
' fore part of their bodies cannot be compared to any thing
* better than to a lion : their head, neck, and fore-parts of their
bodies are full of rough hair: tlieir feet are in manner of a fin,
* and in form like to a man's hand : they give their ^young milk
* Notes hij Mr. Thomas Fuller, Hakluyt,yo\. iii. p. 827, and 833.
'yet
<
ROUND THE WORLD. 67
* yet continually get they their living in the sea. Their young chap. 5.
* are marvellous good meat, and being boiled or roasted are 1586.
' hardly to be known from lamb or mutton. The old ones be, I^^'^^^d^''-
' of such bigness and force^ that it is as much as four men are
' able to do to kill one of them A\'ith staves, and he must be
* beaten on the head ; for being shot in the body with a musket,
' he will 2;o his way into the sea, and never care for it at the
* present.'*
The vessels were laid aground here, and their bottoms cleaned,
the rise and fall of the tide being sufficient to allow this business
to be performed with ease. The greatest inconvenience of this
port is the scarcity of fresh water : no good watering place was
found, nor was any water obtained, except some of a brackish
quality, by digging in a green valley at the foot of a mountain.
Whilst occupied in this employment, the English were attacked
by some natives with bows and arrows, and two of them were
wounded, one with an arrow quite through the knee. Some
graves' of the natives were seen, and it was observed, that with
the dead bodies were buried their arms and ornaments.
Mr. Thomas Fuller, the master of the Desire, has given the T. Fuller's
following directions for sailing into this port. ' On the North side fo" sailing
* fwithout the entrance! there lieth a ledse of rocks, about a into
o ' PortJJesire.
' league distant from the shore. Also on the North side at the
* mouth of the harbour there lie a couple of rocks which are at
' half flood under water, but be bold to borroAv on [i. e. ap-
' proach without fear] the Southernmost shore ; for there is no
* danger ; and you shall have no less than 6 fathoms depth at
* low water. You may know the harbour by one little island
* that heth SE off the mouth of the harbour, and it is distant
« 4 leagues, -f- Furthermore you may know the harbour by a
* Kelation by Francis Pretty. Hakluyt, vol. m. p. 805. In the accounts of
jome voyages, these large animals are called Sea Lions.
f Other accounts place the Island (since known by the name of Penguin
liland) not more than 3 leagues distant from the entrance of Port Desire,
K 2 high
68 VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
* high rock that standeth on the South, and this rock is very
* much hke a watch tower. It floweth there South and North
* [i. e. it is high water when the moon is on the meridian], and
* at spring tides higheth [rises] 3 fathoms and a ha,lf. In the
* offing, the flood sctteth to the Northward.' Fuller gives for
the latitude of this Port, 47" 50* S.*
A Rock They quitted Port Desire on December the 28th ; and a part of
Soiith*of *^^^^ ^^y ^"^ ^^^ ^^^^ 29th, they stopped near the Island to the
Port Desire. SE of Port Desire, to take and salt penguins. Afterwards they
^tood along the coast to the Southward. On the 30th they
passed a rock which resembled the Eddistone Rock near Plymouth.
When it bore WSW l mile distant, they had 8 fathoms depth.
it is by their estimation 50 miles to the South of Port Desire,
land 5 leagues distant from the main-land. Beyond this rock,
^0 miles farther along the coast, and a league and a half distant
frOm the main-land, they saw a small flat island.-f-
1^87. January the 6th. Mr. Cavendish arrived at the entrance of the
Iri"thT Strait of Magalhanes, and in the evening anchored with his
Strait of squadron near the First Angostura. Duiang the night, lights
were observed on the North shore, which were supposed to be
intended as signals to the ships, and lights were shown in answer.
yth. The next morning, the General went in a boat to the Northern
side of the Strait, and as the boat ran along by the land, three
men were seen on the shore, who made signals by waving a
white flag. The General stood in, aind when the boat drew
Spaniards jig^r, the men on the shore enquired in the Spanish language,
Strait, to what country the ships belonged. These men were Spanish
* Fuller's latitude agrees with the account of Commodore Byron. See Hawkes-
worih's Collection of Voyages, vol. i. p. 23. There is much disagreement among'
the later navigators concerning the situation of Port Desire. More particular
explanations, with the copy of a plan of Port Desire, will be found in the account
of the Voyage of Le Maire and Schouten, towards the end of this volume.
f Fuller's notes.
soldiers,
ROUND THE WORLD. 69
sotdiers, and part of the garrison that had been brought from c h a p. 5.
Europe by Sarmiento to guard the Strait. The General, who 1587.
had received information before he left England, of the dis- g.^aiTof
tressed condition of the Spaniards in this part of the world, and Magalhanea
which no doubt was confirmed by the appearance of these men,
ordered one of his people who understood the Spanish language,
to tell them, that the ships were English ; but that if they chose
to embark with him, he would carry them to Peru, The
Spaniards on hearing to what nation the people in the boat be^
longed, said, they would not trust themselves with the English,
for fear that they should be thrown overboard. The English^
man answered that they might safely embark, for the English
were better Christians than the Spaniards. After this dialogue,
the General ordered the boat from the shore, leaving the
Spaniards to abide by their own determination ; but after a
short consultation among themselves, they agreed in opinion^
that it could not be worse to trust the English than to stay
where they were certain to peritli : they accordingly called after
the boat, which returned to the shore, and one of the Spaniards
stepped into her. The General enquired of him what other
Spaniards were on shore ; and was answered, that besides the
three he had seen, there were fifteen more (twelve men and
three women). The General then desired that the two soldiers,
the companions of him who had embarked, should be instructed
to go to the other Spaniards, and inform them, that if they
desired to leave the place, they should come to the shore nearest
the ships, and he would receive them all on board. With
this message the two soldiers departed, and the boat left tli^
«hore.
When the General arrived on board, he found the wind fa-
vourable for advancing up the Strait ; japon which, without any
waiting, he ordered the anchors to be taken up, and the ships
immediately sailed forward, leaving the wretched remains of
. the
W VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
CHAP. 5- the Spanish colony with this cruel disappointment, added to
^"T^sT^ their other miseries, and utterly abandoned of man, both friend
Magalli^nes With respcct to the conduct of Mr. Cavendish on this occa-
sion, it is to be remarked, that the passage af the Strait was at
that time, with great reason, regarded as extremely precarious
and uncertain : the examples of failure in the attempt, even
after entrance within the Strait had been gained, were nu-
merous. In Avarfare, there are many cases wherein, by the
general practice of the world, the dictates of humanity are not
allowed to influence the operations of hostility. If Cavendish,
by stopping to take on board the remnant of the Spanish garri-
son, had missed his passage and been forced to return home, it
is far from certain that the disappointment of his expectations
and those of his followers would have been compensated by the
approbation of his countrymen, or that he would have stood
acquitted in the general opinion of the world for having so sa-
crificed the success of his undertaking, and converted to the
■benefit, what had been intended for the annoyance, of the
enemy. From these considerations it may be argued, that the
English, in not staying to relieve the Spanish colonists, did not
act in a manner repugnant to the general practice of the most
civilized nations.
On the other hand, it may be observed, that the time ne-
cessary for taking these people on board could scarcely have
-exceeded two or three hours, as it is most probable that they
would have been all waiting in readiness to embark by the time
that boats could have gone to them from the ships. Considering
the shortness of the required detention, the extraordinary hard-
ships they had endured, and their extreme distress, it must excite
some wonder that the claims of humanity did not prevail for
their preservation. The best apology that can be offered for the
conduct of the English on this occasion, is, that they could
5 not
HOUND THE WORLD. 7l
not foresee, or reasonably imagine that relief would not be sent chap. 5.
to the Spaniards from their own country. 1587.
The Spaniard, the only one, who was received into the English s^traUof
ships, was named Tome Hernandez. From a public declaration Magalhanes
which he made many years afterwards, has been received all
that is known of the history of this neglected colony subsequent
to the departure of Sarmiento from the Strait*'
The following is a summary of the account given by Her-
aandez.
The Spanish settlers, as already has been related, -f were Account of
landed from the ships in February 1584. In the latter part of Colony left
May, their General was forced out of the Strait by a gale of ^^ Sarnai-
wind, and there remained no veffel with the colony. In August, Strait,
which, being correspondent to the Northern February, must be
one of the most severe months of the Southern winter, the
Spaniards who had been left at Nombre de Jesus, judged it ne-
cessary to quit that station, and to remove to the town of San
Felipe, to which place they travelled by land. But sustenance
for so many people could not be obtained at San Felipe ; and
Captain Andres de Viedma, who commanded after tlie depar-
ture of Sarmiento, sent 200 men back to N. de Jesus, who had
no other means to, support themselves in the journey than by
seeking for shell fish along the coast. Many died during the
winter. The ensuing spring and summer Avere passed in con-
stant and anxious expectation of the return of Sarmiento, and
of receiving relief from the Spanish colonies in South America;
but neither Sarmiento, nor relief of any kind arrived. When
the summer was far advanced, Viedma, who had remained with
.the people at the town of San Felipe, caused two small barks to
* The same Declaration has furnished several of the circumstances which
■ . have been just related.
t See p, 52.
be
72 VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
triVp. 5. be built, in which he embarked with all the people who were
Spanish then living at that place, being 55 in number, i.e. 50 men and 5
Colony in ^^romen. Hernandez has described the time so indistinctly that
the blrait. . • " i_
it appears uncertain whether this event took place in the be-
ginning of 1585 or of 1586.
Thej set sail towards the Eastern entrance of the Strait ; but
when they had proceeded only 6 leagues from San Felipe, one of
the barks was cast on the rocks and wrecked. This accident was
entirely occasioned by there not being among them any mariners
who could manage the vessel. The people got from the wreck
safe to land, but the remaining bark was not large enough to
carry the whole ; and this loss, with their -want of a stock of
provisions sufficient for a sea voyage, made them for the present
relinquish the project of quitting the Strait. To increase the
ineans of subsistence, it was determined to separate the people
into small divisions. About twenty returned to San Felipe :
the l^emainder spread themselves in small parties along the
coast. Some ground had been cleared and sown with grain ;
but their agricultural attempts were not productive. Pretty,
in his account of the voyage of Mr. Cavendish, has related,
that :during the time the Spaniards were in the Strait, * they
' could never have any thing to grow, or in anywise prosper;
* and on the other side, the Indians preyed upon them.' It is
probable that the natives, with whom the Spaniards were not
upon friendly terms, destroyed their crops and prevented their
deriving assistance from cultivation of the ground.
■ A short time before the arrival of the vessels of Mr. Cavendish,
all who remained living of the parties along the coast, and of
the people of San Felipe, joined ; their number being reduced by
hunger and sickness to eighteen (15 men and 3 women).*
* Francis Pretty, in his relation, says the number of Spaniards living was
twenty-three ; but he had no otlier means of information than from Tomi Her-
nandez.
In
ROUND THE WORLD. 73
In the town of San Felipe many lay dead in their houses, and c h a p. 5.
even in their clothes, those who were left alive not having Spanish
strength or spirits to bury their deceased companions. The t^,g g^yi"
town at length became so tainted, that the survivors could not
longer remain in it. Some among them proposed that they should
attempt to go by land to the Rive7' de la Plata:* but the small-
ness of their number, their exhausted strength, and the danger of
finding the natives every where hostile, Avere objections to this
plan ; and the majority preferred trusting to the arrival of some
ship for their deliverance. It was therefore agreed to travel to
the first settlement (Nominee de Jesus). In their journey along
the coast, they passed many dead bodies of their countrymen
who had perished in seeking for subsistence, or in travelling
from one to the other settlement, and some who had been killed
by the natives.
These poor travellers had almost reached to the end of their
journey, having arrived at the entrance of the Strait, when they
descried three vessels standing in for the land. In the evenino;
of the same day, the strange vessels anchored near the South
shore of the entrance; and during the night, the Spaniards made
signals to them with lights, which were seen and answered from
the ships. The next morning they had the satisfaction to see a
boat coming towards them from the ships, but the boat ran past
the place where the Spaniards were Avaiting; upon which,
Viedma, the Spanish commander, ordered three of his men to
follow her along the coast, who, Avhen they had gone half a
league, were descried by the Enghshmen, and one of them,
Tome Hernandez, as before related, embarked Avith Ca-
vendish.
* This proposal is mentioned in Pretty's relation.
Vol. II. L It
74 YOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
CHAP. 5. It appears by the preceding account, that at the time Caven-
Spanish dish passed through the Strait, the eighteen Spaniards, of whom
Colony in j-fernandez was one, were the living remains of the settlers at
the btnut. ' o
Sa?i Felipe. It must be supposed that some were then living at
Nomhre de Jesus, as one half of their number had departed from
Sa7i Felipe to go to that place, who are not afterwards spoken of
by Hernandez.
All the descriptions of the Strait of Magalhanes agree in
stating, that seals and penguins are found to inhabit various
parts of the Strait in numbers almost incredible. If then the
Spanish colony perished for want of sustenance, their being re-
duced to such extremity must have been in a great measure
owing to the want of having among them persons who knew
how to conduct a fishery, or to derive benefit from what the shores
of the Strait, and particularly of the islands within the Strait,
were capable of furnishing. The departure of their last ship
seems to have left them destitute of people so qualified. It may
likewise be supposed, that the kind of nourishment found in the
Strait, with the severity of the climate, both differing so greatly
from what the colonists had always before been accustomed to,
conduced as much as the scarcity to destroy them.
The latter part of the declaration of Tome Hernandez contains
his answers to certain questions concerning the Strait, which
Avere proposed to him by order of the Viceroy.
The most material of the information obtained by these inter-
rogatories will be found in the following extracts :
Extract Qu. From the time you embarked in the English ship till
Declaration JO" ^^^d passed through the Strait, was the weather stormy or
ot Tome otherwise ? Ans. We passed throu2;li with very fine weather.
HernaQdez. . . ^ _ ° •'
Qu. Did you sail during the nights ? Ans. We anchored
every night, and in the morning got under sail again, sounding
as we went, and keeping a boat before us.
Qu. The natives that you saw in the Strait, of what colour
were
ROUND THE WORLD. 75
were they ? Was their hair long or short ? Had they any c h a p. 5.
beards ? Ans. Some were white, and of a sood colour ; others Declaratioa
were dark. They had long hair, which was gathered up on the H^j.^ai^ez.
crown of the head, in the same manner as is done by women.
Qu. Of what stature were they ? To this question, no other
answer is given than that they were very corpulent.
Qu. Did you see many people, and were they all of the same
stature ? Ans. The greatest number we saw together at any one
time was 250, which was in the neighbourhood of the first set-
tlement. They were large people. Near the second settlement
(San Felipe) and towards the South Sea, are Indians of ordinary
stature, who wear their hair short, but are cloathed like the
others.
Qu. In what towns or villages do they inhabit ? Ans. I saw-
neither town nor village.
Qu. Had you much communication with them, and did the
Spaniards penetrate far into the country ? Ans. We did not go
in-land above three leagues, and had very little communication
Avith the natives.
Qu. Did the Indians ride, or, were there any horses in that
country ? Ans. Whenever we saw them, they Avere on foot,
and we saw no horses.*
Qu.
* The Southern parts of America were at this time plentifully stocked with a
breed of wild horses, a circumstance of which the Patagonians have since been
found to avail themselves ; and they are now well furnished with those animals.
Commodore Byron, who was in the Strait of Magaihanes in 1 764, relates that oa
the North shore of the Strait, he saw about 500 of the natives at one time, the
greater part of whom were on horseback. HawkeswortNs Collection, vol. 1.
p. 27. The Chilese likewise have of late years been remarked to resemble a
nation of Arabs. The breed of horses was introduced into South America in the
following manner :
In 1 534> J^on Pedro de Mendoga departed from Spain for South America, with
14 large ships, in which were embarked above 3000 men and 72 horses and mares.
L 2 In
76 VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
CHAP. 5. Qii. Had the natives cattle or fowls. Ans. In the lowlands
Declaration were sccn a kind of sheep [the guanaai] and wild fowl ; and
ot lome J ^1 luountains deer; but the natives had neither flocks nor
liernandez.
birds.
Qu. Did tliey sow grain ? or do a^ou know in what manner
they supported themselves ? Ans. The Indians that I saw fed
upon whale flesh and shell fish. A Spanish woman belonging
to the settlement fell into their hands, and was kept by them
three months, at the end of which time they released her : and
the account she gave was, that they had no towns, neither had
. they corn : that they lived upon roots, shell fish, seals, and
whales, and they eat of a wild berry (azofeifas) like the
jnjuha.
Qu. Were any other animals seen than those 3^ou have men-
tioned ? Ans. Small lions, and no other.
Qu. Saw you any snakes or other poisonous vermin ? Ans,
No. I believe the climate is too cold for any such to breed.
Qu. Had the natives gold or silver ? Ans. We never siaw any
thing of the kind in their possession.
'I'he foregoing particulars were delivered by Hernandez from
memory, thirty-three years after he left the Strait..
In 1535, they entered the River de la Plata, but, from the opposition made by
the natives, and the scarcity of subsistence, they found great difficulty in esta-
blishing- themselves in that part of America. At the end of four years, Don Pedro,
being aged and infirm, embarked for Spain, but died in the passage. Histor. Prim,
de las Ind. Occ. vol. iii. published by D. Jut. Goiiz. Barcia. Madrid 1749.
Lopez Vaz relates, that the Spaniards carried with them from Spain, ' 40 mares
' and 20 horses, with other animals. After D. Pedro de Mendoca sailed for Spain,
' the men whom he left behind went higher up the River in search of susbsistence,
' leaving behind them s\\, Buetios Jyrcs their mares and horses; but it is a wonder
• to see that of 30 mares and 7 horses, which the Spaniards left there, the in-
' crease in 40 years was so great, that the country 20 leagues up is full of horses.'
Discourse of Lopez Vaz. Hakluyt, Vol. in. p. 788.
TllG
ROUND THE WORLD. 77
The English ships, after passing; both the Angosturas, an- chap. 5.
chored at the Is'and named in the late charts S" Magdakiia, j^^st.
where they killed and salted penguins in such quantities, that J<"i»ary-
in tv.'o hours time they filled six pipes with their flesh.* Strait of
From this Island, they sailed to the deserted town of San^^''^^^^^'''''^^
Felipe, A\here they anchored on the 9th. Here they took in
fresh water, and supplied the ships with wood by pulling to
pieces the houses in the town. Eour pieces of brass and two of
iron ordnance which the Spaniards had buried in the ground, the
English dug up and took on board their vessels.
The English commander gave a new name to this place, Port
calling it Port Famine, a name which it has ever since retained ramine.
in the English charts ; and it is now distinguished by one nearly
synonimous in the Spanish charts, Puerto de Hamhre (the Port
of Hunger). The ships stopped here five da3^s, which makes it
peculiarly unfortunate that the town should have been deserted
by the few remaining inhabitants, who, it may be said, left it
but just in time to miss relief.-f-
On the 14th, the English ships sailed from Port Famine.
The most Southern point of the continental land the General
named Cape Froward. Five leagues by their estimation farther
to the West, they put into a cove on the South side of the Strait,
Avhere contrary winds detained them six days. Here they found
great plenty of muscles.
The 21st. They sailed from the cove, NWbW 10 leagues^,
to a port in the Northern shore, Avhere they rode for the night,
during which, one of the seamen of the Hugh Gallant died, and
was buried on shore.
* This circumstance is related by Hernandez in his Declaration (p. xviii.),
and shews that the Spaniards might have found subsistence in the Strait.
■\ Besides Tome Hernandez, only one more of the Spanish garrison lived to be
taken from the Strait, of which the reader will find an account ia the Chapter
next ensuing.
The
78 VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
CHAP. 5. The next day, the ships anchored two leagues farther to the
3-587. Westward, near afresh Avater river.* The General went in a
January, j-^q^j- tJivee miles up the river, and saw a number of natives, who
In the ^
Strait of gave to the English the flesh of some animal, and some friendly
Maga ''"^"^"iniej-cQurse took place between them; but Hernandez told the
General that they were a treacherous people, who had no other
design than to decoy the English into an ambuscade. As some
European knives and pieces of swords which had been con-
verted into darts, were seen in possession of the natives, the
General gave credit to the suggestions of Hernandez ; and the
next time that he went to the shore, Avhen the natives approach-
ed, he ordered muskets to be fired at them, by which some were
killed, and the rest fled.
Westerly winds detained the ships in the Strait a month
longer, but they were in a sheltered port nearly the whole of
that time.
February. On February the 24th, they entered the South Sea with a fa-
Cavendish , - . ,
enters the vourable wmd.
^M ■'^- T^' March the 1 st. In the night, the Hugh Gallant was separated
from her companions. The other two vessels afterwards an-
Island chored at Mocha, an island near the coast of Chili, at which
Mocha, pigpg^ Pretty relates, ' some of our men went on shore with the
' Vice Admiral's boat, Avhere the Indians fought with them with
* their bows and arrows, and Avere marvellous Avary of our
* calivers.'
Island From Mocha the General sailed to the Island S'" Maria, about
" Maria. ^^ leagues farther to the North, and on the 15th, anchored near
the North side of that Island in 8 fathoms, a black sandy
bottom. The same day, he Avas joined again by the Hugh
Gallant.
The 16th. The General landed on the Island Santa Maria
* This seems to have been at the present Port Gallant,
Avith
ROUND THE WORLD. 79
with 70 of his men. The inhabitants mistook them for Spaniards, chap. 5.
and received them very submissively. They found here a quan- 1587.
tity of wheat and barley ready threshed, and potatoe roots, ^'*'*^'^'
lodged in storehouses, which Avere supposed to have been de-
signed for tribute to the Spaniards. From this store, the English
ships Avere plentifully furnished, and the Islanders likewise
brought them hogs, fowls, dried fish, and Indian corn. The
General entertained some of the chief people of the island on
board his ship ' and made them merry with wine.' The ships
•remained at S" Maria till the 18th, and then sailed to the North
along the coast, with the intention to stop at Valparaiso;* but
they missed that port; and, on the 30th, anchored in the Bay of 3oth.
Qiiintero (Farmer's Bay) which is about 7 leagues to the North Bay.
of Valparaiso, in 7 fathoms ; white sandy bottom.
As the ships came to anchor, a shepherd who had been sleep-
ing on a hill near the sea side awoke, and seeing three strange
vessels, caught a horse that was grazing near him, and rode
away as fast as he could. This was seen from the ships. Shortly
after, the General landed with 30 men; and before he had been
an hour on shore, three armed horsemen appeared, who ap-
proached within a short distance of the Englishmen. The
General sent to them two of his men, and in their company, to
serve as interpreter, Hernandez, the Spaniard whom he had
brought from the Strait, who it seems, before he Avas trusted on
this business, made many protestations that he would be true to
the General, and would never forsake him. The horsemen made
signs that only one person at a time should come to them, and
Hernandez was allowed to go, being instructed to treat with
them for a supply of provisions. After some conference, Her-
nandez returned, and told the General that he had reported the
English to be Spaniards, and had obtained a promise of being
* J'al Paraiso, i. e. the Vale of Paradise.
furnished
80 VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
CHAP. 5. furnished Avith as much provisions as they could desire. AH
g this was beheved, and Hernandez was sent a second time, with
March, another message, and one EngUshman with him as a guard, but
the horsemen would not consent that the guard should come near
them, and Hernandez again went alone, who, after a short
parley, and being at a good distance from the English, jumped
up behind one of the horsemen, and they rode oft' at full gallop,
leaving the Englishmen to complain of the bad faith of Her-
nandez, who, ' notwithstanding all his deep and damnable
' oaths that he would never forsake them, but would die on
' their side before he would be false,' had deceived them. Some
share of the blame they should have placed to the account of
their own credulity. The remainder of the day they continued
on shore filling their water casks, keeping a good watch, and
constantly on their guard. They saw cattle, but so wild that
they could not catch or shoot any. At night they returned to
their ships.
31st. The next morning (the 31st), between 50 and CO of the
English landed, and marched into the country 7 or 8 miles,
in hopes of discovering some town of the Spaniards; but they
did not find either town or village, nor did they meet a single
inhabitant, either Spaniard or Indian. The country through
which they passed was fruitful and well watered. They saw
large herds of wild cattle and horses ; hares, rabbits, partridges,
and many kinds of wild fowl ; and they met many wild dogs.
Though the English saw no enemy, it may be supposed that
they did not make this incursion unobserved by the Spaniards ;
but they preserved good order during the whole of their march,
till they returned to the J3ay at night, when they embarked
without molestation, or the appearance of any having been
intended.
April 1st. Early the next morning, April the 1st, boats were sent from
the ships to fill fresh water, which was done at a pit a quarter
2 of
ROUND THE WORLD. 81
of a mile distant from the sea shore. Whilst the Englishmen chap, 5.,
were employed in this business, and less on their guard than 1587.
they had been the day before, about 200 horsemen came upon -^P"*-
them suddenly, and twelve of the party were cutoff, part of
whom were killed and part taken prisoners.
The Declaration of Hernandez says, that twelve Englishmen;
were killed and nine taken prisoners, and that not one of the
Spaniards was hurt. The English account acknowledges only
the loss of twelve men, killed and taken,^ which is probably
correct, as their names are set down, and the ships to which
they belonged are specified. With less appearance of accuracy,
the account of Pretty gives to the English the consolation of
having killed 24 of the Spaniards.
Cavendish, that the enemy might see he was not disheartened
by this mischance, continued in the road of 2uintero till the 5th,
and compleated the watering of his ships ; and the Spaniards,
did not repeat their attack. On the 5th, they left Quintero.
At a little island about a league distant, they took on board
penguins and sea fowl, and from thence proceeded to the
Northward.
The Englishmen who fell alive into the hands of the Spaniards,
were carried to the city of Santiago, where they were treated
as pirates, and six of them hanged,* notwithstanding that the
two nations were at open war. This seems to have been an act
of vengeance for the Spaniards in the Strait of Magalhanes not
having been relieved by the English.
The 15th, the ships stopped near the Morro Moreno (the ,^^°''''°
Brown Mountain) where the General went on shore with 30
men. At their landing, they were met by many of the natives,
who, supposing them to be Spaniards, had brought loads of
wood and water on their backs to the sea side.
* Declaration of Tome Hernandez, p. xxu
Vol, II. 'M , Tlie
82 VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
CHAP. 5. The 23d, near Arica, they took a vessel with a cavgo of
i^S^ Spanish wine ; and a small bark, the crew of which escaped in
■^P.'''- then- boat. This bark the General manned to keep widi the
Anca.
fleet, and she was named the George. On coimng to the road
of Arica, they took a large ship, but her cargo had been re-
moved, and her men had left her. The General had purposed
to land immediately on his arrival at Arica, but the Content,
having been employed in unlading the wine prize, did not come
up in time, and without the assistance of her boat they could
not land in sufficient force. Afterwards, the Spaniards appeared
to be so well prepared and so strong in numbers, that the in-
tention of landing was given up. A vessel was taken close to
the town, and a few shots were exchanged between the English
ships and the Spanish batteries. The General sent a flag of
truce on shore to demand if the Spaniards would redeem their
vessels. This message was sent in hopes of recovering some of
the English prisoners; but orders had been given along the
coast, from the Viceroy of Pem, that nothing should be ran-
somed. All accounts between them were to be balanced in a
different manner.
The 25th, while they still lay in the road of Ai'ica, their boats
pursued a vessel coming from the Southward, which her crew,
to escape from the English, ran on the rocks, and themselves
got safe to land. None of these prizes, except the one laden
with wine, yielded advantage to the captors.
The 26th. Cavendish set fire to his prizes, and the same morn-
ing sailed from Ai^ica.
The next day, they took a small bark from the Southward,
which had been sent by the Government of Chili with dispatches
to Lima, to give notice of the English being on the coasit. The
dispatches had been thrown overboard, but the General extorted
from the crew of the Spanish vessel the knowledge of their
errand, by ' causing them to be tormented with their thumbs
5 ■ ' iu
ROUND THE WORLD. 83
' in a winch/ ' also he made an old Fleming (one of the ,^"A^^"
' crew) believe that they would hang him ; and the rope being 1587.
' about his neck, he was pulled up a little from the hatches ; yet ^
* he would not confess. In the end it was confessed by one of
' the Spaniards, whereupon the bark was burnt/* The Spanish
prisoners^ however, were fortunate in one respect, that Caven*
dish was ionorant of the fate of his men taken at Quintero.
May the 3d.. The English landed at a small town near P/sco, May.
in which they found bread, wine, figs, and fowls.
The 5th, the Content was separated from her companions, as
was, on the 10th, the Hugh Gallant. The 17th, they all met
again, having, whilst separate, taken three prizes, the lading of
which consisted of timbei', leather, wheat, sugar, marmalade, and
other provisions. One of the prizes had been released ; the other
twOj after distributing their lading among his own ships^ the
General ordered to be burnt. A Spanish pilot, named Gonsalvo
de Ribas, and a negro named Emanuel, were kept; the rest of
the Spanish crews were set on shore.
The 20th, they arrived at F'aifa, where the General landed Paita,
with between 60 and 70 men. The inhabitants, after a slight
defence, abandoned the place. ' The town was well built, and
' marvellous clean kept in every street, with a Town House or
' Guildhall in the midst, and had at the least to the number of
* 200 houses in it.'-f- The English- set fire to this town and burnt
it to the ground, with the storehouses, which contained much
valuable merchandise. The plunder they obtained for them'*
selves amounted only to 25 pounds weight of silver. A SpanisH
vessel which lay in the road they likewise burnt; and then
continued their course along shore towards the North.
The £5th, they anchored in a good harbour at the Island Isknd-of
Pu?ia, in 5 fathoms [near what part of the Island is not specified].
* Relation of the Voyage, hy Francis Preify. Kalduyt, vol. ni. p. Sio.
f Ibid, p. 812.
M 2 A Spanish
54 VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
ruAP. .5. A' Spanish ship of 250 tons which lay there at anchor, they
^j'Vg^."'' sunk. The person who was then Governor of the Island Puna,
May. Pretty relates, was a Cacique or native Chief,* who had married
a Spanish woman. He lived in a tOAvn near the sea side. He
had a sumptuous house, and, adjoining to it, a large storehouse
filled with jars of pitch, and bass to make cables ; for most of
the cables at that time used by the Spaniards in the South Sea
were made at Funa. On the arrival of the English, the Cacique
fled from the town, as did his people, except two or three who
were taken by the English.
A small distance to the North of Puna, is the city of Guaiaquil,
where Avas then constantly kept a garrison of 100 Spanish
soldiers. The General obtained information of this from some
of his prisoners, and likewise that a reinforcement of 60 men
was marching from other paits of the country to join them :
nevertheless he laid his ship aground at Puna, to examine and
clean her bottom, and this business was compleated without
any interruption, a good watch and guard being kept both by
day and night during the time it was performing.
Here again, as at Quintero, Mr. Cavendish suffered himself to
be deceived by tranquil appearances, and his vigilance to be
June: lulled asleep. On the 2d of June, after the General's ship was
afloat, a nvimber of the English seamen were allowed to be
ashore, and to ramble about the town to seek for sheep, goats,
and fowls. In this dispersed situation, a body of Spanish
soldiers, who had landed on the other side of the island during
the night, fell upon them unexpectedly ; and of twenty Eng-
lishmen who were in the town, eight only made good their re-
treat. Seven were killed on the spot, two were drowned, and,
three taken prisoners.
After the experience which the English had so dearly bought
• Relation bj/ Fr.Frctti/, Uakhij/t,\o\. in. p. 8ia._
At
ROUND THE WORLD/ 85
at QuiJifero, no excuse can be offered for tlieir negligence in c h a p. 5.
being thus a second time surprised. Tiie General, however, 1587.
was neither abashed nor dispirited : on the same day he landed
with 70 men, and attacked the Spaniards, who, after a slight
resistance, retreated from the town, Avhich Cavendish burnt to
the ground, and set fire likewise to four vessels which were on
the stocks building.
The next day (the 3d), in the spirit of defiance, the Content
was laid aground and her bottom cleaned, and a pinnace which
the Spaniards had damaged, was repaired on shore.
The 5th, they sailed from the Island Puna, and stood to a
Tiver in the main land, where they Avatered. The Indian pri-
soners were set on shore here ; and the Hugh Gallant was sunk
and her crew distributed between the remaining vessels, on
account of the number of the English being so much reduced.
Francis Pretty, the author of the narrative in Hakluyt (sd edit.),
who had hitherto sailed in the Hugh Gallant, was taken into the
•General's ship.
They advanced slowly to the North. On the 1st of July, July-
they were near the coast of New Spain. The 9th, they took a
new built ship without any lading. The crew were taken out,
and the ship was burnt. Among these, tlieir prisoners, was a
native of Provence, named Michael Sancius, who gave the
English information that a large ship was expected to arrive
sliortly from the Philippine Islands.
The £7th, they entered the Port of Guatulco, where they Gaatuko. ■
anchored in 6 fathoms. This town, with the church and, custom-
house, they burnt. The port of Acapulco was afterwards passed
by mistake, and escaped experiencing the same fate. They con-
tinued their course leisurely towards the North, and their route
was marked with the destruction of some Spanish villages and
houses near the coast, but the booty they made was of mconsi- •
derable ■
Ȥ VOYx^GE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
c 11 A P. 5. derable value. At Fu&rio de Navidad, they destroyed tv/o large
1537. sliips^ on the stocks.
September. September the 8th. They came to a bay called the Bay of
Com{>03te\la^'^"-P^^^^'^<^j^ where some of the seamen landed, and ' went
' tn^o leagues up into the country early in the morning, and
* took a Spaniard and his wife, a Ragusean and his wife, with
' an Indian and his wife, and brought them to the General, who
' set the women at liberty, and they redeemed their husbands
' with fruits, as plantains, niameias.-j- pine apples, oranges^ and
' lemons, of aJl whichis great abundance, as the Spaniard says,
' tanto como t'lerra, as plenty as there is of eartlv'j
Mazatlan The 20th. They stopped in the Bay of Mazatlan, where
they got fruits and fish.
Having thus com pleated their career along the American
coast iVom the Southern part of Chili towards the North as far as
October, to Mazatlan, on the 9th of October, with two ships, the Desire
Leave the ^"<^^ Content, (the George having been abandoned) Mr. Cavenr-,
Coast of (^isjj quitted the coast of Nezi^ Spain, and steered for the South
New fepain ...
Cape of California, with the determination to wait there for the
arrival of the ship- which was expected from the Thilippine
Islands.
Cape On the 14th, they made Cape Sa7i Lucas, and on this station,
■S. Lucas 1 . . 1 „ „
kecpnig sight of the Cape, they continued to cruize till the 4th
November of November. On the morning of that day, between seven and
eight o'clock, a strange sail was discerned from the mast head,
standing in for the Cape. Chace was immediately given by the
English; and this proved to be their expected prey. In ths
* This seems to be the harbour at present named San Bias.
+ Mameias, or ' Mami'/s, a fruit bigger than a quince, liaving a peel as thej
' orange, and a great stone or kernel in the middle, and the meat very dainty.'
Mins/iew's Spanish and English Diilionari/, London 1509.
ij: IVorlhy and famous Voyage of Music r Thomas Cavendish, In UaJduyt, p. 811.
edit. 158;^,
afternoon
ROUND THE WORLD. ^ er
afteinoon they got close up to the chace, and commenced an chap. 5.
attack with cannon and musquetry. The Spaniards defended 1587.
their ship with courage, and the engagement was of long con- California?
tinuance. In the course of the action, which is said to have
lasted five or six hours, the English attempted to take the
Spanish ship by boarding, but she being fitted with close quar-
ters,* they were driven back \vith the loss of two men killed and
five Avounded. The attack was afterwards carried on with guns.
At lengtl], the Spaniards submitted, and the Eno-lish took pos- I^'ch
. ° ' . . , . , 1- . ■ ,- • , • Spanish
session ot then* prize, which did not disappoint their expecta- Ship taken.
lions. In the action, the English lost no more men than the
two already mentioned. Of the Spaniards, t\velve were killed
and many wounded.
The captured ship was of 700 tons burthen, commanded by
Tomas de Alzola, her name was the Santa Ana, and she be-
longed to the king of Spain. She had treasure on board in
specie 122,000 pesos of gold, besides Avhich, she had a valuable
cargo of sattins, silk, musk, and various merchandise of the
Eastern Indies. With this rich prize, they ran into a bay on
the Eastern side of Cope San Lucas, where the}' anchored in 1 2
fathoms depth.
This Bay was called by the Spaniards Aguada Segura,-f (the ^gnada
Safe Watering Place). There is in it a fresh water river, and °
wood is plenty ; and it is protected from all Avinds, except the
Soutb East.
It did not suit the purposes or inclination of the English to
keep the Santa Ana : nevertheless, the General set on shore here
hi« prisoners ' m^n and women to the number of 1 90 persons,'
* Close quarters i.re strong wooden barricades or partitionsj which are fixed
across a sliip^ generally under tlie quarter-decii and forecastle, and foitn goad
places of retreat wlien a ship is boarded by aa enemy. They are fitted witti
loop-holes for firing musketry through.
*[- Siace iKimed llie Ba^ dc San BcrnavS.
the
5j VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVEKDISH
CHAP. 5. the larger portion of wliom were passengers. Among the pri-
^^"T^C*^ soners were ' two young lads born in Japan, who could both
November. < -^vnte and read their ov/n language; the eldest being about 20
Iguadr ' years old was named Christopher, the other was called Cosm us,
Segura. . about 1 7 years of age, both of very good capacity.'* These
two lads, three boys natives of the Fhil/ppines, a Spanish pilot,
and a Portuguese pilot, the General took on board his own ship.
To the Spaniards who were put on shore, he gave some pro-
visions, and arms for their defence against the natives of the
country; they were likewise permitted to take the sails and part
of the furniture of their ship, with some plank.
The treasure was removed from the pri^e into the English
ships, and as large a quantity of the goods as they could con-
veniently carry, which was ' forty tons of the chiefest merchan-
' disc.' This business was expeditiously performed, and on the
8th, a division was made of the spoil, which was so conducted
that many were dissatisfied against the General, especially those
Avho were in the Content : but they were ' after a sort pacified
' for the time.'
The 19th. The English ships having repaired their damages
and compleated their water, at three in the afternoon, the
General caused the prize ship, the S" Ana, in which there re-
mained at the time 500 tons of merchandize, to be set on fire;
As she burnt to the water's edge, a piece of ordnance was fired
from the General's ship, and with this triumphant mark of his
animosity against Spaniards, Mr. Cavendish sailed out of the
Bay.
Of the As to the Spaniards thus left on an uncultivated coast, though
Santa Ana. the country abounded in fowl and game, and the harbour in
fish, so large a number must have been reduced to great distress
long before they could have built a vessel capable of transporting
* Hakluyt, Vol. ni. p. 817.
them
ROUND THE WORLD. 89
tbem to New Spain, if Providence had not helped to extricate chap. 5.
them in a more expeditious manner from their unpromising
situation. It is remarkable that this part of California had been
abandoned by the Spanish colony placed there by Cortes, on
account of its not furnishing them with subsistence. In the '
present case, after the departure of the English, as the Santa -
Ana burnt down, the fire freed her from her anchors, and she
was thrown by the waves on shore in the bay, so that the
Spaniards were enabled to extinguish the fire in time to save her
bottom: and when the ballast was thrown out, there was found
vessel sufficient remaining to carry them all.*
Among the records in New Spain there is a declaration of
Tomas de Alzola, the Captain of the Santa Ana, made by him
at Acapidco relative to his being captured ; and likewise the de-
claration of another of the company of the same ship, which
was made before the court oi Audiencia of GuadalaxarOi on the
24th of January 1 688.-f-
It was late in the afternoon of the 19th, when the Desire i5^?-
sailed from Aguada Segura, and the two English ships Avere
separated in a very singular manner. The wind was blowing
fair from the ENE, and the General directed his course for the
Philippine Islands. Pretty's account says, ' we left the Content
' astern of us, which was not as yet come out of the road, and
^ thinking she would have ov^ertaken us, we lost her company,
• and never saw her afterwards.'
The remainins: ship, the Desire, pursued her course across the Track of
Pacific Ocean. There is in the library of the Middle Temple, across the
London, a Globe, made b}' William Sanderson, date 1603, on Oce'an
* Torquemada, Monarq. Indiana, lib. 5. cap. 48.
^ Viage por las Goktas Sutil y Mexkana, ai 1792. Jutroduccion, p. llv. note.
Vol. IL N whicli
90 VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
c H A p. 5. which is described the track of Cavendish. According to this,
his course from California was to the SW till he decreased his
latitude to between 1 2° and 1 3' N, and keeping nearly in that
parallel, he sailed to the West without meeting any land till he
arrived at the Ladrone Islands.
1588.
January. January the 3d. They came in sight of the Ladrones, and
Ladroues. P^^^sed near the Island Guahan, from Avhence canoes went to
them, carrying fruit and vegetables, which they exchanged for
pieces of iron. Some of these islanders followed the ship longer
than was agreeable to the General, and their behaviour was
troublesome, wherefore, to get rid of their company, he ordered
muskets to be fired at them.
Philipj.ine The 1 4th. They made the FhiUppine Islands at the Cape del
Islands. -„ . r, 11 1 11 1 1 o • 7
Espiritu banto, and the same day passed through the otrait de
San Bei'nardino.
The 15th. A discovery was made that the Spanisli pilot, who
had been taken out of the S" Ana, had prepared a letter which
he kept in readiness to send if he should find an opportunity, to
give information to the Governor of Manila respecting the Eng-
lish ship. There is not related in the narrative any circumstance
which gives reason to suppose that this pilot voluntarily engaged
to serve with the English, or that his inclination was at all con-
sulted : nevertheless, the fact above stated being proved, the
General ordered him to be hanged, which order was executed
on the morning of the l6th.
Provisions for the ship were procured among the Philippine
Islands, and from thence Cavendish steered to the South, passing-
February, near the Moluccas, and (on February the 28 th) through one of
jjj^,,,^ the Straits formed by the Islands East of Java. The}'' stopped
at a port on the South side of Java, M'here the inhabitants
were Gentiles. The early account says, ' the King of. this
♦ country was reported to be very near 150 years old. This old
' King's
HOUND THE WORLD. 91
* King's name was Raja Bolamboani.'* Here they purchased a chap. 5.
good supply of provisions. 1588.
March the loth, they sailed from Java. Miuch.
May the 1 8th. They passed round the Cape of Good Hope, May.
and on June the 9th, anchored in the road of the Island Saint June.
Helena. The state of the Island at that time appears in Pretty's g^ Helena,
narrative, from which the following extract is co]>ied. ' The
' same day, in the afternoon, we went on shore, where Ave found
* a fair and pleasant valley, wherein divers handsome buildings
* and houses Avere set up, and especially one which was a
' church. Adjoining to the church are two houses, the coveii-
.' ings of which are made flat, whereon are planted fair vines.
* There is right over against the church, a causey made with
* stones, reaching unto a valley by the sea side, in which valley is
* planted a garden, wherein grow great store of pompions and
' melons. This valley is the fairest plot of ground in the Island,
' and is planted in every place either with fruit trees, or with
* herbs. There are fig trees Avhich bear fruit continually and
* plentifully, for on every tree you shall have blossoms, greea
' figs, and ripe figs, all at once, and all the year long. There be
* also store of lemon trees, orange trees, pomegranate, pomeci-
* tron, and date trees, which bear fruit as the fig trees do, and
' are planted in pleasant walks, which be overshadowed with
' the leaves ; and in every void place is planted parsley, sorel,
' basil, fennel, anniseed, mustard seed, radishes, and many
* good herbs.
' There is also upon this Island, great store of partridges,
* which are very tame, not making any haste to fly away though
* one come near them, but only to run away ; they be within a
* Hakluyt, edit. 15S9, p. 812. The Eastern districtor province of Java, being
named Ballamboang, was probably the pai-t of the Island at which Cavendish
touched.
JT 2 * little
§Si VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH
little as big as an hen. Thei-e are likewise pheasants, mai--
vellous big and fat; guinea cocks, which we call turkies, of
' colour black and white with red heads ; thousands of goats ;
' great store of swine, which be- very wild, fat, and big.
' We found in the houses, at our coming, three slaves, which
' were nesroes, and one which was born in the Island of Java.
' This Island hath been altogether planted bj^the Portugals for
' their refreshing as they come from the East Indies. And
' when they come, they have all things plentiful for their relief^
' by reason that they suffer none to inhabit there that might
' consume the fruit of the Island, except some few sick perfons,,
' which they doubt will not live until they come home, whom
* they leave there to refresh themselves, and take away the year
* following with the other fleet, if they live so long.'
The Portuguese were, even at this time, the only European'
nation whose ships navigated to the East Indies by the Cape of
Good Hope ; and so long as that navigation continued without-
interruption in their hands, the Island St. Helena might be kept
by them on such cheap and convenient terms.
The £Oth of June, having taken a supply of wood, fresh
water, and provisions, they sailed from St. Helena, and September
Arrival at the 9th, arrived at Plymouth, two years and fifty days after their
Plymouth, , , r. ,1 "" .
Sept. 9th. departure from the same port.
This is generally reckoned the third circumnavigation of the
globe, Avhich is correct in respect to the ship in which Mr.
Cavendish sailed ; and she performed the tour in a shorter space
of time than either of her predecessors.
The enterprise of Mr. Cavendish had great advantage over the
more early ones of the English in the Pacific Ocean, in being
legally authorised. In the conduct of it, the Commander was
sometimes wanting in prudence and vigilance, but the activity
and courage displayed by him are conspicuous, and his success
has established the reputation of his undertaking. The acts of
waste
ROUND THE WORLD. ^3
waste and outrage wantonly committed by him without the c h a p. 5.
smallest shew of remorse, shew equally a rooted hatred against 1588;
the Spaniards, and a disposition naturally cruel. On his return
to England, he addressed a letter to Lord Hunsdon, the Lord
Chamberlain, in which is the following boast: ' I navigated
' along the coast of CJrili, Peru, and Nueva Espanna, where I
' made great spoiles : I burnt and sunk 1 9 sailes of ships, small
' and great. All the villages and towns that ever 1 landed at;^
* I burnt and spoiled.'*
The voyage of Mr. Cavendish was not entirely unproductive Geographic
ef advantage to Geography. The only discovery, however, of '^^ ^™"' ^
any importance which can be attributed to him, is that of the
harbour named by him Port Desire, on the East coast of Pata-
gonia. The nautical Remarks and Notes by Mr. Thomas Fuller Notes bj'
must have given useful information to the navigators of that puiier*
time. They consist of a list of latitudes of many of the capes,
bays, and other parts of coast seen during the voyage; some
account of the soundings ; with the bearings and distances of
different points of land from each other. These have been laid
doAvn in the late charts with the advantage of better instruments.
The variation of the compass is noted by Fuller only three times,,
and the places to which the variations applj-^ are expressed in
terms too comprehensive. They are as follows .-
* On the coast of New Spain in the South Sea, in latitude 12"
* N, the variation of our compass was one point to the East-
" ward. Between the Cape of California and the Philippine
' Islands, the variation of our compass was one point and a
♦- half to the East. Between tlie Malucco Islands and the Cape
' of Buena Esperunga, the variation was almost two points and.
' a lialf to the Westward.' -f-
* Haklui/t, vol. Ill, p. 837. + lUd. p, 832.
Fuller:
B^ VOYAGE OF THOMAS CAVENDISH.
Fuller has made a note respecting the Ladrone Islands, with-
out mentioning from Avhence he derived his information, Avhich
the track sailed bj him could not sup pi}' ; but as those Islands
are at this time very imperfectly known to us, it seems proper
to insert his note here. ' The Southernmost Island of the
' Ladrones standeth in the latitude of 12° lo' [North], and from
' thence unto the Northernmost Island the course is NNE, and
' the distance between them is 200 leagues ; and the said
* Northernmost Island standeth in 21° 20' [North latitude].'
C 95 ]
C H A P. VI.
Voyage 0/ Andrew Merick to the Strait of Magalhanes.
nPHE good fortune experienced by Mr. Cavendish, produced chap. 6.
a rapid succession of enterprises from England for the "^"TTfi^*^
South Sea. The first that endeavoured to follow his steps was
an armament fitted out by private individuals, which consisted
of the following named vessels. The Wild Man, of 300 tons pive vessels
burthen and 180 men, commanded by Mr. John Chidley, who "'15!^'',^"'^'^
. . Chidley,
was the chief in command of the expedition ; the White Lion,
of 340 tons and 140 men, commanded by PaulWheele; the
Delight, a ship of Bristol, her tonnage not mentioned, in which
were 91 men, commanded by Andrew Merick ; and two pinnaces
of 15 tons each.*
They sailed from Pli/ mouth August the 5th, 1589, with the Sail from
design of passing through the Strait of Magalhanes into the ^"s'^"'*'
South Sea. When they arrived near the coast of Barbary, the
Delight lost company of the other ships. Captain Merick, Are
nevertheless, pursued his voyage singly, in expectation of rejoin- ^'^P^'^''-' •
ing them either on the coast of Brasil, or at Port Desire; but
he did not meet with any of them again, and nothing further
concerning them appears in the narrative of the voyage.
The Delight anchored in Port Desire, having lost by sickness Menick
and casualties from the time of her leavinsi; Eng-land, sixteen rf^'^i^* ^*
^=5 ^ ' Port t)esiie,
persons. She remained seventeen days in that port. ]\Iagoths
relates, ' during our abode in Port Desire, we found two little
' springs of fresh water,, which were upon the North westerly
* ' J brief Relation'' of tiiis Voyage, written by Wiilinm Magolhs of Bristo/,
who sailed in tlie Delitjbl, is inserted ia HaUiij/i's Collection of Voyages,
vol. ill. p, 839.
• ' part
96 VOYAGE OF ANDREW MERICK
CHAP. 6. ' part of the land.' This direction is not sufficiently precise,
1589. ai^<i ^^^ that can be presumed is, that their Avatering place was
towards the North West from where the ship had anchored.
1500. From Port Desire, jMerick proceeded for the Strait of Magal-
Entersthe hanes, which he entered on the 1st of January 1590. At an
Strait. Island v/ithin the Strait they killed and salted penguins, which,
says the narrator, ' must be eaten with speed, for we found thera
* to be of no long continuance.' At this Island, they had the
misfortune, by bad weather, to lose a boat and fifteen men ;
and afterwards seven more of their men were cut off by the
natives.
hne man Near to Port Famine they took on board a Spaniard, who
^^^f the ° ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^y ^^^ ^^^^^ remaining alive of the garrison left in the
Spanish Strait by Sarmiento. The account given by this man, as re-
ported by Magoths, is, that ' he had lived in those parts six
* years, and was one of the 400 men that were sent thither by
* the King of Spain in the year 1582, to fortify and inhabit
* tliere, to hinder the passage of all strangers that way into the
' South Sea. But that town [of San Felipe'] iind the other
* Spanish colony being destroyed by famine, he said he had
* lived in an house by himself a long time, and relieved himself
* with his caliver until our coming thither.'
From Port Famine the Delight advanced towards the Western
entrance of the Strait^ and passed 10 leagues beyond Cape
Froward, Avhen she was stopped by NW Avinds. At the end of
six weeks from the time of their entering the Strait, finding no
alteration of the Avind in their favour, and having lost their
boats, three anchors, and so many of the ship's company, those
Merick that remained became discontented; and on February the 14th,
obliged to ^.j^gy sailed back out of the Strait to return homeward. The
turn back, *^ ...
want of a boat disabled them from obtaining supplies on the
coast of J5rcf5?/ ; and they went on without stopping to refresh at
any place, and in extreme disti'css, till they arrived off Cherbourg,
11 with
TO THE STRAIT OF MAGALHANES. 97
M'ith only six men remaining alive of their M'hole company, chap. 6.
Here they let go their only anchor on the 30th of August. The 15^0.
next day, the weather becoming stormy, their anchor would
not hold them, and they drove on the rocks. The blame of this
misfortune Magoths imputes to the inhabitants of that part of
the coast of Normandy, * who were commanded by the Governor
' of Cherbourg, to lay out another anchor for the ship, but they
' neglected his commandment, and suffered her to be miserably
^ splitted, with desire to enrich themselves by her wrack.'
Her people got safe to land, being four Englishmen, a Breton,
and a Portuguese. Captain Andrew Merick was among those
who died in the passage to Europe ; as likewise was the Spa-
niard, the second and last of Sarmiento's men who lived to be
taken out of the Strait. The surviving Englishmen were sent in
a bark to TVeymonfli.
The other vessels, in whose company the Delight had sailed
from England, it may be concluded, returned ; for Benjamin
Wood, who went as Master in the Wild Man, Mr. Chidley's
ship, sailed afterwards (in the year 1596) to the East Indies,
with three ships under his command, fitted out by Sir Robert
Dudley.*
* See Punha$, Vol. i. p. no.
Vol. II. O
[ 93 ]
CHAR VIL
Second Voyage of Mr. Cavendish.
i^^J^_;^Jwj ry> f I E year 1591 was remarkable in England for Maritime
^bO^- and Commercial enterpriije. The first voyage undertaken
by the English to the East Indies, was then set forth, under the
command of Captain George Raymond and Captain James
Lancaster: and the same year, Mr. Cavendish determined again
to try his fortune in the South Sea. This second experiment did.
not answer so well as the former : but though the account of tliis
voyage is not recommended by prosperous adventure, it con-
tains circumstances not less worthy of being preserved than those
which occurred in his first voyage.*
The vessels equipped for tliis expedition were ' three tall ships
* and two barks ;' i. e. The Leicester Galeon, in which ]\Ir.
Cavendish sailed, ' being Admiral ;' the Desire (the ship in which
Mr. Cavendish had performed his voyage round the Globe) com-
manded by Mr. John Davis, an experienced and able seaman, well
known for his voyages to the Northern parts of America ; the
Roebuck, commanded by Mr. Cocke ; a small vessel called the
Black pinnace ; and another small bark, commanded by Robert
Tharlton. The four vessels first named were fitted out by Mr.
* Three accounts were written of this Voyage by persons engaged in it; but
two of them are very imperfect and partial. The fullest and most regular is pub-
lished in Ilakluyt, Vol. in. p. 842. Edit. 1600, and is entitled. The last forage
of M. Thomas Candish, Esquire, intended for the South Sea, S^c. Written bi/
M. John Jane, a man of good observation, emploi/ed in the same. The other
two accounts are in Purchas, being a letter written by Mr. Cavendish, in his
last illness, addressed to Sir Tristram Gorges, whom he appointed his heir ; and
a Relation by Anthony Knyvet, which contains many things not credible.
Furchas, Vol. iv. ch. 6 and 7.
Cavendish :
SECOND VOYAGE OF MR. CAVENDISH. 99
Cavendish : the fifth was the property of Mr. Adrian Gilbert, a
gentleman of Devonshire, who had been a zealous promoter of
the attempts which had been made for discovering a North West
passage to India.
The number of men embarked in these five vessels is not
mentioned, but appears to have been very little short of 400.
Among them were the two natives of Japan, whom ]\Ir. Caven-
dish had taken out of the rich Spanish prize captured in the
former voyage.
August the 26th, 1591, they sailed from P/ymow/A. Novem- August.
ber the 29th, they made the coast of Brasil near the Bay of ^ B?Isil'^'
San Salvador. December the 2d, they captured a Portuguese December,
vessel laden with sugar. The 5th, they pillaged Placeticia, a
small place belonging to the Portuguese.
On the I6th, they surprised the town of Santos, Captains The Town
Davis and Cocke having landed with a party of men, and en- surprised*
tcred the town whilst the greater part of the inhabitants Avere at
church, in which they Avere secured and kept prisoners all
that day. The principal motive with the General for attacking
this town was to obtain provisions ; and having thus quietly
gained possession of the town and its inhabitants, the ships
might have been abundantly supplied ; but by the negligence
of Captain Cocke, who was left with the command on shore,
the Indians found means to remove every thing of value from
the town, and the prisoners were suffered to escape from their
confinement : in consequence of which, the English did not •
procure so much provisions as they consumed during their stay
at Santos, where five weeks Avere expended of the most favour-
able time of the year for passing the Strait of Magalhanes. The
General afterwards appeared sensible of this error ; for in his
letter to Sir Tristram Gorges, he complains, ' such was the ad-
' vei-seness of our fortunes, that in coming thither Me spent ■
0 2 ' the'
100 SECOND VOYAGE OF
c H A p. 7. ' the summer, and found in the Strait the beginning of a most
'• extreme winter/
1592. . Januaiy the asd. The EngUsh burnt the town of 5"/. Vincent^
and the 24th they departed from the Portuguese settlements and;
sailed towards the Strait.
Eebruary the 8th, a gale of wind separated the fleet. Lane
says, that no. place of rendezvous had been appointed : Knyvet
' relates, that after the separation, the General told his people
that he had ordered the other Captains to rendezvous at Port
Desire, and at tlia-t port they all met again except the vessel
belonging to Mr. Adrian Gilbert, which returned to England..
At Fort Desire, the General, having had some disagreement
Avith his officers, left the Leicester Gaieon and went on board-
the Desire.
Aprih They proceeded to the South, and on April the 14th, entered
They enter ^^ Strait with a favourable wind. The I8th, they passed Cape
the btrait. . n • f
Froward; but on the 21st,. they put into a small cove in the
South shore opposite to Cape Froward,. their progress being
stopped by winds from, the WNW. In this cove they remained
above three Aveeks,, the wind blowing during that time from the
WNW^. accompanied Avith continual snoAV, and very cold wea-
May. tlier. The ships companies Avere ill provided for encountering
a- Avinter season in a high latitude, both Avith respect to food and
clothing, and some of the people died. The General became
impatient at the continuance of the Westerly Avind, and, de-
spairing of being able to make his passage into the South Sea,
he determined upon returning PJ,astward out of the Strait, con-
trary to the Avishes of the greater part of his officers and people,
and especially of Captain John Davis, who represented that
they had been only a month in the Strait, and that as they had
with much trouble and risk gained so advanced and secure a.
station, it Avas well Avorth the time to wait longer for the chance
of a favourable wind. The General was not persuaded by these
considerations^
MR, CAVENDISH. JOT
considerations, and the remonstrances of Captain Davis pro- chap^t.
duced a coolness between him and the General, for before their i^qq.
departure from this port, the General returned on board the ^^'
Leicester Galeon, the ship in which he had sailed from England.
May the 15th, they sailed Eastward, and the 1 8th repassed Sail back.
the Eastern eatrance of the Sh^aiL^ The General had proposed, Strait,
in resolving to quit the Strait, that they should try their fortunes
in sailing for the East Indies by the Cape of Good Hope; but the
smallness of their remaining stock of provisions made his people
unwilling to undertake a passage of such length, and therefore
he adopted the plan of returning to the coast of BrasiL
On the 20th of May they were in the latitude of Port Desire
and 30 leagues distant from the American coast. The wind was
from the NNE, and at the close of the day all the ships were in
company standing to the Eastward from the land. They held
on this course all the first part of the night. At midnight, the
Galeon,. in Avhich was the General, and the Roebuck, tacked and
stood towards the land : but the Desire and the Black pinnace
continued, running off all night and all the next da}^, by which
they Avere av holly separated from the General. Captain Davis, Captain-
in a testimonial which was subscribed by himself and all his j^ges
ship's company, in evidence that they were not blameable for Company^
the separation, makes the following declaration. ' By what
* occasion Ave Avere severed Ave protest Ave know not, Avhether
' we lost them or they us. In- the morning Ave only saw the
* Black pinnace.' I'he General,. hoAvever, accused Davis of
having tieacherously deserted him ; and Kny vet says, that .
•Captain Davis and the Pinnace purposely stood off, having
* been ordered to stand in. after midnight.' The circumstances
are certainly of a suspicious nature, and thei'e is-.some reason
for believing that Captain Davis co-nsidered . the engagement
mutual betAveen Mr. Cavendish and himself to make a voyage
iiito the. South Sea, and that he Avas determined, if possible, not-
to;
102 SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 7. to be disappointed of an enterprise which he had been brought
i^g2. thus far to prosecute. Instances without number are to be met
with of ships deserting their Commander in chief, to escape tiie
perils of a long or dangerous undertaking: but the case of
Captain Davis is of a different character, and is one of the
few, in which the separation, if (lontrived, was for the pur-
pose of persevering in a pursuit, after it had been abandoned
by the chief Commander as hopeless and impracticable.
Proceed- The General continued his route with the Leicester and
ings of Mr. ti , , ,. , n r, -i ^ 11 n t ■
Cavendish. xioebucK lor the coast or Brasil, where he lost 50 or his men,
who were at different times surprised on shore by the Portuguese.
Among them was Antony Knyvet who became prisoner to the
Portuguese, and whose adventures are inserted in Purchas. Mr.
Cavendish was afterwards forsaken by the Roebuck from an
apprehension which the Captain of that ship entertained that it
was his intention again to sail for the South Sea. ]\Ir. Caven-
dish's force was now too much diminished and too ill provided
for further enterprise ; and thus loaded with disappointment, he
Sails for bent his course homewards- In the passag-e towards Enoland
England. _ r o o
His Death, he died.
Proceedings Captain Davis, after his separation from the General, with
of Captain ^.j^^ Desire and Black pinnace put into Port Desire, where they
August, remained till August the 6th, when they sailed again for the
Strait of Magalhanes ; the journalist says,* ' witii full confidence
' there to meet with their General.' They stopped one day at
Penguin island, near the entrance of Port Desire, and salted 26
hogsheads of seal flesh. On the 7th, they sailed from that
island. The 9th, they had a gale of Avind from the WestAvard,
during which they took in all their sails, to save them, as they
were too much worn to stand against bad weather, and the ship
lay drifting as the winds and waves directed. On the 14th,
* Mr. John Jane,
they
MR. CAVENDISH. 103
thej * were driven in among certain Isles never before disco- chap. 7.
* vered by any known relation, lying 50 leagues or better from 1592.
' the shore, East and Northerly from the Strait .'"^^ , "^"Sust-.
•^ John Davis
In this manner was it the fortune of Captain John Davis, who discovers
had before distinguished himself by three several attempts to aftenvL'rds'
discover a North West Passage, and had penetrated into the „^^"}^^ ,
■^ . Hawkins s
arm of the sea between Gi-eenland and the American coast Maiden-
(named after its Discoverer Davis's Strait) as far as to 72*° N, ^" '
to be the first Discoverer of the Islands which have since been
successively distinguished by the different appellations of
Hawkins's Maiden-land, the Sebaldines, Falkland Islands, the
Malouines, and Isles Nouvelles, Avhilst the knowledge of the
original Discovery seems to have passed immediately into obli-
vion,f- though the fact has been preserved Avhere it had a fair
chance of obtaining notice. As the name given, at first in-
correctly, to this groupe of Islands has undergone so many
changes equally unjust, one niQre change seems necessary to
set the matter right : and therefore when there is again occasion
to mention them in this work, the nume of Davis's Southern
Islands will be adopted.
' The Avind shifting to the East,' they steered • from these Enters the
Islands for the Strait, which they made on the 18th, and the jyjjj'li^i'^^jjgj
next day they gained anchorage within the Strait.
Early in September, Captain Davis, with the ship Desire, and September.
the Black pinnace, passed through the Strait into the South Sea,
but was forced by V/NW Avinds to seek shelter again Avithin the
Strait. A second time in the same month they entered the
South Sea, and Avere in like manner again forced back.
. October the 2d, they entered the South Sea the third time, October.
and advanced so far as to be clear of all the land ; but the same South^Sef
night the wind again came from the WNW, and blcAv strong, 'l^^ third
° liiire.
* Mr. John Jane's accovnt. Hakluyt, Vol. in. p. 846.
t The Geographical Dictionaries and Grammars have attributed; the discovery
to Sir Richard Hawkins.
This
404 SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 7. This was rendered still more unfortunate by the pinnace being in
^ "^y^T^ distress, and the sea ran so high that it was not possible to give
October, j^er assistance. In the night of the 4th, the ship lost sight of the
pinnace, and she was not afterwards seen.
And is The Desire kept the sea till the 1 1th of the month, on which
day they were near the land and under the necessity of re-
entering the Strait to escape being wrecked on a lee shore.
After such repeated discouragements, and enduring so much
bad Aveather, the ship was reduced to a very shattered state,
which, with tlie loss of the pinnace, rendered it impossible to
persevere longer in the project of seeking their fortune in the
South Sea, and Captain Davis determined to sail again for Port
Desire^ This attempt must be allowed, notwithstanding its want
of success, to have been ably and courageously conducted. The
failure of Mr. Cavendish in his last endeavour to pass the Strait
was principally occasioned by the attempt being made too late
in the season: the time chosen i)y Captain Davis seems to have
been too early.
Mr. Jane, the journalist of this voyage (who had sailed with
Captain Davis to the North West, and whose accounts of those
expeditions are published in Hakluyt), remarks here, ' Our
* Captain, as we first passed through the Strait, drew such an
* exquisite plat [plan] of the same as I am assured it cannot
* in any sort be bettered. By which in the deep dark night,
* without any doubting, he and the Master conveyed the ship
* through that crooked channel.' This chart does not appear
to have been j)reserved.
p ^T^ ■ On the 30th of October they arrived at Port Desire, and
there salted penguins for their sea provisions, * making salt by
* laying salt water upon the rocks in holes, which in six days
* would be kerned.' The ship, however, was in so weak and
distressed a condition, that it became a question whether or
not they should abandon her and travel by land to the River de
la Plata. Captain Davis, not less diligent than provident,
1 1 went
MR. CAVENDISH. 105
went with his Master in the ship's boat, ' to discover how far ^^^^J
' the river [which forms the harbour of Port Desire] did run ; 1592.
« that if need should enforce them to leave their ship they
« might know how far they might go by water. And they
' found that farther than £0 miles they could not go with
^ the boat.'*
November the 3d. A boat was sent without the harbour to November.
Penguin Island. It happened that more of the ship's company
wanted to go than the boat could contain, and nine men ob-
tained leave to go by land, it being agreed that when they were
arrived opposite to the Island, the boat should be sent to fetch
them across. They accordingly departed, armed ; but not
one of the nine either reached the Island, or returned to the
ship, or was afterwards heard of; and it was believed that the
natives had attacked and overpowered them.
December the 22d. They sailed from Port Desire, with a December,
, . . ''ails tor
stock of 14,000 penguins for sea store, shaping their course Europe.
homewards. They stopped on the coast of Brasil, where they
had the misfortune to lose 1 3 of their men. who were slain by
the Portuguese. A yet greater calamity awaited them ; for in ' 593'-
passing through the warm latitudes, ' their penguins began to
* corrupt, and there bred in them a most loathsome and ugly
' worm, of an inch long.' These worms multiplied in a most
extraordinary degree, and devoured not only their provisions
and clothes, but eat into the timbers of the ship : ^ at the last,'
sa3's Jane, ' we could not sleep for them, but they would eat our
« — . . .^
* Narrative of M7: John Jane. Hakluyfs Collection, Vol. iii. p. 850. This
is another circumstancCj less extraordinary indeed than the one before remarked,
which shows how ranch the account of this vojage has been overlooked. Com-
modore Bjron, in 1764, went up the river ia his boat ' about 12 miles' : he says,
' the weather growing bad, I went on shore ; the river, as fai- as I could see, was
' very broad ; there were in it a number of islands, some of which were very large,
' and 1 make no doubt but that it penetrates the country for some hundreds of
^ miles,' Commodore Byron's Voyage, p. 21, in Hawkesworth's Collection, Vol. i.
Vol. II. P ' flesh.'
106 SECOND VOYAGE OF
c H A p. 7. ' flesh.' In this miserable state, disease carried off the greater
1593- P^^'t ^^ *^^ ship's company.
At length, on the ilthof June, 1593, the ship arrived at
Bcarhaveti in Ireland, with only 16 persons remaining of 76
who sailed in her from England. Captain Davis was one of
the number that lived to return.*
Remark on jt is necessary before closing the account of this voyage, to
Sidve. take some farther notice of the relation given by Anthony Knyvet,
as his authority has been cited by various authors for the stature
of the natives of Fatagonia. Knyvet describes the Patagonians
to be 15 or 16 spans in height, and he says that of these
' cannibals' there came to them at one time above 1000. This
account exceeds what is related in any other, both with respect
to the stature and the number seen of the Patagonians, and it
can receive but little support from Knyvet's character for ve-
racity. Other inhabitants of the Strait he has reduced nearly
in the same proportion as he has magnified the Patagonians ;
for he says, ' At Fort Famine there inhabit a kind of strange
* cannibals, short of body, not above five or six spans high,
* very strong and thick made.' This description, like the
former, rests solely on the authority of Knyvet. The greater
part of his narrative is occupied with his own adventures, many
of Avhich are extraordinary, if not incredible, and seem to have
been designed to excite wonder and compassion. In describing
the severity of the cold endured by Cavendish's people in the
Strait of Magalhanes, he relates, ' Here one Harris a goldsmith
* lost his nose ; for going to blow it with his fingers, he cast it
' into the fire. — And my toes were so nummed, that taking off
' my stockings, my toes came with them.'f-
* This celebrated seaman afterwards made several voyages to the East Indies,
and at length lost his life in that part of the world in an unfortunate quarrel with
the crew of a Japanese vessel.
t Purchas, Vol. iy. lib. 6. cap. 7.
Mr.
MR. CAVENDISH. 107
Mr. John Jane's narrative of the second voyage of Mr. chap. 7.
Cavendish is the last of the accounts in Hakhiyt's Collection -^aM.
of Voiias-es, which has relation to Discoveries made in the Hakinyt's
A Collection
South Sea. As an acknowledgment due to the labours of reaches no
Mr. Haklujt, and the only return which can be made for the lo^'^'-
great assistance which has been derived from them in com-
posing the present work, it is just to remark, that his Collection
is more rich in original authorities concerning Voyages and
Discoveries than any other work which ha? been published by
a single individual.
r 2
CHAP.
[ 108 ]
CHAP. VIII.
Brief Review of various Reports concerning the Discover}/ of a
North West Passage to the Pacific Ocean. Doubtful Relation
of a Voyage hy Juan de Fuca. Reports of the Discovery of
Islands named Fontacias.
8. A N imperfect state of information concerning any subject
■^ "^^ which strongly excites the curiosity of mankind, must
ever prove a fruitful source of conjecture ; and from conjecture
to fable is a natural and easy gradation. This is exemplified in
the many reports and circumstantial descriptions of discoveries
said to have been made of a free navigation by the North of
America, which have been successively circulated, from the
earliest attempt to make such a discovery, down to our own
time. The latter part of the sixteenth century was a period
highly favourable for these fictitious accounts, to M'hich the in"
terest awakened by the voyages of Sir Martin Frobisher and
Captain John Davis must have greatly contributed. In some
of these accounts, there appears, with the fabulous, a mixture of
truth Avhich makes enquiry necessary.
The earliest belief of a passage by the North of America wag
the supposed discovery of the Strait of Anian by Corte Real.*
This was a very allowable conjecture, founded on a real
discovery.
Report of The next report that appears any way entitled to respect, is
a Discovery ^^^ which attributed the discovery of a passage to Andres de
by And. de , . .
Urdiineia. Urdancta : and this belief seems to have originated from there
-»
having been found among the papers of Urdancta some
♦ See Vol. I. p. 5.
opinions
REPORTS CONCERNING A N.W. PASSAGE. 109
opinions concerning the existence of a Northern Strait,* occa- chap. 8.
sioned by a report of a passage having been discovered by the
French about the year 1354.
In 1574, was made an attested declaration by a pilot named Declaratioa
Juan Fernandez de Ladrillero, an inhabitant of New Spain, Ladiilleio.
and above 60 years of age, the original of which is preserved in
the Spanish archives. This declaration imports, that there ex-
isted a Strait of communication, about 800 leagues from Com-
postella : that he went with other companions to make discovery
therein, and that it disembogued itself [the Eastern part] where
the English went to kill fish.-j-
An account, not less formally given, is inserted in Furchas,
subscribed with the name of the relator, who calls himself
Thomas CowJes of Bedmester in Somersetshire, and dated
April 1579. Cowles professes to have received information from
one Martin Chack, a Portuguese mariner, stating, that about 1 2 Martin
or 24 years before (for the time is obscurely expressed), he, the
said Chack, in a small ship of 80 tons burthen * found a way
' from the Portugal Indies through the Gulf of Newfoundland^
* which he believed to be in latitude 59° ^'X
Of the same nature with the foregoing, is the relation of a
Discovery said to have been made by Lorenzo FeiTer Maldo- Maldonado.
nado, who, it was pretended, made a voyage from Lisbon to the
coast of Labrador, in the 3'ear 1588, and found a Strait by which
the navigation from Spain to China might be performed in three
months.
In the account of the Voyage of Captain James Lancaster,
undertaken for the English East India Company, A. D. l600-lj
there is a letter from Captain Lancaster to his employers,
* Rel. del Viage, en 1792, para recon. el Estr.de Fuca. Intrcd. p. xxxvni.
■\ Ibid. Introd. p. xliu.
% Purchas, Vol, in, book 4, cliaji. 20.
written
110 VOYAGE REPORTED OF
CHAP. 8. written wliilst on his return homewards, to which is added, by
tWsciipt wiiv of Postscript, ' The Passage to the East Indies heth in
t<. L|nio:is- < ^np bv the North West on the American side.'* This Post-
to s Letter. ^ •'
script does not seem genuine, as it is not in tlie least connected
■with any subject in the letter itself, nor with any circumstance
of the voyage ; for that was designed and performed by llie
{^a'pe of Good Hope, both in going out and in returning
home.
1592- in 1592, a Voyage is said to have been performed by Juan
luca. ^^- Puca, undertaken from JV^cay Spain, for the discovery of the
Strait of Anian. Of the many reports concerning a North West
Passage, witli which the l6th century abounded, this appears to
be the only one concerning which there can remain at this time
any doubt ; the reft, Corte Real's Voyage excepted, having been
wholl}' divested of credit and importance by late discoveries.
The account of Juan de Fuca's Voyage has been preserved in
Fiirchas.-f It has been the subject of n)uch disquisition, and
the question whether it is genuine or an imposition, remains yet
a point in dispute among Geographers. The account which fol-
lov/s is co]iicd from Furchas, vvithout alteration, except a few
curtailments in some of the least material parts. It is entitled,
' A Note made h\j me Michael Lok the elder, touching the
' Strait of Sea, commonly called Fretum Anian, in the
' South Sea, through the North J J est Passage of Mcta
* Incognita/
' When 1 was at Venice, in April 1596, happily arrived there
•' an old man, about 60 years of age, called commonly Juan de
* PurcJias, Vol. 1. lib. 3, chap. 3, §. 5.
•\ Puichas, his Pilgrimes, Vol. iii. p. 845. It \va$ aflenvaitls printed in tl.e
North IVest Fqx, p. 163 — 166. Edit. 1635.
' FucOf
JUAN DE FUCA. in
* Fiica, but named properly Apostolos Valerianus, of nation a c n a p. 8.
' Greek, born in Cephalonia, of profession a mariner, and an '"jnaiwle '
* ancient pilot of ships. This man, being come lately out of ^"'^^•
' Spain, arrived first at Ligorno, and went thence to Florence,
' where he found one John Dovvglas, an Englishman, a famous
' mariner, ready coming for Venice, to be pilot of a Venetian
' ship for England, in whose company they came both together
' to Venice. And John Dowglas, being acquainted with me
' before, he gave nae knowledge of this Greek pilot, and brought
* him to my speech : and in long talks and conference between
* us, in presence of John Dowglas, this Greek pil(;t declared
' in the Italian and Spanish languages, thus much in effect as
* followeth/
' First he said, that he had been in the West Indies of Spain
* forty years, and had sailed to and from many places thereof,
* in the service of the Spaniards.'
' Also he said, that he was in the Spanish ship, which in re-
' turning from the Islands Thilippinas, towards Nova Spania, was
' robbed and taken at the Cape California, by Captain Candish,
* Englishman, whereby he lost 60,000 ducats of his OMn
' goods/
' Also he said, that he was pilot of three small ships, which
' the Viceroy of Mexico sent from Mexico, armed with 100 men,
* under a Captain, Spaniards, to discover the Straits of Anian,
' along the coast of the South Sea, and to fortify in that Strait,
' to resist the passage and proceedings of the English nation,
' which were feared to pass through those Straits into the South
* Sea. And that by reason of a mutiny which happened among
' the soldiers for the misconduct of their Captain, that voyage
* was overthrown, and the ship returned from California to 'Nova
* Spania, Avithout any thing done in that vo^-age. And that
' after their return, the Captain was at Mexico punished by
* Justice/
♦ Also
112 VOYAGE REPORTED OF
CHAP. 8. ' Also he said, that shortly after the said voyage was so ill
^'j^^X'de ' ended, the said Viceroy of Mexico sent him out again in 1592,
Tiica. i Yi'iih a small Caravel, and a Pinnace, armed with mariners only,
' to follow the said voyage for the discovery of the Straits of
* Anian, and the passage theieof, into the Sea, which they call
* the No7ih Sea, which is our North West Sea. And that he
' followed his course in that voyage. West and NW in the
' South Sea, all alongst the coast of Nova Spaiiia, and California,
' and the Indies now called North America, (all which voyage
« he signified to me in a great map, and a sea card of mine
' own, which I laid before him) vmtil he came to the latitude
' of 47 degrees, and that there finding that the land trended
' North and North East, with a broad inlet of sea, betMeen
' 47 and 48 deo;rces of latitude, he entered thereinto, sailino-
' therein more than twenty days, and found that land trending
' still sometime NW and NE, and North, and also East and
' South Eastward, and very much broader sea than was at the
' said entrance, and that he passed by divers islands in that
' sailing;. And that at the entrance of this said Strait, there is
' on the North West coast thereof, a great headland or island,
' with an exceeding high pinnacle, or spired rock, like a pillar
* thereupon.'
' Also he said, that he went on land in divers places, and that
* he saw some people on land, clad in beasts skins : and that
* the land is very fruitful, and rich of gold, silver, pearls, and
* other things, like Nova Spaiiia.'
' And also he said, that he being entered thus far into the
' said Strait, and being come into the North Sea already, and
' finding tlie sea M'ide enough every where, and to be about 30
* or 40 leagues wide in the mouth of the Straits, where he en?
* tered ; he thought he had now well discharged his office ;
' and that not being armed to resist the force of the savage
* people that might happen, he therefore set sail, and returned
8 ' homewards
JUAN DE FUCA. 113
* liomewards again to^vards Nova Spania, where he arrived at chap.s.
' Acapulco, Anno 1592, hoping to be rewarded by the Viceroy juan de
' for this service done in the said voyage.' ^"^*-
' Also he said, that after coming to Mexico, he Avas greatly
' welcomed by the Viceroy, and had promises of great reward ;
' but that having sued there two years and obtained nothing to
* his content, the Viceroy told him that he should be rewarded
« in Spain of the King himself very greatly, and willed him
' therefore to go to Spain, which voyage he did perform/
* Also he said, that when he Avas come into Spain, he was
' welcomed there at the King's court ; but after long suite there
' also, he could not get any reward there to his content. And
* therefore at length he stole away out of Spain, and came into
' Ital}', to go home again and live among his own kindred and
' countrymen, he being A'ery old.'
* Also he said, that he thought the cause of his ill rcAvard had
' of the Spaniards, to be for that they did understand very Avell
* that the English nation had noAv given over all their voyages
' for discoA'ery of" the North West Passage^ Avherefore they
* need not fear them any more to come that Avay into the
' South Sea, and therefore they needed not his service therein
* any more.'
' Also he said-, that understanding the noble mind of the
* Queen of England, and of her Avars against the Spaniards,
' and hoping that her Majesty Avould do him justice for his
' goods lost by Captain Candish, he Avould be content to go
' into England and serve her Majesty in that voyage for the
' discovery perfectly of the North West Passage into the South ■
' Sea, if she AA'ould furnish him Avith only one ship of forty tons
' burthen and a pinnace, and that he Avould perform it in thirty
' days time, from one end to the other of the Strait. And he
* willed me so to Avrite to Ens-land.'
* And upon conference had twice Avitli the said Creek pilot.
Vol. II. Q 'I did
114 VOYAGE REPORTED OF
CHAF. 8, ' I did write thereof accordingly to England, unto the right
*"T"'''~T^ ' honourable the old Lord Treasurer Cecil, and to Sir Walter
Fuca. ' Raleigh, and to IVIaster Richard Hakluyt, that famous Cos-
' mographer, certifying them hereof. And I prayed them to
' disljurse one hundred pounds, to bring the said Greek pilot
' into England with myself, for that my own purse wonld not
' stretch so wide at that time. And I had answer that this
* action was well liked, and greatly desired in England, but the
* money was not ready, and therefore this action dyed at that
' time, though the said Greek pilot perchance liveth still in his
' own country in Cephalonia, towards which place he went within
' a fortnight after this conference had at Venice.'
' And in the mean time while I followed my own business in
* Venice, being in a law suit against the Company of Merchants
* of Turkey, to recover my pension due for being their Consul at
* Aleppo, which they held from me Avrongfully : And when I was
* in readiness to return to England, I thought I should be able
* of my own purse to take with me the said Greek pilot. And
* therefore I Avrote unto him from Venice a letter, dated
■ ♦ July 1596/
Mr. Michael Lok proceeds to give a copy of his letter to
Captain Juan de Fuca, in Cephalonia, and of Juan de Fuca's
answer, dated September 24th, 1596, in which de Fuca ex-
presses his wilhngness to go to England, and adds, that twenty
others, good men, are ready to accompany him. He desires.,
money to be sent to pay his charges, because Captain Candish
took from him more than 60,000 ducats.
Mr. Lok continues, ' the said letter came to my hands in
November 1596, but my law suit was not yet ended. Never-
theless I wrote another letter to this Greek pilot, dated the 20th
of November, and another in January 1597, and again after-
wards, I wrote him another letter from Venice, Avhereunto he
wrote me answer in his Greek language, dated £Oth of. October
.5 1,598,
JUAN DE FUCA. 115
1598, wherein he promiseth still to go if I will send him the chap. 8.
money formerly written for his charges. The which money I juan de
could not yet send him/ "^^
' And lastly, wlien I was at Zante, in June 1602, minding to
pass from thence for England by sea, for that I had then reco-
vered a little money, I wrote another letter to this Greek pilot
to Cephalonia, and required him to come to me at Zante to go
with me into England,; but I had no answer thereof from him,
for that as I heard afterward at Zante he was then dead, or very
likely to die of great sickness. Whereupon I returned myself
into England, where I arrived at Christmas An. 1602, safely I
thank God after my absence from thence ten years.'
Against the validity of the foregoing Relation, it is objected Objections
that no Spanish author of that time has spoken of De Fuca, or Account
of his -discoveries : neither has any such name or any circum- ^^o^ceming
•^ , -^ De Fuca.
stance of such a discovery been found in the Archivo General
de Indias at Seville^ which was searched in 1 802, for that special
purpose.* The Relation, therefore, having rested solely on the
hearsay evidence of Mr. Michael Lok, has been AvhoUy rejected
by many!.
On the other side, it is to be remarked that Michael Lok is Ciiciim-
not a fictitious name or character : he had been Consul at A kppo i^l favour*
for the English merchants trading to Turkey, a station of suffi-
cient publicity for the person Avho filled it to have been easily
ascertained at the time the account was published by Furchas
(A. D. 1625). There is, likewise, at this time extant, an English
4;ranslation, published in 1612, of the last five Decades of P.
'Martyr, done by Michael Lok, who it may be supposed was
the same person, the name not being common, and the subject
* Jlfige en 17^2 para reconocer el Estr. de Fuca. Introd. p. liii. note.
Q 2 . treated
116 F O N T A C I A S.
CHAP. 8. treated of being American Discoveries.* The discoveries which
'""^^ have been made in our own time have produced a powerful
aro-ument in favour of the reality of Dc Fuca's voyage. A Strait
has been found to exist on the West coast of America, near the
48th decree of North latitude, from which many large and deep
channels lead in almost every direction : and it appears ex-
tremely improbable, indeed not easily conceivable, that mere
fancy or conjecture should chance upon the description of a
Strait so essentially corresponding with the reahty as in the
passage following: — finding ' a broad inlet of sea between 47 and
* 48 decrees of latitude, he entered thereinto, sailing therein
' more than twenty days, and found that land trending still
* sometime NW and NE, and North, and also East and South-
* Eastward.' That the land was rich of gold and silver, might
have been supposed from seeing veins of mineral in the earth.
Many similar assertions are to be found in the accounts of the
early discoverers (in other respects true), made Avith no better
foundation. The width of the entrance of the Strait cannot be
reconciled : but, with respect to the exaggerations, it has been
properly remarked, that the account is not immediately from
De Fuca, and might have gathered circumstances in the trans-
mission. Some of our most able Geographers give credit to the
reality of Juan de Fuca's Voyage, without extending their belief
* to all the particulars of the account ; and the Strait which has
been found on the West side of America, in 48° 25' N, is at
present distinguished by the name oi Entrance or Strait of Juan
de Fuca.
Reports of 'Fhe Geographical conjectures of this period were not confined
Islands ^Q the Northern parts of America. Islands were said tohavebeen
discovered in the Pacific Ocean, to Avhich were given the name
« With the five Decades translated by M. Lok were re-published the three first
Decades, which had been translated before by Richard Eden.
af
F O N T A C I A S. 117
of Fo7itacias. These, which the reader will see were imaginary chap. 8.
islands, are mentioned in a poem entitled Lima fundada (Lima
founded), in which they are described to extend from 12° to
30° S, and to be so near the American coast, that their inhabi-
tants have gone in canoes to trade with the towns on the coast
of Peru. The same author relates, that in the year 1592, during 1592,
the Viceroyalty of the Marquis de Cannete in Peru, two ships
were equipped under the authority of the Marquis, for the con-
quest and settlement of the Islands Fontacias, but that the ap-
pearance of Sir Richard Hawkins in the South Sea, occasioned
the expedition to be laid aside.
On this poetical authority, the Fontacias have claimed and
have obtained some degree of notice. There cannot reasonably
remain any belief of the existence of such islands, or that there
could exist undiscovered to the present time, any islands inha-
bited or otherwise, so near the American coast, and between
the parallels mentioned for the extent of the Fontacias,
CHAP. g.
1593'
C ns ]
CHAP, IX.
Voyage of Sir Richard Hawkins to the South Sea.
A FTER thfe unfortunate and last expedition of Mr. Caven-
"^^ dish, one more voyage only was undertaken to the South
Sea by the English during the remainder of the reign of Queen
Elizabeth. An account of this voyage was written by the
Commander, after his return to England, under the title of
The Observations of Sir Richard Hawkins, Knight, in his Voyage
into the South Sea, 1593 ; but it was not published till the year
1622 ; and whilst it was in the press the author died.*
This work of Sir Richard might, wath some propriety, have
been entitled, a Book of good Counsel. Many of his Observations
are unconnected with the voyage he is relating, but his di-
gressions are ingenious and entertaining, and they frequently
.contain useful or curious information.
The plan of this voyage appears to have been scientific and
mercantile, as much as martial. Sir Richard says, ' I resolved
* on a voyage to be made for the Islands of Japan, the Fhilip-
' pinas and Moluccas, the Kingdom of China, and the East Indies,
' by the way of the Straits of Magelan and the South Sea. The
' principal end of our designments Avas, to make a perfect dis-
' covery of all those parts where I should arrive, with their
' longitudes, latitudes, the lying of their coasts, their ports,
^ cities, and peoplings ; their manner of government ; with the
* Purchas has inserted an Abridgment of The Observations of Sir Richard
Hawkins, in Vol. iv. of his Pilgrimes, p. 1367 : to which he has added (p. 1415)
a Short Account, containing little besides dates, written by John Ellis, who served
in the voyage.
■* commodities
1593.
VOYAGE OF SIR RICHARD HAWKINS. 119
* commodities which the countries yielded, and of which they chap. 9.
* have want.'*
For these purposes, Sir Richard prepared three vessels at
his own expence ; one of them, a new ship built for the occa-
sion in the River Thames, of between three and four hundred
tons burthen. When this ship was launched, Lady Hawkins, his
mother-in-law, desired to have the naming of her, which beino-
complied with, the good Lady named her the Repentance, for
that ' Repentance was the safest ship we could sail in to purchase
* the haven of Heaven.' Sir Richard, however, was not then
bound for that port, and it happened that the name of the
ship was shortly after changed ; for when she was completely
equipped ready for sea, ' and riding at Deptford, the Queen's
* Majestic passing by her to her palace of Greenwich, com--
*" manded her bargemen to row round-about her, and viewing
* her from Post to Stemme, disliked nothing but her name, and
' said that she would christen her anew; and that thenceforth
* she should be called the Daintie.'
As she was sailing down the river, ' in doubhng of a point,
* the wind freshing suddenly, the ship began to make a little
' hele; her ports being open, the water began to enter, which
* nobody having regard to, thinking themselves safe in the river,
* it augmented in such manner as the weight of the watei' began
' to press down the side more than tiie wind : when it was seen,
' and the sheet flowne, she could hardly be brought upright :
' But God was pleased that she was freed of- that danger;
* which may be a gentle warning to all such as take charge of
* shipping, either in river or harbour, to have an eye to their
' ports, and to see those shut and caulked, which may cause
' danger, for avoiding the many mishaps which daily chance
* for the neglect thereof, and have been most lamentable spec-
* The Observations of Sir F. Hawkins, p. i, London 1622.
* ■ tacles
120 VOYAGE OF SIR RICHARD HAWKINS
tacles and examples unto us : Experiments, in the Great Harri/,
■ Admiral of England, wliich was overset, and sunk at Ports-
' mouth, with her Captain, Carew, and most part of his com-
' pany drowned in a goodly summer's day, with a little flaw of
' wind ; for that her ports were all open, and making a small
* hele, by them entered their destruction, where, if they had
* been shut, no wind could have hurt her/* The author has
related other similar examples. Unfortunately, we have expe-
rienced one of the most calamitous in our own times, in the loss
of the Royal George and Admiral Kempenfelt at Spithead, the
50th of August 1782.
From the River Thames the Dainty proceeded down channel
and stopped at Fhjmouth.
JiHip. June the 12th. Sir Richard Hawkins sailed from Vlymoiith
with the following vessels : The Dainty, commanded by him-
self; the Fancy, a pinnace of 60 tons, commanded by Robert
Tharlton ; and a victualler, named the Hawk. [The number of
men embarked in these vessels is not mentioned]. Directions
were given ' where, when, and how to meet if they should chance
' to lose company, and the signes how to know one another
' afar off.'
They were scarcely out of port when the Fancy sprung a leak,
owing to some neglect in the caulking, on which account they
,gt],_ put back into Plymouth Sound, and the next morning (the 13th),
Depaituie the defect having been remedied, they departed again.
Plymouth, In sailing across the Bmj of Biscay, Sir Richard Hawkins in-
troduces an account of the meetino- of two fleets, one of England
the other of France, near Rochel, in a time of peace ; and gives
his opinion on the marks of respect proper to be paid or exacted
on such occasions.
* This happened in the year 154,5. In Lediard's Naval Hislori/,{chiip. xxii.)
it is said to have been the Mary Kosc, commanded by Sir George Carew. Ac-
cording to Burchett, her loss was occasioned by a little srcai/ (heel), her lower
ports being, when the ship was upright, within 16 inches of the water. The King
had dined on board her tlu.t same day.
♦ In
TO THE SOUTH SEA. 121
* In our seas, Sir Richard sa^'s, ' if a stranger fleet meet with chap. 0,
* any of her Majesties ships, the foreigners are bound to take in 1593.
' their flags, or her Majesties ships to force them to it, though
' thereof follow the breach of peace, or whatsoever discommo-
' dity.' Sir Richard adds, ' And whosoever should not be
' jealous in this point, he is not worthy to have the command
' of a Cock-boat committed unto him/
' In Queen Maries reign. King Philip of Spain coming to
' marry with the Queen, and meeting with the Royal Navy
' of England, the Lord William Howard, High Admiral of
' England, vvould not consent, that the King in the narrow
* seas should carry his flag displayed, untill he came into the
* harbour of Plymouth.' -
It appears that the distillation of fresh water from sea water
was known and practised at that time ; for it is mentioned by
Sir Richard Hawkins, and not as a new invention.' In the
passage to Brasil, he relates, ' our fresh water had failed us Distillation
* many days, by reason of our long navigation, yet with an in- Waterfrom
* vention I had in my ship, I easily drew out of the water of the ^^^^ Water.
* sea sufiicicnt quantity of fresh water to sustain my people,
' with little expence of fuel ; for with four billets I stilled a
* hogshead of water, and therewith dressed meat for the sick
* and w^hole. The water so distilled, we found to be wholesome
* and nourishing,' *
Towards the end of October, they made the coast of Brasil, October.
and entered the port of Santos ; but their force being thought
insufficient to enable them to help themselves from the shore, a
civil letter, written in the Latin language and accompanied with
a j>resent, was' sent by a boat, with a flag of truce, to the
Governor, requesting permission to purchase provisions. This
courteous and learned address did not prevail on the Portuguese
* Olseivaliona of Sir Jl. llaickins, p. 52.
Vol, II. -' R Governor,
122
VOYAGE O F
C H A p. Q
1593
Governor, to overlook the circumstance that it came from an;
enemy Avho was seeking for plunder; and the English vessels
October, procured no relief at Santos, except a few oranges by the return
of the boat. They therefore sailed to other parts of the coast,.
■where they were more fortunate in obtaining refreshments, and;
made prize of a vessel with a cargo of cassavi meal, which, after
unladhig, they discharged. The Hawk victualler was likewise
unloaded here, and burnt.
"Whilst on the coast of Brasil, the water casks were repaired'
on shore, at an Island to the North of, and near, Cape Frio, and^
being filled there from a standing pool, were much injured by
■Worms, worms : and a shallop that was kept out whilst they sailed along.
that part of the coast, ' was found, on coming to cleanse her,
* all under water covered with these worms as big as the little-
* finger of a man. The common opinion,' Sir Richard remarks,,
' is, that they are bred in fresh water, and with the current of
' the rivers are brought into the sea: but experience teacheth,
* that they breed in the great seas in all hot climates.'*
December. They quitted the coast of Brasil, December the 18tli. As
they sailed towards the South, the Compass was observed to>
have something more than a point Variation to the East. In
the latitude of Rio de la Plata, they had a storm from the South
The which lasted forty-eight hours. On the first day of the gale, at
desenr sun-set, the Fancy pinnace, without making any signal, or ap-
pearing to be in distress,, put before the wind : on seeing which,
the Dainty bore up after her, and, as night came on, put out
lights, which Tharlton did not answer, but directing his course
homeward for England, in this shameless manner, deserted
his Commander. Sir Richard justly acknowledges, * I was
* worthy to be deceived, that trusted my ship in the hands
Observations, p. 78.
* of
SIR RICHARD HAWKINS. 12a
■^ of a man who had before left his General [Mr. Cavendish] in c h a p. 9.
•' the like occasion/ 1594.
The ship Dainty, now without a companion, pursued her
course towards the Strait of Magalhanes ; and in this passage
Sir Richard Hawkins fell in with the land, of which he has so February,
generally been esteemed the first discoverer ; and entertaining
this belief himself, he gave to it the name of Hawkins's Maiden-
land. Sir Richard's account of his making this land is as fol- -Davis's
lows. ' When we came to 49° 30' S. the wind took us Westerly, islands.
' being (as Ave made our accompt) some 50 leagues from the
* shore. The 2d of February, about 9 in the morning, Ave Account
* descried land, which bare SW of us, which we looked not for them by Sir
-* so timely ; and coming nearer unto it, by the lying Ave could ^^•"'''^^'^"'s-
' not conjecture Avhat land it should be; for Ave Avere next of
' any thing in 48 degrees, and no Sea card AA'hich we had, made
** mention of any land Avhich lay in that manner, near about
* that height [latitude] ; in fine, we brought our larboard tack
* aboard, and stood North EastAvards . all that day and night;
' and the Avind continuing Westerly, Ave continued our course .
' along the coast the day and night following; in Avhich time
* Ave. made accompt Ave discovered near three score leagues of
' the coast. It is bold, and made small shcAV of danger.'
' The land we first fell in Avith is the end of the land to the
' WestAvard. All the coast so far as we discovered, lyeth next
* of any thing EbN and WbS. The land, for that it Avas dis-
* covered in the reign of Q. Elizabeth, my soveraign lady and
^ a IVIaiden Queen, and at my cost, in perpetual memory of
' her chastity and of my endeavours, I gave it the name of
' Hawkins's Maiden-land.' *
* The Observatious, \). 6q and 70.
p- 2 Tliei-a
124
VOYAGE OF
c H A p. 9. There are many objectionable parts in the foregoing extract ;
1594. the latitudes especially are very erroneous and contradictory.
Islands.
Ellis's
Account
February, rj^j^^ latitude of the ship, when the land was first descried, is said
JJavis s ^
Southern to be 48 degrees; which is not consistent with the 49° 30' lati-
tude just before mentioned : and the most Northerly Islands of
the groupe are in full 51 degrees South latitude. John Ellis, who
sailed in the ship with Sir Richard Hawkins, has spoken more
correctly of this land. Ellis says, ' the 2d of February, 1593,
' we fell in with the land of Terra Australis in 50°, fifty-five
* leagues off the Straits of Magelan, which land lay EbN or
' EN E from the Strait.'-^
The description of the country by Sir Richard is equally excep-
tionable with his geographical account ; though it proves nothing
more than that he was at too great a distance from the land to ob-
serve objects distinctly. The Observations say, ' The land is a good
' champion country, and peopled ; we saw fires, but could not
* come to speak with the people ; for the time of the year was
* far spent, and the want of our pinnace disabled us for finding
' a port ; not being discretion with a ship of charge to come
* near the shore before it was sounded.'
Captain John Davis first saw these Islands in August 159^.
His arrival at Bearhaven in Ireland, on his return from his
voyage, was on June the llth, 1593. Sir Richard Hawkins
departed from Tlymouth for the South Sea on June the 13th.
The interval is too short a space of time to admit a supposition
that before he sailed he could have received any communication
of Captain Davis's discovery. But at the time Sir Richard
Hawkins published his Observations, it cannot easily be ima-
gined, that a man so curious as he was after maritime know^-
ledge, should have remained unacquainted with Jane's account
• Piirchas, Vol. iv. p. 1415.
of
SIR RICHARD HAWKINS. 125
of Mr. Cavendish's last voj^age, in which the Discovery is c h a p. 9.
related. '"'^1^
February the 19th, the Dainty entered the Strait of Mugal- February.
hanes. In tlieir passage through the Strait, there is little st"ait^of
remarkable, except an account of the manner in which they ■'^^^S^'^^'^"^^
cm"ed penguins (the knowledge of which may be of use to
mariners), and a description of the ducks they found in the
Strait. The. curing of penguins is thus described in the Observa-
tions. ' First, we split them, and then washed them well in sea ^/'"inner
1 • -1 °' salting
' water, then salted them : having lam some six hours in salt. Penguins.
Ave put them in press eight hours, and the blood being soaked
out, we salted them again in our other casks, as is the custom
to salt beef; after this manner the}'- continued good some two
months, and served us instead of beef.'
* The ducks/ saj's the author, ' are different to ours, and Ducks,
not so good meat, yet they may serve for necessity. They
had part of an island to themselves, which was the highest
hill, and more than a musket-shot over. In all the days of
my life I have not seen greater art and curiosity in creatures
void of reason than in the making and placing of their nests,
all the hill being so full of them, that the greatest mathema-
tician of the world could not devise how to place one more
than there was upon the hill, leaving only one pathAvay for a ;
foAvl to pass betwixt. The hill was all level, as if it had been
smoothed by art ; the nests made only of earth, and seeming
to be of the self same mould ; for the nests and the soil is all
one, which vvith water that they bring in their beaks they make
into clay, and fashion them round. In the bottom they con'-
tain the measure of a foot, in the height about eight inches,
and in the top the same quantity over; there they arc hollowed
in, somewhat deep, wherein they lay their eggs. In all this
hill, nor in any of their nests, was to be found a blade of
grass, a straw, stick, feather, moate, no, nor the filing of any
' fowl ;
126 VOYAGE OF
c H A p. 9. ' fowl ; but all the nests and passages between them were
^""^yT^ ' so smooth and clean, as if they had been newly swept and
Strait of t washed/
March. March the 29th, the Dainty entered the South Sea. She had
Enters the ^^^ sooner got clear to the Westward of Cape Deseado and the
South Sea. ^ ^ . 1 i • 1 n -KT-tur 1
rocks Avhich lye oft it, than the wmd came from the JNW, and
they stood towards the WSW and West, two days and two
nights. Sir Richard Hawkins on this occasion makes the fol-
lowino; remark. ' If a man be furnished with wood and water,
' and the wind good, he may keep the main sea, and go round
* about the Straites to the Southwards, and it is the shorter
' way.' * In support of this opinion. Sir Richard relates, that
Sir Francis Drake had told him that he had been driven by
storms round the Southernmost part of the land.
When they had sailed 50 leagues from Cape Deseado, the wind
veered round, and blew from the West, with which they steered
Northward.
April. April the 19th, they anchored at the Island Mocha, where
Mocha, ^^^^y stopped three days and obtained provisions from the inha-
bitants by traffic.
The day after they left Mocha, the Avind came from the North,
and continued to blow in that direction ten days ; at the end of
which time tliey had a favourable wind again. It was the inten-
tion of the Commander to have sailed to the North beyond the
latitude of Lima, before he approached the coast near enough
to be discovered by the enemy; but his officers and ship's com-
pany, thinking this an unprofitable mode of proceeding, urged
him to immediate action, and he steered for the Bay oflalparaiso.
Sir Richard attributes, but not altogether justly, the misfortunes
which afterwards bcfel the expedition, to his yielding in this
Tht Oliserv. of Sir R. Hmckim, p. 95.
instance
SIR RICHARD HAWKINS. 127
instance to the wishes of his people. If he had kept at a disfance c h a p. 9.
fi'om the coast till to the North of Lima, other prudential reasons 1594.
might then have occurred for preserving that distance in their
farther progress Northward, and the object of their undertaking
have been defeated without any opportunity of success. With
so small a force as Sir Richard Hawkins commanded, it seems
evident that an expeditious scouring of the coast would have been
the most proper plan to have pursued. Celerity however was
ne2;lected.
At Valparaiso he captured four Spanish ships, which lay there Valparaiso.
at anchor, and afterwards another, which stood into the Bay '^^ '
ignorant of an enemy being there. In one of these was found
* a good quantity of gold,' and in the others, wine, provisions,
and fruit. The storehouses on shore Avere likewise rifled, but
they contained no other treasure than merchandise, chiefly of /
coarse linens, plank, tallow, wine and provisions. Three of the
prize vessels were ransomed by the Spaniards ; one was released;
and one was detained on a suspicion that she contained hidden
treasure. The Governor of Chili at this time was Don Alonso.
de Soto Mayor, who left Spain with that appointment in the
same fleet Avith Pedro Sarmiento in the year 1581. From Chili-
dispatches were sent both by sea and by land, to give intelli-
gence along the coast of the arrival of the English. The
Governor collected a number of troops and balsas 'which are
^^ rafts made of masts or trees fastened together,^ in readiness to
take advantage of the English, if by their negligence or other
circumstance an opportunit}^ should present itself The number
of men composing the ship's company of the Dainty was at this
time seventy-five..
Sir Richard Hawkins remained eight days in Valparaiso Bay ;
from thence he sailed Northward along the coast by CoqubnbOf
Arica, Arequipa,. and 2uilca ; but captured only some fishing
vessels,
128 V O Y A G E O F
CHAP. 9. vessels, one of which was a ship laden with fish from the Islands
1594- 'tf Jitan Fernandez. One of the small prizes was kept to serve
Const of ^^ a pinnace ; the rest Avere restored. Near Arica, they had
Peru, sight of a large ship in the OtiSng, which they chased, but
could not overtake. The prize ship which had been detained,
and they had brought with them from Valparaiso, pi'oved leaky ;
therefore, after undergoing a careful but fruitless search, she was
burnt.
"Whilst the English ship was thus employed, information of
her being on the coast reached the Viceroy, the Marquis de
Spanish Canete, who immediately embarked troops on board of six vessels
'^"em'in"'' which were lying in the road of Callao, and sent them in search
pursuit of of the enemy. The wind being from the SouthAvard, they kept
the English. , •, -j ^ • ■ ^ ^ n ^ -, , ■, .,
° turnmg to Avmdward m sight of the coast, and daily received
fresh intelligence of the English. This Avas about the middle of
the month of May, and one morning at the break of day, they
had sight of the English ship near Canete. The Avind Avas light,
and the English ship Avas tAvo leagues to Avindward of the Spanish
ships. About nine in the forenoon, says Sir Richard, ' the breeze
' began to bloAv, and Ave to stand off to the sea, the Spaniards
' cheek by jole Avith us, ever getting to the windward upon us,*
so that there appeared little probability of escaping ; but, not-
AAithstanding the great superiority of the enemy, they prepared
resolutely to defend themselves. All the ships Avere under a press of
sail, standing to the Westward against a « rowling' head sea, and
as the sun mounted, the Avind freshened. One of the Spanish
ships had arrived Avithin gun-shot of the chace, Avhen the main-
mast of the Spanish Admiral gave Avay ; at the same time the
main-yard of another of the Spanish ships broke in the middle,
and the mainsail of a third split. The ship Avhich had got nearest
did not dare to commence an attack singly, and the English
ghip and hej- pinnace, taking .advautcige of the confusion of the
5 Spaniards,
SIR RICHARD HAWKINS. 129
Spaniards, bore away under full sail to the North, in which c h a p, 9.
direction they steered the remainder of the day and all night. 15^4.
At day-light the next morning, no eneni}'- was seen. The English
The Spanish armament returned to Callao, where their ad- Coast of
venture gave but little satisfaction. Tlie women of Lima, to ^'^'"•
manifest their anger and contempt at the failure of the armada,
petitioned the Viceroy that, instead of such men, he would send
them to cope with the English. The Marquis de Cariete was a
Governor not less diligent than the Viceroy of Feru in the time
of Sir Francis Drake, and with great expedition he caused a
second armament to be equipped, the command of which he
confided to the same person, Don Beltran de Castro (his wife's
brother), who had commanded the former armament.
The English, after getting clear of the enemy's squadron
without being pursued, sailed on to the Northward keeping in
with the coast. Fifty leagues to the North of Lima they captured
a Spanish ship half laden with wheat, sugar, and skins, which
they plundered and burnt, setting her crew on shore near Tnaillo. »
In the run to the Equinoctial line, they saw three other ships,
and chased them ; but the Dainty was a slow sailer (a very
bad quality for a ship engaged in such an expedition) and could
not overtake them.
June the 10th, Sir Richard Hawkins put into the Bay de June.
Catames, a few leagues (the Observations say seven) to the ENE ^^^ ^'®
from Lape San Francisco, which place being above 260 leagues
distant from Lima, was thought secure from any immediate
pursuit of the enemy, and there he stopped to take in fresh
water, and to repair the pinnace.
These purposes were compleated in time for them to have
departed on the I5th; but on the l4th, in the evening, a sail
was seen in the offing, and the pinnace was dispatched in chase,
with directions that, if she did not return the same night, she was . -
to seek the Dainty the next day off Cape San Francisco.
. Vol. II. S Oa
ISO
VOYAGE OF
c H A p. 9. On the morning of the 1 5 th, the pinnace not having returned^
^i^'p^. the ship sailed out of the Bay, and stood for the Cape, near
June. ^vhich she remained two days without seeing the pinnace, and
Catames. then steered back to the Bai/ de Catames, where they met the
pinnace turning in without her mainmast^ which had been carried
away by a squall of wind. Sir Richard anchored again in the
Bay, and set about repairing the damage which the pinnace had
sustained : and this second delay proved unfortunate,
aoth. The 20th of June at day-light, the Dainty and her pinnace
began to weigh their anchors, to quit a station in which they
had remained too long. As they were loosing their sails, a man-,
from the top of the mast descried two large ships and a small
bark, near the Cape de San Francisco, steering towards the Bay.
The English commander sent the pinnace out to reconnoitre
them, and it soon became apparent that they were vessels of
,, 1- force, and that their intention was to attack him, for they
Hawkins ' .
attacked chased the pinnace back, * gunning at her all the way. Sir
Spaniards, Richard, judging it would be better to have sea room to fight
in, than to wait their attack at anchor, stood out of the Bay to
Bieet them. When within musket shot. Sir Richard relates^
* we hayled first with our noise of trumpets, then with our
• waytes, and after with our a,rtillery, which they answered with
* artillery, two for one ; for they had double the ordnance we
• had, and men almost ten for one.' In the beginning of the
action, the pinnace was abandoned, and her crew taken into
the Dainty, which ship sustained the attack of the Spaniards
till the 22d, and in that time might have escaped if she had not
been so bad a sailer ; for the mainmast of the Spanish Almiranta
■was shot away close to the deck, and she was left astern ; yet
afterwards, when she had cleared away the wreck of the mast
and rigging, with the sails of her fore and mizen masts she again
came up with the Dainty, and renewed her part of the engage-
22d. ment. On the 22d, in the afternoon, the English hung out a
flag
SIR RICHARD HAWKINS. I3i
flag of truce, and, after a parley, they surrendered by a regular ^Z^J^
capitulation, on the conditions promised of life, of being treated i594'
according to the fair rules of Avar, and of being speedily sent to
their own country : in confirmation of which agreement, the
Spanish General sent his glove to the English Commander.
Sir Richard Hawkins states that the number of men in his
ship at the commencement of the engagement was 75, but he
has not mentioned the number killed. Figueroa, in his life of
Don Garcia Hurtado de Mendoca, has given a long account of
the engagement, in which the loss of the Spaniards is set down
28 killed and £2 wounded. The number of the English, he
says, was at the commencement l£0, of whom 27 were killed
and 1 7 wounded.* The EngUsh Commander was among the
wounded: and it is mentioned in his Observations, with some
degree of satisfaction, that among the wounded on the side of
the Spaniards was Tome Hernandez, the man who was taken by
Mr. Cavendish from the Strait of Magalhanes.
In the engagement, the English fired arrows out of muskets. Arrows
concerning which Sir Richard Hawkins has given the following ^uske?™
curious account. * General Michael Angell (the Spanish
' Almirante) demanded for what purpose served the little short
* arrows which we had in our ship in so great quantity : I satis-
* fied him that they were for our muskets. They are not in use
* as yet among the Spaniards, yet of singular effect and execu-
* tion, as our enemies confessed : for the upper woi-k of their
* ships being musket proof, in all places they passed through
* both sides with facility, and wrought extraordinary disasters,
' which caused admiration to see themselves wounded with
* small shot, where they thought themselves secure, and by no
' means could find where they entered.
s.
* Hechos de 4"" Marques de CaSett. Lib, 4, p. 219.
s 2 * Hereof
132. VOYAGEOF
CH AP. p. « Hereof they proved [made proof] to profit themselves after;- -
1594. ' but that they wanted the tampkings which are first to be driven
' home before the arrow be put in ; and as they understood not
* the secret, they rejected them as uncertain ; but of all the
' shot used now-a-days for the annoying of an enemy in fights
' by sea, fev/ are of greater moment for many respects/*
The Spaniards sailed with their prize to Panama, and that city
was illuminated on the occasion. She was there repaired, and
her name again changed, being called the Visit acion. The pri-
soners were carried to Lima. Sir R. Hawkins concludes his
Observatio7is with a promise of relating, in a second part, how
they fared in their imprisonment ; but he did not live to fulfil
his promise. As he makes no complaint of the treatment the
English experienced from the Spaniards, but, on the contrary,
acknowledges many civilities, and speaks highly of the honour of
the Spanish Commander, Don Beltran de Castro, it may be
supposed that they did not suffer other hardships than those to
which all prisoners of war must be subject ; though it appears
that they were demanded, as being heretics, by the officers of
the inquisition ; and some of them M'ere delivered into the keep-
ing of the holy fathers, there to remain until instructions fliould
arrive from Spain, and the King's pleasure concerning them be
known. -{-
* The Observations of Sir Richard Hawkins. Sect. Ixvi. p. 164!
f In an order from Philip the lid, to the Marquis de Canete, dated December
the 17th, 1595, his Majesty has expressed Iiis will in the following indefinite
manner. ' Inasmuch as relates to the punishment of the English General and
' the rest who were taken in the said ship, who you say were demanded by the
' Inquisition, and that not knowing my pleasure as to what should be done with
' them, you procured with the holy office, that passing judgment upon the said
* General should be deferred, it being understood, that he is a person of quality ;
' that which appears proper in this case is, that justice should be done con-
' formable to the quality of the persons.' Hechos de 4meMarq.de Canete^ p. 222.
See likewise Purchas, Vol. iv, p. 1417.
The
SIR RICHARD HAWKINS. 133
The account given of this Voyage in the present Work, is c h a p. 9.
almost entirely supplied from ' the Observations of Sii' Richard 1594.
* Hawkins, Knight.' The character of Sir Richard's book has
been briefly noticed, but Avill be better understood from the fre-
quent extracts inserted in this narrative, which will suffice to ^
show that it is replete with experienced observation and curious-
anecdote.
A poetical relation of the Voyage of Sir Richard Hawkins is
preserved in the British Museum, composed by William Ridley,
in his 19th year; and Drayton, in his Foli/olbion^ has bestowed,
on him the follov/ing line of commendation,
* And Hawkins not behind the best of those before.*
Sotig igth.
Sir Richard Hawkins was a prisoner at Lima in 1595, when.
Alvaro de Mendana sailed from Peru on the voyage which is the
subject of the ensuing Chapter. He was likewise at Panama-
after the 3'ear 1596, being then in his way towards Europe. He-
mentions having seen at Panama * a large relation of Mendana's
last voyage written by a person of credit, which had been sent:
there from the Philippine Islands'
[ 134 I
C H A p. X.
Second Voyage of Alvaro de Mendana.
CHAP. lo. "\7[7'^'^^^ ^^ miscarriage of Sir Richard Hawkins, the enter-
V^'V*^ prises of the Enghsh in the South Sea ceased for many
years. The Spaniards were encouraged to hope that the ex-
ample of his defeat would deter their enemies from further
attempts of the same nature, and they again turned their
attention to the prosecution of discoveries in the Pacific Ocean,
principally with the view to reap benefit from those formerly
made.
King Philip II, in a letter written to the Viceroy of Feru,
^dated January 21st, 1594, had recommended ' the encourage-
* ment of enterprises for new discoveries and settlements, as the
' best means to disembarrass the land from many idle gentry ;'
3595. and the year next after the date of the King's letter, the Marquis
de Cahete prepared an armament for the purpose of forming a
settlement at the Island de San Christoval, * one of the Salomon,
Islands. Alvaro de Mendana, who had discovered those islands
28 years before, was then in Peru, and was appointed to com-
mand the expedition now undertaken, with the title of Adelantado
■{nearly synonymous to Excellence/). The vessels composing this
armament were,
The Galeon, San Geronimo, Capitana, on board of which
the Adelantado, Alvaro de Mendana, embarked, and with him
his wife, Doiia Ysabel Berreto. In the same ship went, as
Captain and Pilot Mayor, Pedro Fernandez de Quiros;-f-
The
* Memorial of jtrias, p. 1 6.
- f A brief account of this Voyage was written by P. Fernandez de Quiros, the
Pilot Mayor, in a letter addressed to Dr. Antonio de Morga, at that time
Governor at the Philippme Islands : which letter de Morga published in his
History of those Islands, printed at Mexico, A. D. 1609. A Relation of the
¥oyage was likewise inserted by Christoval Suarez de Figueroa, in lib. vi. of his
11 Hichos,
VOYAGE OF ALVARO DE MEND ANA. 135
The Santa Ysabel, Almiranta, commanded by Lope decHAp. lo.
^ega; ,505.
The San Felipe, a G allot, Felipe Corso commander ; and
The Santa Catalina, a small frigate, Alonso de Leyla com-
mander.
The number of men in the four vessels was 378,* of whom
2 80 were fighting men (que podian pelearj : they were furnished
with 200 harquebusses, besides other arms; and three priests
accompanied the expedition, one of them with the title of
Vicar.
They left Pflt/to June the 1 6th, 1595, from which port they p/'J^^^^.g
sailed WSW, till they were in 9i° S. latitude. From that from Peru,
parallel they steered WbS, till they were in 14* S. The course
was then changed to WbN.
As they were sailing on this last course, on Friday, July the July,
2 1 st
21st at noon, the latitude was observed 10* 50' S, and at 5 in island Ea
the afternoon, an Island was seen bearing NWbN 10 leagues ^adalena.
distant, which the Adelantado named La Madalena. By the
Reckoning of Quires, it was 1000 leagues distant from Lima.-f
Figueroa says, ' this was believed to be the land they sought
[the Salomon Islands], for which reason there was great rejoicing,
at their ha\'ing made so expeditious a passage, and at the desire
of the Adelantado, Te Deum laudamus was sung, in which every
one joined with great devotion.' J
The
Hechos de D. Garcia, Marq: de Cantte, printed at Madrid, A. D. 1613. These
two accounts i^gree in most of the particulars; the one in Figueroa's work is the
most full, and it appears that he had access to the pupers of Quiros.
* Quiros says, 400 persons a few more or less. Sucesos de las Islas FiNpinas^ .
por D. Ant. de Morga, p. 29. Figueroa gives the nnmbei" as above stated.
f This distance is likewise given in Figueroa's Account, but it appears plainly'
to be from the Reckoning of Quiros.
:{: How such a supposition could have been made by Mendana, has long been,,
and probably will remain, a subject of wonder. The Island la Madalena is distant
from hima 1060 Spanish leagues, which is about half the distance of the Salomoit>
Islands from Lima. The science of navigation at that time, though far short of
136 SECOND VOYAGE OF
c u A P. 10. The next day, however, they were in doubt whether the Island
jgQg. now discovered was peopled or not, till they approached the
^^y- South part, where they saw a port close to the foot of a moun-
Madalena. tain, out of which there came, in a kind of succession, about 70
canoes, which contained from three to ten joersons each : they
made towards the ships, and many other of the inhabitants
swam off from the land. These islanders were in colour ' almost
white :' they had long hair, which some suffered to hang loose,
and others gathered in a knot on the top of the head. Many
amongst them had red hair. * Their faces and bodies were
mai-ked with representations of fish, and with various other de-
vices, Avhich were painted, or wrought into their skins, of a blue
colour : -f- they were of good stature, and so well shaped, says
Quiros, that in persons they had much the advantage of the
Spaniards.
They had fiae teeth and eyes, and good countenances : their
voices were strong; but their manners gentle. Both the Spanish
accounts are diffuse in praise of the beauty of the natives of la
the perfection to which it has since attained, was by no means in so wretched a
state as to furnish excuse for the gross error of Mendana, which is the more
remarkable, for that in the original discovery of the Salomon Islands, he liad, as
in the present voyage, taken his departure from the coast of Peru.
* This is said in the accounts both of Quiros and of Figueroa. And in this
particular, later voyagers differ remarkably from the Spanish accounts. Captain
Cook says, ' their hair, like ours, is of many colours, except red, of which I saw
none.' Captain Cook's Second Voyage round the World, Vol. I. p. 308, 4th edit.
In some of the Islands of the South Sea, it is a custom with the natives, which
seems to be practised on particular occasions, to colour or stain their hair; which
satisfactorily accounts for such opposite descriptions. In this voyage of Mendana,
people were afterwards seen who are described to have their hair stained.
t The custom thus described, is the same as the tattow-m^ of the Society
Jslands.
Madalena,
ALVxiRO DE MEN DAN A. 137
Madalena, and particularly of the children, -who were entirely chap. 10.
naked. ' There came, among others, two lads paddling their 1505.
' canoe, whose eyes were fixed on the sliip ; they liad beautiful ^\^h'-.
' faces, and the most promising animation of countenance ; and Madalena.
' were in all things so becoming, that the Pilot 3Iai/or affiimed
' nothing in his life ever caused him so much regret as the
* leaving such fine creatures to be lost in that country.'*
"When the canoes first approached, the people in them did not
immediately venture to trust themselves within the Spanish
ships. They pointed to their land, and to the port, and spoke
loud, frequently repeating the words Atalut and Analut. They
brought with them cocoa-nuts, plantains, and a species of nuts ;
hkewise a food wrapped up in leaves, which was a kind of paste,
and fresh M'atcr in bamboos. I'hey gazed with much aduiiratiou
at the ships and at the people, particularly at the women
(Donna Ysabel and her attendants) avIio were in the oallery
(corredor) of the Capitana, with Avhom they lauo-hed, and
seemed to rejoice much at beholding them. One Indian entered
the Capitana, to whom the Adelantado gave a shirt and hat,
upon which encouragement he was followed by about 40 others,
' near to whom the Spaniards appeared of mean stature,' and
among the Islanders there Avas one a full head taller than tlie
• Figtieroa. Heckos de Marq. de Canefe, p. C42. Captain Cook has bestowed
no less encomium on the inhabitants of these islands, who, be says, ' lu-e coliec-
' tively without exception the finest race of people in this sea. For fine shape and .
f features thej^, perhaps, surpass all other nations. The men are in general from
' 5 feet to inches to 6 feet. The women, who are but little punctured [with the
' tattow], youths and young children who are not at all, are as fair as some
' Europeans.' Captain Cook's Second Forage, to the South Sea, Vol. I. p. 308,
.309-
Vol. II. T tallest
138 SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. lo. tallest Spaniard in the squadron. Immediately they were oo
J 595. board, they began to run about the ship Avith great freedom,
fj^' Small presents were distributed an>ong them, which they gladly
Madalena. received and suspended to their necks, dancing and singing like
people intoxicated with the novelty of what they saw. In a
short time, however, they became importunate, and endeavoured
to take Avhatever they could lay their hands on, for Avhich reason.
signs were made to them to leave the ship, but they showed
no inclination to go. The Adelantado ordered a gun to be fired;:
and the loudness of the report frightened them so much, that
they leaped overboard, and swam to their canoes. One Indian
remained hanging by the shrouds, and as he would not imme-
diately quit his hold, a soldier had the brutality to cut him
■with a sword, and he fell into the water. lie was taken into
one of the canoes, and the sight of his wound produced among
the Islanders a general sentiment of indignation. Preparations
were immediately made for an attack with their lances and
slings, and they fastened a rope to the bowsprit of the ship with
the intention of towing her to the shore. A person among them
who had an umbrella of palm leaves, gave directions, whilst
another, a more ancient man with a long beard, harangued with
much emotion. The sounding of a conch shell was the signal
for attack, which they coilmienced with stones, and one struck a
Spanish soldier. The Spaniards then fired with musketry at the
natives, by which nine or ten Avere killed, and others wounded. The
Islanders seeing such destruction poured among them, thought no
longer of attacking, but in great consternation fled with their ca-
noes to a distance. This severe vengeance, taken upon provocation
so trivial, forms a strange contrast with the strong prepossessions
in favour of the Islanders Avhich the first sight of them had pro-
duced in the Spaniards ; and it can give no favourable impression
6 of
ALVARO DE MEND AN A.
139
of the character of Mendana, when we learn from the Spanish chap. lo.
accounts, that less mischief was committed than had been in- ^""TIXT*^
tended; for it is complained, that when they wanted to fire the *^"'3'-
harquebusses, the powder would not take fire, hayinjr got wet Madalena.
with the rain ; and the only reflection expressed on the occasion
is, that ' it was curious to see the bustle and noise made by the
* Indians, and how some, when they saw the muskets pointed
* at them, hid themselves behind their canoes or behind their
* companions/* The elderly chief was among the slain.
The Spanish ships continued sailing along the South side of
the Island ; and in a short time after the transaction just related,
they were followed by a canoe, in which were three men, one of
whom held up a green bough and something white, Avhich was
understood to be intended as a signal of pe^ce. These messen-
gers made speeches, and by their gestures it was supposed that
they w-ere desirous the ships should go to their port : in con-
clusion, they delivered to the Spaniards some cocoa-nuts, and
departed.
When the ships had passed the South end of La Madalena, Other
three other Islands were discovered in the North AVest quarter, Madalena?
the nearest of which was judged to be 10 leagues distant from
La Madalena, The Adelantado now acknowledged his convic^
tion that these Islands wxre not the Salamon Islands, but a new
discovery, -f-
■ « Figueroa. Hechos de D. Gfircia, &c. p. 244.
f Ibid. p. 245. N. B. In the original edition of Figueroa, which is here
followed, there are two series of pagesj numbered from 245 to 249. The part
referred to above is in the first series.
.T:2 The
140
SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. lO.
The pilot mayor, Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, has given a
^"^^^ description of the size and situation of these Islands, which
, •'"'y- does not differ sreatly from later descriptions, as may be seen by
Las Mae- ° •' .,, ,, i*
^uESAs. comparing his account with the annexed sketch.
Lon^: /39
La
Dominica
PortMadre de Dies \M ^
^^^
vm Greenwich.
C/iristi^^^'
San Pedro.
Lat. 10 S.
Lf; agues. 20 to a Decree.
La Madalena.
v-j
* This sketch is an extract from the Chart of the Marquesas made by Captain
Cook in his second Voyage round the World. [See Vol. I. Chap. X. of that Voyage.}
Captain Cook has laid -down five Islands, and since that time, other Islands have
been discovered which are to be reckoned as part of the same groupe. The
Chart here given is designed only to show the Islands of the Marquesas which were
discovered by Mendana,
Quiros
ALVARO DEM END A N A. i41
Quiros says, La Madakna is 6 (Spanish) leagues in circuit,* Situations
and mountainous ; but it was very populous ; for besides those qu1|o°^
who were in the canoes, the beaches and all the- sea. shoi'e near of La
the ships were crowded Avith people. The port on its South ^^^^''''''-■^'''•
sidef- is in 10° S. latitude.
Ten leagues NbW from La Maclalena, is an Island which was S. Pedro,
named Sail Pedro; of 3 leagues in circuit, of a good appearance,
with many trees on it.
To the NW, t and about 5 leagues distant from San Pedro, ^*.
1 T 1 1 1 ■ 1 1 -r T~k Dominica,
is another Island, which was named La Dormnica. It is about
15 leagues in circuit, and from its appearance was believed to
be fruitful and well peopled.
South from La Dominica, a little more than a leao;ue distant, ^, ^'*
1 T 1 1 1 • 1 1 r> ^ Christina.
IS another Island, which was named Santa Christina, and is 8
leagues in circuit.
To the Islands collectively, the Adelantado^ as a demonstra- ^^^ Mar-
tion of his respect for the Marquis de Caiiete, gave the name of ~
las Marquesas de Mendofa : but they have been generally known
by the name las Marquesas.
The ships stood towards la Dominica, where they searched foi*
a port, and the inhabitants of that Island appeared anxious for
them to stop ; but no safe anchorage could be found there.
Among the natives of la Dominica who visited the Capitana,
* F/gueroa says lo leagues.
t The Northern part only of La Madakna was seen by Captain Cook, and-
at a great distance. Since tlie time of Mendana, it is not known that the
Island has been approached by any European navigator^ near enough for the port
in its South part to have been discerned.
X In the letter of P. F. de Quiros, published by Ant. de Morga, it is erroneouslj
printed ' to the SE.' In Figueroa, it is NW.
were
142 SECOND VOYAGE OP
CHAP. 10. were four men, whose appearance bespoke them to be above
,.p,c the common rank. One of them seeino; a favourite httle bitch,
•'"'.y- took it up as if Avitliout design, and giving a sudden shout to his
Las Mae- ^ & ' fo o ^
QUESAs. companions, he leaped overboard, and was followed i)y the rest,
and they swam with their prize to their canoes.
Mendana sailed through the channel between the Islands la
Dominica and Santa Christina, and sent the Maestre de Campo
with a boat and twenty soldiers to examine if the Island Santa
Port Christina would alFord shelter for the ships. On the West side
discoveie ^^ ^^^^ Island they discovered a port, and landed near a town,
Christina, from whence about 300 of the natives came to them. The
Spaniards drew a line, and by signs informed the Islandei^s that
they were not to pass it ; but a traffic was carried on for cocoa-
nuts and fruits. Those who went in the boat affirmed that they
saw among the women of Santa Christina ' many of extraoidi-
' nary beauty, and that it would not have been difficult to have
* entered into good conversation with them.' Tlieir dress was a
kind of cloth made of leaves of the palm-tree very finely wrought,
with which they covered themselves from the breast downwards.
' The Maestre de Campo unluckily trusted the natives with some
water jars to fill, and they ran off with four, on which account
the Spaniards fired musketry at them.
2gjj^ On July the 28th, the ships anchored in the harbour dis-
tort Madre covercd by the Maestre de Campo, which was named Fort Maclre
de Dios. ^g j^-^^^
The port is in the form of a horse-shoe : the entrance is narrow,
and it is well protected from the winds.* The depth in the
* This description of the Port Madre de Dios is given in Figueroa, p. 24S,
where il is said ' protected from all winds.' The port is well protected from the
Tradje wind, and lao other wind is e.vpected there.
entrance
ALYARO DE MEND AN A. 143
entrance is 30 fathoms, a clear sandy bottom, and gradually de- chap. lo.
creases to 12 fathoms, very near the shore. The port may be 1595.
knovvn by a hill on the South side. which appears cut or scored [.,3 ^f* _
ftajadoj towards the sea, and by a hollow rock on the North quesas.
side. From a small hill which divides two sandy beaches, there ^°,"^ M"die
' de Dios.
issues a spout of excellent fresh water, as thick as a man's hand,
with a fall of 9 feet. On the North side of this hill there is
another run of good water ; and on the same side, close to the
beach, the town stood. The latitude, by the estimation of
Quiros, is 9' 30'S. *
Soon after the fleet had anchored, the Adelantado and the
Lady Ysabel landed, and mass was performed on shore, the
greater part of the Spaniards having landed to attend the ser-
vice. Many of the natives were present^ who regarded what
passed with silent attention. When the Spaniards knelt, they
likewise knelt, and endeavoured to imitate the actions of the
Christians. After prayers, possession was formally taken, in
the name of the King of Spain, of the four Islands discovered ;
and to give the ceremony the appearance of something more
than mere form,, maize was sov/n in the ground in the presence
of the Islanders. Whilst this business was transacting, a beautiful
native Avoman seated herself near the Donna Ysabel, and occa-
sionally fanned her. Her hair was of so fine a red colour, that
Donna Ysabel was desirous to have a lock of it cut off; but as
there appeared unwiUingness in its possessor to part with any,
the request was not urged.
When the Adelantado and bis Lady returned to the ships, the
Maestre de Campo was left on shore with a large party of sol-
diers. By their imprudent conduct they soon gave offence to
the natives, which produced a quarrel. The natives threw
• The latitude of P. Madre de Dios, as observed by Mr. Wales, is 9*55|'' S.
stones
144 S E C O N D V O Y A G E O F
C 11 A P. 1
o- stones and lances, and wounded a Spanish soldier in the foot.
95. The Spaniards fired their muskets, Avliich caused so great a terror
,/'"'-■ amonG; the natives that all of them who were in the ncio:hbour-
- sAs. hood of the port, men, women and children, tied towards the
Christina, hills, or to the woods for concealment, and were pursued by the
merciless soldiers, v.ho continued to fire at them as long as any
were in sight.
Tlie Spaniards after this, pjg«ed guards, and kept possession
of the watering place ; and the town remained for some da^'s
deserted by its inhabitants, who betook themselves to the tops
of three high hills ; and these posts they fortified with intrench-
ments. Every morning and evening during the conlinnaiice of
this state of exile from their habitations, they joined in a kind
of song ' all in unison, making a sonorous and concerted noise,
* wdiich resounded through the vallies ;' and from thence was
mournfully answered by other natives. They made some attacks
on the outworks of the Spaniards with slings and stones ; but at
length, beino; convinced how little mischief tlieir arms were
capable of doing in coniparison with the formidable arms of the
strangers, they shewed their desire of peace by bringing plan-
tains and other fruits to the soldiers, and they demanded by
signs that they might return without farther molestation to their
town. The Spaniards readily assented to this request ; and the
last days of their sojourn at Santa Christina were passed, if not
in friendship, in peace with the natives.
Habitiitions The town in Fort Maclre de Dios was built so as to form two
°^^'^*' sides of a quadrnnole, one standing North and South, the other
East and West. The ground near the houses was neatly paved,
and the space in front was in the manner of an open square,
being planted round thick with trees. The houses appeared to
be in common.* Some of them had low doors, and others were
* Figueroa, p. 245. This probabi}' was only applicable to particular houses.
open
ALVAHO DE MENDANA. U5
=«pen the whole length of the front. They were built with c hap. lo.
•timber and bamboo canes intermixed, and the floor was raised """T^^q^
above the level of the ground without. At a small distance ,,'^"'-^-
y 1 1 -1 1- 1-11 MaroLE-
trora the town was a building which the Spaniards supposed sas.
.was regarded by the natives as their oracle. It stood nearly in ciiV^Jthw
the middle of a space wdiich was inclosed with palisades. The
entrance of the enclosure was ou the West side, but the door of
the building was to the North. Within, there were figures or
images made of wood, ill carved, and before them were placed
-Offerings of provisions. Among the provisions thus consecrated
was a hog, which the Spanish soldiers took away, and weraabout
to take other things, but the inhabitants interposed, making signs
for them to abstain and to respect the temple and the idols.
The natives of the Marquesas had large sailing canoes neatly Canoes.
constructed : a single tree formed the keel, prow, and stern, to
which the planks were strongly fastened, and likewise to each
other, with cords made from the cocoa-nut rind. One of their
canoes had between 30 and 40 rowers. The tools Avith which
the natives wrought were made of shells and the bones of
fishes.
The articles of food at the Island Santa Christina, were hoo-s. Food,
fowls, and fish : cocoa-nuts ; sugar canes ; plantains of aiv ex-
cellent kind; a fruit inclosed in a husk like a chesnut, and
resembling it in taste, but above six times as large ; another
species of nut, containedin a very hard shell without any Join in o-,
about the same size, and having the same taste as the common
nuts in Spain ; this nut was found to be very oily, and if eatea
too freely it had a tendency to produce fluxes. But the fruit
most highly commended in the original accounts is one which The Bread
was produced by the trees which the natives cultivated near their
houses : ' it grows to the size of a boy's head ; when ripe, it is
* of a light green colour ; but of a strong green before it is ripe :
* the outside or rind is streaked crossways like the pine apple ;
Vol. II. U ' the
146 SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 10. ' the form is not entirely round, but becomes narrow towards-
^"T^XT^ ' tbe end ; the stalk runs to the middle of the fruit, where there
Marque- < jg ^ ]i'u\d of web : it has neither stone nor kernel, nor is any
S" ' part vuiprofitable except the rind which is thin : it has but
Christina, j j.j.,j^ moisture ; it is eaten many ways, and by the natives is
* called white food : it is well tasted, wholesome, and nutritious ;
' the leaves are large, and indented in the manner of those
* of the West India Papaw tree [arpadas amanera de las Pa-
* pajjas.'l*
This seems to be the earliest description which can Mith cer-
tainty be attributed to the Bread fruit.
The natives of S'" Christina, on seeing a negro in one of the
Spanish ships, pointed towards the South, and made signs that
in that direction there were people of the same kind, who fought
with arrows, and with whom they were sometimes at war. Quiros>
who relates this circumstance, -j- acknowledges that the natives
were very imperfectly understood.
When the ships were ready for sea, having compleated
their Avaler, and the crcAvs being refreshed, the Adelantado
ordered three crosses to be erected in diflferent places, on which
were engraved inscriptions,
ilugust. Saturday the 5th of August, the ships sailed from Santa
Christina and from the Islands las Marquesas de Mendofa^
steerino; W bS, with the wind from between the SE and East.
The Adelantado predicted, that on the third or fourth day they
should make the Salomon Islands ; but both those days passed
and no land appeared. The course was afterwards occasionally
varied between WbN and WbS, so as to keep between the
* Carica Papaya, Litinesi Sp. pi. Tlie above descriplion of the Bread fruit
is extracted from L'igueroa — Hechos dc Quaiio Marq. de Cattcte, lib. 6, p. 246,
series 2d.
•|- Sitcesos de las Islas Fi/ipiiias, fol. 30. '
6 parallels
ALVAHO DE MENDANA. Ur
parallels of 10° and IT S. When they had sailed by their cu at. io.
account 400 leagues from S'" Chridina, on the yoth of August, 1505.
farly in the uat)rning, they discovered four small low Islands ^"6"^^-
M'ith sandy beaches, and covered uith palms and other trees. ^\q s.^,*
They lay in a quadrangular position Avithin a space that was Bernardo.
-about 12 leagues iu circuit.* All the Eastern side was covered
with a continuation of sand banks and reefs, which Avere seen
to extend one way to the North of the groupe, and the other
way to the SW. At the SW part there seemed to be a termina-
.tion of the reef; but they did not approach near enough to
tletermine this point, or whether the Islands were inhabited.
Some of the crew of the Galiot said that they had seen two
canoes ; but it was believed that they spoke from a wish that
the ships should stop at this land. The Adelantado would have
tried here for anchorage ; but, at the request of the Vicar, he
.gav€ up that intention, and the course was continued. These
Islands were named de San Bernardo. Quiros gives their latitude
10° 45' S. Figueroa, 10° 20' S. Their distance from Lima was
estimated to be 1400 (Spanish) leagues.-)-
As they continued saiUng on to the West, with the wind con-
stantly from the SE, they had frequent short showers of rain,
and the air became loaded with dark heavy clouds, which were
remarked to form into strange shapes ; and some appeared so
fixed, that a whole day would pass without their disappearing,
from which it was conjectured that they were kept stationary by
there beino- land in the same direction.
Tuesday the 29th, they saw a small low and round Island La
C T I-
about a league in circumference, which was covered with trees, ' ^^'°'
* Quiros saj'Sj 12 ]eagiies in circuit; Figueroa, 8 leagues.
t In the latter part of this cha))ter, after the conclusion of tlie narrative^ the
Reader will find an inquiry concerning the situation of San Bernardo, and of other
Islands discovered in this second Voyage of Mendana.
u 2 and
U8 SECOND VOYAGE OF
-CHAP. 10. and surrounded Avith a reef of rocks appearing above water. It
*"'TX^ Avas named la Solitaria, and is in 1 0° 40' S. and distant from Lima
August. 1535 leagues. * Tiie galiot and small frigate Avere sent to try
for anchorage, and they anchored near the Island in 1 0 fathoms,
but it Avas on rocky uneven bottom, Avhere on heaving the lead
they found in one place bottom at 10 fathoms depth, and
in another almost close to it, no bottom at 1 00 fathoms. The
ships passed on, continuing their former course, every one on
board being greatly disappointed and dissatisfied at not seeing
the land promised by the Adelantado, and some scrupled not
to say that they Avere going no one kncAv Avhither. ' The
* Adelantado,' says Figueroa, ' to quiet their discontent, set
' his people a good example Avith a rosary constantly in his
' hand, and he severely reprehended all profane discourse.'
September On September the 7th, the Avind (still from the SE) blcAv
7^*^' fresh, and they sailed due West, under the foresail only.
The horizon before them Avas obscured by thick clouds ; on
Avhich account the chief pilot (Quiros) ordered the galiot and
the frigate to keep a-head in sight of the ships, and of each
other, and they Avere particularly instructed what signals to
make if they should see land or breakers. But in the evening,
after it became dark, the commanders of the galiot and frigate
being strongly apprehensive of danger, Avere afraid to preserve
the station appointed them, and both their vessels dropped
astern. With all this doubt, Avithout advanced guard, and
under such alarming appearances, the navigation AAas most
improvidently and unaccountably continued ; for since Men-
dana first reckoned they Avere near the Salomon Islands, they
had sailed many hundred leagues, it may be said in hourly
* Both by the account of Qtiiros and of Figuerof. ; and generally, except in
those instances to the contrary whicli are noticed^ Figueroa iu his accouut has
followed the Reckoning of Quiros.
expectation.
ALVARO DE MENDANA. ug
expectation of falling in with them, keeping constantly in a c h a p. lo.
parallel v/hich left no chance that they should be missed, and i^qn.
every additional hour gave reason to strengthen expectation: September-.
but, as if by some perveree infatuation, the opposite effect seems
to have been produced, and expectation to have been worn out
by being so long on the stretch and by a continuance ot*
disappointment, which, doubtless to Mendana, was iucompre--
hensible.
The ships, as before related, kept on their course. About
9 at night, the account says,* the Almiranta was seen, meaning,
as appears by the sequel, that she was not seen after that hour.
At II, on the larboard [left] hand %vas observed a large black
cloud, which wholly darkened that part of the horizon. Those
Avho had the watch were doubtful if it was not land, but their
doubts were soon removed, for the cloud approached Avith a
torrent of rain, and as soon as it was past, land was clearly Land
discerned at scarcely a league distance. The Capitana hauled fl'sc-oveied,
upon a wind, and made signals to the other vessels. Answers
were received from twa only, and nothing was seen or heard
from the third.
The remauider of the night the Capitana lay too. When day- 8th.
light arrived, the galiot and frigate were found in company with Almiranta
her; but to their grief and consternation, the Almiranta was nusauig.
missing. A point of land Avas seen to the SE, level, but rather
high, and darkened in appearance from the abundance of trees
with which it was covered : this point was part of a large Island
which extended towards the West. To the Northward of this
land was seen an Island about 3 leagues m circuit, on which was Volcano
a volcanic mountain of a conical shape, which emitted fire and 1=''"""'
cinders : the sides of the mountain were cleft in deep vallies,
* Figueroa, p. 249,
and
15G SECONDVOYAGEOF
CHAP. 10. and by its SE side was a smaller hill. The Avliole apjjeared
^"'^T^T*^ naked, without tree or herbage.* Its distance from the large
September. Island was 7 or 8 leagues.
Tlie frigate was ordered to sail round the Volcano Island, to
search for tlie Ahniranta, as it was possible she might have
passed to the North of it; but the hoj^es entertained of seeing
her again were very faint.
Santa 1'<^^ the land first seen, which appeared to be an Island of
€kuz. gfeat extent, Mcndana gave the name of Santa Cricz.-f
The Capitana and the Galiot being near the North coast of
Santa Cruz, there came from the shore a small canoe with a
sail, followed by a fleet of fifty other canoes, the people in them
calling out and waving their hands; but they approached the
ships with great caution. When the canofss drew near, it was
discovered that these people were of a dark complexion, some
more black than others, and all with woolly hair, which many
among them had stained or dyed with white, red, and other
colours, and some had half of the head shorn ; other distinctions
were observed, and their teeth were stained red. They all came
Baked excepting that they wore a band of soft cloth round their
middle. IMost of them Avere painted or stained black, so as to
make them blacker than their natural colour. Their faces and
bodies were marked with certain lines : their arms were bound
round with many turns of a black withy or rattan ; and round
their necks were hung strings of small beads made of bone, ebon}'.
* The account in Figueroa says here, that the Volcano Island is without port
or landing place; but afterwards it appears that anchorage was found on its
mV side.
t This name seems to have been intended for all the Islands discovered by
Mendana in this neighbourhood ; for Quiros distinguishes the largest Island from
^ the otliers by calling it ia Isla ^rande de Santa Cruz (the Great Island of the Holy
Cross).
and
ALVARO DE MENDAKA. 151
and the teeth of fish. To different parts of their bodies they chap. lo.
hung ornaments of pearl shell. Their canoes v,ere small, ai)d isp^.
some were double or fastened in pairs, near and parallel to each Se|)te:iiber'.
other. Their arms were bows and arrows of wood, with very Cuuz.
sharp points hardened with fire. Some had arrows with barbed
points of bone and with feathers; the points were anointed with
the juice of some herb supposed to be of a poisonous quality
[yei'va al parecer], which however was but of little prejudice.*
They came provided likewise v ith stones, with staves of heavy
■wood, Avhich are their swords, and darts made of Laid wood
and barbed. They brought with them baskets neatly wrought
of palm leaves, filled with biscuit made of roots, of which they alf
came eating, shewing thereby that they were equally prepared
for friendship as for hostility, and they readily gave away a
part of this food.
Immediately the Adelantado observed the colour of these
Islanders ' he concluded them to be the people whom he had been
so long seeking, saying, this is suchan island, that is such a land.'
He called to them in the language which he had learnt during
his former voyage ; but he had the mortification to find that he
■was not understood by the natives, neither could he understand
what they said. They appeared greatly to admire the ships, and .
paddled their canoes round them, talking much, and remarking
on what they saw. They showed no disposition to enter, though
invitations Avere made by the Spaniards ; but after some
debate among themselves, they began to handle their arms,
to which it appeared they were incited by a tall old Indian
* The whole of the above paragraph is translated nearly literally from Figueroa.
Htzhos dc 4me. Marq. de Canete", p. 250, 251. A great number of instances
occui both in the early and in late voyages, which furnish reason for believing
that there is not any thing of a noxious quality in the ointment which the Islanders-
use to their arrows ; and it is probably nothing more than an oily preparation to-
preserve ihein against the decaying eflect of u hot climate.
- o -who
152 SECOND VOYAGE OF
cH A p. 10. who was in the foremost canoe. Presently, they bent then*
1505. boAvs and prepared to shoot, but something said by the old man
September. ^-^r^f^Q them all seat themselves, and they renewed their congul-
iSANTA
Cbuz. tation. Thus they continued for a time irresolute ; at length,
coming to a determination, they set up a loud shout, and sent a
flight of arrows at the ships, some of which stuck in the sails and
in other parts. The Spaniards, who had kept themselves pre-
pared, fired their muskets in return, and killed one Indian and
Avounded many others, upon which, the Avhole body of the natives
fled in great terror.,
Mendana continued near the North coast of the large Island,
searching for a port, and was rejoined there by the frigate, whicli
returned without any tidings of the Almiranta.
The three vessels anchored twice, before a place of safety was
discovered ; the first time was near some shoals at the entrance
of a bay, where the bottom on which they anchored being a
steep bank, the Capitana drove off in the night, and it was with
difficulty she got clear of the shoals to the open sea. The second
was at a small anchorage on the NW side of the Volcano,*
where they lay in 12 fathoms depth, near to a town and river,
and where there was wood and ballast. The natives here proving
hostile, and the anchorage being protected only from the SE
winds, the ships quitted it.
The Ships The next day (the particular date is not given) a good port
anchor in a discovered in the Island of Santa Cruz, where the ships an-
good roit. 1 r
chored in smooth water, close to the shore, protected from all
winds, and near a fresh water river and a town; the depth 15 fa-
thoms, with good holding bottom.
The day of their entrance into this port seems to have passed
without any intercourse between the ships and the natives;
probably they anchored late in the day, and the inhabitants
* F'lguiroa, p. 252.
o seem
ALVARO DE MEN DANA. 153
seem to Lave been then occupied in the celebration of some chap. 10.
festival ; for during the whole of the night, the music of drums, "^""^T^^
tambourines, and other sounds of revelry, were heard among Septtmber.
,1 . Santa
them. ^^^j,„j5
The folloAving day the natives went off to th.e sliips in great
numbers, and most of them were adorned with red flowers stuck
in their heads and noses. Upon invitation from the Spaniards,
some of them entered into the Capitana, leaving their arms in
their canoes. Among the most early visitors lo the ships, there
was one whose appearance claimed more than a common
degree of respect. He was a man of a good figure and coun-
tenance, but enfeebled by age, and grey headed. He seemed
about sixty years old; his complexion was of a straw- colour;*
he wore feathers of various colours on his head, and carried
a bow in his hand, with arrows, the points of which were of
carved bone. He was attended by two natives of some
authority, who stationed themselves one on each side of him.
By all these marks, as well as by the respect which was paid to
him by his countrymen, it was evident that this was some dis-
tinguished person ; and likewise that it was the wish of the natives
that the Spaniards should regard him as such. A\ hen he entered
the ship, he inquired by signs for the chief of the new comers,
and was introduced to the Spanish commander, who received
him with kindness. The aged Indian made it understood that his
name was Malope : the Adelantado in return, stiid his name was
Mendana; upon which the Indian chief, pointing to himself,
signified that he would be called Mendana, and that the
Adelantado should be called Malope. To this exchange of
names the Adelantado assented. The Chief likewise said, that
he Avas called Tauriqiie ■f, Avhich was supposed to be of similar
• In the original, trigiieno.
•{• The word Jriki, signifying King or Chief, is in the Vocabulary of the
Cocos Island language, to the Voyage of Le Maire and Schoutcn.
A^OL. II. X import
154 SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. lo. import with Cacique or Prince. The Adelantado, as a mark of
"""Tsos*"^^ consideration to his new friend, put a shirt on him, and made
September, yarious presents to him and to his attendants. The gifts they
Santa '^ i • i
Cruz, received, they hung, in token of acknowledgment, to then- necks.
The Spaniards taught them to pronounce the word Amigos
(Friends), and to make the sign of the cross with their hands.
After this visit, the natives went in their canoes to the ships
Avithout scruple, carrying on board provisions to barter.
Malope, who was the Chief of the town and district near ta
Avhich the ships lay, Avas their most constant visitor, and showed
the most regard for the Spaniards. But this amicable inter-
course was not of many days continuance. One day, when
Malope had gone on board the Capitana, there went to the
ships fifty canoes, in which it was observed that the Islanders
carried their arms concealed ; and the Spaniards suspected that
they only waited for the coming of Malope to them to make an
attempt upon the ships. Under these impressions, a soldier on
board the Capitana, in taking up his musket, gave so much
alarm to Malope, that though endeavours Avere made to re-
assure him, he immediately quitted the ship, and getting into a
canoe, Avent on shore folloAved by all the other canoes. A great
number of the natives were on the beach at his landing, Avho
received him Avith particular demonstrations of joy ; and there
appeared to be afterAvards much consultation among them.
From this account, as it is given in Figueroa *, it cannot Avell
be seen Avhether the natives intended any act of treachery, or
Avent prepared with their arms from an apprehension that
their Chief was detained by the Spaniards. Mendana does
not seem to have harboured any such intention : the Chief Avas
in his poAver, and if he had chosen, must iiave remained so.
Figueroa, p. 253, 254.
Neveitheless,
ALVARO DE MENDANA. 15^
Nevertheless, the joy expressed by the natives when Malope chap, lo,
landed, has much the appearance of congratulation for what 1595.
was deemed an escape ; and whether it were to revenge an ^^P*'^™"*^''-
offence or a disappointment, they prepared for war. The in- Cuuz.
habitants of the houses nearest to the ships removed their
effects ; the next day, canoes were observed to be passing in
great haste from one town to another; and during the greater
part of the night which succeeded, large fires were made on the
opposite side of the bay ; all which the Spaniards supposed to
be indications of approaching hostility.
The following morning (the second after JNIalope's withdraw-
ing from the ships), the boat of the Galiot went for fresh water ;
but on arriving at the shore, she was attacked by the natives
and obliged to return, some of her creAV being wounded Avith
arrows. The Adelantado immediately ordered the Maestre de
Campo on shore, with 30 soldiers, to revenge this outrage. The
natives at first faced the Spaniards, till five of them were killed
by the musquetry ; the rest then fled. The Spaniards set fire to
some houses and canoes, and cut down some trees, after which
they embarked.
The same day (the date is not otherwise specified) Don
Lorenpo Berreto, brother to Donria Ysabel, was sent with the
Santa Catalina frigate and twenty soldiers to search again
for the Almiranta. He was instructed lo sail round by the part
of the Island Santa Cruz which had not been seen, until he
should ariive at the spot where they first fell in with the land ;
from which point he was to prosecute his search between the
West and the NW, as the Almiranta might liave gone in that
direction when she separated from the Capitana ; and Don
Lorenpo was ordered to make observations on what should be
found in that route.
The next morning at break of day, the M. de Campo was
landed Avith 40 men, to punish the inhabitants of a place from
X g Avhence
156
SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 3 o. whence arrows had been shot at the Spaniards. They arrived
^""Ts^^*^ close to some houses before they were discovered, and sur-
Scpteinber. j-ouiidino- them, set them on fire. Seven of the natives who
Santa » n • i i
Cruz, were within, finding themselves beset on all sides by two
enemies equally implacable, the flames and the Spaniards, took
to their arms and fought with great courage. Six of the seven
fell on the spot ; and one made his escape badly wounded. The
Spaniards, many of whom were wounded with arrows, then re-
turned to their ships.
In the afternoon, INIalope, to whom, or to whose people,
the houses and canoes which had been destroyed had belonged,
appeared on the shore nearest to the ships. He called in a loud
voice, and inquired for the Adelantado, whom he still called
Malope, and himself, striking his own breast, Mendana. He
pointed to the mischief that had been done by the Spaniards,
and, partly by speech and partly by signs, explained that it was
not the people who had been killed, but people from the other
side of the bay who had shot arrows at the Spaniards. It is
probable that this M'as the truth ; for men whose dwellings
and possessions ai'e most exposed to receive injury by war, are
seldom the first to provoke hostility. The Adelantado in reply,
desired him to come on board, wishing to make some atone-
ment ; but the invitation was not complied with till the next day,
when Malope went on board the Capitana, and a reconciliation
took place.
On the day of St. Matthew (September the 2 1st) the ships
sailed half a leaoue farther within the harbour. The account in
Figueroa says, ' they sailed from this port to another, larger
r-.i^'Lc, ' and more conmiodious, Avhich M-as found half a league within.
Bay. ' in the same bay.'* This port ' the Adelantado named
Figueroa, p. 255.
La
ALV ARO DE MENDANA. 157
* La Graciosa^, for such it is. In circuit it is 4| leagues: it chap. 10.
* lies in a direction NbE and SbW, and is in the most Western ^7^7"^^
' part of the North side of the Island Sanfa Cruz, and to the September.
Santa
' South of the Volcano before mentioned. The mouth is half Cruz.
' a leao;ue wide, on the East side of which is a reef, but the en- ^'.1'*''°*'*
* trance is very clear. The bay is formed on the Western part
' by an Island, the body of which is 4 leagues-f- : this Island is
* extremely fertile and populous : it is distant [on its South side]
' from the great Island but a short space, which is filled with
' rocks and banks, excepting some small channels through which
' boats only can pass. The port is in the innermost part of the
' bay, between a copious stream of very clear water, which at
* the distance of a musket shot [from the ships] gushes froni
* beneath some rocks, and a river of a moderate size about 500
* paces from thence. The bottom is of mud, with depth from
* 40 to 20 fathoms, and there is anchorage very close to the
* land.' J Figueroa says, the latitude of La Gi-aciosn is 10° 20',
and its distance from Lima 1850 leagues: Quiros gives the lati-
tude of the Island Santa Cruz 10% and its distance from Lima
1 800 leag-ues, which is the greatest difference of reckoning that
is found between the two accounts. §
The distance of the Volcano from where the ships lay in La
Graciosa Bay, was estimated to be 10 leagues. The top of this
* Graciosa may be here construed Beautiful, or Pleasant.
•f- In the original, cui/o cuerpo cs de 4 leguas. Figueroa, p. 257. Captain
Carteret who fell in with the Island Santa Cruz in 1767, which was the first time
of its being seen by Europeans since Mendana's discovery, lays down the Island on
the West side of La Graciosa Bay with three leagues of extent in the outer part ;
but the part towards the bay only two leagues. See Chart, entitled Queen
Charlottes Islands, in the account of Captain Carteret's Voyage, Ilawkesworth,
Vol. I.
% Figueroa, p. 257, 258.
§ Captain Carteret places the entrance of La Graciosa Bay in 10" 42' S,
mountain.
158 S E C O N D V O Y A G E O F
CH A P. lo mountain, Avhcn first seen by the Spaniards, was a handsome
1595- regular foiined peak; but in a few days after they were in port,
Septcniber. jj-^g ^ ^^,^^ broken* by an eruption, which was so strona; that
Cruz, the ships were shiiken b}' its violence, and the noise made by it
Giaciosa ^ ■ 1 ^ i 1 i
Ijjiv. '^'^'^^ plamJy heard on board.
There is some disagreement between the accounts of Quiros
.and Figueroa concerning the position of the Island Santa Cruz.
Quiros describes Santa Cruz to be from 90 to 1 00 leagues in
circuit, to be in a direction ESE and WNW. Figuerora gives
tlie same circumference, but says that the part which Avas seen
(the Northern coast) runs about East and West, -f
Don Lorenco, who had been sent with the friorate in search
of the Almiranta, having fulfilled his instructions, rejoined
Mendana as he was changing his situation from the anchorage
near the entrance to the inner part of La Graciosa Bay. The
Discoveries following is the substance of the report made by Don
made by ... . .
Don Loren- Lorenco, as given in Figueroa. ' In sailing round the Island
^rkate^ ' -Sa/i^fl Cruz, in compliance with his instructions, he saw in
' it, lying North and South with Graciosa Hay, another Bay,
' which seemed not less good, and where there appeared more
' people and more canoes. Farther on, he had seen close
' to the great Island, two other Islands of middling size, very
' populous; and in the SE quarter, at eight leagues distance,
' ho saw another Island, which appeared to be that [i. e. eight
' leagues] in circuit. 'j. And 9 or 10 leagues about WNW from
' where they passed the night when the land was first seen, he
' had fallen in with three Islands inhabited by people of a clear
' mulatto colour, and fidl of palm trees, with a great many
* descorono. Figueroa, p. 250.
A f The Chart of the Island by Captain Carteret agrees nearly wilh the position
given by Jigi/eroa. See Cliart near the end of this chapter.
J Tlie Island seen by Don Lorenzo in the SE quarter, corresponds with the.
Ni'zc Satk and New Alderncy of Carteret, who was at too great a distance to de-
terpiine whether the whole formed oue or two Islands.
' reefs
ALVARO DE MEND ANA. 159
* reefs and banks, which stretched towards the "WNW, of which c u a p. 10.
•^ the end was not seen. In conclusion, no traces had been found 1595.
« of the ship he went to seek.' * September.
Quiros, in his letter to D. Ant. de Morga, mentions-the search
which was made after the Alniiranta ; and that ' about the large
' Island, there were some small Islands, and in sight of the
' great Island, to the SE, another Island not very large.' He
makes no mention of there being Islands to the WNW 9 or ] 0
leagues from where they first discovered the land (which would
be near the Volcano, or between the Volcano and La Graciosa
Bay J ; but he says, ' to the NE of the Volcano, there are some
' small Islands peopled, with a great quantity of shoals or banks ;
' to which small Islands it is 7 or 8 leagues [from the Volcano],
' and the shoals extended tQwards the NW, and those who went
' there and saw them, say there were many.'-j- There is some
appearance that in these two accounts of Islands with shoals
extending from them towards the NW quarter, Figueroa and
Quiros intended the same Islands, and that in one of the
accounts, the direction in which they are situated has been erro-
neously printed. .|.
Notwithstanding the reconciliation which had taken place be- Santa Cruz»
tween Malope and the Spanish commander, the natives in BayT^
general were by no means appeased or disposed to forgive the
slaughter and ravages conmiitted by the Spaniards. The whole
of the first night after their removal to the inner part of La
* Figueroa, p. 255^ 256.
•f* Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, fol. 31. The Swallow's Island of Captain
Garteiet, and some small Islands and reefs seen in the First Missionary Vovage,
1797, answer to the small Islands and banks as described by Quiros.
X It is remarkable that an error of this kind occurs concerning these very
Islands in the account published of the Firsl Missionary Voyage, where the situa-
tion of a low Island NNE from the Volcano Island, is by mistake printed SSW.
See p. 207 of that Voyage*
Graciosa
160 SECOND VOYAGE OF
r Ti A p. 10. Craciosa Bai/, the natives from the shore made continual hootings
1505. at the ships, calling out to them in mockery Amigos, Amigos.
Scptcnilx;r. .^^^^^ \\\\en mornino- came, a great number of the natives col-
Ci!uz. lected on the lieach, and shot arrows and threw stones at the
^Bu\^^ ships, and, fnuling that they fell short of their mark, many
waded with their bows in the water up to their breast ; and some
swam to the buoys of the anchors, which they cut loose and
took to the shore. A party of Spaniards were sent against
them with fire arms, and after some skirmishing, in which two
Islanders were killed, and two Spaniards wounded, the natives
dispersed.
The Adelantado determined upon settling a colony at the
Island Santa Cniz, and la Gracio.sa Bay seemed a situation
favourable for such a purpose. On the £3d of the month, the
Maestre de Campo was sent with a nuniber of soldiers to fix on
a spot for the foundation of a town, and one was chosen near a
good stream of fresh watei-, and they began to clear the ground.
Several of the soldiers, however, disapproved of the place which
they thought would.be unhealthy, and some among them, who
were married people, went on board to complain to the Ade-
lantado of the choice made by the Maestre de Campo, and to
desire that they might have one of the Indian towns for their
settlement, which, as the houses were ready built, and the
situation had been inhabited, they thought would be preferable
to ground newly cleared. The Adelantado went on shore to
examine the place, with which he was not well pleased, and
Avould have given a preference to a level point of land nearer to
the entrance of the harbour ; but finding the greater part of the
soldiers to be of the same inclination with the Maestre de Campo,
and that they had already made some progress in their work, he
allowed them to proceed. Accordingly the ground was cleared,
and the houses were in a short time built.
13 Many
ALVARO DE M E N D A N A. I6l
Many among the natives must have regarded this settlement chap. lo.
as an invasion of their country; nevertheless, whilst the work 1595.
was carried on, Malope continued to be the friend of Mendana, A!!^^
and the new town was supplied by people from the country, Graciosa
who daily came to dispose of their provisions ; a benefit which
the Spaniards, no doubt, derived from having chosen ground
before unoccupied for the site of their new establishment, and by
which no person's possessions were disturbed.
Affairs were in this state, not unfavourable to the views of
Mendana, when some of the Spanish soldiers, in wdiat manner
instigated does not appear, killed the venerable chief Malope,
and two or three other Islanders, withAvhoni the Spaniards were
then at peace. Thus lightly and unw^orthily was bereaved of
life, a Prince who was found by the European discoverers in the
peaceable enjoyment of the affection and respect of his
people : ' Malope, the Indian friend of the Adelantado, from
' whom the Spaniards had received so much kindness.' ' Malope,'
says Quiros, ' our greatest friend and Lord of the Island !' His
death Avas greatly lamented, and with much reason, by all the
Spaniards, except the assassins, and especially by the Adelan-
tado. As to the natives, they were inconsolable. They wept
aloud for his loss, and mourned incessantly, both in public and
in private, many days. Whilst Malope lived, it may be said,
that among the Islanders, the Spaniards had both friends and
enemies ; but after his death, one sentiment was general, and
they all thirsted for vengeance. The first consequence which w^as
severely felt by the Spaniards, was the stoppage of all supplies of
provisions and refreshments. Mendana, ever ready to punish
tlie aggressions of the Indians, found too late the evil of not re-
straining his own people. The guilty authors of this misfortune
w^ere punished with death, which example it was hoped Avould
mitigate the resentment of the Islanders, but they remained
irreconcileable-
VoL. II. Y On
f
162 SECOND VOYAGEOF
OH A p. lo. On Sunday the 8th of October (with such rapidity had these
1595- events taken place) the Maestre de Campo and the standard-
October, bearer were put to death, and likewise Tomas de Ampuero was
Santa ^ _ ^
Cruz, condemned by lot and executed for sedition and conspiring to
Bav°^^ abandon the infant settlement. With the want of refreshments,
and with vexation and mortification at what had passed, the
Spaniards became dispirited ; wet weather likewise set in, which
added to the natural moisture of a new cleared situation, ren-
dered their habitations uncomfortable and unhealthy. All these
causes combining, produced diseases, and they were unpro-
vided with proper medicines. In a short time many of the
Spaniards died, and the Adelantado was among the number of
the sick.
The 17th, the moon rose totally eclipsed. On this day, the
Adelantado, being reduced by his disease to great extremity,
made his will. The powei-s with which he was vested authorised
him to choose his successor, and he appointed his wife, Doiia
Ysabel Berreto, to succeed him in the command, as Governess
of the Armada : Don Lorenco Berreto was named (under the
Governess) for Captain General.
Death of The next day, October the 18th, the Adelantado died, being
Mendana. • i • ^ ,^i
m his 54th year.
The name of Alvaro de Mendana ranks high as a discoverer :
to this celebrity he is entitled, inasmuch as every man whom
I'ortune favours is entitled to her gifts. His merits as a
Navigator, or as a Commander, have not contributed towards
rendering him conspicuous, and it is .remarked in Figueroa, that
his death was lamented only by his relations and his favourites.
He was buried with the honours due to his rank, at the church
of the new town.
Don Lorcnfo, being General, sent a boat with 20 soldiers,
one morning before day-light, along the shore to another part
of the bay, in hopes of surprising and taking some of the young
1 1 natives.
ALVxVRO DE MEND ANA. 163
.natives, intending to have them instructed in the Spanish Ian- chap. lo.
guage, that they might be made to serve as interpreters. The 1595.
motions of the Spaniards, however, were observed by the O'^'ober.
^ •' . Santa
natives, who prepared an ambusli, and when they landed, shot Cauz.
a flight of arrows, by which eight were wounded. The natives Bay.**
pursued their advantage with resolution, and the Spaniai'ds were
obliged to retreat by land as well as they were able, towards tlie
Camp, or Spanish Town, from whence Don Lorenco marched
with all his people to their assistance. Six more of the Spaniards
were wounded, and among them Don Lorenco in the leg. The
Islandei-j had made shields similar to those used by the Spaniards,
with which they endeavoured to shelter themselves from the
musquetiy. Skirmishes took place every day, in which the
natives aimed all their arrows at the legs or faces of their
enemies, which were the only parts unprotected by armour.
Don Lorenco dispatched the frigate to search once more for Third
.the Almiranta, this being the third time she was so employed. ?^.^'?'^
The Captain of the Artillery, who was sent with the command, Almiranta.
discovered no signs of the missing ship. He landed on one of
the Islands among the reefs, to the Northward of Santa Cruz,
where he 'caught' eight young men, natives, and \found' some
large pearl oyster shells in the houses of the inhabitants, with
which he returned to the Capitana.*
At Santa Cruz a party of the Spaniards surprised, and made
prisoners, three native women with six children. This incident
was managed by Don Lorenco to much advantage, and a gleam
of success seemed to brighten the prospects of the colony. The
husbands and relations of the captives were allowed to visit
them, a permission of which they gladly availed themselves ;
others of the natives afterwards joined them in making intercession
Figueroa, p. 264,
y 2 . for
164"^ SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP, lo.for the release of the women and children. This boon was
^T^T"""^ granted to their intreaties^ and was acknowledged by them with
October, thankfulness.
Santa
Cruz. This was a step towards reconciliation, and farther progress
Bay!'** would not proljablv have been difficult; but a new misfortune
befel the Spaniards, which determined the fate of their colony.
The wound which the General, Don Lorenco, had received in
his leg, though at first not supposed dangei-ous, grew worse and
confined him to his room, where he was seized with spasms, and
died on the 2d of November, much regretted. Nearly at the
same time the Vicar and one of the other priests died.
November. The Governess of the fleet, bereft of so many supports, was
wholly discouraged from proceeding in the plans which her
husband and brother had formed, and it was soon resolved that
the settlement sliould be abandoned. The sick people were
first sent on board, and with them the Governess embarked.
Some soldiers were left in the town only till the ships com-
«tb. pleated their M'ater. By the 7th, every person was embarked :
Figueroa remarks, ' thus putting a bad end to this good enter-
' prise, which Avas mismanaged a thousand ways, and especially
• in its not having been undertaken on the account of his
* Majesty, whose countenance is essential to the execution and
' support of such attempts.*
The vessels remained several days longer in the port, and
during that time parties were sent in quest of provisions. At a
small Island, which, fi)r its fertility and pleasantness, the
Spaniards called La Guerta (the Orchard or Kitchen Garden),
they made a seizure of five large canoes laden with a kind of
biscuit made of roots, and from the shore they took fruits and
other provisions. La Guerta seems to be the Island, before
described, on the West side of La Graciosa Bay.
* Figueroa, p. 265.
When
e^
A L V A R O D E M E N D A N A. 165
When the Armada was ready for sea, the Governess held a ^Jj!^^:^"
consuhation with the pilots respecting their future course, and 1505.
proposed to them that they should sail in search of the Island g^j^^A
San Christoval, the South Easternmost of the Salomon Islands, ^^''V^'
Graciosa
to see if the Ahiiiranta was there ; and if they should not find Bay.
her, then to proceed for Manila, to refit and procure people,
that they might return and compleat their establishment in La
Graciosa Bay. The pilots being required to give their opinion
on the plan of the Governess, advised M'ith one accord, that from
the Island Santa Cruz they should steer to the WSW until they
were in 1 r latitude ; and if then, neither the Island San Chris-
toval*, nor the Almiranta, should be found, that they should
steer for the P/iilippine Islands. This advice was subscribed by
all the pilots ; and the pilot mayor, Quiros, engaged not to
abandon the Governess if she should persevere in her intention
of returning to Santa Cruz.
It may be remarked on the track thus projected by the pilots,
that they were frugal in tlieir measure, as a WSW course would
in a very short time bring them into the latitude proposed,
which was then immediately to be quitted. But the exhausted
state of their provisions was reason suflficient for not going
farther ; and, from what appears in the sequel, would have
fully excused their sailing direct from Santa Cruz for the
Philippines.
The night before their departure, the corpse of the Adelan-
tado Mendana was taken up, and put on board the frigate (some
objections being made to receiving it in the Capitana)-f- for the
purpose of being transported to Manila.
* The design of seeking for the Almiranta at San Chrhtoval, confirms the asser-
tion of Arias, that the original obje(5l of Mendana's second voyage, was to make
a settlement on that Island.
+ Figueroa, p. 2C8.
The
166 SECOND VOYAGE OF
rn Ap. lo. The accounts given by Quiros and by Figueroa furnish the
1505. following particulars, in addition to those which appear in the
Description pj,g^pjjj^^. iiai-j-ative, concerning the Isla7ul Santa Cruz and its
Santa inhabitants.
The Spaniards did not penetrate into the interior of the
Island farther than about three leagues from their own camp or
^°''- town. The soil of the part of Santa Cruz seen by them, was
a dark coloured spungy (esponjosa) loose mould. The land is
General « not very high, though there are mountains.' The whole Island
appeared to be covered with trees, even to the tops of the highest
lands, except in some places where the trees had been grubbed
up and the ground cleared for cultivation. The natives have
Animals, hogs in great plenty, which they dress whole upon hot stones ;
Birds, fowls, most of which are white, and they I'oost in the trees ;
partridges, like those of Spain; wood pidgeons ; doves; ducks;
white and grey herons ; swallows ; and many other birds of
kinds not known to the Spaniards. Of insects, they saw none
Insects, but black lizards and ants, and it was thought extraordinary
for that latitude, that no mosquitos were seen. There were
Fish. ' many kinds of fish, which the natives caught in almost every
variety of manner.
Vegetable The vegetable productions of Santa Cruz are, cocoa nuts;
J'rocliic- ^ , . . , , , ,- .
tions: large sugar cancs ; plantams in the greatest plenty, and or six
for Food ; or seven different species ; * the Great Fruit of the fii'st Islands*
[meaning the Bread Fruit] ; three or four roots of the potatoe
kind, which served as bread, and were eaten roasted or boiled,*
one of them was of a sweet kind, others of a kind which, if
eaten raw, caused for a time great pain; of this last, the natives,
by cutting and drying it in the sun or by fire, make a kind of
* Letter of Quiros to Ant. de Morga. Sucefos de las Is. Filip. fol. 31, p. a.
The boiling, probably alluded only to the cookery of the Spaniards.
biscuit,
ALVARO DE MEND AN A. 167
biscuit, which is very nutritious: pumpkins; almonds which chap. lo.
had three corners, the kernels large and well tasted; nuts of 1595.
different kinds; and pine cones as large as the head of a man, c^J^.
containing kernels of the size of Spanish almonds,* which grew
on a tree that had very few leaves, but those large ; a fruit which
was thought to resemble a pippin, and grew on large and high
ti'ees ; another fruit, not so good as the one. last mentioned,
resembling a pear ; ginger in great quantit}', growing sponta-
neously. There were trees of the American aloe \arholes de of other
Pita] ; another tree, from the body of which the natives, by
incision, obtained an oily liquor of good scent-j; fine rushes,
and a plant which, in Figueroa's account, is called Damahagua,
both of which were used for making hues and nets ; the herb
Ocymum (albahaca), of strong scent ; great quantity of a small
herb of tall gi-OAvth, named Xiquilite, from which Avas made a
die of a deep azure colour ; many flowers of fine colour, without
scent ; and much other herbage of various kinds.
There is marble at Santa Cruz, and on the shores were found Marble.
many curious kinds of shells.
What is said of the temperature of the air and the weather, Tempera-
must be understood as restricted to the season of the year when Air.
tlie Spaniards Avere at the Island. ' They had some thunder and
•* lightning, many showers of rain, and not much wind. The
' degree of heat was such as is usual in that latitude."
* Mr. Dalrymple has given the following note concerning this frnit : ' Tills
* seems to be the Caldera ; at the Nicobars it is cultivated, and grows to a pretty
** large tree ; the fruit grows even larger than here described : it is the chief food
• of the inhabitants, they call it Melory ; and the kernels are the finest almonds
' I ever tasted.' lii&t. CoUec. of Voyagei and Discoveries in the S. Pacific Ocean
Vol. I. p. 89.
t The original saysj ' which liad much the appearance of the eil qf Beio.'
Figueron, p. 259.
Tiie
168 SECONDVOYAGEOF
CHAP. 10. The persons of the natives have ah'eady been described.
'^'Tsos*"'^ Their towns or villages consisted generally of about twenty
Santa houses. Ten or twelve of these villages stood on the shore near
Ckuz. j
Ilabitaiions to which the ships lay, and every part along the coast appeared
Natil^s. f^^l'y inhabited. The houses were of a circular form, built with
planks ; each house rested upon a single thick post or stanchion,
and contained two apartments (sohrados) which were entered
with the help of hand-ladders ; the roof was thatched with palm
leaves interwoven ; the lower part was open all round to half
the height of a man ; and a wall of loose stones, with an open
entrance, surrounded the habitatioi;i. Besides the dwelling
houses, there were in each village two large houses or buildings,
one of them destined for religious purposes, in which were ill
wrought figures in half relievo (medio relieve). The other large
house was designed for public or common use, and liad a
court-yard within a cane railing. To each village likewise
there were two wells, made with steps to descend and ascend.
Sailing The natives had large handsome canoes, capable of carr^'ing
above thirty persons with their luggag?, in Avhich they navigated
to distant parts. The sail was of matting, wide at the upper
]5art and narrow below. They sailed swift, and turned well to
windward. The frigate endeavoured to take one, but it escaj>ed
Cloth, from under her bowsprit. A kind of cloth was worn at Santa
Cruz, but in what manner it was made or of what materials,
the Spaniards could not comprehend. Tlie natives had the
custom of chewing a leaf, which is much used in the same
manner m the East Indies : it is shaped like a heart, is about
the breadth of a man's hand, has the smell, savour, and colour
of the clove, and they chew it mixed with other things ; the
first juice expressed, they spit out, and swallow the rest: it is
reckoned to be good for the stomach and the teeth. 'I'he
Spaniards remarked that tlie people of Santa Cruz were careful
in
ALVARO DE M END AN A. 169
in their husbandry, and laid their grounds out with judgment, chap. 10.
and that they were neat in all their work. 1505.
November the 18th, the galeon, San Geronimo, with the November.
frigate and the galiot sailed from La Graciosa Bay, where the
Spaniards had remained, Figueroa says, ' two months and eight
* days, during which time many notable things had come to
* pass ;' and certainly it was an eventful period both to the
inhabitants and to the discoverers.
They steered from Santa Cruz WbS according to the account „ l^ie
Spaniards
of Quiros, who says, ' we continued on that course two days, depart from
* and we saw nothing ; and on the petition of all the people '^ ^"^'
' who spoke aloud, the Governess commanded me to take the '
* route for the city of Manila.'^' Figueroa relates, that the day
on which they sailed, and the day following, they steered
WSW ; and observing the sun, and adding up their reckoning,
they found the latitude to be 1 1' S, when, not seeing either the
Island San Christoval, or the Almiranta, the Governess com-
manded that they should sail for Manila, and the course was 19th.
shaped NNW to avoid coming near the coast of New Guinea,
which was believed to be at no great distance.
It is not one of the least extraordinary events of this voyage
that, at the time of altering the course, they had sailed from the
coast of Peru above 2000 leagues in quest of the Salomon
Islands, and were, when the search was abandoned, not more
than 40 leagues distant from San Christoval, the very Island
of that groupe to which their views had been particularly
directed.
They sailed on their new course with a SE trade wind, till
the 27th of the month, when they were in 5' S latitude. The
wind then became variable, and as they drew near to the
Equator they had calms.
* Sucesos dt las I, Filip. fol. 32, 2.
Vol. II. . Z December
170 SECOND VOYAGE OF
en A p. lo. December the lOth, the latitude was o' 3o' S. * The sky was
15P5. ' clear, the air still, and the sea quiet: during the day the sun
December. < ghonc SO strong, that immediately it was above the horizon,
* the heat became almost insufferable ; although in the night,
* the air was so cool as to make a blanket covering necessary/
This weather Avas ill suited to the state of their provisions. On
the night of December the 10th, the galiot parted company,
it was supposed purposely, though contrary to orders, to avoid
being delayed in her passage. The frigate was leaky, and in so
distressed a condition, that she could with difficulty keep up
with the Capitana. Quiros proposed to the Governess to take
the crew out, but on account of the corps of the Adelantado
being on board her, she would not consent ; and on the 1 9th
they lost sight of her in the night, being then in 3° 30' N. lati-
tude. The Capitana shortened sail, and lay to for her part of
the next day, till the soldiers became impatient and insisted
upon making sail again, saying, that ' God was with all, and
' that, at such a time, every one should look to himself
Island The course was held on to the NNW, and the breeze began
''in 6»n!^ to blow steady, from the East and ENE. Saturday, the 23d,
they discovered land of moderate height, of which Quiros gives
the following account : ' Being in latitude full 6* N, we saw an
* Island, Avhich appeared to be 25 leagues in circuit, well
* covered with trees, and very populous, the inhabitants being
* like those of the Ladrones, as was seen by some canoes Avhich
' came towards us. Prom the SE part,, round by the North,
* and as far as to the SW, it is environed with great reefs ; and
* about 4 leagues to the West of it, are some small low Itilands.
* Not having the fiigate or galiot with us, we did not find a
* place to anchor in, though possibly there may be anchorage.'*
* Letter to D. Ant. dc Morga, Sucesos de las I. Fi/ip. ibj. 32, 2.
According
ALVARO DE MENDANA. ITI
According to Figueroa, on the evening of the 24th, theycHAp. lo.
were near the reefs, oh the NE side of the Island, and Quiros, i^^g.
thinking it unsafe to stand on during the night, put the ship on j .u^'", • '
the other tack, and stood back to the SE. In the morning watch 6' N.
(the 25th) they tacked again, and arrived early in the day to 25th.
where they liad been over-night. The breeze was light from
the NE, and they sailed along by the reefs, which extended
far towards the NW, and the swell set them so near, that they
were under much apprehension they should not be able to
weather them. It was three in the afternoon before they had
passed to windward of all the reefs. Canoes, some of them
Avith sails and some without, put off from the Island ; but only
one canoe passed without the reef. The people who were in
the other canoes landed on the reefs, fi'om whence they made
signs to the ship with their hands. The canoe that passed the
reef had in it one man only, and he did not venture near to the
ship. He appeared to be of good stature, was naked, and had
long hair which hung loose: he pointed to the land, and dividing
something white which he held in his hand, eat it ; and after-
wards lifted a cocoa-nut to his head, as if in the actof drinkinsf.
The Spaniards called to him, but he kept at a distance. * This
* Island is in full 6 degrees N latitude, is nearly round, in
' circuit 30 leagues, and is not very high. There are many
* trees on it, and by its shores much herbage and many plan-
* tations. At three leagues distance from its West side are
* four low Islands, and close to it there are many others ; the
* whole surrounded Avith reefs. It had the appearance of being
* more clear on the Southern part.'*
The galeon did not stop to try for anchorage, but continued
her course NNW as before ; ' and on Monday the 1st of January ^
(1596) the latitude was found to be 14" N. The course was January.
• Figueroa, p. 273.
z 2 then
3 72 SECOND VOYAGE OF ALVARO DE MENDANA.
CHAP. lo. then directed due West. The wind was fair and fresh, and on
1596. Wednesday the 3d at day-hght, they had sight of two of the
January. XarfiWic Islaiids.'* Yvom the natives of these Islands thev
obtained fruits and fish, and from thence sailed on for the
The Gahon Philippines. On the 14th, they made the Cape del Espiritu
Manila. Santo, and February the 10th, arrived at ilfo/z/Za ; Don Luys
das Marinas being at that time Governor, and Doctor Antonio
de IVIorga Lieutenant Governor, of the Philippine Islands.
The San Geronimo lost 50 men in the passage from Santa
Cruz, and 40 Spaniards, ' a few more or less,' died at that
Island. The Almiranta is not again mentioned, and there is
reason to conclude that she was wrecked on or near the NE point
of Santa Cruz. The galiot reached the Philippine Islands in great
Unfortu- distress. The frigate, more unfortunate, may likewise be said
trophe of to have reached the Philippines, but never arrived into port ; she
the Frigate, ^y^g found stranded on some part of the coast, with her sails
set, and all her people dead -f-, they having perished by fatigue
and famine.
Not long after arriving at Manila, the Donna Ysabel married
again, and in this new alliance were buried all her designs of
renewing the settlement at La Graciosa Bay, or of prosecuting
the plans of Mendana. Don Fernando de Castro, her husband,
with herself, sailed in the San Geronimo from Manila to New
Spain, where they arrived towards the end of the year (1596).
The new married couple remained in Mexico, and Quiros re-
turned to Lima.
* Figneroa, p. 273. f Ibid. p. 1285.
C 173 1
R E, M A R K S CHAP. TO.
ON THE
Situations of the Lands discovered hy Mendana.
Tlie Lands discovered in the Second Voyage of Mendana are^
The four Southernmost Islands of the groupe named
Las Marquesas de Mendoga,
The Islands de San Bernardo,
La Solitaria,
The Islands de Santa Cruz,
And an Island in North latitude, seen in the route from;
Santa Cruz to the FhiUppines.
' Of these, the positions of the Marquesas and of the Sa7ita
Cruz Islands have been ascertained by late navigations ; but
the positions assigned to them in the early accounts are of use
for estimating what correction should be applied to the positions
there given of the intermediate places, i. e. the Islands de San
Bernardo, and la Solitaria.
By the account in Figueroa, the Western part of Santa Cruz
(la Graciosa Bay) is 850 leagues from the Marquesas. Quiros
reckoned the distance from the Marquesas to Santa Cruz, 800
leagues, without mentioning what part of Santa Cruz ; and
therefore it is probable he meant the part first seen, i. e. the
Eastern ; which may partly account for the difference in this in-
stance between his distance and the distance given by Figueroa.
It is likewise doubtful, whether the distance was reckoned from
La Madalena, or from Port Madre de Dios, the difference between;
3 which,-
174 ON THE SITUATIONS OF
cH AP. lo. Avbich, hoAvever, is only one-third of a degree/ If the middle
meridian (1 39' W* from Greenwich)^ the meridian of the middle
of the Island Santa Cruz (165* 55' Ef from Greenwich), and
the mean between the distances given by Quiros and by
Figueroa (825 leagues), be assumed as the basis of calculation,
there can be little violence done to the intention of the Spanish
accounts.
Islands Whence, If 825 leagues of the Spanish reckoning is equal to
Bernardo, ^^° ^' °^ longitude, 400 of those leagues will be equal to 26" 43';
which gives for the longitude of the Islands de San Bernardo
\6o° 42' W a Greenrmch.
The Islands de San Bernardo are believed to be the same
which Commodore Byron, in 1 765, saw and called the Islands
of Danger. He made their longitude (by Dead Reckoning,
unassisted by Observations) 169° 52' West from the meridian
of London ; but Commodore Byron's reckoning, near this part
of his track across the Facific Ocean, has been found 3* 54' too
much to the West ; and Captain Cook was of opinion, that the
same quantity of correction, i. e. 3° 54' East, ought to be applied
to his longitudes of all the Islands discovered by him in the
Pacific Ocean during that voyage % ; which would give 1 65'
58' W from London, for the longitude of the Islands of Danger,
and agrees very nearly with the longitude of San Bernardo, as
above calculated from the Spanish reckoning. The latitude of
the Isles San Bernardo, according to Quiros, is lO" 45' S; to
• The longitude of Lo Madalena, as settled by Astron. Obseivatioas, is 138*
49' W, and of Port Madre, de. Dio'i 139", 9' W a Greemoich,
t This is taken from a mean between the longitudes which are given in
Labilladiere's Account of the Voyage of M. D'Entrecasteaux, and in the First
Missionary Voyage.
X Captain Cook's Second Voyage, Vol. i, p. 315, 4th Edit.
Figueroa,
MENDANA's DISCOVERIES. 175
Figueroa, 10° 20': bj each of them it is said that the Islands chap. 10.
were four in number : but the Spanish ships passed at a distance ''
too great for discerning objects correctly. Commodore Byron
was so near to the Islands of Danger^ that he could distinguish
the natives on the shore. He says, that ' they had the
appearance of three Islands/ and gives for their latitude
10° 0/ S.
Qn the whole, it seems reasonable to admit, but cannot be
pronounced with certainty, that the Islands de San Bernardo
and the Islands of Danger, are the same ; and likewise to allow
the most weight to the later latitude, but to take their longitude
as estimated by the Spanish reckoning between the Marquesas
and Santa Cruz. And calculating the longitude of La Soli- ^^"^ '*
. . , .„.,.. Solitiu-ia.
iaria m the same manner, will give the situations as follows :
Latitude. Long, a Greenwich.
Islands de San Bernardo 10° 10' 165° 4£'' W.
La Solitaria - - 10 40 174 43
It has been remarked in the former Volume*, that La Soli-
taria may possibly be the Western of the Desventuradas of
Mogalhanes. It is proper to notice, that in assigning the rea-
sons for such a conjecture, the longitude of la Solitaria is sup-
posed to be 173|° W a Greenwich. The present estimate is
made from a closer examination of the subject, and the grounds
of the calculation are submitted to the reader.
The situations of some of the small Islands near the Volcano Small
to the North of Santa Cruz, have been obtained from the track j^o"th of
of the Missionary ship, the DufF, in 1797, which passed near Santa
the Volcano Island. The extract which follows from her logbook
has been furnished by the favour of Mr. William Wilson, who
was chief Mate of the Duff in that Voyage, and whose interest-
ing narrative has been published.
* Vol. r. p. 55. In Llic Observations on the Track of Magalhuitcs across the
South Sea.
Eltract
IT'S
ON THE SITUATIONS OF
Extract from the Log Book of Mr. William Wilson.
September 27th, 1797. Latitude at noon per indifferent observation, 10° 4' S.
H. K. F. Courses. Winds.
1
2
S
4
5
6
11
3
3
3
4
4
4
3
4
SWbW
SWiW
SWbW
wsw
ssw
WbS
SE
9 3 6 West ESE
10
2
-
1
4
3
-
1
4
2
1
4
3
1
4
4
0
-
SSE
5
1
4
6
2
4
West
7
S
-
WbN
8
3
4
9
3
6
10
4
2
1 1
4
2
12
4
-
South
NEbE SEbE
East
Remarks on board the Duff, Thursday, Sept. 28th, 1797.
A light breeze and pleasant weather. Saw land in
the SW quarter.
At 5" 10" p. m. a, an Island, bore from S 64° E, to S 43° E.
b, a small Island, S 49° E about 5 miles distant.
c, another Island connected with rt, S 10° E.
//, Santa Cruz Island, in sight from S 5° E to S 1 7° W.
e, Volcano Island, SW.
/, a low Island, S 34° to S 89" W.
AteMs" p.m. fiS7S°E toS63° E. Z>S75°E. cS55'E.
6? Si5°EtoS 11° W. eS35°W./N83°toN66°W;
Note. From the Volcano to the small Island / is
about NNE. Off the SW of / is a reef, to
avoid which we hauled to the South, and after-
wards bore away again.
At f past 10 p. m. saw two other low Islands bearing
about WbN, distant about 3 miles. Hauled on a
wind for the night.
The Volcano every 10 minutes or more emitted a flame
which continued about a minute.
Between 5 and 6 a. m. the West part of Volcano Island
and the Western land seen of Santa Cruz Island,
"werg in one, bearing S 22° E. The two low Islands
last discovered, then bore N 20° W to N 33° W.
Observed the Variation 9° 3 j' E.
At 9" 10% the two low Islands N 66° E to N 82° E.
Latitude observed at noon 10° 2' S.
Observations were made with a Clironometer about 3 liours from noon both of the 27th and sSth,
which computed to noon each day, gives the difference of longitude made diis 24 hours 1° 3' W.
The Observations show the ship to have gone in this 24 hours, about 7 miles more to the North,
and 3 miles more West, than the courses by the log will give.
MJ^NDANA's DISCOVERIES.
Sketch of Pari of the Santa Cruz Islands.
166
E jfrom Greenwich.
177
LaL lO" S
o
o
(S>
iy/'*''-Q:aL\
Volcano^
Island j
Santa Cruz.
/ 3 ."i 4 S ff 7 8 9/0
Leagues 20 Co a Degree.
0¥^
P
Tlie Island signified by the letter a in Mr. AVilson's log
and in the above sketch, was supposed to be tlie Swallow's
Island of Captain Carteret's cliart; but there is cause for
doulit. According to the situation given to Swallow's Island,
with respect to Santa Cruz Island, the Missionary ship could
not have missed seeing it; for in fact lier track passes over
Vol. II. • . A A the
/7;s;
178 ON THE SITUATIONS OF
CHAP. 10. tlie Northern part of the space assigned to Swallorv's Island
Santa in Carteret's chart. Swallow's Island however is represented
.^,^^f to be 10 ]eas;ues in extent from NE to SW, whereas the
Islands. -^
greatest extent that was seen of the Island a (which was
likewise in a NE and SW direction) does not exceed a league
and a half. Swallow's Island is also laid down farther East from
the Volcano than a is. Captain Carteret describes Swallomfs
Island to be a long flat Island, and has placed it from 8 to 15
leagues distant from the nearest part of his track. If the Island
is low^ as well as flat, which most probably is the case, he has
placed it much too far North; for Islands of that description are
seldom seen beyond the distance of 5 or 6 leagues. The dispro-
portion of size between Swallow's Island in the chart, and the
Island a seen in the Dufl', is too great for admitting them to be
the same Island.
The latitude of the Volcano computed from the track of the
Duff, is 5 miles more South than in Captain Carteret's chart.
The noon observation of the Duff on the 27th was esteemed but
indifferent. Taking the mean between Captain Carteret's and
Mr. Wilson's latitudes, will give for the middle of the Volcano
Island 10° 21' S.
In the plan of the Santa Cruz Islands accompanying these
remarks, as much as is laid down of Santa Cruz, is reduced
from Captain Carteret's chart, with an alteration of about 2
miles in the latitude to preserve its situation with respect to
Volcano Island. The land of Santa Cruz, which was seen by the
Duff, was only a part of the North coast Eastward of the
Volcano, and her distance was too great to settle or even to
know any particular point of land. The extent given by Captain
Carteret to thci North coast of Santa Cruz is less than a degree
in longitude ; its extent SouthAvard therefore must be supposed
considerable to correspond with the Spaaish accoujit^s, which
describe the Island to be 90 or 100 Spanish leagues in circiut.
The Southern part is left blank for want of materials. When
6 the
MENDANA's DISCOVERIES. 179
the Voyage of M. D'Entrecasteaux shall be published, a correcl chap. iq.
chart of the whole of the Island Santa Cruz may be expected.
The land to the SE is represented by Captain Carteret as two
Islands; but the Spanish accounts speak of it as a single Island.
The Swallows Islajid of Carteret is placed more to the South,
and consequently with less extent than it appears in his chart.
The small Islands to the Northward of Santa Cruz are laid down
according to the remarks in the losr-book of the Duff.
The Island in * full 6' N' [ ' largos for which 1 o' may very island in 6»
well be allowed] was discovered in a direct course between two ^ latitude.
described but not exactly specified stations. One of these
stations is in 1 1° S latitude, distant from the West part of the
Island Santa Cruz, a day and a half's sailing with a light M'ind.
The other station is in 14° N, and Eastward of the Island
Guahan, the distance of two day's sailing with a fresh wind.
With such guidance, and within so limited a compass, conjecture
cannot stray very wide of the mark. Allowing 30 leagues West
from Santa Cruz for a day and a half with a light wind, and 80
leagues East from Guahan for two day's sailing with afresh wind,
a line drawn from one to the other of those stations will cross
the parallel of 6° lo' N, nearly in 15 4° East a Greenwich.
Another method of computation would be to reckon back
from the Ladro7ies, Eastward 80 leagues in the parallel of 14° N,
and from thence in a SSE direction to latitude 6" 10' N ; but
against this last method is to be objected the want of knowledge
concerning the variation of the compass. For the situation of
the Island therefore may be taken latitude 6° 1 0' N, and longi-
tude 154° E a Greenwich.
A A 2
180 HISTORY OF DISCOVERIES
en AP. 10. The second voyage of Alvaro de Mendana has been entitled
Perplexity ^ Vojage for the Discovery of the Salomon Islands *, which
created perhaps may be defended by the intention of the undertakins; ;
respecting tr f j ■> ^ o
the but this title, when compared with the fact, has a whimsical
l&hl^Ds appearance. In this second voyage, the Salomon Islands were
sought for far beyond where report had placed their discovery ;
and the voyage having concluded without their being found, has
afforded occasion to remark, that what Mendana discovered in
his Tirst Voyage, he lost in his Second -f.
Quiros Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, upon his return to Lima, made
applies in apphcation to the Viceroy to be furnished with ships and people
I'eru for ^ ' , . , ,,^111
.fresh Ships, to prosecutc the enterprise began 'by Mendana, and to make
more discoveries of unknown lands. He presented to the Vicei'oy
two Memorials on these subjects, the substance of which
j^rguments Figueroa has given %. The arguments used by Quiros are diffuse
" -"'"^"and sometimes quaint, but they appear to be the result of
reflection. He remarks, that the natives of the Islands in the
South Sea, having no knowledge of the compass nor any in^
strument of navigation but tl;cir eyes, would not undertake
Voyages of greater length than they ,vere enabled with safety to
do by obtaining sight of other land before or as soon as they
ventured beyond the sight of the land they departed from ; for
though it is not ditlicult to lind the way to a large land, where
* Rilacion del Vioge al dcsciibrimienlo dc las Islas dc Salomon, is tlK? title given
hy de Morga to the letter of Quiros.
-y The variety of conjectures afterwards made concerning the situation of the
Salomon Islands, with tlie scarceness of the copies of the Spanish accounts, con-
tributed to increase the perplexity concerning them till they were again found,
^00 years after the first discovery.
^ Jlechos de /,me. Murq. de Cancle, p. 2S6-290.
the
IN THE SOUTH SEA. I8i
the distance is not great, yet it is not to be admitted thatcHAP. lo.
without science they could seek small or distant lands. From^*^~*^
hence, he infers, either, that the Islands which have been dis-
covered inhabited in the South Sea are connected by others
which are so many links of the same chain extending quite across
that sea, or that towards the South there existed a continent
extending from Nezv Guinea towards the Strait of Magalhanes,
as othenvise the Islands could not have been peopled without a
miracle. In support of his argument he observes, that not any
of the Islands which have been discovered in other parts of the
world at a great distance from all other land, Avere found with
inhabitants, but all desert and waste. For example, in the
-Atlantic, the Azores, Madeira, and the Cape de Verd Islands,
which, being far in the sea, were without people Avhen first dis-
covered ; whereas the Canary Islands, being near the continent,
were inhabited. He remarks likewise, as evidence of commu-
nication between different Islands in the South Sea, that people
differing in colour Avere sometimes found to inhabit the same
Island. From all these considerations Quiros concluded that
many large countries still remained to be discovered.
The Viceroy Don Luys de Velasco, who had recently been
removed from the government of Mexico to succeed the
Marquis de Caiiete in Peru, approved the reasonings of Quiros,
but did not think proper to grant his demands without orders
from the King to that effect: he therefore sent him to Spain He is sens
with letters recommending his proposals to his jVIajesty and the ^° '^''"°-
Spanish ministers.
CHAP. 11
[ 182 ]
C II A P. XI.
The Ship San Agustin wrecked on the Western coast of Nortli
America. Expedition of Sebastian Vizcaino to California.
np H E government of New Spain, in consequence of orders
received from the King, had at this time resumed the in-
tention of forming an estabhshment on the American coast to
the North of California, for the' convenience of the navigation
i5?3- from the Philippine Islands. In 1595, a ship named the San
Agustin, acting under directions given by the Viceroy, Don Luys
de Velasco, in her return towards New Spain from the Fhilip-
pines, undertook tlie examination of the Northern coast in
search of a harbour. She discovered the port which has since
been named de San Francisco, ' and being ah'eady within this
Wreck of « port, a squall of wind drove her on shore, and she was ther^
A"-usihi. ' wrecked.'* Her people, or some of them, as appears by
subsequent circumstances, found means to convey themselves to
New Sjyain.
1596. In 1596, the Conde de Monterey, being Viceroy of Mexico,
satls^i'oT i"eceived instructions from Spain to send ships to examine the
(iJaUfoinia, coasts and discover the harbours of California. I'or this service
three vessels were equipped, which sailed from Acapulco, under
the command of Sebastian Vizcaino, at what time of the year is
not mentioned f-, but it was not at a late season. They pro-
ceeded along the coast towards the NW, as far as to the Isles of
Mazatlan, where they stopped to take in fresh water. Above
50 of the people who had embarked with Vizcaino deserted at
* Monarquia Indiana, por F. Juan de Torqnemnda, lib. 5, cap. 55.
i" The account of this expedition is given in llic Monarquia Indiana, lib. 5.
«ap. 41,42.
this
SEBASTIAN VIZCAINO TO CALIFORNIA. iss
this place, because it appeared to them that the vessels were chap. n.
not sufficiently provided Avith provisions and stores for their 1596.
undertaking, one purpose of which was to form a settlement in
California.
From Mazatlan, the vessels sailed across the entrance of the Settlement
gulf to the Bay de Santa Cruz in California, and the same place Pu^to de
formerly chosen by the Marquis delValle for his colony, Avhich Cortes,
was known by many remaining signs, was now fixed on by la Paz.
Sebastian Vizcaino for the site of a town ; and as the natives
there appeared of a peaceable disposition, he named the port
Bahia dc la Paz (the Bay of Peace) ; but in some of the
charts since that time, the name of Puerto de Cortes has been
retained.
Vizcaino remained in port to superintend the business of the Almiianta
new settlement, and sent the Ahniranta (the second ship) and a^"|j^„^"[,\y
launch to examine the Californian shore within the gulf. They *'^^ ^"*^-
found the sea near the coast shoal, but well furnished Avith fish,
particularly with pearl oj'-sters, the shells of wliich were so bright,
that ' at 3 or 4 fathoms depth, they were seen as clear as if they
' had been on the surface of the water.' The coiintry was
populous. At some places, the Spaniards were received with
marks of friendship; at others, the natives made threatening
signs with tlieir bows and arrows to deter them from ap-
proaching.
About 50 leagues from Puerto de Cortes, fifty men were landed
from the Ahniranta and the launch, at a place where the natives
were not disposed to admit their visit peaceably, but shot arrows
at them. The Spaniards in return, fired their muskets, and two
or three of the natives fell, upon which the rest, retreated. The
Spaniards soon after began to embark, but their boat was not
large enough to carry more than half their number at one time ;
therefore one half was left on shore to wait for the return of the
boat. In this interval of time, many hundreds of the natives
collected
l«4 SEBASTIAN VIZCAINO
CHAP. n. collected near tlie spot, and kept tliemsclvcs concealed, waiting
^"T^^^"^ for ^^^ opportunity to take their revenge, v/liilst the Spaniards
believed that their terror at what had already passed, kept them
Boat at a distance. Wiicn the boat arrived the second time, and the
'''hy^he embarcation was just compleated, the natives poured forth from
ISative?. iijgjj. concealment, and shot a flight of arrows so thick and un-
expectedly upon the Spaniards, Avho were much crowded
together, that, with the disorder and agitation occasioned by
the sur[)rise, the boat overset. Nineteen Spaniards Avere killed
by the natives or drowned ; the rest escaped to the ship by
swimming, but every one wounded. The natives got possession
of the arms and clothes of the dead men, and in exultation at
their victory, decked themselves in the spoils, and danced in
sight of the ship.
The Almiranta and launch were a month absent on this
excursion, and went about 100 leagues within the gulf. AVhen
they rejoined the General, the stock of provisions remaining
Avas judged to be too small, though assisted with game, fruits,
and fish, with which the country and coasts abounded, to admit
of their continuance in their new town ; and, as if to hasten
their determination, one of the houses of the settlement took
fire, Avhich communicating to the rest, the whole, being of wood,
were consumed.
This happened when the settlement Avas only tAvo months old.
The native inhabitants in this part of California had been found
exceedingly gentle and docile. They brought fruits and fish to
the Spanish priests, who had begun to instruct them in the
Christian faith, and encouraged them to bring their children to
be instructed : they attended at mass, and joined in many of the
observances : ' but they avoided the soldiers as much as they
* were able, because they used to take from them by force Avhat-
* socA^er they had. They Avished to have persuaded the priests to
* remain with them, but Avere glad to have the soldiers go.'
2 In
TO CALIFORNIA. ^ ib5
In October, Viacaino embarked with all his people, and they chap. n.
returned to Neze^ Spain. i-^S.
This -vvas the lalt maritime expedition in the South Sea im- ^^?,"'^'-''''
dertaken by the command of Philip II. Settleinent
As the eftbrts of the Spaniards in this ill appointed expedition
were directed to the coast of California within the gulf, it must
have been intended only as an intermediate and preparatory
step to the forming an establishment on the exterior coast.
Nothing farther towards the accomplishment of this pm'pose
was immediately undertaken ; and the appearance of a new
enemy in the Vacific Ocean, with the accession of a new Sovereign
to the Spanish monarchy, both of which events happened
shortly after Vizcaino's return from California, occasioned all
plans for further discovery to lie dormant for some ycc^rs,
Vol. II. . B
[ 186 ]
CHAP. XII.
Voyage of Five Ships of Rotterdam, under the command of
Jacob Mahu, and Simon de Cordes, to the South Sea.
TN 1598, the King of Spain, PhiHp the lid. surnamed the
•*■ Prudent, died, and was succeeded by his son, Phihp
the Hid.
The inhabitants of the United Provinces of the Low Coun-
tries had at this time embarked deeply in adventures to the
East Indies. In each of the years, 1594, 1595, and 1596, they
had employed ships* in the difficult and dangerous attempt of
endeavouring to discover a passage to China by the North and
East of Europe and Asia. The firft voyage actually performed
by the Dutch to the East Indies, was by ships which sailed from
Holland in April 1595, and went the visual, or rather what might
then be called the Portuguese, route; i.e. round t\w Cape of
Good Hope. In 1598, a large fleet sailed from Holland for the
East Indies, which likewise went by the Cape of Good Hope ;
and so eager were the Hollanders to increase their connections
in that part of the world, that two other expeditions for the
East Indies were undertaken by them the same ycar,^ Avith
fleets of less magnitude, which were directed to sail a Western
route, through the Strait of Magalhanes, and across the South
Sea.
The first which departed of the two expeditions bound for the
Western passage, were five ships of Rotterdam, iitted out at the
cliarge of some merchants who were called the Company of
* Conducted by William Barentz.
Pieter
VOYAGE OF FIVE SHIPS OF ROTTERDAM. is/
Pieter Verhagen. The particulars wliidi are knov/n of tjiisr ^ a.p. i;.
voj'age are here collected from separate accounts, which were i^^gS.
published at different periods and in different languages*.
The ships were, the Hope-j-, of 500 tons (250 onera), and Equipmcui,
130 n^n, commanded by Jacob Maliu, who was Adniiial or
General of the fleet ; in which ship William Adams, an Englisli-
man, sailed as pilot; the Charity, of 300 tons and 110 men,
Simon de Cordes, Vice Admiral ; the Faith, 320 tons and 109
men, commanded by Gerard Van Bcuningen ; the Fidelity,
220 tons and 86 men, J. Van Bockholt ; and the Good News^
a yacht of 150 tons and 56 men, commanded by Sebald de
Weert. These vessels wer^ furnished both for war and for
trade, and one part of tlie plan of their expedition was to
* A journal was written in the Gei-man language by Mr. Bernard Jansz, who
went surgeon in one of the ships. His account in tlie iatt^ part is entirely limited
to the adventures of the ship in which he sailed. A Latin translation of the Journal
of Jansz was published by the sons of Theodore de Br}', in 1602 ; and from that
translation it has been re-translatexl and published in different languages. It is
given in the Rccueil des Voyages a I'Etablissement de la Comp. des Ind. Orient.
with the title of a Voyage of Five Ships of Rotterdam; but in prop'jety should
have been called the voyage of Sebald de Weert. Other voyages i" the same
collection furnish particulars concerning this.
A more general, but ver)' brief, account of the voyage of the five ships, is giveu
in the Recueil des Navigations de VEtroit de Magellan, printed at Amsterdam,
1622, with Herrera's Descrip. des liid.Occid.
In Purchas, Vol. I. Book 3, are inserted two letters, written by William Adams,
who sailed chief Pilot of the EoWeT-rfaw fleet; and in Vol. V. p. 588, is a farther
account of Adams. These contain certain circumstances of the voyage which ar;
not noticed in any of the before-mentioned accounts.
•j- The names of the ships have undergone translation into every language m
which any account of the voyage has been published. A frontispiece to the
voyage in De Br}-, has in it five ships under sail, to which are affixed the names
in the German language, which it is probable were the najnes used by the journalist
Bernard Jansz. Not having met with any relation in the Dutch language by which
the real names could be ascertained, the English have beeu taken for the present
.account.
B c g .visit
188 V O Y A G E O F
CHAP. 12. visit the Spanish settlements ou the coast of Chili and Peru, in
• i5p8. the hopes that some good booty would be obtained before they
crossed the Pacific Ocean.
June. This fleet sailed from Goree (in Holland) June the 27th
Departure ^^gg^ ^y^ contrary winds and other causes of dela}^ so much
Holland, retarded their progress, that at the end of August they had only
reached the Cape dc Verd Islands, among which they stopped
some time. Prom these Islands they sailed for the coast of
September. Guinea ; and in this passage, on the 23d of September, Jacob
Mahu dies. Mahu, the General, died. Simon de Cordes, according to
De Cordes directions given by their emplo3fers, succeeded to the chief
command, and Van Beuningen was appointed Vice Admiral.
By the removals which toolv place among the commanders,
Sebald de Weert became Captain of the Faith, and Dirck
Cherritz was made Captain of the Yacht. They afterwards
stopped both on the coast of Guinea, and at the Island Annohon.
'J'he object of the Hollanders in these stoppages was to obtain
provisions and refreshments ; but from their enmity with the
Portuguese at some places, and the poverty or distrust of the
natives at others, tiieir success was very moderate.
1599. January the 2d, 1599, they sailed from Annohon for the
American coast. At this time they had lost 30 of their men,
principally by the. scurvy.
On Mai-ch the 1 2th, at which time they were near the entrance
of Rio de la Plata, Ihc sea was observed to appear as red as blood.
Some of the sea water Avas examined, ' and found to be full of
' little red insects, like worms, which, on being taken into the
' hand, jumped about like fleas. Some were of opinion, that
* at certain seasons of the year, the wjiales shake these wornia
' from ofl' their bodies ; but of this they have no certainty.' *
* Rcc. des Foy. de la Comp.deslnd. Orient. Vol. II. p. 296. Roiteiij 17:5.
April
FIVE SHIPS OF ROTTERDAM. iS9
April the Gth, the fleet entered the Strait of Magalhanes, and chap. 12.
towards evening on that day, anchored near the smallest of ' the isqq.
' two Penguin Islands, 1 4 leagues within the entrance.' * [^,^[|'g
On the 9th, they advanced farther Avithin the Strait, an- Stiait of
chonng occasionally, i he l/th,- they sailed between two high
shores, which, says the journal, seemed to meet and close up
the passage; and the following day they put into a bay on the
North side of the Strait, which was named the Great Bay, after-
wards Green Bay ; and lastly, the Bay de Cordes. ' In the middle
' of this bay there are three small Islands, the most Eastern of
* which is the smallest.' 'j-
•- The winter had begun, and De Cordes ought to have made
every possible exertion to pass speedily through the Strait : but
he Avas in an extraordinary degree negligent. For several days
after the ships entered the Strait, the winds were from the East
and North East ; and until the 20th of the month, they had
Avinds favourable for proceeding, ' Avith Avhich it only rested
' Avith themselves to pass through.':!. This opjwrlunity Av^as
suifeied to escape : more time than Avas necessary Avas expended
in making provision of Avood and Avater, and likewise in setting
up a shallop, a business which should have been deferred to a
milder latitude and season.
After the i.'Oth, the Avinds set in from the WestAvard, and the
fleet remained in the Bay de Cordes till near the end of August.
They Avere not detained in that port so long by the Avinds ; but
by the unwillingness of the General to put to sea during the
* These are the first small islands within the Angostura de Sail Simon.
•\- Voy, a I'tlabl. de la Comp. Vol. II. p. 2q8. The situation given to the
Hut) dt Cordes in a Chart of the Strait puhlished with the voyage of Spilbergeii, •
corresponds nearest with the present Fort Galant ; but tliere is only one Island at
Port Galant. liie Bay next to the East, which Commodore Bj-ron calls Cordes '
Bay, and the Spanish ChaVt Gaston Bat/, approaches nearer to the description
given above, but does not exactly accord with it.
J Foi/age de cinq. Balicaux, in Rec. dcs Nav. de tEtroit.
Avinier.
IDO , V O Y AG E OF
CHAP. !j. -winter. William Adams, the pilot, says, ' many times in the
I wo. ' ^vintcl■ we had the wijid good to go through the Strait, but
A[>nL i Q J. Qei;,ei-al would not,' * The winter was accordinwh'^ ]:)assed
In the ^ a J 1
Strait of in Cordcs Bai/, and proved extremely severe. Gales of wind
aga iidiie* f^jij^j^^.gj g^j,|^ other in quick succession, Avhich made the ships
drag their anchors, and damaged their cables so much, that they
Avere kept in continual anxiety and labour to provide for their
security. Scarcity of food and raiment were among the miserica
they had to endure : the former of these wants made it necessary
•for the people to be sent on shore every day at low water, fre-
quently in rain, snow, or frost, to seek along the shore for shell
fish, and to gather roots for their subsistence. Their necessities
and the sharpness of the weather ' seemed to render their
' stomachs insatiable. ITie shell fisii, roots, or whatsoever
' eatable they could pick up, they devoured in the state they
' Avere found, ha\ing no patience to Avait till they could be
' cooked.' TliC journal says, ' they found here abundance of
* muscles, of which it has been said that some Avere a span in
* leno-th, and when cooked, the flesh of three of the largeat
' Aveighed a full pound.'-f-
There grew round the bay a great number of ' trees which
^ resembled the laurel, but Avere much taller; the bark Avas
* more bitter, and had a taste as strong as that of pepper.' I
Some natives were seen Avho were of large stature. I'hey Avere
not disposed to be friendly Avith the Hollanders, but attacked
them tAvice, by Avhich three Hollanders and four or five natives'
lost their liA'es.
The hardships suflfered during their stay in this place, occa-
sioned great mortality among the creAvs of the ships, insomuch
* Letter of W. Adams. Purchas, Vol. I. Book 3, p. 130.
■f Rec. des Voy. de la Comp. Vol. II. p. 298. X Ibid.
that
FIVE SHIPS OF ROTTERDAM. 191
that they buried above 120 men here, and among them Captarn f; h a p. 12.
Bo kholt, who was succeeded in the command of the Fidehty i^po.
by Balthasar de Cordes. In ilie
On the 2d of August, the General, whose compassion seems M?galha!les
not to have kept pace with his piet}^ ordered the companies of AiigLisU
all the ships on shore, and during an extreme heavy snow, made
them attend to a sermon of thankso-ivins!:.
It was to pei-petuate the memory of tlieir sufferings at this
place and of their companions deceased, tlmt the name' of the
Bay was changed to that of De Cordes.
August the 23d, they quitted the Bat/ de Cordes Avith a wind
from the NE. The next morning it fell calm, and they anchored
in a bay of the South shore. Whilst they lay here, the General
created an order of Knighthood, to the honours of which only
the six principal officers of the tleet were admitted. They
engaged themselves, by oath, freely to expose their lives upon
all occasions against the enemies of their country, and particu-
larly ' to exert their utmost efforts to render the arms of Ko'land
' triumphant in the country from wlience the King of Spain
' drew those treasures which he had employed so many years to
' the oppression of the Low Countries.'
The ceremony of installation was performed on shore. The
order was named, of the Lion L^nchained, and the Bay in which
this passed was named the Bay of Chevaliers. It may be
observed, that the proofs afterwards given by the Hollanders in
the South Sea, of zeal for their own country and of enmity
against the Spaniards, did not derogate from this engagement.
September the Cd, the wind sprung up afresh from the East- September.
ward, and they again set sail. On the evening of the 3d, the ^'f *^?^
. . ® J '-- enter the
whole tieet (six m number, reckoning a shallop of 16 tons, South Sea.
named the Postillion, which had been set up in the Strait J
entered the South Sea. The three following days they sailed on
a WbN course; the wind then became unsteady, and the sea
; ■ turbulent.
192 VOYAGE OF
c HA p. 12. turbulent. On the Tth, by a sudden gust of ^vind, the 3''aclit
1509. received some damage in her foremast, Avhich obliged her to
Sepieniber. j^j^^ j^^ ^^j ^^^^ ^^jj^ ^^^j ^j^^ ^^.^j ,^ ^^ -^ notice of her
distress. The nearest vessels immediately went to her assistance,
and others took in sail to wait for her; but the Admiral, being
far ahead, and the weather hazy, did not perceive what had
happened to tlie yacht, and a thick fog coming on, he continued
to sail on as before, bj- which means he was separated from his
fleet whilst he supposed they were following him.
Are On the lOth, the wind blew fresh from the NW, and in the
sepal a t . jjjgjjj.^ |-,^ some mistake or omission of making signals, the rest
of the ships were almost entirely separated from each other, and
so few of them joined company again, tliat the sequel of their
adventures requires to be severally traced.
The ships had been appointed to rendezvous, in case of scpa^
ration, first on the coast oi' Chili in latitude 46°, Avherc they were
to wait a nionth, and if not then joined by the Admiral, they
Course were to proceed Northward to the Island Santa Maria. Accord-
pursued jnoly, Simon de Cordes, in the Hope, after he missed his fleet,
by llie o J ' I -^ ^ »
Aduiiral. endeavoured to make the coast of Chili.
Some account of the proceedings and adventures of the two
ships, the Hope and Charity, after the separation of the fleetj is
given in the Reciicil des Navigatio)is dc I'Estroit de Magellan, and
in the letters of the pilot, Wilhani Adams. The account by
Adams is most full of circumstance, but some of his dates have
been erroneously printed, as they disagree not only with other
accounts, but with- each other. He appears likewise to have
made use of the word Admiral in the same sense as the Spanish
Avord Ahniranta, meaning the Vii'e Admiral, or second in com-
mand ; whieli being so undertsood, reconciles his account with
that in the llecucil, and with his being hiuiself embarked in tiid
ship of the chief comuiander. Adams relates,
8 . « The
FIVE SHIPS OF ROTTERDAM. ly^
* The §4th of August m'c came into the South Sea; v/hcrc, chap. 12.
* six or seven days after, we lost the whole fleet one froiii ^~'7s^^
' anoth-er. The storm being long, we were driven to 54^° S la-
' titude. The weather breaking up, and having good wind
* again, the 9th of October* we saw the [Vice] Admiral, of
' which we were glad. Eight or ten days after, in the ni/rht,
* having much wind, our foresail flew way, and we lost company
' of the [Vice] Admiral. Then, according to wind and weather, Slops on the
' we directed our course for the coast of C7«7i ; where, the 29th ^Siivf
' of October, Ave came to a place in 46°, where we staid 28
* days.f — Here we refreshed ourselves, finding the people
' of the country good of nature. They brought us sheep and
* potatoes, for which we gave them bells and knives ; but in the
' end the people went up from their houses into the country,
' and came no more.' J From this place, De Cordes sailed for Sails for
the Isla77cl Santa Maria. Early in Novembei*, he anchored near^x"^"'^^;"'*
a point of the main land opposite to that Island, and landed
with twenty-three of his men to endeavour to obtain provisions;
but they were treacherously attacked by the natives, and all Death of
killed. Among them was Thomas Adams, brother to the pilot. ^^ Cordes;
At the Island Santa Maria, tiie Hope joined the Cliarity, which
ship had arrived there four days before, and the companies of
the two ships had to condole with each other on their mutual
misfortunes, the Charity having stopped at the Island Mocha, theV^^c
where the Vice Admiral and 27 of his men were cut off. Adminil.
The attack by the Indians on the main land, was believed by Island
the Hollanders to have been made at the instigation, and under "'""^ *^^^''"*
* By die sequel it is evident, that here and in the date which next follows, the
month September was intended, and not October.
'f- Second letter of TV. yldams. Purchas, V'ol. I. Book 3. c. 1. § 5.
:j: First letter of fV. Adams. Ibid.
Vol. II. C c thfi
194 VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 12. the direction of the Spaniards. And whilst the ships lay at
1599. Santa Maria, a message was brought from a Spaniard requesting
n-u d ' pci'fflission for him to visit the ships, which was granted ; but he
SautaMaiiadid not go on board without some security or promise being
fn-st given that he should not be detained. lie made a second
visit, using the same precaution, and departed both these times
at his own pleasure without interruption. ' The third time,'
Adam.s relates, ' came two Spaniards on board us witliout
*, pawiie ; and Avhen they had seen tlie ship, they would have
• gone on land again, but we would not let them, shewing that
' they came without leave.' The release of the Spaniards was
obtained at the price of some sheep and beeves.
They waited at Santa Maria a proper time for the other ships,
but none arrived to join them. It was proposed, as the com-
panies of the ships had been so much weakened, that the men
and stores should all be embarked in one ship, and the other
be abandoned' and burnt: but the new eommanders could not
agree which of the ships should be burnt, and therefore
both were kept. Their strejigth, however, was not sufiicient
for them to venture at any enterprise against the Spanish
settlements in Tcru, and they determined to leave the coast of
America ' and direct their course to Japan to trade, as they had
on board woollen cloths which were supposed to be in good
estimation in that country.
The Hone November the 27th*, the two ships, the Hope and the
and the Charity, with a pinnace that had been set up, sailed from the
Charity sail --,,,-y -n r • ai • ji ^•
for Japan. Island Santa Maria. Adams writes, ' we took our course dn-ect
' for Japan, and passed the line equinoctial with a fair wind,
Islands in * which continued divers months. In our way, w^e fell in with
i-6° IS. , certain Islands in 16 degrees North, the inhabitants of which
* Botli the letters of Adams give this date to the time of theij- quitting the
American coast.
* are
riVE SHIPS OF ROTTERDAM. 19^
/ are men caters.'* At these Islaiids, the i)innacc,. with eight Chat, la
men in her, h-eing at a distance from the ships, was attacked i^po,.
and taken by the Islanders.
Between the latitude of £7° and 28" N, they had variable 1600,
winds. In the night of February the 2 L'd (I600) the two ships February.
lost sight of each other f-, and thej'^ did not meet again.
The ship in which Adams sailed (of the other there is no
farther account) continued her course for Japan. Siarch the Rfarch.
24th, they saw an Island which Adams calls Una Colomio, on
the authority, doubtless, 'of Spanish charts which place three
Islands with the name of las Coluhas (the Columns) in latitude ^^
from 27 i ° N, to 29 i ° N, and about 3 1° of longitude to the East ° ""''*'
of the Emhocadero de San Bernardino. % Islands thus situated must
have been disco\ered early after the navigation from tlie Philip-'
pine Islands to New Spain was established, and it is probable that
many discoveries in this navigation were never otherwise made
* Second Idler of If. Jclums. Is'otbiiig farther is said of the situation of these
Islands : the dale is not given, nor can it be inferred from any thing subsequent.
Islands with the nnine of Caspar Uico are laid down in the Spanish eiiarts of the
Pacific Ocean, and in some tables, between the 15th and i6th degrees of North
latitude, and about 46 degrees East from the Emhocadero de San Bernardino ;
and no other lands appear in the charts between Ncza Sjmiii and the Ladrones
that will in any degree correspond in situation >vith tlie Islands seen in this
passage by tlie Dgtch ships.
The date of the discovery of the Islands Caspar Rico, or on what authority they
are laid down in the Sj)anish charts has not been met with. The name of Jaspar
Rico appears among the pilots who sailed with lluy Lopez de Villalobos ; but
neither in the navigation of Villalobos, nor of the ship San Juan, which twica
attempted the passage from the Fhilippine Islands to New Sjiain, were an}- Islands
discovered near the situation in which the Caspar Rico Islands are laid down, and
which is not in the track of ships from the F/iilippiues to New Spain. Herrera
has not noticed them either in his description of the Indies, or in his charls.
■\ In tlie Description du Penible Voi/age, par 01. de Noort, it is said, but on
report only, that one of the ships was abandoned, p. 52. Edit. 1602. Amsterdam.
J Las Colitnas are set down, in a table of latitudes and loiigitudes printed at
Manila, in latitude 27° 57' N, and longitude from the Einboc.dc S. Bernardino
31" 10' E. NavegacivtiEspeculutiva y pratica, por Joi, Goiiz. Cabrera Bucno,
Manila, i 734.
c c 2 public
196 VOYAGE OF
c H A p. 13. public than by marking the Islands on the charts, and entering
1600. them in the Geographical tables. *
April. April the 19th, they made the coast of Japan in latitude
amvesTi SfifN, and anchored near Bimgo, which is in one of the SW
Japan. ^^ ^|jp Japan Islands. The number of men then on board ^verc
twenty-four, of whom seventeen were sick.
The Japanese at Bungo gave them assistance, but at the same
time plundered the ship, Avhich the Hollanders attributed to the
Portuguese who were in Japan having represented them to be
pirates. The Emiie};or of Japan afterwards gave orders that
their effects should be restored ; and as many of the things
were irrecoverably dispersed, he directed 50,000 reaksf to be
distributed amono; the sufferers. He would not, however, allow
the shi]) to depart, but provision was made for her people, .t.
William Adams, the pilot, was ordered to be sent to the
Emperor at Osaca% and ^vas carried thither in one of the
Emperor's "gallies. He estimated the distance from Biuigo to
be about 80 leagues. The ship was afterwards removed /near
to Osaca. Adams has related in his letters some of his adven-
tures in Japan, and there is no mixture of any thing imprbbable
in his narrative : the following extract therefore is given, ik
,„,,. ' Comins before the King, he viewed me mcII, and seemed to
Adams ' bc wonderful favourable. — There came one that could speaF^
•'P' • 'Portuguese; by him the King demanded of what land I was,
* and what moved us to come to his land, being so far oif. He
' asked me divers other questions, as, what way we came to
* In the Navegacion Eapeculuiiva, the Caspar Rico Islands are entered in the
list of places which lie in the track from Jcapuko to ihe Phi/ippiiics : and the
Colinmas in tlie track from the Phiiippiiies to Jcapuko.
t The real at that time was in value nearly 6d. sterling.
X This was the commencement of the Dutch intercourse with the Japanese.
M. de Brasses remarks CNav. aux Terres Justrales, Vol. I. p. 294) that in this
accidental manner was laid the foundation of that exclusive commerce aftei-
warcls estahlished in favour of the Dutch^ on the ruins of the Portuguese interest
at Japan,
% Second letter of W. Adams. ' his
in 3
FIVE SHIPS OF ROTTERDAM. 197
* his country. Having a chart of the whole world, I shewed en a p.^ 12,
' him through the Straits of Magellan, at which he wondered, yvTAda
' and thought me to lie. Then, from one thing and another, I at Jiipau.
' abode with him till midnight. Two days after, he sent for
' me again, and enquired of the qualities and conditions of our
' country, of wars and peace, of the beasts and cattle ; and it
^ seemed he was well content with my answers to his demands.
' In process of four or five years, the Emperor called me, as
* he had done divers times before ; so one time he would have
* me to make him a small ship : I answered, that I was no car-
* penter, and had no knowledge thereof. Well, do it so well as
' you can, saith he, if it be not good, it is no matter. Where-
* fore at his command I built him a ship of the burthen of 80
' tons, or thereabouts ; Avhich ship being made in all proportions
' as our manner is, he coming on board to see it, liked it very
* well ; by which means I came in more favour with him, so
* that I came often in his presence, who from time to time
' gave me presents, and at length a yearly revenue to live upon,
* about 70 ducats by the year, with two pounds of rice a day
' also. Now being in such grace and favour, by reason I
' learned him some points of Geometry, and the JMathematics,
* with other things, I pleased him so well, that what I said could
' not be contradicted.' — ' In the end of five years I made suppli-
* cation to the King to go out of this land, desiring to see my
' poor wife and children, according to conscience and nature.
' With this request the Emperor was not well pleased, and
* would not let me go. '
The Emperor's will in this particular did not alter, and Adams
lived the remainder of his days at Japan, though others of tlie
same company had leave to depart, and were permitted to build
themselves a vessel for that purpose.* Some of tlie seamen of
* Pcnibk Voyage de Oliv. (k Noort, p. 52.
the
198 VOYAGE OF
cH^p. 3 2. the Hope voluntarily entered into the service of the Emperor of
w Adams J^pc"- WilUaiii Adams afterwards built another ship, increased
ai Japan, in favour, and received from the Emperor a grant of lauds
' with 80 or 90 husbandmen/ He had sometimes the satisfac-
tion to see some of his countrymen, and found opportunities to
send letters to England.*
1590. The 3'acht commanded bj' Dirck Ghcrritz, was separated from
The Yacht., ^H the other ships, and ' was carried by tempestuous Aveather
discovers ' to the South of the Strait, to 64° S latitude, where they dis-
e^'S ' covered a high country, with mountains, which were covered
* with snow like the la?}d of Norwai/.'-\- Gherritz afterwards
sailed to the coast of Chili, in hopes that he should there rejoin
some of the fleet ; but he missed the Island Santa Mario, and
Avas taken by the Spaniards at Valparaiso. ^^.
ThePidelity 'j'jjg FKlehty and the Faith did not part company from each
and the . . ^ I J
Faith put other in the dispersion of the fleet. On the 26th of September,
tUe'^Suait' ^^^'^y ^'<^^^^><' themselves near the Western entrance of the Strait
of Magal/ianes ; and tlie Avind blowing strong from the West,
ihey Averc forced the next day to run back into the Strait for
shelter. Tiiey remained at anchor near the Western entrance
till December the 2d, Avhen, having a Avind from the NE, they
got under sail, purposing again to entei- the South Sea ; but the
Faith could not Avilh that Avind be got clear of the bay in Avhich
tliey had anchored, Avhich they named Close Baij. The next
day, hoAvever, they left Close Batj, but the wind Avas not then
* The first letter from AVilliaiii Adams is dated October 22d, 161 1 ; tl;e second is
without date. At the end of the letters, Purehas inibrms his readers ihatUiiliam
Adams oied at Firatido, intelligence of whicli e.ent was brought .by a shij) n:iined
the .James, \yhich rclunied froin India ifl the year 1621. A large account of
William Adams is given in Harris's Cul/cctioii of t'oijageSj Vol. I. p. 856 4' siQ-
•f- liec. dcs Navig. de I'Estroit de Mag. p. 193.
X Descrip. dii Peiiible Foynge, par Oh J'an Noorf, p. 26. Likewise Rec. a
Vctuhl. dt la Coinp. Vol. lU. p. 60.
fair
' FIVE SHIPS OF ROTTERDAM. 199
Fair for quitting the Strait, and by some accident or difference ch ap. 12.
of management, the two ships anchored a league apart, having 1500.
a point of land between which intercepted from them the siolit'^^i^;f"^'-''^*y
u.'^ii'n cntci'3
of each other. The 8th, a gale of Avind (which must have been The South
from the Eastward) forced the Fidelit}' from her anchors, and '
she was afterwards driven out of the Stroit into the South Sea.
Her departure was not known on board the Faith till after the
gale.
Captain Balthasar de Cordes, in the Fidelity, sailed to the
coast of C/iili, but did not meet any of the other ships of the
fleet. He ran afterwards along the coast of Peru, and captured
some Spanish vessels. From thence he sailed across the South And sail*
Sea to the Moluccas ; but no particulars are given concerning JJQ°^,
ccas.
his track in that passage. At the Moluccas the Fidelity was
taken by the Portuguese.*
The Faith, commanded by Sebald de Weert, being left in the The Faith,
S.deWccit.
Strait without a consort, her crew, who were before discon-'
11 11 1 in f 1- T>v Strait of
tented, showed themselves Avholly averse from proceedmg. De Magalhiuic*
Weert, the journal says, made exhortations to them to persevere
in their duty ; but he Avas content to act according- to their
inclinations.
December the 1 2th (1599), some of the people of the Faiih
^veTe sent with a boat to search for provisions. On going round Natives
a point of land, they discovered three canoes Avith natiA-es in
them, AA'ho, immediately on seeing the boat, landed as speedily
as they could and fled to the hills. The Hollanders examined
the canoes, in Avhich Avere some penguins, some small skins, and
fishing implements. They then landed, and going iu search of
the natives, at the foot of a mountain overtook a Avoman Avho
Eec. des A'ar/V. de I'Estroit de Magellan, p. \q%
was
200 VOYAGE OF
c H A p. 12. Avas making her utmost efforts to escape, but in A^ain, a-s slie had
i^^Qo. with her tAvo children, one of them too 3'oung to walk, and was
Deccuiber. j^^ j^^^, appearance then far advanced in pregnancy. This poor
fk Wcci t. creature and her children Avere made prisoners, and Avith one of
Strait of the cauocs Avere taken to the ship. To form a judgment from
j.i^a,d ancs^j^^ terms in Avhich the journalist has related this circumstance,
it Avould appear that her situation excited neither compassion
nor interest, and that she AA'as regarded by those on board the
ship only as a diverting curiosity. But in this ill placed attempt
at ludicrous description, there arc several circumstances AvhicU
must aAvaken serious reflection. She was of moderate stature ;
her colour Avas that of copper ; her hair Avas cut short ; her nails
were long ; her legs Avere bent, Avhich may be attributed to their
mode of sitting ; and her mouth Avas Avide, Avhich Avas proba^
bly an individual peculiarity. Her dress Avas the skin of a
sea animal Avhich hung over her shoulders, and a neckUice of
periwinkle shells. ^Vhen she Avas taken and carried to the ship,
no signs of lamentation appeared in her countenance, nor Avas
any emotion observable, except that she had an air of fierceness.
She refuf.ed to eat victuals cooked in the European manner;
therefore some of the birds found in the canoes Avere given to
her, Avhich she prepared for herself and her children, using a
muscle shell for a knife, Avith Avhich she cut them open, and
cleared them of the entrails. Some parts she distributed rav*',
and others she just Avarmed on the fire.
The eldest of the children w^as a girl about four years of age,
the other an infant about fix months old : in partaking of tiiis
food, they all tore it in pieces with their hands and teeth. Their
eating Avas a spectacle Avhich afforded great entertainment to the
ship's crcAV ; and it Avas thought strange, Avhilst they occasioned
so much merriment to others, that themselves remained serious.
TJie journahst remarks wath some surprise, that ' the Avoman
8 ' during
FIVE SHIPS OF PvOTTERDAM. 201
* during her meal, never made the least smile, notwithstanding '^ « a p. iz;
* that the seamen burst into frequent shouts of laughter.'* 1599.
The poor woman had to endure this state of persecution tr^vo s^*jj°^j'|f'^"
days, which time she remained the object of their foolish wonder '^^ Weeit.
and mirth. The Captain then ordered her to be set on shore, and MaoaU,;,
nt'c'
-gave her a cloak, a cap, and some beads. The younger child was
likewise dressed with a green habit, and sent with her ; but
the girl was kei)t in the ship to be taken to Amjierdam. The
mother expressed by her looks, her distress and anger at being
robbed of her child, but seemed to think complaint useless, and
in silent resignation left the ship with the child which she was
allowed to retain.
December the 15th, the Faith sailed Eastward for the Bay de
Cordes, keeping a good look-out for the Fidelity, which ship
they yet hoped to find within the Strait. In this short passage,
they towed their boat astern, the only one they had remaining ;
but in a sudden fresh of wind, which forced the ship very fast
through the water, the tovv rope broke and the boat went adrift,
i^nd Avas not recovered again.
When they were near the Bai/ de Covdes, they fired a gun for
the chance of the Fidelity being within hearing, and some on
board thought that they heard the report of a cannon in answer
to theirs. The same evening they anchored in de Cordes Bay ;
and the next morning they saw a boat rowing towards them from
the Eastward *, which was supposed to belong either to the v, «r
Fidelity or to one of the other ships of their fleet. But on her meets the
Fleet of
arrival, she was found to belong to another fleet of their coun- Olivier
trynien, which had sailed from Holland under the command of ^^^^- ^°°.''*'
* Tlec. a I'Etabl. de la Coinp. Vol. II. p. 321.
+ The Recueii dcs Tot/ages de lu Corny. s;iys, from the Westward ; but in the
Penible Voi/age, it is fionj the Eastward, which agrees with the Charts lo tJis
early Dutch Voyages.
Vol. II. D n Olivier
SOS
V O Y A G E O F
« II A p. 12. Olivier Van Noovt, bound for tlte South Sea and the East
1 5pq. Indies.
Pecember. q^ ^jj^ nioinino- of the 20th, Van Noort, with his ships,
de Weert. jailed >yestward in prosecution of their voyage, with a breeze
Ma'^'alljanesfr"^"" ^^^ ENE, and De Weert sailed in con>pany v/ith them.
In the afternoon the wind changed and became unfavourable,
and ])e Weert's sliip could not keep up with the others. Van
Parts from .Noort continued to make progress Westward, though but
Van JNoort. ^|^^^.j^, . ^^^^ ^^ ^|^g ^^^j^^ -p^ V^ieext was left out of sight.
There remained at this time on board the Faith only 38 men,
she having lost nearly two-thirds of her ship's company since
her departure from Holland; which accounts for her helpless
condition.
, Again left to themselves, De Weert returned to the Bay de
Cordes, Avherc he set together the frame of a boat which they
looo. had brought in pieces from Holland. On the lit of January,
Jimuaiy. -^^qq^ |-„,q boats arrived in the Bay, in one of Avhicli was the
coramander Olivier Van Noort, wliose ships had not been able
to advance farther than the Bay des Chevaliers. He returned
the next day to his ships. De Weert afterwards, when his boat
was compleated, sent to request of Van Noort a supply of
biscuit, but did not obtain any.
The January the 11th, the Faith sailed from Cordes Bay for the
engiun j^f^j^rfn'm hkiuds ucar the Eastern entrance of the Strait, and
the next day anchored at the smallest of the tAVO Islands, from
which they took and salted penguins. Some of the seamen
who were on shore hunting for penguins, discovered a Pata-
Bitagonian Oxonian woman amons; the rocks, where she had endeavoured to
vVoman. » o '
conceal herself. A state more deeply calamitous than that to
which this w^oman was reduced, the goodness of God has not
permitted to be the lot of many. The ships of Van Noort had
stopped at this Island about seven Avceks before, when this
woman was one of a numerous tribe of Patagonians ; but ihey
8 were
FIVE SHIPS OF ROTTERDAM. 203
were' savagely slaughtered by Van Noort's men. She was chap. 12.
■\vounded at the same time, but lived to mourn the destruction ,goQ
of lier race, the solitary inhabitant of a rocky desolate Island. "^^""'"^'T*
The circumstances of this horrid catastrophe will be found in de Weeit.
the narrative of Van Noort's Voyage. M?<^alh^es
The following description is given of this Patagonian woman
by the journalist of De Weert's voyage : ' She was of large
* stature, and strong in proportion. Her hair was cut short,
"* whereas the men on both sides of the Strait Avear their hair of
' an extraordinary length. Her face was painted, and round
' her she had a kind of cloak made of skins tolerably well
* sewed together, which reached to her knees ; and she wore
•* round her middle a small covering made of a skin.'* De
Weert gave a knife to this woman ; but he left her on the ^
Island without any means of removing herself, though she
made it understood, that she vvished to be transported to the
continent.
January the 21st, I6OO, Dc "Weert left the Sirait by the I>e Weert
Eastern entrance, and bent his course homewards. In latitude Europe.
b}^ their account, 50" 40' S, and 60 leagues from the continent,
they saw three small Islands (a part of those discovered by
John Davis in 1592), and from this circumstance those Islands Davis's
liave sometimes been called the Scbaldines, or Scbald de Weert's islands.
Islands.
July the 1 3th, the Faith arrived at Goree in Holland, after July,
an absence qf two years and sixteen days, a time which had
lieen greatly misemployed. She had been only 24 days of tliat
period in the South Sea : nearly nirxC months v. ere expended in
the Strait of Magalhanes, and the remainder in the navigation
from Holland to the Strait, and back. The Faith, nevertheless,
* liec. dcH J'oj/. dc la Comp. Vol. II. p. 332.
D D 2 was
204 VOYAGE OF TIVIL SHIPS OF ROTTERDAM.
*" '^P-J2. was more fortunate than her companions, for she was the only
j6oo. ship of the five which sailed under Jacob ]\Iahu and Simon de
Cordes for the South Sea, that reached home again. There
returned in her 36 persons of 109 which composed her original
company. The giil, the native of the Strait of Magalhanes,
who was brought from thence by De Weert, likewise lived to
land in Holland, but she died in Amsterdam before the journal
of the Voyage was published.
The Postilion shallop is not mentioned in the accounts after
the separation of the fleet in the South Sea.
Geographi- The lands discovered in this voyage have no place assigned
cal Kemarks ^jjgj^ in any of the charts now extant; and as they were omitted
in the charts to De Bry's Collection, it is not probable that they
were ever marked on any.
Islands The Islands seen in 1 6" N, in the Pacific Ocean, may be con-
m iG'N. jectured to be the same which appear in the Spanish charts with
the name of Gaspar Rico, but no use can be made of the
description which Adams has given of them. Neither can the
Gherritz land sccn by Captain Dirk Gherritz in 64° S, be laid down from
the account given ; but a short notice of Gherritz land ought
to be inserted on the charts, near the situation, which may be
supposed to be about 5 degrees to the West of the meridian of
the Western entrance of the Strait of Magalhanes, where there
is room for such notice or remark, perfectly free from inter-
ference with other lands, or with any other necessary in~
formation.
[ 205 ]
CHAP. xiir.
Voyoge of Olivier Van Noort Round the World.
'T^HE expedition under Olivier Van Noort was set forth chap. 13.
from Holland in the same year with, and almost imme- 1598.
diately after, the unfortunate one under Mahu and de Cordes
related in the last Chapter. The plan was in all respects similar,
and the equipment in like manner was made at the joint expence
of some merchants, who for that purpose formed themselves into
a Company.*
The vessels fitted out for the expedition were,
The Mauritius, a large ship (the tonnage is not mentioned)
in which sailed Olivier Van Noort, a native of Utrecht, who was
appointed General or Admiral ;'|-
* A- regular journal of the expedition of Olivier Van Noort, was published at
Amsterdam, in 1602, not only in the original Dutch, but lii<e\vise translations from
thence into the German and French languages ; and at Fraticfort in the same
year, a Latin translation was added to De Bry's Collection of Voyages, with plates
and charts, some of which there will be occasion to notice. This early account
of the Voyage has the appearance of being Van NooEt's own Journal, though the
occurrences are related in tne first person plural, and himself never mentioned but
in the third person. In the title to the Latin edition it is said, memorabi/ia inulla
eo itinere obi^crvavlt. (He observed many memorable things in that voyage).
The French translation is entided Description du Pcniblc Voyage fails entour
de rUnivcrs ou Globe Terresire par Olivier du Nort,—'jH soiit deduictes scs esfrangts
adventures, S^ pourtrait au vij eu diverses Jigures plusicurs cas estranges a lin/
advetius, fjti'il y a rencontrez ^ veus. ^Description of the Toilsome Vat/age made
round the World by Olivier Van Noort, in zchich are related his strange adventures,
and pourlrayed to the life in various plates, many strange things which happened to
him, which he has therein met and secnj. In the narratives of t.hc Voyatje of
Wilhem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire, the account pubiislied of Van Noorl's
Voyage is likewise spoken of as his own journal.
f In the accounts of this voyage, the Commander is sometimes styled General
and sometimes Admiral.
The
206 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. IS- The ship Hendrick Fredrick^ Jacob Claesz, Vice Admiral \
'^^"^Tgs^ The Eendracht (Unity), a yacht, Picter Esias de Lindt ;
And the Hope, a yacht, Jan Huydecooper, commander.
In this armament were embarked 2-18 persons. -The in-
structions to the General directed him to sail through the Slrait
.of Magalhanes into the South Sea, to cruise on the coasts of
■Chili and Pei-u, to pass over to the Moluccas to trade, and in
returning to his native country to coiupleat the circumnaviga-
tion of the globe. Regulations for the government of the
<^ompanies of the ships, entitled Arfj/kel -briefs, were drawn up
.and confirmed b}"^ the authority of the Prince of Orange, and
each person of the fleet engaged to observe them. * ;
By some mismanagement or negligence in the outfit, the
•departure of the ships was delayed many weeks. The General's
ship and the Eendracht were ready for sea in the beginning of
July; and on the 28 th, monthly Avagcs (sea pay) commenced
witli all the .fleet.
On the 1st of August, the General's ship and the Eendracht
sailed from Ilelvoefshii/s for the Dozens, whence, after lying
some time expecting the other ships, the}' sailed down channel
intending to wait their arrival at Fh/mouth ; but off Portland
the wiud came from the Westward, and the General, as the most
expeditious method of hastening the departure of his consorts^
sailed back to Holland.
September. September the 13th, Olivier Van Xoort, with the whole of
''Ivoin liis small fleet,. sailed from Goree.
Hollaucl. 'j'jjg 19th, tliey j)ut in at Plymouth,, where an Englishman,
named Melis., who had sailed as ))ilot v.-ith Mr. Cavendish,
embarked to serve in that capacity with ^'an Noort.
* llic, des Foy. de la Comp. Vol. III. p. 2.
The
ROUND t II E WORLD. eo7
The gist, at daj-]ic;lit, they got under sail from Pli/nwuth. chap. 13.
The long-boat of .the Vice-Admiral had been sent on shore, and 1598.
not having returned, the ships lay to Avithout Ph/moiith Soiuid to
wait for her; but the boat's crew (six men) deseyted; notice of
vhich ^^:as communicated to the General by an English boat.
As the wind was strong from the East, he would not lose time
in endeavouring to recover cither the men or the boat, but pro-
ceeded on his voyage.
October ihe 4th, in latitude SS" N, they spoke four ships October,
from the coast of Barbary, one Dutch two French and one
English, by whom they were told of a dreadful mortahty in
that country, insomuch that ih the city of Morocco there had
died, in a very short space of time, 250,000 people.*
The 6th, they passed between two of the Canary Islands.
In the night of the 8th, the Vice Admiral lost another boat, for
what purpose she had been kept out is not mentioned, b}' the
Tope breaking with which she was tOAved. One of the seamen
was in this boat. The fleet brought to and stopped till day-
light, but they did not see the boat again, and resumed their
course.
December the 1 1 th, they anchored at Prince's Island near Decemlicr.
the coast of Guinea, in a bay on the NW side of the Island, in jjI'^IjJ^''
16 fathoms. The Portuguese had then possession of Prince's
Island, and Van Noort sent four of his officers with a flag of
truce to their fort for the purpose of negociating for a supply of
provisions : but the flag was not respected by the Portuguese,
who endeavoured by deceitful means to decoy more of the
Hollanders into their power, and when they found that could not
be effected, they fell upon those who had landed, and afterwards
* Descr. du Peiiible I'oi/age, p.i.
upon
108 VOYTAGB OE OLIVIEH VAN NOORT
c.H A P. 13. upon thepcople in the boat, and killed five men, among whom were
i59£. Cornelis Van Noort, the General's brother, and Melis the pilot.
December, r^j^^ General lauded 120 of his men to attadx the fort, but it
was found strongly defended both by situation and by the
number of the garrison, and the Hollanders, after some skir-
raishing, retreated. They built a temporary fort near a fresh
water river, under the protection of which the fleet w atered with
safet}' . The General marched with some men into the interior
of the Island, and burnt some sugar mills. In this affair and in
the attempt against the fort, two Hollanders were killed and
•^xteen wounded.
On the 17th, the fleet sailed from Princes Island, having
obtained there a supply of water, but no other provision or
reiieshmeut.
, The 25th, they were close in with Cape Lopez Gonsalvo, where,
by the sentence of a ' council of war,' Jan Volkersz of HeijUge-
landt Island, pilot, was set on shore for mutinous practices.
They learnt here from some Holland vessels that the fleet of
De Cordes had stopped on the coast of Guinea, and that many
of his people had died there. This information determined
Van Noort to leave the coast of Africa ; and the next day, the
26'th, the course was directed Westward for America.
vl)^'^-'r.r On February the 3d, they made the land of Brazil. The
Brazil. 9.th, they ancho;ed at the entrance of Rio Janeiro, and after-
wards at other parts of the coast ; but the Portuguese were
industriously on the watch every where to prevent them from
obtaining refreshments; aiid in different attempts to relieve their
wants, the JioUancJers lost several men.
March. March the 20th, it was determined in council that, as the
Southern winter was so near at hand, they would not proceed
fox i\\Q Strait of Ma^alhanes before the spring followiii'^"; and,
that
ROUND THE WORLD. 209
that in the mean time they would sail for the Island Santa Helena chap. 13.
there to pass the winter. Accordingly, they sailed Eastward, 1599.
being then in latitude 31° S. ^oLT
On the 30th died Jan de Grol, Constable (Conestahle) of the
ship Eendracht, who was the first person that died of sickness
in the fleet.
May the 8th, they had again entered within the tropics, and ^^^7*
* upon a consultation, they found with their charts and their
* conjectures, that they Avere to the East of Santa Helena!
Their conjectures however deceived them, for they missed the
Island, and after wandering till the end of May about the
Southern Atlantic, they unexpectedly found themselves again in
sight of the coast ofBrasil; their latitude at the time being Brazil.
£0° 20' S.
June the Ist, the ships anchored near the main land, and by a June,
fresh water river; but the Hollanders found the Portuguese in
readiness to oppose their landing. They therefore sailed from
that part of the coast, and the next day anchored close to a
small Island, named Santa Clara, a league distant ^rom the island
main land, and about a league in circuit. Here they caught ^^"'^^'^'■^*
plenty of fish, and found some herbs ; but the Island did not
furnish more fresh water than sufficed for their daily con-
sumption. The sick men, however, were landed and received
benefit, except five who were not in a recoverable state and
died ; and here they were not disturbed by the Portuguese.
The 1 Sth, the ' Council of War' (of whom composed is not
said) sentenced two men, Jan Chiesz, the constable of the
Admiral's ship, and Gerraert Willem Prins, gunner of the
Eendracht, ' to be abandoned in any strange country where
' the}' could hereafter be of service,' for having been guilty of mu-
linous practices ; and Gerrit Adriaensz of Fltishhig was sentenced
to be fastened by a knife through his hand to the mast, there to
Vol. II. E E remain
210 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13- remain till he should release himself by drawing his hand away,*
1599. for having Avounded the pilot with a knife.
The 21st, the Ecndracht yacht, having been deemed unfit
for farther service, was dismantled and burnt. The same day,
the three remaining Sjiips sailed from Santa Clara, and on the
Sebastian" ^^^^^ anchored at the Island San Sebastian, where they took on
l>oard fresh water, and there likewise caught fish.
July. July the 9th, they left San Sebastian, and proceeded towards
the South for Fort Desire, where, after a stormy passage, they
September, arrived on September the 20th. Here they found a plentiful
Port Desire, gypp]^ of seals and penguins. They at first anchored in the
middle of the stream, where the rapidity of the tide rendered
* ' Fut enclome la main avec tin couteau au mast, a uri Gerrit ^driaensz. de
Vlissiuges jusques a ce qu'il farracha, a cause quit avoit blesst avec tin couteau h
* Pilote.' Dt:sc. da Penib/e Voyage, p. ii. This mode of punishment at sea is
mentioned as a customary Judicial Sentence, by Glaus Magnus, in Cliapler De
punitione Rebellinm Nautartwi.
' Quemadmodum in ciinctis hominum statibus et generilius, conslitutae sunt
' let^es et regulae, quibus honestiiis, justius et cautius vivalur : ita in naiiticis
' ' officiis vationabiles usus et consuetudines conditae et rigide observatae reperi-
' untur. Qui igitur seditioiie mota gladio patronum aut rectorem navis invasevit,
* aut invadere praesuinerit, seu malitiose nauticuin gnomoiiem aut compassum
. ' (et praecipue portionem magnetis, unde omnium directio dependet) falsaverit,
' et similia horroris scelera in navi commiserit, ut in plurinium (si vitas parsum
' fuerit) gladiolo vel cultelio firmatam manum (cujus officio magis utitur) ad
' malum, scu principale lignum navis, mediam scindendo retrahere oportebit.' —
Ohii Mugni Ups^aknsis, Lib. X. Cap. 16.
' In like manner as among all other sorts and conditions of men, laws and
' rules are established by which they may conduct themselves more fairly, justly
* and circumspectly : so in naval afl'airs, certain usages and customs are established-
' and rigidly observed. Whoever in a mutiny shall attack or manifest an
* intention to attack the Commander or Pilot of the ship with a sword, or shall
' maliciously alter the nautical gnomon or compass (and especially its magnet on
' which every thing depends) or shall commit any other such atrocious crime oiv
' board (if his life is spared) the hand which he mostly uses shall be pinned to
' the mast or main timber of the ship, with a dagger or knife, until he shall with-
* draw hjs hand so fast;ened by slitting it through the middle.'
thciF
ROUND THE WORLD. fill
then- situation insecure; but afterwards they moved farther chap. 13.
■within the liarbour, and anchored behind an Island about two 1599.
leagues within the entrance, where they were protected from °'^ '^*"'^*
the stream.* Tliis Island was named King's Island (Isle du
lioji). Here the ships were laid aground and cleaned.
October the 5th, Captain Huydecooper, of the Hope, died; October,
and on the 8th was buried on shore. Pieter de Lindt, ^^■\\o had
comnoanded the Eendracht, Avas appointed to succeed Captain
Huydecooper, and the name of the Hope was changed to that
of the Eendracht.
The 20th, some natives of the country were seen on the
North shore. The General went to the place with two boats;
but when he arrived, the natives did not appear. He then
landed v^'ith twenty men, and marched into the country, leaving
fiv€ men to take care of the boats, who were ordered not to
land from them : but the weather being very cold, the order
was disobeyed, and the boat-keepers went on shore to exercise
themselves with walking. Whilst so occupied, they were on a
sudden attacked by the natives ; three were killed, and one man
was wounded through the leg with an arrow, after he had
escaped to the boat. The number of the natives was about
thirty : ' they were tall in stature, their looks fierce, their faces
* painted, and their complexions tawny.' The General and his
party in their walk, which was extended to two leagues from the
landing, met no one ; and, till their return, Avere ignorant of
what had happened. The men who Avere killed Avere pierced
quite through the body. None of the natives Avere seen after
this affair. Some of their places of sepulture Avere found, Avhich
• In the Description du Penible Voyage, there is a rude plan of Port Desire ;
but a plan given in the voyage of Le Maire and Schouten, has been thought pre-
jferable, and will be found with the account of their navigation in this volume.
E E 2 Avere
2ia VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. were on the summits of rocks. Round the corpse and over it
1500. were placed stones painted red, and near them ornaments of
Oftober. feg^iigj-g and some of their weapons. By one corpse were found
two bars of iron, which seemed to be Spanish. Some animals
were seen at a distance, and a great number of ostriches! One
nest of an ostrich was found with 1 9 eggs in it.
The fleet made provision of as large a stock of penguins and
seals, as they had salt to cure, and on the 29th, sailed from
Port Desire, and proceeded towards the Strait of Magalhanes.
November. November the 4th, they anchored near Cape Virgenes, ' Avhich
Virgenes, * is a white elevated Cape, like that of Dover, and makes in a
* double Cape.' *
They had stormy weather off Cape Virgenes, and the General's
ship lost three anchors. The General wrote to the Vice Admiral
to furnish him with an anchor : this demand the Vice Admiral
refused, and the Penihle Voyage says, affirmed in his answer,
' that he was as much master as Olivier Van Noort himself;
' which answer terribly angered the Admiral ; but he deferred
' taking notice of it till a more convenient opportunity.'
They gained entrance into the Strait several times, and were
as often forced back by the variableness of the wind.
Strait of On the 22d, they entered the Strait the fourth time. As
Magalhanes ^j^^^^ were passing through the First Angoaticra or Narrow, a
man was seen on the Southern land, running towards the ships,
who had a cloke on his shoulders, and from his appearance at a
distance was supposed to be an European. A boat was sent
. towards him from the General's ship, but it was soon discovered
by his dancing and jumping, that he was a native. This man
was not larger than the common size of people in Europe : his
face Avas painted. The journal says, ' he would not come neav
* Penible Fot/age, p. 13.
* us;
ROUND THE WORLD. £13
• us; foi' he Avas very wild. We saw more people farther in chap. 13.
* land, at whom we fired five or six times, which at the first did i^qg.
' not make the aforesaid savage move, not knowing; what it '^'ovember.
, '^ Strait or
' meant; but at length he went leisurely away, and our seamen Magalhanes
' returned on board.'
On the 25th, they passed the Second Angostura, and arrived
near the two Pengu'm Islands.*
The reader has just been made acquainted with a strange
instance of wanton barbarity ; but the transaction which is next
to be related must be ranked among the most flagrant and
deplorable acts of senseless cruelty, which human nature has
at any time been found capable of perpetrating.
On the smallest of the two Penguin Islands (which is the
Northernmost) some natives were seen, and two boats were sent Natives.
to them from the ships. As the boats drew near, about forty
natives, who were collected on a high clitf, made signs to the
Hollanders not to advance, and threw to them some penguins
from the cliff, imagining that the purpose of their coming was to
get a supply of those birds, -f Finding, however, that the strangers
would not be so deterred, and that they continued to approach,
they shot arrows at them. The Hollanders fired their musquets,
and the natives being driven from the cliff, fled for refuge to a
cavern in the side of a hill, where it seems they had before
placed their women and children. The Hollanders, having
landed, followed the natives, and determined to enter their place
of retreat. The steepness of the ground rendered the cavern
* In the Spanish chart, Santa Maria and Santa Ma'^dakna.
t ' Cumqite pinguinarurn auferendarum causa Ilollandos adventure cemerent,
' pingidnas aliquot desiiper in scaphas eorum conjecerunt.' ' And as they thou"ht
' tlie Hollanders came tor the sake ofprocnring penguins, they threw several from
* above into the boats.' De Bry, AdditamentjNome Farlis Americ. Explanatory
text under Plate Vll.
difficult
2U VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. difficult of access, and the entrance was defended by the natives
^^^^ with bows and arrows ; but it did rot afford protection against
November. ^^^^ ^^.^ jjjj^^g Qf xhe assailants, M'ho used them with the most
Strait ol
Magallianes unrelenting ferocity, and Avilhout remorse persisted in their
purpose ; receiving no other hurt than three or four of their
A Tribe ex- """^'^^^' ^^''^^ wounded with arrows. The natives, notvv'ith-
teniiinated standing the inferiority of their arms and the dreadful havock
Hollanders, vnndc among them, continued to fight in defence of their
women and children with desperate and undiminished courage ;
and not before the last man of them was killed, did the
"^ Hollanders obtain entrance. Within the cavern they found
a number of miserable women and children lying one upon the
other, tlie mothers having formed barricades of their own bodies
to protect their children from themusquetry ; and many, both of
the v/omen and chiWren, were killed or wounded.
Thi« deed, which no epithet can adequately characterise, seems
to have been the effect of a blind undistinguishing thirst of
revenge for the death of the three men killed by the natives at
Fori Desire. In the original account *, the Avhole transaction
is calmly related without an}' remark or a single term expressive
of compunction or pity.
Tire tribe thus exterminated (for so in effect it w'as, the part
remaining being so utterly 'defenceless and unprotected) were
people nearly of the same stature as the common people in
Holland, and the men M-ere remarked to be broad and liigh
cliested. From among the children, four boys and two girls
were taken on board the ships and kept. One of the boys
afterwards learnt to speak the Dutch language ; and from him
it was understood, that the name of the tribe from whence he
sprung was Enoo, and of the country which they ijihabited.
• J)fscn du Penillt Voyage, p. 15.
Cossi :
ROUND THE WORLD. 215
Cossi : the Island on which the Hollanders found them he said chap. 13.
was named Talke, which signified, in the language of his country, 1509
an Ostrich : the other Island he called Casfemme ; an animal N(jvember.
Strait of
supposed to be the Guanaco, he called Cossoni; a Penguin, Magalhanes
Compogre ; and some other bird, Orlpogre. The skins of these
birds they dressed as neatly as an European farrier could have
done. From the same boy they learnt that the people of his
country dwelt in caverns dug in the earth ; and that the natives
lived in tribes. He named four tribes besides his own ; i. e. the
Kemenites, the })lace of Avhose habitations was named Karay ;
the Kamckas, inhabitants of Karamay ; the Karaike tribe, in-
habiting a place named Morine; the peoplq of these three tribes
were of the same stature as those of the Enoo tribe ; but a race
living farther Avithin the country, Avho were named Tiremenen,
and their territory Coin, were ' great people like giants, being
* from 10 to 11 feet high; and they came to make war against
' the other tribes, whom they reproached for being eaters, of
' Ostriches.' Tliis slender portion of unimportant information
w;as the only benefit the Hollanders derived from the extermina-
tion of the unfortunate tribe of Enoo. *
From the Fenguin Islands, Van Noort endeavoured to find
Port Famine ; and, on December the 1st, anchored abreast a December,
pleasant well-wooded coast, and near a fresh water river, but
could not ascertain whether or not it was the port he had been
seeking. The wind coming the next day from the Eastward,
he sailed on, and afterwards, on the wind shifting unfa-
vourably, anchored about 4 leagues to the Westward of Cape
• In the account of the Voyage of the Five Ships of Rotterdam, it has been
related (p. 202) thatSebald deWeert stopped at this Island, between six and seven
weeks after Van Noort sailed from itj and found there one of the Enoo women.
Fruwardr
216 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. Froward.* The boats landed here, and found some herbs like
^""Tsgo*^ water cresses, which were thought of service to those who had
December. ^|^g ^^^^ r^.j^g ^l^^^j.^ -^^ ^j^jg ^^,^ ^^^ covered with trees. ' Some
btrait or '■ i • 1 1 1
Magalhanes' of the seamen ate of certain herbs, by which they became
' raving mad ffuk et enragez) ; but this effect quickly passed
' away.' No description is given of the herb.
From this anchoiage Van Noort removed to ' a great open
' bay,' about a league farther to the West, which was named
Olivier's Bay d'Olivler.f The ships remained here at anchor several
'•^* days, during which the carpenters were employed in building a
boat 37 feet long in the keel: a forge was set up on shore, and
charcoal made by burning wood.
On the 1.5th, a strange ship was seen to the Westward, which
proved to be the ship commanded by Sebald de Weert, who
joined Van Noort's fleet. The new boat being finished, on the
18th the tleet sailed from Olivier's Bay, and anchored again near
Cape Gallant. On the 19th, a light wind sprung up i'rom the
SSE, upon which the Vice Admiral, without leave or waiting for
orders, fired a gun, and got under sail ; and though the Admiral
remained at anchor, the Vice Admiral continued sailing on,
firing signal guns, as if he had been Commander in chief. In the
nioht, the wind was from the North.
The 20th, at 9 in the morning, there being a breeze from
the ENE, the Admiral fired a gun, and got \mder sail, as did
De Weert's ship, and the Eendracht yacht ; but on the evening
of the same day, the wind changed, and they anchored near
* By mistake called Cape Forward in the Chart of the Southern part of
America to Vol. i. Fuller, who sailed round the World with Mr. Cavendish,
in his Notes to that Voyage, gives the name Cape Frozcard. It is the most
Southern Cape of the Continent of America.
t The Bay on the East side of Cape Holland, named in tbe Spanish Chart
the Bu!j de Solano.
1 1 the
ROUND THE WORLD. 2i7
the North shore of the Strait. Tlie tide here was very h'regular, chap, jo,
running twelve hours one Avay, and only two or three in the 1599.
opposite direction. On the 22d, they got under sail with the straft of*
tide in their favour, but the wind from the WNW. De Weert's ^lagalhanes
ship was not able to keep company with the ships of Van Noort,
and bore away for the Bai/ de Conies. Van Noort's ship, with
the Eendracht, anchored in a large bay on the South side of the
Strait, which was named Mauritius Bai/. [
On the 25th, Van Noort rejoined the Vice Admiral ; and the
28th, the fleet beins; at anchor in a road near the West entrance
of the Strait, a general council was assembled on board the
Admiral, in which it was determined that the conduct of the
Vice Admiral, Jacob Claesz, had a tendency to excite mutinies
in the fleet ; and the Council ordered that he should be arrested
and kept a prisoner in the Admiral's ship, to be tried upon the
said charge ; and they allowed him three weeks to prepare his
defence.
On the 31st, the wind blowing strong from the Westward,
Van Noort returned to Mauritius Bay. From this bay were
divers canals leading towards the SE; and they found great
lakes of fresh water, in which there was much ice, though it was
then ' the heart of summer.' 1'he number of men at this time
in Van Noort's fleet was 151, so that since the departure of the
ships from Holland, they had lost by various accidents and sick-
ness 97 persons. The crews now remaining were in a healthy
state, four men only of their number being sick.
On the 8th of January, I600, being yet in Mauritius Bay, a 1600,
boat arrived from the ship of Sebald de Weert, with a letter, in January,
wliich De Weert requested the Admiral Avould furnish him with
two months bread, that he might proceed on his voyage after the
ships of his company. It may be suspected that Do Weert had
not much inclination to proceed : however, upon this occasion,
his sincerity was not put to ti"ial ; for ^'an Noort returned answer,
- Yoh. II. F V that
£18 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13, that he had along voyage himself to perform, and was not
1600. provided with more bread than he should find necessary ; and
Strait'ot' ^^ ^^'3^ parting with his store he should be reduced to want, this-
Magalhanes \vas uot a part of the world where bread could be bought.
In the afternoon of the 8th, a boat from the Admiral's ship,
and a boat from the yacht, went to gather muscles : the yacht's
boat arriving first at the shore, when the people landed from
her, they were unexpectedly attacked by some natives who were
waiting there in ambush, and two men, one of them a pilot,
were killed ; a third escaped wounded to the boat. Before the
Admiral's boat reached the shore, the natives had quitted the
place, and had taken with them the dead bodies. The arms
witli which these people fought were ' thick heavy clubs with a
' long cord *,' and long wooden darts.
The 14th. The fleet sailed from il/r/;^/7Y/?/.s I3fl^, with a wind
from the SE ; but it was of short duration ; and they were
several times obliged to anchor again after making unsuccessful
attempts to get clear of the Strait.
The 24th. The ships being at anchor in a small bay, which
was named Gtiesen (Beggarly ) Bay, the Council were assembled
on board the Admiral, to hear the defence of Jacob Glaesz, the
Vice Admiral, which proved insufficient for his acquittal; and
he was condemned by the Council to be set on shore and
abandoned in the Strait, which sentence was publicly read on
board the different ships: and on the 26th, Jacob Claesz Avas
carried in a boat to the shore, where he was left Avith a small
stock of bread and wine.-j- On this occasion the General
* Weapons of a similar kind were in use among the natives of Paragiiat/.
•\- Gae^en Bai/, where Claesz was landed, according to a chart of the Strait
published with Van Noort's Voyage, appears to he near the present Cape
Upright ; but on which side of- the Cape, Van Noort's chart is too unfinished
to show.
. ■ - ordered
ROUND THE WORLD. 219
ordered a prayer and exhortation to be read in the fleet. <= hap. 1.3.
Captain Pieler Esias de Liadt -svas appointed Vice xldmiral; iGoo.
and Lambert Biesman to be Captain of the Eendracht. Ma'^alhanes
The 2Sth. The fleet sailed from Guesen Bay.
February tJie 6th, they were at anchor in a bay of the North Febniary.
shore, nearly opposite to the former bay, and the wind seemed
fixed to blow from the West. The General held a Council, in
which it was determined not to follow the example of Simon de
Cordes, and pass a winter in the Strait, if the winds continued to
oppose tiieir entrance into the South Sea ; but to exert their en-
deavours two months longer ; and if in that time the wind did
not favour their passage, that they would return Eastward out
of the Strait, and sail by the Cape of Good Hope for the East
Indies, to make, if possible, some profit by their voyage.
To this last measure they were not driven ; but the resolution
taken is worth recording; for its wisdom and decision.
Towards the end of February the winds became favom-able, Van Noort
enters inc
and on the 29th, Van Noort with two ships and a yacht entered South Sea.
the South Sea, after a most tedious (and to say the truth, un-
skilful) navigation of nearlj' a year and a half from the time of
his leaving Holland.
The Island Santa Maria on the coast of Chili, had been ap-
pointed for the place of rendezvous if a separation should happen.
The course, whilst the wind continued fair, was dire6ted to the
N W ; but the winds soon became variable, and they had stormy
Aveather. The great boat which had been built in the Strait,
was towed astern of the Admiral till the 4th of March, in which Maich.
time she received very rough treatment from the waves, and at
length filled : she was therefore cast loose and abandoned.
!March the 8th. 147 persons were mustered in the fleet.
The 12th. The latitude at noon was 46° S. In the evening The Vice
a fog came on, v.hich, with the wind shifting in the niglit, occa- " 1^^^,^
sioncd the Vice Admiral to lose company. Connmny.
r 1' 2 The
S20 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. The 21st, the General's ship and the yacht anchored by the
1600. East side of the Island Mocha, in 14 fathoms ' good anchorage/
Island -^ '-"^^^ ^^^^ ^^"^ ^^ *^^^ Island to try if the natives Avould enter
Mocha, into friendly negociation. Van Noort employed on this occasion
Jan Claesz, who had been tried for mutiny at the Island S'" Clara
and sentenced to be abandoned in a strange land, and who
probably was a relation and attached to the late Vice Admiral,
Jan Claesz was furnished with knives, beads, and other articles
of traffic, and was landed singly to make experiment of the
disposition of the natives ; and for this piece of service, if he
returned safe, his sentence was to be remitted. * Claesz was
favourably received by the natives ; but as it was late in the
day, they made signs for him to return to his boat, and to come
to them again in the morning.
The next day a regular trade was established ; a sheep was
bought for a hatchet ; a fowl, sometimes two, for a knife ;
and fruits equally cheap for smaller articles of traffic. Two
of the Caciques or principal inhabitants of the Island went
on board the General's ship, where they were entertained and
remained all nio'ht. The next mornino; some of the Hollanders
I went with the natives to one of their villages ; but they were not
allowed to enter the houses, or to approach the women. This
village or toAvn consisted of about 50 small houses, which were
thatched with straw, and in their form were long and narrow,
with a porch or entrance near the middle. Some of the women,
on being called by their husbands, like most obedient wives,
came out of the houses, and placed themselves in troops on
their knees.
The hospitality of the Mocha people to the Hollanders is
thus related : ' The men made signs for us to sit down on some
■ ' clumps of v/ood which were on the open ground. An elderly
Ucc. des Voy. a I'dahl dc la Comp. Vol. III. p. 48.
* woman
ROUND THE WORLD. 221
* woman then brought us an earthen vessel full of a drink, chap. 13.
* which they called Cici, of a sharp taste, of which we drank 3600.
* heartily. This drink is made of maize and water, and is vj'"i
' brewed in the following manner : old women, who have lost
' their teeth, chew the maize, Avhich being thus mixed with
* their saliva, is put into a tub, and -water is added to it. They
' have a superstitious opinion, that the older the women are who
' chew the maize, by so much will the beverage be the better.
' And with this drink the natives get intoxicated and celebrate
' their festivals.'"*
The truth of this description, howcA'er, is to be suspected,
as some others are given in the journal, Avhich evidently were
not furnished to tlie Hollanders by their own observations at
the time.
The 24th, Van Noort sailed from Mocha for the Island Santa Sail from
Maria. The 25th, the wind was from the South. At noon on ^l"'-''^'''-
that day they were near Santa Maria, and saw a ship lying at
anchor in the road. At first it was supposed to be their Vice
Admiral, but on a nearer approach was discovered to be a
Spanish vessel, and when Van Noort's ship was within half a
league of tlie Island, she got under sail and stood *to the North-
ward. Van Noort stood after her; and this chace, which was
begun so near, continued till the forenoon of the next day, with
as much v^ind as their upper sails would bear; the General beincr
eagerly bent on taking this vessel, that slic might not spread
alarm along the coast with the news of his arrival. About 9 in
the forenoon of the 26th, the chace was overtaken and captured.
She proved to be a ship named the Buen Jesus, belonging to
the Spanish government, and had been stationed on that part of
#
Description du Paiible Voyage, p. 23. The Kava of the South Sea Jsla?ids
is made by a process similar to that here described, except that the masticatoj;s
aie young men.
the
£22 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. tlic coast purposely to give early notice of the appearance of
'"^'Teoo^'^ ^»y strange ships coming from the Strait of Magalhanes. At
INlurch. ^jje t]„^e the ships of Van Noort arrived in sight, she was taking .
in a cargo of flour and bacon from the Island Santa Maria, to
supply La Conccpcion and other towns on tlie coast of Chilit
which were distressed by a war with the native Chilese.
On examining the prisoners, Van Noort was informed that
the Southerly ^^inds blew so constantly on that coast, that it
would not be possible for them, having run so far to the North,
to get back to Santa Maria, where, according to the terms of
the rendezvous appointed, they were to have waited two months
for the Yice Admiral. In consequence of this representation,
no attempt was made to return to the Island Santa Maria, and
the separation from the Vice Admiral was rendered final. From
the Spanish Captain was obtained some intelligence concerning
the ships of Simon de Cordes (as noticed in the account of
that voyage).
The prize was kept, and a prize master and some seamen
were put on board to navigate her. The General diaected his
Valparaiso, course to Valparaiso, where he captured and destroyed some
Spanish vessels, but obtained no booty except provisions.
Letters were delivered to him here, Avritten hy Captain Dirck
Gherritz (of Simon de Cordes' Heet), who was at this time a
prisoner at Lima. The letters were written in the Dutch lan-
guage, and Gherritz had directed them ' To his Friends.' They
gave an account of the manner of his being captured, and
that himself and his men were in a miserable condition in
prison at Lima.
April. April the 1st, Van Noort anchored near the river pf Guasco,
•Guasco. ^y|jgi^.(3 \^Q remained some days to caulk and rent his vessels. The
river was at tliis time neaily dry, so that boats could not
enter. The Spanish Captain of the Buen Jesus, and most of his
men, were released here by Van Noort with great courtesy, in
8 hopes
ROUND THE WORLD. £C3
A p. 1 '
hopes that the like would be done to Captain Ghcnitz and his en
men. The pilot, Juan de St. Aval, with two Indians and two loco.
neoroes were retained. v^iml.
On the 6th, by the sentence of the Council, a seaman belong-
inw to the General's ship was shot for stealing provisions.
The 20th. As they sailed near Areqidpa, they had a dry fog, Arcquipa,
or rather, the air was obscured by a white sandy dust, with Avhich
their cloaths and the ship's rigging became entirely covered.
These fogs the Spaniards called arenales (sandy mists).
They had learnt from their prisoners, that three large ship&
belonging to the King of Spain were lying at Callao, equipped
ready to attack any enemy that should appear : for which reason
it was determined to stand off to a distance from the land before
they came near the latitude of Callao, and to fall in with the
coast again to the Northward of that place.
The 25th, they were in the parallel of Lb.ia, and they con-
jectured their distance from the coast to be about 20 leagues.
This morning a negro named Emanuel, one of those kept of their
first prize, declared that there had been three boat loads of gold
in that ship, and that it \v:as thrown overboard by order of her
Captain, v>'hilst she was chaced by the Hollanders. Upon this-
information, the pilot, Juan de S. Aval, and the other negro,
were examined. At first they denied Emanuel's statement to be
true, but after being put to the torture (tin pen gehennezj, they
confessed every thing that had been alledged, and that the
gold, which had been cast into the sea, amounted in all to
10,200 lbs. weight, which had been collected at the Island
Santa Maria.
This account was believed by the Hollanders, though it Avas
thought strange that so large a quantity of gold should be
collected at such a place. Indeed the improbability of the
whole story, with the maimer- in which the evidence v/as
obtained, renders it of no credit.
The
224 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. The 29th, being by conjecture nearly 30 leagues from the
1600. land, they saw two sail, which they chaced the whole day, but
■P^' ■ could not overtake, and when night came on, they lost sight
of them.
May. As they drew near the Equinoctial line, they edged towards
the Continent, and on May the 9th, being in 0" lO' S latitude,
steered directly in for the land. The lOlhatnoon, they had
not made the land as they expected to have done, and Van
Noort ordered the Spanish pilot to direct the course for the
Quit the Island Cocos, as from farther examination of the pilot, they had
America reason to conclude that the King's ships would seek for them
along the whole coast, as far as to Acapidco, and it was deter-
mined by the Council not again to approach tlie land of
America.
J.deS.Aval. Erom the examinations of the pilot Juan de S. Aval, was
scripdon 'of di'^wn up a short Description of the Coast of Chili and Peru,
the Coiist which is inserted in the Description du Penible Voiia^e.^ This is
of America. ^ , • • i o • i i i
m fact, a list of the prmcipal Spanish settlements on the coast,
with some account of the stale of the Spanish force, and of
the productions peculiar to each place. In this descrip-
tion it is related, that in the preceding year, the native Chilese
■ had surprised and destroyed the city of Valdivia. In their M'ars
with the Spaniards, the greater part of the Chilese were mounted
and armed with lances, and were reckoned excellent cavalry.
The vessels of Van Noort (which were his own ship the Mauri-
tius, the Eendracht yacht, and two prize vessels), did not find
the Island of Cocos ; and the fault was as much in their own
observations, which difl'ered in latitude | of a degree from each
other, as in the pilot's directions. Their search was not directed
far enough to the North,
Lii<cvvise in the Rcc. a I'etabL de la Comp. Vol. III. p. 63.
On
ROUND THE WORLD.
225
On the SOth, it was believed that they had run to the West chap. 13.
of Cocos Island: a Council was therefore held, wherein it was 1600.
determined to sail for the Philippine Islands, and to stop by the May.
way at the Ladrones.
For several days after this resolution was taken, they had the
wind variable, but mostly from the SW, and it was not before
the middle of June, when they had increased their distance June,
from the continent, that they found the trade wind regular.
June the 30th, the Spanish pilot, Juan de S. Aval, incauti-
ousl}', and unhappily for himself, gave offence to the General
and his officers. The journal relates, ' the General, with the
* advice of his Council of war, ordered the Spanish pilot to be
' cast into the sea : for although he ate in the cabin, and the
' General showed him entire friendship, he had nevertheless the
' effrontery to say, because he found himself ill, that we wanted
' to poison him ; which he not only said in presence of all the
' Officers, but afterwards maintained ; for which reason, the
' General w ith the said Officers found good to dispatch him ;
* and therefore we threw him into the sea, leaving him to sink,
* to the end that he should not ever again reproach us Avith any
' treachery.' *
August the 15tb, the rudder of the Buen Jesus broke, and she August,
being moreover very leaky, it Avas found necessary to abandon her.
On the £8tli, the other prize vessel Avas likcAvise abandoned.
September the 15th, they made the Ladrone Islands, and September,
stopped two days near one of them, supposed to be the Island islands.
Guahan, from Avhich above 200 canoes came to the ships, bring-
* Penibh Voyagi, p. 32. Casting into the sea was the established mode of
punishment for pirates, and was especially decreed to be put in force against the
crews of the privateers of Dunkirk, which at that time greatly infested the trade
of Holland. It was called Droit du laver les pieds. True Interest of the Republick.
By John De Wit. Part II. Chap. I.
Vol. II. G G
ing
226 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. ing fish, fruits, rice, fowls, and water in gourds, to exchange
1600. for iron.
The 17th, the}' sailed on, but met with Westerly winds, and
Philippine j^j ^ot get sight of the Philippines till the 14th of October.
October. With these winds there was much rain, which supplied them
with water.
October the 1 5th. They anchored near the SE part of
Bay Luco7iia, in a Bay named la Bahia, 7 or 8 leagues to the North
of the Emhocadero (Strait) de San Bernardino. The General
sent a boat on shore which traded with some inhabitants of the
place for fruits. The next morning, a large boat, in which \vas a
Spaniard, came from the shore to reconnoitre the ships, and whilst
at a distance fired a musket three times, which was supposed to be
intended as a signal, and was answered in the like manner; but
the boat, notwithstanding, kept at a distance, till the General
ordered a Spanish flag to be hoisted, and caused one of his
men to be dressed in the habit of a friar, which appearances
drew the Spaniard on board. The General received him with
much civility, and told him that the ships were French ; that
they sailed under a commission from the King of France, and
were bound to Manila to purchase a supply of provisions, as
their stock was nearly expended by the length of their voyage.
This account was credited ; the Spaniard informed them what
part of the coast they were at, and directed the natives to bring
their rice, hogs, and poultry, to sell to the ships. By this means
a good supply of provisions was obtained.
The 18th, in the forenoon, Van. Noort's ship was visited by a
large covered boat, in which were a Spanish Captain and a
Priest. On entering the ship, the Spanish Officer informed the
General that the King of Spain had given strict orders that
strangers should not be permitted to trade there, nor be sup-
plied with provisions; and he desired to see the General's
commission. Van Noort, willing to enjoy the surprise of the
Spaniard,
ROUND THE WORLD. 227
Spaniard, produced to him his Commission from his Excellency chap. 13.
the Prince of Orange. The Spaniards were detained until the 1600.
gunner of Van Noort's ship, who was on shore, returned on pi,|j*pp^ne
board : they were then allowed to depart, but no farther com- Islands.
merce was carried on for provisions.
The 21st, they took a small bark laden with rice and foAvls.
The crew escaped to land. The Hollanders, after taking out
the cargo, sunk the vessel, having learnt that it belonged to a
Spaniard.
The 24th, they passed through the Embocadero de San Ber-
nardino, and at night anchored near the West side of an Island
named Capul, which, the journal says, is about 7 (German) Cnpul.
leagues Avithin the Strait. Here they lay * about 2 cables length
' from the shore, in 25 fathoms, behind a Cape, where was a
' great sandy bay and a village.'* They afterwards moved to
another bay of the same Island, for ' Capul is five or six leagues
' in circuit, and there is anchorage all round it.' On the arrival
of the ships, the inhabitants of the nearest villages removed their
effects' and forsook their houses ; so that when Van Noort sent
some of his people on shore, they could find neither inhabitants
nor provisions ; and . one of the seamen, John Caleway, an
Englishman, straggling from his party, fell into the hands of
the natives.
Here Van Noort mounted all his guns, and made prepara-
tions for meeting an enemy. On the 28th, the inhabitants of
Capul still absenting themselves, he burnt some of their villages.
The 29th, in the night, Emanuel, one of the negroes, whom
the}' had brought from the coast of America, made his escape,
and deserted from the Hollanders, ' contrary to the great pro-
' fessions he had made.' Bastien, the other negro, was the next
* Descrip. du Penible Voyage, p. 38.
G G 2 ■ day
2fi8 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. day examined by the General, and lie confessed that he had
i6oo. knowledge of his comrade's design, and that he should have
accompanied him if he had thought the opportunity a safe one.
* The General seeing by this confession, the pure villany of
' these negroes, commanded this one to be shot/
The 31st, a party of men were landed, who found 31 baskets
of rice Avhich had been hidden ; and some hogs were shot.
No inhabitants were seen, and the Hollanders burnt four of
their villaoes, each of which contained 50 or 60 houses.
November. November the 1st, Van Noort sailed from Capid, and bent
his course towards Manila. His advance was slow, as he an-
chored occasionally near the diffeient Islands in his route.
On the 6th, a Spanish bark was taken and sunk. On the
7th, they made prize of a Chinese vessel, laden witli rice, lead,
and shells, bound for Manila. Other vessels laden with pro-
visions were afterwards taken, and among them two barks bound
to Manila, with 250 foAvls and 50 hogs. The Chinese vessel
(which was called a Champan) was kept to serve as a tender,
and Van Noort put on board he'r some of his men, leaving
likewise in her five of the Chinese.
In the night of the 21st, the Ciiampan, in which were six
Hollanders, Avent away fi'om the ships, and as she was not
' afterwards seen, ' it was sujiposed that the Hollanders had kept
' a negligent guard, and that the five Chinese men had cut their
' throats.*
Whilst Van Noort was thus leisurely making his progress
towards Manila, preparations were making at that place for
his approach. Cavite, the port of Manila, was put in a state of
defence ; and two ships laying in the port, one named the San
Antonio de Zebu, the other, a galeon, named the San Bar-
tolome, were ordered to be armed and equipped. Don Francisco
Tello was at that time Governor of the Philippines, and Doctor
Antonio
ROUND THE WORLD. 229
Antonio de Morga* (a deservedly celebrated character) was chap. 13.
Lieutenant Governor and senior Oydor, or Judge, of the Ro3^al iSno.
Court of Audience at Manila. The superintendance of the ]\J".^?"^^^'''
^ i iHii[>pine
preparations and equipment was entrusted to De Morga, who Islands,
did not think the duty of his office as a Judge incompati-
ble with that of a military Commander, and oftered himself to
command the armament against the Hollanders. He was ac-
cordingly appointed General of the armada -j-, and many of the
principal people of Manila engaged to serve under his com-
mand. The San Antonio de Zebu, the largest ship, was chosen to
be the Capitana ; the other ship, the Almiranta, was commanded
by Juan de Alcega. These ships wanted much repair, and the
occasion which called for their service being unexpected, it was
some time before they could be put in a condition fit to encoun-
ter an enemy.
Olivier Van Noort arrived off the entrance of the Bay of Van \ooit
Manila on November the 24th, and it was determined bv him with a''''ves otf
. Manila.
his Council, to remain in this station till the month of February,
to intercept all vessels bound to Manila ; and the wind at this
time of the year being constant from the NE, rendered the
station commodious and safe.
December the 3d, they stopped a Japanese vessel, from Japan December.
bound to Manila, laden with iron, Hour, fish, and hams. She
had been 25 days from port. The General received from her
some provisions and a wooden anchor, for which things he paid,
and she was allowed to proceed for Manila. The journal
remarks, ' these Japanese are people of brown complections,
' and have manly voices. Their Captain presented to the
' General a boy of his country.' +
The
* The Author of Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas.
f Sucesos de las Islas Filipinas, fol. 74.
J Van Noort says, the Japanese arms are the best of any made in the East
Indies ; thek cimeters especially, which are exceedingly sharp. * They told us,
' that .
S30 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. The 9th, they took a Spanish vessel laden with ' wine distilled
1600. ' from cocoa-nut trees;' and on the 12th, a Chinese champan
December, j^^^^ ^^-^.j^ ^.-^.^ r^^^ carsocs w^ere taken out and the vessels
rhilippine . ®
Islands, were sunk.
Thursday the 14th. Early in the morning, as the two Holland
ships were lying at anchor under shelter of the land just to the
North of the entrance of Manila Bay, the wind being fresh from
the ENE, two sail were seen in the passage, standing out of the
Bay. Van Noort sent a boat, with a supply of men, to the
Eendracht, with orders for her to get under sail, to speak the
strange vessels ; but it soon became apparent that they were
ships of force, and that it was their design to speak the Hol-
landers ; the boat therefore returned to the Admiral.
In Olivier Van Noort s ship, the Mauritius, there were at this
time 55 persons*, and in the Eendracht only 25 f. It was
judged necessary to receive the enemy under sail, and as there
was not time for the Mauritius to take up her anchor, the cable
Ships under was cut. The Spanish ships, being fitted for the occasion, and
Mmgr fresl^ out of port, were fully manned. The Penible Voyage sup-
auack the poses they had between 400 and 500 men in each ship. Half
that number would no doubt be a more reasonable estimate.
They steered for the Hollanders, who fired upon them in their
approach, Avhich the Spaniards could not return on account of
the direction in which they were steering : the strength of the
wind likewise, which was on their starboard side, obliged them to
keep their lee ports shut. The Spanish Admiral, De Morga,-
' that there- were ci meters in Jrtprt« which would, with one stroke, cut through
' three men, and that in selling tliese cimeters, they made the proof on certain
' slaves.' Periib. Vox/, p. 43.
* Rec. a VEtabl. de la Comp. Vol. Ill, p. 131-
t.The Spanish account makes the numbers in the Dutch ships greater ; and in
like manner tlie number of men in the Spanish ships is exaggerated in the Dutch
account. Each of the Commanders has given a relation of this battle, and there
have been few sea fights attendad with more extraordinary circumstances.
I took
ROUND THE WORLD. 231
took the resolution to run right on board the Dutch Admiral, which chap. 13.
seems to have been executed with some roughness. The Spaniards jgoo.
entered Van Noort's ship, and the Dutch beino; overpowered i?f^,':"''?^'"-
o I Philippine
by numbers retreated from the open deck, and from their close Islands.
quarters harassed the enemy. The Spaniards having possession
of the deck, disfurnished the main and mizen masts of sails and
rigging, and took down the flag of Holland (white, blue, and
orange, with the arms of Count Maurice). The Commander of
the Eendracht, when he saw his Admiral's colours struck, be-
lieving that the victory was decided in favour of the Spaniards,
set all his sails, and endeavoured to escape, and was pursued by
the Spanish Almiranta.
In the Dutch Admiral's ship, however, the Spaniards did not
succeed in making their enemy submit, though they remained
masters of the open deck six hours. At the end of that time,
Van Noort told his people they must come out and fight the
Spaniards, or he would set fire to the magazine and blow
up the ship. Antonio de Morga relates, that at this time the
after-part of the Dutch Admiral's ship took fire, which rendered
it necessary for him to Avithdraw his men, and to separate the
two sliips *, which he did, taking with him the enemy's flag.
After Van Noort's ship was cleared of the enemy, the engage-
ment was renewed w ith cannon, but was not of much longer
continuance; for De Morga's ship ' being weakly built,' became
open in the fore part, and took water in so fast, that in a short De Morga's
time she went down. The Dutch account here first mentions '
that their ship had taken fire, which, having jjme now to attend
to, they succeeded in extinguishing, ' our Lord God,' says Van
Noort's journal, ' most mercifully saving us from these imminent
' perils of the enemy and fire.' The greater part of the crew of
the Spanish Admiral were saved by country boats, which they
* Sucesos de las I. FiUpinas, fol. So.
had
232 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT
CHAP. 13. had in attendance, and by a boat which they had taken from
1600. tlie Dutch Admiral. Some of the Spaniards swam to Van
J)eceiiiben ;^Qort's ship, begging for mercy and assistance ; but they did
Islands, not obtain either. Those who came within reach of the
Hollanders were knocked on the head, or killed with pikes, and
guns were fired at others Avhilst swimming in the water. This
inhuman proceeding is not complained of in the Spanish
account ; and in fact, the Spaniards had but little claim upon
the compassion of the Hollanders. The circumstance just re-
lated is not mentioned by De Morga ; but in the Dutch journal,
pains have been taken that it should not escape notice, the re-
putation of destroying Spaniards being much more prized by the
J3utch Commander, than the praise of showing them lenity.*
Antonio de Morga, and those of his people who remained,
went for shelter that night to a small uninhabited Island named
Fortuna, about six leagues SSW from the entrance of the Bay
of Manila. De Morga states the loss of people in the Capitana
to be fifty, including the drowned with those killed in battle.
The event of his ship sinking, it is probable, was as much owing
to the shock received in boarding as to damage suffered from
shot in the action. In Olivier Van Noort's ship five men were
killed outright, and 26 wounded. Their associate, the Eendracht,
The Dutch ^^^ j^q^- escape so cheaply, but was captured early in the day by
Admiral the Spanish Almiranta. When the shij) of the Spanish Admiral
taken. gunk, the Almiranta, with her prize, were about two leagues
distant from Van Noort ; but he did not think his ship in a
* The Latin translation piiblisherl in De Bri/'s CoUection of Foj/ages, has the
following passage : ' Per nitdios Ilispanos, in occaiio gregatim adimc natitdtes,
' pervusaunt, rnultos eorum in transitu hastis perfodienies ac conficientes, et tormenta
' grandiura i)i eos disp/odenles.' ' They steered through the midst of the Spaniards
' swimming all together in the sea, stabbing and killing manj- of them with pikes
' in passing, and tiring great guns among them.' Addit. Klona partis Jmerica,
p. 75. This part of tlie narrative in the Descrip. du Peniblt Voyage is accom-
panied with a plate representing the fact, in which the pikes are not onoitted.
condition
ROUND THE WOULD. I'SS
condition to attempt her rescue ; neitlicr did the Spanish Ahni- chap i;^.
rante make any endeavour to attack Van Noort, for wliich De 1600.
Morga has severely censured him in his history. ecembcr.
As soon as Van Noort could get any sails in order, he directed Vim Noort
his course for the Idand Borneo. The Eendracht v, as taken to q^. ^?^
]).Ia>ii/a, wliere, by the Governor's order, Captain Lambert
Biesman and his ship's company were all executed as pirates
and rebels ; it being as much a matter of course as if it had*
been settled by mutual compact, that the two nations should
show no mercy to each other.
December the 26th, Van Noort, Mith his ou'n ship only, an- Borneo,
ehored in the port of Borneo, and immediate]}^ sent a Chinese
pilot, whom he had kept in his ship, on shore, with a present to
tiie King, and a message requesting leave to purchase provisions
with either money or goods, at the same time civilly otFerino- to
employ his ship and goods in the service of the King. This
message, with the present, obtained leave to purchase provisions
and to trade ; but the Chinese pilot cautioned the General con-
stantly to keep on his guard against the inhabitants of Borneo ;
and this advice appeared in the sequel to be given with somcv
foundation.
The people of Borneo held Holland linens in small estimation-
but were eager to obtain those of China, with which Van Noort
was well provided from the vessels he had pillaged near
Manila.
Whilst they were at Borneo, a vessel anchored there from
Japan, from Mhich the}" learnt that one of the ships belonging to
the Company of Pieter Verhagen had arrived at Japan.
January the 5th, 16O!, they sailed from Borneo homeward, 1601.
They touched at Jata, and passed through the Strait of Ba/i ; Java,
whence they sailed round the Cape of Good Hope, and stopped
at the Island Saint Helena for fresh v.ater. St. Helena.-
Vol. H. • H h August
a
534 VOYAGE OF OLIVIER VAN NOORT:
CHAP. 13.
iboi.
August the 26tb, the ]\Iauritius, the ship of Van Noort, an-
chored before the city of Rotterdam, after an absence of nearly
Arrives in three vears. This was the first ship of Holland that circum-
navigated the Globe, and the only one of the nine vessels which
sailed from that country in the year 1598 with the same design,
that succeeded in its accomplishment.
It does not appear in the Penible Voyage, or in the account
given in the Rec. des Voyages de la Coinp. what became of the
ship Hendrick Fredrick, Captain de Lindt, which was separated
from the others after their entrance into the South Sea.
Tl>e voyage of Olivier Van ifroort contributed little to
Geography ; and impartially considered, neither this, nor the
A^oyage of the Five Ships of Rotterdam Avhich preceded it, can
give an advantageous opinion of the maritime knowledge and
management of the Hollanders at that time. Both the expedi-
tions are full of interesting events, but that of Olivier Van
Noort is stained with many instances of shocking barbarity.
Nevertheless it added to the reputation of his countrymen for
enterprize, both warlike and commercial, and therefore met
with sreat favour from them.
By a medalhon in the Frontispiece to De Bry's Relation of
the Voyage, it appears that Van Noort Avas 47 years of age
at his return.
i; 2fi3 ]
C II A P. XIV.
Spanish Ship seized hi/ the Natives at the Ladronc Islands.
Voyage of Sebastian Vizcaino, to examine the Western coast of
California, and the continuation of the coast Northii;ard.
IN the year l600, a Spanish ship stopping at the Ladrone chap. 14.
Islands Avas taken by the natives.* The circumstances were ^fo^!]^"^
- as follow. The ship San Geronimo belonging to Don Fernando ^ Spanish
^ . . ® ° Ship taken
de Castro, the same in which Alvaro de Mendana had sailed on by the Na-
his last voyage, and another ship named the Santa ^Margarita, *Lad'ron^^
in the year abovementioned, sailed from Manila in conjpany,
both bound for New Spain. In 38° N latitude, 600 leagues
from the Philippine Islands, the ships were separated by a gale
of wind, and so much disabled, that they both turned back to-
wards the Philippines. Tiie San Geronimo was wrecked on the
Catanduanes, which are to the North of the Embocadero de San
Bernardino ; but her people were saved. The Santa Margarita,
having lost her Captain and many of her men by sickness,
anchored at the Island Zarpana.f The natives seeing their weak
condition, entered and took possession of the ship. Some of
the crew were killed ; the rest were dispersed amongst the
natives, and were not ill treated. The goods in the ship were
of course soon distributed; and among them a quantity of gold
and treasure ; articles of little value to the natives, who hun^
them to the trees, or wore them round their necks as ornaments,
having no knowledge of their farther use.
* Sucesos dt las J. Filip. fol. "83.
+ Tlie Spanish charts name the Island next to the North of Guahan, Surapana.
'Whellier that^ or the Island Saj/pan, is here meant, is uncertain.
II H 2 In
S36
HISTORY OF DISCOVERIES
1602.
Expedition
iiiulertaken
to the NW
Coast of
Anierica.
In the month of May of the year following, the Santo Tonias,
a Spanish galeon, arrived at the Ladrones, in her way from
ISew Spain to the Pliilippines ; on board of which ship was the
licentiate Don Antonio dc Ribcra Maldonado, newly appointed
Oijclor (Judge) at Manila. Five Spaniards of the Santa Margarita
went off to the ship in tlie canoes of the Islanders, and the
natives promised that if the ship stopped two days, the re-
mainder should be brought; there being in the whole 26 persons
living. jMaldonado, however, was in haste to enter on his office,
and fearful of losing his passage by the Westerly monsoon setting
in strong ; and by his order the Santo Tomas sailed on without
waiting, leaving his countrymen to the chance of future oppor-
tunities. A good friar in Maldonado's ship, who had more
commiseration for their situation, went on shore in one of the
•canoes, determined to share the fate of the Spaniards thus de-
serted. Antonio de Morga, in conclusion of this account of the
Santa Margarita, relates, that ' some of her people afterwards
* died at the Ladrone Islands of sickness and other troubles ;'
from which it may be understood that the greater number found
means of conveyance to Manila.
In 1602, the Spaniards engaged in a fresh attempt to execute
their long meditated plan of examining the Western coast of
California, and the coast Northward, for the purpose of establish-
ing a convenient port for their ships coming from the Philippines
to New Spain. An esj)ecial order to this effect was given by the
lung of Spain, dated Sc])tember 27th, 1599; but it was not
acted upon till the year 16'02. The order specified, that exami-
nation should be made, not on the interior coast within the gulf,
but on the exterior coast.* 'J'orquemada relates, that Philip the
Hid. Avas incited to issue his commands for this undertaking, by
fmding among his father's papers ' an information Avhich had
* Noticifi ik la Calijuniia, Part 11. §. 4.
been
IN THE SOUTH SEA. 237
* 1)6611 given by certain strangers, of some notable things Avliicii chap. 14,
* they had seen in the Northern parts, in a sl>.ip which had 1602!^
* passed from the coast of Bacallaos CNcicfoundlaudJ and from
* the North Sea to the South Sea by the Strait ofAnian.'* The
Conde de ]\Ionterey still remained Viceroy, and Sebastian
Vizcaino Atas again appointed General, f- Fonr vessels were
placed under his command: the San Diego, Capitana ; the
Santo Tomas, Almiranta, commanded 1)}' Toribio Gomez de
Corvan ; a small frigate named los Tres Reyes (the Three
Kings); and a smaller vessel called a barco-longo. Geronimo
]\Iartin embarked as Cosmographer, Antonio 'Flores and Fran-
cisco de Bolanos, as Pilots ; the latter of whom had been on
the North AV'est coast in the ship San Agustin, -wrecked in Port
San Francisco in 1595.
They sailed from J crtpf//co. May the 5th, 1602, but stopped Vizcnino
at Fort de la Navidad, to take in ballast. They arrived at\he t^'?: J?'!'
Isles of Mazatlan early in June. From thence they steered
* Moitiirq. hid. lib. 5. cnp. 45. V>y a subseciuent passage in die Moiiur<i. Iiid.
which will hereafter be eilecl, it appears that the papers here mentioned have no
relation to the voyage of Juan dc Fuea.
t An aceount of this second expedition of Vizcaino is in the Monarrjuia-
Indiana, lib. 5. cap. 46, and scq. The author of the introduction to Rctacion dtl
J'iage ficc/iu eii 1702, para nconoeer el Estrcclia de Fuca, published at Madrid in
i8o2, mentions in his introduction, p. Ixviii, that a copy of the l^ekuion of the
Voyage of \'iy.caino, taken in Mexico, Deccnd)er 160 ;„ from his original account,
and witnessed, is preserved in the Archivo General de ludiiis at Srii/lc. An in-
cfleclual bcarch had been made for this Manuscript at the de.^iie of P. Mio-iiel
Venegas, the author ot the Notieia de la California, who was desirous of mihlishiuT
Vizcaino's own Journal; but it could not then be found. Besides the Journal, the MS
contains thirty two plans or charts of thediiFerent parts of the coast seen ; and a
Directory of the navigation during the voyage, drawn up by the Cosmographer Ge-
ronimo iMartin assisted bv the pilots. The j)lans have been reduced and united
making one general chart of the coast from Cape San Lucas lo Cope Mendocino,
which was j)iiblished in the i\tlas to the Relacion del Viage hecho en 1 702. A copy
of this (hurt is annexed to the picsent account; and many parts have evident
appeal ance of being laid down from a more inlimale knowledge of the coast, than
is seen in the later chart-:.
across
.-?
038 SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 14- across the entrance of tlie Gulf of California ; and on June the
'"'Ti^^ nth, anchored in a Bay on the Easiern side of the Cape de
June. ^<^^j Lv.cas.
Bay de San This Bay was named Be San Bernahe, the day they entered
Bcjnabc. .^ ]^^.-n-,,y the festival of that Saint, and is the same Avhcrein
Cavendish anchored with his prize the Santa Ana, in 1587.
The inhabitants that were seen in this part of California, were
perfectly naked, except that they dawbed themselves with
paint ; but every man M'as provided with a bow and arrows, and
some with spears. Vizcaino found them quiet and inoffensive,
but distrustful of the Spaniards ; Avhich was accounted for by
the crew of the Santa Ana having forcibly carried away two of
the natives, a man and a woman. Sebastian Vizcaino published
strict regulations through his armada, to prevent any offence
being given to them by his people. The natives were much
pleased at seeing a negro who was with the Spaniards, and the
sions they made were supposed to mean, that a people of the
same kind lived inland, with whom they were in friendship, and
had traffic. *
At a small distance within the sea shore of this bay, there are
two lakes, one of clear fresh water, the other salt. Into the
latter the water from the sea is forced when the wind blows from
the SE, and afterwards evaporating, leaves a fine clear salt. The
sea beach was thickly strewed with pearl oyster shells, which,
when the sun shone clear, made so resjilendent an appearance,
that it was compared to the starry firmament. The bay abounds
with fish of many kinds.
The winds at this time blew with much constancy from the
North West, and the armada in endeavouring to proceed along
the exterior coast, was three times driven back for shelter to the
Bay de San Bernahe. ' It is well known,' says Tortpiemada,
* Moiiarq. I/id. lib. 5. cap. 48.
« that
SEBASTIAN VIZCAINO. 239
' that these stomis were raised by the enemy of the human kind, r h a
* to prevent this armada from proceeding farther to discover
* new lands, that the natives might not be converted to our
' Catholic faith ; but so great a zeal prevailed through the whole
* armada, that there was not in it a single man who Avould
' not have chosen to perish rather than to desist from the
' enterprise/
The barco-longo, having been found of great hindrance to the
progress of the ships, Avas left in the fresh water lake ; and on
July the 6th, Vizcaino sailed the fourth time, with two ships and "^"^y*
the frigate ; but they had scarcely left the Bai/ dc San Bernahe,
when their old enemy met them. The opposition of the wind,
and of a current setting in the same direction, which was ob-
served to be strong or weak in proportion to the strength of the
wind, rendered their navigation difficult and tedious. The wea-
ther likewise was fogg}', M'hich occasioned frequent separations.
On the £Oth, the Capitana, without the other vessels iu com-
pany, anchored in a secure haven, which was named the Bat/ or ^3ay de la
Port de la Magdalena.'^ ■" ''° ''*'"
Vizcaino here sent in search of fresh water, but none \ras
found, except a small quantity of stagnant Avater in a cavity
aiDong rocks. The whole country, however, appeared very
populous. The natives were, like those near Cape San Lucas,
of a peaceable disposition, and naked. In a shallow part of the
Bay, by driving large slakes into the bottom, tlicy had made
a quadrangular inclosure for taking fish, which extended half a
}eague in length.
• Torqiiemada mentions in the Moiiarquia Indiana, 1. 5. c. 45, that during
the Viceioyalty of Don Antonio de Mendo^a in ^ew Spain, and after the voyage*
of Fr. de UUoa and Cabrillo, some navigator was sent to examine this coast,
' who, because of die KVV" winds, could reach no farther than to a port whicli was
* then named (Ze Santiago, but which is now called dt la Magdalena, and is in
* latitude 25°.' No date or other circumstance i&given. concerning this attempt.
' Baij
S'^ M;uii.,a.
'2io SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 14, ' Baij dc la Magda/cna is very large, and contains clear ports
iCio2. ' with good siielter. It has two entrances [one on each side of
July- ' an Island lying before it], and within the port a wide arm of
' the sea runs inland farther than was discovered.'* In Vizcaino's
chart, the depth is marked 15 fathoms in the Bay, and not less
in the Northern entrance. This port seems to be the Bmj de
San Abad, of Francisco de Ulloa, which in the narrative of
Preciado is described ' a haven all enclosed and compassed
' with land, being one of the fairest havens that hath been
' seen.'-f-
B;ij <1e The frigate, whilst se[)arate fron? the two ships, stood into a
Bay, which they named de Santa JMariiia, Avhere they saw many
inhabitants Avho v/ere of a peaceable disposition.
'J'he dej)th at the entrance of Santa Marina Hay is marked
on Vizcaino's chart 6 fathoms, and in the middle of the Bay,
17 fathoms. The first Bay or Port found on this coat by
Prancisco de Ulloa, is described with three fathoms depth at
the entrance, and deeper Avater within. :|.
The frigate not finding the ships in Santa Marina Bay, stood
out by the same way she had entered, and followed the coast
to the NW till she came to the Northern entrance of La
Maoidalena Bay,, mto which she sailed, and there joined the
Capitana.
* Monarq. Ltd. lib. 5. cap. 49.
+ Halduyt, Vol. HI. p. 410. In the Introduction to the Viage para reconocer
el Esirecho de Ftica, p. xxiv, a small Bay to the North of La Magdalena, which
in Vizcaino's chart is named Bay de Santa Marta but in the later charts has no
name, is supposed to be Fr. de Ulloa's Bay dc San Jbad. From Preciado's
account, however^ it seems evident that the two ports first ruade by l)lloa, in his
navigation along tbe exterior or Western coast of Caiifornia, were those which
are marked in Vizcaino's chart, Bay de Santa Marina and Bay de la Magdalena.
In Miguel Costanso's chart, the Noithern entrance of Bay de la Magdalena,
,is laid down in latitude 25° N ; the later charts place it in 24° 40' N.
^ See Vol. I. p. 205,
8 Whether
S EBASTI AN VIZCAINO. 24i
Wliether tlie channel between the Island and the niain-hind chap. 14.
from Santa Marina Bay to La Magdalena Bay is navigable, tg^,,.
does not appear to have been ascertained. ■'"'j^-
The C8th, the Capitana and frigate sailed from La Magdalena
Bay. Alx)ut 5 leagues farther along the coast they saw a Bay
(in the chart named Santa Martaj the cntj-ance of which anneared ,. ^'iv '^'^
dangerous, and they did not venture to stand in.
The 30th. They were near a Bay into which a river emptied Bay deS.
itself; but an appearance like breakers deterred them from enter- Cbustoviil.
ing. They afterwards learnt from the Ahniranta, whose boat
had been sent in to examine, that the ripling which was seen in
the water was occasioned by the meeting of the current of the
liver with the tide of the sea ; and that at the entrance of the ^
river, in this race or ripling, the depth of water was above 6
fathoms. This Bay was named de San Christoval. The name
does not appear either in Vizcaino's chart or in the charts of
later date, nor has Torquemada given either its latitude or
distance from any other place.
^ Bay de Ballenas (the Bay of Whaks), so called on account Baydc
of many Avhales seen there, is another Bay mentioned by Tor- ^"^'-'"'*^-
quemada, but the name is not in the charts. There were shoals
{jnd rocks in this Bay.
Torquemada says, to the NW, about 8 or 10 leagues distant
from the Bay de Ballenas, are Islands which were named de San
Boque. Vizcaino arrived at the first of these Islands on the eve August.
of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and on that account it
wiis named de la Aswicion. The Ahniranta had before anchored Island de h
at this Island, and fish were here in such plenty, that two men ^^'""'^^"^"•
with hooks and lines, in an hour's time, almost loaded a boat.
Tlic soil of la Amncion is sand and gravel, and the Island was
full of Pelicans f AkaimceaJ . These birds are great devourcrs relicans.
of fish, but are of a sociable dis])osition. If one of them is tied
up in a place frecjucnted by other birds of the same kind, they
Vol. II. I ,j bring
24£ SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 14. bring fish to him in such abundance more than he can consumci.
*^*76o2!^ that it was a practice among the natives of the Islands along the
August, coast, to procure fisli for themselves by this means * On the
shores of the Island were great nuntbers of seals. In the late
charts this Island is named San Marcos. On the main laud, about
half way between the Bay de Ballenas and the coast opposite to
La Asuncion, Torquemada says there are seven mountains in a
row, which were named the 7 Infantes.
The Capitana did not stop at La Asuncion, but passed on
and anchored at another Island two leagues farther, which was
Island named San Rogue. Water was procured here from a pit dug in
^n Roque. ^.j^g sand. Torquemada has related a circumstance which it may
be suspected was merely an effect of fancy. For the greater
conveniency of taking up the water, and to prevent the mixture
of sand, a half cask, w'hi-ch was sufficiently open at the sides ta
admit water without admitting the sand or the soil, was set up-
right in the pit ; and it was remarked that all the Avater which
flowed into the cask was salt, and that the water which remained
on the outside was fresh and good, -f
On the main land, opposite to Ssn Rocque, was seen a salt
lagoon, covered with good salt.
The Capitana and frigate, leavirtg the Island San Roqae,
proceeded along the coast, and came in sight of a mountain,
which Torquemada calls the Sierra Fintada, (the Painted
Mountain).
August the 24th, before they reached the Sierra Fintada, thej
Port San put into a good port, which w^as named de San Bartolomh
arto ome. rp^j-q^gj^ada says San Bartolome is three leagues before arriving
at the Me de Cedros : all the charts make it more than twice that
distance.
No fresh water was found in Foj't San Bartolome, the land
there being very dry and barren. On the beach was a large
* Monarq. Ind. lib. 5. cap. 49. f Ibid. cap. 50.
quantity
S E B A S T I A N V I Z C A I N O. 243
quantity of a gummy resinous substance (Betiin) ' which had ^J^V;^'
* not a good smell, and therefore none of it was taken. Some 1602.
' people, however, have been of opinion that it was amber, and ^ q^^^ jj'i^^
* possibly it might be so, as thereabouts were many whales; but Amber,
* whatever it was, there was enough of it to Ivave freighted a
' ship.'* Vizcaino sailed fronx this port ua the same day that he
arrived in it.
The mountain which Torquemada calls the Sierra Pintado, Sierrd
stands on the Cape of the main land which is nearest to the '"'^'' "'
Isle de Cedros. It is wholly destitute of herbage, but with jasper
and shining veins of mineral ore has the appearance of being
richly painted; and an experienced miner, as well as others on
board who had seen mines, believed the mountain to be very
rich in gold and silver ; but the weather was too rough for
sendino; to examine. This mountain is named in the late charts,
Morro Ilermoso (the Beautiful Mountain) : but in Vizcainos Morro
chart, the Cape on which the mountain stands is named Foint
ie S. Eugcnio, and a Morro Hermoso is marked to the South of
Port de Sa7i Bartolom^.
The Almiranta, in passing the Sierra Pintada, sailed within
the small Island de la Natividad, i. e, between it and the main-
land. La Natiiidad is a desert Island, producing nothing but J*|t"dJd
some Avild parsley.
The 25th, the Capitana and the frigate amvcd at the Isle de
Cedros, where they were kept some time by the NW winds. On
the 31st, they were rejoined by the Almiranta, which caused
much rejoicing to the whole armada.
It is to be obsened that Torquemada, and Vizcaino (in his
chart), have each called the Isle de Cedros the Isle de Cerros.
• Mo?i. Ind. lib. 5. cap. 50.
112 Cedros
Isle ds
Cedros.
'2U SECONDVOYAGEOF
CHAP. 14. Cedros* is the name it received from its first European disco-
^"TeosT"^ verer Francisco de Ulloa. IVIost of the late charts have copied
A'igust. the mistake.
There is anchorage at different parts near the South side of
Cedi-es, but it is difiicuU to find fresh water. Vizcaino discovered
a small stream, fn^sh but not clear ; and the spot is not described.
Whilst the two ships took in water, the frigate Avas ordered to-
sail round and survey the coasts of the island. xVccording to their
estimation Cedros is 30 leagues in circuit. On the Northern
part were inhabitants who were not pleased with the coming of
the Spaniards, and made signs to them to depart.
c , V September the 9th. The armada sailed from the Isle ch
"Cedros. Torquemada mentions a Bay de San HipoUto to the
NW from the Isle de Cedros. In Vizcaino's chart the name fZe
San HipoUto is given to an open Bay to the SE of the hits de
San Roque. Several names of places occur in Tortpiemada's
account, which are not to be found either in Vizcaino's chart, or
in other charts ; and Torquemada has omitted to specify their
distances from other places: it would therefore be useless to
particularise them all.
Island San lu Vizcaiuo's chart, the first Island marked near the coast of the
Geioniruo. Continent to the North of Cedros, is named de San Ge'ronimo. This
Island was not m>ticed in the charts before the chart of ^^izcainQ
Avas published. The next Island Northward, Vizcaino names
de San Martin, which Island seems to correspond with the Island
Island de ^if^donda of Costanso's chart, and with the Island de Cenizas (the
Cenizas. j^/e qf' Cinders) in Captain Vancouver's chart. The first Island
to the North of Cedros which is mentioned in. the Monarqida
* Cedros signifies. Cedars, and Cej-ros Hills. The mistake was natiual, as tlie
Island contains both. Torquemada says, (lib. 5. cap. 50.) ' via-on Cedros en las
' coro)WS de los wias altos Ceiros/ ( * thci/ saii: Ccdai-S on the summits of the
' higfuU lliUsJ)
'o
Indiana
SEBASTIAN V I Z C A I N Q. £45
Indiana is Ccniza ; and San Geronhno is afterwards menliuaed, chap. 14.
but they are not noticed in sucli a manner as to explain their 1602.
situations. Torc^ucniada says, that the Island Ceniza is ' divided
' in the middle, making tAvo high mountains;' and that in San
Geronhno there was muclMvood and many birds.
The General sent boats to a part of the mainland near the
Islands jusjt mentioned, to look for fresh water. Many of the
natives of the country were fishing near the shore in canoes
made of thick pliable flags and rushes which grow in the fresh
water. They came to the Spaniards in a friendly manner,
and gave them fish, and directed them Avhere to find fresh
water. Vizcaino remained near this part of the coast some days,
nnd great numbers of people came from the inland parts, who
were friendly, and appeared pleased with the Spaniards. It was-
remarked that ' the women were very modest, and were cloathed
* with the skins of animals. They ^vere exceedingly fruitful, for
* almost every woman had two children at her breasts.' The
natives here made very fine net work..
October the 24th, Vizcaino sailed from tiiis place, and on the October.
28th, andiored in a Bay which he named dt San Simon y Judas. Sa^ simoa
The laiid here Avas well peopled. I'he General sent two boats y JucUis.
to the shore to look for fresh Mater, which was found by diooino-
wells in a spot over-grown with sedges. The inhabitants came
to the Spaniards in a quiet rather than a friendly manner,, and
presents were made to them. This complaisance was interpreted
to proceed irom fear; and some of them soon began to snatch
things from the sohliers, and in other ways to manifest their
contempt for them. When the Spaniards embarked, the natives
threw stones at the boat. One of the soldiers, with the intention
of terrifying them, fired his musket in the air. This was not a
successful experiment; for the report being unattended witk
etfeet, deceived the natives into a mean opinion of the arms of
the Spaniards. The next day, the Spaniards landed again for
ti'esh..
246 SECOND VOYAGEOF
c H A 1'. 14 fiesli water, and were treated by tlie natives in the same insultin*
1602. manner as the day before. The Spaniards acted wit]i forbearance,
Optober. ^,^^| warned them by signs to keep at a distance. This intimation
Avas despised : they became more daring, and a native put his bow
over ihe head of one of the soldiers ; upon which, Antonio
iFIores, the pil(.)t, drew his sabre, and with one stroke cut through
bow and string. The natives were incensed at this, and
began to j)ut their arrows to their bows. The Captain of the
sokliers, Estevan Peguero, judged it prudent to prevent their
attack, by firing first, which he ordered to be done, and with
the first volley six of the natives were wounded. This made
tiiera retreat, but they carried their wounded countrymen with
them. In about an hour's time, a body of the natives, about
200 in numbei-, appeared, all armed with bows and arrows,
their bodies much painted, and wearing plumes of feathers.
They formed themselves into squadrons ready to attack the
Spaniards, who kept in order to receive tliem ; but their newly
conceived dread of the fire arms made them deliberate, and after
some time they sent a messenger to the Spaniards with a present
of a little dog as a peace otFering, which was accepted. They
aftervvards joined the Spaniards amicably, but kept their eyes
continually upon the muskets. They made signs that four of
the men who had been wounded were dead, and laid the blame
<)f tlie quarrel upon their own people.
The ships, leaving the Bay de San Simo7i y Judas, proceeded
Northward along the coast as fast as the winds and .currents
permitted.
November. November the 5th, they were near a large Bay that was en-
closed ((m the land side) with high mountains, except a break
vviiich appeared like the entrance of a river or an arm of the sea
B.(]eToc!o3 running inland. This Bay received the name ot' Todos los Sajitos
los Samoa. ^^^^ Saints), and two Islands in the Western part of the Bay
were likewise named de Todos los Santos.
U III
SEBASTIAN VIZCAINO. 247
In their advance from hence along the coast, the Moiiarquia chap. 14.
Indiana relates, that ' beina; six leagues from the main land, 1602.
* they fell in with four Islands, which were named los Coronados, f^'*^"^ ^^'
. Islands Jos
* two of them snmll and ap^x^anng like sugar loaves, the other Coronados,
' tw^o something larger. To the North of these Islands, in the °£.t^i^[^
' main land, is a famous Port, which w^as named de San Diego.'
The Islands called los Coronados in the Monarquia Indiana, are
named in Vizcaino's chart the Isles de San Martin, and are laid
down in all the charts nearer to the main land than the distance
mentioned by Torquemada. In this and in other instances,
where Vizcaino and Torquemada have named places differently,
the names given by Torquemada have been adopted in the
charts since that period, the plans of Vizcamo having till \ery
lately remained buried.
November the lOth, in the evening, the ships of Vizcaino Portde
anchored in Port San Diego. This was the most secure harbour "" '^^'
they had discovered since leaving Fort de la Magdalena. Here
they found woods, fresh water, a fruitful country which
abounded with game, as the port itself did with fish. In short,
this seemed to be the object of their parsuit. The inhabitants
likewise appeared friendly in their disposition towards the
Spaniards; and it was remarked that they had pieces of metallic
ore, and that the paint which they used (for most of them w ere
painted) looked like a mixture of blue and silver.
They obtained fresh water on a sandy Island, where they dug
a pit or trench; and during the flood tide, the water in the pit
was fresh; but whilst the tide ebbed, it was salt.*
The armada remained in Fort San Diego -j- till the SOtli, and
then continued their route along the coast towards the NW. On
the
* Mon. Ind. lib. 5. cap. 52.
f Regular plans of Port San Diego have been published with the voyages of
1.1 Perousej Vancouver^ and the Spanish Goletas in 1792. The entrance into
tue.
i48 SECONDVOYAGEOF
c u A p. 14- tlie £8tli, tlicy anchored near an Island wliich was named Strnta
""""TdoZ"^^ CataUna, distant from tlie main land, accoi'ding to the Monarqida
November. l/jfUann, 1 2 leagues ; but by Vizcaino's chart, it is not half that
IsluiulSiUitii '^ II ■ 1 1 • 1 1 1 nr
Ciiuiliiui. distance. Satita CataUna was well mhabited, ana tl;e Monarqma
Inhabitants. Indiana speaks highly in commendation of the natives, praising
the men. for bodily strength and dexterity, for upright dealing
and chearfulness of disposition ; the women for faie eyes, good
features and modesty. ' The boys and girls were good tempered
and playful, and of complexion red and white.' 'J'hey were ali
clothed with the skins of sea animals. They brought fresh water
to the Spaniards in liaskets made with rushes : the water was
good, but the plac^? v. hence it was taken was distant from the
landing place. The boats or canoes of these people were made
with good planks ; the ends were higher than the middle of the
boat, and some of them carried twenty people. Tlie smaller
boats which were used for fibhiiig were commonly managed by
two men and a boy ; the men to fish or roM', and the boy to bale
Their out the water. They made use of harpoons fixed to long poles,
iisliijis. With lines to veer away wlien occasion required, ' and when
' they saw a sea wolf or other good fish at the bottom among
' the rocks, they struck it with the harpoon, and if the fish was
* larg«, veered out line till its strength Avas spent.' The Island
produced great quantities of a small root like the potatoe, and
the natives carried on a traffic with them with the people of the
main land.
The Spaniards found a place here consecrated to idols. It
was an enclosed court, in one part of which Mas a painted
the port is difficult, bi'ing narrow, and in a direction opposed by the generally
prevailitig wind, and tlie soundings ai-e neither deep nor regular. The harbour
itself appears by the plan to be perfectly secure. 'I'lic l.ititude of llic entrance is
^e" 4q' N. The longitude (taking the mean of the longitudes given in the above-
jnentioncd plans) 117° 05' W. a Grfemcich. High water on the change of the
iMoon, at lo A. M. Perpendicular rise and fall of the tide 5 feel.
figure
'a*
S E B A S T I A N V I Z C A I N O. 249
figure within a large circle formed Avitli feathers of different chap. 14.
colours, which Avere supposed to be of birds that had been 1602.
sacrificed as oflerinss. Whether this figure was a carved imase <^ceinbcr«
or a picture is not made clear : at its sides were I'epresentations
of the Sun and Moon. It happened, as some of the Spanish
soldiers came near this place, that within the feathered circle
were two large ravens, which flew away on seeing the Spaniards,
and alighted on a rock at a small distance. The soldiers, incited
by their extraordinary size, shot at them, and killed both ;
at which act a native, who had accom])anied the Spaniards,
made extreme lamentation and expressed much horror. Crows
or ravens appeared to be held in great veneration by these people.
Whilst the women were cleaning fish, the ravens came and took
them out of their hands, which was quietly permitted and no
offer made to scare them away. Some Spaniards who saw it
threw stones at the birds, which much displeased the natives.
The Monarquia Indiana says, that in Santa Catalina are
many good ports, much game on the Island, and fish on its
coasts.
The Island San Clemente (to the South of Sania Catalina) is Island San
not in Vizcaino's chart; but Torquemada relates that it was ^'^™^"^'
seen in this voyage, and was supposed to be larger than Sa?ita
Catalina. In one place he says, it is to the S VV, in another to
the SSW, of the Island Santa Catalina * : from which it may
be supposed, that San Clemente is situated rather more to the
West than it is placed in the present charts.
Before the Spaniards left the Island Santa Catalina, they foimd
cause to complain that some of the inhabitants were addicted to
pilfering.
* Monarq. Ind. lib. 5. cap. 53. p. 712 ; 8c cap. 56. p. 720.
Vol. II. K k On
Barbara.
£50 SECONDVOYAGEOF
CHAP. 14. On December the 3d*, the ships approached the Contmental
J 602. shore ; and there came from the land a boat or canoe with five-
December, jj^^j^ . fQ^^y Qf them lowers, the fifth in appearance a person of"
In theCanal _ _ ^ ^ ^
de Santa authority. They rowed their canoe three times round the
Capitana, singing during their circular progress ; and this first
ceremonial being performed, the Chief entered the ship without
hesitation or reserve; and here again his first care was to perform
three revolutions round the quarter deck, singing ; after which,
he addressed a long speech to the General. By the signs which
accompanied his harangue it was comprehended, that the inha-
bitants of Santa Catalina had informed him of the arrival of the
ships, that the men in them had beards, were good people and
friends, and therefore he was come to invite them to his land.
Not seeing any women among the Spaniards, he was very inqui-
sitive to learn the reason, and conducted his inquiry with signals
so natural, says Torquemada, ' that if he had spoken our
* Spanish, he could not have been more clearly understood,
* The General informed him that the Spaniards never carried
' w^omen in their ships. The Chief then invited the General to
' land, and promised that every man in the ship should be pro-
* vided with ten women each ; which offer caused much mirth
' among the Spaniards. The Chief thinking they doubted his
' performance of his promise, proposed that one of the Spanish
' soldiers should go with him to the shore to prove the sincerity
' of his offer, and that a son of his should in the mean time
' remain as a hostage in the ship.' '\-
The hospitable disposition manifested by the Chief, made the
General desirous to have farther communication with the inha-
* In this part of the narrative in the Mowarg-. /nrf. (lib. 5. c. 54. Edit. 1723),
the date December 25th has been erroneously inserted; but the proper date
appears in the sequel.
t Monarq. Ind. 1. 5. c, 53.
bitants
SEBASTIAN VIZCAINO. 25i
"bitants of this part of the coast; but as it was late in the day, chap. 14,
the matter was postponed to the next mornino;, and some pre- 1602.
sents were made to the native Chief, who departed to land. "^'^^'^ ^''
Within an hour after he left the ship, a wind sprung up from
the SE, which was the first gale they experienced from that
quarter in this navigation ; and an opportunity to proceed along
the coast to the NW which so seldom occurred, was not to be
neglected. The ships sailed on, and hopes were entertained
' that in their return they might see the truth of what the native
* Chief had told them.'
The inhabitants of this part of the i^merican coast were re-
marked to be a more robust and healthy people than the natives
of the Isthmus of California.
The fair wind continued no longer than till the evening of the
4th, Avhen their old acquaintance, the NW wind, returned. To
the NW fi'om the Islands San Clemente and Santa Catalina were
found a range of Islands, all of them inhabited. Between the
Islands and the Continent, the Monarquia Indiana says, is a
clear channel, which was named de Santa Barbara. One of the de Santa
Islands was likewise so named. ' ^''™^ra.
December the 14th, the ships were near to ' a mountain very ^ Mount
* high and white, except the skirts which Avere covered with
* woods and appeared of a reddish colour. This mountain was
* named de Santa Lucia, and it is the landmark which ships
' that come from China [or the Philippines] generally make.
* Four leagues farther [to the NW], a river falls into the sea, River del
' the banks of which were covered with poplars, elders, and ^^™^ °"
' other trees, known in Spain. This river was named delCanuelo.
' Two leagues farther is a good port, the land between which
' and the river is covered with a wood of pine trees, and at the
' entrance of the port forms a point which is named de Pinos.'* Pmoi ^
* Monarq. Indiana, 1. 5. c. 53.
K K 2 The
252 S E C O N D V O Y A G E O F
CHAP. 14- Tlie armada anchored in the port on the 16th, and in honour
i6o2. of the Viceroy of New Spain, it was named Monterey.
Mouterev! Monterey was judged to be better calculated for a settlement
than San Diego, the port being more easy of access, and the
situation being esteemed more convenient for the ships from the
Philippines. Torqucmada calls Monterey, a poit sheltered froni
all winds. Later descriptions, as well as the plans of Monterey
Avhich have been published, subtract much from its praise in
this particular.*
The country round the Bay of Monterey possessed many
advantages, of which the following list is given in the Monarquia
hidiana. ' There is much wood : an infinite number of pine
trees, tall, strait, and smooth, fit for the masts of ships ; large
oaks, firs, poplars, willoAvs, rose trees and shrubs. Good springs
of fresh Avater, clear lakes, fruitful pasture lands, and lands
clear for tillage. Here are many various kinds of animals ;
large bears, whose feet are a foot (una tercia) in length, and a
span in breadth ; [other animals resembling mules, oxen, and
buffaloes, are mentioned in an uncertain manner], deer, hares,
rabbits, mountain cats. Bustards fahutardas), geese, ducks,
pigeons, doves, partridges, quails, fieldfares, black-birds,
thrushes, goldfinches, swallows, sparrows, and Avagtails ; cranes,
vultures ; a bird like the turkey of the Indies, which measured
* Puerto de Monterey abrigado de todos vientos salvo del Noniorueste, i. e. The
Port of Montereij slielterrd from all winds except from the NNW. Nareg.
Espcculativa y Pratica, por D. J. G. Cabrera Biieno.
Caplaia Vancouver likewise says, * This spacious but very open Bay gives
shelter only to a few vessels; the only part eligible for anchoring is near the
South extremity, and vessels must lie for protection near to the SW shore.'
Va7icouver's Voyage, Vol. 11. p. 41-
The latitude of Point de Finos, the South point of the entrance of the Bcty of
M>jnterey, is 36° 38' N. The longitude (taking the mean of the longitudes
given by la Peronse, Vancouver, and in the voyage of theSutil and Mcsicana, in
17^2) is 131° 47' West a Greenwich.
between
SEBASTIAN VIZCAINO. 2J3
between the tips of the wings when spread, seventeen spans; chap. 14,
crows, sea gulls, and other sea birds. In the sea, and on the """Td^T^
shores, are shell fish in mother-of-pearl shells : muscles, oysters Deceoiber.
lobsters, crabs, large seals. The whole Bay Avas encircled by
habitations of the natives, who were gentle, well disposed, and
willing lo give away v/hatsoever they possessed. ' Their arms are
bows and arrows ; and they have their mode of o'overnment.'*
Sixteen men had died in the armada, and there were many
sick. Vizcaino therefore determined to send the Almiranta
back to New Spain, with an account to the Viceroy of his pro-
gress to this time, and a sea chart of the coast Avhich had been
examined. All the sick people in the armada were put on board
the Almiranta, and all the stores and provisions which could be
spared from that ship were taken into the Capitana and frioate.
Vizcaino requested in his dispatches, that the Viceroy Avould
send a reinforcement of men and stores to enable him to com- Tlse Almi-
pleat the discovery of the whole coast; and on December the '1"''',/'^"'^
29th, the Almiranta departed for Nezo Spain.. New Spain..
On the 3d of January 1603, Vizcaino, with the Capitana and 1603.
the frigate, left Monterey, proceeding Northward with a fair ■j"f,""p"->':
wind, which lasted till the 6th, and carried them beyond Fort tana and
San Francisco. In the night of the 7th, the two vessels lost sight sepTmted!
of each other. The following morning, the Capitana anchored Proceed-
under shelter of a point, which he named de las Rei/es fof fhe '"S^of tl'e
Kings) r near the entrance ot Fort San Francisco, which harbour
the General was desirous to examine, and likewise to make
search if any part of the cargo or of the wreck of the ship San
Agustm, which had been lost there in 1595, could be recovered
as the pilot Francisco de Bolanos reported that a large quantity
of wax and some chests of silk had been left on the shoie. But
the frigate not coming in siglit, and the General beino- anxious
* Lib, 5. cap. 54.
ta
254 SECONDVOYAGEOE
CHAP. 14. to rejoin her, he gave up the design of entering the port, and
1603. sailed in quest of her, advancing Northward along the coast.
January, '^he Capitana and frigate, however, did not meet again during
the remainder of the voyage.
Sunday the 12th, ' the Capitana had sight of some high
' reddish mountains ; and 1 4 leagues farther to the NAY was
Cape ' seen a Cape, naked towards the sea, and near to it were
«^" "5'no- i snowy mountains, from which it Avas supposed by the pilots
' to be Cape Mendopno, which lies in latitude 41° 30' N.'*
Vizcaino was some days near Cape Mendopno, and part of the
time the wind was from the SE. On the 19th, the latitude was
observed 42° N ; and he had sight of a white Cape, close to
which were mountains covered with snow. This was the most
C Blanco jSyToj-tiiej-i^ p^rt of the coast seen by Vizcaino, and he named it
cle ban ^ _ ''
Sebastian. Cape Blanco de San Sebastian.
The time of the year was unfavourable for proceeding further
North, and the wind being then NW, the General bore away
towards the SE, with the intention of going to Fort de Cortes
within the Gulf of CaUfornia, and there to wait for the assistance
he expected from New Spain. But the crew of the Capitana
The Capi- j^gii^g. (ickly, he afterwards relinquished the plan of remaining in
tana re- J^ •' ' _ '■ °
turns to California, and determined to return to New Spain. This was
pam. ^Qj^g without stopping, except to take in fresh water at the Isle
de Cedros. In their passage back, the coast was re-examined ;
for the weather was fair, and it is remarked that they sailed so
near to the land, ' that there was not a span of coast which was
' not seen.' On the 1 1 th of February the Capitana anchored
near Mazatkuh where Vizcaino landed, and the ship afterwards
sailed to Acapulco.
Proceed- Martin de AQuilar who commanded the frigate, after losinsr
nigsot the ° . . '^ ^
Fiigaie. sight of the Capitana, believing that she had gone Northward,
Monarq. Iiid. 1. 5. c. 55. p. 718.
proceeded
SEBASTIAN VIZCAINO. 255
proceeded in that direction. In latitude 41° N, the wind blew chap. 14.
strong from the SE, and the sea was so high, that the frigate 1603,
ran in shore and anchored ' under the shelter of a laro-e rock •'"""^'T-
' very near to Cape Mendofino, and remained there during the Cape
* violence of the gale. When the weather became moderate, ^I^"'^'*9"io.
* they prosecuted their navigation, keeping very near to the
' land; and on the 19th of Januarj^ the pilot, Antonio Flores,
' observed the latitude 43° N, where the land formed a Cape
' or Point which was named Cape Blanco, whence the coast C. Blanco)
' began to trend to the NW : * and close to the Cape was found of M^ltfa
' a river, large and deep ; on the borders of which were willows, deAguilar.
' elders, and other trees known in Spain. They endeavoured to
* enter the river, bnt the current would not let them. ^lartin
* de Aguilar and Antonio Flores the pilot then considerino- that
* they had passed beyond the latitude pointed out by the
' instructions of the Viceroy and had not found the Capitana,.
* and that many of the crew were sick, agreed to return to.
' Acapulco.'-f
Whether
* In a Chart of this coast, published with the Viage al Rcconoc. del Estr. de
Juan de Fuca en 1792, (See Carta, N" 1.) a Cape in 42° 50' N, which Captain
Vancouver has called Cape OiJ'ord, is marked the Cape Bianco de Martin de
Aguilar. To reconcile this wilh the early account, an error must be supposed in
the text of the Monarquia Indiana, and ihat instead of tlie coast from Cape
Blanco takmg a direction to the North West, it should have been said to the
North East. And this supposition is very allowable, because a continuation of
coast bending Westward, would have made a Bay and not a Promontory.
Cajitain Vancouver remarked that Cape Orford had a black appearance, being
woody down to the sea ; but at tiie time of the jear, when Martin de Aguilar was
on the coast, every part exposed to the prevailing wind would probably be whiten-
ed with snow.
t Monarq. Lid. lib. 5. c. 55. Torquemada adds the following remark to this
account of the River of M. de Jguilar. ' It is understood,' he s;\ys, ' that this is
* the river which leads to a great city discovered by the Hollanders in their route ;
' and that here is the Strait of Anian, through which the ship that discovered it
^ • passed
256 SECOND VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 14. Whetlier the Cape Blanco of Aguilar is the same head land
^^C^^"^ -which Vizcaino named Cape Blanco de Sail Sebastian, or a diffcr-
Junuiiiy. gj^t land, must remain doubtful.^
In the passage of the frigate to New Spain, Martin de Aguilar,
her commander, and Antonio Fiores, the pilot, both died. " The
rcbniaiy. iiioate arrived at I'ort de la Navidad nearly at the same time
® that Vizcaino arrived at Mazailan.
In this voyage, the examination of the American coast from
Cape San Lucas to Cape Mendopno Avas diligently and ably per-
formed ; and Sebastian Vizcaino was careful to prevent his men
from acting inijn-operly towards the natives.
Of the Na- It may be said generally of the natives of the whole of this
*KW coast, extent of coast, that their dispositions are placable and friendly.
The most material differences that were remarked during this
voyage between the natives to the North of California and the
inhabitants of the Isthmus, were, that the Northern people
were more robust, and of a lighter complexion than the Cali-
fornians, and were clothed ; whereas the greater part of the
* passed from the North Sea into the South Sea ; and in this neighbourhood is the
* city named Quivira. The relation which his Majesty (the King of Spain) read
* concerning tiicse things, induced him to order this discovery to be undertaken^
' that he might obtain certain knowledge of the whole.' These were not the con-
jectures of Torqxiemada only : the River of Martin de Jgiiilar has been jepre.-
senled in some Maps as communicating witii a great inland sea, whence the com-
munication is continued by lakes and rivers to the Atlantic. On the other hand,
in some of the late Charts, the name of Martin de Aguilar is wholly omitted. The
existence of his Cape and River cannot admit of dispute, though in the late navi-
piitions no river has been remarked near thai part of the coast. The vessel of
Martin de Aguilar was small, and the account specifies that he kept close to the land
in sailing from Cape Mendocino to Cape Blanco : and certainly, till the coast shall
have been fully e.\-amined, it is proper that some notice o\' Jguilar's River should
appear on the Chart.
• The Chart to the Voyage of the Sutil and Mexicana in 1792, has supposed
then} different.
people
3lrur<f""" "'""'
.43
The rooo-t/Jvm Cape Mendocino to CBImico
oft/ie Siih7 initi/ JIdriai/ui i/i i^,^:
".^ C. Blaui-o ,1- Mirtill ,L-J,/,/,Jar
t ,] iC i/e J Seias/in
256 SECOND VOYAGEOF
CHAP. 14. Wlietlier the Cape Blanco of Aguilar is the same head land
^"^^C*"^ Avhich Vizcaino named Cape Blanco de Saji Sebastian, or a differ-
January. ^^^^ land, must remain doubtful.*
In the passage of the frigate to New Spain, Martin de Aguilar,
her commander, and Antonio Fiores, the pilot, both died. " The
February, frigate arrived at Boi-t de la Navidad nearly at the same time
® tl}at Vizcaino arrived at Mazailan.
In this voyage, the examination of the American coast from
Cape San Lucas to Cape Mendogino ^vas diligently and ably per-
formed ; and Sebastian Vizcaino was careful to prevent his men
from acting imj)roper]y towards the natives.
Of the Na- It may be said generally of the natives of the whole of this
KW coast, extent of coast, that their dispositions are placable and friendly.
The most material differences that were remarked during this
voyage between the natives to the North of California and the
inhabitants of the Isthmus, were, that the Northern people
were more robust, and of a lighter complexion than the Cali-
fornians, and were clothed ; whereas the gTcater part of the
* passed from the North Sea into the South Sea; and in this neighbourhood is the
* city named Quivira. The relation which his Majesty (the King of Spain) read
' concerning tliese things, induced him to order this discovery to be undertaken,
' that he miglit obtain certain knowledge of the whole.' These were not the con-
jectures of Torquemada only : the River of Martin de Jguilar has been repre-
sented in some Maps as communicating with a great inland sea, whence the com-
munication is continued by lakes and rivers to the Atlantic. On the other hand,
in some of the late Charts, the name of Martin de Aguilar is wholly omitted. 'J'he
existence of his Cape and River cannot admit of dispute, though in the late navi-
gations no river has been remarked near thai part of the coast. The vessel of
Martin de Aguilar was small, and the account specifics that he kept close to the land
ill sailing from Cape Mendopno to Cape Blanco : and certainly, till the coast shall
have been fully examined, it is proper that some notice oi' Jguilar's River should
appear on the Chart,
* The Chart to the Voyage of the Sutil and iMexicana in 1792, has supposed
them different.
people
.tf-"^""'
y'/u' (bar/ /mm Cape Mendocino to CJllaiico
III Martin rlrAr/iiiliir. nJ /uirl rlinrii in Hu- Voi/a,/t
;/ tile Stttit iifitt Mi-jii-iimi in lyt/'i.
trHMl.il l-^H— I-
' ./r,i/,i ,/, fll- /,,iii,i.: ///,in/i 111,1.1
/'«^*«-' h, f »jr./,...
//tr /■/,'/' //i, ■ '7///rr//Y/// i /it/,//--
/ruiii ('jij)c Sini Liiciis III (';i|)c Mciuiociuo.
/■'omill/ /li'l/l ///( J'/illl.v //III//,- /// id'iri
J'J/ <'it//liiiti S<-I)iisli;iii Viy.ciiilii).
I'llc SliUt\is
S E B A S T I A N V I Z C A I N O. 257
people of the Istlimus went naked.* Painting the body was a chap. 14.
custom common to all the inhabitants of the coast. 1603.
It has been remarked that the chart formed from the lilans Kemarkson
of Vizcaino,, and the account given in the Monarquia Indiima^ Chart*
do not always correspond. Torquemada mentions names which
are not either in the chart of Vizcaino or in the modern charts ;
on which it is to be observed, that the ships of Vizcaino's armada
were frequently separated, and Torquemada, Avho composed his
work in Mexico, apj^ears to have had the inspection of other
journals, besides those kept in the ship of the chief com-
mander.
To Vizcaino's chart there is a scale of Spanish maritime
leagues (17i to a degree), but the chart being formed by the
Jimction of a number of smaller plans, no graduations are
marked either in latitude or longitude. The direction of the
coast is laid down according to the sea compass, the North and
South line in the chart beins the magnetic meridian : this is not
specified in the Spanish chart, nor is any thing said either there
or in Torquemada's narrative concerning the variation of the com-
pass ; but the fa6t is evident both from the direction given to the
coast and from the distances. Before the Voyages of Sebastian
Vizcaino, the variation of the needle on the coast of California
had been observed to be Easterly, -j- By a comparison of
Vizcaino's chart with situations now established, the variation
in his time appears to have been about 8° Easterly, and the true
meridian has been marked accordingly in the present copy.
The chart of Vizcaino is formed from a closer survey of the
coast than the later charts, which are to be regarded only as
* The Padre Miguel Venegas says, all the men ; bnl it was only in a lew uai Is
of the Isthmus that the women went withaut coverin'/.
f As appears by the notes of Thomas Fullei- in 15S7. Sec Iluldujjt, Vol. III.
p. 833 : likewise p. 03 of this Vol.
Vol. II. L i. sketches
25S HISTORY OF DISCOVERIES
sketches made en passant. Vizcaino's chart is likewise the most'
descriptive. The kite charts have the advantage of the positions-
of the principal points being laid do^^•n correctly from astronomi-
cal observations ; but Vizcaino's chart must be found of consi-
derable use in the navigation of the coast, until a new regular,
survey shall be made. 1'he original publication contains more
names and more remarks than are inserted in the copy now
presented. None that appeared material are omitted, and the
remarks on the coast are here given in the English language.
Sebastian Vizcaino, upon his return to Mexico, made applica-
tion to the Viceroy for assistance and powers to undertake a
new expedition to the NW coast; but the Viceroy judged it
necessary that an order from the King should be first obtained, ,
9,nd Vizcaino passed over to Spain * to urge his request. The
Supreme Council of the Indies, however, were doubtful whether
the prospect of advantage was equivalent to the expence and
risk of another expedition, and were not inclined to decide
hastily. After some time spent in solicitation, Vicaaino became
hopeless of success, and returned to New Spain. Very soon after
his departure, orders from the King were sent both to the Viceroy
of New Spain, and to the Governor of the Philippine Islands^
directing them to furnish Vizcaino with vessels,, people, and
stores, necessary for making a settlement on the coast North-
ward of QaUfornia, at the port named Monterey, which it was
proposed should be the established port for ships to stop at in
their passage from the Philippines to New Spain. That this
pianformed plan might be executed with the smallest possible extra trouble
e' oediiion- ^^ expence, the King's orders directed that Vizcaino should em-
bark for the Philippine Islands in the first ships that were sent
from New Spain thither ; and on the return of the ships from
the Philippines, he was to make the port of Montereij, and land
' * Noticia de California, Vol. I. p. 19a. Miidrid 1757.
there
IN THE SOUTH SEA. 259
there with the people who Avere to form the settlement. These chap. 14.
orders were dated August the 19th, 1606, and on their being
received in Neza Spain, preparations were made for their execu-
tion. But whilst Vizcaino was occupied in superintending these g ^ j^ 1. • j
preparations, he was taken ill and died, and with him seemed aside,
buried the whole plan. No establishment was at that time
attempted; and, for many years afterwards, California was not
visited by the Spaniards, except by a few adventurers to fish for
pearls, and by ships from the Philippine Islands occasionally
touching on the coast.
L L 2
{ 260. ]
CHAP. xy.
Concerning the 'Navigation, from New Spain to the Philippines^
and the return from thence to New Spain ; and of the Islands-
Eica de Oro and Kica de Plata,
aHAP.15. A NTONIQ DE MORGA has concluded his History of the
^"^^"^"^ Philippine Islands with a description of the track usually
pursued in the navigation between- New. Spain and those Islands,
by ships bound fVom one to the other country.* The following
is the substance of what De INIorga has said on this subject.
Passage The first years after the conquest of the Islands by Legaspie^,
New^Spain ^^^'"^ ^^ ^^ Navidad was the established place of outfit for ships
*P ^^.^ bound Westward from New Spain. Acapulco was afterwards-
preferred^ being in many respects a more commodious port for.
the purpose. The time of departure from Nezv. Spain, is so
chosen as to avoid arriving at the Philippines during the
Westerly monsoon,, which commenees there in June, and is
generally set in by the 20th. The ships are commonly dis-
patched from Nez& Spain in February : the latest time is the £Oth
of March.
They are liable to calms whilst near the coast of Neza Spain,.
and therefore, immediately on leaving Acapulco, the course is,
inclined towards the South, and continued in that direction till
the trade wind is found regular, which generally happens be~
tween the 10th and 11th degree of latitude. The course is then
shaped for the Ladrones, so as gradually to augment the latitude
to 1 3° N, ' without altering the sails, and leaving many Islands
' to the South of them, but without seeing land till they make
Philippines.
* Suceios de las I, Filipnas, fol. 170, 171.
« the
NAVIGATION BETHVEEN NEW SPAIN, &c. 2^1
* the Island Guahan, which is reckoned a 70 days passage from cha?. 15.
* New Spain.' They pass between the Ladrones, and steer for the
Cape del Espiritu Santo.
The return from the Philippines is a more difficult navigation ; The Return
and if sliips depart in company, it is ctistoraary for ' each to p[Ji'"p|)fej
' make her voyage as expeditiously as she can, without waiting to
*■ one for the other.' They sail from Manila with the beginning
of the Westerly monsoon, and pass through the Embocadero de
San Bernardino, whence they steer towards the NE as long as
the Westerly wind continues to favour theni; Afterwards, meet-
ing with Easterly winds, they steer to theNorth (and as much
towards the East as the wind will admit) till they have passed
beyond the limits of the trade wind; and thea they make the
best of their way Eastward for the American coast. De Morga
says,. * having gone about 600 leagues from the Philippines^ they
' pass between Islands which are seldom seeuj and meet with
' tempests and cold weather, in the neighbourhood of the
'- Islands Rica de Oro (Rich of Gold) and Rica de Plata (Rich
*■ of Silver)- which are seldom seen/ *
As they approach the coast of America, they generally 'faid
winds from the NW, with which they complete their navigation
to New Spain. This passage j in De Morga's time, usually occu-
pied five months, and sometimes above six months.
The remark concerning the Rica de Oro and Rica de Platain Enquiry.
"De INIorga's account of this navigation, is- the earliest notice <^""f'ej''?i"§
^ _ . the KiCa
of them which has been met with by the author of the present <le Oro,
publication. De Morga went from the Philippines to Neza Spain, de Plalat
in 1608. His history of the Philippine Islands was printed at
Mexico, in 1609 ; and the manner in which the Rica de Oro and
Rica de Plata are mentioned by him, shows that they were not
tlien regarded as recent discoveries.
Suci'SQs de las I. Filip. fol 171-2,
Tliere
ess OF THE mCA DE OKO
ci: AP, 15. There is no certain account that such Islands were ever seen.
They have been early, but ineffectually, sought after by navi-
gators of almost every European maritime nation ^- yet their
existence is not ascertained, and has for many years past been
discredited by the Spaniards. They have nevertlieless been
allowed to appear in the charts for two centuries, but with va-
rious positions assigned to them, and they still remain in the
charts. The grounds on which their existence has been believed
and is now doubted, are entitled to examination. The question
involves some particulars of a more advanced date than that to
which this history has yet arrived, but to prevent the necessity
of bringing the discussion of so doubtful a matter twice before
the reader, what has been collected on the subject will be com-
prised in the present chapter.
The Spaniards derived their information concerning the Rica
de Oro and Rica de Plata from the Japanese.
Kaempfer, in giving a geographical desciiption of the Ja- ■
panese empire, mentions, upon Japanese authority, ' two
* Islands to the East or ENE of the coast of Osiu [which is one
* of the Eastern of the Japan provinces] at least 150 [German]
* miles distant, which the Japanese pretend belong to their
' empire. They have given them high sounding names, the
* smaller, more Nortliei-n, and more remote from Japan, being
or -f. called Ginsima ^the Silver Island) ; the larger and nearer,
and ' ' Kinsima (the Gold Island). They keep their situation very
of tlie'^ ' secret from Foreigners, especially Europeans ; forasmuch
Japaueae. ^ as their rich names have alread}^ tempted them to go in quest
•' thereof. The King of Spain sent a very expert pilot to look
' for them about the year 1620; but this voyage proved unsuc-
* ccssful. The Dutch attempted at dift'erent times with no better
•* success.'*
* Kccmpfcrs Ilislory of Japan, Book I. Chap. IV. Schciuhzer'i Transl. p.6g.
1 1 The
AND RICA DE PLATA. 263
The Spaniards in Manila, giving a ready and willing belief to ch a p. 15.
tiie Japanese account, sent representations to the court of Spain
as early as the year 1 606, setting forth the convenience and
utility which the Islands Kica de Oro and Hica de Plata (so the
Japanese names were rendered) might afford in the navigation
to New Spai7i. In the library of Alexander Dahymple, Esq.
is a manuscript copy of an order from the Kiiig of Spain, dated
December 1741, addressed to the Governor of the Philippine
Islands, in consequence of an application made about that time
for licence to discover and people the above Islands. In this
order is recited a report which was drawn up concerning the
Islands Rica de Oro and Rica de Plata, in obedience, to a former
order, dated June 1730, which directed that, on account of
certain proposals offered by the Marquis de Monte Castro, in-
formations should be taken of the pilots and others who were
acquainted with those Islands. The heads of information de-
manded by the order of 1730,.Avere, 1st, Whether the same
reasons,, which in the year 1606 were supposed to exist for
making a settlement at the Rica de Oro aixl Rica de Plata, did
then continue ? 2dh^, If the navigation to Nezi? Spain continued
to be performed by the same route as at that time ? And Sdly,
What was known concernincp the said Islands ?
Answers to these queries were returned in writing by four
pilots. The most material parts of these answers will be seen in
the foUov/ing extracts.
'The navigation from the Philippine Islands to New Spain, infomiai-
♦not being performed with the seneral trade Nvind, .but with tions taken
* all winds, there can be no fixed route. But it is always the Spanish
' practice to sail towards the North, leaving now as formerly the V|°,^-i;t
'Islands [^Rica de Oro and de Plata'] on the right hand. Ai^
' intermediate port between the PhiUppints and Neis Spain
' would at all times be convenient,' Manila, November the-
1 8th, 1733. Signed Henrique Herman.
-By
£64 OF THE RICA DE ORO
CHAP. 15. ' By the marking of the Sea charts, the Island Rica de Ori*
' hcs from the Cape del Espiritu Santo, ENE ^ N, distant 660
' leagues ; and is in latitude 29° 45' N. And Rica de Pkta lies
' from the same Cape, NEbE, distant 760 leagues; and is in
latitude 33° 36' N.' November 25th, 1733.
Signed Geronimo Riomcro.
* According to my "Spherical chart, Rica de Oro bears from
' the Volcan de San Agustiu, which is in 19° 25' N * (one of the
* chain of the Ladrones), NEbE, and is in latitude 29° 25' N,
' and distant from the Volcano 342 French leagues. Rica de
' Plata lies NEbE 3' N, distant 420 Jeagues from the Volcano;
* and is in latitude 32° 50' N. They will be of the same utility
* as was formerly supposed, if they lie in the aforesaid parallels,
* which I hold to foe very uncertain.' December 2d, 1733.
Signed Pedro Lahorde Faujias.
* In four voyages that I have made from the Philippines to
' New Spain, 1 have passed between the Islands Rica de Oro
* and Rica de Plata, leaving one to the North and the other to
* the South ; that is, keeping between the parallels of 30° and
^ 36° N, in wLJch those Islands are situated.' December 10th.
Signed Manuel Galvez.
With these reports of the i)ilots is recited a representation
made by some merchants at Manila, against the proposal of the
TVIarquis de IVIonte Castro, which they affirm would prove, if
accepted, injurious both to the Royal Revenue and to Commerce.
After these recapitulations, his Majesty's pleasure is made
known in the following words:
* From all the information I'eceived, there appeal's no rea-
* sonable encouragement to attempt the aforesaid discovery ;
* since in so long a time as from the year 1606, in which notice
• In some Spanish charts, -a Volcan de S. Agustin is placed in 24' N.
AND RICA DE PLATA. 265
* was received of these Islands, to the present hour, the galeons chap. 13.
* have navigated this passage without being under the necessity
' of seeking them ; moreover, their situation is not ascertained,
' for some report tliem to lie in more degrees than others ;
* neither is their size known, nor the kind of people inhabiting
* them, nor even whether they are inhabited or not : and the
' means which the IVlarquis de Monte Castro has proposed for
* making this discovery appear impracticable. — It is therefore
* ordered, that no alteration shall be made from the track in
' which the galeons have annually sailed to New Spain.' Dated
December the I2th, 1741. Signed ' Yo el Key,' (I the King).
Many other testimonies join with the reports of the Spanish
pilots in affording strong presumption against the reality of the
Rica de Oro and Hica de Plata. In 1639 and in 1643, the Attempt*
Dutch sent ships from their East India' settlements in search of discover die
lands Eastward of Japan. The first of these expeditions was ^ichlslancU
under the command of Matthias Kwast ; the second under
Martin Geritsen Vries. The chief object proposed was to dis-
cover, ' the Islands cryed up for their riches in gold and silver.'
The Council of the Dutch East India Company at Batavia, in
their instructions to Captain Vries, declared their ' strong hopes
* that he should discover the Gold Island, or at least one of the
* Silver Islands.'* The search of the Holland ships was directed
to the latitude of 371° N, in Avhich parallel it was believed
* there lay about 400 Spanish leagues or 543 Dutch miles,
* (that is, 28 degrees of longitude) to the East of Japan, a very
* great and high Ifland, inhabited by a white handsome civilised
* In Vol. IX. of the Philosophical Transactions, and in Tract N" 109, which
contains Observations upon Voyages for the discovery of lands between Japan
and America, are inserted the Instructions given to Captain Vries, with some
particulars concerning the voyages of Kwast and Vries ; translated from a work
written in the Dutch language by Dirik Rembrantz Van Nierop.
Vol. II. Mm * people.
266 OF THE RICA DE ORO
CHAP. 15, * people, exceeding opvilent in gold and filver, as had been ex-
^*~^'^"**'^ ' perimented many years before by a Spanish ship sailing from
' Manila to ISleiv Spain.' This rich land was not found by either
Kwast or Vries, and later navigators have met with no better
success. Among the numerous objects of search undertaken
by M. de la Perouse in his voyage, is to be numbered that of
the Hich Islands ; and he follovv'ed the Dutch accounts, going
to the parallel of 37 5" N.
Some small islands or rocks have been found to the East or
ESE of the Japan Islands, nearly in the situations ascribed to
the ^icas in the reports of the Spanish pilots, but not corre-
sponding in any other respect with the ideas attached to the
Japanese Ginsima and Kinsima. On these barren insignificant
spots the names Kica de Oro and Rica de Plata have alighted
^ for want of other resting place. Dr. Gemelli Careri, in his
Voyage round the World, sailed from the Philippine Islands to
New Spain. He relates that being in latitude 34° 7' N [and
longitude, as appears by the courses steered, about 1 0° East of
the Ladvones], a small land bird, like a Canary bird, alighted
on the rigging, and was caught, but died the same day, being
spent with hunger and weariness. The pilots supposed it to
have come from the Pica de Plata : ' but,' says Careri, ' I am
' of opinion the Rica de Oro and Pica de Plata are imaginary
' Islands, because as long as this voyage has been used, they
' have never been seen.'* Careri's meaning is not to question
the existence of Islands generally in this part of the ocean, but
of Islands such as the Picas had been represented.
TheTlicade The Island which in the Spanish chart, pubished with the
Oro of' the voyage of Commodore Anson, is marked Pica de Oro, was seen
Spanish -^ * ,.•,...,
Charts. by Mr. Meares in 1788 ; and his description will show how ill
* Voyage of Dr. J. Fr. Gemelli Careri. See Churchill's Colkctionof Foi/ages,
Vol. IV. Book 3, chap. 6.
the
AND RICA DE PLATA. 267
the name is applied. Mr. IMeares relates : ' On April the 9th, chap. 35.
' about 9 in the morning, a sail was descried from the mast- ^•"'y-'*"^
' head, and in about half an hour a large ship was seen from
' the deck. She appeared to be under a croud of sail, but we
' could not make out which Avay she was (landing. It was sup-
' posed to be a galeon bound to China from l>^ew Spain, and letters
* were written to inform our friends in China of our safety. This The Lot's
* extraordinary delusion, for it was no more, continued till Ave Meaies/
* were within two leagues of the object, when it was discovered
* to be a huge rock standing alone in the midst of the waters ;
' it rose almost perpendicular to the height of 350 feet. It ob-
* tained the name of Lot's Wije.''^ Mr. IMeares has given its
situation, in latitude 29° 5i' N. Longitude 157° 7' East a
Greenwich.-^
A suitable companion for this Rica de Oro has been found
about 1 00 geographical leagues farther to the NE, and has re-
ceived the name of Rica de Plata. The Table of Latitudes and Rica de
Longitudes in the Navegacion Especulativa, gives the latitude of
the Rica de Plata 33° 24' N; and its longitude 4° 28' more
East than the rock called Rica de Oro; which difference of
longitude applied to the situation given by ]Mr. ]\Ieares, places
the Island cahed Rica de Plata 161" 35' E, from the meridian
of Greenwich.
* Voyages made in 1788 and J 789, by John Meares, Esq. p. 96, gj.
f Appendix to Voyages by John Mtares, Esq. Table 11.
M M 2
[ 268 ]
C H A P. XVI.
Trelhninary to the Discoveries of Pedro Fernandez de Quiros.
CHAP. 16. A ^ the conclusion of the account of the Second Voyage of
^•^''Y'*^ •*- Alvaro de Mendana, it was mentioned, that Pedro Fer-
nandez de Quiros went to Spain with letters from the Viceroy of
Peru, recommending to the Spanish Government his proposals
for prosecuting the discoveries begun b}^ Mendana. About
the commencement of the year 1605, Quiros obtained from
King Philip III. an order directed to the Conde de Monterey,
then Viceroy of Peru, to furnish him with two ships properly
equipped for the service intended.
Pi'evious to entering upon a relation of the discoveries made
by Quiros, it is necessary to mention some reports of a voj'age
of discovery to the Salomon Islands, supposed to have been
made subsequent to the voyage of Mendana in 1595 in which
Quiros went as chief pilot, but before the year 16O6 ; and to
make a short enquiry into the degree of credit due to those
reports.
Report of Purchas has given, on the authority of Mr. Ilakluyt, a short
Ships sail- jjQ^igg oj. memorandum of some ships having sailed from Peru to
ing to the - X o
Salomon the Salomon Islands, or to Islands near the Salomon Islands, in the
^Xo.'" year 1600. It is not stated that these ships departed fi'om Peru
with any other intention than to sail to the Philippine Islands.
In the course of their passage, they fell in with some of the lands
near the East part of JVetz; Guinea : but discovery appears not
to have been their object, and no expectation of that nature
having been entertained, it is probable that what they saw, was,
if at all, very negligently described, and that it never obtained
much
INQUIRY INTO CERTAIN REPORTS. . Q69
much notice. In the same memorandum, a different voyage chap. 16.
is alhided to, but in terms Avhich imply that it was supposed to
be the same.
The account as it stands in Purchas, is in the following words :
* A note of Australia del Espiritu Santo, written hi/ Master
' Hakhujt.
' Simon Fernandez, a pilot of Lisbon, told me Richard Note in
* Hakluyt, before other Portugals in London, the 18th of tteffecu
* March, 1604; that he having been in the city of Lima in
* Feru, did perfectly understand that four ships and barks
' departed from the said city of Lima about the year 16"00,
' in the month of February, toward the Fhilippinas. Their
* General was a Mestizo, that is to say, the son of a Spaniard
' and an Indian woman. And that seeking to make way to-
' ward the Fhilippinas, they were driven with strong Northern
' winds to the South of the Equinoctial line, and fell in with
* divers rich countries and islands, as it seemeth, not far from
' the Isles of Salomon. [Here is described the abundance of
silver supposed to be in these islands, and that one place was
named Monte de Flata, the Silver Mountain] ' They report that
' this place is two months sailing from Lima, and as much
* back again.* :,
' Concerning this Voyage also, the Licenciate, Luis de Tri-
* baldo, a gentleman of quality in the Conde de Villa Mediana,
* the Spanish Ambassador's house, told me Richard Hakluyt,
* that two years past he saw at Madrid, a Captain of quality
' suing for licence to conquer this place, and that he obtained
* the same. And that divers religious men and fathers Avere to
* go to convert them to Christianity. They arrived at their re-
* turn from this voyage at Peru, in the nitonth of August.'
Furchas, his Filgrimes, Vol. IV. p. 1432.
Oa.
270 HISTORY OF DISCOVERIES
CHAP. 16. On comparing the two paragraphs in the Note above cited,
it is evident that they do not relate to the same navigation.
The discovery mentioned on the authority of the Lisbon pilot
is clearly expressed to have been accidentally made, and the
time to have been in the year 1600. When Mr. Hakluyt's Note
was written is not specified, and all that can be certainly known
concerning its date is, that it was written at a time posterior
to March the 18th, 1604; consequently, the ' two years past,'
when the Captain mentioned by Luis de Tribaldo, sued and
obtained licence to conquer, cannot mean earlier than the year
1602, and might apply to any subsequent date till within the
two last years of Mr. Hakluyt's life. The year 1604 is men-
tioned i}i the Note more in the usual manner of expressing some
past year, than in that of speaking of the year present ; and
there is little reason to doubt that the Voyage mentioned in the
second paragraph of the Note was the voyage performed by
P. Fernandez de Quiros in 1605 and 1606.
Besides the reports just mentioned, some passages in Spanish
authors have helped to countenance an opinion that a voyage
was made by Quiros at some time between his first voyage in
1595, and his last in I606. These are noticed by Mr. Dal-
rymple. 1st, Seixas has said, that Quiros left directories
(derroteros) of his three voyages. 2dly, Penelo has mentioned
an expedition in i599. It is not improbable that Quiros drew
up, separate from his voyage of Discovery with Mendana in
1595, an account of the navigation in his passage from Manila
to 'New Spain, after the death of Mendana. As to Penelo,
Mr. Dalrymple has detected him in many blunders, and,
among others, of making Mendana commander of an expedi-
tion in 1599; so that what he has said on this subject does
not merit much attention ; and Mr. Dalrymple adds, ' in
' reply to all other evidence, none of the memorials of Quiros
3 ' give
IN THE SOUTH SEA. 271
* give the least hint of any discoveries made b}'^ him, except chap. iSi
« in the years 1595 and I60S.'* v-^-v-*-'
The eai'hest account pubhshed of the Voyas-e made by Accounts
r. t.-ae Quu'os in 1506, is m the Monarquia Indiana, lib. 5. of the
cap. 64, <^- seq. Fray Juan de Toi-quemada, the author of the ^""A^f^ °^
Monarquia, was Provincial of the Order of San Francisco in one
of the provinces of New Spain, and was hving in Mexico at the
time Quiros was employed in that navigation ; and he had good
opportunities of becoming acquainted with the particulars, as
Quiros not only terminated his voyage by sailing to New Spain,
but left in the city of Mexico an Information of his discoveries
witnessed by ten of his people (which circumstance Quiros has
noticed in a JMemorial presented by him to Phihp the Hid).
The account in the Monarquia Indiana is therefore to be re-
garded as given on the authority of Quiros. The first edition of
the Monarquia Indiana was printed at Seville, in 1615; the
licences and approbations are dated 1612, and 1613. The
copies of this edition are very scarce, as many were lost at sea«.
A second edition Avas printed at Madrid, A. D. 1723.
Many Memorials were written by Quiros after his returns
from this voyage, two of which are published in FurcJias ; one
■of them is in the original Spanish, the other is a translation inta
the English language. Mr. Dalrymple has given English transla-
tions of both these Memorials in his Collection of South Sea
Voyages, Vol. I. p. 145 to p. 174. They contain some particu-
lars of Quiros's expedition which are not given by Torquemada,,
as likewise does the Memorial of Juan Luis Arias.
Other accounts concerning this voyage have been given to the
public, but not of equal credibility mth the foregoing. A short
note is inserted in Fiirchas (Vol. IV. p. 1422) with the signature
of Walsingham Gresley, which has the appearance of being an
* Historical Coll. of Voyages and Discoveries in the South Facijic Ocean,
Vol. I. p. 102, 103,
extract
272 HISTORY OF DISCOVERIES
CHAP. 16. <>xtract from a letter. It speaks merely the language of common
report, and contains nothing worthy notice which is not to be
found elsewhere more accurately related and upon better au-
thority. Don Antonio de Ulloa mentions (in his Kesumen,
p, cxix.) an account of the voyage of Quiros, which is given in
Historia de la Religion Seraphica, by Diego de Cordova; a
work which has not been met with in the present enquiry. It
argues ill, however, for the credit of Cordova's account, that
Ulloa quotes from it the discovery of a large Island in 28° S,
which latitude is farther South than Quiros or any of his com-
panions went during that voyage.
These are the printed accounts ; and the total of the informa-
tion they contain leaves the voyage extremely defective. A
manuscript however has been lately found, which gives great
information concerning the voyage, and throws much light on
the other accounts. Luis Vaez de Torres, who accompanied
Quiros, and was the next to him in command, wrote a short
account of his own navigation in this expedition, which he sent
(in July I6O7) from the Philippine Islands to Spain, addressed
to the King, Mr. Dalrymple has in his possession a copy of
the narrative Avritten by De Torres, of which he has made an
English translation. Among the many instances of kindness,
and assistance afforded me in the progress of this work by
Mr. Dalrymple, I have to acknowledge the being favoured with
the use of this valuable manuscript.* De Torres is not so full
■of circumstance as Torquemada, except in Avhat relates to the
navigation and tlie situation of the lands discovered ; but on
these important points his information is much the best, and his
account has rendered clear many particulars in Torquemada
which before were not intelhgible.
* A copy of Mr. Dalrymple's Translation will be found in the Appendix to this
volume.
r T! A p.
l60K
[ 273 ]
CHAP. XVII.
Voyage of Pedro Fernandez de Quiros.
nPHE voyage which is the subject of the present nliapter,
has always been ranked with those of the greatest celebrity
made by the Spaniards in the South Sea since the time of
Magalhanes. It has been rendered yet more conspicuous by
late navigations, which have brought to hght many of the dis-
coveries of Quiros, and particularly an Island which more than
any other among the numerous Islands in that sea, has attracted
the attention of Europe, and which has been distinguished by
the appellation of the iSlew Cythcra.
When Quiros arrived at Lima with the King's instructions,
the Viceroy ordered two ships and a small vessel called a zabra
(a kind of launch) to be built and equipped for the proposed
voyage; a work which occupied some months. The number
of men appointed for them is not mentioned, but Torquemada
says, the ships were the strongest and best arrned which had
• been seen in those seas. The Almiranta, or second ship, was
commanded by Luis Vaez de Torres ; and in the three vessels
six friars of the order of San Fiancisco embarked.
It is said that the design of this expedition was to make a
settlement at the Island Sauia Cruz, and from thence to search
for the Tierra Austral, or Southern Continent.* The proceedings
of Quiros show% however, that in the plans to be pursued, much
was trusted to his own discretion.
They sailed from Cnllao on Uecember the 2 1 st , 1 605, and steered J^ecember.
Wiiiros sails
WSW 800 leagues, when they were in latitude 26" S. -f- Beyond from Peru.
* Memorial of Juan Luis Arias. Edinburgh Edition, p. 17, and p. 20.
-|- A short abstract or comparative view of the difiereiit accounts of Quiros's
navigation is given in the latter part of this chapter, by consulting which the
reader may see on what authority ihetrack is described in the narrative.
Vol. II. N n this
274 V O Y A G E OF
CHAP. :7. tliis parallel Quiros did not chuse to extend his search, though?
the Ahnirante and others were of opinion, that by increasing
their latitude to above 30° S, theie would be a greater proba-
bility of finding the Continent,* they were seeking. Quiros,
however, thouglit it best to edge back toward^; the North again,
Torres says, on account of some changes in the weather, and
the course was directed WNW. It may be remarked, that these
Ghanaes of weather threatened them with the loss of the trade
wind ; and certainly the best method which could have been
adopted for the discovery of a Southern Continent, if such a
Continent existed, Avas the one practised first by Juan Fer-
nandez, of running to the V/est Avithin the limits and v/ith the
assistance of the trade wind as far as it should be thought ne-
ceflary to prosecute the search, and to make the return East-
ward in a high Southern latitude.
'i€o6. On January the 26th (i606) at 3 in the afternoon, a low
^^^nd La sandy island was discovered, about two leagues in extent. There
Encarna- were on it a few trees, but it was almost level with the sea, and
to all appearance uninhabitable. No anchorage was found. The
latitude of this Island as given by De Torres is 24° 30' S; by
Torquemada, 25° S, and its distance from the coast of Peru
was reckoned to be 1 000 [Spanish] leagues, -f
No name is given to this Island in the accounts by Torres and
Torquemada; but according to a list of names of the Islands
discovered during the voyage which Quiros has given in one of
his memorials, this Island, allowing it to be the first on the list,
was named La Encarnacion.%
From
* De Torres (See Appendix, JSJo. I) ; and J. L. Jrias, p. 20,
• f Monarq. hid. lib. 5. cap. 64.
% Memorial of Quiros, mPiirchas, Vol. IV. p. 1427. The names in the list have .
tlie appearance of being scl down regularly and of followingeach other in the order
6 the
cion.
F. F. D E Q U I R O S. 275
From La Encanjacion the}' sailed WbN, and iu the evening chap. 17.
-of the second day they saw many birds. At day-hght the next 1606.
morning, the 29th, they were near a low .uninluibitcd Island, ■^"'^"^''y-
Quiros names this Island Sa7i Juan Baut'ista (St. John the Baptist). San Juan
Torres calls ii San Vakr'w, and describes it to be about 10 Icaoues ^'"^'^'-^'^'*-
in circumference: butTorqucmada relates, that they sailed along
the South side of the Island, and judged ' it might contain 12
*' leagues.'* The zabra tried near the shore for soundings, and
anchored almost in the surf in 20 fathoms, but from her stern
no bottom was found at the depth of £00 fathoms. It lies iu
24° S. latitude.
From San Juan Bauthta, the course was continued WbN one
day, and afterwards, WNW to ai" £0' S, in which latitude, on
February the 4th at day-light, they saw a low Island or groupe rebruaiy.
of Islands connected by reefs, which encircled a lagoon. The v^antelmo
whole appeared to be 30 leagues in circumference, but uninha-
bited, and no anchoiage was found. In Quiros's list, this is
named Santehno.
In this part of the navigation, the accounts describe differently
both the number and size of the Islands discovered. The parti-
culars of disagreement will be seen in the comparati\'e view of
the different accounts of the track.
The 5th, having sailed WNW £5 leagites from the land of the
<3ay preceding, four Islands were discovered, lying in a triano-u-
iar position, of 5 or 6 leagues each (whether in extent or circuit Los 4
is not specified). They were barren and uninhabited, and in all ^^'°"'''^'^*-
respects like the Islands before seen. By De Torres they were
the lands were discovered. Nevertheless, some of the names in the ii~t difler
froai those used l>y Quiros in the same memorial, and almost ail of tjiem from the
names given by de Torres and by Torquemadu.
* Podia tener i2 kguas. Tor. .5. 6 j. Whether in cxtenl or in circuit is meant,
•is not clear.
^ ^ ^ named
376 VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 17. named las Virgenes. In the list of Quiros they are called
1606. Los 4 Comnados (the Crowned or Encircled). Tlie compass was
rebruaiy. observed here to have North Easterly variation.
Four leagues WISTW from Los Coronados, another uninhabited
S. Miguel, Island was passed: it was about 10 leagues in circuit, and its
greatest extent was North and South. Farther to the WNW
Conversion another Island was passed which was of the same kind with all
^ • -^ ^- the form.er. These last two Islands are not noticed in the account
of De Torres. From them the course was directed NW.
On the 9th at day-light, being in 19° S according to Torres,
in 18° 40' S by the Moiiarquia Indiana, a small Island was seen
to the NE, Torres says about 3 leagues distant, which the}'-
could not reach ; and as it appeared to be like those before
seen, the ships passed on. Torres named it ^S'" Folonia. In
LaDezena. Quiros's list it is named La Dezena, being the 10th Island
discovered.
The weather was at this time rainy, and continued so till the
10th. next day, February the 10th, when they had diminished their
latitude half a degree. On this day, a seaman from the top-
tnast head ' called out with a loud and joyful voice, and with no
.' small exultation. Land a-head.' Torres relates, ' we saw a low
£j^ ' Island (isla rasa) with a point to the SE, which was covered
Sagittaria. « y^-jth palm trees.' '^' But what caused great rejoicing in the
armada, was to observe columns of smoke rising from different
parts of the land, by which they had the satisfaction to know
that they had at length discovered an inhabited country.
The course was directed towards the North side of the land;
but on their approach finding no anchorage and not seeing any
appearance there of a port, the ships stretched out to sea,
keeping close to the wind, and endeavoured to work to wind^'/ard
Relation of Luis Vaez de Torres. See Appendix, N" I.
of
p. F. D E Q U I R O S. ^17
of the land * (the SE point which they had passed), but this chap. 37,
thej' could not effect ; and having advanced so far, there was ]6o6.
no choice left along which side of the Island they should range. February.
The zabra was ordered in shore to try for anchorage, and the Sagittaria.
ships stood off and on.
The zabra on coming near the land anchored in 10 fathoms
upon rocks. Boats were sent from the ships with 40 soldiers ta
endeavour to land ; and they rowed towards a beach on Avhich
were seen about 1 00 inhabitants of the Island, who made friendly ,
signs to the Spaniards ; but the shore was rock}', and there was
so great a siuf, that, after many attempts to land, by which the-
boats were much endangered, they were about to return to the
ships, not a little disconsolate at their want of success, when a
young Spaniard, named Francisco Ponce, indignant to see so
much labour taken to no purpose, and contemning the danger,
stripped off his clothes^ and throwing himself out of the boat,
swam through the surf to the shore. The natives, pleased with
his resolution, came on the rocks to assist him ; and he had
the good fortune to land without receiving .any hurt. The na-
tives had heavy wooden clubs, and lances or spears of wood 25
or 30 palms in length, the points of which v, ere seasoned by
fire ; but they laid their arms on the ground, and embraced their
Tisitor, the first European who landed in their country', with
great affection, repeatedly kissing his forehead. Ponce, not to
show himself dencient in good will, returned their caresses.
The success and reception of Ponce encouraged three other
Spaniards to follow his example ; and they got safe to the land,
and experienced the same kind treatment. When they chose
* Mouarquia Indiana, 5. 64. 1 ne Sagittaria of Quiros is generally believed
to be Otaheite. Some circumstances mentioned in tlie relations may create
doubts concerning the identity, on which account no particular is here emitted
which can in any manner afiect the enquiry.
to
278 VOYAGE OF
T II A P. 17. to put an end to their visit, they found no obstruction fo their
1606: returning, and swam off to the boats, making signs of invitation
February. ^^ ^j^^ natives to go With them to the ship. Eight or nine of
Siigittaiia. the natives svram to the boats, to whom small presents were
i}iade, which Avere thankfully received, but they were not in-
duced to trust themsehes in the boats ; and soon after, as it
was near night, the Spaniards returned to the ships. Quiros
<letermined to pass the night in the othng, and the next day to
stand in and make another trial for anchorage and landing.
On the nth, in the morning, it was found that the ships had
fallen to leew<u'd 8 leagues from where they were o\'er night.
Their mortification at this circumstance was much alleviated by
fmding they were still abreast of land, and that it was a conti-
nuation of the same which they had been at on the preceding
(lay. A boat from each ship was sent to the shore, and with
much difficulty a landing was effected by getting the boats over
a reef of rocks. At the place where the Spaniards landed they
saw no inhabitants - a wood was before them, into which they
' -entered to seek for fresh water, but they did not find any ; and,
after walking some time, they were stopped by the sea, at
' another bay of still water, which is on the other side of the
* island.' * In passing through the wood they observed a cir-
cular space enclosed with small stones, within which Av^as a plat-
form raised Avith large stones about a cubit and a half higher
than the ground. Near the platform stood a large and high
tree, from the trunk of which depended palm leaves interwoven,
jvhich rested on the stones. This place Avas supposed to be
designed lor an oracle, and the Spaniards believing that ' here
* resided the enemy of mankind who deceived the barbarous
' natives with equivocal responses,' Avith much zeal they cut
• Monarq. Ind. 1. 5, c. 65.
doAVn
p. F. D E Q U I R O S. 279
donn a tree, Avhich they formed into a cross, and planted in tlie chap. 17.
middle of the place. j6o6.
They afterwards entered another wood, where they dug for I^^bruary,
water in a moist and verdant place ; but what Avas obtained Sagittaria^
proved to be salt. Cocoa-nut trees, however, were found ; and
after satisfying their thirst, they loaded themselves with cocoa-
nuts to carry to the boats.
In returning, some party of the Spaniards took their way
through the woods ; the rest kept bet^veen the two woods, and
walked a distance of about half a league in a sandy channel,
covered with water, which was up to their knees; for at high
water this isthmus was covered by the tide, so that the sea on
each side of the Island was then joined here.
The embarkation proved much easier than the landing ; for
a small oj^ening haxl been found m the reef, through which the
boats could pas&. The boat of the Capitana put off first to
return on boards the Almiranta's boat being obhged to wait for
some of her people who came back through the wood. In their
way they met an aged woman walking slowly along, and though
she appeared so old, that it seemed wonderful she could keep
' herself 'on her feet,' they made signs to her that she must
accompany them to the ships. The old lady, for it afterwards
appeared that she was a person of distinction, without showing
any symptoms of uneasiness or unwillingness, obeyed, and went
with them to the boat, and was carried on board the Capitana.
Traces could be perceived that she had formeily been of a.
graceful figure and handsome. Quiros presented her with,
clothes and refreshments ; and sent her back to the shore not-
displeased with her adventure.
"When she landed, some of the Spaniards walked with her
across the neck of land to a beach on the opposite side, where
she made signs that her people were. They arrived there at the-
same time that five or six sailing canoes came in ' from the
* other
589 VOYAGE or
en A p. 17. ' other part of the sea.' The natives in the canoes, on seeing
^■'TeoZ'"'^ the old lad}^ hastened to^land, and ran to embrace her, wonder-
February. JQj^ mucli to see her new clothes and her strange companions.
Sagittaria. Some of them being invited, and encouraged by the treatment
their country\yoman had experienced, -went Avith the Spaniards
to their boat, and embarked to go to the ships ; but they had
scarcely left the shore when their confidence forsook them, and
they all, except one man Avho appeared to be their superior,
jinuped out of the boat and swam to land. The Chief endea-
voured to follow their example, but was prevented by the
Spaniards, who, notwithstanding his struggks, insisted upon
convincino' him, as they had done the old lady, of the hospi-
tality of Europeans. When arrived at the ship, neither invita-
tion nor entreaty could prevail on him to enter within her; and
Quiros, being unwilling that farther constraint should be used,
gave orders for his being clothed and fed in the boat ; after
which he was carried back to the shore. A Spanish serjeant
and some soldiers, accompanied him to the beach where the
canoes were, and in gratitude for his entertainment or for his
release, he presented the serjeant with a head-dress composed
of feathers, making signs ihat he had nothing of greater esti-
mation to bestow. The Chief then went in his canoe to a
small islet, and the Spaniards returned to their ship.
The natives seen here were of a dark complexion (amulatada)
and corpulent. Their canoes were built of a white wood ; their
form long and narrow ; the planks were fastened together at the
joining of the seams with strong cords made from the palm tree ;
the sails were of the latine shape, and made of matwork of palm
leaves.
Torquemada relates, that the Spaniards learnt from the
natives of this Island, that they would meet with large countries
in their route. Their present purposes, hoAvever, were not for-
n^arded by the intercourse which had taken place, and the day
passed
12 th.
P. F. D E QUI ROS. 281
passed without anchorage being found, or any water or refresh- c n a p. 17^
nicnts being obtained. Durhig the night of the 1 Itli, the ships 1,506.
stood backwards and forwards. Lebnuuy.
La
The next day they sailed along tlie coast to the NW, and Sagittaru*,
without any farther attempt being made to land or find anchorage
that is noticed, left the Island.
This Islantl, though the most considerable discovery the}' had
yet made, has no name in tlie account of Torres or of Torcjue^
mada. In Quiros's list it is called La SagittariuJ'' Torres gives
for the latitude of the SE point 18° 30' S. Torquemada says,
the NW part was observed to be in 17° 40' S. Taking the mean
between
* Upon the discovery of the Island Otaheiie by Captain Wallis in 1767,
geographers immediately believed they recognized in it the Sagittaria of Qiiiros.
The circumstances of similarity are ; ist^ Tlie situation ; the latitude of la Sagit-
taria by the Spanish accounts agreeing M'ithin a few miles with that of Otaheite,
and the dilTerence in tlie longitudes scarcely exceeding two degrees. 2dly, Otaheite,
like la Sugittaria, is divided into two parts by a low isthmus or neck of land, which
Captain Cook has described to be ' a marshy flat, about two miles over, across
' v.hi.ch live natives haul their canoes to the corresponding hay on the other side.'
(p. 157. Hawktsnorth's Collection, Vol.1!.). 3dly, The size oi Otaheite, and iis
position (the longest extent being in a direction SE and IsW), correspond with
jhe account given of la Sagittaria,
I'hese circumstances would seem sufficiently strong to establish a l)elief of their
identity without any mixture of doubt, if they were not ppposetl by some others,
which appear of considerable weight. Torres has described ihe Island to which
the name of /a Sagittaria is applied, to be a low Island, and nothing to the con-
trary is said in the Monarquia Indiana ; whereas Otaheite is a mountuinoiis
Island, and low only near the shores. It is possible that the mountain might have
been enve!o[)ed in mi^t, as the weather was rainy when the Island was first seen
by the Spaniards; yet the land was descried from the topmast-head before it was
seen f;onr the deck, which, however, n)ir;ht have haj)pencd merely from its being
the particular business of the man at the mast-head to keep a conitaut look-out.
Another objection dilficult to reconcile, is, that the .Span'sh ships could not find
anchorage. It might, indeed, easily happen, tliat Malavai Bat/, the princip:il
port in Otaheite ,'\\c)u\d be concealed from the observation of ships sailing along
the NE side of the Lland, by the reefs with which Foiiit Venus is encompassed ;
but there are" several liarbours and anchoring places on the Eastern side of the
larger, and in difietvnt parts of the smaller, peninsula, which are marked with
Vo;.. 11. O o anchors
282 V O Y A G E O F
CHAP. 17. between these latitudes, gives 18° 3' S for the center of the
""""^^^^^ Island. The longitude of the SE part computed from the early
Febiuavy. accounts of the voyage, is 70' 4' W from Callao, equal to
Sagittaria. 147° 2' ^Y from the meridian of Greenwich. This computation
-will be explained in treating of the situations of the Discoveries
of Quiros.
Leaving La Sagittaria, they steered WNW, and sailing in
that direcction, they had sight of land to the NE whilst La
fugitiva. Sagittaria \vas yet in sight.* It Avas very low, and m parts
overflovrcd by the sea.f They could not get near it, as ' the
' wind was contrary and strong,' with much rain. Torquemada
anchors ia the chart of Otahcite by Captain Cook. Quiros was three days
near la Sagittaria, and two of those days his boats were employed in search ot"
anchorage Vvithout success.
These are not hght objections, and though they contain nothing conchisive,
cannot be satisfactorily answered, except by the weight of theevidencein the op-
posite scale. The circumstances of the ishmus, and of geographical position, now
that the sea in the neighbourhood of Otii/ieitc has been so much frequented
without any other Island being found that has any resemblance to la Sagittaria,
fully warrant their being received as the same Island ; and this decision is
sanctioned by the opinion of some of the best geographers of the present time.
On the subject of the identity of /a Sagittaria and Otaheite, it will not be amiss
to cite the evidence afforded by the communications of a native ; Tupia, one of
the most intelligent inhabitants of Otaheite, who embarked from (hat Island with
Captain Cook.in 1769 with the design of visiting England, and who lived among
the English long enou'.',h to be well understood by them. A chart was drawn
under the direction of Tupia, of the Islands within the knowledge of the peo[)le of
Otaheite. This chart is in the possession of the lit. Hon. Sir Joseph Banks,
and a copy of it was published by Dr. J. Keinhold Forstcr. Among the Islands
in this chart there is not one except Otaheite, which, in situation and size, can be
thought to correspond with la Sagittaria. Tupia related, that in the life time of
liis great grandfather, a large ship came to Otahcite, See Observations made
during a Voyage round the World, by J.R. Forster, LL.D. London 177S, p. 513.
In the descent of a tradition among unlettered people, the number of generations
will not always be given correctly. The account as it stands in the present
instance requires for each generation a longer period than the general average of
years. Nevertheless, it is perfectly within the limits of probability.
* Tiie passage in the original is,/uiinos jjor cstc ruinho dando vista a tierra dtsla
is/a. lielacioH de Torres.
+ This Island answers to Tcthiiroa, a small Island about to leagues to the
TSorth of Otahcite.
says.
p. F. D E Q U I R O S. 233
says, after leaving La Sagittoria, an Island was seen on the 14tli c h /vp. 17.
to the NE ; and on, the 16th another Avas seen to the NE, nei- '"""^^^^
ther of which the wind allowed the ships to approach. * Februajy,
From the latitude of 16° SO' S, Quiros steered NWbN, and
on the 21st in the afternoon a low Island was discovered, or ra-
ther a cluster of small islands which were connected by reefs, „^'^'^.*^'
i eiegnno.
forming a lagoon in the middle.-j- They were 8 or 10 leagues in
circuit, and their greatest extent was in a North and South
direction. The ships Avere not able to approach them before
dark ; but the next morning (the 22d) boats were sent to the
shore to try for soundings, and for fresh water, neither of which
were found. Many palm trees grew on the Island : fish and
birds were caught, both of which were taken by hand, and some
cocoa-nuts of a diminutive kind were gathered. No inhabitants
were seen, and the Island is called uninhabitable..}:
The latitude given by Torquemada is ' scarcelj^ 1 0° SO' S :'
by Torres 10° 45' S. Some persons on board believed these
to be the Islands de San Bernardo discovered by Mendana in
1596. In Quiros's list, they seem to be designed under the
name la del Peregrino (of the Pilgrim) ; and Torres says, that
from Avhat was afterwards seen (which he has omitted to explain)
they Avere not the hlands de San Bernardo.
On leaving del Peregrino, ' the ships Avent Avitli little sail during
* that night, as the Avind Avas aft and fresh,' § and they were
apprehensive of falling in Avith other lands in the dark. As the
ships Avere in Avant of Avater, and so many disappointments had
been experienced at the neAvly discovered Islands, it Avas de-
termined to make for Santa Cria ; and the course was directed
WbN to get into the latitude of 10° S, Avhich Quiros reckoned
to be the latitude of la Graciosa Bay.
* The number of names in Quiros's list is one short of ihe number of Iblaiids
mentioned by Torquemada between Sagittaria and Tucopia, but agrees wilii the
account given by De Torres.
;t- Momn^. bid. 5.66. % Ibid. p. 7,14. § Ibid. 5. 66.
« o 2 Near
284 VOYAGE OP
CHAP. 17. Near del Feregrino Torres obserted the compass to have^
i()o6. nearly a point Easterly variation. At this time a mutiny v.as
Febiuajy. discovered among the crew of the Capitana, at the head of
which Avas the chief pilot. The intention of the mutineers was
to carry the ship in a direct course to the Philippine Islandsi
Quiros sent the chief pilot to be kept a prisoner on board the
Almiranta, without ordering any farther punishm.ent or process ,
against him or the others who were culpable, ' although, says
' Torres, I strongly importuned him to punish them, or to allow
* me to punish them as traitors ; but h6 did not choose to do
' either.'
March. Thursday, March the 2d, at the first dawn of day, land was
Island de la discovered bearino- West. This was a low Island, and by csti-
Genie » . , ....
Hermosa. mation appeared to be only 6 Spanish leagues m cu'cuit; but
it was seen to be inhabited. At sun-rise, the ships stood for
the North side, and the zabra Avas sent to try for anchorage;
Many small canoes put ofi'from the shore, which were paddled
towards the ships with great swiftness ; and the natives in them
were thought by the Spaniards to be the most active, the most
handsome, and the 'fairest in colour, of any people which
they had seen in this sea : but ihe manner of their approach
Avas by no means amicable. They came brandishing their spears,
and making other motions equally threatening. Conciliatory
presents Avcre throAvn to them from the ships, Avhich it Avas hoped
mio-ht induce some of them to come on board. They took Avith-
out scruple the things that Avere given to them, and Avhatsoever
(;lse they could loosen that was hanging to the ships, but Avithout
becoming at all more disposed to a friendly intercourse : on the
contrary, a native from his canoe made a thrust Avith a spear at
one of the officers Avho Avas in the balcony (corredor de la popa)
of the Capitana. A musket without ball was fired in the air for
the purpose of intimidating him, but it did not produce that
effect, and he' continued near the ship, sometimes retreating,
and ao;ain advancing Avith menacing gestures.
8 I !ie
p. F. D E Q U I R O S. 285
The zalira, -nliich had been sent in shore, anchored close to chap. 17.
the reefs in 10 fathoms. The natives on the Umd were not less 1606/
mischievously inclined than those at the ships. They s\vam off i^]^^.^'^ (je"]^
Avith.the end of a rope that reached from the shore, and this Ck^nte
the}"^ fastened at one time to tiie prow, and aiterwards to tiie
cal)le, endeavouring by it to draw the zabra to the land ; and
failing in that attempt, they tried by all the means in their power
to aiiUoy the people in her. Boats were sent from the ships to
the protection of the zabra, and several of the Islanders were
killed or wounded before they would desist, and amongst them
the man -who had acted in so hostile a manner at the ships.
According to the Monarquia Indiana *, the ships anchored in
an unprotected situation near the shore, where they Mere obliged
to keep constant watch because the Avinds were unsettled.
Torres, on the contrary, says, they^ could not get anchorage, and
that the Island was, shifondo, without soundings.
The next day, March the 3d, the Almirante, Luis A^aez de 3d.
Torres, was sent to the shore with two boats and 50 men. JMore
than 150 natives were at the water -side armed with lances to
oppose their landing. Upon these the Spaniards fired, and
some of them being killed by the muskeby, the rest dispersed.
The Spaniards then landed, and in a short time after, three of
the natives approached with branches in their hands, singing as
they advanced, and one of them who carried a lighted torch^
fell on his knees. As these messengers of peace appeared to be
above the common rank of natives, they were received with
respect. Enquiry was made of them -where fresh Avater could
be found; but the Spaniards either could not make their ques-
tion comprehended, or could not understand the Islanders. De
Torres therefore detained- the three messengers as hostages, and
sent a serjeant Avith twelve men to search for water. This party.
* Lib, 5. cap. 66. p. 745.
notv/ith-
Q86 V O Y A G E O F - -
c H A p. 17. notwitlistandiiig the precaution taken, was attacked by the
1606. Islanders, wlio were again put to flight with loss, and without
T h^!*/ h 1 ^^^y mischief being sustained by tliC Spaniards. In the center
(Tcte of the Island there was a lagoon of salt water, and near the
lagoon were found two brooks, one of them of brackish, the
jothcr of fresh water; but in this last, the quantity was small,
and the place ver}^ distant from where the Spaniards landed.
Notwithstanding these difficulties, some water was carried to
the boats ; but the surf was so great on the shore, that the boat
of the Alniiranta was overset : ^vith much difficult}'^ and hazard
she was turned upright again ; and the Spaniards who had
landed were glad to embark safely with their arms, without any
additional incumbrance. If a supply of water had been obtained
here, Quiros intended to have sailed to a higher latitude ; Tor^
quemada quaintly says, ' in search of the Mother of so many
' Islands.'* But meeting Avith so many obstacles, and with such
small prospect of aclvantage, he determined to leave the Island,
and to continue his route as before.
The cocoa-nut tree was the most abundant of tlie productions
of this Island. The habitations of the natives Avere built among
the trees ; in those Avhich Avere examined nothing was found but
dried oysters and fish. No poultry Avas seen, nor any quadruped
except dogs of a small breed. Torquemada speaks highl}^ in
commendation of the natives, in which it may be seen that he
repeats the sentiments of Quiros, Avho was strongly prepossessed
in favour of the Islanders in the Sonih Sea, notwithstanding that
in his intercourse with them his management Avas generally
unfortunate. The men of this Island, though repulsed in all
their attacks on the Spaniards, gave several instances of per-
sonal courage. Tiie women were remarked for gracefulness of
.<lemcanour : they were covered from the waist downwards Avith
tf*" ■ ■
* .r.:t dtfft,anda cZt la Madrc dc tanlas huis, 1. 5. c. 66.
■AvJiite
p. F. DE QUIROS. 287
wliltc mats of a fine texture, and some had mats of the same chap, j;,
kind with which they covered their shoulders: ' their complexion j^o^.
' was white; and if they were properly cloathed/ savs Torque- , ^'T"!^',
/ 11^ ' .- 1 Islaiid cle li*
mada, ' they would without doubt have the advantage of our Gente
' Spanish ladies.
Many of the natives must have been killed in their quarrels
with the Spaniards ; for Ton-es relates, ' we named this Island
' Matajiza,' which may be construed the Island of Slaughter. In
the Monarquia Indiana, it is named Island de la Gente Hermosa
(the Island of Handsome People), which name has been adopted
in the charts. The latitude, according to Torres, is full 1 0 de-
grees South. No distance from any other place is mentioned in
either of the accounts. From circumstances which will be
hereafter explained, there is some reason for believing that the
Island de Gente Hermosa is the same with the San Bernardo of
Mendana. The natives had large sailing canoes, which tliey
kept under sheds. These show that they had communication
with other Islands.
The ships sailed from de Gente Hermosa to the West, keeping
nearly in the same parallel, according to Torres, 32 days :.
Torquemada says, till the 7th of April, constantly with the
same wind and without seeing any land during that time; but
they continually saw birds, pumice stones, and other indications-
of their being near to land.
^pril the 7th, at three in the afternoon, land was discovered i^p^I7t^l:-
bearing WNW, high, and black, in appearance like a volcano. Taunuico^
This land was in 10° S*, and by the reckoning of Torres was
distant from Lima 1940 leagues f-. Night set in before they
could approach it, and the ships stood backwards and forwards
* J. Luis Arias, p. 17.
f In the translation of Quiros's Memorial published in Purchas, the
distance is set down 1250 leagues, which is evidently a mistaiie. Arias sajs
Taiimaco is 1700 leagues from Lima: but there is every reason to prefer the
account of Torres.
till
£8S VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 17. till the morning, Vvlien they steered again towards the land.
7606. ' On arriving Avitliin about two leagues of the shore, they dis-
Apnl. « covered that they were running over a bank, and had sound-
81I1. ' ings from 112 to 15 fathoms. They Mere two hours m passing
' this bank, and then lost soundings/ *
There appears to have been very little wind all this day (the
8th) ; for it is said, that they arrived near the land Avhen it was
9'^' late, and they lay to till the following morning, April the 9th,
when, tlie ships being to the North of the land, ' the zabiu
' and Captain Luis Vaez de Torres, with the boats, went to
' the SW tov,ards the middle of some small Islands, which form
' a channel, which Islands at a distance appear like one.
' Finding a secure port close to the small Islands, whieh are
' separated from the great Island to* the East, the armada an-
' chored in 25 fathoms.' -j-
'i'his was inhabited land. ^lany houses were seen among the
trees and on the beaches. Boats were sent to the nearest shore,
from whence they brought fresh watei", cocoa-nuts, plantains,
sugar canes, and roots ; but whether by traffic or permission of
the inhabitants, or in what manner obtained, is notrelated. At
a small distance from the ships was a sroall islet ' situated
' within the reefs,' upon w'hich the natives with much labour
had formed a platform a full fathom above the level of the sea.
'i'his place, as was afterwards understood, was intended to serve
as a fortress for the natives to retire to when the people of the
iieiphbourino- Islands caine to make war against them ; and on it
were about 70 houses v\'hich stood among pahn trees. Torres
describes it ' a town surrounded by a w'all, wiih only one
•* entrance, and without a gate.' In this, their Citadel, many
of the natives stationed themselves \x\)im the anival of the
loth. Spanish ships; and hither, on the morning of the lOth, the
* iloiiiiarrj. Lid. 1. j. cup. 67. f Ibid.
Almirante,
p. F. D E Q U I R O S.
289
Almirante, Torres, was sent with two boats and 50 men « to chap. 17.
' procure peace Avith the natives/ Torres relates, that when '^"^^e^
he arrived near the fortified Island, and did not find that the ^P''^-
natives there manifested by any signals a desire to have peace
with the Spaniards, he made dispositions to invest it ; upon
seeing M'hich, one of their Chiefs, who had a bow in his hand
which he used as a staft', advanced towards the Spaniards, and
stepping into the water, went directly to the boats, where the
water was up to his neck. He made signs, which were under-
stood, that his people were in great dread of the muskets, and
he entreated Torres not to land there, promising that the natives
should bring supplies of fresh Avater and wood for the ships.
* I told hiiTi,' says Torres, ' that it was necessary for us to
' remain five days on shore to refresh. Finding that he could
' not persuade me to alter this determination, he quieted his
' people, who were very turbulent ; and so it happened that no
' hostility was committed on either side. We went peaceably
' into the fort. I made them deliver up their arms, and made
' them bring their effects from their houses and depart with
' them from the fort to other places. They thanked me much,
' and all came to make peace with me.' The Chief, Avith a
j'oung boy (his son), and two other Islanders, remained with
the Spaniards in the fort.
The dread entertained of fire-arms by a people who now saw
them for the first time, must have appeared strange to the
Spaniards, until in their farther communication Avith the natives
the cause was explained to them. The name by Avhich the
natives called their Island (the larger one, the small Islands
being only dependencies) is Avritten by Quiros, Tauhiaco ; , by
Torres, Taomaco. Torres remarks its size to be 6 leagues,
without distinguishing Avhether in circuit or extent. Arias says
it is 8 or 9 leagues in circuit.* Torres relates that the people of
this Island gave' him intelligence of the Island Santa Cruz, and
* Memorial of jJrins, p. 17.
Vol. II. P P of
290 VOYAGE OF
c n A p. 17. of what had happened when Mendana was there ; their know-
]6o6. ledge of which, accounts for their submitting without contest
April. ^Q ^jjg demands of the Spaniards. Torres has twice remarked
that the distance of Santa Cruz from Taumaco is 60 leagues,
which distance most probably was estimated from information
given by the natives.
Taumaco was inhabited by people of different kinds. Some
were of a light copper colour with long hair ; some were Mu-
lattoes ; and some black with short frizzled hair. They all had
beards. In their wars they made use of bows and arrows : they
were good navigators, and had large sailing canoes, in which
they made voyages to other lands. Torres relates that slavery
was practised among them ; and an instance of this came within
the knowledge of the Spaniards, which will be noticed. The
Island appeared well stocked Avith vegetable productions of the
kinds already mentioned. The natives had hogs and fowls, and
the sea supplied them with fish in plent}^ In procuring peace
with the natives, it is to be supposed that the Spaniards did not
forget these things.
The Spaniards were not exact in observing the terms of their
engagen)ent as specified by Torres : they kept possession of the
fort a week *, and the natives during that time assisted in
carrying supplies of wood and fresh water to the ships, willing,
no doubt, that their visitors should not be detained longer than
was necessar}^
Much information was obtained from the people of Taumaca
concerning other lands, which Quiros has inserted in one of his
Memorials -f. He there relates that the Chief of the Island
Taumaco, whose name was Tumay %, ' a sensible man, of a good
* presence, in complexion somewhat brown, witli good eyes,
' nose sharp fujilada), beard and hair long and curled, and of
* Mouarq. Ind, p. 749.
•\ See Purchas, Vol. IV. p. 1428. Likewise Dalrj/mpk's Historical Collection
of Discoveries, Vol. I. p. 145.
% Tomai, in the Relation of De Torres. * grave
p. F. D E QUIROS. 291
* grave demeanour,' assisted with his people and embarkations chap. 17.
to supply the ships with wood and water. ' This person,' says i6o6.
Quiros, I visited me on board the Capitana, and I examined Xamnaco.
him in the following manner : First-. I showed him his own
Island, and the Sea, and our ships and people ; and I en-
quired by signs if he had seen ships and men like ours ? He
replied, he had not. I asked him if he knew of any other
lands ; and as soon as he understood my question, he named
above 60 Islands, and a large country, which he said Avas
named Manicolo *. I wrote all down, having before me the
Compass to know in what direction each lay, and they were
from his Island to the SE, SSE, West, and NEf- To ex-
plain their different sizes, he made large circles and small
circles, and for that large country he opened both his arms
without joining them again, to shew that it extended without
end. To make known the distances, he pointed to the Sun
from East to West, reclined his head on one hand, shut his
eyes, and counted on his fingers, to show the number of nights
which they slept on the way ; and by signs shewed whether
the people were Whites, Negroes, Indians, Mulattoes, or
mixed ; Avhich were friends, and which enemies ; and that in
some Islands they eat human flesh, which he signified by mo-
tions of biting his arm.' These and many other particulars the
Chief was required to repeat so often, that his patience seemed
exhausted. ' When he shewed a desire to return to his house, I
*
This land was discovered by Captain Cook in 1774, and has aflbrded proof
how well Quiros understood the meaning of the Islanders. Captain Cook writes
the name Mallicolo, which appeared to him to be the nearest to the pronunciation
of the natives ; but he remarks that ol her persons belonging to his ship understood
the natives to say Manicolo or Manicola. Second Voyage of Captain Jama
Cook, Vol. II. p. 32.
t Purehas, Vol. IV. p. 1428. Hist. Coll. of Voyages in the Facijic Ocean.
By Al. Dalrympk, Esq. Vol. I. p. 147,
P P 2 * made
292 VOYAGEOF
CHAP. 17. < made him presents, and he took leave, saluting me on the
*~i6o6. ' ' cheek, with other marks of affection.'
April. < The next day,' coiltinues Quiros, ' I went to his town, and
' having the paper in my hand, and the compass before me, I
< repeated the questions about these countries, and the same
' enquiries were made of others of the natives, and in their
' answers they all agreed. Tumay likewise made signs that in
the great Country there were horned cattle.'
The notes taken by Quiros do not appear to have been pub-
lished, except the substance of a few of them, which are inter-
spersed in those of his memorials which have been printed. The
particulars of information contained in these memorials con-
cerning lands not seen by him, are collected, and will be found
in the Appendix to this Volume *.
As the ships were now supplied with fresh water, and the
people refreshed, Quiros gave up the intention of going to the
Island Santa Cruz, and determined to sail in quest of the great
country which Tumay had described to him. When the ships
ipih. were prepared to sail, which was on the igthf, Quiros ordered
four of the natives to be seized, that they might serve him as
guides and interpreters. When the Chief, Tumay, was informed
of this violation of the rights of hospitality, he went with one
of his sons on board the Capitana, and made earnest b,ut vain
solicitation to the Spanish commander for the release of his
people. Not only was the request refused, but the Chief and his
son were made to depart for the shore, just at the time when
the ship's boat arrived with the four natives that had been
seized. As soon as the captives saw their Chief, they gave vent
to their distress, and made loud lamentations. Tumay turned
his canoe toM^ards them ; but Quiros, thinking that such an in-
* See Appendix, N° 11.
f According to Torquemada they sailed on the i6tli. The Memorial of Quiros,
just quotedj says, ' we remained at anchor ten dtiys.'
terview
p. F. D E Q U I R O S. 293
terview would delay the sailing of the ships, ordered one of the chap. 17.
great guns to be fired, not loaded with shot. The shock of the 1606.
report stopped the Chief from advancing, and seeing it was not -Ap"!*
in his power to obtain the release of the prisoners, he waved his
hand to them as in despair, and went to the shore, Avhilst the
ships setting their sails, stood out to sea.
This action of Quiros was an ungrateful return for benefits,
and a dishonourable abuse of the confidence which had sub-
sisted between the Islanders and the Spaniards, and which had
induced the Islanders to submit with patience to impositions
of which they imagined they saw the end.
The men carried off from Tmimaco were kept in diiferent
ships, two in the Capitana and two in the Almiranta.
When the ships were clear of the land, the course was directed
SSE*. The next morning at the break of day, the Island being 20th.
then four leagues distant, one of the prisoners threw himself
from the Capitana into the sea, choosing either to recover his
native Island, or to perish.
The 21st, towards evening, an Island was discovered to the aist.
SE. The next day they sailed along its North side where was 22d.
a long sandy beach, on which were people ; and in the Island Tucopk.
were seen many trees and plantations. Torres went in his boat
to sound near the shore, where he found only one small anchor-
ing place, and that did not aftord shelter from the winds. Torres
did not land ; but two of the Islanders put off from the shore in
a small canoe, and presented him Avith some cocoa-nuts and
' some bark of a tree which appeared like fine linen, four yards
' in length, and three palms wide.' The name of this Island
was Tucopia. It resembled Taumaco in appearance, and the
inhabitants were the same kind of people, except that they were
* Torres. Making allowance for Easterly variation, and for wiud £asterl3-, tlie
course made good would be nearly South.
thoudit:
294 VOYAGEOF
CHAP. 17. thought to be of a lighter colour. Whilst the ships were near
1606. this Island, two more of the Taiimaco prisoners made their
April, escape ; the one remaining was not a native of Taumaco, but
had been a captive and a slave there, and he made no attempt
to leave the Spaniards. This man was afterwards christened by
the name of Pedro: he was in appearance about 25 years of
age, of a ' good Indian colour,' and had long hair. He said
he was a native of an Island named Chicayana, which he de-
scribed to be low land, and larger than Tucopia, from which it
was distant four days sailing*. The name by which he was known
in his own country was Luca.
The latitude of Tucopia is, according to Torres, l£!° 30' S;
by Torquemada's account, it is full 12° S. By the Islander
Luca, Quiros Avas informed that Manicolo, the great Country,
Avas distant five daj'^s of their saihng from Tucopia ; and that
in making the passage, they kept the rising Sun on their left
hand-j-.
From Tucopia, Quiros continued towards the South, and met
with variable winds and unsettled weather. When he had
«4th. passed the latitude of 14° S, the course was changed to the
25th. West ; and, after one day's sailing in that direction, on the 25th,
at day-light, high land was discovered a-head, which was found
to be a Volcano, standing on an Island above three leagues in
circuit. The Island was much covered with trees, and full of
inhabitants, who were black people, and were remarked to
have much beard. In the Monarquia Indiana this Island is
Nucstra named Nuestra Senora de la Luz (Our Lady of the Light), and
de la Luz. i^s latitude given 1 4° 30' S.
When they were arrived near the Volcano Island, another
Island was discovered to the Westward, not very high, and
* Memorial of Quiros.
t Ibid. The winds at this time were light, and the quantity of a day's sailing
appears to have been rated accordingly.
pleasant
p. F. D E Q U I R O S. 295
pleasant in appearance. Besides this land to the "West, Tor- chap. 17.
queniada relates that larger land was seen to the South, ' and 1606.
* towards the SE other land still larger, which seemed to have '^i^"^'
* no end, and was full of great mountains/* Torres has not
distinctly noticed the land to the SE, and in this part of
Torquemada's narrative there are repetitions Avhich render it
obscure.
Being near de la Luz, a consultation was held to determine
for which of the lands in sight they should steer, and it was
agreed to sail for the land to the West, to which was given the
name of Santa Maria, bej'ond and over which was seen land very
high and large.
They steered for the South side of Santa Maria ; ' but,'
saj's Torquemada, ' before we arrived there we saw other land
* larger and higher towards the SE.' Tliis no doubt is the same
land before mentioned by Torquemada to the SE, but which
Quiros first discovered as the ships were sailing from de la Luz
to Santa Maria.-]-
They arrived at Santa Maria on the 27th. This Island ap- 27^1.
peared very populous ; and on the higher grounds fires were SantaMaria
lighted, which the Spaniards believed were meant as signals to
them of peace and invitation. This conjecture seemed confirmed
by some of the inhabitants coming unarmed in their canoes to
the ships. Quiros was encouraged by these appearances to send
the zabra and the boat of the Capitana to examine if there was
anchorage, and likewise with the intention of improving the
amicable disposition manifested by the natives. To succeed in
the latter of these objects, however, required a degree of patience
and management which the leaders of this expedition seem
neither to have possessed nor understood.
* Monarq. Ind. 5. 68.
+ The land here remarked to have been seen by Quiros to the SE, most pro-
bably is the Island which M, de Bougainville saw and named Aurora, in 1768.
Many
£96 V O Y A G E O F
CKAP. 17. j\Iany of the inhabitants of the Island were at the sea side
3606. expecting the arrival of the Spaniards ; and when the boat of
Island Santa ^^^ Capitana drew near, an Islander, who wore bracelets made
Maiia. of hogs tusks on his arms and from his appearance was sup-
posed to be one of their Chiefs, ' calling to the Spaniards with
* signs of peace, boldly entered into the water, and without fear
* swam to the boat.' This man the Spaniards took by force
into their boat ; and he was kept a prisoner to be carried on
board the Capitana, that he might be regaled and cloathed, ' as
* by these means,' says Torquemada, ' it would be easy to nego-
^ ciate a peace wuth them, which was so important to their
' plans/ Another Islander was at the same time, and for the
same purpose, decoyed from a canoe into the zabra. TIuis,
in the indulgence of a restless and puerile impatience, it was
expected that the friendship of the natives would be obtained,
as if men were to be teazed and tormented into good will.
The prisoner in the zabra was a strong man, and struggled
hard to recover his liberty ; for which reason it was thought
necessary to secure him with a chain, which was fastened to his
leg with a padlock. Night was approaching, and the zabra and
the boats departed from the shore towards the Capitana, which
was then more than three leagues distant from the land. Before
they reached the ship, one of their intended guests, the man in
the zabra, broke the chain which held him, and threw himself
into the sea. At this time it was dark, and it was therefore
judged needless to pursue him. The other native was carried
on board the Capitana, and Quiros endeavoured with speeches
to soothe and comfort hiiii ; but to prevent him tiom doing as the
other Islander had done, and to secure him that he might the
next day be treated Avith honours and returned to his country-
men, he was set in the stocks (en el ccpo).
About 10 o'clock at night, the Capitana having drawn nearer
to the land, the seamen, who had the watch on the forecastle,
3 called
p. F. D E Q U I R O S. 297
called out that they heard voices, and the sound was soonMis- ch ap. 17.
covered to proceed from some person swimming in the sea. 1606.
This proved to be the Islander who had broken the chain, and ^P"^' ';
r islana
whose strength, from his leg being encumbered with a padlock Santa Maria
and part of the chain, was at this time nearly exhausted.
He was taken into the ship, and Quiros enjoyed the gratifica-
tion of showing his hospitality to both his guests, who were fed
and lodged together for the rest of the night. The next ^Sth.
morning Quiros caused them to be magnificently clothed with
garments of colom'ed taffety ; their hair and beards were clipped,
and the ship's boat carried them to the shore. The Chief, after
he landed, sent to tlie boat some hogs, plantains, potatoes, yams,
and fruits, among which there was one * in shape like a fig, very
* red in colour and of a sweet scent.' Others of the natives,
who did not so well relish the mode in which the Spaniards
administered their hospitality, shot arrows at the boat, and
wounded one of the men. This, however, was not done where
the Chief was landed, but at another part about a musket
shot distant.
The Island Santa Maria Avas remarked to be inhabited by
people of different kinds: ' of three different colours; some
* white (which is to be understood comparatively), some
* mulattoe, and some quite black ; and some were mixed of one
* and the other.'* The boats found anchoring ground here,
but it was very close to the shore. Torres says, ' in sight and
around Santa Maria there are many Islands, high and large,
and to the Southward one so large, that we sailed for it.' Tor-
quemada says, that ' they were now desirous to see the large
countries to the SW, and stood for them.' -f-
Leaving the Island Santa Maria, not without some complaints Sail towards
at the ingratitude of the inhabitants, the ships sailed for the ^"soutV^^
* Moil. Ind. and Memorials of Quiros,
+ Moiiaiq. Ind. lib. 5. cap. 6S.
: Vol II. Q q Southern
298 V O Y A G E O F
en A I'. 17. Southern land. They arrived near it on the 30th. At three rn-
1000. the afternoon of that day, seeing before them a large open bay^
the zabra and a boat from one of the s-hip» were sent in ta
examine; but before they had made much progress, signals-
were made to recall them on account of its being so late in the
day, and the examination was deferred till the next morning.
May. On May the 1st, at the first dawn of day, the zabra and the
boat were again sent in ; the ships during their absence remain-
ing at the entrance of the bay. At three in the afternoon, they
returned. The report given by them was, that ' they had seen
* on the shores many people of large bodies* ; that the bay was
* very wide and sheltered from the winds ; that they had found
* a commodious port (agradahle puertoj, with depth from 30-
* fathoms to 8 fathoms, very near the shore ; and that the coast
* which they saw beyond this, had no end ; but the land ap-
^ peared very large and double. They likewise said that some
' canoes had come to them with signs of peace, and had given
* them feathers like JMartinets -f-. The Captain and the Pilot,
* on hearing the description of this port, and that farther to
' leeward by the same:]:, there was an appearance of another
' large bay, gave orders to bear away, and the ships stood in
' for the port, to the no small joy of every person on board, to
* have seen accomplished the end of their desires-, holding
* within their grasp, the most abundant and powerful country
* which had been discovered by Spaniards.' §
^•^V The Almiranta entered the bay first; but the Capitana did
Felipe y not get in before the next day, the 2d of May, which being the
Santiago. ^^^ ^^ g^^ Philip and St. James, the bay was on that account
* No olhei- part of the accounts mentions people of large stature in this country.
'Y High feathers worn in hats were at that time so called.
J Mas a sotavento, por la nmmo. This is to be understood, farther within the
bay, along the same shore ; which interpretation is warranted by the ships, when
at the eutrance of the bay, bearing away for the port.
§ Monarq. Ind. hb. 5. cap. 68.
uame^
p. F. D E Q U I R O S. 299
iramed de San Felipe y Santiago. A boat was again sent to look ch a p. 17.
for a more convenient port, and she returned with an account i6o6.
of anchorage from 40 to 6 fathoms depth, upon a clear sandy ^'"^''
bottom, near a part of the shore, half way between two rivers.
In this last found port the ships anchored on the 3d, and it 3d.
was named de la Vera Cruz (the Port of the True Cross). v«a Cruz
Quifos imagined that this land was the so long sought Southern
Continent, and in this belief named it the Australia del Australia
EsPiRiTU Santo. The Bay de -S'an Felipe y Santiago, in which Esp. Santo.
the ships had entered, lies North and South. Quiros estimated ^^y ^^ ^'^'^
telipe y
the bay to have 20 leagues of sea shore. Torres, that it is 25 Santiago.
leagues in circuit.
The anchoring place first discovered, by the continuance of
the coast being seen towards the South and SW, must be on
the Eastern side of the bay, and not very distant from the en-
trance. The Port de la Vera Cruz, seems to have been far Port de la
within. Quiros has given its latitude 15° 20' S; Torres, 15' ^'^^'^^ ^'^"^'
40' S. * Quiros describes de la Vera Cruz to be sufficiently
capacious to contain above 1000 ships, Avhere they may anchor
in from 40 fathoms to as small a depth as they think conve-
nient ; the bottom is of black sand, clear of rocks, and free from
worms. The rivers, between the entrances of which the port
was situated, were named, one the Jordan, the other Salvador
(the Saviour). Quiros says, ' one of these rivers is as laro-e as
> the Gmdalquive.r at Seville, and has a bar on which there is
' more than two fathoms depth, over which grood frio'ates mav
* enter. At the other, our boats went in freely and took from
' it fiesh watei- extremely clear. The landing place is a beach
* Tlie next European navigators who saw the AuUralia del Espiritu Santo
after Quiros, were M. Bougainville, who in 1768 fell in with the Southern part;
and Captain Cook in 1774, who sailed round it. Captain Cook found the Bay
Me S. IVlipey Santiago to have 20 leagues of sea coast, and the latitude of the
inner (Southernmost) part of the huy or giilf to be nearly 15" 15' S.
Q Q ^ ' of
300 V O Y A G E O F
ciiAi-. 17. < of three leagues continuance, the greater part being a bank
1606. ' of small black pebbles, heavy and excellent for ballast for
Au'i'mlia ' ^hips. The shore has no gaps, and by the verdure reaching
del ' down to its edge, it appeared to receive no disturbance from
p. an 0. ^ ^j^^ waves/* To this description of the goodness of the port,
the following picture is added from Torquemada, and from
the memorials of Quires. ' The banks of the rivers were
covered with odoriferous flowers and plants, particularly orange
flowers and sweet basil, the perfumes of which were wafted to
the ships by the morning and evening breezes ; and at the early
dawn was heard from the neighbouring, woods the mixed melody
of many different kinds of birds, some in appearance like night-
ingales, blackbirds, larks, and goldfinches. All the parts of the
country in front of the sea were beautifully varied with fertile
vallies, plains, winding rivers, and groves which extended to
the sides of green mountains.''
This terrestrial paradise the Spaniards regarded as their own ;
4th. and on the 4th, the day next to that on which they anchored at
Port de la Vera Cruz, boats went from the ships to the shore.
It is not said who commanded in the boats ; but if Quiros was
not with them, it was the Almirante. The natives came in
numbers to the strand to meet the Spaniards, not with glad-
ness, nor yet with hostility, but with evident marks of concern,
at the arrival of strangers among them. Their dissatisfaction
was manifested in the most civilised way, by making presents of
* Memorial of Quiros. Purchas, Vol. IV. p. 1425, Dulrj/mpk's Ilist. Coil.
Vol. I. p. 169 and 170. To prevent mistaken ideas being entertained concerning
the Bai/ de San Felipe 1/ Santiago from the description above, it is necessary to
-mention that Captain Cook found no soundings in the middle of the bay. The
depth was unfathomable, except near to the siiore, and the line of the coast within
the bay, appeared so regular and little indented, that no place was seen which
could with propriety be signified by the appellation of Port. Captain Cook
lemarks on this occasion, ' a Port is a vague term, like many others in Geography,
' and has been applied to jdaccs far less sheltered than this.' Captain Cook's
Second Voyage, VoL IL p. 95.
fruits
p. F. DE QUIROS. 301
fruits which were accompanied with endeavours to prevail on cn.i?. x-j.
them to return to their ships. Tiie Spaniards, however, did 1606.
not relax from their purposes, but landed : upon which, the a^^**.^]'-
Chief among the natives (Torquemada says, their King) drew a del
line on the ground with the end of his bow, and made signs to ^^' ^^ °°
the Spaniards that they should not pass the boundary he had
marked. Nothing could be more just or more reasonable than
the regulation thus proposed by the Chief; but it was treating
upon terms of equality, to which Europeans were little ac-
customed. Luis Vaez de Torres conceived it would have
a cowardly appearance to be restrained ' by barbarians;'
and, to show his contempt of the prohibition, he passed the
line.
The indiscreet presumption of Torres, by this act and its con-
sequences, proved fatal to the interests of the discoverers in this
country ; it proved fatal likewise to the gallant native Chief;
but it is probable that it saved the people of the country from
the dominion of European masters. Immediately upon the
commission of the trespass, some of the natives shot arrows at
the Spaniards, who in return fired their muskets, by which
several of the natives were killed, and among them tlieir
King fell ; the rest, struck with dismay and astonishment,
reti'eated.
This event cut off all communication of a friendly nature
between the Spaniards and the natives, not only for the present,
but during the Avhole time that the ships remained in the Bay de
S. Felipe y Santiago. Many attempts were made to conciliate
the natives and to bring about an accommodation, but they
spurned at every advance : they laid ambuscades, and watched
among the trees for opportunities to aim their arrows at the
Spaniards, Avith a most constant and determined purpose to
avenge the death of their Chief, and to drive them from their
country.
It
302 T O Y A G E O r
ctH A P. 17. It wiay be regarded as a symptom of self-accusation in Ton-es,
'^^^^^^^ that in the Relation Avritten by himself, he has been wholly
May. silent concerning this transaction, in which he bore so principal
del a part. He has been very brief in his description and account
ikp. Santo, ^f |.j^g natives of this land. He says, ' they are all black people
* and naked. They fight with bows, darts, and clubs. They
* did not chuse to have peace with us, though we many times
;* spoke to them and made them presents; and they never with
^ their good will let us set foot on shore/
Tiie sea store of provisions of the ships was by this tfn>e
considerably diminished, and the fixed enmity of the natives
precluded all hope of their stock being recruited at this place.
Parties of armed men had been sent from the ships at different
times upon expeditions into the country in quest of provisions,
to seize upon all they could find : the Spaniards likewise, during
their stay at La Va-a Cruz, Avith nets caught fish of different
kinds, generally ' in great abundance and wholesome.' But
all the provision that was procured by these means, must fre-
quently have fallen short of supplying the daily consumption ;
and Quiros, before he had remained a full month in the Bay
de San Felipe y Santiago, made preparations for departing.
When the ships were ready for sea, anothei' land expedition in
search of provisions was undertaken by a party of 25 soldiers, who
chose their time and their route so well, that they advanced in-
land two leagues from the sea shore, without being discovered
by the natives. They crossed a fine valley, in which they saw
neither liouse nor inhabitant, and afterwards ascended a hill,
when they heard the noise of drums, but the sound Avas not
martial. A town was seen before them, the inhabitants of
which Avere engaged, more pleasurably tlian fortunately, in
dancing and merjiment ; and their attention was so m holly en-
grossed by their diversions, that they neither saw nor thought of
ihe approaching danger until the Spaniards came among them.
n The
p. F. D E Q U I R O S. 3oa
Tlie surprised inhabitants took to flight; but three boys were chap. 17.
taken. Fourteen hogs were found in the town, with which 1606.
and the three lads the Spaniards marehed back towards the ^^,sj|!^i'ia
ships. Before they reached the sea shore, the natives collected del
to attack them ; but another party of Spaniards having landed ''^'
to support themv- they effected their retreat, without other hurt
than one man being wounded in the arm.
The act of taking }X)ssession of the country in the name of^
Philip the Illd. was celebrated with a festival, and though-
Qiikos was unable to retain actual possession, ho acted all the
formalities of founding a new city,^ which he dignified with the
name of la Nueva Jerusalem (the JSlew Jei-iaaleniJ, and ap-
pointed alcaldes, regidoi'es, and other municipal officers.
The anchors were taken up^ and the ships set sail from la Vera
Cruz about the beginning of June, but were obliged to return Ju»e.
to their anchorage in consequence of an accident by which the
crews of the ships were rendered incapable of working and ma-
naging the sails. Two nights before, boats had. gone from the
ships on a party, of pleasure, to fish near some rocks Avith hooks,
and lines ; their fishing at other times having- usually been with-
nets. Among the fish caught at this trial with the hook Avere some-
which in the Spanish account ai'e called Pa?-gos*, and from the
evil Avhich folloAved, it was supposed that they had fed on poi-
sonous plants ; for the companies of the ships, in consequence.
©f eating these fish were taken so ill, that the lives of many
were apprehended to be in danger. The particular symptoms
ef their malady are not described, and the remedies that were,
.applied, only generally :. the surgeon of the Armada, it is said,
was very diligent in administering draughts, syrops, stomachic
Rijedicines, and bleedings, and no person died of this attack -j-,.
Whilst
* Monarquia Indiana, lib. 5. cap. 6q.
■\ When Captain Cook was at the Island Mallicoh, several of his people were
taljCtt
304 VOYAGEOF
CHAP. 17. Whilst the ships were detained by the accident just related,
^^^606^"^ t^^ Spaniards repeated their land incursions for provisions, and
June. carried with them the young natives their prisoners, in hopes
Australia, 1 • •
del they might prove instrumental in bnnguig about a peace ; but
-p. K an o. j.j^jg benefit was not obtained.
8th. The ships sailed again from la Vera Cruz, on June the 8th*,
Torquemada says, Avith the intention to make discoveries of the
lands to windward. The direction of the wind is not specified ;
but from various circumstances it seems to have been at this
time from the Eastward. On quitting their anchorage they met
with the wind * so strong and contrary,' and found so much
head sea, that Quiros was desirous of recovering the station
- he had left; and the ships Avere three daj's and two nights
endeavouring to turn to windward in the Boy de San Felipe
y Santiago. On the night of the third da}^ the Almiranta
and the zabra fetched into anchoring ground, and anchored
at some distance from their former anchorage. The ship of
Quiros M'as not so fortunate, Torquemada relates, that ' the
* wind increasing with much violence, the Capitana tried to
* anchor, but could not find anchoring ground on one tack
* nor on tbe other, and was in much danger ; for the night was
' dark, and the wind set towards the land ; in the end, he
* [Quiros] was forced by these and other reasons, to stand for
* the entrance of the Bay: when arrived there, the topmasts
' were lowered, atid the ship lay to the remaining part of the
jiih. ' night.' f- The next morning it was found that they had fallen
too much to leeward to be able to re-enter the Bay, and during
taken ill in consequence of eating some fish caught there : they were ' reddish
■• fish about the size of a large bream, and not unlike them, and were caught with
< hook and line.' Captain Cook's Second Voyage, Vol. II. p. 33. It was more
tlian a week before all who had eaten of these fish were recovered.
* Torquemada says on the 5th. But Quiros remarks in one of his memorials,
that the ships were at anchor at la Vera, Cruz 2,^ days ; which time agrees with
the Relation by De Torres,
+ Monarq. IiuUanu, Ub. 5. c. 6g.
three
p. F. D E QUIROS. ^ 305^
tliree daj^s after that they kept turning close to the wind, they ^^^^^^•
continued to lose ground, 1606,
The separation of Quiros from the other ships is related by ^^^""^Ua
Torres in the following manner : ' From within the Bay (de San del
1 - 11 1 1. c '1. •^^f*^- Santa.
* Felipe y Santiago) and from the most sheltered part ot it,
* the Capitana departed at one hour past midnight, without any
* notice given to us, and without making any signal. This hap-
* pened on the 1 1th of June.'
If both the accounts are true, the Capitana anchored when
the other ships did, and was driven off the bank. And it is pro-
bable that this was the fact. That Quiros stood out of the Bay
afterwards, may be attributed to the discontents and mutinous
practices of his people, the consequence, Torres remarks, of his
not having punished the mutineers in the former part of tlic
voyage, ' as they [now] made him turn from the course.' * It is
likewise said by Juan Luis Arias, that ' Quiros, for some reasons
* wliicli ought to be very strong, but which to this clay are not
* certainly known, left in the said Bay the Almiranta and the
* zabra, and returned with his own ship to New Spain.' f The
reasons to which Arias and Torquemada allude, it is probable
are rightlj-^ explained by Torres, who relates moreover, that he
sailed the next morning to seek the Capitana, ' and made all
* proper efforts, but it was not poffible to find them; for they
* did not sail on the proper course, nor with good intention/
Torres, after his search for the Capitana, returned to the Bay
de Sa7i Felipe y Santiago, Avhere he remained 1 5 days longer iu
the hope of being joined, but Quiros returned there no more.
In the foregoing narrative is contained the most material of
the geographical remarks concerning the Australia del Espiritu
Santo which are given in the early accounts of this voyage
* Relacion de Luis Vaez de Torres.
t Memorial of Juaa Luis J rias. p. 17. Edinb. 1773.
YoL. IL Re (those
306
VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 17-
1606,
June.
Australia
del
Esp. Santo
Soil.
Vegetable
Produce,
Animals.
Birds.
(those excepted which belong to the departure of Torres, to be
hereafter related). It appears proper to notice here several par-
ticulars which may be considered as distinct from the occurrences
of the voyage. They are principally from the Memorials of
Quiros. Some of them are mentioned in the Monarquia Indiana ;
but in all that concerns this land and its productions, Quiros has
been the most copious.
The memorials of Quiros were evidently written with the ex-
press intention of exciting the King of Spain to send colonies to
the Australia ; but after making every allowance for colouring,
there can be no doubt of the country being fertile and pleasant
in the extreme.
The soil is a rich black mould. The vegetable productions
are cocoa-nuts ; plantains of many kinds ; sugar canes; yams;
potatoes : there are three different roots which the inhabitants
use as bread ; some of these roots are a yard in length and half
a yard in thickness, and they are prepared with little trouble as
' nothing more is requisite than to roast or boil them.' Here
are oranges; limes; papas; oipos (a fruit like a quince) ; almonds
and nuts of various kinds ; pumpkins ; and garden herbs : nut-
megs*; mace; ginger and pepper in great quantities. Woods
fit for ' building any number of ships,' grew in quantities inex-
haustible; ebony; and, in the salt marshes, bamboo canes the
joints of which w€ve five or six palms in length.
The Spaniards did not see horned cattle at the Australia,
which they had been taught to expect ; nor are any other qua-
drupeds mentioned to have been seen there by them except
hogs : but one of the natives, who was carried away by Quiros, said
there were dogs both of a large and of a small breed, goats, and
an animal like a cat.
'Of birds, there were geese, fowls, doves, partridges, and
* Both Quiros and Torquemada mention nutmegs growing here.
paiTots ;
r. F. D E Q U I R O S. 307
parrots; and many kinds of smaller birds. There were honey chap. 17.
bees likewise. 1606.
Among the fish which were caught close to the ships, Quiros ^^^'^^ '*
mentions skait, soles, mullets, whitings, shads, skuttlefish, sar- Esp Santo,
dinas, thornbacks, gurnets, eels; fish which in the Spanish .
language are called pargos, reyes, macahas, palometas, chitas
viejas, pezes puercos ; and other fish of which he did not remem-
ber the names.
Quiros did not rest his hopes of succeeding in his applications
at the court on representations of the advantages already enu-
merated, most of which consisting of the conveniences of life,
might be thought more calculated to contribute to the benefit of
the settler than of the state. The riches of these countries * he
says, ' are silver and pearls.' And besides nutmegs, mace, •
pepper, and ginger, he says, ' there is intimation of cinnamon,
' and perhaps there may be cloves, since there are the other
'. spices, and these countries are almost parallel with Ternate
' and Bachian.' The greatest stress is laid upon the pearls,
which Quiros seems willing should be esteemed the most valuable
production of these countries. According to the information
given by Pedro, the native of Chicayana, the pearls are found in Pe.,j.i
oysters, of which there are different kinds and sizes, llie largest Oysters.
oysters are of the size of a good target, and are by the natives
called Taquila. Pedro said that no oyster produced more than
one pearl, yet pearls were found in prodigious numbers, and
Avere held in no estimation by the natives. He said they were
white and of a dazzling brightness. Quiros relates, that he had
information of fifteen different Islands, of which number C///ca-
yana was one, where the pearl oysters are found. It does not
* Quiros ill tlie Memorial now cited (which is one of those that he pre-
sented to the King after his return from his voyage) applies his remarks some-
times to the Australia del Espiritu Santo only, and sometimes generally to all thf
lands which were known or supposed to he in its neighbQurhood.
U R 2
appeaj;.
308 VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 17. appear that he carried with him any of the pearls to show by
''"'^^^^'"^ way of sample, Avhich might have given weight to his representa-
Australia tions; and it is probable that the unfortunate footing he Avas upon
Esp, Santo, with the natives did not afford him opportunity to obtain any.
The evidence produced of there lieing silver at the Australia
is much weaker. Pedro said that in Taumaco theie was a man,
a great pilot, who had brought from a large country which was
named Pouro, some arrows pointed with a metal as white as
silver. And in one of the houses at the Bai/ de San Felipe y
Santiago were found some black heavy stones, two of which,
each as large as a nut [what kind of nut is not particularised]
Quiros carried to Mexico. ' They were seen,' Quiros says, * in
• my lodgings by Don Francisco Pachoco, a proprietor of mines,
Silver Ore. < and he shewed me that one of them was full of eyes of silver ;
' and for this reason we carried it to the house of an assayer,
* who put it in a crucible, but gave it so much fire that the
* crucible broke, and the experiment failed ; yet a part remain-
♦ ing with me, the assayer melted again, and in it was seen a
^ small point which expanded under the hammer. He touched
» it on three stones, and some silversmiths said it was silver
♦ touch ; but some said the assay should have been made with
• quicksilver, and others with salt-petre ; yet the assayer affirmed
* that the metal was good, and two silversmiths said that it
* was silver/
CHimateand The climate at the Australia, as far as the short experience of
Tempera- ^^^ Spaniards enabled them to judge, appeared correspondent
to its other advantages. There was a freshness in the air so
salubrious that, says Quiros, neiliier by labour, by perspira-
tions,, getting wet, being exposed to the dews, or by other
intemperance, did any of the Spaniards, though strangers to
this country, fall sick there. Fish and flesh kept sound two
days; and no mosquitos or tormenting insects M'ere seen there.
This description of the temperature may be considered as
applicable
p. F. D E Q U T R O S. 309
applicable only to the particular season wlien Qiiiios was at the chap. 37.
Australia, which was the month of May and the beginning of 1606,
June. The first part of this time the winds were light ; iu the Australia
latter part they were fresh. Quiros mentions as a general indi- Esp. Santo.
cation of the country being healthy, that very aged people were
seen there, and that the inhabitants lived in houses on the
ground (casas terrenas), and not in ' houses raised from the
' ground, as is done in the Philippine Islands and in other parts.'
He might have instanced La Graciosa Bay, where the houses of
the natives are elevated on posts.
It has been remarked that the Islands Avhich Quiros fell in inhabitants
with after leaving Taumaco were inhabited by different kinds of
people. He gives generally to ' the people of these countries'
the character of being cleanl}^ chearful, sensible, and grateful.
Punctuation (the tattow) was in general practice among them.
The mhabitants in the Bay de San Felipe y Santiago, Torres
says, were all black and naked : Quiros, that they wore cover-
ing round the middle. A young native, a boy about eight
years of age, who was carried away by Quiros, is described ' of
a dark colour, Avith curled hair, good eyes, good. shape, and
extremely docile and good humoured.' The Spaniards named
him Pablo (Paul). The people of the Australia were corpulent
and stronsr. Their houses were built v/ith wood and thatched. As „, .
... . . Their
instances of their ingenuity and knowledge in the arts, Quiros Knowledge
mentions that they have flutes and drums; that they weave nets; and State of
make earthen vessels ; work on marble and on stone ; that their Civilisation.
plantations are well laid out, and inclosed Avith palisades ; that
they have burying places ; and that they have vessels well built,
in which they navigate to distant countries. The circumstance
which Quiros has saved for the concluding argument of
the civilisation of the people of the Australia, and which he
affirms to be a confirmation of their vicinity to people more
civilised, is, that they cut their hogs and make capons.'
All
310 VOYAGE OF
au A p. 17. All the descriptions of Quiros show the warm interest he took
1606. in his discoveries, and the largeness of his expectations may be
Australia conjectured from the opinion which he entertained of the mag-
Eep. Saiiio. nitude and importance of the Australia del Espiritu Sanfo. In
his representations to Philip the Illd, he says, ' By all that I
' have mentioned it appears clearly that there are only two large
* portions of the Earth severed from this of Europe Africa
* and Asia. The first is America which Christopher
*■ Colon discovered ;' the second and last of the World is that
' which I have seen, and solicit to people and completely to
' discover for your Majesty/ Torquemada likewise, in speaking
of the Australia, remarks, that one sign of its being a continent
is, that the country is subject to earthquakes.
Proccedino^s Th^ account of the remaining part of Quiros's navigation will
of Quiros \yQ comprised in few words. After standing out of the Bai/ dc
from the ^ -„ ,. ^ • i - 1 • 1 • i i 1
Bay de San I'ehpe y oantiago, his ship, which does not seem to have
'S r-!''^° been under his own management, continually fell to leeward (to
June. the Westward) during three days which were expended probably
to save appearances and not in real endeavours to get back
into the Bay ; for there can be little doubt that they might
with ease have kept under the lee of the land in smooth water,
and have avoided being driven so far to leeward. Torquemada
however, says, ' there being no remedy, as the winds which
then blew did constantly prevail from that time of the year till
April when the Westerly winds begin, Quiros consented to
the opinion of the pilots to sail to the latitude of lOt° S, to
Goes in ^^ok for the Island Santa Cruz, to which place he had ordered
search of j^j^g other vessels to rendezvous, if they were separated from their
thp Jslaud , _ .
Santa Cruz. Capitana.' The Capitana accordingly stood towards the North;
but the wind being strong, they carried little sail, and fell so far
to leeward, that they missed seeing Sa?ita Cruz. Near the
10 latitude
p. F. D E Q U 1 R O S.
511
latitude of that Island they saw a sailing canoe, to which they ch a p. 17.
gave chace, but did not ovei'take. x5o6.
Not finding the Island Santa. Cruz, Quiros, again guided by •'""^■
the opiuionp of his officers, which they gave in writing and
subscribe'd with their signatures, agreed to proceed for Nei€ gails to
Spain. No circumstance worth remarking appears to have oc- ^^^^ Spain.
curred in the passage, and the ship arrived at Port de la Navidad
in the middle of October.
Luis Vaez de Torres, being left with the Almiranta and the P'oceedings
■=" _ 01 lorres.
zabra, in the Bay de San Felipe y Santiago, remained there till June,
near the end of June ; at which time, having no longer any
hope that the Capitana would return to the Bay, he sailed, he
says, to fulfil the King's ordeis,* He makes no mention of any
place of rendezvous having been appointed by Quiros.
From Bay de Sail Felipe y Santiago, Torres sailed along part
of the West side of the Australia, which he found to be a
mountainous coast, with rivers and ports in it, ' though some
' of them are small.' Torres saw enough of the Australia to
make him believe it was not a Continent, for he says his inten-
tion was ' to have sailed round this Island, but that the season
' and strong currents prevented him.'
Leaving the Australia del Espiritn Santo, Torres sailed on a
SrW course to the latitude of 21° S-j-, which was a degree July,
b,eyond the latitude prescribed in the orders. No signs of land
•were seen here, and Torres sailed from this parallel towards the
NW to 1 1 i" S, in which latitude he fell in with land which he
believed to be ' the beginning of New Guinea,' [meaning the
Eastern extremity]. The coast which was seen lay in a direc-
tion WbN and" EbS. Torres was not able to weather the Eastern
* The proceeJings of Torres, after his separation from the Capitana, are given
almost entirely from his own relation.
i" This latitude is given by J, L. Arias. See his Memorial, p. i8.
point
«}12 VOYAGEOF
cuAv. 17. point of the land, and therefore bore away to the Westward
1606. along the South side.
July Torres has described the sequel of liis navisjation in a manner
i loceudings _ _ _ ^ '-' ^
of Tones, too indefinite to admit with safety of geographical deductions.
He is, however, sufficientl}'^ clear fully to ascertain the general
fact of his passage ^^'estward along the South side of New
Guinea, and thence to the Moluccas. The summary of his
account is,
South Coast He sailed (Westward) 300 leagues along the coast, which -was
ot New inhabited by a dark })eople, Avho went naked except a covering
round the middle of a painted cloth made of the bark of a tree.
Their arms, which w^ere clubs, darts, and targets, were orna-
mented with plumage. There are many ports and large rivers
in the land, and many Islands along the coast, and reefs of
shoals without the Islands ; but there is a channel between them
and the main land.*
Navigation In sailing the 300 leagues above mentioned, he diminished
ot Torres j^j^ latitude 2 k degrees, which brought him into 9° S. From
along tlie ' o ' o
Souili Coast this place he fell in with a bank on which the depth was from
GujNEA, 3 to 9 fathoms, which extends above 180 leagues along the
coast, and which he followed keeping near the coast to 7|"'S
latitude ; but he then found so many shoals, and currents so
strong, that he was obliged to stand out from the land,
which he did, steering to the SW to 11° S. Here Torres parti-
cularises, that all over the bank there is an archipelago of
Islands without number. At the 11th degree there Mere large
Islands, and there appeared more to the Southward. The bank
here became shoaler, and he stood again towards the main land
to the North.
* From what h:is since been seen of this coast the ' many Islands and reefs of
' shoals' do not extend so fur Eastward as to be with propriety mentioned here.
Thic'Tieiation of Torres being a letter, and not a regular journal, it is in some
instances not easy to deteruiine whether his descriptions apply generally or
etherwise.
Upon
p. F. DE QUIROS. 313
Upon this bank Torres ■was employed two months in a most chap. j;.
intricate navigation. He says, ' at the end of that time we -were j(So6.
in 25 fathoms; in 5° S latitude; and 10 leagues distant from Navigation
the coast. And havino; 2:one 480 lea"ues fi. e. tlic 300 and the Tonesalotiq-
180 before mentioned], here the coast goes to the NE/ This Coust'of
seems to be an irregularity in the account of Torres, as the N'-^
coast begins to turn to the NE between ihe Sth and 9th degree
of South latitude. Concerning the extent of the South coast of
New Guinea, he gives no clear information ; for it is evident that
his distances must include all the vvindin2;s in his track alono; llic
coast. Combining his account of this part of his track v.ith the
courses sailed by him from the Australia del Espirifu Santo (S\V
to 21° S latitude, and thence NW), it ma}' be concluded that the
land he first fell in with, is the South East point of the land
which has since been named Louisiuds bj' IM. Bougainville, and
that thence he followed the coast AVestward til! lie passed
round the point marked in the charts Cape TValche or Valsche.
Erom tlie I'eraark of Torres that there are many ports in the
South coast, ' very large, with very large rivers,' it is probable
that there are separations in the land.
A circumstance well deserving notice in this navigation is, that
'at the nth degree of latitude there were very large Islands^
' and more appeared to the Southward.' There can be little The Gnm
doubt that some of the land seen at this time by Torres to the Aus^alii
Southward was i>art of the Great Terra Australis*'. And what
renders this more remarkable is, that in this s^uie year, 1606, a
Dutch vessel saw land in 13 1° S, which was supposed to b,e a '
continuation of the land of Papua or New Guinea. The farthest
point seen by the Hollanders was named by them Cajje Keer Weer
* Tlie Northernextreinit3'of tht Great Terra ^MS<r(i//sj by Guptain Cook namc^
York Cape, is in latitude lo' 37' S. ' ■
Vol. II. § ^ (Ca^$
314 VOYAGE OF
c H A p. ,17. fCape Turn-again].^ Accordingly there is reason to believe tliat
1606. the Great Terra AustraUs Avas twice seen in the year I6O6; but
twice seen t^qi beino; known as such, it cannot be said to have been then
111 1000. . '^
discovered.
At the latitude of 5° S, Torres appears to have lost sight of
the land ; for he says he did not reach it on account of the bank
being shallow; but he stood to the North, keeping in 25 fathoms
* This expedition of the Hollanders is mentioned in the Instructions gis'en to
Abel Jansz Tasman for his second voyage of Discovery (in 1644) by the Governor
General and Council of Batavia. A copy of these Instructions has been printed
from a M.S. in the library of Sir Joseph Banks, by A. Dalrymplcj Efq. and an
English translation annexed; of which the following is an Extract.
' The several successive Administrations of India in order to extend the trade of
^ the Dutch East India Company, have zealously endeavoured to make an early
' discovery of the Great Laud o^ Nova Guinea wkX oihex unlitown East and
' Soiitherlij Countrits, as you know by several Discourses, Maps, Journals, and
' Papers communicated to you ; but hitherto with liUle success, although several
^ ^ voyages have been undertaken.'
' 1st, By order of the President John Williamson Verschoor who at that time
' dhected the Company's trade at Bantam, which was in the yeur 1606, with the
* yacht the Duyfhen, who in their passage sailed by the Islands Kci/ and Aroun},
' and discovered the South and West Coast of TSIova Guinea for about 220 miles
' [German miles each equal to four geographical miles], f»om 5° to 13 |° South
' Jatitude : and found this extensive country fjr the greatest part desart ; but in
' some places inhabited by wild, cruel, black savages, liy whom some of the crew
' were murdered; for which reason they could not learn any tiling (jf the land ;
' and by want of provisions they were obliged to leave the ciscovery unfinished.
' The farthest point of the land was called in their map Cape Keer IVnr, situated
' in 13 -1° S.' lustructiona to A. J. Tusm'au, />. 2. In the Col/eclion of Papers
concerning Papua, published by A Dairy mple, Esq.
Captain John Saris speaks of this expedition of the Dutch. lie says, ' On the
' 18th of November, 1605, departed from Bantam a small [linnasse of the Flemings
' for the discovciy of the I*laiid called 'Sora Guinea, which, as it is said, alfordt th
' great store of gold' He relates afterwards that, 'on the 15th of June ificS,
' arrived here [at Baiilam] No< khoda Tinga'l, a Clingman froui Banda, in a
' Java Junk. He told me that the Flcmmings |)innas'-c which went upon clis-
' covery for Nova Guinea, was returned to Bamia, having tbund the Islauci ; but
' in sending their men on shore to intreat of trade, there were nine of them killed
''by the Heathens, which are man-eaters, so llley were constrained to return,
* finding no good to be done there.' Observaliovs of Captain Jo/in Saris of
Oecurrents duriug /lis abode at Bantam from Oct, iQo^,liil Oct. 1G09. Purclias,
his Pilgrinies, Vol, I. lib. 4. cap, 2.
7 depth
p. F. DE QUIROS. 515
deptli to 4* latitude., where he fell in VN-ith the coast, lying in a chap. 17.
direction East and V/est, the Eastern extent of -which he did j6o6.
not discover; but from the smoothness and shallowness of the ''■:\vi'v;;{icn
. ... - 111,111,' of Torres.
sea, he behcA-ed it to be jomed to the land he had belore Nkw
coasted. CiuNEA.
Tliis land waS inhabited by black people v.ho were remarked
io be better clothed than the inhabitants of the countries to the
South. Among the weapons used by them were hollow Bamboo
sticks, Avhich they filled with lime, and ' by throwing it out
* endeavoured to blind their enemies.'*
Torres stood along the coast to the WNW above 130 leagues,
•Avliere it terminated, according to his account, 50 leagues short of
the Moluccas. At this part of New Guinea he met with Maho-
metans, who had swords and fire-arms.
Torres says he observed the variation of the compass all along
Ihe coast of New Guinea and to the Moluccas, and found it to
agree Avitli tlie meridian of the Ladrone and TldUppinc Islands.'^
J3y which he probably meant that the vaiiation was the same as
at those Islands.
In different parts of New Gidnea Torres look formal possession
of the country for the King of Spain : and he says, ' -sve caught
* Near the same part of New Guinea Captain Cook noticed a hostile
practice of the natives, the appearance of which caused much astonishment, as
it could not be accounted for. Captain Cook re'lates, that ' three Indians rushed
' out of a wood with a hideous shout at about the distance of :oo yards, and as
^ they ran towards us, the foremost threw something out of his hand, which flew
' on one side of liim, and burnt exactly like gunpowder, but made no report.
* What these fires were we could not imagine : those who discharged them had in
' their hands a short piece of stick, possibly a hollow cane, which they swung side-
' ways from them, and immediately we saw iire and smokejesembling those of
' a musket, and of no longer duration. This wonderful phenomenon was observed
' from the -hip, and the deception was so great, that the people on board thought
' tliey had fire-arms.' Lieutenant J. Cook's f'oj/agc round the World. Hawkei-
worth's Coll. Vol. III. p. 658.
•}- La aguja z'une a cacr en el meridiano dc las Islas de los Ladrones con Uis hfas
I'Hipuias. M. S, llelacioH.
s s 2 'in
S16 VOYAGE OF
CHAP. 17 « in all tliis land 20 persons of different nations, that with them
1606. ' ^ve might be able to give a better account/
Navigation Pj.^^j^^ ;^^^^ Guinea, Torres sailed to the Moluccas. He has
01 Jones. '
not given the date of his arrival there. He remained some time
amons those Islands encased in wars with the natives, and assist-
ing the Governor of Terenatc. He left the zabra at the Moluccas,
1607. and arrived with his ship at Manila, in May 1607, where he en-
ai Manila, deavoured without success to obtain supplies and assistance to
enable him to renew his voyage of discovery. At Manila he
Avrote the short Relation which he sent to the King of Spain. It
is dated July the 12th, at which time he complains that the
yludiencia Real of Manila had not given him dis])atches [orders
and means] for completing the voyage commanded by His
Majesty, and had not even supplied his people with provisions.
It did not fall to the lot either of Quiros or of Torres to pro-
secute farther their discoveries. Quiros went from Mexico to
Spain to solicit at the Spanish court that he might be employed
in ' adding the Australia del Espiritu Santo to the other pos-
* sessions of the Spanish monarchy,' and he w^as not an idle
suitor. It is said that he presented no less than 50 Memorials
on the subject to the King. One of those published, Avhich was
printed at Seville in 1610, is begun with the following declara-
tion : ' I Captain Pedro Fernandez de Quiros say, that with
* this I have presented to Your Majesty eight Memorials rela-
' tive to the settlement which ought to be made in Australia
' Incognita.' The unwearied importunity of Quiros at lengtii
so far prevailed, that he Avas again remanded to the Viceroy
of Peru, to be furnished with ships for another expedition ; but
he died at Panama, being there on his w^ay to Lima.*
The character of Quiros as a navigator and a discoverer is
unquestionable. In other respects, his abilities Avere, if not
below mediocrity, by no means equal to the task of forming
* Memorial of Arias, p. i8.
settlements
p. F. DE QUIROS. 317
settlemenls in newly conquered countries. Though a passionate '^"ap^it,
admirer of the natives of the South Sea Islands, and acquainted 1607.
A\'ith their manners, his conduct towards them, independent of
its injustice, has all the character of levity and inexperience.
IJis want of firmness likewise disqualified him from exercising
or preserving the authority of a Commander ; and to this weak-
ness it may be attributed that his success in discovery, instead
of leading to his advaacement, proved to him a constant source
of disappointment.
c s 1 8 ON THE SITUATIONS OF
CHAP. 17.
Eiiqui?y concerning the Situations of the Lands discovered by P. F.
de Vidros and L. V. de Torres.
THE defective account giv<3n of Quiros's Vo3'age, in tlie
Monarquia Indiana, with tlie want of Tovres's Relation (which
seems to have been thrown aside through ncgligeuce, or because
it w^as not thought of sufficient importance to deserve pubhca-
tion) produced many mistaken ideas concerning the lands
discovered, and especially of the land named Australia del
Espiritu Santo. Even Quiros, after his return to Spain, pro-
fessed to believe that the Australia was a -Continent ; but
Torres who sailed along its Western side, speaks of it as an
Island. Figueroa has mentioned the account sent by Torres
from the Philippine Islands,''^ and has noticed his navigation in a
brief general manner, without giving any specific information.
The Australia del Espiritu Sajito Avas long supposed to be a
part of the Great Terra Australis, and in some charts of so recent
a date as the middle of the I8th century, the two lands are
drawn joined. 'J'he knowledge of Torres's discovery of the South
ooast of New Guinea had been completely stifled, and would
doubtless not have been recovered, if the late discoveries had
not provoked enquiry. Even at the time Tasman's second
voyage was undertaken, the Hollanders Avere doubtfid whether
New Guinea and the Great South Land made one continent or
Avere separate lands; and Tasman Avas instructed to examine
* the Great Inlet at 9° S latitude, in order to discover if entrance
' could be found there into the South Sea.'-f M. Pingre la-
mented, in 17(^7, that the Relation of Luis Vaez de Torres
appeared to be absolutely lost, ' Avhich otherAvise,' he saj^s,
' might have authorised us to join the Terre Australe du S.
* Ilechos de 4mc Marq. de CaJicte, p. 290. •
f Imtructions to Tasman, p. 8.
THir DISCOVERIES OF QUIROS AND TORRES. 319
' Esprit to New Guinea.'^ When M. de Bougainville, in 1768, chap. 17.
made tlie South coast of Nezo Guinea, the want of information
concerning the discoA'eries of Torres made him beat up against
the v/ind, with a reduced stock of provisions, to get round the
- East end of the land, which, Avhen he had weathered it, he
named Cape Delivrance.
This forms a strong case, among the numerous ones which Regulation
liave occurred of the same nature, for showing the utility of a for^tf^e AcI-
seneral and public repository wherein to lodije and preserve all vancement
^^ . .. . ^ . . - , . of Maritime
new acquisitions m maritime geography; and points out as a Geography,-
reasonable and necessary regulation, that the navigation laMs
of every maritime country should prescribe to seamen the duty
of communicatino- all new information that could contribute to
the improvement of Navigation, and especially the discovery of
new lands, rocks, banks, or shoals.
Within the last twenty years, many discoveries have been
made of Islands, concerning which no information has been*
transmitted by the discoverers to any department of the govern-
ment of their countr3\ Much knowledge of this kind has been
obtained v.diich has never arrived at any kind of public notice,
and will be lost for the want of regular and appointed channels
of communication.
Torres in giving an account of his navigation has been wholly
negligent of dates: these, as far as relates to the track of Quiros,
Tprquemada has generally supplied. Their accounts do not
disagree in many instances, and by consulting both are afforded
means of investigating the situations of the numerous lands dis--
covered in this A'oyage. By exhibiting tlie two accounts in one
view, it will be seen wherein they vary, how much each contri-
butes, and what is wanting, to form a whole.
* Mamire sur h clwix chs lietix ou k passage de Vtnus dti 3 Juiii 1 760^ poiirra
itrc obsoTe, p. 57. Paris 1769. '
Track
320
ON THE SITUATIONS OF
CH A
p. 1-. Track of Pedro Fernandez de Quiros from Peru to Australia
DEL EspiRiTU Santo.
Namt^s ac-
eordingtothr.
Memorial of
Quiros,
From the Monarqiiia Indiana.
Dec. 2 1st, 1605, departed from
Callao, and sailed to tlie WSW.
January 2Ctli, 1 600, p. m. saM' an
La Encar- Island 4 leagues in circumference,
in lat. 15° S. distant lOOO leagues
from the coast of Peru.
jiacion.
San Jiian Jan. cgtb, a.m. saM' an Island ;
Bautista, sailed by its South side, and it -vias
]\u]g^CL to ' contain' 12 leagues. No
anchorage near it.
Feb. 4th. Early in the morning,
after a tempestuous night, found
fSantelmo; themselves near an Island, which
appeared to be 30 leagues in cir-
cuit: it was encircled by a reef:
in the middle was a lagoOn. No
anchorage found.
Los 4 The 5th, passed 4 Islands like
■Coronaclos. ^]jg former in all respects.
S. ]Min-uel Sailed on M'NW 4 leagues, to
Arcaiigcl. another Island, about 10 leagues
in circuit.
Conversion Tai'ther on to the WNW passed
)de b. Tablo. another. These two Mcre hke all
the fonner.
As given hi) De Torres.
Dec. 2 1st, iCoo, departed from
Callao. Sailed WSW 800 leagues
to lat. 26° S. From that parallel
sailed WNW to 24° so', in M-hich
parallel saw an Island v.mo leagues
long, without anchoring ground.
WbN to 24* S. Saw an Island
about ]0 leai^ues in circuit. No
anchorage.
Valeria.
It was named San
From the last, ^A'bN one day ;
then WNW to 21" 20' S. Saw a
small low Island (isleta rasa) di-
vided into pieces, an4 without aU"
chorage.
Continued the same course 95
leagues : discovered 4 Islands in q,
triangle of 5 or 6 leagues each, low
and without soundings. We name^,
them las Jlrgenes. Mere the coni^
pass had NE-erly variation.
Not noticed ui De Torres,
Not noticed.
From
THE DISCOVERIES OF QUIROS.
From the Monarqida Indiana. An given by De Tot^res
February gtli, at day light, saw
an Island to the NE. Left it to
windward, being in latitude 18°
40' S.
lOth, discovered an inhabited
Island : found no anchoraare near
the SE part.
11th, were 8 leagues farther to
the NW, and near the coast of the
same Island : found no anchorao-e.
12th, observed near the N^y part
in lat. 1 7° 40'' S. Left it.
14th, saw an Island to the NE.
ijtli, saw an Island to the NE.
2 1st, in latitude lo" 3o' S. saw
land, which was supposed to be the
Islands San Bei^nardo. No an-
chorage, nor inhabitants.
Remained near it all the dcd.
IMarch the 2d, at day-light, dis-
covered an Island 6 leagues in
circuit, lying North and Soutli.
Named it de Gente Hermosa. An-
chorage unsafe. Remained near it
all the 3d.
Steered West for the Island Santa
Cruz : saw many signs of land.
Vol. IL
321
according
to Quiros.
La
Dczena.
La
Sagittaria.
From the Islands last named,
sailed NW to 19° S. Saw an Island
to the Eastward of us 3 leagues
distant, which appeared like the
others ; named it Santa Polonia.
Diminishing our latitude half a
degree, we saw a low Island (una
isla rasa) with a point to the SE,
covered with palms, in 18* so' S.
It was inhabited. Found no an-
chorage.
Sailed on to the WN W, and had La
sight of land to wind\vard, low and ^"§'^'^"-
in parts overflowed.
From latitude iG° 30' S, we steer-
ed NWbN.
Del
Peregriuo;
In 10° 45' S, saw land separated
into a number of Islands by the
overflowing of the sea. No an-
chorage. From hence, steered WbN.
Found the variation nearly one
point Eafterly.
In latitude 10°S, or rather more, Nuestra
(10° largos) discovered a lovv^ in- Sen» del
habited Island, of 5 or 6 leagues.
Named it Matanza.
Sailed 32 days in this parallel,
and found currents, and signs of
land.
T T
From
S22
Names
according
to Quiros.
Monterey,*
orTaumaco.
ON THE SITUATIONS OF
Fro77i the Monarquia Indiana.
April the 7th, p. m. discovered
an Island named TaumagB. The
9th, anchored there.
The iGlh, sailed.
Tucopia. The 2 1st, p.m. saw Tucopia.
Latitude full 12 degrees. No shel-
tered anchorage.
The 22d, left Tucopia. Sailed
towards the South, with winds
variable.
San The asth, at day break, disco-
Marcos.t vered an Island in 14 f S, high
and large : named it Nuestra Sen"
de la Luz.
Dela
Virgen
Maria.
The 27th, to an Island to the
West, and in sight of la Luz ;
And thence to the SW to the
Australia
del
Esp. Santo. Bay de S. Felipe y Santiago.
As given by De Torres.
1940 leagues from Lima (and Co
before coming to Santa Cruz)
found an Island of 6 leagues, very
high. Anchored there. Its name
is Taomaco.
From Taomaco, sailed SSE to
12 s° S, and discovered an Island
like Taomaco, named Chucupia.
Not good anchorage.
Sailed on South. Lay to, tw^o
days in a gale of wind from the
North.
In 14' S, steered West; and in
one day's sail discovered a Volcano
Island 3 leagues in circuit.
To an Island, which was named
de Santa Maria, to the West and
in sight from the Volcano Island ;
And thence to the Southward to
the Bay de S. Felipe y Santiago.
* Monterey in Quiros's List, but in the same Memorial it is called Taumaco.
+ In the list of Quiros,. between San Marcos and de la Virgen Maria, aie the
names of five other Islands, being Islands thai he saw but did not touch at. The
names are el Vergel (the Garden) ; las Lagrimas de S. Pedro (the Tears of St.
Peter); los Portales de Bden (the Gates of Belen); el Pilar de Zaragofa (the
Pillar of Saragosa) ; and Sau Raymuiido.
La
THE DISCOVERIES OF QUIROS,
La Encarnacion and Taumaco are the only places in this track c ha p. 17.
:at which the estimated distance from the coast of l^eru is spe-
cified. The longitude of La Encarnacion, the first Island disco-
vered, may be estimated two Avays. 1st, by the Spanish reckon-
ino;, in which it is to be remarked that from the first course and
distance given by De Torres, is to be inferred 41° of East
variation. The longitude of La Lncarnacion, so deduced from
the Spanish reckoning, will be 58° W from Callao. The other
method, which may be esteemed preferable, is, by preserving
one established proportion between the estimated distances from
Feru, and the longitudes ; and this, modern navigations have
furnished the means of doino-. Taumaco Island, allowino; it to
be, as stated by Torres, 60 Spanish leagues from the Island
Santa Cruz (which the account of the navigation from Taumaco
to the Australia del Espiritu Santo shows to be near the truth) may
be reckoned in 169° 45' E longitude from Greenwicli, or 113*
1 7' W from Callao.
Then, if 1940 leagues gives 113° l?' of longitude, 1000 will
give £8° 23', which is a remarkably close agreement with the
former method. This last seems to be a wholesale mode of
calculation, and to have taken no account of the differences
in the latitudes : but the effects of those differences nearly
counteract each other; for La Encarnacion is nearly on the
middle meridian between Callao and Taiimaco, and from
La Encarnacion the track returns nearly to the latitude from
which it commenced. The mean of the two methods wo\dd
place La Encarnacion 58° 12' W from Callao, or 135' lo' W
from the meridian of Greenwich. But occasion will be shown
for another correction.
The time from leaving La Encarnacion to the arrival at
Tau7naco,^\2LS 71 days ; deducting six days for stoppages (which
is rather a large alloAvance), makes 65 days ofsailing. The longi-
tude run in that time, reckoned according to the last mentioned
longitude o^ La Encarnacion, is 55" 5'. From La Encarnacion to La
T T 2 Sagittaria
324
ON THE SITUATIONS OF
CHAP. 17. Sagittaria was 15 days : allowing for stoppages one day, leaves
14 days of sailing. Proportioning the longitude to the time will
give ir 52' difference of longitude between La Encamacion
and La Sagittaria, and makes La Sagittaria (the SE point) in
147" 02' W from Greenwich.
The objections to this computation are, that from La Eiicar-
nacion to La Sagittaria, the courses were not so nearly on a
parallel as the courses from La Sagittaria to Taumaco : and the
rate of sailing was not equals the average rate being greater in
the first than in the second part of the track. These two causes
affect the longitude in opposite manners ; and as the sailing
from La Encamacion to La Sagittaria occupied scarcely more
than a fifth part of the time of sailing from La Encarnacim to
Taumaco, the result nmst be allowed sufficiently correct (with-
out enterino- into more minute calculations) to be admitted as
evidence in the question concerning the identity of Otaheite and
La Sagittaria, and combined with the circumstances of resem-
blance already noticed *, makes compleat the authority for de-
ciding in favour of that identity ; the Eastern part of Otaheite,
as settled by modern observations, being 1 49° 7' W from Green-
wich, differing only 2° 5' from the longitude of La Sagittaria as
calculated from the early accounts.
In assuming La Sagittaria to be Otaheite, it is necessary to
apply a proportion of the 2° 5' (according to the length of time
from leaving Callao) as a correction to the longitude above
computed of La Encamacion. This correction will amount to
r 30" W, and will give the longitude of La Encamacion 136°
40' W from Greenwich.
La Encamacion, La Sagittaria (i.e. Otaheite), Taumaco, and
the Bay de San Felipe y Santiago, are accordingly taken as the
governing stations : and the intervals of time occupied in sail-
ing, are the principal of the circumstances afforded in the
* la the note in p. 281,
accounts,
THE DISCOVERIES OF QUI R OS. 325
accounts, by which the situations of the intermediate lands may c n a p. 17.
be estimated.
From La Sagittaria to Taumaco, the difference in longitude is
almost 41 degrees, Avhich was sailed by Quiros in 51 days. Nearly
1 7 of those days was occupied in sailing from La Sagittaria to
De Gente Hermosa ; the proportion for ^vhich, at an equal rate
of sailing would be 13^°. But twice in the early part of
the track from La Sagittaria, it is noticed that the wind blcAv
fresh, which seems to require some increase in the proportion of^
distance sailed. Byron's Islands of Dai^ger (believed to be the
San Bernardo of Mendana) are in the same latitude as the Gente.
Hermosa, and 161° in longitude West from Otaheite. Commodore.
Byron, on first making the Islands of Danger, says, ' land waS'
' seen from the mast-head. It had the appearance of three.
' Islands with rocks and broken ground between them. The
' South East side is about three leagues in length between the
* extreme points, from both wdiich a reef runs out. Upon the-
' NW and West side we saw innumerable rocks and shoals which
' stretched near two leaaiues into the sea. The Islands them-
' selves had a fertile and beautiful appearance, and swarmed
' with people, whose habitations we saw in clusters along the
' coast.'* The Ge7ite Hermosa is a lagoon Island, and < was
estimated to be fix Spanish leagues in circuit. Torres describes
it to be a low Island, ovei-flowed, and without anchoring ground
or soundings near it, and it appears in the narrative of Quiros's.
voyage to have been very populous. From such circumstances
of similarity, and particularly that of situation, there is great
reason to believe that the three names, San Bernardo, Gentc-
Hermosa, and Islands of Danger, have been applied to the same
Island, or small cluster.
* Haukesworth's Collection, Vol. I. p. 109.
Upon
0
139
0
20
143
50
50
145
0
ON THE SITUATIONS OF
Upon the grounds of calculation just explained, with the consideration
of a few local circumstances, of which those not ohvious \\mI1 he
noticed, the following Table of Situations of the Lands discovered
by Quiros has been formed :
La Encan?acio?i - - - lat. 24° 45'' S. long, 136° 40' W
from the ]\Ieridian of Greenwich.
San Juan Bautista - - - 24
Santelmo - - - - - 21
Los 4 Coronados - - in about 20 50
It is probable that the Gloucester Islands of Captain Carteret are'
two o^ \he Coronados. He has given their Situations ; one, 20' 38> S,
and 146° W long, from London; the other, 20° 34' S, and 146° 15' W.
But some deduction is to be made from Captain Carteret's longitude,
as on making the Island Santa Cruz, it was two degrees too much
West.
SanMiguel Arcangel - - lat. 20° 44' long. 145° 15'
Cojiversion de San Pablo, lies WNW from San Miguel ; but neither
distance nor latitude is given.
La Dezena. This is probably the Island Maitea, which being a high
Island, when seen by Quiros and Torres, might be at a greater
distance than they estimated. Maitea is laid doM'n in 17° 54' S,
and 148° 6' W'from Greenzdch. If La Dezena of Quiros is a
different Island, it must be situated nearly South from Maitea.
La Sagittaria (Otaheitc) - - 17° ^9" S. 149° 7' W
to 17 53 to 149 40
La Ftigitiva answei's to the description and situation of the small
Island Tethuroa - - - - 1 7 5 1 49 30 W
Del Peregrino - - - --1037 159 oW
De Gente Hermosa, admitting it to be the San Bernardo of Men-
danu _ - _ . _ .10 10 165 42 W
Taumaco - - . ^ - 10 o 1G9 45 E
Tucopia - - - - - 12 15 169 50 E
Two Islands have lately been discovered very near the situation here
ascribed to r?<coj5ia. One by his INIajesty's ship Pandora, in 1791, in
latitude 11° 49' S; and longitude 169° bb' E. It was named MiVre
Island,
THE DISCOVERIES OF QUIROS. 327
Island, and was supposed not to be inhabited. The other was discovered cha p^j;'
in 1798 by an English ship named the Barwell : its situation was ob-
served 12° ia' S latitude, and 169° E longitude from Greenzvich. But as
Quiros received information of above CO Islands from the people of
Taumaco, there is not sufficient grounds for challenging either of the
two Islands just noticetl for Tiicopia.
Nuestra Senora de la Liiz seems to be the Pic d'Etoile of M. de
Bougainville, which being seen only at a distance is described une
petite He elevSe en pain de sucre, a small elevated Island inform of a
sugar loaf. See Voyage auteur da Monde par M. de Bougainville,
p. 242. INI. de Bougainville saw the Pic as he sailed round the North
end o^ Aurora Island, and lias given its place from thence N bW I W
true, l>etM'een lO and 11 leagues distant. Captain Cook afterwards
sailed in nearly the same track, but had not sight of the Pic. Captain
Cook and JM. de Bougainville differ considerably in the situation of the
North part of Aurora Island: but M. de Bougainville had not the
means of making correct observations. Applying M. de Bougainville's-
bearing and distance of the Pic to Captain Cook's situation of the
North end of Aurora, gives for the situation of the Pic, or N. S.
de la luz . . - . lat. 14" 19'S. long. 168° lo' E.
Captain Bligh in 1789, and afterwards in 1792, saw a groupe of
Islands to the North of the Espiritu Santo, which he named Sir Joseph
Banks's Islands. The Easternmost of the groupe is a small Island five
or fix miles in circuit, having on it a peaked hill in shape of a sugar
loaf: its latitude 13° 54' S. But it is only two miles distant from a
large Island to the West, which is too short a distance to accord with
the ideas which must be entertained on reading the description given
in the Spanish accounts of the situations of de la luz, and the Island
Santa Maria. Santa Maria may therefore be sought nearer to the
Bay de San Felipe y Santiago, and in a direction from thence between
the North and North East.
Bay de San .Felipe y Santiago (as settled in Captain Cook's Voyage)
The NW point - - lat. 14° 39i' S. long-. 166° 47' E.
The Eastern point (by Captain? « a r
Cook, named Cape Qmros)l ^"^ ^^ 167 20 E.
32J
CHAP, xvm.
Voyage of Admiral Joris Spilbergen round the TFcrld.
cH A p. 18. A FTER the voyage of Quiros and De Torres, several years
elapsed undistinguished by any attempt to discover new
lands in the South Sea, or by any other enterprise of Europeans,
or circumstance which demands notice here ; and during this in-
terval the Spaniards suffered no disturbance in that sea from
intruders. The reign of Philip the Hid was, compared with
the reign of his predecessor, a period of tranquillity. In 1 604,
Spain concluded a peace with England, and, in the year 1609,
asreed to a truce for twelve years Avith the United States of the
Low Countries, the two powers whose enmity was most dan-
gerous to her foreign possessions. The truce with Holland was
not improved into a peace; and out of Europe, it seems not to
have been observed, except when it suited the convenience of
both parties. The Eastern Indies presented subjects of contest,
which occasioned it to be wholly disregarded in that part of the
world. The Molucca Islands seem to have been at all times an
object of rivalry ; but more especially after a knowledge of their
situation Avas obtained by Europeans. During a compleat
century from the time of that discovery, the history of those
Islands exhibits a continued series of struggles maintained by
Avars, intrigues, and treachery. The contest for the sovereignty
of the Moluccas between the first European com2:)etitors
(claimants they called themselves, and put the dispute into the
shape of a question of right) had been in some measure adjusted
by convention, and AA-as finally settled by the Union of Spain
and Portugal under one monarch ; but the Islands did not even
then remain an undisputed possession. The native inhabitants
attempted, and in some of the Islands Avith success, to effect
5 their
VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN. 329
tlreir own deliverance. At the head of these was the Island chap. i8.
Terrcnate ; whilst Tidore, between which and Terreiiafe an here-
ditary enmity had been long fostered, was the principal of the
Islands which remained subject to the Portuguese. Various
unsuccessful attempts had been made by the Portuguese assisted
by the Spaniards from Manila to reduce the revolted Islands,
T/hen, in the year 1 599, the Hollanders visited, for the first time,
the Moluccas. They found encouragement from the King of
Terrenate, to establish a. factory on that Island. From this
beginning, they afterwards erected fortresses and established
garrisons at Tei^renate, and at others of the Spice Islands. About
this time was established the Dutch East India Company,
which greatly contributed to the increase of their power in
India. Whilst the trade of the United Provinces to the East
Indies was carried on by small Companies of Merchants, who
engaged in separate undertakings, and acted independently of
each other, it frequently happened that too many ships were
fitted out for the same port, to the great depreciation of their
goods ; and the want of mutual support laid them continually-
open in that distant part of the world to the designs of their
enemies and rivals, the Portuguese. The States General seeing the
inconveniences and hazards to which their merchants were ex-
posed in so divided a state, invited them to join and form them-
selves into one General Company. This was effected in 1602,
and their first Charter, Avhich was meant to be exclusive, was
granted them for 21 years from the 'iOth of March in that year.
All other subjects of the United States were forbid to send ships
to the East Indies, either by the Cape of Good Hope or by the
Strait of Magalhanes.
The Hollanders steadily pursued their attempts upon the Spice
Islands, and as far as their power and influence could be ex-
tended, they secured for the Company the exclusive trade for
spices. This footing was gradually obtained, and not without
Vol. II. U u strong
330 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
CHAP. 18. strong opposition from the Spaniards and Portuguese; and
many reverses of fortune were experienced by each party. The
truce in Europe produced no relaxation in their efforts : on the
contrary, both sides received encouragement and support from
the mother countries.
1614. During the height of this conflict, in the year 1614, the East
India Company of the United Provinces of the Low Countries
equipped a fleet in Europe, which was destined to sail for the
Moluccas by the Strait of Magalhanes and the South Sea. Joris
Spilbergen, an able and experienced seaman, who had before
conducted one of the fleets of Holland to the East Indies, was
appointed to command this, with the title of Admiral, and under
a commission from their High ]\'Iightinesses, the States General.
The fleet was composed of six sail of shipping, of which four
were of Amsterdam, one of Zealand, and one of Rotterdam.
They were named,
The Zon (Sun) which was the Admiral's ship ;
The Halve Maen (Half Moon) ;
The lEolus, of Zealand ;
The Morg/iensterre (Morning Star) of Rotterdam ;
The Jagher (Chacer) a galliot ; and
The Zee-meew (Sea-gull).
Neither the tonnage of these vessels, the number of men, nor
names of the commanders, are specified in the early accounts :
the four first named were large ships, the other two were small
vessels.* They were furnished equally for trade and for Avar:
* An account, in the form of a Journal, of the voyage of Admiral Spilbergen
round the World, accompanied with charts and plates, was published soon after
the completion of the voyage. It was written by Jan Cornelisz May, alias
Mensch-eter, principal Mariner or Ship-master in Admiral Spilbergen's siiip, and
is the only original account of the expedition that has appeared. Translations of
May's Journal were published in different languages, in 1620, one in Latin was
added to DeBry's Collection of Voyages [in Appendix VoAintrk. Pars XL], with
plates very little differing in the designs from those before published. The copy-
followed in this work is a French translation printed at Amsterdam in 1621, in a
■work entitled Miroir Oost ^ West Indical.
3 in
ROUND THE WORLD. 331
•in each ship there were merchants and super-cargoes, and all chap. 18.
matters of importance respecting the fleet were to be dehberated 1614.
and determined upon by a Council, composed of the principal
officers and principal merchants.
The 8th of August the fleet sailed from the Texel. They Au?usi.
stopped some time at the Isle of Wight, from whence they h 11 cT
weighed anchor September the l6th.
The 27th, they found floating on the sea, a ship's mast Avhich
had been cut away, and about it 'were great numbers of fish. The
Admiral's ship stopped to take up the mast, and caught ' as many
fish as were sufficient to satisfy 200 men.' This number of men
being mentioned, it is probable was the complement on board
the Admiral's ship.
October the 3d. They passed the latitude of Madeira.
December 13th. Tiiey made the coast of Brasil, and on the December."
20th, anchored near Ilha Grande. Tents were erected on shore, Coast of
and the sick landed, with a strong guard of soldiers for their
protection. A river convenient for watering was found at the
distance of two leagues from where the fleet lay ; and on the
2Sth, the Jagher galliot was directed to anchor near it for the
defence of the boats, and that she might cover the watering
parties if they should be attacked ; but the directions were ill
executed, and the galliot anchored at a greater distance than
she ought to have done. On the 30th, three boats, one from
the Halve Maen, one from the Morghensterre, and the third
from the galliot, having gone to the landing place before sun-
rise, were attacked bv the Portu2;uese. A ouard of ten soldiers
were in the boats ; but the seamen had been suffered to neglect
the orders which had been given for their taking arms with tlie.n,
and in consequence of their ill conditioned state of defence most
of the people AveFe killed, and the three boats taken.
A conspiracy was at this time discovered on board the Halve
Maen ; some of the seamen of which ship, in conjunction with
u u 2 some
332
VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
1615.
January.
CHAP. 18. some belonging to the Zee-ineew, had formed a design to seize
"^"'76147''^^ on those vessels and on the galliot, and to desert from the fleet.
December, ji^^-q ^f ^j^g conspirators were condemned by the Council and
Coast oi ,
Brasii. executed ; and the crew ol the Zee-meew were separated iato
the other ships.
The Admiral was induced, by tlie desire of obtaining fresh
provisions for his people, there being many sick among them,
to remain on the coast of Brusil all the month of January. Some
of the Council objected to the delay, but the majority agreed
with the Admiral ; and partly by hostile means, and partly by
some Portuguese trading secretly with tlie fleet, fresh provisions
Avere procured.
On the 26th, a Portuguese vessel was seen standing in from the
sea, and was captured : her cargo was of little use or value; but
there Avere IS persons in her, and the Admiral endeavoured to
negociate an exchange for some of his own people, avIio he learnt
Avere alive in the hands of the Portuguese. As he could not
succeed in this, he burnt the prize vessel. Some of his prisoners
he released, but those who were most capable he retained and
compelled to serve in the fleet.
The 31st. Another watering party was attacked by the Por-
tuguese, and four of the Hollanders were killed, and several
Avounded, but the assailants Averc ch'iven back.
February. On February the 4th, the fleet proceeded Southward on their
voyage. The B01/ cle Cordes,^' in the Strati of Afagalhaties, was
appointed for the place of rendezvous in case of separations.
March. March the 8th, the fleet arrived off Cape Virgcnes ; and on
the 17th, some of the ships had gained entrance into the Strait ;
but others, among Avhich was the Admiral's ship, Avere driven ofi^".
Whilst the fleet was thus separated, a fresh mutiny broke out in
the Zee-meew, and the command was taken from the officers :
* See Note to p. 189 of this Volume.
but
ROUND THE AYORLD. S33
but the mutineers getting intoxicated, and disagreeing in the chap. i8.
choice of a new Captain, the vessel was recovered, and the two ^""^6^5*^
principal mutineers were adjudged by common consent (pai\
commun suffrage) to be thrown into the sea, which sentence was
immediately executed, and an attested account drawn up of all
the circumstances.
The season was far advanced towards winter; and it is related
that whilst the wind continued adverse, some of the officers and
merchants enquired of the Admiral Avhat route he proposed to
take if the fleet should not be able to accomplish the passao-e
they were endeavouring to make into the South Sea ? To whom
the Admiral replied, ' I have no other orders than to sail
* through the Strait of Magalhanes, in as much as no other
* passage is known to us ; therefore I command you that you
' do your best not to separate from me/ It may be suspected
that this anecdote, hke another formerly noticed on a similar
occasion, has been introduced by the journalist, in imitation of
what happened to Magalhanes in the Strait. The reply, how-
ever, is suitable to the character of Spilbergen.
On the morning of the 29th, the Zee-meew, which on the
preceding evening was in company with the Admiral, was not
seen ; and it was apprehended that she had deserted the fleet.
April the 3d, the wind was favourable, and the Admiral en- April.
tered the Strait. The journalist relates, that near the entrance, at^^'Iu"^
' Magalhanes-
on the land of Tierra delfuego, was seen a man of extraordinary
tall stature, who kept on the higher grounds to observe the ships-.
On the continental shore were seen ' ostriches, which ran with
* such swiftness that a horse would scarcely have been able to
* overtake them.' And on an Island near the entrance of the
Strait v/ere found the dead bodies of two natives : they were
wrapped in the skins of penguins, and were Aery lightly co-
vered with eartli. One of them was of the common human
stature ;
334 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
CHAP. iS. stature; the other, the journal says, was two feet and a half
^^,-. longer.^
Ap'''- The 16th, the whole fleet, except the Zee-meew which did
]\Iagalhanes not again join company, were collected in the Bay de Cordes;
and it was determined in Council, that they would remain eight
days at tliis port to take supplies of ^\'ood and water. They
found here muscles in great plenty, and ' shell fish of a kind
' not unlike oysters, but surpassing them much in taste and
' o-oodness.' Water-cresses and other refreshing herbs were
found on shore, and ' a species of gooseberries (tine sorte de
' grosseiles) of a red colour, and of very good flavour, which
* o-row there in abundance.' -j-
Many natives were in this Bay when the ships first arrived, to
whom the Hollanders made presents of knives and trinkets, and
treated them with wine. The natives gave in return some orna-
ments made of mother-of-pearl shell ; but after this first meeting,
they absented themselves entirely from the Bay during the rest
of the time the ships remained in it.
To celebrate the general satisfaction at the re-union of the
fleet in the Bay de Cordes, the Admiral gave an entertainment to
all the officers.
The 24th, they sailed from the Bay ; but very little progress
was made during the remainder of the month. On the 1st of
May, a boat having been sent to sound before the fleet, some of
the crew landed to shoot birds, and were surprised by a party
of natives, and two of them killed.
SpilbSien On May the 6th, the fleet (four ships and the galliot) entered
enters the i\.q Soilth Sea.
In this passage through the Sirait, the weather was favourable
and mild for the season of the year. With the original account of
* Miroir Oosf (Sf West Indkal, p. 23.
t Miroir Oust &>• West Indical, p. 25. And in Chart, marked N° 3, of that
Jgurnal, is a drawing of the berry and of the slwiib which bears it.
this
South Sea.
R O U N D T H E W O R L D. 335
this voyage, there is pubUshed a chart of the Slrait of Magcil- chap. 18.
hanes, which deserves great praise : and, though the late correct ^ay,
survey of the Strait ha,s superseded the use of the more early
charts, it would be an unjust omission not to notice that this
chart by Cornelisz May is a much more correct delineation of
the shores of the Strait than any other at this time extant of so
early a date.
The fleet steered towards the North with temperate weather.
The £ 1st, they had sight of the coast of Chili, and on the even-
ing of the 25 th, anchored near the East side of the Island Mocha, island
in 1 3 fathom depth, distant from the Island half a league. Mocha.
The next morning (the 26th) boats Avere sent from the ships
to the Island, and the inhabitants entered peaceably into
traffic Avith the Hollanders, and bartered their provisions,
which were sheep, geese, poultry and vegetables, for hatchets,
knives, glass beads, and other European wares. The Chief of
the Island with his son visited the Admiral's ship, and remained
the Admiral's guests all night. In the morning they returned
to the shore, and the trade for provisions was carried on
briskly. A European hatchet was the price given for two fat
sheep, and at this rate above a hundred were purchased. The
journal says, ' the natives were a valiant people, and well made :
' they were habited in cloths and linens : their manners were
* gentle, and they preserved good order in their eating, as if
' they had been Christians.' They were sociable with the
Hollanders ; but would not admit them to enter their houses,
or to approach their women ; and they brought down to the
Water side the things they intended to dispose of. At length,
M'hen they had sold as much piovision as they were willing to
spare, they made signs to the Hollanders, that they should
re-enter their boats and depart; with which desire the Admiral
ordered immediate compliance. And thus parting in friendship,
the
336 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
CHAP. 18. the aiicliors were taken up, and the ships pursued theh* course
May. Northward along the coast of Chili.
Santa '^^^^ "^*^^' ^^^^ "^^^^ ^^^^ Inland Santa Maria \ and as the
Maria, fleet drew near the Island, a small vessel which was lying there
at anchor got under sail and stood to the Northward.
The 29th, the ships of Spilbergen anchored near the East
side of Santa Maria, in six fathoms, and boats were sent to the
Island to try if the natives would enter into a friendly traffic for
provisions; but it was found that there were Spaniards on the
Island. A negociation was however begun, and on the next
day a Spaniard invited some of the Dutch officers to a dinner
on shore. The invitation was accepted, and the guests Avere
assembled, when the meeting was suddenly broken up by the
Hollanders, either because they suspected the Spaniards of
treacherous intentions (which is alledged in the journal), or
because they had discovered that they could help themselves
very well without negociation. Three companies of soldiers and
a party of seamen landed from the ships, Avho set fire to some
houses, and carried off 500 sheep, with a quantity of wheat,
barley, beans, and poultry.
The Hollanders learnt from the Spaniard who was to have
been their host, but who was made their prisoner, that the
Viceroy of Peru had some months past been advertised of the
sailing of Spilbergen's deet from Europe for the South Sea,
and that in the month of April three Spanish ships had been
at the Island Santa Maria in search of tliem ,• and that a greater
force was prepared at Lima to attack them.
Upon this intelligence, Spilbergen determined ' Avith the
' consent and approbation of the merchants' to go in search of
the Spanish fleet : and, before he sailed from Santa Maria, all
the ships were put in a proper state for meeting an enemy. The
orders and instructions given by the Admiral are inserted in the
printed
R O U :N D T H E W O R L D. 337
printed journal. They contain very particular directions in most chap. 18.
of the necessary points of preparation, especially in such as re- ^^^eCs^"^
late to the management of the artillery, which is concluded with ^'^^y-
an order that ' during the time of battle the decks are to be con-
' tinually wetted, that accidents may not happen from scattered
' powder.' The instructions farther say, ' If an advantageous
' opportunity offers, we will approach the enemy, to conquer,
' to burn, or to sink them to the bottom, as it shall please God
* to favour us by his grace, i^nd if it shall be found that we are
' over- matched, we must nevertheless continue to make resistance
* and to annoy the enemy by all the means we are able to in-
' vent, always trusting that the Almighty is on our side, and that
' he will grant us his assistance ; and, whatsoever extremity may
* arrive, v/e will never yield ourselves to their mercy upon any
' condition in the world.' To act according to this determination ,
was unanimously promised by the council.
On June the 1st, the fleet sailed from Santa Mai-ia towards June.
Lima.
At Concepcion the Hollanders landed and burnt some houses ; La Con-
and at Valparaiso, the Spaniards themselves set fire to one of their <^^P'^'<'"-
If r ^^■ • Valparaiso.
own vessels, to prevent her from falhng into the hands of the
enemy.
At Quintero, the fleet stopped to take in fresh water, which Quintero.
was done under the security of Avorks thrown up on shore to pro-
tect the waterers. When the ships first arrived, Avild horses were
seen at the river; but on the Hollanders landing, they galloped
away, and did not again make their appearance. Two of the
Portuguese prisoners taken on the coast of Brasil were [released
here.
Spilbergen left Quintero on the 1 7th. The winds being light,
the fleet did not reach the length of Arica before the beginning jy]„
of July. Near Areqiiipa they had calms with dark rainy weather. Arequipa.
During this progress along the coast, a light vessel belonging to
i Vol. H. X x the
338 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
CHAP. 18. the Spaniards, kept constantly before them, generally in sight,
'""'^^'''"'^"'^ but she sailed too fast to be overtaken by any of the Dutch:
fleet.
July 16th, July the l6'th, having advanced beyond Arequ/pa, they took a
small vessel from that place bound to Callao, with a cargo of
olives, and ' a good sum of money,' the greater part of which
was secreted by some of the captors. There was little oppor-
tunity for enquiring into this embezzlement ; for on the evening
Meets the of the same day, the Spanish fleet appeared in sight, consisting
"pleet, of eight sail. They had left Callao on the 1 1th of the month,
purposely to meet the Holland fleet, of whose motions they had'
for some time received daily intelligence. The Spanish fleet was
more amply provided with men than with artillery. Its force, as
stated in the Dutch accounts, was as follows :
The Santa Maria, the Admiral's ship, mounting 24' guns, and'
having on board 460 persons, of which number, however, above
100 were servants and attendants;
The Santa Anna, Almiranta, of 14 guns, and (including ser-
vants) SGOmen, commanded by Pedro Alvares de Pilgar ;
The Carmel, of 8 guns and 250 men;
The Santiago, 8 guns and 200 mens
The Rosario, 4 guns and 150 men ;
The other three vessels had no cannon, but were furnished with
men at small arms. This fleet was commanded by Don Rodrigo
de Mendofa, who was a relation of the Viceroy, the Marquis-
de Monte Castro.
j>7ili. All the 17th, the two fleets were endeavouring to approach-
each other, but the lightness of the winds prevented their getting
near enough to engage during the day. The Spanish commander,
contrary to the advice of his second ( ' an elder and more expe-
rienced soldier'), resolved on a night attack, and about 10 at
night, the Spanish Admiral had closed with the Dutch Admiral*
They hailed each other, and some conversation was held between
theuji
R O U N D T II E W O R L D. 339
l3iem before a shot was fired : but this conference soon ternii-
nated, or, it may be said, was exchanged for one of a sterner
nature. The attack on each side commenced with the firing of
musquetry, and was seconded with the great guns. The other
ships of either fleet came up in succession, but from the calm-
ness of the weather the two Admirals remained long opposed to
each other, and during that time the ' pomp of war' was not
neglected, for the firing of the cannon and musquetry ' was ac-
companied with the continual sounding of tambours and trumpets.'
The battle afterwards became more general, but the night being
very dark, the fleets gradually separated, and some of the ships
of each were much dispersed. In this night action, a Spanish
ship, named the San Francisco, armed with musquetry only,
w^as sunk.
When day-light appeared, the Spanish Admiral and his Vice 18th.
Admiral were seen separated from their other ships, of which cir-
cumstance Spilbergen took advantage, and they had to sustain,
unsupported except by ea<;h other, the whole force of the Dutch
fleet. Two ships of the Spanish fleet are accused of having kept
entirely out of the action, and others of the same fleet did not
well second their Admirals. The Spanish Capitana and Almiranta
finding themselves over matched, set all their sails, and endea-
voured to escape ; but the Almiranta was closely pressed upon,
and not able to avoid the enemy, upon which account the
Spanish commander, Don Rodrigo de Mendopa, took in his
sails, and stopped to assist her. This unequal conflict was con-
tinued till the Almiranta, being in danger of sinking, hung out a
white flag, and offered to submit. The Spanish Admiral then
made sail, and was pursued by the Dutch Admiral until night
obscured him from sight. The victory being decided in favour
of the Hollanders, the Dutch Vice Admiral sent two boats, on
board the Spanish Almiranta, wdth one of the Captains of the
Dutch fleet, who had orders to return with the Spanish Vice
x"x 2 Admiral ;
S40 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBEKGEN
CHAP. i8. Admiral; but that officer, Pedro Alvares de Pilgar, conceived
j„i^,_ that it would detract from his honour to quit his ship during the
night, unless the Dutch Vice Admiral would come in person for
him : and though the ship was in imminent danger of sinking,
he refused to comply on any other condition. The Dutch otficer
finding him immoveable to persuasion, returned Avith his boats to
the Dutch Vice Admiral to report the resolution of the Spanish
Vice Admiral ; and before any farther step was taken, the
Spanish ship went down. Owing to the savage disposition of
the Dutch seamen, not so many of the Spaniards were saved as
might have been, and their Vice Admiral was among those who
perished.
ipth. On the morning of the 19th, the ship of the Spanish Admiral
could not be seen, but other ships of the Spanish fleet were still
in sight, and as the night had been extremely calm, it M-as sup-
posed (says the Journal) that their Admiral ' had marched the
same road which the San Francisco and the Almiranta had gone.'
The Hollanders lost in the action 40 men killed, and between
50 and 60 wounded.
Callao. The victorious fleet steered directly for Callao, and anchored
there on the 20th. Fourteen sail of shipping were in the port;
but the Spaniards had drawn them close to the shoie, and they
were so well protected by batteries, that it was not thought pru-
dent to attack them.
On the 26th, Admiral Spilbergen sailed from Callao with his
fleet, continuing their course towards the North. The same day
they captured a vessel laden with salt and sugar, the cargo of
which was distributed, and the Admiral kept the vessel as a tender
to the fleet, appointing an officer named Jan de Wit to com-
mand her.
August. August the 3d, some of the prisoners taken were released and
landed on the coast.
Payta. On the 8th, the fleet anchored near Poy/c, and on the lOth,
that
ROUND THE WORLD. 3ii
that town was plundered and burnt by the Hollanders, No ohap. i8.
money or treasure is mentioned among the plunder. Spilbergen 1615.
remained near Tayta several da3s, and in that time he received ^^J'**-
a present from the wife of the Governor of Payta, Donna Paula,
of a large quantity of fruits and refreshments, which he caused to
be distributed among his fleet. The present was accompanied
with a letter interceding for the release of some of the Spanish
prisoners ; and before the fleet sailed, many of them were set at
liberty. The second Captain of the Almiranta, a Spanish pilot,
"and about 30 other prisoners were retained.
The quantity of provisions obtained by the plunder of Fayta
was but small, and to save the provisions of the fleet, the Admiral
sent boats to the Isle cle Lobos, wliich is near the Bay of Payta Isle de
to take sea calves, which are there in great numbers ; but after a ^^°^-
short experiment of them for food, it being found that they were
not liked by the seamen, though the journalist, ]\Iay, affirms
that they tasted ' well enough, and afforded good nourishment '
the sending for them was discontinued. At the Isle de Lobos, the
Dutch seamen caught two birds, which the journal says were
* two ells in height, they had the beak, wings, and talons like those
• of an eagle ; the neck like that of a sheep, and on the head a
' crest like the comb of a cock.' * A drawing of this bird is o-iven
in the Mij'oir Oast ^- West Indical.
Whilst the fleet remained here, the tender, commanded by
Jan de AVit, was sent in pursuit of an embarcation, called Balza, The Balza.
used by the native Peruvians, which Avas taken. Its crew con-
sisted of six Indians, who had been two months on a fishino-
voyage at sea, and had caught and salted a large quantity of
fish, which was not an unwelcome prize to the Holland fleet.
* Miroh Oost 4 West Indical, p. 62, and Plate marked N" 13. Paj/ta.
In
342 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
CHAP. 18. In the same plate of the Miroir Oost ^ West Indical, which has
August, been just noticed, is a representation of the Balza, a copy of
Payta. ^yhich is here annexed.
Balza of Fayta, seen in Admiral Spilhergens Voyage, in 1615.
Tlie Balza is a raft of the same construction as those called
Catamarans : but in the Peruvian mode of managing it, is to be
. seen the origin of what has been called sliding keels. *
Sir Richard Hawkins, as is mentioned in his Voyage, saw
Balzas
* Don Antonio de UUoa, in his Voyage to South Jmerica, has given
a drawing of a Balza, with a minute description of its construction and
management, which corresponds with the drawing in Spilbergen's
voyage. From Ulloa's work the following particulars are transcribed,
IJUoa's '^^^ Balzas, or Jangadas as they are sometimes called, are of different
Description sizes, some being used in fishing, some for the carriage of goods in the
g ], river oi Guayaquil, and some of them navigate along the coast as far as
,Q to Payta. They are composed of 5, 7, or 9 poles of a very light wood,
tion. which the Indians of Darien call Pucro, In the Castilian language it
has
ROUND THE WORLD.
343
"Balzas as low down the coast as at Valparaiso, and has described c h a p. 18.
ihem to be ' rafts made of masts or trees fastened together:' 1615.
and ^"Sust-
Payta.
Balza of Guayaquil, in 1736. From D. Ant. de UUoa.
has been called Caiia Beja, or Caha Heja. Don Jorge Juan has seen the
same kind of wood in Malta, where it grows, and by the Maltese is called
Ferula. Some of these poles or canes are 12 or 13 fathoms in length,
and about 2 feet or 25 feet in diameter ; so that the nine beams joined
form a breadth of between 20 and 24 Paris feet. The thickest of the
poles of which a Balza is formed, is likewise the longest, and the excess
of length is in the after part. Joining to this, one is placed on each
side, and the same is repeated in succession till the whole is completed;
the one in the middle servingas mother to the rest, by which means the
number is always odd. They are fastened by strong rope lashings to
each other, and likewise to cross pieces at each end, which render them
very secure : but it is necessary to examine the lashings from time to
time to see that they are not worn out; for the neglect of such inspec-
tion has occasioned some melancholy accidents. The large Balzas have
a second"
344 VOYAGE or JORIS SPILBERGEN
cHAv. 18. and the only description given of the Balza in the Miroir,
"^""^e^ independent of the Plate, is, that ' the natives go in them to
August. . fjsij^ and that they sail very near to the wind/
Payta. ^j^^
a second platform or deck of canes, and a covering or shed. Some of
them carry from 400 to 500 quintals, without being incommoded by
the wash of the sea, either running over or rising up between the spars,
by reason that the vhole embarkation yields to the motion of the
waves.
Manane- Thus far, says UUoa, only the construction and use of the Balza has
ment. been mentioned. There remains to be explained the greatest singularity
of this embarkation, which is, that it sails and works when the wind is
contrary, as well as vessels Mith keels, and makes good as direct a
course. It possesses this advantage by an invention perfectly distinct
from that of a rudder, ' and which experience and necessity have dic-
' tated to the Indians, strangers to science :' and in this instance, the
contrivances of untutored navigators may be said to have rivalled or
even to have excelled the inventions founded on nautical theory. This
Peruvian method of steering is by means of ' some planks three or four
' yards in length, and half a yard in breadth, called Guares, which are
* disposed vertically both in the fore part and after part of the Balza,
* between the principal timbers composing it : and by lowering some in
' the water, and by raising up others, they pursue their course, M'hether
' with a side wind, large, in tacking, before the wind, or in veering, and
* preserve the prow in whatever direction is required.' The words in the
original are, ' Unos tablones de 3 a 4 'vat-as de largo y media de ancho,
' que llaman Guares^ los quales se acomodan >verticalmente en la parte
' posterior, d popa ; y en la anterior, d proa, cntre los palos principales
' de ella ; por cuyo medio, y el de ahondar unos en el agua, y sacar alguna
' CQsa otros, cotisiguen, que orse; arribe ; hire de hordo, por delante, d
' en redondo ; y se mantenga a la capa segun conviene la faena para el
' intento.' llelacion delViagea la Ameiica Merid. por Don Antonio
de UUoa, Vol. I. lib. iv. cap. 9. § 470.
Don Jorge Juan, the associate of Don Antonio de Ulloa, composed a
1 short memoir on the use of the Guare, which is inserted in Ulloa's work.
a Don
ROUND THE WORLD. 345
The Indian fishermen taken Avere released, and their Balza chap. is.
was restored to them ; but the cargo of fish was distributed 1615.
amons: tlie Holland shins. August.
» i ray la.
Tn imitation of the journal of Olivier Van Noort, the journalist
of Spilbergen's Voyage has given a short account of the Spanish
settlements in Peru and Chili, obtained from one of the prisoners.
In this account it is said that ' Chilue [Chiloe] is a town situated
* at the extremity of the country possessed by the Spaniards
' towards the South ; but it is a place of little importance, for
' some time ago a Captain of the Low Countries, named Anthoine
' le Noir, wiih only thirty armed men, made himself master of
* the town. Another ship, named le Mariage, stopping before
* the same town, thirty Spaniards surrendered themselves into
' their hands.' From these circumstances it appears that more
enterprises than those which have been published, were under-
taken against the Spanish settlements on that side of America :
Don Jorge has demonstrated that a Guare being put down near the
prow of a vessel under sail, Avill make her luif up (that is, will make her
prow point nearer to the wind) ; and that taking the Guare up w ill make
her fall off or -bear away from the wind. And on the contrary, that a
Guare being put down in the after part will make the vessel bear away ;
but being drawn up, will make her steer nearer to the wind. Sometimes
iive or six Guares are used in a Balza at the same time, to prevent her
from making leeway.
The foregoing particulars respecting the Balza, the reader may find
.expla,jned more at large iji Jlage a la Amer. Alerid. por D. Ant. de
XJlloa. Lib. IV. § 465 to 47 1. It is observable, that the Balza of Ulloa
has two poles erected as sheers to serve the purpose of a mast, and a square
sail which is fastened to a yard and fitted with bowlines ; Mliich fashion
of rigging is doubtless, in part at least, European. The Balza in
■ Spilbergen's Voyage is rigged in a more rude and simple manner, the
sails being triangular, and the same stick .beuig made to serve both th«
purposes of mast and yard.
Vol. a. Y If and
346 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
CHAP. 18. and several Spanish authors make casual mention of ' European
1615. ' pirates' frequenting the South Sea about this period.
August. August the 21 st, Admiral Spilbcrgen sailed from Tmjta, and
continued his route towards the North. The 25th, it was deter-
mined in Council to steer for the Isle de Cocos, at which place
thej were informed that refreshments would be found.
September. September tlir i'd, the prize tender became so leaky, that she
was abandoned. They were at tliis time nearly in the latitude
of Cocos, but the weather proved tempestuous with rain and
thunder storms, and after some days spent in a fruitless search
for the Island, the fleet steered for the coast of New Spain.
Coast of The 20th, they made the land of Nezi) Spam in about 13" N
Jsew Spain, j^^^j^^jg^ They proceeded Westward, keeping near the coast
October, with light and variable wjnds, till October the 10th, on the
evening of which day they anchored near the entrance of the
Acnpulco. port of ^cop«/co.
nth. The next day, the fleet stood in for the port. As the ships
approached, the Citadel fired some shot at them, which did no
damao-e : and on the Admiral sending a boat towards the shore
Avith a flag of truce displayed, the firing was discontinued. By
this flag of truce an armistice Avas agreed upon, and the fleet en-
tered the harbour without offering hostihty or receiving molesta-
tion. Each party, however, kept prepared to repel attack, and
the Admiral placed his ships in the most advantageous positions.
On the IfSth, a treaty was concluded by the Admiral with the
Governor of Acapidco, the terms of which were, that no hostility
should be committed by either side ; that the Admiral should
release all his Spanish prisoners ; and that the Spaniards should
furnish the Holland fleet with 30 oxen, 50 sheep, a large quan-
tity of poultry, and of fruits, and with fresh water and wood.
By this prudent negociation the >*^ pa niards saved their town at
small expence, and the Hollanders found a relief to their wants,
which they could not have obtained by other jpeaus The journal
7 , says.
ROUND THE W O R L D, ^^7
says, ' if we had proceeded with force and gained the town, we ch ap. iS.
should have rnade small profit, and have got little either of cattle ^5^^
or provisions, as the Spaniards might with ease have abandoned October.
the place, and conveyed their valuables into the forests.' ^^^'' ^^'
The. contract was performed on both sides with good faith, and
several Spaniards of distinction visited the ships, who were
Jionourably entertained. No person belonging to the fleet Avent
on shore on any other occasion than to forward the business of the
supplies, except once that the Admiral sent his son and the fiscal
to pa}' a visit of ceremony to the Governor.
On the ISth, Spilbergen sailed from Acapiiho, and continued
his progress along the coast towards the N^\'. The 26th, a
Spanish vessel Avas captured, a part of whose crew escaped to
■the shore. The cargo was of small value, except some provisions
which were distiibuted equally among the fleet. The prize was
retained to serve as a tender. ^
"November the 10th, towards evening, the fleet anchored be- November.
fore the Port of Salogua, and two boats were sent into that Salugua.
harbour to examine a river which was reported by the prisoners
to abound with good fish, and its banks with citron and other
fruit trees : they likewise said that at two leagues frem thence
there were meadows with cattle grazing. When the boats arrived
at the river, that and the banks were found to correspond with
the description given; but the Hollanders obsej'ved near- the
shore numerous prints of the footsteps of men who wore shoes.;
and as they had been informed that the place was inhabited by
native Americans only, they had the prudence not to land, but
returned to the ships, wjiicli had anchored in the port of
Saiitiago. ^iiuli.igo.
The next day the Admiral went to the same river AvitJi 500
jnen, but notwithstanding their numbers, as soon as they landed
they were attacked by a strong body of Spaniards wlso had con-
cealed themselves. in the woods. The Spaniards were repulsed
Y Y s )vith
348 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGE^
CHAP. i^. witli some loss, and the Hollanders likewise had two men killed
^gj^ and seven Avoundcd. The place did not appear capable of being
I^^v.mber. gecured against attack, and the ammunition being nearly expended,
the Admiral embarked with his men, and returned to the ships.
Portde The 15th, the anchors were taken up, and the fleet sailed to
'^^ Port de Navidad, which the journalist reckoned to be three
German leagues distant from Po7't Sa7itiago.* At Navidad they
were able to guard against being surprised, and the fleet watered
without molestation ; and with the assistance of their prisoners,
poultry and fruits were procured.
C. May has given with his journal, plans of the ports Salagua,
Santiago, and de Navidad, but has not marked in them either
de])th of water or scale; and the plan ofde Navidad being separate
from the other two, no scale can be formed. The port of Santiago
is to the West of Salagua, and is drawn separated from it only by
a point of land. ^
On the 20th, the fleet sailed from Port de Navidad, and it was
intended to make Cape San Lucas, for the chance of meeting
c .„ some vessels from Manila. The winds however proved unfavour-
bjjilbeigen r^
leaves the able to their plan, on which account, after passing Cape Corri-
Ameiica. cntes, it M'as determined not to expend more time in that pursuit,
December, but to prosecute their voyage to the East Indies ; and December
2'1. the 2d, the course was directed WSW for the Ladrone Islands,
with a prosperous wind. (In the Miroir ' prismcs le cours d I'ouest
Slid ouest, avec assez de prosperite' ) .
^j. On the 3d, they sa^v two Islands, much to the sui'prise of the
pilots, who did not expect to find Islands at that distance from
the American coast.
4th. The 4-th, at day-light, they saw a rock at a great distance,
AnnuWada. ^^'^"^^^ ^'^^ ^^ first mistaken lor a ship; but on a nearer view they
[slands
S^°. Tomas.
* Diimpier has given the distance between de Navidad and Santiago nearly
twice as mnch as is here mentioned. As Cornelisz May sailed i'roni one port to tlie
other, and drew plans ot"each, his distance is probably the most correct.
were
U O U N D T H E W O R L D. 349
were undeceived and nmcli chagrined at their disappointment, chap. iS.
' This rock,' the journal says, ' is situated in latitude 19% and 1615.
' is distant above 55 [German] leagues from the main-land.' ^^^'^ ^''"
' The 6th, at noon, the latitude Avas observed 18° 20' N. 6th.
' This same day was discovered in the open sea, another Island, Roca Par-
' having five hills, each of which had the appearance of being villalobos.
' a separate Island.' *
The Islands seen by Spilbergen on the 3d, are the Sa7ito Tomas
of Grijalva, and the Santo Tomas of Villalobos. Concerning the
other two Islands, it is necessary to rectify an error which has
been made in the first volume of this work.
The fourth Island seen by Spilbergen corresponds Avith
Herrera's account of the situation of the Roca Partida discovered
in 1542, by Villalobos -f- ; but the, early accounts of that voyage
mention only three Islands being discovered in this part of his
track, and describe the situations differently. The third Island
from New Spain (of the four in question) having been found to
have the appearance of a cleft rock;]:, led to a conclusion that
the name lloca Partida had been chosen purposely for its desig-
nation ; and accordingly in the first volume that name has been
so assigned, and the fourth Island wholly omitted. But the
testimony of Spilbergen's voyage § confirms Herrera's account,
and renders it proper to place Roca Partida more to the West-
The third Island seen by Spilbergen seems entitled to the name
* Miroir, O. 5f JV. Ltd. p. So.
+ Herrera, Hist, de las Lid. Occid. Dec, 7. lib. 5. See likewise Vol. I. p. 22S.
of tiiis work.
j; See the view of this Island in the Voyage of Captain Cohiet.
§1 At the time the former Volume was published, I had not examined the
account of Admiral Spilbergen's Voyage; and since then, likewise, the Relation
of the Voyage of the Spanish ships Sutil and Mexicana, published at Madrid in
1802, has come to my hands. The Chart, N" I, in the Atlas to the Spanish
Voyage, places an Island Boca Partida in i8» 30' N latitude, and 3 degrees of
longitude West from the Westernmost of the three Islands seen by Captain
CoUiet.
of
350 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
CHAP. 18; of la Anmiblada given by Villalobos, and it is so marked in a
1615. late Spanish chart.*
December. p^.^^^ December the 6th to the 1st of January 1 616, the fleet
steered ' constantly towards the WbS and WSW, with the wind
' favourable, and making good advances.' In this passage, how-
ever, there were many siek people in the fleet, and several died.
1616. The courses steered berwcen the 1st and 23d of January are
not set down m the Miroir. Durmg that period, it is probable
they sailed on a parallel. On the 23d in the afternoon, they made
^Ladrone the Ladronc Islands, near wliich they stopped two days to traflic
with the Islanders for provisions of fruits, fowls, and fish.
The 25th,. Sybrand Cornelisz, principal merchant in the
IMorghensterre, being at dinner apparently in good health, was
seized with a fainting fit and suddenly expired.
The 26th in the afternoon, they sailed from the Ladrones, and
February, on February the 9th, arrived in sight of the Philippines.
Island"^ The ships of Spilbergcn passed through the Emhocadero de Sau
Bernai'dino, and towards the end of the month anchored before
the Boy of Manila, near which it was intended to remain till
the middle of April, as rich trading vessels from China were
.expected to arrive about that time.
AVith the journal is a chart, under the title of the Strait of
Manila, on whicli is laid down the North part of Tandava and the
South side of Luconia from the Emhocadero to the entrance of
Manila Bay. The coasts appear to have been draM^n with judge-
ment, but without much pains. The greatest difference between
this and the later charts is in the distances : the distance from
the E/i/bccadcro to the entrance of the Bay of Manila, being laid
,down by May above 80 geographical leagues, which is consi-
derably more than the distance given by the present charts.
-Match, In the first Meek of IVIarch, the JloUandcrs captured many
small vessels laden with rice, poultry, cattle, fruits, tobacco,
* Tliii cluul incutiou'-'d in tlie jtrecedirg note.
and
pTPUS FRET I MANI-
-LENSIS,
Straedt ua/idi' Manillcs.
Ciiho dc Spiritus Samtm
S50 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
CHAP, 18; of la Anmihlada given by Villalobos, and it is so marked in a
1G15, late Spanish chart.*
December. pj-^in December the 6th to the 1st of January 16I6, the fleet
steered ' constantly towards the WbS and WSW, with tlie wind
* favourable, and making good advances.' In this passage, how-
ever, there were many sick people in the fleet, and several died,
1616. The courses steered berween the 1st and 23d of January are
not set down in the Miroir. During that period, it is probable
they sailed on a parallel. On the 23d in the afternoon, they made
^Ladro.ne the Ladroiie Islands, near wliich they stopped two days to traflic
with the Islanders for provisions of fruits, fowls, and fish.
The 25th,. Sybrand Cornelisz, principal merchant in the
Morghensterre, being at dinner apparently in good health, was
•seized with a fainting fit and suddenly expired.
The 26th in the afternoon, they sailed from the Ladrones, and
February, on February the 9th, arrived in sight of the Philippines.
Island"^ The ships of Spilbergcn passed through the Emhocadero de Sail
Boiiardino, and towards the end of the month anchored before
the Bay of Manila, near which it was intended to remain till
the middle of April, as rich trading vessels from China were
.expected to arrive about that time.
With the journal is a chart, under the title of the Strait of
Manila, on ^vhicll is laid down the North part of Tandam and the
South side of Luconia from the Emhocadero to the entrance of
Manila Bay. The coasts appear to have been drawn with judge-
ment, but without much pains. The greatest difference between
this and the later charts is in the distances : the distance frona
the Bnihccadcro to the entrance of the Bay of Manila, being laid
, down by May above 80 geographical leagues, which is consi-
derably more than the distance given by the present charts.
Maich, In the fust week of IVIarch, the Hollanders captured many
small vessels laden with rice, poultry, cattle, fruits, tobacco,
* The chart incutiyucd in tlie j>r(?cedirg note.
and
T YP IT S K R K T I MAN T-
-l,HNSI S.
Dir Slniiill I'lilid,- . l/,////7/,;r.
Ca/>i' tii- Spiritus Sanctus
! -'
ROUND THE ^YORLD. 351
and otlier provisions. Some of these vessels belonged to ^j^j^Vj"
1010.
Spaniards, and some to Chinese and Japanese; but the cargoes
of all were presumed to be Spanish property, and as such distri- ^^''''^^'^
buted among the fleet. The only distinction that appears to
have been made, was, that the Chinese and Japanese prisoners
were released, and their vessels restored to them,
March the 6th, Admiral Spilbergen received intelligence from
some prisoners, that all the naval force which the Spaniards had
been able to equip at Manila had been sent to the Molucca
Islands to oppose the Hollanders : that this force consisted of
ten large and many small vessels, in which, besides Spaniards,
were embarked a great number of Chinese, Japanese, and natives
of the Philippines ; and that they left Manila on the 4th of the
preceding month [February], under the command of Don Juan
de Silves. On receiving this information, the Admiral convened
the Council^ wherein it was determined to proceed without delay
to the assistance of their countrymen at the Moluccas. But pre-
vious to their departure, one of the prize vessels, manned with a
Chinese crev/, was dispatched to Manila with a letter to the
Governor, in which the Admiral offered to exchange the prisoners
he had for any Hollanders who might be detained at Manila.
On the 8th, fourchampans (small vessels of the country) Avere
taken laden with provisions, which were equally distributed-
among the fleet.
They waited till the 1 0th, expecting an answer from the
Governor of Manila, but no answer arrived ; and, on that day, -
Admiral Spilbergen set sail for the Mo/i^ccas. The 29th of the Arrives
same month, he arrived with his fleet at the Island Terrenate, ^i^^ullcas
The route and proceedings of Admiral Spilbergen in this voyage
have been thus far closely followed. His actions in India in the
service of the East India Company of the United Provinces, arc
of a nature foreign to tlie subject of this work. He remained
among
352 VOYAGE OF JORIS SPILBERGEN
CHAP. 18. among the Molucca and Spice Islands till near the end of the
1616. year, when he sailed with two ships for Europe.
One remar4^able circumstance in his passage homeward, is
connected with the History of South Sea Discoveries, which
will more properly be related in the ensuing than in the present
chapter.
Considering that the Expedition of Admiral Spilbergen pro-
duced no new discovery of lands in the South Sea, the account
of it might easily have been made more brief; but it secured
that in so doing, the reader's satisfaction would have been
abridged, as the evx^uts of the voyage receive much addition of
interest from the judicious and steady conduct of the com-
mander. Of six ships which sailed in company under his
command from the TeacI, the five * largest arrived with him at
the Moluccas. The prudent management by which so many ships
were kept together through such an extensive navigation, the
care and attention shown for the preservation of his men, his steady
.pursuit of his duty in preferring the honour and service of his
country to all other considerations, are so many evidences which
the conduct of Admiral Spilbergen furnishes to prove that he
possessed the most requisite talents of a great commander; and
there has seldom been found in the same man such a union of valour
•and circumspection. Of his genius for enterprize, the following-
remarkable testimony is given in a Memoir written upon the
subject of Voi/agcs undertaken to find a way for sailing about the
North to the East Indies. The Memoir says ' William Barentsz
^ sailed Northward as far as to 77° 20'; and upon this supposi-
' tion (of a passage to India by the North of Europe) divers
* M. de Brasses has said tliat one of Spilbergen's ships was lost near the i?/i'fr
de la Plata, ' so that his squadron was reduced to four.' llht. des Navig. aux
Terres Jtistrale^, Tom. J. p. 344. M. de Brosscs appears to have mistaken the
loss of a boat for tiie loss of one of th.e ships. The plates to the early accounts_, us
well as the narrative^ show that five ships remained with the Admiral.
' voyages
ROUND THE WORLD. 353
* voyages have been attempted. And though hitherto the chap, 18.
* attempt has been made that way only from the side of
' Europe ; yet that famous seaman, Joris Van Spilbergen, would
' have adventured a voyage the same way from the East Indies,
' if with much importunity he had not been dissuaded
< from it.'*
J. Cornelisz May, the journalist. of Spilbcrgen's Voyage, must
be allowed to have contributed to the improvement of the charts
of his time, particularly by his chart of the Strait of Magalhams
already noticed, and by a chart which likewise accompanies his
journal, of the Islands in the Indian Seas from Simiatra Eastward.
His journal also contains ' a description of the number and
* situation of the fortresses, troops, artillery, and shipping, in the
' East Indies in the service of the East India Company ;' from
which it appears, that the Dutch Company had 3000 troops,
and 37 sail of European shipping, besides country craft, in the
East Indies, in July 16 16.
To the early publications of Spilbergen's voyage is prefixed a
Map of the World in a double hemisphere, which is to be con-
sidered merely as an ornamental frontispiece furnished by the
editor; and is noticed here only on account of the track being
marked on it erroneously, and not agreeing with the narrative.
• Philosophical Transactions, A.D. 1674, Vol. IX. Paper N" lO).
Vol. n.
[ 35i 1
CHAP. XIX.
VoTjage of Jacob Le Maire cmd Wilhelni Cornelisz Schouten,
round the World.
niAp. 19. 'T^Ii E expedition of Admiral Spilbergen to the South Sea
"""""•'i^^^ -*- -^vas closely followed by anotlier, which proved no less cre-
ditable to the maritime reputation of Holland ; though in other
respects not equally important to the intei'ests of that country.
By the charter Avhich the States General granted to the Dutch
East India Company, all other subjects of the United Provinces
were prohibited from sailing Eastward round the Cape of Good
Hope, or Westward through the Strait of Magalhanes : but this
charter, whicli was intended to give an exclusive trade to the
Company, did not secure all the avenues to India.
A belief that to the South of the Strait of Magalhanes there
would be found either an open sea, or some other passage leading
to the South Sea, had many years been gradually gaining
strength. The termination of the coast of the Tierra del Fuego
on the Eastern side, had been seen as early as the year 1526;
and the expedition of Drake round the World, in 1578, had as-
certained the fact of an open sea to the South of the Tierra
del Fuego : but the discovery made by Drake was little known.
No clear information concerning this part of his voyage could
be gathered from the accounts at that time before the public ;
for the narrative entitled The World Encompassed, was not printed
before the year 1628.
During this obscure state of the question, about the year 1 61 3,
some enterprising merchants in the United Provinces, from fre-
quent consultations on this subject, became so strongly persuaded
of the existence of such passage or passages, that they formed the
design
VOYAGE OF LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN. S55
design of fitting out ships to make the experiment, which, chap. jp.
if successful, >yould open to them a trade to India by a
passage not interdicted, and, it was hoped, amply repay them
for their risk and expence. The merchants principally engaged
in this speculation were, Isaac Le Maire of Amsterdam, Peter
and Jan Clementz Kies, and Jan Janszon Molenwerf.*
As a necessary preliminary step to their enterprise, they pre-
sented an application to the States, demanding, ' that in re-
* compense of the danger, labour, and expence, they were ready
* to take upon themselves for the discovery of new passages,
* harbours, or lands, there should be granted to them the pri-
* vilege, to the exclusion of all other persons, the subjects of
* the States, to make the first six voyages to the countries which
* they should discover.' In consequence of this application, the
States General decreed as a general regulation, that ' all per-
* sons, inhabitants of the United Provinces, who should make
* discoveries of new passages, harbours, or lands, should be
* permitted and entitled to make the first four voyages to the
' places by them discovered;' and all other inhabitants of the
said provinces were forbid, under the penalties of confiscation of
ships and merchandise, and payment of a fine of 50 000 ducats
for the benefit of the first discoverers, to navigate or trade in
such places, until the said four voyages were completed. It
was stipulated as a condition that the discoverers should within
two weeks after their return from their first voyage, make a re-
port to the States General of all their navigation and success :
and it v/as at the same time declared that this Grant was not to
be understood to authorise any act in prejudice or derogation of
any charters or permissions before granted. This decree is dated
March the 26th, 1614 : and under its authority, Isaac Le Maire
and his coadjutors formed themselves into a Company.
* Journal et Miroir de la Navigation Justrale du Jaques Le Maire.
Preface.
z z2 The
356 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 10
The views of the new Company in this arduous undertaking,
may be said to have been wholly commercial. They fitted out
two ships, whose force was not greater than was required for
their security among the uncivilised inhabitants of the countries
they expected to fall in with. The projected voyage was ne-
cessarily to be one of discovery, because they were restricted from
going to India by the known routes.
The conduct and management of the enterprise was confided
to two persons jointly. Jacob le Maire (the son of Isaac) was
appointed by the Company to go with the ships as principal
Merchant and President. Wilhelm Cornehsz Schouten, an ex-
perienced seaman, was appointed Patron, or Master Mariner.
As an additional sanction to the undertaking, a license was ob-
tained from tlie Prince of Orange, which was written in the style
of aa address to all foreign potentates by whom it should be
seen, notifying to them that * Jacob le Maire, Captain and
* President of the two ships Eendracht and Home, and Wilhelm
* Cornehsz Schouten, Ship Patron *, had permission and autho-
' I'ity from him to go to the Empires and Kingdoms of Tartary^
' China, Japan, the East Indies, Terra Australis, Islands and
* Lands of the South Sea, to the Isle of Rottaf, to passages
' North and South, and others Avhich they might discover, to
' contract alliances with the inhabitants, to trade, &c.' and
finally, those who embarked in this expedition were commanded
not to offend or injure any one unless they were themselves first
assault(xl. This instrument is signed Maurice de Nassau ; and
dated May 13th, 1614. It is said;]: that the scheme of the
voyage was kept a secret from all but a few of the principal
merchants, who were Directors of the Company, and that
* ' Patron de Narire.' A copy of this license is prefixed to the account, en-
titled, Navirwtion Aiistrale de J. Le Maire.
+ To the SVV of Timor, and the Southernmost land at that time known of the
Eastern archipelagos.
X By the editor of the Merveilleux Fojf... de Guil. Schouten.
the
R O U N D T H E W O R L D. 357
the officers and mariners employed were engaged with the chap. 19.
condition to sail whithersoever the commanders and merchants
chose to go. The privileges which they had demanded clearly
evinced their destination to be the South Sea or the East Indies :
the proposed route Avould not be easily conjectured, and the
Company by many were named the Gold Seekers ; but the
merchants themselves took the title of (Compagnie Australe)
the Southern Company.
The history of the early publications of this voyage involves a Account of
contest between the two principal leaders for the honours of the publications
discoveries which were made : and would have been understood of the
with less explanation, if it had been deferred to the conclusion ° "
of the voyage, to which the circumstances attending its publica-
tion would have been a natural sequel ; but the convenience and-
satisfaction to the reader in being previously acquainted with
the authorities to which he is frequently referred in the course
of the naiTative, has caused a preference to be given to the
contrary method.
In 1617, the year in which the voyage terminated, the Jottrnaf
of the Voyage of Wilhelm Schoicten was published at Amsterdam,.
m the Dutch and French languages ; a publication which gave
much offence to the friends of Jacob Le Maire, as it ascribed
the merits of the navigation and discoveries solely to Wilhelm
Schouten. In the year following, it Mas published in the German
language.
In 16 19, another edition of the French, with the title of
Journal on Description du MerveiUmx Voyage de Guillaume
Schouten, was published at Amsterdam, by Harman Janson, with
plates : and in the same year likewise, Descriptio admirandi
itineris a Gullielmo Schouten Hollando peracti, with plates, was
added to the Collection of Voyages, by De Bry. America',
purs XI. The earliest of tlie An)sterdam editions that I have
met with, is that of 16 19. M. Camas, in \\\?> Memoire on the
Collections
358 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 19. Collections of Voyages by De Bry and Thevenot, p. 14y, notices
the three editions of a more early date; whether they were ac-
companied with plates is not mentioned, but one of them,
published at Amsterdam, by W. Jansz [Janson], is the original
publication of which the friends of Le Maire complained. The
plates to De Bry's and to Janson's edition are not the same,
but they are engravings fi'om the same designs, with some small
variations. In the frontispiece to each there are representations
of two Terrestrial Hemispheres, over which are placed the
busts of Ferdinand de Magalhanes and of Willem Schouten,
with their ships, the Vitoria and Eendracht. The sides of the
Frontispieces are decorated with portraits of other circumnavi-
gators, but that of Jacob Le Maire is not among them, nor
does his name appear in the title page. The preface states that
the plan of the voyage was projected between Isaac Le Maire
(the father of Jacob) and W. Schouten, and adds with less
appearance of probabilit}', that W. Schouten, by the means of
his friends, furnished a moiety of the expence of the equip-
ment. Willem Schouten is styled the Master Mariner and
principal Governor, and Jacob Le Maire the principal Merchant
and Commissary. No author's name is affixed to this journal :
De Bry says, it is composed, ex scriptis et ore eorum qui et
pr(£sente$ ista lidere ac experti sunt : and the Preface to the
Merveilleux Voyage, that ' the things which happened in this
' voyage are amply and faithfully described in this treatise, by
' those who were eye witnesses.
A Helation of the Voyage of W. Schowen was printea m London,
in 161 9, without plates, except in the title page a representation
of the Strait Le Maire, there called the New Passage. The prin-
cipal recommendation of this London edition is, that it appears
to be a translation from the original publication.
In 1621, was published at Amsterdam, the Miroir Oost et
West Indical, in which was printed the same Journal, but with
the
R O U N D T H E W O R L D. 359
the altered title of Navigations Australes Descouvertes, par Jacob C'* ^ ?. 19.
Le Maire ; and in the charts, the track, which in the former
publication was called the track of Willera Schouten, is here
called the Navigation of J. Le Maire.
In 1622, printed also at Amsterdam, appeared the Journal ^
Miroir de la Navigation Australe de Jaques Le Maire, Chef ^^ Con-
ducteur de deus Navires. A Preface to this Journal declares that
' the Directors of the Compagnie Australe, being willing to publish
the authentic and original journal of Jacob Le Maire, who sailed
in search of the Terre Australe, have thought proper to caution
the reader, that the journal put forth bj Jansz is not the true
journal of the said navigation, but a work surreptitiously ob-
tained, and unfairly published, not only in being to the prejudice
of the Company, to whom, as they possessed the original journals,
it belonged to publish such an account, but in attributing the
discovery of the Strait Le Maire to Willem Schouten, who went
only in the quality of Mariner, and was not the contriver of this
navigation ; and who had no previous knowledge concerning it
farther than had been communicated to him by the Directors,
as he acknowledged himself by letters written in 161 8.' The
•Preface likewise denies that W. Schouten contributed towards
the expence of equipment. ' And for as much as W. Jansz
* has published his book under the name of Will. Schouten, be
• it known to the reader, that Schouten is not the author of that
♦ histor}', he having disowned that book in his letters, and
* blamed W. Jansz.' The rest of the preface contains some
remarks on the comparative merits of Willem Schouten and
Jacob Le Maire, favourable, as may be supposed, to Le Maire.
There is no signature to this preface. In the commencement,
the writer insinuates, without venturing to aflert, that this Journal
de la Navigation Australe is the original and authentic journal
of Jacob le Maire ; but in no other shape does either the title,
preface, or any part of the publication, pretend to give the reader
any
360 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
.c H A r. 19. any information whose journal it is that is thus presented to him.
On comparison, the fact appears, that the greater portion of the
Navigation Australe de le Maire, is taken from the Journal da
Merveilleux Voyage de IV. Schouten, and that the ' editor has
endeavoured to disguise the plagiarism by verbal alterations.
The plates of the Marveilleiuv Voyage are copied, omitthig the
frontispiece, to embelhsh the Navigation Australe; and the com-
piler or publisher had not invention or spirit sufficient to intro-
duce a single plate representing any new subject. The chart of
the Strait Le Maire, with the Tierra del Fuego, is something im-
proved in the Navigatio7i Australe. The other charts, with only
one small variation that requires notice, are copied from the
charts of Schouten's Voyage, except that the meridian lines are
differently placed ; but the alteration is ill managed, and has
not made tlie distances in the charts agree with the distances
given in the journal which they accompany. 1'he only remark-
able differences between the Navigation Australe and the ac-
counts before published, are, the distances in the reckonings,
and some of a personal nature respecting the President and the
Patron. The occasions which produced the latter, the reader
will find in the relation of the voyage. It must be supposed
that a narrative countenanced by the Compagnie Australe would
have possessed more of originality if Jacob Le JMaire, whom the
editors wished should be reputed the author, had been living at
the time of its publication.
> In the Recueil des Voyages a rEstahlissement de la Comp. des
Indes Orient. Vol. S. Edit. \7'25. Hoj/cv/, there is an account of
the voyage with the title of Navigation Australe par Jac. Le Maire,
et par IV. Corn. Schouten, said to be ' drawn up from the journal
' of Adrien Claesz, from many other writings, and from oral in-
* formation of those who performed the voyage.' • This is com-
posed from the prior publications, without any addition of im-
portance except one circumstance respecting the reckonings.
11 Every
ROUND THE wo RLD. 361
Every one of these accounts of the voyage are in fact anony- cuap. 19.
mous, so much so, that they afford no document M^hich can
autliorise the fixing a single paragraph in any one of the journals
upon any particular author. The Merveilleux Voyage de Schouten,
and the Navigation Australe de Le Maire, have nevertheless
always been regarded as authentic accounts, and there is suffi-
cient reason to be satisfied, not only from their agreement
respecting facts, but from the nature of the circumstances related
as well as by the manner of relation, that the information they
contain is genuine. The Voyage of Schouten, however, is the
only one of the accounts that has the appearance of a journal
in its genuine state. It is evidently the groundwork both in
form and matter of those which followed, and has always
been supposed to be the jouinal of Wilhelm Cornelisz Schouten ;
and the accounts of the reckoning in the navigation across the
Pacijic Ocean, furnish argument in corroboration of the general
-opinion.
The copies of the Act of the States respecting new Disco-
veries, and of the license granted to Le Maire and Schouten, do
not accompany any other account than the Navigation Australe
de J. Le Maire; and it is remarked by M. Camus, that they
give additional interest to that edition of the voyage.
Having entered so fully into the history of the early publica-
tions of the Voyage of Le Maire and Schouten, it is only ne-
cessary to notice farther, that, except in instances where other
authority is specified, the Journal du Voyage dc Schouten and
the Navigation Australe de Le Maire have supplied the facts re-
lated in the ensuing Nariative.
The vessels fitted out by the Compagnie Australe were, a ship 1615.
named the Eendracht, of 360 tons burthen, which carried 19 ^q"'P'"ent.
guns, besides other arms, with a company of 65 men ; and a
galiot (fuste) named the Home, of 110 tons, carrying 8 guns
Vol. H. 3 A and
362 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. iq. and 22 men. The President Jacob Le Maire and the Patron
'^""^Q^T^ Wiliielm Cornelisz Schouten sailed together in the Eendracht.
The Home was commanded by Jan Schouten, brother to the
Patron, a-nd Adrian Claesz sailed in her as merchant. To each
" vessel two pilots were appointed.
Departure On Jime the 14th, 1615, they sailed from the Texel.
Holland. 'i'^16 1 7th, they anchored in the Downs, where they hired an
June. English gunner. They afterwards stopped at the Isle of Wight ^
and at Plijrnoiith, at the last of wdiich places they hired a car-
penter, and sailed thence the 2Sth.
July. July the 8 th-, the carpenter's mate of the Home died.
Cape Verde. The S3d, they anchored at Cape Verde, where they obtained
very little provisions, and for leave to take fresh water the
natives obliged them to pay eight bars of iron and some bottles
of Spanish wine.
August. August the 1st, they left Cape Verde. The 2 1st, they had
Sierra sight of the high land of Sierra Leone, and stood for the river i
but not having good directions for finding the proper road, they
got among the smaller branches of the river, or into some other
rivers, near that of Sierra Leone, where the country was not in-
habited. I'hey found here lemons growing w:ild, and oysters which
hung to the branches of trees that stood in the salt water : and
saw wild cattle, apes, and other beasts, crocodiles, tortoises,
swans, and partridges.
The 30th, they anchored in the proper road of Sierra Leone,
where they procured plenty of fish, bananas, lemons, and fresh
water. The Home was laid aground liere, and her bottom
cleaned. A sea stock of 25 000 lemons Mere purchased of the
inhabitants for a few beads : and so great a quantity of this fruit
grew in the woods, that they migjit with ease have loaded their
ships with them.
September. ^^ ^^® beginning of September, they sailed from Sierra Leant,
but calms and contrary winds, which were accompanied with
heavy rains, kept them near the African coast till near the end
of the month. October
ROUND THE WORLD.
365
October the 5th, they were in latitude 4" 17' N. About noon c ha p. 19.
on that day, a great noise was heard on board the Eendracht, 16,5.
which seemed to proceed from under the fore part of the ship, October,
and immediately after, the sea around them became red, as if
blood had been poured into it. Afterwards (on their arrival in
port), a large piece of the horn of some sea animal was found
sticking in the bottom of the ship, 7 feet below the water line. It
was inserted half a foot deep into the ship, having passed through
the planking, and into one of the ribs ; about the same length
remained without, where, with the violence of the stroke, the horn
had broken. It was nearly of the same shape and thickness as the
end of acommonelephant's tooth; Mas full, sound, and very hard.
The 10th, they caught eight ' Dorados*;' and on the 15th, Dorados.
40 Bonetas, which is an extraordinary number of those fish ta
take in one day. The 20th, they passed the Equinoctial line ;
and on the 25th, the plan of the voyage, before known only to
the President and the Patron, was publicly announced to the
officers and seamen of both vessels, who Mere informed that they
M'ere bound for the South Sea by a passage which Mas to be
sought by them to the South of the Strait of Magalhanes ; that
when this passage should be discovered, it Mas intended to go
to the Terra Australis (by M^hich was meant the Australia del
Espiritu Santo of Quiros, supposed to be the Southern Conti-
nent), and if they should be disappointed in their expectations
of finding great riches there, they were then to sail on to the East
Indies. This communication was well received by every one on
board, and to animate them the more, there was read publicly
in the steerage one of the memorials of Pedro Fernandez de
Quiros, which Mas listened to by the seamen with great eager-
ness, and some of them, that they might not forget the name
- Terra Australis, wrote it in their caps with chalk.
* Dorados, or Golden fish, seems to have been the name then given to the
fibh now called Dolphins. The Dolphin of the ancients (the c a-vi Dclphi/tesj was
doubtless the fish now called Porpus, or Sea Hog (Marsouin).
3 A 2 December
364 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 19. December the 4th. In latitude 47° 25' S, they struck soulid"-
1615. in2;s at 75 fathoms depth, sandy bottom ; and on the 6th, at
December. ^^^^ ^^^ ^.j^g afternoon, they saw the American coast. In the
evening, they anchored in 10 fathoms, a league and a half distant
from the coast, and a small distance to the North of Fori
Desire, Avhere they found a tide running as strong as the tide
before Flushing.
Entrance The 7th, at daylight, they weighed anchor, and Olivier Van,
Desire. Noort's journal was consulted for directions to find Fort Desire-^
but it being high water, the tide had covered some rocks near
the Northern point of the entrance, which are mentioned both
by Van Noort, and by Fuller*, and some rocks or small islets
being visible near the South point of the entrance, they were de-
ceived and ran past the Fort. On finding their mistake, they
anchored a short distance to the South of the entrance, in 4|
fathoms depth, to wait for the flood : when the tide fell to the
lowest, however, they had only 14 feet depth, and the fore
part of the ship took the ground. The bottom was rocky, but
fortunately the wind was from the land, and the sea smooth,
and no damage ensued. At this anchorage they caught smelts
16 inches in length, on which account it was named the Bay
d'Esperlans.
8tb. The next morning, they got clear of the Bay d'Esperlans, and
In Port anchored right before the entrance of Fort Desire. In the after-
Desiie. j^oon, they entered the Port, having 12 fathoms depth in the
channel, and when they had sailed about a [German] league
and a half within the entrance, they anchored in the main stream
in 20 fathoms. The bottom here was slippery stones and their
anchors did not take good hold ; so that in less than an hour
after anchoring, the wind blowing fresh from the NW, both
the vessels were driven on the South shore. This happened
about the time of high water. As the tide fell, Avith the steep-
* See p. 67 of thi> volume..
ness
ROUND TPIE WORLD.
265
ness of the shove the Eendracht slid down and kept afloat ; but
the Home was lodged on the shore and left dry at low water.
With the next flood tide both vessels Avere got into the stream I>^cembcr.
again; and on the 9th, they moved farther within the harbour ^°'^^^'''^-
to a safe birth behind the Island, marked in the plan of the Port
Isle du Roy ', which was the same place where the ships of Van
Noort had formerly found secure anchorage.
In Fort Desire and from Fenguin Island, they took a plentiful Provisions
supply of sea lions, penguins, sea birds of many kinds, the eggs PortDtsire
of sea birds, herons and bitterns, and fish. Some of the sea
lions were 1 6 feet in length, and no other way was tbund of
killing them than by shooting them in the belly or in the head.
The Isle du Roy was almost entirely covered with the eggs of sea
birds like those of a lapwing, but rather larger, which were good
eating. Among the birds caught were a species of geese ; and in
one day, two tons of smelts were taken with nets.
One of the earliest cares of the Hollanders was to search for
fresh water, and they dug wells in different places, some 14
feet deep; but during the first fortnight of their stay in this
port, they found no other than brackish, water, 'as well in the
* mountains as in the vallies.*
Upon the summits of hills and upon high rocks, were observed
the heaps or hills of stones, noticed in the account of Olivier
Van Noort's voyage, where the natives deposited their dead.
Some of the people of Le Maire and Schouten's ships had the
curiosity to remove the stones of some of these heaps, and they
found the bodies of the deceased natives laid upon the ground,
without any grave being dug. The stones heaped over and
round the bodies were supposed to be for the purpose of pro-
tecting them from birds and beasts. It is said (first in the
Merveilleiix Voyage de Gu. Schouttn, from Avhence it seems to
have been copied into the other accounts) that some of the
human skeletons thus found were l O or 1 1 i'ci^i in length.
The
■S&S LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 19. The ship and the galiot were both laid aground at high water,
^^"^61^ to be cleaned. On the 19th in the afternoon, as they were
December, bumino- recds under the bottom of the Home which the falling
Port Desire. » . , .
The Home of the tide had left dry, the flames suddenly caught withni
A"'"d "^t board, and communicating with the rigging, the tire increased
with great rapidity. Unfortunately at this time the sea had
retreated so much from the vessel, that the water was 50 feet
distant, which rendered it impossible to stop the progress of the
flames. In a short time the powder took fire, and after the ex-
plosion, the remains of the vessel continued burning the whole
night. The next day, the anchors, guns, iron work, and all of
her that could be found which fire or water had not destroyed,
was taken into the Eendracht. Of the merchandise, 37lbs.
weight of silver were recovered, some of which was found
thrown to a considerable distance from the wreck; 14cwt. of
lead and some pewter were saved.
Animals had been frequentl}^ observed crossing some moun-
tains near the ship ; and it at length occurred that their object
Fresh might be to get fresh Avater. On the 25th, the President sent
f ^d'^ people to search in that direction; and two pits or hollows con-
taining fresh water were discovered. The pits were made deeper
to procure an increase of the quantity, and the next day four
tons of water were filled. 'J'he water was whitish in colour and
thick, which was occasioned by the disturbance made by the
animals in drinking, and by the soil underneath being a white
Watering cla}^ ; it was nevertheless good and soft, lliis watering place
Hate, y^^^ Qn the Northern side, and very distant from the shore of
the harbour, as appears in the plate representing Port Desire.
The water Avas conveyed to the ship in runlets (small casks)
which the men carried on their shouldftrs, and every Avaterer Avas
attended by an armed man. In this mode of Avatering, the
Dutch seamen shijipcd in one day 10 tons of water.
Most of the draAvings of places given by the early Dutch navi-
gators are rude and disproportionate representations : but by
1 1 their
R O U N D T H E W O R L D. 367
their method of combining map and picture, though done at chap. 19.
the expence both of perspective and correct measurement, much ,gj-^
information and a clear general idea is communicated. The I^ecember.
figures introduced are likewise defective in point of neatness
and correctness, but are seldom without character. The annexed
plate is 'copied from a plan of Poj't Desire in the Journal du
Merveilleux Voyage cle Schouten, edit. 1619.
Explanations of the Figures given with the Plan of Tort Desire.
A. The Bay d'Esperlans, where we went hy mistake, and remained
a night in great danger of losing the ships.
B. The place where the ships were cast on the shore.
C. A small Island 'where we took many young birds.
D. The Isle of Lions.
E. The Isle dit Roy, behind or rather within which we moored-
the ship.
F. The place where the galiot,. the Home, was burnt.
G. The place where we found water.
H. The sepulchres of men of large stature, where we found
skeletons 1 0 or 11 feet long, the skulls of which we could
put on our heads in the manner of helmets.
I. K. Representations of Sea Lions and Lionesses, so?ne of which zi^e
took and eat.
Li. Animals of a kind resembling the stag [^ce7f], hut with the
neck as long as all the rest of the body ; very .swift of foot. .
We. saw many of them every day on the mountains.
M. Ostriches, of which we saw great numbers.
N. A forked rock on the summit of a hill, which at a distance
appeared like a building formed by human labour.*
' The
* Tbfi explanation here given to N, is in pari taken from the Navig. Amt. de k
Maire. Tliis remarliable rock is at present known by the name of the Tuzier Rock.
Its situation, aa observed ia 1766, by Mr. Harrison, purser of His Majesty's ship
Dolphin, .
368 LE MAI RE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. ip. The reader is to observe, that in this plan of Pott Desire the
1615. upper part of the page is the South, a practice which has been
oit esiie. ajQp^g(^ \^y some geographers for places in South latitude, that
the elevated pole may appear the uppermost. Of this practice
it may be remarked, that it will not apply to all cases, and is
such a departure from general custom as must be apt to create
perplexit3^, ^^hich is not compensated by its affording superior
convenience, or other advantage of any kind.
None of the natives made their appearance whilst the ship
was in this port, but distant smokes Avere observed. Ostriches,
and some other animals with long necks, thought to be of the
deer kind, but which it is probable were horses, were seen at a
distance.
1616. Some disagreement appears to have occurred at this place
between J. Le Maiie and W. C. Schouten ; but the cause is
obscurely told. 'I'lie Navigation Australe de J. Le Maire relates,
that on January the 3d, ' the President began to set down his
* determination in writing : he was informed by Adrien Claesz
* that the Patron would make a difficulty to subscribe it, and
■^ without being willing to assign his reason.'
To prepare the ship for a stormy latitude, the great guns were
put down in the hold, and every thing that could be spared
from the deck or rigging, which by being exposed to the wind
would prevent the ship from being weatherly, was taken below
the deck.
January 13th. With one ship only, the Eendracht, Le Maire
and Schouten sailed from Port Desire, and directed their course
Southward.
Dolphin, in Captain Wallis's Voyage, is lat. 47° 56' S, and long. 67° 10' W. from
Greenwich. Astron. Obs"' made in Voyages formaking discoveries, undertaken
hi/ order of His present Majesti/, drazon up by William Wales, p. 3. London 1 788.
In the 8j)anish Atlas of 1798, the Toieer Rock is placed in lat, 47" 46' S, and
long. 59* 45' W. from Cadiz, equal to 66' a' from Greenwich.
The
ROUND THE WORLD. 369
The ISth, they had sight of Davis's Southern Islands, in the chap. jo.
journals of this voyage called the Isles of Sebald de IVcert. ^""Te^e^
The 20th, at noon, they had passed the latitude of the en. Ja'i":>'y-
Diivis's
trance of the Strait of Magalhanes, and by their estimation Southern
were 20 leagues distant from the land of the Tierra del Fuego. ^f^tt'
]\Iuch sea weed was passed, which was supposed to have drifted
from the Strait.
The 21st, they were in latitude 53' S. The 22d, the winds 21.st.22d.
were light, and they advanced but little.
The 23d, in the morning, the winds were light and variable. 23d.
At noon, soundings were obtained at the depth of 50 fathoms,
the bottom black sand with small stones ; but the sea was of a
pale whitish colour. Afternoon, a breeze sprung up from the
North, with which they steered SbW, and at 3 p. m. the land
of Tierra del Fuego appeared to the West and SW. In a short Tiem
time after, a continuation of the land was seen extending' to the ^'^^ lu^so-
South and SE. The course was directed ESF/, with the hope
' to arrive at the end of the land.'* The wind increased, and
they continued on a course following the line of the coast. In
the night they had soundings at 14 fathoms depth.
At daylight the next morning (the 24th), a continuance of ^ ^5,
the coast was seen to extend far Eastward, which M"as great
discouragement to tiieir hopes : but a more favourable prospect
was soon presented to them. The important discoveries of this
day are clearly and <:oncisely related in the Journal de Mej'veilleur
ToTjage. The following extract is given fi-om that account, Avhich
will with ease be understood by consulting the chart of the
Southern paits of America.-f-
' The 24th, at the break of day, we saw the land [of Tierra
* del Fuegol on our right hand, not more than a good leao^ue
* Merveil/eux Voyage, p 18.
■\ Vide Vol. I. Plate the first preceding the Appendix.
Vol. II. SB ' distant
i570 LE M AIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. If,. - distant from us, and had soundings at 40 fathoms. The wind
"^""^a^e^ ' was from tlie West, and the coast extended towards the EbS
January, e ^yj^|j y^^y },ig]^ mountains entirely covered with snow. We sailed
' along the coast, and about noon we came to the termination
* of this land, and we saw another country towards the East,
* which likewise was very high and mountainous. We judged
New Strait ' these lands to be about eight leagues distant the one from the
discovered. ^ ^^i^^^^ ^^^ it appeared to us that between the two there was a
* good passage : and what strengthened us in this opinion was,
* that the tide ran with great violence towards the South
' between the two lands. At noon we observed the latitude
* 54" 46' S.
' After noon, the wind was from the North, and we stood for
' the said opening; but in the evening the sea became calm,
' and there was little wind. We saw in this place a number
' almost infinite of penguins, and so great a multitude of whales,
' that we were incessantly obliged to alter the course to avoid
' running against these great sea monsters.' * The Navigation
Australe mentions in the remarks of this day, that there was a
point Easterly variation.
25th. The 25th in the morning, the wind was from the North, and
they sailed towards the South, having land on each side, and
a clear sea before them. The land to the East was high and
They pass craffgy. It was named (^ d'un cominun accord') by general con-
througili. 00./ ' ^
sent, Staten Land, in honour to the States of Holland; and the
land to the West (which was the Easternmost part of the Tierra
del Fuego) they named Mauritius de Nassau. No trees were
seen on either land ; but on both sides of the passage there was
the appearance of good bays with sandy beaches, and the bottom
was every where sandy. At noon, the latitude was observed
55° 36' S. The coast of the Stateu Land was remarked to turn
* Journal du Merv. Voy. dc Gu. Sclwutat; p. 18. J9.
towards
ROUND THE WORLD. 371
towards the East, and the coast ofTierra del Fuego, along which chap. 19.
they bent their course, took a direction ^VSW as far as they it5i6.
COldd discern it. January.
In the evening the wind became contrary, but they had good
evidence that a wide sea was before them, from the colour of
the water being blue, and by long waves coming from the SM'.
* The sea birds not being accustomed to see men, alighted in
* the ship without dread, and suffered themselves to be taken by
* the sailors.'
The .'i6th, they had a storm from tlie West and SW, which 26th.,
lasted 24 hours. The wind continued many days after this un-
favourable, but not fixed, and advantage was taken of its veer-
ings, so that they continued to gain ground towards the South
West. On the 29th, about noon, they passed to the North of
some small rocky islets, which were named the Isles of Barnevelt.
Three other small Islands Mere seen to the North of the Barne-
velt Isles *, and the land of Tkrra del Fuego appeared to the
NNW, and likewise to the A¥est ' all high hilly land covered
* with snow, ending [to the Southward] with a sharp point,
* which was named Cape Ilorne^' in honour of the town of Home Cape
in West Friesland^ of which the Patron was a native. The latitude
of this Cape was estimated to be 57° 48' S.-f-
They sailed to the South between the Barnevelt Isles and the
land of Cape Home, the wind being from the North. On the
morning of the 30th, having passed to the South of the Caj>e,
they steered to the West, and encountered great waves which
came from that part of the horizon, but they found a current
settinsr strong Westward.
* Navig. Aust. dt Le Maire, p. 130.
+ This latitude is given in eucli of the Journals. All the latitudes set down in
this part of the voyage are too much to the South, but more so in this than in any
other instance; the latitude of Cape Home being only 55" 58' ] S,
3 B 2 The
J72 LE MA IRE AND SCHOUTEN
CH A P. 19. The 31bt, they had passed the Cape, and were out of sight of
1616. land, when the wind came from the Westward, but was very
Jiiniiary. variable, which obliged them often to change their tack.
February. February the 2d, the corapasswas found to have 12 degrees
variation, North Easterly.
59''3o'S. The 3d. By their reckoning this day, they were in 59° 30' S,.
, which was their greatest South latitude; and from this time they
advanced with variable winds towards the NW, without seeing^
any land. The}' had frequent storms, and the weather was con-
stantly wet, sometimes with rains or mists,, and sometimes with
snow or hail.
In the February the 12th, they reckoned themselves to be in the
' latitude of the Strait of Alagalhanes, and believed that they had
now completely attained entrance into the South Sea^ for joy
whereof triple allowance of wine was given to the seamen. On
this day it was resolved in full Council, at the request of the
President, Jacob Le Maire, that the passage newly discovered
Passfige (between the Tierva del Fuego. and the Stateii La7ul) should be
isnamed named Strait Le Maire. This resolution was drawn up in
Strait . . . , . , . .
Le Maire. writing in the form of an act of taking possession of the new
discovery, and, according to the account in the Navigation
Jtistrale, was subscribed by Jacob Le Maire, Wilhelm Cornelisz
Sehouten, and the pilots. The editor of the Navig. Australe de
Le Maire has not neglected to insert in his account, a copy of
this instrument. ]n the Merveilleux Voyage the circumstance
is related in the following words : ' At the instance of the Com-
' missary Jacob Le Maire, the Council ordered that the new
Objections * passase should be named the Passage or Strait of Le Maire.
made i o ^ o .>- j
against ilie ' although of good right it would have been better named
ame. 4 ^j^^ Strait of Wilhelm Schoiiteii, our ship master, by whose
. * industry, good management, and knowledge in navigation,
* the discovery was principal) v effected.' The same remark is
made
ROUND THE WORLD. 373
made in De Bry* ; in the Miroir 0. ^'- JV. Indical; and in the chap. 19.
jRec. des Voy. a I'etabl. de la Conip. The Chart to the Mervei/lcuw igis.
Voyage marks tlie new Strait, Fretum le Maire a JV. Schouten ^^^^'^^^i'-
prwium invenfiim et liistratum. An. I616.
On the comparative merits of the different claims, it is not
easy to decide. Jacob Le !Maire was invested by the Company
of Proprietors with at least as much power over the destination
of the ship as the patron Schouten ; and as principal merchant,
it is probable that his influence among those who composed the *
Council, was strongest. To W. C. Schouten, the care and
management of the navigation had been wholly committed.
The honours of the discovery, however, are not to be appor-
tioned entirely among the persons who performed the voyage :
there are other claims equal to those of Jacob Le Maire and
W» C Schouten. With respect to discovery, the expedition
they conducted was distinguished from all others which had
been made to the South Sea since the time of Fernando de
Magalhanes, and was the only one which could in any degree
be brought in comparison with the voyage of that fitst dis-
coverer. The discovery of this second passage into the South Sea
by the South of America was not accidental or unforeseen. The
probability of its existence had been meditated as a subject of
speculation ; and the route by which it was to be sought, was
planned in Europe. To the sagacity of those who concei\cd
the design of this voyage, and to tlie spirit of the merchants
who ventured their capitals on an experiment so hazardous and
unpromising in aspect, the world are primarily indebted for the
knowledge of the navigation round the T'lerra del Fuego. In the
instance of Magalhanes, he was both the projector and the
accomplisher of his OAvn discovery, and the honour of the
* ' Fretum Le Maire appellannit, quamvis meliore Jure Fretum Guilkelmi
' Schouten dici debuisat.' Pars XL America.
achievement
374 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 19. achievement remains wholly to himself undisputed. The
^"^'^616^'^ voyage for the discovery of the second ])assage appears to
February, have Originated with Isaac Le Maire; and the plan to have
been concerted principally between him and W. C. Schouten,
notwithstanding what is asserted to the contrary in tiie preface
to the Navigation Australe de Le Maire. Indeed it is not at all
credible that Schouten, who had before made three voyages to
India, should be trusted with the management of the navigation
in this voyage, and not be consulted respecting the route : or
that his advice did not contribute to determine the measures to
be pursued. The principal j:)romoter of the undertaking, how-
ever, was Isaac Le Maire ; and if the name of Strait Le Maire
had been given to the new discovery professedly as a mark of
honour to Le Maire the elder, it Avould have been less liable to
objection, and probably would not have given offence ; but the
intention was to honour the president Jacob, ' to the end,' the
Navigation Australe says, ' that the glory of the action Avhich he
' had so courageously undertaken and so happily executed,
* should remain to him perpetually/
As the elder Le Maire was not thought of in the question, the
President would have acted more judiciously if he had limited
his wishes to sharing the reputation of the discovery Avith the
Patron, and had procured for the new passage the name of the
Strait of Le Maire and Schouten.
To return to the narrative, the ship continued to advance
Northward. On the 27th, having arrived to the latitude of
40" S, the guns were again mounted upon deck.
March, March the 1st, they made the Islands Juan Fernandez and
fernaudez, Mas-a-fucro, each of which is high land ; and it was their wish
to have stopped at Jua7i Fernandez ;- but not knowing where the
anchorage was, they went to the West side of the Island, in
consequence of which they were not afterwards able to get the
ship into the road, which is near the NE part. A boat was
iO .. sent
ROUND THE WORLD. 375
sent to the shore on this and on the following day. Some fresh c n a p. 10.
water was taken off, and two tons of fish were caught with hooks ^"'^e^e^
and lines, the bait being taken as fast as it could be thrown into ^laich.
the water, so that the fishermen ' continually Avithout ceasino-
' did nothing but draw up fish,'* mostly bream, and corcobados,
which are fish with crooked backs. Hogs, goats, and other ani-
mals were seen in the woods, but none were taken. .
On the 3d, the ship had driven four leagues to the North of
the Island, and the wind, Avhich was from the Southward, did
not afford any prospect of their being able again to approach
the shore. They therefore made sail to pursue their voyao-e
across the Pacijic Ocean, greatly disappointed at having missed
the anchorage, the sick men especially, whose number was at
this time considerable.
From Juan Fernandez the course was directed NWbN.-j- The
nth, they crossed the Southern Tropic, and steered NW,.|,
having the general trade wind.
The 15th, the latitude was 18° S, and the course was changed
to West.
The 17th, the latitude was observed 19° S, and the course
directed WNW.
* Tlie accounts of the voyage mention that the Spaniards sent barks from the
eoast of Peru to catch fish at Junn Fernandez ; but it is not said whether this was
known from marks being visible of the Spaniards having frequented the Island for
that purpose, or from other information,
t The reckoning in the navigation of Schouten and Le Maire across the Soufh
Sea, is given much more fully and consistently in the Merveilleux Voi/uge de Git.
SchnuUn, than in any other account : that journal has therefore been followed ia
the text above, except where it is otherwise specified. In the Reciieil a [Etabl.
de la Comp. there are some variations from the other accounts which appear to
have arisen from negligence in transcribing, or in the press; for which reason it
has not been thought necessary to remark on every instance wherein that publi-
cation diflcrs from the early accounts.
X In the Amsterdam edition, 1519, of the Merveilleux Voyage, the course is set
down NNVV at crossing the tropic of Capricorn. The English translation
(London, 1519), has given the course at the tropic, NW ; which is corroborated
by the 'Nuv. Aust. de Le Maire.
The
375 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 19. The 20th, the latitude was 17' S. Long hollow waves came
1616. from the South. Found the variation * six degrees towards
March. , ^^^ ^^YJ
The 24th, being in latitude 15°, a West course was steered
with the intention of keeping near this parallel to seek the 2h-ra
Australis. A fresh wind from the ESE, and constantly the same
liollow sea from the South.
April April the 3d. 1'he latitude was 15° 12' S. The needle was
found to have no variation, and to point to the true North,
pih. The 9th. On this day, Jan Schouten, brother to the Patron,
and Avho had been Master of the Home, died after a month's
illness, of a complaint in his chest, and of the scurvy,
aotli. The lOth in the morning, the body of the deceased was com-
mitted to the sea, after the prayer customary on such occasions.
Honden Soon after the funeral, a small low Island was discovered to the
NW about three leagues distant. At noon, the ship had arrived
near it, and soundings were tried without finding bottom. A
- boat was sent to examine for anchorage, and soundings were
obtained at 25 fathoms depth, a small nmsket shot distant from
the shore ; but it was not judged prudent to venture so near
■with the ship, as there was a great surf setting against the
Island. The boat was sent again to try if any refreshment could
be procured- Near the shore were many dog fish, sea snakes,
and fish of the same kind as they had found at Juan Fernandez.
On account of the surf, the boat was anchored at a small
distance from the shore, whilst by means of swimming and
assisting each other with ropes, the President and some of the
seamen landed.
The middle of the Island had the appearance of being over-
flowed at high water, so as for little more to be left dry than
the surrounding border, which was covered with trees. Sea
birds Avere roosting on the branches. No fresh water was
found, except in a ^ew places where some rain water had lodged,
which
ROUND TPIE WORLD. 377
wliicli had fallen that clay, but which nevertheless was bitter, chap. 19.
Some herbs were gathered which resembled water-cresses, but 1616.
were more pungent and bitter, and of a purgative quality. ,, f"'
^ * r o -a ^ Hondea
The most remarkable circumstance related of this Island, is, Island.
that three dogs were seen on it ' which knew not how to bark
* (qui ne scavoienf ahhayerj or to make any noise/* The sight
of these animals, and no human inhabitants being seen, occa-
sioned the following remark to be made in the Navigation
Aiistrale de J. Le Maire. ' This is the Island which Magalhanes
' named Desventurada, of which Jerome Benzon has written
' that it is only three leagues in circuit, and in some parts so
' low, that the sea Hows into the middle of the Island with the
' tide.'-f- In pursuance of this belief, the Navig. Austr. calls
the dogs Spanish dogs, and adds, that they were very lean. The
Island,, however, was named Honden Eyland, Avhich signifies the
Island of Dogs.
Upon comparing the na-i^igation in this vo3'^age with that of
jMagalhanes across the Pacific Ocean, it is immediately evident
that the Honden Island of Le Maire and Schouten cannot be so
far to the West as the Desvenfiiradas of Magalhanes. From the
fact of dogs being on the Island, it may be inferred that men
were at no great distance, and that if the Island was not itself
inhabited, it was occasionally visited by the inhabitants of other
Islands.
Honden Island., according to the Mtrv. Voyage is in \f 12' S
latitude, and distant by estimation from the coast of Fern 925
German leagues.:}:
W hilst the ship was near Honden Island, the wind was from
the
♦ Merveilleux Voyage de G. Schouten, p. 30.
f Navig, Austr. p. 135, 136. This opinion^ attributed, perhaps improperly^ to
Jacob Le Maire, has been examined in the 1st volume of this work, in the Obser-
vations on the Track of Magathanes across the South Sea. (J'idu Vol."I. p. 55). *
J In the Navigation AuUrale de J. Le Maire, the route ofLe Maire and'
Vol. II. 3 C Schouten
378
LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
1616.
^pril.
CHAP. 19. the North. Towards evening, they made sail and pursued their
former course to the West. In the night they had a heavy faJI
of rain, and so strong a gust of wind that it spht their mainsail.
This weather, and the wind being so much changed from the
usual direction of the general trade wind, may be considered as
indications that they were in the neighbourhood of some large
or high Island.
The nth, the wind was from the NE.
The 14th, tlie wind was settled ' from the East and ESE as
' formerly.' Many birds and fish were seen ; and after noon,
land was seen to the NW, low, but large, extending NE and
SW. The prospect of this land, on which were many trees,
gave them hopes that here they should find rest and refreshment.
The course was steered for the North part of the Island ; and
towards evening, when they were within a league of the land, a
canoe in which were four men came towards the ship. I'hese
people were entirely naked ; they were of a copper colour, and
had long black hair v/hich was fastened up behind. They
stopped at a short distance, and spoke loud, making signs to
the Hollanders to go on shore. The ship stood within ' the
* distance of a small musket shot' of the land ; but was not in
soundings, nor could any change be perceived in the appearance
of the water ; it was therefore judged proper to haul off to a-
14th.
Sonder-
grondt
island.
Schouten from the Islar.dJuan Fertiattdez to Honden Island, is given .ns follows :
March the 3d. Made sail ixom J iiati Fernandez :- shaped our course towards
the Terra Australh The 4tl), were advancing at the rate of 38 leagues ner day.
The 11th, crossed the Tropic, course to the NW. The 17th, were in latitude
39° S. On the iqth, the latitude was 17^° S, and distance by our reckoning
from the coast of PtT/* 350 leagues. The 24th, latitude 15° 6' S, distance from
the coa^t of Peru 460 leagues. Steered due West. April the 10th, at Ilondeit
Island) latitude 15" 15' S, distance from the coast of Peru 920 leagues [of the
German measure, as all tlie leagues are in the accounts of this voyage].
N. B. The track of Le Maire and Schouten is made the subject of examination
in the ensuing chapter, irf which will be found a table of the estimated situations-
o£^the lauds discovered.
greater.
ROUND THE WORLD. 579
greater distance, and the canoe at the same time w<*.nt to the «hap. 19.
land. A great number of the Islanders were waiting; her return ; i6i6.
A 'I
and in a short time after, another canoe put off towards the ship, Sonder-
but the people in her, like those of the first canoe, contented grondt.
theraeslves with making speeches and signs at a distance, and
would not venture the nearer for the signs of invitation which
were made to them. Whilst emploj'ed in this kind of oratory,
the caiioe overset; but the Islanders, probably quickened by their
apprehensions, almost instantaneously set her upright, and were
in her again.
The sun had set, and no advantage appeared likely to accrue
to the ship from stopping near this part of the Island ; it was
therefore determined to leave it, and the course was directed
' South and SSW to get to the [other] end of the Island.' *
They sailed along by the coast during the night, and saw many
fires on the land, which it was believed were made by the natives
on account of the ship.
It appears from the track in the charts, that the ship did not
pass round the North End of the Island, but sailed along the
Eastern side ; and this accords with what is naturally to be
understood fn un the order in which the courses steered are set
down in the journal ; i. e. ' South and SSVY.' No trial for
soundings is mentioned to have been made during the night,
and their run being to windward of the Island, it is not probable
that they would expect or look for anchorage.
The 15th in the morning, * having sailed in the night about 15th.'
* 10 leagues towards the SSW.'f they stood close to the land,
and a boat was sent to try for anchorage, but with no better
success than on the preceding evening, for no soundings were
found. The natives on the shore waved their garments and
the boughs of trees in the air, to invite the new comers to
MtTveilkux Voynge, p. 31. f Voyage depu. SJioutrH, p. 31.
5 c 2 land;
380 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP, 19. land ; and three of the Islanders went in a canoe to the boat,
1616. to whom the Hollanders gave knives and beads. The Islanders,
J^Pj'' to express their thankfulness or goodwill, presented the left
grcndt. hand,* and when the boat returned to the ship, the cano&
accompanied her; but the Islanders remained in their canoe,
making remarks upon the large ship, till at length one of them
had the courage to get up into the gallery.^ His first employment
when there, was to draw the nails or iron fastenings out of the
windows of the President's and Patron's cabins, and to hide them
in his hair. Some wine in a silver cup was given to the natives
in the canoe, who very pardonably concluded the vessel as well as
the liquor contained ia it to be a gift ; and when they had drank
the wine, they did not return the cup without constraint. They
were chiefly desirous of iron, and some nails were given to them.
It was understood from these people, that hogs and fowls were
plentiful on the Island; and cocoa-nut trees were seen in great
abundance. It was proposed to the Islanders in the canoe, that
one of them should remain in the ship as an hostage, whilst
some person belonging to the ship should go ashore in their
canoe to cuter into a traffic for provisions ; but to this plan they
would not consent. The ship's boat was therefore sent Avith
fourteen men armed and the merchant Adrien Claesz, to try
if any provisions could be obtained. Immediately on their
landing from the boat, about thirty natives armed with large
wooden clubs issued from the woods, who pressed round the
Hollanders, and endeavoured to take from them both the mer-
chandize they had brought for traflic and their arms. Some of
them dracrcred two seamen out of the boat with the intention
to carry them off, so that the Hollanders were under the neces-
sity of using their muskets, and three were discharged among
the natives, which made them desist from their attempts and
* Navig. Just, de J. Le Maire, p. 1 36. ,
take
R O U N D T H E W O R L D. S«i
take to flight. In the early part of this fray, some of tlie native chap. iq.
woiren came and endeavoured, both by throwing their anns 1616.
•round the necks of the men and by angry speeches, to draw ^onj^j.
them away. From so unpromising a beginning it was deemed groudt.
hopeless to establish any fiielidly commerce with the natives,
and the boat returned to the ship.
The men of this Island M'ere of good stature, robust and cor-
pulent. Their ears were pierced, to which they they hung the
•nails and other gifts they received. They were all marked with
.the tattow, and pailicularly on the fingers. The Navigation
Aiistralc has described them with fiat noses fie nes camus'^},
which is no part of the general character of the inhabitants of
any of the Islands at present known in the South Sea. Their
arms were slings, clubs, and long staves furnished at one end
with something that ' resembled the swords or horns of the fish
* called Emperador.'-f Their dress was a small piece of matting
or cloth round the middle : that of the women reached from the
waist to below their knees.
Because the Hollanders did not find anchoring ground at this
Island, they named it Sonder-groiiclt (which signifies without
bottom) : but as only a partial examination was made for an-
chorage, the propriety of the name cannot be acknowledged. It
is a low sandy Island, well covered with trees, but, like Honchii
Island, is only a narrow border, surrounding a salt water lake.
Its greatest extent is 10 leagues, from NNE to SSW ; its
breadth is small. The latitude is given twice in the Merv.
Voy. de Schouten ; 15" 15' S. at their first approach, and 1 3° S.
when they left it ; which has no relation to the extent of the
* Nuvig. Auit. (It J. Le Maire, p. 137. Contrary to this, it is remarked b}'
Dr. R. F.irster, thbt ' the faces are generally strongly marked with large features,
' and somewhat bioad but prominent noses, in ail tlie Islanders of the South Sea,'
Dr. Forster's Udscrvatioiis made during a Voi/age round Che World, p. 268.
•j- Merveilltux Voyage de Scheuttn, p 33.
Island
i58^ LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
ctiAP. 19. Island in latitude, the difference being too small for sucha
5(5x6, meaning, and the latitude fir&t given being the most Southern of
^I"'"- the two. The Navigation Australe has likewise given two lati-
tudes to the Island, 14° 35' S. and 14' 30' S. The distance
of Sonder-grondt from Honden Island, is said in the Voyage de
Schouten to be ' about 100 leagues.' In the charts to the journal
it is placed 1 1 5 leagues West from Honden Island.
Leaving Sonder-grondt, the course was continued to the West,
and the sea Avas remarked to be smooth and tranquil, whereas
on the days preceding, high Avaves had come from the South.
This alteration made them imagine there was land near them
towards the South.
j6th. The 16th at break of daj, another Island was discovered to
Island, ^^^c North of them, and they steered towards it. This, like the
two former, was Ioav and sandy, with a salt water lagoon in the
middle. There were trees on the Island, none of which, un-
luckily for the discoverers, were cocoa-nut trees, but of a kind
with which they were unacquainted. No inhabitants or signs
of inhabitants were seen. A boat was sent to sound near the
shore, and bottom was found at 40 fathoms depth, but ' not
' good to anchor upon,' Some people landed from the boat,
who discovered a pit in which was fresh water, and four casks
were filled and with great difliculty got off through the surf,
. which was very high. Among the rocks were found shell fish of
the crab and of the periwinkle kinds, which were well tasted ;
and a sack was filled with herbs of the water-cress kind, which
served to make a comfortable and salutary mess for the sick
people on board.
The latitude of the ship this day (and consequently of the
Island) was 14° 46' S. The Island was named rra/t'/Zo/^J/, on
account of the water obtained there. Its distance from Sonder-
gro7idf was reckoned 15 leagues. None of the accounts say any
thing concerning the size of this Island.
2 In
ROUND THE WORLD. 383
In the evening they left it, and resumed their course to the PJ^J^J:J3*
West''' : the weather rainy, and the sea smooth. 1616.
The 18th, the wind was hght and the sea calm. After break- ^"*
fast, they discovered in the SW quarter another low Island, Vlieghen
* which extended WNW and ESE as far as could be seen, and ^'^''''"^'
* was distant from Waterlandt Island about 20 leagues.'-f They
stood towards this land, and when they drew near, a boat was
sent to try for soundings, which were found on a rocky bank or
spit, distant about a musket shot from the shore, at 20, 25,
and 40 fathoms depth, the bottom very irregular. The boat
V, as afterwards sent witii empty casks to the shore to search for
fresh water. The surf was high ; but, some of the people landed
and entered a wood to look for water. They were without arms,
and seeing a native of the Island at some distance who appeared
to them to have a bow and arrows, they embarked again, and
the boat returned to the ship. Five or six Islanders came after-
vards to the beach, but finding'the strangers had departed, they
went hack into the woods.
The border of tliis Island was covered with fine trees, but
within was only a lake of salt Avater. When the boat arrived
on board, she introduced to the ship a prodigious swarm of flies,
which covered the men's faces, mixed with their meals, and in
spite of all the pains which were taken to kill them, continued
an incessant plague, till a fresh breeze of wind sprung up and
gave assistance to clear the ship of their company, after it had
been endured three days. On this account the Island was called
Vlieghen (the Island of Flies). The latitude was observed near
it, 15" so' S.
They left Vlieghen Island, and continued their course towards
the West, carrying but little sail during the nights, and sometimes
* The Navig. Just, de J. Le Main, says ' lo the WSWj desiring to get into
15* S.' p. 137-8.
t Mtrv. Voy de Schouten, p. 35. Tlie charts give greater distances than the
Barratives, Vlieghtn Isiaitd being laid down four degrees to the West of Sonder-
gtondL
lying.
584 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
c«AP. iQ. lying to, for fear of falling upon other low Islands in the dark.
^^^"^6^6^"^ They had frequent rains, by means of which the ship's stock of
April. fresh water was increased.
On the 23d, it was remarked that they had again great waves
from the South. Wind from the East.
May. May the 3d, they saw, for the first time since they had been
in the South Sea, some Dolphins (Dorados).
8ih. The 8th.* The latitude was 15' 20' S, and the distance
from the coast of Peru was computed to be 1510 German
A stranw leagues. After dinner this day, a sail was seen in the SW
vessel seen, q^j^^er, standing across them towards the North. At first it
was thought to be a Spanish bark, but must have been soon
discovered not to belong to Europeans. The ship was steered
for her, and on drawing near, a gun was fired towards her with
the intention of making her lower her sail. This mandate, it is
probable, was not understood : it was not obeyed, and a second
gun was fired from the ship. The people in the strange vessel,
which was a large sailing canoe belonging to some Island, teni-
fied at so strange a greeting, instead of taking down their sail,
altered their course to endeavour to escape. Another gun was
then fired, ' without wishing to hurt them,' and a boat armed
was dispatched from the ship to overtake the canoe, which theii*
oars and the lightness of the wind enabled them to do; and this
might have been peiformed in a quiet manner; but the impar-
tience of those sent in the ship's boat, and the power of com-
mitting mischief vv ith impunity, caused them in their approach
to keep a continual fire with muskets upon the Indian vessel,
and one of the people in her being wounded in the shoulder,
leaped into the sea. The rest were no less overcome with
terror. Under the dread of the treatment to which they might
be ex}K)sed, as soon as the boat arrived alongside their vessel,
* i^y imstuke, printed the pth, in the Journal of IV. Schouten's Voi/age.
' fifteen
1
1
X
^
^'^.
^
%^
^
11 O U N D. T H E WOULD. 3S5
■'^ fjfleen or sixteen other Indians, rubl)ing and blacking tlieir cTrAp. ip.
' iaces with cinders, like men who prepared themselves for t6i6.
' death, and casting their goods into the sea (which were a ^^'
^ number of small mats and some fowls), threw themselves
' after.'* One of these Indians toolc with him an infant. When
•ilie Hollanders entered, it appeared that the Islanders cguld
not have made resistance, for they had no arnis. There Avcre
found \\\ her two men, one of them very aged, the other was the
wounded man, who had returned into the canoe : there were
likewise eight women, with several children, three of whom were
at the breast ; the others were about nine or ten years old. The
canoe was taken along side of the ship, and the boat afterwards
went to the assistance of the Indians in the water ; but, accoi'd-
ing to the journal of Schou ten's voyage, only two were recovered,
who pointed with their fingers to the bottom, to signify that the
rest were drowned. The same journal says, ' according to our
* estimation they had been about 25 persons.' This number is
less than* agrees with the preceding statement. The Navigation
Atistrale has endeavoured to palliate the transaction by a less
unfavourable representation of the evil committed. 'TheMomen
' wept,' says that account, ' because their husbands Avere
* drowned, but they were afterwards found again.' Ihe conti-
nuation of the same narrative shows that this was not the fact
with respect to all ; but it does not appear how many
perished.
The men of the canoe were taken into the ship, and such
atonement as compassion suggested, the Hollanders were willing
to make, by consoling demeanoui- and by gifts. Dressings
were applied to the wounded person, who was a young man with
long yellow hair. Towards evening the men were put into their
canoe again, to the unspeakable comfort of the women, who
* Nav. jiust, Le Maire, p. 140.
Vol,. II, ^3 D ■ < clasped
S86" LE MAlllE AND SCHOUTEN.
« li A p. 19. ' clasped them round tlie necks,' and kissed them many times
1616. Avith great marks of affection.
May. These people were of a yellow or copper complexion. Tlierr
clothing was a slight covering round the middle, and some of
tliem had a veil of a thick cloth which served as a shelter against
the heat of the sun. The hair of the women was cut short. To
show their thankfulness for the presents made them by the
President, they gave in return two fine mats and two cocoa-
nuts. Their stock of provisions had been diminished by the loss
of their fowls, and now consisted of only a few cocoa-nuts and
yams. They had entirely consumed their stock of fresh water, and
had even drunk all the liquor out of their cocoa-nuts, which shows
that they must have been many days at sea. ' We saw them,'
the journals say, ' drink salt water, and likewise give it to their
' children to drink.' It is to be hoped, and indeed may be
supposed, though it is not mentioned, that some assistance in
this particular was given to them from the ship.
The vessel navigated by these Islanders was formed of two
large and handsome canoes, which were placed parallel and at
a convenient distance (the Navigatmi Aiistrale says a fathom
and a half) from each other : in the middle of each canoe, a
very broad thick plank of a red coloured wood, and very light,
-was placed lengthways upon its edge : across the two planks
were laid some small beams, and upon the beams a platform of
thin planks. The whole was compact and well fastened together.
Over one part of the platform was a small shed of matting,
under which the women and children remained. There wa,s
but one mast and one sail. The mast was fixed m a step toward3
the fore part of the starlxjard (right hand) canoe : the sail was of
triangular form, and attached to a yard which rested on the upper
end of the mast, which was forked for the purpose. The vessel was
steered with oars abaft. The sail was of matting, and towards the
upper partof it there was marked a figure representing a cock, which
it
E O U N D THE WORLD. 387
it is probable was intended, like the flags of more civilised and more c h a p. 19.
powerful nations, to denote to what Island or State the canoe ^eTd!"''^
belonged. Their cordage was well made ; they Avere provided ^^^y-
with hooks for fishing, the back part of which A\ere of stone,
and the hook or bearded part of bone, tortoise-shell, or mother-
of-pearl. Every thing appertaining to the vessel was neat and
well fitted for sea.
The Islanders being again put in possession of their vessel,
cast her loose from the ship. At the time of parting, one of the
women appeared to be in great affliction, it was supposed la-
menting the loss of her husband.* They shaped their course
SE, which was in a direction nearly opposite to that in which
they were sailing when first seen from the ship. It is probable
that the events of the day occasioned them to alter their
xlestination.
This unfortunate adventure is the heaviest reproach which
can be brought against the Voyage of Le Mairc and Schouten,
and is the more blameable as it might have been expected that
from a sympathetic regard, independent of general considera-
tions of humanity, they would have respected the enterprisino"
navigators of the South Sea; a character to which these Islanders
were well entitled, who, without compass, or any of the aids
from science which enable the navigators of other countries
to guide themselves with safety, ventured beyond the sight of
land^
The lOtli, tii£ wind was light from the SE. After breakfast, 10th.
a high Island was seen bearing SWbS about 8 leagues distant. Coco«
The course was directed towards it ; and in the afternoon another •^^^*"^'
Island was seen to the South of the one first discovered, lono-
and more level in appearance. The ship did not arrive near to "
tlie land before dark, and the night was passed upon diiferent
* Navig. Just, de Le Maire, p. j 40
3 D 2 tacks.
* 388 LE MAIRE AND SeilOtJTEN
CHAP. ]Q. tacks. Two fishing canoes were seen, which carried hghts, ancV
j5i6. kept sailing backM-ards and forwards all night.
CocoE ^^^ 11th, in the morning, the ship 'stood to the South to-
Island. ' wards the [high] Island, with the wind at East, and passed
' over a bank, on which they had soundings from 14 to 26
' fathoms depth, the bottom stony with small shells.'* This
bank is about two leagues distant from the Islandj-^; its extent-
is not mentioned, but when they had passed it, they could not
get soundings. One of the fishing canoes approached the ship,,
but would not come alongside. The fishermen spoke much, and
held up their fish. Some beads were shewn to them from the
ship, and a bucket fastened to a line Avas veered astern that they
might put the fish in ; but the fishermen, after a close inspection
of the bucket, which was hooped with iron, took it into their
canoe, and in exchange for it fastened to the rope two cocoar
nuts and some flying fish. These vessels sailed fast. One of them
carried in her a smaller canoe.
The ship being arrived near the Northern Island, a boat was -
sent to examine for anchorage. Soundings were found from
12 to 15 fathoms depth,, the bottom shelly (ecueillaLr), and the
sails of the ship were lowered as preparatory to anchoring. The
men in the fishing canoes made signs for the ship to go to the
Southern Island, and to mark their meaning more forcibly they
directed their canoes towards it. Their advice, however, Avas
not followed, and the ship anchored near the NNW part of
the firfl Island, at the distance of a good cannon shot from
the shore, in 25 fathoms, the bottom of sand mixed with
small shells.
This Island was a high mountain, and in form resembled the
Island Terrcnate of the Moluccas. It was well covered with trees^
the greater part of which were cocoa-nut trees, on v/hich account
, I — ■ — ' ■ *■ >—
* Nav. Just, de Le Maire, p. 141. fMerv. Vo^. dt Schouten, p. 40.
St
ROUND THE \Y O R L D. 5^9
it was named by the Kollanclers Cocos lalmul. The Island to the c h a p. 19.
South was distant about two leagues from the ship's anchorage. 3616.
It appeared to be of greater length than Cocos Islcmd^ but not ^^">'*
so high.* Islanil.
As soon as the ship had anchored, three large sailing canoes
and serveral small canoes came near to her. Two of the small
canoes put out white flags, in answer to which the same Avas
done by the ship. It was not long before some of the Islanders
A-entured on board, and the experiment not being found danger-
ous, the example was quickly followed by all who could get at
the ship. One of the Dutch seamen played to them on the fiddle,
and his performance obtained much notice. ' Our sailors,' says the
Nov. Aust. de la Moire, ' man}' of wliom were good drolls, began
* to dance, which the natives also did, showing themselves joyful
' and delighted beyond measure, making immediately great ac-
*' quaintance with us.' They promised to bring provisions to
exchange for nails, beads and cutlery ; and that same afternoon,
200 cocoa-nuts, with a quantity of yams, were brought to the
ship, which were purchased with nails and beads, four or 'five
Gocoa-nuts being received in exchange for a nail or a small
bead. But the advantages of this quickly formed intimacy were
accompanied with some inconveniences to the Hollandeis. Their
new companions increased too much in number and in famiha-
rity, and it became difficult to move in the ship for the crowd of
visitors, whose admiration of every thing they saw was so strong
an incentive with them to pilfer, that it was not possible to
guard against all their practices. The nails and bolts of the ship
they could not draw ; but they stole the balls out of the cannon,
the bedding of the seamen, clothes, and, in short, whatsoever
* Captain Wallis saw these Islands in 1767. Accoidinj^ to a chart given of
tliem in the account oi' that voyage, they are situated NNE and SSW from each
other, one league apart, and neither of them exceed three geographical leagues
io circuit.
they.
»S0 L E M A I R E AND S C H O U T E N
niAP. 10. ihty had an opportunity to take. One of the natives snatched
j6io. a knife out of the cook's hand by the blade, and cut all his
^^ay- fingers, but nevertheless he jumped overboard without quitting
Island, his prize.
' The small canoes at this Island carried in general three or four
men each. They were made entirely of one piece of a redwood;
were low in the fore part, and peaked at the stern, and were
•paddled wiih great sAviftness. The natives were of large stature,
and well proportioned in their limbs and body. They wore no
clothing except round the middle. Their hair was disposed in
a variety of fashions, some among them having it neatly frizzed.
Their bodies were marked with blue blackish spots as if burnt
with gunpowder, and their ears wei;e slit [fendiij and reached
almost to their shoulders.
The anchorage at Cocos Idand was much exposed to the sea ;
for which reason a boat was sent from the ship to examine if the
other Jsland, Avhich appeared full of people and houses, afforded
fcetter, shelter. The boat had not advanced far befoi-e she was
surrounded by canoes, which came from the Southern Island,
and the Islanders took away the pilot's lead and boarded the
boat, but one of them being killed by a musket shot, the rest
fled. The boat did not proceed ; and at night was hoisted into
the ship as the only certain means of securing her from the
^attempts of the natives.
1 2th. The 12th. Many canoes came early to the ship, Avith cocoa-
nuts, bananas^ yams, and some small hogs ; and so eager were
the natives to traffic, that those who were in the outer canoes
Iield their goods fast with their teeth, whilst they dived under
the other canoes to come at the ship, all of them being excellent
swimmers. To prevent confusion and frauds, all the exchanges
for provisions were made in the gallery, and delivery \fas re-
quired from the natives before payment, IMany for want of
other merchandize brought off fresh water in cocoa-nut shells.
ROUND THE WORLD. ^ 391
In their admiration at the size of the ship, they M'ere willing to c n a p. lo.
make experiment of its strength, and some of them got near the ig^s.
rudder, where they amused themselves by bealino- the ship's ^^^''•
. J o I Cocoa
bottom with stones. Island;
This forenoon, a danoe came on board from the Southern
Island, Avhich brought as a present from the Chief, or King, a
young pig, a cock, and a hen. An acknowledgement was offered
to the niessenger, but he refused to accept any thing, and made
signs that the King himself was on his way to the ship. In
about an hour after, a large sailing vessel arrived, in which was
the Chief, seated under a shed or awning, with several other
persons who appeared to be of consequence ; but he could only
be distinguished from his attendants by the superior degree of
respect observed tawards him ; for he was not more burthene'd
with cloaths than the other Islanders. Thirty-five other canoes
attended the royal one. The Chief, as he approached, spoke
aloud a short ..sentence or prayer. This he did three times
singl\% and at the fourth was joined by all his company as in
chorus ; at the same time they put their hands over the back
of their necks, and bowed their heads, and made other motions
which were regarded as so many demonstrations of respect. The
Hollanders, on their part, sounded their drums and trumpets in
honour of their visitor, who before .he entered the ship sent some
of his people on board with a present of a fine mat, and a dress
' which was hke paper.' One of these messengers, seeing that
the ship was much incommoded by the throng of natives, or-
dered them away, repeating the word ' Fanou,' and by the-
exercise of his authority, he not only cleared tlie ship of the
croud, but made them depart from alongside with their canoes.
A present was sent back to the Chief of two yards of linen, a
liatchet, and two strings of beads, on receiving which he bowed,
and placed the gifts first on his own head, and afterwards on the
heads of several of his attendants.
The
S9<2 I.E MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAT. ip. The King or principal Chief was called' by the Islanders
j(uh. Lalou, but whether this was the sovereign title or the family
May. name of the person enjoying the chief authority, does not seem
l=jaiicl. to have been clearly understood by those in the ship. A Voca-
Inilary collected at dift'erent Islands in this voyage, gives the
Avord Ariki to signify King in the language ofCocos Island* Their
pi'cscnt visitor however was not the Lntoit, but his son. After
lli-e reciprocal civility of presents had passed, he went on board
the ship, and was treated with much distinction. The Hollanders
Mere informed that Latou resided at the Southern Island, and
^vcre invited to remove the ship thither, with assurances that
they would be supplied there with as much provisions as they
wanted. The Navig. Australe de Le Maire mentions oxen in
the list of provisions promised by the natives, Mdiich must be
■supposed a misinterpretation; and in the Vocabular}' of the Cocos
Island language given with that account, there is the word l^ifo,
the meaninof of wdiich is construed to be 'a certain beast which
' has horns.'
The young Chief and his retinue retired from their visit with
ceremonies similar to those with which they approached, and
were again saluted with the music of drums and trumpets. In
the course of this day a great number of cocoa-nuts Avere pur-
chased of the natives : ' there weixj 85 men on board, and every
"* one had twelve nuts.'-]-
15th. Tlie 13th. "With the first appearance of day, the natives re-
newed their visits, and by sun-rise, nearly 50 canoes had arrived
at the ship, Avith hogs, fowls, and fruits for traffic. Soon after-
wards a fleet of S3 large sailing canoes approached the ship,
and surrounded her on all sides, which to the Hollanders had a
>* Ariki has been found b^ late navigators to liave the same signification at the
;Frie)idli/ Iclands. Tlie Vocabulary to the voyage of Le Maire and Schoutenj gives
the word Laticu signifying King in the language of New Guinea.
^ P'oyage oJ'Schouten, English Uaaslatiou, p. 41. Loudon 1619.
6 , very
ROUND THE W O R L D. 393
very suspicious appearance ; but the Islanders bartered with their c u \ p. lo.
provisions, and their demeanour did not betray any symptom of 15,5
liostility. The average number of men in each of these vessels was ^J'^J-
1 f 1 1 1 • 1 Cocos
about 25, and one 01 the larger canoes which seemed to com- Iskmd.
mand all the others, carried on her sail the fiirure of a cock in
red and grey colouis. Some of the natives repeated their ibrmer
advice for the ship to go to the other Island. The son of the
Latou, tlieir visitor the preceding daj', came close to the shij>
in one of the sailing canoes. lie was invited on board by the
Hollanders, but he declined the invitation. Jit this time the
Islanders beaan to be very noisy, and seemed to be ran^ino-
their canoes in order of battle. Seeing these preparations, the
Hollanders began to take up their anchor. The Latou was him-
self with his fleet, and both he and" his son left the large canoes
and went into small ones. A drum was then beat in the vessel
Avhich the Latou had just quitted, upon which signal, a general
loud cry was set up by all the natives present, and an attack
was commenced by throwing of stones, ^he principal vessel of
the natives was steered directly against the ship with all the
force her sail could give. Little impression was made on the
ship by the concussion ; but the Island vessel was too weak to
support the shock : the double prow was shattered in pieces,
and all the persons on board, among w hom were some women, were
obliged to take to the water and swim to other canoes. The
Hollanders being prepared with their cannon and musketry, the
assailants were speedily dispersed. It Avas supposed that the
King had assembled his whole force on this occasion, and the
number of the Islanders present was computed at above 1000
men. One man among them was quite white.
This treacherous conduct of the Islanders caused the President
and Patron to give up all intention of stopping at the other
Island, and as soon as the ship was under sail, the course was
directed West and AVbS, in pui'suit of their voyage. When
Vol, II. 3 E ^ they
394 LE MAI RE AND SCIIOUTEN
CHAP. iQ. tliey had sailed, about four leagues from the Islands, many of
iG\6. the seamen in the ship ^svere desirous to return and take ven-
Cocos geance of the natives for their treachery ; but neither the
Island. President nor the Patron approA'ed of such proposal.
Venadeis The Southernmost of the two Islands was named, on account
""" ■ of tlie circumstance just related, Vcrradas Eylamlt (the Island
of Traitors). It is distant from Cocos Island only one league.
From the station where the ship lay at anchor, the Western part
was visible, but the Eastern part was concealed by Cocos Island.*
]3oth the accounts give the latitude of Cocos l6° lO'S.f Its
distance from the coast of Fern, or from any of the Islands
before discovered, is not set down ; but in the charts both of the
Merveilkux Voyage and of the Navigation Australe, it is placed
600 German leagues to the West of Honden Island.
J4tli. The course was continued to the W^est, and the next morning
(the t4th), land was seen a-head about seven leagues distant.
In the hope of obtaining here a supply of fresh water, the new
GoodeHope discovery Avas immediately named Goode Hope Island. It was
f I. 1
only two leagues in diameter, but it presented an encouraging
prospect of trees and habitations. As the ship approached the
land, some canoes went to her, and bartered four flying fish for
beads.
A boat was sent to look for anchorage, and soundings Avere
found at about a musket shot distance from the shore, the deptli
very irregular, from £0 to 40 fathoms, and the bottom rocky.
Whilst the boat Avas employed in spunding, fourteen canoes-
surrounded and attempted to board her, but they Avere repelled
by musketry, and tAvo Islanders Avere shot. One of them fell
overboard immediately on being struck ; the other remained a
* The pkte in De Bry which contains a representation of these two Islands
has inverted their situations^ and makes the Eastern part of Fcrraders Island
appear.
+ The situation of Cocos Island will be found in the next chapter.
^ small
ROUND THE WORLD. 395
small time on his seat and wiped the blood with his hand from chap. ig.
his breast, and then fell overboard. The rest of the natives were 1616.
terrified at what they saw, and fled Avith precipitation towards v^ j 7;
the shore, calling aloud, Bou ! Bou ! imitating the report of the Islaucl.
muskets, to explain to the people on land what had happened.
A canoe afterwards returned f]-om the shore to search for the
bodies of the men that were shot.
The surf broke so high against the shore, that landing could
not safely be attempted with the ship's bqat. ' This 'Island
' is rather mountainous, but not very high.-V It is entirely a
' black rock, except the upper part or soil, which is a black
' earth covered with verdure and cocoa-nut trees.'* A large
village stood close to the water-side, and many scattered houses
along the shore. It is in latitude 16" S-j-, and distance from
Cocos and Verraders Islands about 30 leagues.
From the Island of Goode Hope, the course was directed SW,
to increase their latitude ; for towards the South, says" the
Journal of Schouten's voyage, they expected to find the conti*
nent. On the 15 th, however, the course was again changed to jct,},;
WbS. The latitude that day at noon was 16" 12' S.
The 1 7th, the wind was NE. In the beginning of this day the 17th.
course was continued W bS, as before, but in the latter part the
course steered w-as WNW, which alteration was determined
upon by the President with the Council. And on account of
the diminished state of the provisions and the scarcity of water
in the ship, it was agreed that in lieu of breakfasts there should
be given daily to each man half a quarter of a pint of Spanish
wine.
The 18th, the wind was fnnn the Westward but variable. jSth,
The latitude 16° 5' S. The Journal of the voyage of Schouten
relates, « This day we assembled our grand council, and the
* Mcrv.Voy. de Schouten, t^. 48. f Nav.Aust. p. 145
■ 3 E 2 * Master
S^JS LE MAIRfi AND SCIIOUTEN
e H A p. It). ' Master of the ship, Wilhehn Cornehsz Schouten, represented
j6i6. ' to them that we had ah'eady sailed full 1600 leagues from the
^'^y' * coast of Peru and Chili, and had not yet discovered the Terra
* Anstralis as had been expected, and that if we advanced
farther to the West in this latitude, we should undoubtedly
* fall in with the South side of Is'ew Guinea, where it was uncer-
* tain whether any passage would be found; and if there should
* not be one, the ship and merchandise would be lost, as it Avas
* impossible to return to the East against the constant trade
» wind. He represented likewise that our stock of provisions
■* remaining was but small, and that we saw no means of re-
* cruiting it ; for which causes he proposed to them to change
* the course and sail towards the North, that they might be able
* to pass by the North of New Guinea to the Moluccas. Which
* counsel, being maturely considered by each person, appeared
* to be well founded ; and it was unanimously, and with one
« voice, concluded to sail to the North to avoid falling to the
* South of New Guinea. The course was accordingly changed
«totheNNW.'*
In the Navigation Amtrale the change of course to the North-
ward is represented in the following manner : ' On the 18th,
the morning was clear and fine. All this day we had the wind
from the West and SW. W^e made our account to be then
1550 leagues from the coast of Peru; and finding no great sea
from any part, we supposed that there was land very near about
us, or at least towards the South. We had been sailinsr SWbS :
but the wind coming from the West, the Pilot went into the
gallery, and wanted to persuade the President to change the
course and turn about to the North. And he soon persuaded
the Patron (W. Schouten) who would instantly have followed
the advice of the Pilot if the President had not opposed it, and
* Journal du Men. Foi/. de Schouten, p. 48, 49.
desired
r. O U N D T n E WORLD. sgr
desired diat the course they Avere then steering should be conti- chap, lo '
vovaffe.
If blame is attached to their not finding the Terra Australis,
little can be said in exculpation of Le Maire more than of
Schouten ; for if the discovery of a Southern Continent had beerv
one of the primary objects of their vmdertaking, they ought to
have made their track across the South Sea, in a higher South
latitude than they did: but the fact is, they did not, with
respect to the Southern Continent, aim higher than to find what
had been before discovered. They a{)pear to have had no
knowledge that a passage Westward was found by Torres to the
South of New Guinea ; but their knowledge of the discoveries of
Quiros was sufficient to show, that they might have continued on
a West course till they had made his Australia del Espiritu Santo,
without any risk of their not being able afterwards to clear the
land of New Guinea. It is not pretended, however, that such a
determinate plan was proposed by Le Maire, or by any other
* Navig. Just, dele Maire, p. 145^ 146.
person
1616.
nued till noon. The President wished to sail West, to make
the reckoning 1 600 leagues from Peru before the course should May
be changed ; but this did not please those of the Council, and
they determined to sail to the North.'*
The transactions of the two last days (the 1 7th and 18th) have
been brought forward by the editor of the Navigation Just, de le
Maire, as subjects of accusation against the Patron ; on which
account the circumstances have been more minutely attended
to than their importance in other respects would have made
necessaiy. The preface to the Nav. Aust. alleges, that by the
opposition of the Patron to the designs of the President, the
discovery of the Southern Continent was prevented ; and that
the Patron expended the Avine uselessly, and was not careful of
the provisions, as if designedly to prevent the success of the
39S LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
c:h AP. iq
person in the ship ; and the extent of Le IMaire's wishes, as stated
^6i67^ in the Navigatmi Amtrale, Avas, the completing his reckoning
^^'"^y- to 1600 leagues from the coast of Fern, in the latitude they
then -were, as was the case with the reckoning of Schouten. If
the 50 leagues wanting had been sailed, they would still have
been far short of the Australia of Quiros.
The track which was followed, however, is justified by the
design of their undertakino-. The Moluccas and the East Indies
were the markets to which they looked for their returns. The
Australia, if they had found it, could not have been claimed
as their own discoveiy, and their force was not calculated to
form establishments. The greatest benefit they could have
expected by going there, was a supply of provisions.
The othei' head of accusation, *of negligence and Avaste in the
issue of the provisions, appears still more unreasonable. It is
natural enough, and not uncommon in the economy of mer-
cantile expeditions, to find the commander more anxious that his
ship's crew shall have a sufficient alloM^ance of food (they being
his fellow-labourers, and the victualling not being at his ex-
pence) than the merchant. But this accusation against Schouten
is no where made, except in the preface of the Navigation
Aiistrale ; and the Journal itself does not furnish any fact in its
support : for the very moderate quantity of Avine that Avas issued
in a time of scarcity, cannot be regarded as waste. The truth
seems to be, that the asperity Avith Avhich W. Schouten is treated
in the preface to the Nav. Aust. was produced by the preference
claimed for him in the prior publication, and not by any dis-
agreement Avhich happened betAveen him and Jacob Le Maire
during the voyage,
tgdi. The 1.9th, they had light Avinds, Avith Avhich they steered
North. At noon, the latitude Avas very near 15° S.* After
Navig. Aust, p. 1 46.
dinner.
ROUND THE AV O R L D. 399
dinner, a breeze sprung up from the South, and towards evening c h a p. 19.
two Islands were discovered, ' of reasonable height,' bearing jgig.
NEbE *, distant from the ship about 8 leagues ; and from each ,-'^,'^'''^':
* & ' Islands
other, as estimated by appearances, about a cannon shot. 'J'he discovered,
ship's course was directed towards the land, but the winds prov-
ing light and variable, and mostly from the NE, prevented them
from getting near before the 2ist. At noon on that dixy, the
ship was about a league distant from the land. The border
near the shore was a white sand, but full of cocoa-nut trees ; the
inland parts Avere mountainous. Many canoes came off to the
ship from both the Islands, making a great halloo-ing as they
approached, which the Hollanders supposed was meant as a
salutation of Avelcome, and they answered it with a similar
shouting, and with trumpets. These Islanders resendiled in
appeai'ance the people of Goodc Hope Island. They exchanged
a few small fish for beads arid nails; but one of them made
threatening motions with a spear, and others came under the
gallery, from which, unluckily, a shirt belonging to the President
Avas hanging to dry, which was a temptation they were little
inclined to resist, and the shirt was taken away. The merchant
Claesz discovering the theft, made signs to them to bring back
the shirt ; but they answered his signs by throwing stones at
him, and he Avas content to revenge himself upon them in the
same manner. Some of the seamen, however, took the alarm,
and without direction being given from any supeiior, fired a-
cannon and some muskets among the canoes. Two of the
Islanders Avere AA'ounded, and they all fled, throAving the shirt
into the sea. It Avas not long after this quarrel before other^
canoes came to the ship.
No soundings had been obtained ; a boat therefore Avas
sent to sound nearer to the land, but no bottom Avas found. -
*■ The Ndvlg. Amtrah says NEbN»
400 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
ft n A p. ip. As the boat returned, she was surrounded and attacked by tT»e
natives in their canoes, and the attack was repelled with
musketry, by which six Islanders lost their lives, and others
were wounded, and one of the canoes taken. No anchorage
was found in the course of this day ; and during the night the
ship kept on different tacks near the Island.
»sd The S2d, cai^y in the morning, the shi^p was near and ' oppo-
< site to the middle of the Island,' but which of the two Islands
is meant is not particularised in either of the Journals. The boat
was a"ain sent to look for anchorage, and soundings were found
at 50 fathoms depth, about the distance of a cannon shot from
the land, and the depth decreasing towards the shore. Soon
after, the ship anchored in 35 fathoms, on a rocky bottom, and
the Patron went with the boats to search for a better anchoring
place. His search was successful ; for near to the place where
■the ship lay was found a small bay or gulf, with a clear entrance,
and from a valley at the head of the bay, a small river ran into
the sea. The ship was got under sail, and anchored again at
the entrance of the bay, the wind not being fair for sail-
ing in.
The quarrels of the preceding day did not deter canoes from
coming to the ship on this ; but the natives were not admitted
within the ship. They brought cocoa-nuts, yams, some flying
fish, and a few hogs to sell, and they abstained all this day
from any attempt which could give molestation or offence. A
musket which went off by accident created a temporary alarm,
aud perhaps helped to confii-m them in their good resolutions.
In the marketting of this day, two hogs were purchased, dressed
according to the Island mode of cookery, and according to the
description in the Navigation Australe,- were half roasted and
half raw. The entrails had been taken out, and in their place
herbs had been put in and hot stones to roast the inside. A
live hog of moderate size was brought on board by two old men
6 in
^
l\
^
^
{
-^
1
■s
I
"•?s
P3
a
5?%
<1 cc u
ROUND THE W 0 R L D.
401
ill a canoe, and was supposed to be a present sent by the Chief. "="av. 19.
Some natives came hkewise to the ship, bringing on their heads ifiid.
■with much solemnity the roots of a plant, by them called Kava. jfo^^'
^yhen they arrived near, they bowed their heads, and placed Islands.
the Kava on their necks, whilst one of their company niade an
harangue, at the close of which the rest joined in a loud accla-
mation. This root they chewed much, but were careful not to
swallow it. The inner part of the bay was examined, and found
to have good depth of water for the ship ; but moving thither
was deferred to the next day. This day was productive of much
satisfaction to the Hollanders, and passed without any quarrel
between them and the natives ; and it was regarded as a favour-
able prognostic of their future intercourse, that some women
came in a small canoe to look at the ship. The carved images
in the stern much attracted their admiration, and they Mere
complimented from on board with the music of violins and
trumpets.
The 23d, The ship was warped (drawn with ropes) within 2311.
the bay, and moored head and stern with four cables, in nine
fathoms, a rocky bottom, about a stone's throw from the shore,
and right before the stream of fresh water which descended
from the mountains and through the valley, so that their boats
in watering could be protected by the ship's guns. The Navi-
gation Australe relates ' the Patron was so much' pleased with
* the place, that he exclaimed, " this is the true Terra Aiistra-'
" lis, seeing that here such abundance of good things are to
" be got," and he proposed that they should remain in this port
' five weeks.'
The inhabitants flocked from all parts of the Island to the
harbour, the gieater number for purposes of traffic, or to satisfy
curiosity; but about 500 men armed with clubs and staves
assembled near an open house or shed (called a Belay) on one
side of the harbour, in which, as appeared afterwards, was the
Vol, II. 3 F King,
4U2 LE MA I RE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. ic,. King, or Ariki (which- was here as at Cocos Island the title
irncL ot the sovereign), and most of the principal people of the
j}^^''„ Island. In the course of the day many canoes went to the ship
Islands, with provisions to barter, some of them carrying branches of
trees and white flags. In the evening, an old man was sent to
the ship with a present from the Ariki of four small bunches of
cocoa-nuts, which had been stripped of the outer rind. He
Avould not accept any thing in return, and made invitations to
the Hollanders to go on shore ; in answer to which he was ia-
formed that the invitation would not be complied with unless
sovne persons from the shore remained at the same time on board
the ship as hostages.
24th. The 24th, in the morning, in consequence of the proposal of
the evening before, six natives arrived from the shore, who were
received as hostages ; and the merchant Adrien Claesz, his
assistant Rene Simonson, and Cornells Schouten the young cabin
boy, went on shore. The native hostages were persons of dis-
tinction, and were entertained as such:, two of them were young
men who accompanied their fathers, and were remarked for
being ' ihe most handsome, the most graceful, and with coun-
' tenances the most spirited that one could desire to see.'
The merchant Claesz was received on shore Avith great honours-,
lie found the Ariki seated on a mat under the Belay. When
Claesz first approached, the Ariki with his hands joined, bowed
his face tOAvards the ground, and in that attitude he continued
nearly half an hour, the latter part of the time with evident
]narks of perplexity. It is probable he would have remained so
much longer, if Claesz had not recollected himself, and begun
to return in the same manner the marks of respect shewn to
him. The Ariki tlien resumed his natural position. Another
person who sat near the Ariki, and was supposed to be of great
quality, saluted the feet and hands of the merchant, ' sobbing
' and crying like a child, putting the foot of Adrien Claesz upon
' liis
o
ROUND THE WORLD. 403
* his neck, and making him sit upon a mat, whilst himself sat '^••i a v. ig.
' upon the bare earth.' * 1616.
A present was delivered by Claesz to the Chief, consisting of j^j^^^.^-^
tAvo large hand-bells, a red bonnet, some knives, beads and Islands.
looking glasses. They were received with much approbation,
which was expressed by frec^uent repetitions of the word Awoo.
The shirt worn by Claesz was much admired for its whiteness,
and no less desired ; he therefore sent to the ship for a shirt to
add to the other gifts. The Ariki made in return a present of four
hoos ; and on understandins; that it was intended to take here a
supply of fresh water for the ship, he gave orders for some of
Ins people to attend at the river to keep the place clear of the
natives, that the waterers might not meet with any interrup-
tion. He was very inquisitive about fire arms, and desired that
one of the ship's cannon should be fired, notice of which was
sent on board ; but-notwithstanding the previous knowledge the
natives had of what was to be done, and their endeavour to be
collected, when the gun was fired, they all fled from the shore
into the woods, the Ariki himself not excepted ; they soon,
however, recovered from their surprise and came back. Before
the return of Claesz to the ship, the hostages on board began
to show uneasiness at their confinement, although the President
endeavoured to amuse or employ them, with music, dancing,
and by collecting from them words of their language, which he
Avrote down.
During this time, tbe canoes of the natives thronged about
the ship, and in many of them were women and children. One
of the natives found an opportunity to steal a sword out of the
cabin, with which he escaped to the shore ; but an attendant of
the Ariki being made acquainted with the robbery, he imme-
diately dispatched people in pursuit, who soon brought back
* Natig, Aust. de Le Maire, p. 149.
3 F 2 both
404 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
ouAp. JO. both the sword and the thief. The culprit was beaten, and it
1616, was signified to the Hollanders that his head would have been
^r^y- cut off if the Ariki had been informed of the fact. ' After this
Home
Islands. « adventure,' says the Journal clu Merveilleux Voyage, ' we never
' discovered that any thing was stolen from us either on shore or
' at the ship.'
About noon, the hostages were released on each side.
25th. The 25th. There was this day a free communication with
the shore, and it was not thought necessary by either side to
require hostages. Hogs were not found to be in such plenty as
had been at first imagined,, and very few were procured. Vege-
table provisions were brought in great plenty, and more cocoa-
nuts were offered for sale than were wanted.
26th, The 26th. In the morning the President went on shore, and
with some degree of state, taking with him a trumpeter, and an
assortment of European goods as a present for the King. He
was treated by his Majesty with many marks of respect and
ceremonies, of the same kind as had before been shown to
Claesz. Some fruits were brought, among which were citrons ;
and a beverage of the Kava root was prepared, of Avhich the
following account is given. The operators began by washing
their hands : they then chewed a quantity of the root very small,
and taking it ovit of their mouths, put it all together in a large
trough or platter of wood, and poured Avater on it. It was then
stirred about and squecEcd, and finally the liquor Avas strained
through a kind of tow*, and served to each of the company in
cups formed of leaves rolled or twisted.
The early accounts of this vo3'age are much to be commended
for the intelligible plainness of their narrative, in which much
regard for veracity is visible. In a few particular instances,
nevertheless, the journalists have been ambitious of imitating
* Ma-v. Voy. de Schouten, p. 58. And Navig. Just. p. J 51.
or
ROUND THE WORLD. 405
or riralling the wonders of other European navigators, their e hap. 19.
predecessors. An example of this kind is about to appear. 1616.
The Ariki and his son took a head-dress made with feathers Ho^ae
from their heads, and put them on the heads of Le Maire and Islands^
Adrien Claesz, The journahst, in a spirit of close imitation,
construed this to be a regal investiture, and has related it in
the following terms. ' The Kings took off their crowns and put
*• them on the heads of our two Merchants, crowning them King
' and Viceroy of the Island, as if for a recompense of their great
' labour, care, and diligence, in having undertaken and per-
' formed so painful a navigation/* This was rather too much,
gratitude for so small an obligation.
In the evening the seine was drawn on shore, and, among
other fish, were caught two ' very large in the body and head,.
' having spots on the skin like a sparrow hawk ; the eyes en-
' tirely wliite ; and with two great fins as long as the tail of a
' ray, and between these fins was the tail, very slender. Their
' forms had some resemblance to those of bats.'-f-
The ship's boats were employed during the whole of the day
in carrying fresh water on board.
The 27th. This day, like the preceding, the Hollanders were 27th;
employed in watering and bartering for provisions. In the
evening some fish were caught, and a part of them were sent
as a present to the Ariki, who accepted them with great willing,
ness, and immediately began to eat them raw ; ' heads, tails,
' entrails, and all with good appetite.' Some of the Hollanders,
in full confidence of the friendly dispositions of the natives,
remained on shore among them, dancing by the light of the
moon, singing and playing on instruments. The natives also
danced to the sound of tlieir drums, ' which was a sight plea-
' sant to behold :' and to add to the diversion of the evening'.
N/iv. Just, lie Le Main, p. 1 52. + Ibid,
the
406 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
'jHAP. 10. the merchant, Adrien Claesz, and another of his countrymen,
i€i6. acted a mock fight with swords, an exhibition which was regarded
^''ay- ^y\([^ admiration by the Islanders.
Home "^
I-slands. The 28th, the watering was completed, and the Patron, W.
Schoute«, went on shore attended by the trumpeters, and
visited the Ariki. This day likewise the Chief or Ariki of the
other Island came to visit the i^riki of this, and to see the
strange people. The meeting of the two Chiefs w:is in the
extreme ceremonious ; the particulars are not described ; but
those are of another meeting, which shortly after took place.
The first ceremonies, which were accomjianied on each side with
presents, being concluded, the visiting Chief appeared to speak
in the languag-e of complaint and reproach, and gre^v loud ; the
cause of which was suspected by the Hollanders, some of whom
were present, to be a desire to attack the ship, and a refusal on
the part of the other Chief to join in such an enterprise.
The distinctions of rank and degrees of subordination esta-
bhshed among these people, could not possibly be compre-
hended by the Hollanders who were ignorant of the language
from the little they saw in the short time they remained at
the Island. The accounts given concerning some of these
particulars are accordingly confused and contradictory. The
BCAvly arrived Chief had a greater number of attendants, and
'- though he was but the son of a King, seemed to have more
' authority and magnificence than the Chief he came to visit'*
In the afternoon, the President went on shore to pay his respects
to the two Arikis, and was present at a Kava feast. ' As many
' of the roots were brought as would have made a bulwark
' round them ; and this it seems is the manner in which the
• Chiefs welcome each other.' When the Kava drinking
finished, the royal guest retired, and returned to his own
* Merveil-Ic'ux Voyage, p. 152.
lijland,
* In the Journal du Merveil/cux Voyage de Sihouten, it is said ' comme nous
' estions assis au table nous leur fismes signe' — (as we were seated at table we
made signs to them) — ; wliich method of expression indicates that the writer of
that Journal was one of the company tlien present.
provisions
jrne
mdi
2Qth.
R O U N D T H E W 0 R L D. 407
Island, with the intention, as it afterwards appeared, of making chap. ip.
soon another visit in greater state. 1616.
The £9th. This morning, the President, with Claesz, and ^^^'
°_ ' ' Home
two Other persons of the ship, walked to some mountains in- Islands
land, a son and a brother of the Ariki going with them as
guides and safeguards-. They passed through some valleys,
■ which the rains and waters descending from the mountains had
rendered naked and barren, and saw nothins: worth noticino-
except a red earth, which the natives use as paint, and some
caverns in the sides of the mountains that occasionally in times
of war were used as hiding places.
At noon they returned from their walk, and the friendly
guides Avent on board with the President. The King's son,
who in the Journals is sometimes called the Viceroy, went to the
topmast head, and to all parts of the ship, and examined many
thmgs with much attention. Afterwards, whilst they were at
dinner with the President and the Patron *, they were informed
that as much fresh Avater had been taken on board as was
wanted, and that if a supply of ten hogs and some yams could
be obtained, the ship woidd depart in two days. As soon as
this communication was understood, the Viceroy spruno^ from
his seat, and ran to the gallery, from whence, in a loud voice,
and with marks of great satisfaction, he announced to all the
natives within hearing, that the ship would leave their Island in
two days.
The first appearance of the Hollanders naturally filled the
Islanders with wonder, Avhich, from Avhat had been ex}:)erienced
of their power, Avould not be unmixed with alarm. This state of
apprehension appears to have been increased by the quantity of
408 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. iq. provisions drawn from the Island by the ship. Certain it is,
jg,g they rejoiced heartily at the prospect of a speedy separation from
^^y- their new friends, and the Vicero}' immediately promised that
Islands, ten hogs and other provisions should be brought to the ship on
condition that she should sail at the time specified.
In the afternoon the Ariki himself went on board the ship,
attended by sixteen of the principal Islanders. This Chief was a
man of good appearance, and supposed to be about 60 years of
age. He brought as a complimentary present a pig and a
basket of cocoa-nuts, and when he entered the ship, he put
them on his neck, and prostrating himself, laid them before the
President, who raised him up and seated him on a cushion.
The Ariki then commanded his attendants to take the President
and the merchant Claesz upon their shoulders, in which state
of honour they remained a short time, till by the Chief's
command they Avere set down with much formality and reve-
rence. Le Maire acknowledged these honours with handsome
presents and entertainment, and showed his guest the wonders
of the ship : after which he accompanied him to the shore.
The President afterwards walked with the Viceroy to see the
country and the habitations ; and at a village a small distance
from the landing place, he found the inhabitants, both male and
female, very joyously engaged in dancing with some of the
Dutch seamen. One of the Journals remarks, ' we were there
* as free and friendly as if wc had been at home in o\u' own
• houses.' Towards evening, the Hollanders returned to their
ship. At night, Adricn Claesz went in a boat with a small party
to fish, and having been successful, they landed to carry a share
• of what they had caught to the Ariki. When they came to the
Belay, they found the old Chief with a company of handsome
young girls, naked, dancing before him to music made by
beating on a piece of wood hollowed in the manner of a pump.
To this instrument, they danced * very excellently, with very
II * good
ROUND THE WORLD. 409
<
good grace, and observing the measure of the music.' The chap. lo.
Hollanders, never averse to this diversion, joined in the dance, 2616.
^vhich greatly diverted the Ariki. Unluckily, durins; the enter- ,^^''>'-
-^ " o Home
tauunent, some of the fish v/ere stolen, at which the Chief was Islands.
much enraged, and beat two of his subjects, who were found to
be the guilty peisons, so severely, that he almost killed them.
The night was for advanced before the Hollanders retired to
their ship.
The 30th. At breakfast time, a canoe brought two hogs 30th.
to the ship as a present from the Ariki, and many of the
natives carried off presents of fruits and vegetables to the
ship, on account of her approaching departure. The Viceroy
dined on board ; and soon after dinner, a number of canoes
were seen coming from the neighbouring Island towards the
Island where the ship lay. In these canoes were the Aiiki of
the other Island, and a large company of his people of both
sexes. The principal persons among them were dressed with
fine mats, and there were at least 300 men who had each a band
round his waist of ' a green plant of which they make their
' drink.'
While the canoes were yet at a distance, but had arrived
within hearing, the two Arikis began making lowly reverences
to each other, the one on shore having advanced to the sea
side to receive his visitor ; and these actions were accompanied
on both sides by speeches uttered with much apparent fervour.
Upon landing, both the Arikis prostrated themselves several
times on the ground with their arms extended forwards, some,
times towards each other, sometimes towards the canoes, and
sometimes towards the river ; iht people by which each was
attended holding themselves in the meantime in respectful and
humble attitudes. ' After much ado, both the Arikis rose up
on their feet, and w^ent and sat down together under the Belaj/
Vol. II. 3 G or
410 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN'
CHAP. iQ. or slietl, and there tliej sung or chanted a kind of song which
j5j6. is called Adoua.
^''ay- A circumstance not less strange than the extreme degree of
Home *= _ . *=
Islands, ceremony observed among a people so uncultivated, is, that a
greater personage than either of the Arikis .was present. The
Navigation Australe relates, ' tliere was likewise here the Great
' Orankej or Superior of the two Islands.' It is before said
that one of the Arikis was only the son of a King. The King
alluded to was probably the Orankey. AH that v,'e read of
him afterwards, is, that ' one of tlia Arikis recommended to the
' Great King to go and see the ship ; but he did not dare to
' venture on board.'
Claesz was on shore at the meeting of the Arikis ; and soon
after, the President with others of the Hollanders landed ; and,
not to be neglectful of state where it Avas so much regarded,
they came attended by four trumpeters and a drum. When thej
arrived near the Belay, the instruments were all sounded toge-
ther, which produced great satisfaction, and the President was
complimented with a mat to sit on near the Arikis.
' A troop of the country people of the smallest Island then
' came near the King, who brought wdth them a quantity of a
* green herb which they call Kava, such as was worn by the
' 300 men before mentioned.'* Of this a beverage was made
in the usual manner, and portions of it served to the Arikis
and the principal Islanders. The Hollanders were invited to
partake, but they were satisfied with the sight only of the
brewing.
The hospitality of the Islanders w^as magnificently displayed
at this meeting of the Chiefs.* Sixteen roasted hogs and a large
* Merveilleux Voyage dt Schouten, p. 58. From this paragiaph, it seems rea-
sonable to infer thai the 300 men came from the large Island, and consequently
that the ship had anchored at the smallest Island.
quantity
ROUNDT HE WORLD. 4ii
qiiantit}' of dressed 3^ams were served up. The Arikis, each chap. iq.
with great ceremony, presented a roasted hog to the Hollanders, 1616.
many of whom had come on shore, and the pork did not, like the Horn
Kava, court their acceptance iii vain, though the cookery did Isliinds.
not escape criticism. When the Arikis, ' the nobles and gen-
* tiewomen' were served, the remainder was distributed amono-
the rest of the company who were seated so as to form a ring on
the outside of the Belay ; and it was estimated that the number
of persons present were not less than 900.
Daring this entertainment, eleven hogs, rather undersized,
were dehvered by the iVrikis as a present to the Hollanders, who
made a present in return, of a hatchet, some copper basons,
knives, nails, and beads. These things, the Chiefs distributed
among those of their people to whom the hogs had in reality
belonged. In the evening the Hollanders returned on board,
pleased with their entertainment, and contented that the enjiajrc-
ment of the Viceroy was now fulfilled.
The 31st. Early in the morning the ship began to take up
her anchors "and to make preparation for sailing. After breakfast,
the two Arikis and many of the natives went on board, the
principal persons among them wearing green leaves of the cocoa-
nut tree round their necks, which probably was a ceremony usual
at the parting of friends. The Arikis brought with them a present
of six hogs, aud the natives, to make the most of the last day
of the market, brought yams bananas and cocoa-nuts in great
plenty to traffic, so that the ship made good provision. The
Chiefs and their attendants were entertained on board with
wine. The portrait of the Prince of Orange was exhibited to
them, as representing the Ariki of the Hollanders. A map of
the World was likewise shown and some explanations attempted.
Presents of various European articles were made to the Arikis,
and to each of their followers a nail was given. When the Arikis
left the ship, Le ]\Iaire went on shore with them, and more
3 G 2 mutual
412 Li; MAIRE AND SCIIOUTEN
CHAP. 10.' mutual presents accompanied the last adieus. At noon tlie ship
5616. sailed, and the Hollanders and Islanders separated ; content
May. ^^,j^j^ gj^^i^ other, yet sjlad to part.
Home 'JO f
Ishuuls. These two Islands were named by the Hollanders Home or
Hoorn Islands, in honour of the birth place of the Patron ; and
the Bay in which they anchored was named, after the ship,
Ecndrachi Bai/. It is said in the Navigation Australe, that the
President Le Maire believed these Islands and Gdode^ Hope
Island were the Salomon Islands of Mendana.
In relating the transactions at the Home Islands, the Dutch
Journals have endeavoured to heighten whatever appeared
ludicrous or strange. The Journal du Merveilleux Voyage, never-
The Natives thelcss, describes the men of these Islands to be valiant, well
The Men." ^"i^^^' strong, and active. They were good runners, expert
' swimmers and divers. They exceeded the Hollanders in stature,
the men of common size amongst them beinsi; as tall as the
tallest people of the ships. Their colour was between yellow
and brown : they were ricat and formal in tlie dressing their
hair, which was done in various fashions, some of which appear
to have been established marks of distinction. The Ariki had
his hair collected into one thick twisted rope on tlie left side of
the head, from M'hencc it hung down as low as the knee. The
persons next in consequence had two tails, one on each side.
Some had four or five tails, and some had their hair frizzed so
as to stand erect like hog's bristles. On particular occasions,
the superior people wore dresses made of fine matting, and the
great pains taken with their hair can be supposed no other than
an occasional piece of finery. In general no dress was worn by
the natives of either sex except a small covering round the
middle. Another symbol of distinction, remarked only among
the persons who were near the Ariki, and were supposed to be
of his Council, was the having a favourite pigeon, which they
carried on a perch.
5 . Both
ROUND THE Vv O R L D.
413
Home
Islands.
The
Women.
Both the accounts join in dispraise of the women, giving
them the character of being httle, and deformed, both in body
and countenance. A sample which has been given in a drawing
that accompanies the original accounts, is made to correspond
with this description ; but the representation cannot be admitted
just, if generally applied. It will require clear proof to establish
that there exists a greater disparity between the male and female
of the human species at the Home Islands than has been seen in
any other part of the world. It is not improbable that the
natives, who did not wish to encourage the Hollanders to stay
at their Island, might have taken the precaution to keep the
most tempting objects out of their sight. Those who danced
before the Ariki, tlie sight of whom the Hollanders obtained by
accident, were allowed to be belles jeunesjilles. The women are
likewise much censured for want of modest}^ To attempt to
defend them from this charge would probably be a much
more perilous undertaking, than to be the champion of their
beauty.
The Journalists have gone beyond their knowledge in sa3'ing
that these Islanders lived Avithout labour, that they neither
sowed ner reaped, and that they were without religion. The
Mervtilleux Voyage indeed speaks concerning the latter article
with some caution, ' Ave did not observe that these people had
' any God or Divine Service.' Both the Journals however assert,
in an unqualified manner, that they did not cultivate the soil ;
but in this, there can be no doubt that they vrere mistaken, and
that they judged of the whole Island by the small part which
came within their observation.
The houses of the natives Avere of a form nearly couical, Habitations
except that the top was rounded ; the outside was a thatching
of leaves ; the dimensions (of tiiose seen by the Hollanders) were
very small, the uhole circumference being about tw^enty-fiye
feet, and the height ten or twelve feet; the door Avas so Ioav
that
414 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
*
CHAP. lo. that it could not be entered without stooping. The only furni-
iC)i6. ture or goods seen within the houses were, dry grass to sleep
Home ®" ' fi'^^^'^g tackle ; and in some of the houses a wooden club.
Islands. From this account it may be concluded that the land round
Eeudracht Bay in which the ship anchored, was a very thinly
inhabited part of the Island.
Eendracht Eendrac/it Bay, the Merveilleux Voyage sny?,, ' lies on the
'^^* ' South side of the Island,' but whether of the Northern or the
Southern Island is not expressed in direct terms. It may be
collected from the narrative, that the Island at which the ship
anchored was the inferior Island ; and in the chart to the
Navigation Aiistrale the track is drawn evidently pointing to
the Southern (which is the smaller) Island as the place of
stoppage,*
The latitude of Eendracht Bay is in both the Journals set
down 14° 56' S. The ship's latitude given on May the 19th,
the day they first made the Home Islands, and likewise the
latitude as they sailed away (on June the 1st), give each a
more Northern situation to the Islands than the latitude above-
.mentioned,!"
The anchoring ground in this Bay was on a bottom of sharp
rocks, by which their cables were cut, and they left two anchors
behind. ' On one side of the Bay there is a bank of sand and
' rocks, which is dry at low water: on the other side was firm
* This is in some degree discountenanced by what has been seen in a late
voyage. In iSoi, Captain William Wilson, in the British ship the Royal Admiral,
fell in with tlie Home Islands. He found a Bay on the South side of the Northern
Island, answering in appearance to the anchorage of Le Maire and Schouten,
and which in a MS. chart of the Islands drawn in that voyage is marked
Schouteu's Bay. The Southern Island does not appear to have been examined in
the Royal Admiral. This voyage by Captain Wilson, I am informed, is preparing
for the press, and that it will communicate several new and important discoveries.
f The situation of the Home Islands, as observed by Captain Wilson, is from
14° 13' to 14° 23' S, latitude, and from 178° 11' to 178" 26' W longitude from
Greenwich.
' land
R O U N D T II E W O R L D. 4i 5
' land ( terre ferme ) , but the shore was likewise rock}'.'* The c ji a p. iq,
meaning of terre ferme here, is not clear; but it seems to have iGie"^
been intended to express that the bottom was regular and free ^^^y-
H line
from rocks. Islands.
The ship was moored about a musket shot distant from the
fresh water river, in iO fathoms depth, where the bay or inlet
was so narrow that it did not afford room for the ship to swing
or turn round, and she was therefore, as before noticed, moored
head and stern.
In the charts, the two Islands are placed about NNW and
SSE from each other f, and in longitude from Cocos Island
nearly five degrees West ; which, according to the mode of
reckoning adopted by Schouten, will give 1600 German leagues
from the coast of Peru.
On leaving Eejulracht Bay, the ship sailed all the afternoon
and part of the evening, to the WSW and West, to get clear
from being becalmed by the Islands. Afterwards they steered
towards the North.
June the 1st. In the morning, the Home Islands were still June,
in sight bearing SSE. At noon the latitude, according to the
Merveilleux Voyage de Schouten, was 13° 15' S; hy {he Navig.
Aust. 13' 40' S.
The 2d, they steered NbW, and on the succeeding days the 2d.
course was gradually directed more Westerly ; the Merveilleux
Voyage says, ' the greater part of the time NWbW.' According
to the track in the chart, the course between June the 2d and
6th appears to have been towards the WSW ; but nothing to
that purpose is said in the Journals.
The 6th. On a consultation held between the President, the ^'h'
Patron, and the Pilots, the course, by their common consent,
was again directed North, that they might more speedily
* Merveilleux f o^age, p. 61.
f Captain VVilsou places thein IsWbW and SEbE from each other.
ascertaia
416 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
June.
CHAP. 19. ascertain if they should clear the Eastern part of New Guinea.
1616. At noon, latitude 1 1° S. In the Recueil des Voyages a Vetahlhse-
mcnt de la Compagnie, this consultation is mentioned in such a
manner as to appear to have been held on the 3d ; but there
seems to have been a date omitted. The Recueil says the course
was changed to NbW ; and that on examining the reckonings,
it appeared that their distance from the coast of Peru, was,
According to the reckoning of the Patron 1730 leagues.
of the first Pilot 1665
- . - - - - of Jac. Dirrick 1655
of Corneille, the 2d Pilot 1610
----- of Koen Dirrick 1640
and taking the mean, gave for the distance
from the coast of Per?* - _ _ I660 leagues.*
These particulars concerning the reckoning are tTie most
material of the information which the account in the Recueil
a VEtahlissemcnt de la Compagnie has added to what Avas before
published. The distances require a later date, and the narrative
of the Navigation Australe supplies the 6th.
i3th. The 13th. They were 155 leagues to the West of the Home
Islands. -]•
i4tli. The 14th. The latitude was 3° 45' S. Many birds were
seen. The course was directed between the West and WSW.
A high sea from the SSE c-onvinced them that they had not yet
passed the Eastern part of New Guinea.
20th. The 20th. The latitude was 4° 50' S. Wind NE. Course
''\?r"j?*^ West. In the evening, land M'as seen to the Southward.t The
or Islands. .
21st. night was passed ' without sails.' In the morning of the 2 1st,
they made sail towards the land, which proved to be a cluster
• Rec. a I'Etab. de la Comp. Vol. 8. p. 190.
•]■ Ibid. p. iqi.
J The Navig. Jiiit. says with high hills; but in the next day's remarks,
the same journal describes this land to be veiy low.
of
ROUND THE WORLD. 417
of small low Islands, according to the Navigation Aiistrale, six o hap. 19.
in number, connected by reefs or sand banks, some of which 1616.
extended far out from the Islands (the distance or extent is not •'""^•
othenvise expressed) towards the North and NW. These Islands
were covered with trees. The ship sailed by the North of the
reefs, and when past them, two canoes came to her, one
with six men, the other with four, all armed with bows and
arrows ; and they were the first Islanders who were found with
bows and arrows in the course of this voyage. They were
marked with the tattow, and in language and appearance they
much resembled the inhabitants of the; Home Islands, excepting
that they were of a darker complexion. The same difference
of complexion may be generally remarked throughout the
South Sea, between the inhabitants of the large Islands and those
of the small low Islands; occasioned by a greater exposure to the
heat of the sun.
Some small presents were made to the people in the canoes,
who had nothing to give in return, which they signified by the
words Ajoiita ne ay ; but they pointed towards the West, where
they said their King lived, on Avhose land there was plenty of
every thing. None of them would venture within the ship. No
anchoring ground was found. At noon the latitude was 4° 47' S.
The ship sailed on to the AVest. No name is given, in either of
the accounts, to these Islands.
The y^d. Iliey had a good breeze all day from 'the ESE. 2id.
The course was West and at times Wb N. Latitude at noon
4° 45' S. Towards evening land was seen to the WSW, which
was found to be a groupe of 12 or 13 small low Islands, so near Marquen.
to each oilier that their extent from NE to SW was estimated
to be only a league and a half The ship passed to the North
of them, and was obliged to make a small circuit ' to avoid two
' small clumps of trees which stood in the water.' The President
named this groupe Marqiieri, after a place which it was thought
Vol. II. 3 H to
418 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
12J1J;~^ ^° resemble. It was distant from the Islands seen the preceding
3616. day 32 leagues.* No current was observable.-j-
2411?." '^^^^ 24th. The wind was from the Southward. At noon, the
latitude was observed 4' 25' South, a'nd at the same time land
was discovered to the SW, which from the mast head was seen
Groene to be three Islands, the Navigation Australe says, one high and
two low. The Journal of Schouten's Voyage says, ' they were
' three low Islands, green, and full of trees ; two of them were
* two good leagues in length, but the third was small. Their
' shores were of hard rocks, and we could not find good ground
* for anchoring.'."!: They were named Groene Islands. Their
distance from the Marquen groupe is not mentioned in the
narrative, but by the charts appears to be about 32 German
leagues. §
The ship passed to the North of the Groene Islands ; and the
same afternoon a hioh Island was seen before them bearins:
WbN, on which were seven or eight hillocks. This was named
Island of St. Jan's Island. W its distance from the Groene Islands is said
in the Navis-ation Australe to be about 15 leagues; but in the
* Navig. ^'lustra/';.
t Rec. a I'EtabL rle la Comp. Vol. VIII. p. 192.
If. Merveillnix Voi/age, p. 63.
§ Tlie Groene Islands were seen in 1767, by Captniii Carteret^ who passed to the
South of theiMi in the night, without seeing that they were separate, and taking them
for one Island, named them .S7r Charles Hardy's Island. See Ilawkisze. Colt.
Vol.1, p. 5S7. Captain Hunter likewise was in sight and to the South of them,
but it was very early in the morning, so that he had run past them before day-
light, and he has mentioned them as a single Island. Captain Hunter gives their
situation in latiUide 4° 41' S. Longitude 154° 30' E. from Greenwich. Capt. Hunter s
Hist. Journal of Transactions in New South Wales, p. 224.
II The Island of St. Jan has been identified by Dampierand by Carteret, each
of whom has given a drawing of its appearance, as likewise have other naviga-
tors ; and they all agree with the description above, which is copied from the
Journal du f'oi/age de Schouten. See Dampier, Vol. III. Tab. xi. fronting p. 167.
■^d Edit. And Vol. I. of Hawkcsworlh's Collection, Plate fronting p. 588.
charts
ROUND THE WORLD. 4i9
charts to both the Journals it is placed not more than half that chap, ip
distance from the Groene Islands.^-' i6\6.
The night was passed standing backwards and forwards
between the Island St. Jan and the Groene Islands.
The L'jth. In llie morning the wind was not fair for approach- 25th.
ing St. Jan's Island, and they ' saw before them to the SW ^^^."llup!'
' other land marvellously hi^h, which was believed to be the posed to be
^ ^ , , 1 • IT the East
* Cape of Ne-u) Guinea.' f Tney stood towards this newly dis- Cape of
covered land, and by noon were near enough to see habitations NewGumea
and people on the shores. Soundings were tried, but no bottom
was found fit for anchorage.
"O"
In the Journai du Voyagt de Schonten it is said that this land
was according to their estimation distant from the coast of Peru
1 840 German leagues ; but the chart of the track in that journal
shows the number to be erroneously printed, the difference
between the meridians of this land and of Lima being laid
down 1£6 degrees, which, as the chart is constructed on a plane
projection, is equal to 1890 German leagues. |.
The ship's course was directed along, the coast (towards the Sail along
NW) with the wind from the ESE. The Jand near the coast ^Coast.'"
abounded with fine cocoa-nut trees, and on the mountaiiis were
seen great smokes. The ship's boat was kept out sailing and
sounding along the shore between the ship and the land. Two
* The chart of T\cw Britain to Captain Carteret's Voyage fllawkeszcort/i,
Vol. T. fronting p. 505) agrees with this latter distance, St. Jo/in's Island being
tliere laid down WbN, about 10 geographical leagues from Sir Cliarlcs Ihirdj/'s
Island,
f'Fot/ags de Schonten, p. 63. The land here discovered is the East Cape of
the land at present known by the name of Neto Ireland.
X Mr. Dalrymple delected the error above noticed. See his Historical Col-
lection of Discoveries, Vol. II. p. 64. The figures in the charts to the early editions
of the Voyage de Schonten are in the Italic or jNIanuscript character ; and the
fours have the last stroke curved in such a manner as to render the four and nine
liable to be mistaken for each other.
3 II 2 canoes
ROUND THE WORLD. 4i9
charts to both the Journals it is placed not more than half that chap. 19^
distance from the Groene Islands.^' 1616.
The night was passed standing backwards and forwards
between the Island St. Jan and the Groene Islands.
The 25th. In the morning the wind was not fair for approach- o.^tli.
jno- St. Jan's Island, and they « saw before them to the SW ^^^'"i ^'''=°-
' other land raarvellously high, which was believed to be the posed to be
' Cape of Nero Gidnea.'-f They stood towards this newly dis- Cape of
covered land, and by noon were near enough to see habitations NewGumea
and people on the shores. Soundings were tried, but no bottom
was found fit for anchorage.
In the Journal du Voyage de Schouten it is said that this land
was accordino- to their estimation distant from the coast of Peru
1 840 German leagues ; but the chart of the track in that journal
shows the number to be erroneously printed, the difference
between the meridians of this land and of Lima being laid
down 126 degrees, Avhich, as the chart is constructed on a plane
projection, is equal to 1890 German leagues. J.
The ship's course was directed along, the coast (towards the Sail alon^
NW) with the wind from the ESE. The land near the coast ''coasT"
abounded with fine cocoa-nut trees, and on the mountains were
seen great smokes. The ship's boat was kei)t out sailing and
sounding along the shore between the ship and the land. Two
* The chart of New Britain to Captain Carteret's Voyage (Hawlcesrcorth,
Vol. T. fronting p. 595) agrees with this latter distance, 5^ Johns Island being
tliere laid down ^\'bNj about xo geographical leagues from Sir Charles Hardj/'s
Island,
t ' Voijags de Schotiten, p. 63. The land here discovered is the East Cape of
the land at present known by the name of New Ireland.
J Mr. Dalrymple detected the error above noticed. See his Historical Col-
lection of Discoveries, Vol. II. p. 64. The figures in the charts to the early editions
of the Voyage de Schouten are in the Italic or jNIanuscript character ; and the
fours have the last stroke curved in such a manner as lo render the four and nine
liable to be mistaken for each other.
t
3 H 2 canoes
420 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 19. canoes put off from the shore, for no other purpose than to-
■^""^616^^ attack the boat, which they did with stones thrown from shngs ;
June. |3y(; Qn their sahitation being returned with musketry, they hastily
retreated. The boat did not obtain soundings here. The land
along which the ship sailed afforded a pleasing prospect, and
many parts appeared to be cultivated. No soundings were
obtained by the boat. In the evening, however, the ship came
J^nchor in a to a small Bay, in which she anchored about a cannon shot
^'^"f" distant from the land, and opposite to a river. The depth 45
fathoms, bottom rocky and uneven.
During the whole night, the natives kept watch near the
shore; and fires were lighted along the coast; some canoes
likewise patrolled round the ship. The Hollanders endeavoured
to hold conversation with them, but their language was different
from any they had before heard. Beads and other small presents
were thrown to them, and the trumpets were sounded, which
caused much talking and laughter among them ; but their be-
haviour was fierce and rude.
16th. In the morning, eight praws or canoes came off to the ship, in
one of which were eleven persons, and in the others from four
to seven. They were armed with clubs, wooden swords, stones "
and sling*. 'I'he Hollanders made friendly signs to them, but
with little effect ; and suddenly, though not unexpectedly, they
commenced an attack with their slings. Cannon and musketry
were then fired among them from the ship, which occasioned
four of the canoes to be abandoned, and the rest to make off.
Ten or twelve of the natives were killed, and a boat being sent
from the ship, three mens who were swimming in the water were
carried prisoners on board. They were all wounded, and one of'
them expired in a short time. The four canoes were taken into
the ship to serve for fire-wood.
The wounds of the two remaining prisoners were dressed' by
the surgeon. In the afternoon, the ship's bout went with them
to
ROUND THE WORLD. 4si
to the shore, to try if provisions could be obtained for their <2 h a p. 19.
ransom ; and this purpose the prisoners had been made to 1616.
comprehend. The boat went to a part of the land near a field ^^^'^
sown with grain, which was then in ear. At her first approach,
none of the natives appeared in sight ; but upon the prisoners
calling out aloud, three people came out of a wood which
skirted the shore. Some conversation passed between them and
the prisoners, the result of which was, their launching a small
eanoe, and carrying to the boat a pig and a bunch of bananas.
The Hollanders were much higher m their demands, and set the
price of each prisoner at ten hogs; but nothing more was
brought, and they released one of the prisoners, whose wound
was thought dangerous ; the other was carried back to the
ship.
The ship remained at this anchorage till the £8th, and the
empty casks were filled with fresh water. Some canoes came
to the ship, and a hog and a few bananas were brought to
exchange for goods ; but no one offered to ransom the prisoner,
who, being an old man, was at length gratuitously released.
The inhabitants of this land were a black people with short hair :
they Avere of moderate stature, and corpulent. They had holes
pierced in each side of the nose, in which thcv More rinos :
they were marked with many cicatrices on the body, and were a
little punctured with the tattow. They chewed the betel mixed
with a khid of lime. Their salutation of respect was takino- off
the hat and holding it a long time over the head.
From this Bay, '^ another Island was seen towards the
North.'*
In the night of the 28th, they sailed from the Bay with a Proeeed-
light Avind, directing their course along the coast, towards ''coit'"'
the NW. * *
* ^^oyuge de Schouteii, p. 66. The Island here mentioned is probablv the same
■which was afterwards named by Tusman AiUony Caan's hland.
The
422 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 19. The 29th, they steered NW and NWbN with little wuid, and
1616. saw no termination to the land. The latitude at noon, accord-
2 tf ' ^^S ^o the journal of Schouten's vo^'age, was 3° 20' S. At the
close of the day, the land they were coasting M^as observed to
extend towards the AVNW and NWbW, and to have many
bays and gulfs ; and three high Islands were discovei^ed to the
North, distant five or six leagues IVom the coast of the main
land.
30th, The 30th. In the morning there was little wind. The ship
was near a bay of the land, supposed to be Nezi} Guinea. Some
canoes came from the ' three or four Islands,'* which had been
discoA'^ered on the preceding evening. These canoes were of
better workmanship than any that had hitherto been seen, and
were ' embellished with many paintings'-j- and carved images,
both at the head and stern. The people in them were extremely
deformed, havmg flat noses, thick lips, and wide mouths ; and
' they had an evil scent, much like the inhabitants of the Cape
' of Good Hope : but they came quietly and with much civility,
makins reverences Avith ' their hands and bonnets,' and some of
them, as a token of their intentions being pacific, broke their
spears.:J: They had not, however, provisions or refreshments of
any kind to dispose of, though the Islands were seen to abound
with cocoa-nut trees. Several of their people came into the ship,
and when small presents Avere given to them, they chanted their
thanks in little songs, and they made no attempt to steal any
thing. Their hair and beards Averc rubbed with lime, Avhich
* Jour, du Voy. de Schouten, p. 6j. f ^^cv- Auslr. de Le Maire, p. 160.
% Dainpier gives the following description of tiie people of Gairet Dtiiius
(Gerrit Denys) Island, which seems to he one of the same Islands from whence
the oanoes came, as above related : ' They are very black, strong and well limbed,
' their hair curled and short. They have broad round faces, with f,-reat bottle
' noses, yet agreeable enough, till they disfigure tliemsehcs with paint and
* wearing great things through their noses as big as a man's thumb and four inches
* long, luu clear through both nostrils.' Dampit:r,\'v\. III. p. 202,
S seemed
R O U N D T H E W O R L D. 423
seemed intended as oiT.amental. They remained all day near chap. 19,
the ship, ami in the evening returned to the Islands. These 1616.
people eat of the root of some tree as a substitute for bread.
During the night it was calm ; but the ship advanced by
means of a current about two kagues ; and on the morning of July •'^'^'y*
the 1st, was between the main land, supposed to be New Guinea,
and an Island two leagues in length. After breakfast, there came
from the Island about 25 canoes, full of people, among Avhom
were some of those who had been at the ship the day before,
and whose civilised behaviour had raised expectations that they
would have brought provisions to exchange. But they came
with designs far diflerent, and were provided only Avith their
arms. They did not immediately on their arrival commence an
attack, but for som.e time contented themselves with arrogant
and menacing gestures. At each bow of the ship, an anchor was
hanging a little out of the water ; and on each of these anchors
an Indian seated himself with a paddle in his hands, and began
paddling as if to draw the ship towards the shore. The canoes
at the same time spread themselves round the ship. At length
they proceeded to throAving stones and darts, by which one of
the Hollanders was struck. As the attack had been expected,
the assailants were quickly repulsed by the firing both of great
guns and of muskets. Several of the Indians were killed, and
the ship's boat being sent in pursuit of those Avho tied, took a
canoe and a young Indian, a lad about 18 years of age, who was
kept on board, and was afterwards named Moses, as a compli-
ment to the Hollander who had been Avounded.
In the afternoon, a good gale sprung up, and they continued'
th.cir route "WNW and NWbW* along the coast, Avhich Avas
always on their larboard (left) hand.
* No variiition of the compass is mentioned in this [)art of the Journal, •
Tasman, in 1643, and Damjjier in 1699, found the variation lieie East^ about | of
a point.
The
4L'4 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
c H A P. 19. The 2d. In the morning they were abreast a low part of the
1616. coast, which fell back, forming a deep bay. On the land before
''"^y* them, which was the Western side of the bay, was a high
mountain ; and they saw before them likewise a low Island.
•The latitude at noon was 3° 1'/ S. The wind moderate from
the ENE.
3^. The 3d, at day-light, they were abreast the high land seen
the day before, and beyond this the coast declined towards
the South. The course was directed West, and as the sliip
sailed at a good rate, they soon lost sight of this Island, Avhich
they had coasted thus far from abreast of St. Jans Island. In
the afternoon, high land was seen to the West, which was distant
by their estimation from the land they had left about 1 4 German
leagues*, and in latitude 2° 40' S.
-4th. The 4th. In the morning they had approached the land last
discovered, which proved to be part of an archipelago of Islands. ,
These Islands were green, well covered with trees, and were
inhabited.
Some of the remarks of this day seem to have been omitted
in the printed Journal of Schoutens Voyage, where it is said, ' as
' we were endeavouring to pass the abovementioned four Islands,
* we saw 22 or 23 others, great and small, some low, others
* high, which we left all on the starboard (right) hand, except
' two or three.'-j- In the preceding part of the narrative no men-
tion appears of the four Islands first referred to.
1\^Qr,. These Islands are marked on Schoutens chart, 25 Eijlanden,
Islands. J. e. The Twenty-Jive Islands. The Journal of Schouten's voyage
says, ' they were all near one to the other ; some separated a
' league or a league and a half, others only a cannon shot ; and
' their latitude is 2° 25' and 2" 30' S, a little more or less.'.t
* By the chart to the Journal of Schouten's voyage, the distance is 17 German
leagues.
f Journal dii Voyage de ScJiouleti, p. 68.
J T!ie Islands here discovered are the same which Captain Carteret in 1767
named the Admiraltij Idmtdi.
One
ROUND THE W O K L D. 435
One of these Islands was thought to be Ceram, and the ship was c n a p. ip.
steered towards it, but was prevented from arriving at the Island ini6.
by the unsteadiness of the wind, and the approach of night. '''''•^'
The 5th. The wind was from the ESE and SE, and they 5tl».
steered SbW and SW, with some expectation of falling in with
the Bancla Islands. The latitude at noon is widely different in -
the two Journals; by Schouten's Voyage 3° 54'S; by the Navig,
Just. 3° 8' S. In the evening two low Islands were seen to the
West.
The 6th, the Aveather was variable with thunder. The latitude gih.
Avas observed this day 4" 10' S. A short tune before noon, a
high mountain was seen to the SW, which resembled Gonde/iap/J
mountain in Banda, and the latitude being nearly the same, it
was at first believed to be that mountain ; but as they drew near
they were undeceived by the appearance of ' three or four
' other mountains to the Northward of the first mountain, and
' separate from it about 6 leagues ;'='^ and likewise by discover-
ing other land behind the mountain, vvhich extended ESE
and WNW^, each way so far that no termination could be seen.
The part to the ESE was low; the Western land high. This ^^New"'
liind was judged to be the Qoast of Nezi) Guinea; and it proved Guinea,
to be so.
The first discovered mount^ain was a burning Island (une Isle
hrulante) from which flames and smoke issued to a great height;
and it was named Vulcan's Inland. The other mountains to the
Northward (in Schouten's chart they are to the NNW and
NAY from the first) were likc\vise Islands, and some of them
Vol can OS.
The 7tl). Wind from the SE. In the -forenoon they passed 7th.
between Vulcan's Island and the Islands to the NNW. Vtdcans Vnlcan's
Island was well inhabited, and plentifully furnished ivith cocoa- ^^'"'^'^•
* ^'oy^ige de Schoiilen, p. op.
Y.oh, II. 3 I nut
426 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 10. nut trees, but no anchoring ground was found. Some of the
^""^^^e^"^^ natives came in canoes near the ship, but they were not
J;''y- understood either by the Hollanders or by their new servant
Coast of Moses. These people were black, with short hair. Other people
New"^ came likewise to the ship on this day, who Avere of a more
Guinea, tawny colour than the first, and whose canoes were of a different
make. Among the Islands in sight to the Northward were four
small ones v^hich continually smoked.
The ship proceeded Westward, and in the evening arrived
near a low cape of the main land. The sails were then taken in,,
and the ship was left to drift for the night, during which a
current was found setting to the Westward. The water here
was remarked to be of varionS" colours, and many trees and
branches were seen floating, Avhich occasioned it to be supposed
that they were near a large river.
$th. The 8th. At day-light the sails were again set. The course
was directed for a short time WSW, and afterwards WNW, with
fair wind and weather. To the right of the ship Avas a high
Island. On the left Avas the main land, Avhich Avas level and of
modevate height. The latitude Avas observed at noon 3° 48' S.
In the evening they were about a cannon shot distant from the
main land, and obtained soundings at 70 fathoms depth, the
bottom sandy. Some people came off from the land. They
had nothing to sell, but small presents were made them. They
were chiefly desirous of linen and of red bonnets. The
Description Journals say, ' these people Avere the true Papoos (i. e. natives
of the i Qf Papua) with black and short curled hair, wearina; rinos in
Natives. . ^ ^ ' & o
' their ears and noses, and necklaces of hogs tusks. 'J'hey Avere
' a Avild, strange, and ridiculous people, curious to see every
' thing, and active as monkeys. Our man Moses, if he might,
' Avould not have trusted himself on shore Avith them, lest per-
' adventure they might devour him. No one of them Avas
♦ without some personal defect. One Avas blind, anothar had a
7 • great
ROUND THE WORLD. 427
' great leg, a third a swelled arm, and the like of the rest; from chap. iq.
' which it may be conjectured that this part of the country is jgig.
* unhealthy ; and this is the more probable, as the houses were ^"'-^j"
' built upon stakes at the height of eight or nine feet from the Coast of
' ground.'* ^>'^'^-
The 9th. This morning a bay was found in the main land, o^h.
where the ship anchored in 26 fathoms depth, the bottom a
mixture of sand and clay.j- Two villages stood in this ba}',
inhabited by people of the same kind as those just described.
Many of them, men women and children, went from the shore
in canoes to look at the ship ; but they would not bring any
provisions except a few cocoa-nuts, and those they sold at au
extravagant price, demanding two yards of linen for four cocoa-
nuts. They had hogs, but lefused to part AAdth them at any
price. ■ "
The 11th. The ship sailed before day, and steered along the luh.
coast NWbW and WNWJ, keeping from a league and a half to
three leagues distance off shore. In the forenoon they passed
two Islands, the one high, the other Avas low with a large
village on it close to the sea side. At noon this day a high head
land was passed.
Tha 12th. They ' sailed as before WNW along the coast. '§
The latitude at noon was 2° 5S' S. A current was found con-
stantly setting them forward in their progress along the coast.
A qu&ntity of wood was this day seen floating about the ship,
which was supposed to have drifted from some ii\er near them.
* Voyage de Schouten,^. "JO. And Nav7g. jdust. -p. 162.
f The bay in which the ship anchored is marked in the cliart, CorncUs Knier's
Bay. The bay is represented more deep in the hind in tlie chart to the Navigation
Australe, than in Schouten's chart.
"t T" oyagc de Schauten. No variation is mentioned. Both the Journals say,
tliat the coast of New Guinea runs in general in a N^VbW direction ; but the
chart shows it to lie in a direction more Westerly.
§ Voyage de Sckouten.
3 12 On
42S LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 10. On this wood were found shell fish ; and about it were many sea
birds and fish of various kinds.
The 13th and 14th. They continued their course along the
coast. The land passed these two days is described by the
Journals in general terms, ' that it had many gulfs and
' bays, and that the country was in some parts high and in
' some parts low.^ The weather was fair ; but the heat durino-
the day was excessive ; and in the night the lightning was
terrible.
]5ih. The 15th, the latitude was observed 1° 56' S ; and soon after
JMoA'and "^on the shij) came near two low Islands, which are situated
Insou. about half a league distant from the main land. They were
both covered with cocoa-nut trees, and inhabited. Anchorage
was found in depths from 40 to 6 fathoms, the bottom clay, and
the anchor was let go in 13 fathoms. Some canoes came near
the ship, and a native made preparation for shooting an arrow
at her; to prevent which, a musket was fired, at first with
powder only, and ' afterwards in a more earnest manner.' Tlie
Pati'on went with two boats well armed to one of the Islands to
try to obtain cocoa-nuts ; but as many inhabitants were seen on
the shore, and it was apprehended that they would dispute the
landing, a cannon shot ^v^ds fired among them from the ship,
v/hich made them retire from the beach, and the boats rowed
in. After the Hollanders had landed, the natives attacked
them from behind the trees and bushes, with bows and arrows.
The Hollanders used their muskets, and a sharp contest waS'
maintained for some time ; but the arrows of the natives came
so thick, that the Hollanders were beaten off, and returned to
their ship with fifteen men Avounded, among whom was Adrien
Claesz by an arrow through his hand.
i6th. '^^^^ ^^^'"^^ morning (the l6th), the anchor was taken up, and
the ship sailed between the two Islands, where she anchored in
nine fathoms. The boats were then sent to the smallest of the
two
ROUND THE WORLD. 429
two Islands, and at the same time the guns of the ship were chap. ig.
employed against the large Island, being sometimes fired at the iSi6.
beach, and sometimes into the woods, to deter the natives from t.,"'"'-^' ,
' ^ Moa and
any attempt to defend the plantations on the small Island. The Insou.
Hollanders at the small Island set fire to some Indian houses ;
on seeino- which, the natives on the larger Island made a loud
outcry, but knew not how to seek a remedy. 260 cocoa-nuts
were carried oft' to the ship. In the evening the natives indi-
cated their desire of making peace, b}' sending a man in a canoe
to the ship, with the hat of one of the Hollanders which had been
left on shore in the battle of the preceding day.
The 17th. In the morning two or three canoes put off from 171I1,
the shore, and placed some cocoa-nuts in the water in a position
for the stream or current to carry them to the ship. The
Hollanders by signs encouraged the natives to approach, and
they came near the stern. Some knives, nails, and beads were
conveyed to them by means of a cord, and after this first speci-
men of quiet intercourse, many other natives came with cocoa-
nuts, green ginger, bananas, and ' some small yellow roots
' which they use instead of saffron,'* which "they gave in ex-
change for European commodities. The inhabitants of these
Islands were entirely naked.
The 13th. The natives commenced their visits early, and iSth*
came direct on board the ship ^vith their goods ; and were be-
come perfectly satisfied and good friends Avith the Hollanders.
Besides the articles abovementioned, they brought ' Cassavi,
' which they use for bread, but it is not comparable to the
' Cassavi of the West Indies; and Papede, which is found in the
' East Indies.'-)- They dealt honestly in their traffic. Some of
the Hollanders went to the larger of the two Islands to fish, and
the inhabitants with great good-will assisted them in drawing;
* f^ijo^c di SJioutiu, p. 7. 1. -[- Ibid, and p. 75.
ther
430
LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN.
c n A p. iq
'1616.
July.
!Moa and
Jnsou.
Island
Aiimoa.
igih.
North
C^oast of
J^apiia.
20th.
the nets. They appeared to have knowledge of fire arm?, and
had some earthern vessels which it was supposed came to them
from the Spaniards or Portuguese. This good understanding
between the Hollanders and the natives continued as long as the
ship remained here; and shows that the Papuas or natives of
New Guinea, notwithstanding their dispositions prompt for mis-
chief (a character attributed to them, the truth of which there
is little reason to doubt), have likewise sociable dispositions.
The fifteen Hollanders wounded by them with arrows, all re^
covered of their wounds.
The largest of the two Islands, which was the Eastern, was
called by the natives Moa : the name of the smaller was Insou.
To the North of these, distant five or six leagues from the main
land, is an Island of moderate height, which they called
Arimoa *.
The 19th. Some canoes came to the ship from Islands to the
EastAvard. The inhabitants of Moa and Insou made si^ns for
the Hollanders to fire guns at them. They were answered that
it would not be done unless they gave offence first: but the
Eastern p/cople came peaceablj^ with cocoa-nuts and bananas to
traffic ; and such plentiful provision was obtained here, that to
everj-^ man in the ship were served 50 cocoa-nuts and two
bunches of bananas.
The 20th. This morning the ship sailed from these friendly
Islands, the natives to the last minute bringiug provisions to
barter-: and such good friends Averc they and the Ilohanders
become, that they expressed wishes for the ship to remain longer
at their Islands.
The navigation along the coast was continued towards the
WNW.
* Tills is probably the Island Hamci or liaime seen by Saavedra in 152S, and
afterwards seen iu the voyage of Grijalva and Alvarado. Vide Vol. I, p. 151,
and p. 383.
The
ROUND THE WORLD. 43i
Tlie 2l3t, at noon, the latitude was IMS' S. The cnrrent chap. 19.
set the ship towards a gvoupc of small Islands, near to which jSiG.
the anchor was let go in 13 fathoms. These Islands were four- ^' ■^•,
teen in number, separated a moderate distance from each other, Coast of
and distant 28 leagues from Moa.* They were covered with '^
wood : but no inhabitants were seen on them. The ship re-
mained near these Islands all the 22d, and some of the people
landed. Trial was made to catch fish, but none were taken.
The 23d. In the morning they sailed with fair Avind and 23'i.
weather, and passed to the North of the Islands. When they
had o'one a small distance from the land, six lar^e canoes were
seen following the ship, although no inhabitants had been per-
ceived while she remained among the Islands. The people in
these canoes were armed with javelins. Their firll approach was
with apprehension, and with making signs of a peaceable ten-
dency. They put cocoa-nuts on their heads, and pronounced
the word Sano : and some poured water on their heads, which
among the people of the Moluccas likewise is a signal of peace.
They exchanged dried fish of the bream kind, cocoa-nuts,
bananas, a small fruit like prunes, and tobacco, for beads and
iron. Some canoes likewise came from another Island with
fruits and tobacco to exchange. These last people were of a
tawny complexion, had long curling hairf-, and appeared both in
their persons and their language to be of a different race from
the natives of Papua. They had rings of coloured glass in
their ears, and a woman among them wore round her neck some
yellow beads resembling amber, which the President purchased
with two strings of European beads; and two vessels of porce-
lain were bought of them for beads. These things being
found among them were regarded as evidences of their having;
communication with the East Indies.
* Navig. AuUr. p. 165. •{• Chtxieux longs crespus. Navig. Aust. p. 165.
la
432 LE MA IRE AND SCIIOUTEN
en A P. 10.
In the niglit it was calm, but the ship was carried forward
"^616^^ ^^ith the current.
•^"'y- The 24th, the latitude was half a decree South.* This day
Schouten's they came to a large Island, which in Schouten's chart is laid
down about seven German leagues separated from the main
land of Papua. They sailed by the Northern coast of this
Island on coui'ses ' NW, West and SW.'j- It was named after
the Patron of the ship, Willem Schoutens Island, and the Western
Its Western part was named Cape de Goede Hoop,% ' because they now
ecrclpTde' ' ^new iu what part of the world they Avere, and hoped soon to
GoedeHoop. « meet their countrymen/
In the chart abovementioned, the extent given to Schouten's
Island is 1 2 German leagues from ESE to WNW : the coast of
the main land to the South of the Island is filled up, Avithout
any chasm being left, or any indication of uncertainty being
• mai'ked. There is much merit in Schouten's chart, but it must
be suspected that this part has been drawn without sufficient
authoiity ; for with the intervention of so large au Island be-
tween the track of the ship and the main land, it is not probable
that a continuity of the coast could be clearly traced.
After passing Schouten's Island, the course was continued tOf
wards the AYest, ' leaving a small Island on the starboard (right)
' hand : and soon after, the ship was in a clear opcu sea, with-,
' out any land in sight.' §
e5th. The 25th, they had again sight of the coast to the SSW,
' part very high and part very low.'
* J oijage de Schouten. By the ISlav. Aust. o" id S
+ Foi/agi di Schouten, p. yQ.
X Tasman, and after him Danipier, applied this name to a cape of the main
land of Paima to the West of Schoutens Is/and : a mistake which seems to iiave
been occasioned by an ambiguous disposition of the written name in the cliart to
the Niivigation Australe, and which has been continued to the present time.
§ Navig. Au^t. p. 166. Tlie Island seen on the right liaad is the Great Provi"
deHce Island in Ds.mmer'%cl\a,tt, . .
The
ROUND THE WORLD. 433
^ 'I'liC Journals in this part afford little of distinct information chap. 19,
concerning the coast of Papua. On the 26th they passed three igjg.
Islands. The Navigation Amtrah says ' at nioht, to avoid x^ "^,''7'' »
* falling into a gulf, we stood to the North, leaving the three of Papua.
' Islands on the right hand ; and named the largest St. Jaques'
The chart to the Journals does not well correspond with this
description concerning the Islands. On the 27th, the latitude 27th.
v/as 0° 29" S, and the main land was in sight to the Southward,
along the coast of which they sailed WNW. The winds light.
The 29th, they sailed a WbS course by tlie land, which «9il).
was M'ell covered with trees, but no signs appeared of this
part of the country being inhabited. Many small Islands lie
near the shore. In the night, a shock of an earthquake was
felt. ■
The 30th, they stood towards the WSW into a bay or gulf in soth.
hopes of finding an opening by which they might pass to the
South between Gilolo and New Guinea. Tluey had this day a
violent thunder storm, which was followed by heavier rain than
they had ever before seen.
The 31st, they found themselves almost encompassed with 31st.
land, and no appearance was seen of a passage through to the
South. The course was therefore changed to the North, but
still M'ith hopes of meeting some canoe, or finding people who
would give them directions. In the evening they anchored by
an Island near the main land, in 1 2 fathoms depth. No sign
of inhabitants was seen, nor were any sounds heard to interrupt
the stillness of the night.
The nejft morning the anchor was taken up. There was no August.
wind, and the ship drifted Westward with the cunent bv the
land, which was covered with M'oods, and seemed to be without
inhabitants. This and the two folloM'ing days they had very little
M ind, with rains. The ship advanced slowly towards the North
iuid passed some Islands.
"\'oi„ II, S K , August
434 LE MA IRE AND SCHOUTEIT
CHAP. 19. August the 3d. The latitude observed at noon was 0° A:/ N,
3oit7_ In the afternoon, ' being so far in the open sea that they could
Aiigusi. i scarcely discern the land,' it was discovered that the shii) was
IS orth Coast . "^ .
uf Papua, in. soundings ; and that from a tranquil sea she had come into
ABaiik. agitated water. This was found to be over a bank with depth
from 10 to 40 fathoms, the bottom sandy. Here they anchored
for the night. A current was remarked setting to the WSW.
4th. The 4th. With variable winds they went towards the SW,
and came in sight of land, which appeared to them like seven or
eight Islands.
5tli. The 5lh. They stood towards the land seen the preceding,
}*h,ba. fjgy^ ]S[q soundings were* obtained until they came near,
Avhen they ibund bottom at 45 and 40 fathoms, and anchored
at the latter depth, being distant from the shore about a cannon
shot. Great abundance of cocoa-nut and palm trees were seen ;
and some small proas {paj^aus) came from the land with white flags
hoisted, which the Hollanders answered by showing a white
flag. The peoj)le in these barks wore linen dresses Avith turbans,
and some of them silk trowsers. Their hair was dark black.
They spoke the Malay language which Claesz understood, and
some among them spoke Portuguese. From these and other
particulars observed, it was supposed that the ship was at the
Eastern part of Gilolo ; and they afterwards learnt that thi*
place was called Maha *, and that it was subject to the King of
Tidore. The Journal of Schouten's voyage says, they were here
right under the Equinoctial line for the third time.
The inhabitants brought to the ship, rice, pork, and other
provisions ; and two birds of Paradise, which they exchanged for
beads and linen. They advised the Hollanders not to rcmaia
* at their present anchorage, which they said Avas unsafe : ' and
* The Island Geli/, near one of the Eastern aj'Uis of Gilo/o, agrees with this
situation and with the navigation of Le Maire and Schouteii; as here described.
* thej
ROUND THE W O R L D.
fjj
* they were right, for in the night a strong wind came, and the chap. iq.
* ship drove.' They hkewise advised that the ship shonld sail i6i6.
round by the South of Gi/olo, which route, they said, Vvould ^"S''si-
bring them to Bachian (one of the Moluccas) in two days.*
The 6th, they sailed from Maha : the wind blew fresh from
the SSE, and the course was therefore directed to go by the
North of Gilolo. The next afternoon they had sight of the
Island Morotai : but the remaining part of their passage to the INIorotai.
Moluccas was not performed with the same degree of expedition,
their progress being impeded by calms, contrary winds, and
currents.
September the 17th, they had the satisfaction to meet a ship September.
of their own country, the ]\Iorghcnsterre, one of Admiral Spil-
bergea's iieet; and on the evening of that day, they anchored Arrive
before Makya in the Island of Terrenate, in ] l fathoms, sandy Moluccas.
bottom.
The President and the Patron landed the same evenino-, and
waited on the Dutch Governor, General Laurens Real, by whom
they were welcomed with kindness, as they were likewise by the
Admiral Etienne Verhagen, and b}^ all the Council, and were
honourably entertained.
The number of persons on board the ship of Le Maire and
Schouten at this time, was 85, who were all in good health;
and among them was the complete crew of the Eendracht;
every one who sailed in that ship from Holland arriving alive in
.her at the Moluccas.
The stores wliich had been saved from the wreck of the
Home galiot, and some other merchandise, Avere sold here;
and fifteen of the ship's company Mere discharged at their own
desire, to enter into ihe service of the Dutch East India
.Compan3\
* Navig. Aiist. p. 167.
3 K 2 • . Tf;e
436 LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
cTiAi'. 19. The 26tb, Jacob Le Maire and the Patron breakfasted on
1616. shore with the .General Laurens Real, and paid their visit of
September. |^j^i-ij-,g ]eavc : after which, the General and all the members of
the Council, in honour of the enterprise they had achieved^
accompanied them to the water side, with colours spread, and
the troops under arms. The same day the ship sailed for Bantam
in the Island Java.
.4Pbt October the 16th, they anchored in the road of Japara on
'^"^"° the North side of Java, where they furnished the ship with pro-
visions. They sailed thence on the 23d, and on the 28th arrived
at Jacatra, where they found lying at anchor three Dutch ships
and three English ships.
On the 31st, a Dutch ship, 'named the Bantam, anchored
before Jacatra, in which s»hip arrived Jan Pieterson Koenen,
November, the President of Bantam. The next day, November the 1st,
Jacob Le Maire, and the Patron Wilhelm Cornelisz Schouten,
received a summons to appear before the President Koenen and
his Council, and when they attended, it was declared to them
The Ship in full Council, that as the owners of the ship Eendracht were
n°'d1dzccf not participants of the General East India Company, and had
by the undertaken this voyage without order or permission obtained
East" India fi"om the General Company, the said ship therefore, Avith her
Company, fm-nitm-g and cargo, were confiscated to the use of the
Company ; and they were required forthwith to deliver her up.
Le l^Jaire and Schouten both remonstrated, and argued against
this hard and unjust sentence; but it was not to be averted by
their arguments. They were told, that if they thought them-
selves wronged, they might institute a process for their right in
Holland. Persons appointed by the President of Bantam took
possession of the ship and cargo ; an inventory was taken of the
stores and cargo ; and Jacob Le IVIaire, and Willem Scliouten,
with all their people, were obliged to quit the ship.
Tliis seizurQ was made on the first of November, according to
<7 ' the
ROUND THE WORLD. 43-7
the reckoning of Le Maire and Schouten : on the 2d, by the chap. :q.
reckoning of their countrymen who had arrived in India by the ,t5i6.
n r r< 1 IT November.
Cope of Lrood Hope.
Ecing thus deprived of their ship, many of the crew entered
into the service of the East India Company; the remainder were
eml^arked on board two ships, named the Amsterdam and
Zeeland, Avhich w^ere preparing to sail for Europe under the
command of Admiral Spilbergcn. Jacob Le Maire, AVillem
Cornelisz Schouten, Daniel Le Maire a brother of Jacob, with
ten others of the company of the Eendracht, were put on board
the Amsterdam, the ship in which the Admiral sailed. Adrieu
Claesz, with ten more, were embarked in the Zeeland.
This was a most cruel requital for men to meet with from their
own countrymen, in return for having, with superior sagacity
and spirit, undertaken and accomplished an enterprise so hazar-
dous and so reputable, the lustre of which continues to this day
to reflect honovu* on their country. It might have been expected
that the licence which the Compagnie Austnile had obtained from
the States General and from the Prince of Orange, would have
obviated any charge of illegality from being made against the
voyage : but the President of Bcmtam and his Council seem to
have coloured their unworthy proceedings by professing to dis-
believe the account of a new passage into the South Sea having
been discovered. ITae Journalist of Admiral Spilbergen's Voyage,
J. Cornelisz May, who was at this time Master Mariner of the
ship Amsterdam, mentioning the arrival of Le Maire and
Schouten, says, in a spirit of rivalry, from which the most
honourable pursuits do not exempt men, " These people
" had not in so long a voyage discovered any unknown
" countries, nor any place for new commerce, nor any thing.
" which could be of benefit to the p\iblic, although they pre-
*' tended that they had discovered a passage shorter than the
*' wsual-
438 LE MAI RE AND SCHOUTEN
c !'. A P. 10. «< usual passage : which is very improbable, inasmuch as it took
iGiC. '' t'lcra fifteen months and three days to make their voyage to
" Tcrnate, though M-ith a single sliip. — These usurpers of" the
" names of passages into the South Sea, were mucli astonished
" that the commander Spilbergen, with a fleet of large ships,
" luid arrived so long before them at Termite." '''
December.;' The ships Amsterdam and Zeeland sailed from Bantam for
IlQlland on the !5th of December.
Death of On the 31st of December, Jacob Le Maire died f- : it is not
Le Maire ^aid of Avliat disease, nor is any previous illness mentioned ; but
mortification at the treatment he had experienced, must be
supposed to have had a great share in shortening his days. He
wiis aged, at the time of his death, only 31 years. The ill-
founded prejudices of J. Cornelisz May were by this time eradi-
cated. After relating the decease of Le Maire, he adds, " for
" whom our Admiral and all of us were greatly grieved, as he
^' was a man gifted with rare experience in afj^airs of navigation."
Whatever doubt might have been at first entertained concern-
ing the veracity of Le Alaire and Schouten's account of their
voyage, it was impossible that it should not soon have been
)'e.moyed by associating with them in the same ship.
W. Sclioii- '^ii® An]sterdam and Zeeland stopped at the Island Mauritius,
ten returns ^^^j passcd ro.und the Cape of Good Hope without seeing it.
Ill Europe ^ i t i ■ r, rr ? n ■ i
witiiAdiiiiral They afterwards stopped at the island S'" Helena, and arrived
bpilbergen. -^^ Zeeland on the 1st of July l6!7, which was two years and
1 7 days after the sailing- of Le Maire and Schouten ; and 37 days
short of three years from the time of Admiral Spilbergen's de-
parture from Holland.
* Miroir Oost £)• West Indkal, p. i oS.
t Navigation Juslrale. The Jouniul du Voijage de Schouten dates the deatli
af Le ]Mahe on December the iiA.
It
R O U N D T H E W O R L D. 439
It has not been discovered in anj' relation of the Voyage of Le f^,l^;J3'
Maire and Schouten, or in any biographical or other account 1616.
ivhich has been met with in drawing up the narrative here
given, that any compensation v^-as made by the Dutch East
India Company, either to the Compognie Australe for the
seizure of their ship, or to those who performed the voyage in
her for the interruption, loss, and mconvenience, which must
have been sustained by them in consequence of the seizure.
THE following Vocabulary of words of the languages of Vocabularj,
the South Sea Islands was published with the Navigation Australe
de Le Mair-e, and is to be regarded as a collection made by
Jacob Le Maire. The Journal notices his being so employed,
and likewise that he was of opinion that the Home Islands''
were part of the Salomon Islands. This accounts for the title
("Language of the Salomon Islands) prefixed to the first division
of words, Avhich were, without doubt, of the language spoken-
at the Home Islands.
440
LE jNIAIRE and SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 10.
VOCABULARY
Of the Language of the SALOMON ISLANDS.
One,
'tacij. Tact
Two.
Loua» Loa.
Three.
Tolou.
Four,
Fa.
There are four.
^7''-
Five,
Lima.
Six.
Houvv.
Ten.
Ongefoula.
Come here.
Nntifoy.
Go away.
Fanou,
To beat. To fighl
, Backela.
A woman.
Herri.
A hog.
Wacka,
A fowl.
Omo.
Wind.
Aught.
Fish.
lea.
A fjhhing rod.
Eca.
Cocoa-nuts.
Bananas,
Yams.
Give me my yams
Sick.
Small Gocoa-nuts,
Beads.
A nail.
Iron.
A fish-rhook.
Superior,
In-hnd,
Good iron.
Yes.
Keep back, or
Make way.
The root of a
plant, f
I
Alieuiv.
Wafoudgy.
Oufij. Ouby.
, Toma may oufy,
Mataij.
. D'Mauta.
Lickasoa, acachoa,
Hakoubea,
Hequlj.
Matau.
Latou.
Ajouta. AJQuda,
Moaij.
Da. Ijto.
Alick-wi.*
Acoua.
Of the Languffge of Vie C O C O S ISLANDS.
The Sun.
La.
The Moon,
Massina,
Stars.
Fiitou.
Eyes.
Matta.
Ears.
Talinga.
Tongue.
Alello.
Lips.
Lamotou.
Chccls;s,
Calafou.
Throat.
Qua.
The breast.
The heart.
Mouth.
Nose.
Beard.
Teeth.
Hair.
Legs.
Chou.
Fatla.
Coloy.
Esou.
Talaffa,
Nyso.
Ouroucq,
ffanij.
Lyso,
Ourou. ]
Hands & fingers, Fatinga. Lima.
* Alich-wi. \\f^ .the Navig. Austr. this word is translated Envoi/, which Mr.
Dairy oiple bus interpreted " Way tUj-ouijh;" and M. de Brosscs " lieiircz vous."
f III t!;L' original, ' d'l^/te. cs/jccc df roseaux.' In the language of Coros hlaiid,
Acava or Cava, signiiies • u root of which they make their drink,' and it is probable
u^coMQ meuiiii ,the sumt;.
JNaiis,
ROUND THE WORLD.
441
Nails.
Mnyninia.
Cocoa-nut oil.
UMo.
CH A p. 10
Belly.
Tinay.
A mountain.
Maoucheu
Back.
Shoulders,
Totia.
Touatima.
To embark in a 7 ^^^^^^^^_
boat. i
Food.
Tackt. SSaku
Thighs.
Motiri.
Boy.
Tatna.
To draw up.
Fondij.
Girl.
Toubou.
Bananas,
Fouti.
WoQian.
Farri,
Yams.
Otifi.
.
To sleep.
To dance.
Mooij.
Pipi.
Water.
Oil.
Way.
Lolo.
House. Hut.
Fare.
Cheese.
Poulaca.
A stone.
Fattou.
Scissars.
Epouri. .
A tree.
Talie. Taliei.
A ring.
Mamma.
Wood.
Lachaai.
A drum.
Naffa.
Iron.
Hackoumea,
A musket.
' Leaij thmoghel
ne luy.
Beads.
A ship.
Oisoa.
Wacha.
. Violin. Music
. Waij fogi*
A knife.
Fassi.
A ho2.
Pouacca.
A cock.
Mo a.
A small looking
glass.
Cocoa-nut leavf
\ Lessi iloa.
A fowl.
Oufa.
;s. Aes Ci.wro.
Water.
Waij.
Cocoa-nut liqu(
Dr. Wacki.
Rain.
Om.
Rind of the
[ Pouroii.
A hatchet or
K'^ocki. gelsij.
cocoa-nut.
hammer.
Sugar.
Lolo.
Earth.
Kille.
The name of a
•
■ Falasola.
Copper.
Tatto.
fruit.
A seat.
Noffoa,
Ornament of
\ Tiffa. teffa.
A dish.
Chienga.
pearl shell.
Ivory.
tatta.
A small bell.
Taula.
The South.
Massele.
A stick or reed
. Katj.
To cut or Stat
,•1
f Tuamo.
.1
Small cord.
Waffauvv,
with a knife.
Fire.
Omiou.
Dress.
Cafoti,
One.
tacL
A small mat.
Ufau.
Two.
Loua.
♦ The inhabitants of the Friendly Islands express their approbation at public
exhibitions by tlie word Fai-fogi ! which seems equivalent to our Bravo.' on
Encore !
Vol. II. J L Three
44S
LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 19. Three.
7'0/ou,.
~^ * "*^ Four.
Fa.
Five.
Lima.
Six.
Houno.
Seven.
Fitou.
Eight.
Walou
Nine.
Tvvou.
Ten.
Ongefoula
They did not reckon beyond ten ; but
we taught them to reckon to oce
^^Nifo.
hundred.
Eleven.
Twelve, &c.
This. Here.
Young.
Let me see.
There is nothing.
No.
Yes.
A pigeon.
There is no more.
Singing.
Welcome. Adieu
The figures
marked on
the skin.
Certain motions?
j»ade in dancingi
!
Ongefoula taci,
Ongefoula loua.
Equi,
Manta,
Matt a may.
Neay. Bay.
Eay.
Tio. Tiouvv.
Loupe..
Eeuw,
Adoua,
Lolle.
Tetaiu
Mon.
A certain animal"
with horns.
Sugar. Lolo.
Small yams. Talo.
Small garments'^
of paper (i. e.l j^
of bark oi 3.\^''"'"''
tree). j
An ox. Wagga. Waggabaw
A root, of which) .
they make V'T.^ ^'''''''
their drink. }
Cava,
A ship.
The names of
the two nobles
that we had as.(
hostages.
Cord which
fastens their
dress round
the body.
Bracelets.
Finger..
A fruit.
The bread of the
ship.
Liver.
Hog's liver.
King.
Superior. Chief.
Wacha.
Tamay. Fosa,
Caffa.
Tauvva pou,
Fatinga.
Lolou,
\ Mast.
Adde.
Adde Puacca.
Ariki.
Latoii. Lataiu .
Of the Language of NEW GUINEA.
The King.
Cocoa-nuts.
A fowl.
A hog.
Bananas.
Hen's eggs.
Water.
Latieuvv.
Lamas.
Coocq.
Tetnbor.
Tachouner.
Pasima Coo.
Dan. Daan,
Fish.
Craw fish.
Betle leaves.
Pine nut.
Chalk. Lime,
Oil,
Beads.
His sou.
Corre Cor.
Nomboug po.
Bou.
Camban.
Poom.
Pontai.
Iron.
KOUND THE WOULD
9
Iron*
Herees.*
Moon.
Calangh. <
A knife.
Coot.
Stars.
Masmetia,
The head.
Ea.
A wooden club.
Hereris.
Nose.
Ears.
Nisson.
Talin?an,
The rings worn'
in the nose.
Jaoul.
Teeth.
a
Tsang.
An elephant's '
tooth.
Small cordage.
TembroH bis.
Forehead.
Posson Arongh.
Calcaloun.
Hair.
Nihuge.
The sea.
Taas.
Hand.
Liniangh.
A wooden sword.
See/.
Feet.
Kekeijn.
Red earth.
Taar.
Breasts,
Sou sou.
Sand.
Coon.
Arm.
Pong Hman,
Rain.
Ous.
Tongue.
Hermangh.
A sling.
A wooden pike 7
or javelin. J
Gimmio halla.
Lips.
tabaing voiding.
Shoulders.
Hnliyug
Mareet.
Belly.
Balang.
A dart or arrow.
Houvan.
Back.
Baheing.
Feathers of the '
arrow.
Toumiet.
Fingen
Cateling Hman.
Thighs.
Poutong.
Blood of a man.
Daar aug.
Temples.
Heim.
Blood of a hog.
Daar de rembos.
Beard.
Incam Besser.
A bonnet.
Nandikea.
To eat.
Nam Nam.
A canoe.
Takoup.
To drink.
Anda.
To row.
Gemoe haloes.
Cheeks. The jaws. ParzV/g-.
A mountain.
Passer.
The throat.
Con Con hangh.
It is not that.
■ Capte ande singim
' [ ne ay.
A cane.
Dam.
A seat.
Sou.
One.
Ttka.
Stones.
Coore.
Two.
Roa.
Fire.
Eef.
Three.
Tola.
Land Togo?^^^^^^^^^
ashore. i
Four.
Five.
Fatta.
Lima. Liman.
Fish-hook.
Jaoul.
Six.
Wamma.
Pearl-shell.
Corron Tamborin.
Seven.
Fita.
Sun.
Naas.
Eight.
Wala.
* ' The woi
d Hcrets is evidently dei
ived from the Spanis
\ word Hierro' De
443
CHAP. 19.
Broisses. l^avig. aux Terres Aust, Vol, I. p. 415.
3 L 2
Nine.
444
LE MAIRE AND SCHOlTTElSr
H A P.
J 9. Nine..
Sivva.
To wait.
Attingham.
^-v-
"^ Ten.
Sanga foula.
The name of a
•
■ Tarhar lieuvv.
A fruit resem-"
]
prisoner.
*
bling 'tm petit
Cufi:*
> Loongh.
I do not know.
' Kim Kabbeling'
' \ long tee^
Of thi
Language of
The
ISLE DE MOYSE.t
■ Yes.
Liu.
We.
Tata.
Wood.
Bread.
Sagn.
Poukonnori.
Wait a little.
Presently. .
■Alep.
Shoulders.
Carracerreram.
One.
Kaou.
Breasts.
Sousou.
Two.
Roa.
Knees.,
Pouhanking.
Three.
Tolou.
Eye.
Mattanga.
Four.
Watt.
Let me see.
Malta may.
Five.
Rima.
,
Throat.
Comie connon.
Six.
Eno.
Tongue;
Caramme.
Seven..
Wijtsou.
Beard.
Pane Wourou
Eight..
Ejalou.
Nose.
Wamriigo.
Nine.
Sivva.
Bananas.
Hiwoundi. 'taboim.
Ten.
Sanga pouh.
He will be here
[ Kirrekit .-
A fowl..
Mitoa.
soon.
A stick.
Micoura.
Pork.
Cambour,
L-on.
Masirim..
Cocoa-nuts.
Lamas,.
Of the Language
of r,
he ISLE o/MOA.
Cocoa-nuts.
Lieu.
A dog.
Aroue.
Bananas
Tandani..
Beads.
Sassera.
Pork.
Paro.
Ivory comb.
Marmauw.
Water.
Nanou.
A nail. Iron.
Bee.
Ginger.
Raaij. .
Bread.
Sagu.
Fish.
Ani.
A cakeV
Soome.
A knife.'
Koijma.
Women's dress
. Maije.
* Not being able to learn what fruit is meant by the Cuji, 1 have inserted the
word as in the original.
"t" One of the small Tslnnds near tlie North coast of the land now called 'New
Ireland, near to which a native was taken prisoner, who was afterwards named
Moses.
Bracelets..
Bracelets. Cords
which they
wind round
their arms.
A bow.
Arrows.
To sleep.
To dart at fish.
A hog's tusk.
A certain qua-
druped.
The Sun.
ROUND THE WORLD.
Five.
Sabre^
Fartina^
Bare.
Moune.
'Tineanij.
Sana.
Weerfaut.
Ij ^ VMari Kacketoua* ,
A yellow root
(like the cur-
cuma).
A white bead.
Nothing. No.
Go away.
The name of an
Island.
445
CHAP. If).
j
Aoii,
Sassera poute.
Taop. Taop.
Hoijda.
Art I.
Pari-wo7L
Arditio.
M. de Brosses remarks on the difference between the lano-uafre
of New Guinea and that of the Home and Cocos Islands, which
he compares to the difference between the Enghsh and French
languages ; for that they have several words similar, or Avith
such difference only as is produced by the diversity of pronun-
ciation found in different dialects of the same language ; but
they have many other terms so entirely void of resemblance,
that it is evident their foundation is not the same. M. de Brosses
notices likewise the extreme poverty of the New Guinea lano'uao'e,
which lie instances by the following example of their manner of
adapting one simple idea to many others Avith which it is con-
nected. Limangh, the hand. Liman, the number five. Pou"-
Uman, the arm. Cateling limaii, linger.
From the knowledge which has been obtained of the languages
of the South Sea Islands since the time of Le Maire and Scliouten,
the words in the foregoing Vocabulary appear to have been set
down with much attention to the pronunciation.
The languages spoken in the Islands which have been disco-
vered in the South Sea, have been clearly traced to a Malay
origin. The resemblance is more particularly evident in the
numerals from one to ten, as may be seen in the following
* M. de Brasses supposes tliis to be the large jvhite bird of the parrot kind,
known by the name of the kakaloe or cockatoa.
- . - example.
44a'
LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN
CHAP. 19. example of the numerals of the people of the Lampoon country
(a district of Sumatra J, taken from Mr. Marsden's Histon/ of
Sumatra. I have added, from the comparative specimens pub-
lished in the Archa;ologia*, the numerals of Madagascar, the
language of which Island is called by the Malays Ma/a-gash.
The similitude of the Malngash numerals to those of the South
Sea, gives room for a conjecture that all these languages take
their origin in the Arabic, which bears a great resemblance to
them, and that they all have been propagated by seamen from
the Arabian Gulf.
One.
Two
Three.
Four.
Five.
Six.
Seven.
Eight.
Nine.
Ten.
Malagash,
Eraike.
JDooe.
Teloo.
Ephat.
Leemoo.
Enena.
PJietoo.
Faleo.
Seevee.
Phooloo.
Lampoon
■Country.
Cocos Island,
Sye.
Taci.
Roxvah.
Loua.
Tulloo.
Tolou.
Ampah.
Fa.
Leemak,
Lima.
Annum.
Hoimo.
PeetoQ.
FitoH.
Ooalloo.
Waku.
Seewak,
Tvvou.
Pooloo.
Ongefou/a.
As the general course of the trade wind is contrary to the
navigation from the East Indies to the Islands in the South Sea,
it seems at first sight highly improbable that the supposed
migration can have happened ; but in truth, this seeming
difficulty forms the strongest argument in its favour. The
inhabitants of 'Islands situated in a trade wind would always
be cautious how they ventured to leeward beyond their
knowledge, for fear that bad weather or currents might prevent
their return. This consideration would have the greater effect
* Vol. VI. Art. XXI. Remarks on the Sumatran languages, bij Witiiam
Marsden, Esq. addressed to Sir Joseph Batiks.
ia
ROUND THE WORLD. 447
in preventing emigration Westward from America, as the Islands chap. 19.
in the Eastern part of the Pacific are few in number, small,
and at great intervals of distance. On the contrary, the prospect
of being able to return at pleasure is a constant temptation to
venture to Windward. It is probable that even their fishing, if
at a distance from land, would be always carried on to Wind-
ward ; and that to this cause is to be attributed their canoes being
so admirably adapted for going to Windward. Under these
circumstances there can be little difficulty in believing that the
Islands so thickly strewed in the Western parts of the Pacific
Ocean, have served, in a gradual progress of discovery, as
stepping stones for population to travel Eastward from India.
The population of the South Sea Islands Avould furnish proof,
if evidence Avere wanting, that the Malays have at all times been
better navigators than the natives of Neiv Guinea. The people
of the race last mentioned have been found only among the
Islands which are nearly contiguous to New Guinea, whilst those
of Malay origin have spread themselves to all parts of the South
Sea : and in the Eastern and more remote Islands from India, no
other inhabitants are found- than people with long hair, whose
language bears decisive marks of a Malay origin.
[ 448 ]
CHAP. XX.
On the Situations of the Discovej'ies ofLe Maire and Schouten.
'' I ^ H E points of the track of Le Maire and Schouten from
the Island Juan Fernandez across the Pacific Ocean, which
have been recognized, and of which the positions have been
ascertained by late observations, are Cocos Island, the Home
Islands, and Groene Islands.
The latitude of Cocos Island, as observed in 1767, in the
voyage of Captain Wallis, is \i° 50' S. The longitude is three
times mentioned in the account published of that voyage (in
Ilawkeswortli s Collection) , and each time given differently. In
the chart, Cocos is laid down in 174* 30' W from Greenwich : in
the narrative, it is said to be in 175° W; and in the table at the
end of the voyage, in 175° 10' ^V. Mr. Wales, however, in
his exaniination of the ship's reckoning and of the observa-
tions made during that voyage, deduces the longitude of Cocos
Island to be 174° 7' 39' W from Greenwich.* This agrees very
* Jstroii. Obierv. mack in Foi/age for making discoveries in the Southern
Hemisphere, p. 12.
The singular merit of ihe observer in tlie voyage of Captain Wallis, was
not made known in the narrative published of that voyage ; but obtained
the following acknowledgment from Mr. Wales, in his Introduction to the
Astronomical Observations made in Voyages of Discovery. ' The lunar observa-
' ticns taken on board the Dolphin nnder the command of Captain Wallis, were
' all made by Mr. Harrison, the purser. They were also computed by him ; and it is
' but juftice to his merit to say that they have every appearance of being exceeding
* good ones. 1 have found but one error of any importance in all his oomputa-
' tions, notvvithst^dnding that he had not the advantage of a nautical almanack,
* but had all the places of the Sun and Moon to compute from the tables. An
' arduous task at that time, in comparison of what it is now. The observations
' were made with a briis^ sextant of 18 inches radius, supported on the back with
■'^ .edge bars, and made by the late Mr. Bird.' Introduction, p. ii.
g nearly
DISCOVERIES OF LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN. 449
nearly wiili the observations made in tlie voyage of M. de la chav. .'o.
Perouse, who was at Cocos Island in Dccemher 1737, which
give its longitude 176" 16' W from Paris, etjual to \7'f 56' W
from Greenwich. The mean of these two longitudes gives for
Cocos Island 174* s' W fi'om Greenwich.
The situation of the Hoorn or Home Islands is taken as ob-
served by Captain W. Wilson in 1801 ; and the Groene Islands
(in the present charts, Sir Charles Hardy's Island) according to
the observations of Captain John Hunter.*
The distances which are given in the account of Schoutenand
Le Maire's navigation through the Facijic Ocean, are reckoned
from the coast oi' Peiu, or rather from Li?na, and are intended as
meridian distances, or distances from the meridian of Lima. The
departui"e, however, was taken from the Island Juan Fernandez, nud
from thence the reckonins; commenced. The distances set down
in the Journals are, in fact, the reckoning from Juan Fernandez,
increased by as much as Lima was supposed to be to the East
of Juan Fernandez, which in the chart to the voyage of Schouten
appears to be about 3* 40' or 55 German leagues. Accordingly
55 leagues subtracted from those distances will show the meridian
distance by their reckoning from Juan Fernandez.
Cocos Island is the first station in the track after the departure
from Juan Fernandez, by which the situation of the intermediate
lands can be corrected : but all the distances in the Journal
require previously a small correction, as the first part of the
meridian distance, which was made between the parallels of
33° 40' S and 1 5° S, will give a greater proportion of longitude
than the latter part, Avhich was made near the parallel of 1 5° S.
The correction necessary on this account has been computed at
£2 leagues increase for the first part of the track ; and as all
the discoveries of lands took place subsequent to that part, the
•correction applies equally to them all. By this correction,
* Historical Journal vf the Transact io?is in New South Wales, \>. 234.
Vol. II. 3 ]M the
450 ON THE SITUATIONS OP THF
CHAP. 20.
^
the meridian distances are expressed for the parallel of 15° Ss
and their proportional value in longitude rendered uniform..
liomkn Island, according to Schouten, is 925 German leagues
West fronv the coast of Femi; and Cocas Island (600 German
leagues farther) 1525 from Peru. Ihese distances increased
each 22 leagues, for the part sailed in a higher latitude, and
lessened 55 leagues for the difference assumed between the
meridians of Lima and of Juan. Fernandez, will give 1 492 German
leagues for the distance of Cocos Island, and 892 for the distancs
oi Ilondcn Island, from the meridian of Juan Iiernandcz..
The longitude of Juan. Fernandez, as established by late
observations, is - - - 78" 61' A\^ from Greenwich...
- - - Cocos Majul - - - 174 02 AV
Cocos W from Juan Fernandez - 95 1 1 *
According to which, 1 492 leagues of the reckoning gives.
95° 11' of longitude: and allowing the same pro])ortion, 894!
leaoues will cive 56° 54'' for the \Qimiti\de oi Ilonden Island West
from J-uan Fernandez. (From Greenu-ich 135° 45' W.)
From hence, estimating the situations of Sondergrondt, Water-
landt, and Vlieghen Isknuh, in the same proportion to their dis-
tances from Honden Island (taking a mean between the distances
given in the Journal of Schouten s Voyage and those in the chart
to that Journal), and making allowance for the size of the
Islands wliere that is in any manner specified, will give for their,
longitudes,
Sondergrondt 142° 5 a' "J
IVaierlandt 144 18 V W hova Greemdch..
Vlieghen Island 146 15 S
These longitudes point out the means of a farther correction,
• 1492 German leagues of meridian distance in lalilude 15°, 's equal to 103.
degrees of" longitude. "^I'lie ship therefore, on arriving at Cocos Island, was 7° 49'
behind the reckonintr.
la
DISCOVERIES OF LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN. 45/
In the voyage of Commodore Byron, and in the second voyage chap. 20.
of Captain Cook, many low Islands were seen between the pa-
rallels of 14° and 16° S, and between the meridians 141° and 148*
W from Greenwich. Tiie low Islands in the Facific Ocean have
so many features of common resemblance, that marks of dis-
tinction to ascertain identity, or the contrary, between the disco-
veries of different periods, cannot always be found. Sondergrondt
and Waterlandt, nevertheless, appear to be different from any
of the Islands seen either by Commodore Byron or b}'^ Captain
Cook : Sondergrondt being distinguished from them by its
situation and size; and Waterlandt by its being, as far as can
be judged from the accounts, a single and uninhabited Island.
Vlieghen Island, however, both from tlie estimate of its sitnation
and from the description of its extent appears to be the same
^vith the Frince of JVales's Island of B3Ton. Commodore
Byron describes the Prince of JVales's Island ' a low and narrow
' Island lying East and West. — We found it about 20 leagues in
* length. It lies in latitude 15° S.'* The longitude of Prince
of JVales's Island, as calculated b}^ Mr. Wales, is 147" 48' Wfrom
(jreenndch. The Journal of Schouten's Voyage says of J liegheH
Island * it extended WNW and ESE as far as we were able to
* see.' This largeness of extent is a peculiar mark; for amono-
the numerous low Islands which have been discovered in the
Pacific Ocean, no other is known to be of equal extent. The
situation of this Island has been more fully ascertained by a
voyage of recent date, but with some diminution in the estimate
of its extent. An English ship named the Margaret, in 1S0£,
fell in with an Island which was estimated to extend 1 2 leagues
in length from East to West, in latitude 15° 15' S, and longitude
(of its center) 1 47° 32' W from Greenwich.
* llawkesKorth's Collection, Vol. I. p. 107.
3 M 2 This
45g ON THE SITUATIONS OF THE
c n A ?. 20, This furnishes a new basis for Honden Island, Sondergrondtf
and JVaterlandt, and gives their situations as set down in the
annexed table.
The situations of Goode Hope Island, of the small groupe of
Islands to the East of Marqucn, and the Marquen groupe, are
estimated by the distances given in the Journals, or shown on
the charts to the Journals, from the nearest known stations.
The distance from the Groene Islands to the Island St. Jan, as.
set down in the Navigation Australe (15 leagues), does not agree
with the chart, nor with later accounts. The situations of those
Islands, with respect to the East Cape of the land now called
New Ireland, are laid down in the chart to Captain Carteret's
voyage in a manner which corresponds nearly with Schouten's
Journal and Chart, and these have been followed.
With the facts and upon the principles just stated, have been
computed those situations in the following list of Le Maire and
Schouten's discoveries, which have not been ascertained by the
observations of late navigators.
DISCOVERIES OF LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN.
453
Latitude.
Longitude
from Greernvicli,
CHAP. 20.
Strait LeMaiue, The middle part. 54* 28' S 65" 5' W
[The South East coast of the Tierra delfitego
is to be reckoned amcng the discoveries of
Schouten and Le Maire. For the situations
of the particular Capes and Bays, the reader
is referred to the Ciiart of the Southern parts
of America. Fic/e Voh L near the end.]
Honden Island
-
-
15
12
136
50
Sondergrondt Island
-
-
14
50
144
2
Waterlandt Island
« —
-'
14
46
145
33
VUeghcn Island -
-
-
15
15
147
32
Met a sailing canoe
the North
standing tow
ards]
- J
!,5
\
20
172
45
C'ocos Island
-
15
50
174
2
Verraders Island
-
-
15
55
174
5
Goode Hope Island
-
-
16
0
176
8
Home Islands
-
•1
14
tol4
13
23
178
to] 78
11
26 W
A groupe of small Islands
-
4
50
158
40 E
Marquen
- - -
-
4
45
156
30
Groene Islands
.
-
4
40
154
20
St. Jan's Island
i. -■ -
~
4
29
153
46
Eastern part of the land, now
called New Ireland. -
153 26
The 25 Islands of Le Maire and Schouten include, besides the
Admiralty Islands of Carteret, the Mathias and Sqiuilly Islands of
Dampier. The Island which was at first sight imagined to be
Ceram, (marked in the chart Hooch Landt, i. e. High Land) is
the largest of that Archipelago.. The most Eastern is Squally
Island..
The
^54 SITUATIONS, &c. OF LE MAIRE AND SCHOUTEN.
CHAP. 20. Tlie above-mentioned situations are the principal of those
among the discoveries made in this voyage which it has
appeared necessary to investigate in tliis place. The 25 Islands
conclude the respectable list of the discoveries of Le Maire and
iSchouten. Their navigation along the North side of Papua, or
Nejt' Guinea, is not to be accounted a discover}^ though it
produced a much better description and delineation of that
coast than an^^ which had before appeared.
[ 455 J
CHAP. XXI.
First certain Knowledge obtained of the Great Terra Australis.-
Expedition of Bartolomc Garcia and Goncalo de Nodal to
examine. Strait Le Maire.
'T^HE maritime character of the Hollanders shone forth at
this period with great lustre. Whilst the expedition of-
Admiral Spilbergen, and that of Le INIaire and Schouten were
performing, others of their countr3'men made the discovery
which caused the Great Terra Australis to be first acknowledged
by Europeans -with confidence. It is scarcely to be doubted
that the Chinese had knowledge of this country many ages
before. Thevenot saj's, ' Im Terre Australe, qui fait maintenant
'■ line cinquieme par tie du Monde, a este decouverte a pliisieurs
^fois. Les C/iinois en ont eu connoissance il y a long temps, car
' Von void que Marco Polo marque deux grandes Isles au Sud Est
* de Java, ce qu'il avoit appris apparemment des Chinois.' ' The
Southern Land, which now makes a fifth part of the World, has
been- discovered at various times. The Chinese had knowledge of it
long ago; fw we see that Marco- Polo marks two great Islands to
the SB of Java^ which it is probable that he learnt fro?n the
Chinese.'* This opinion of M. Thevenot appears well founded i
but the facts on which it rested were only presumptive evidence,
and nothing Avas known with certainty concerning a Southern
continent, previous to the year 16 16-. The land seen in 1606 by
the Duyfhen yacht and named Cape Keer JVeer (as noticed in a
preceding chapterj), was believed to be part of New Guinea;
* Relations des divers Voyages curieux. Part I.. Preface. Paris i6d3.
t See. pp. 313, 314,,
and '
llertoge.
456 HISTORY OF DISCOVERIES.
CHAP. 21. and a total ignorance seems to have prevailed in the world
concerning the navigation of De Torres between New Guinea
and the Great Terra Australis : besides that Torres himself
supposed all the land seen by him to the South of New Guinea
to be Islands.
]6i6. In the month of October \6\C^, a ship named the Eendracht,
^levrT^ commanded by Theodoric Hertoge, being on her passage out-
Austialis ward bound from Holland to the East Indies, fell in with land
By ' in about 25° S, which proved to be part of the Western coast
Theodoric ^f ^.j^g Q^,^^^^ 2^^,.,.^ Australis. *
The name New Holland, by which the Western side of this
third continent is now known, was not given to it till many
years after the discovery made by Hertoge. The part seen by
him was named, after the ship, the Land d'Eendragt. This name
is preserved in the present charts, and with it are marked Dirk
Hertoge's Road and Cape, but no date is annexed ; which is a
nedect that ou2;ht to be rectified : for as several laler discoveries
at other parts of the coast are marked on the charts with their
dates, the omission of a date to Hertoge's discovery robs it of its
rightful distinction of priority.
This short account of the discovery of the West coast of the
Terra AustroUs is not to be considered as a digression ; for it
gave the first information that the Pacific Ocean had limits
W^estward which marked it as a distinct sea from the Indian
•Ocean.
The navigation of Le Maire and Schouten caused more
imeasy sensations to Spain, than an}^ of the hostile expeditions
of the Hollanders into the South Sea had done : at the saujc
time the new passage, being believed preferable with respect
* This discovery by the ship Eendracht is mentioned in tiie Instructions given
to Abel .lansz Tasman, dated .lamiary 15th, 1644, p. 2. See likewise Introduction
prefixed to the printed copy by Mr. Dalrymple, p.ti.
1 1 bath
EXPEDITION OF THE NODALES. 457
both to safety and expedition to the passage b}^ the Strait of ^J^V:^'
Magalhanes, again brought into contemplation the schemes for loiS.
a direct communication between Spain and Chili, and hkewise
from Spain Westward to the Moluccas. On every account it
must have appeared necessary to Spain to gain the earhest
possible information concerning the newly discovered Strait.
Accordinolv, two small vessels, called caravelas, were equipped S'lips fitted
°'' 1/^11 out bv Spam
at Lisbon, and Bartolome Garcia de Nodal and Goncalo de to examine
Nodal (brothers), two officers who had distinguished themselves ^^ Maiie.
on various services, were employed to conduct this expedition,
designed for the verification of the discovery of Le ]Malre and
Schouten.*
Bartolome Garcia, who was the younger of the two brothers,
was appointed chief in command. The caravelas f- were equal
in size and in force, each being of 80 tons burthen, and carrying-
four pieces of artillery, and 40 men. Diego Ramirez de Arellano
* A Journal of the expedition of the Nodales was publislied jointly by the two
brothers, in ±tladrid, A. \}. 1621, with the title Relacion del I inje que luzieron los
Capitanes Bart. Garcia de Nodal 1/ Goncalo de yiodal, hcrmuiios, Naluraks de
Ponte Vedrn, al descubrimicnto del Estrtcho jiuelo. i.e. Relation of the Voyage
performed by B. G. de Nodal and Go/if. de Nodal, brothers, natives of Ponte
Vedra,for the discovery of the Nets Strait.
An account of this voyage drawn up from imperfect and inaccurate infor-
mation, was published in \6-22 at Amsterdam, as an appendage to tiie 'Savifalion
Justrale de Le Maire. This account is entitled ' Relation of Two Caravelles
' zahich the King of Spain sent from Lisbon, in the month of October 1618, under
' the command of Captain Don Jean de More, to visit and discover the passage of
' J-e Maire towards the South'
The narrative given in the text above is entirely supplied from the Journal of
the Nodales. which is a properly authenticated account. 'J'he chlfcrence between
thai and the Amsterdam account will be noticed liereafter.
+ A Caravela is a ship or vessel rigged principally with triangular sails. Both
in a frontispiece, and in a cliart to the i)rinted Journal of the iSodales, t!ie Caru-
. telas in which they sailed are represented with the heud-saiis scpiare, and the after-
sails triangular. The sails on tlie fore-mast only are square ; on the main-mast
and on two other after-masts all tlie sails are triangular.
'O^
Vol. II. 3 N
was
458
EXPEDITION OF
CHAP. 21.
1618.
September.
Departure.
November.
KioJaneiro,
December.
"Regular
Soundings
near the
Coast of
South
America.
1619.
January.
was the chief pilot and cosmographcr, and some Hollanders were
engaged to sail in the vessels in the capacity of pilots.
They departed from Li&bon on September the 27th, 16I8, and
arrived at Rio Janeiro November the i 5th, where they remained
till the end of the month to water and to repair some damages
sustained at sea. During this short stay, it was found necessary
to confine many of the crew in prison to prevent desertions.
December the 1st, they sailed from Hio Janeiro ; but a change
of wind obhged them to anchor again, and detained them till
the 6th, when they pursued their voyage Southward.
In this passage M'as first remarked the gradual and regular sound-
ings which run off from the Eastern coast of South America, from
the latitude of the Hiver de la Plata to the Southern extremity.
After the Nodales passed the latitude of 35" S, they were
constantly in soundings, whether in sight or out of sight
of the coast. From the latitude just mentioned to 44° S,
they sailed without seeing land ; and part of the time their
estimated distance from the coast was above 40 leagues. The
depth was always found to increase or decrease gradually,
according as their distance from the coast increased or de-
creased. The greatest depth set down in the Journal is 95
fathoms.
January the 6th (!619), the latitude observed at noon was
47° 38' S. In the afternoon they had sight of Penguin Island
near the entrance of Port Desire. This Island in the chart of
the Nodales is named Los Reyes. They did not advance along
the coast during the night, intending to look the next day for
Port Desire (in the Journal ' Port de Sire'), but the wind
failed them. They landed however with their boats, and took
some sea lions.
Pursuing their course, in latitude according to the Journal
48° 30' S (but by the chart published witli the Journal, in
48° 50' S), and about five leagues distant from the coast of
j[ America^
THE NODALES.
459
America, they discovered a dangerous ledge of rocks level with
the surface of the sea. According to the Nodales, these rocks
are 52' to the South of the Penguin Island near the entrance
of Port Desire. Against them in their chart is marked the
word Vigia (keep good watch).* At a very small distance from
the rocks was found 26 fathoms depth of water.
In the middle of January, 1619, they arrived off Cape Virgenes,
and saw near the Cape some remains of a wrecked vessel. They
continued their course Southward, leaving the entrance of the
Strait of Magalhanes on the right hand, and keeping near the
coast of Tierra del fuego, which likewise was on their right
hand.
On the 19th, they were near the Canal de San Sebastian. The
depth of water at the entrance was 20 fathoms, the bottom
clear. The Northern shore of the entrance is a white sandy
beach, which extends in length four or five leagues. The
Southern side of the channel is rocky, and seemed to have less
depth of water than the Northern side. The canal at the
entrance is about a league and a half wide ; and as far as they
could discern within, a continuation of the same breadth
appeared. The outer coast of the TieiTa del fuego, from the
entrance of the canal to the cape named del Espiritu Santo, was
observed to lie in a direction NbW and SbE, true.
January the 22d, they arrived at the Strait Le Maire ; and
this being the day dedicated to Saint Vincent, the Spanish
commander gave that name to ' the New Strait.' But this
innovation, and some others attempted by the Nodales, did not
obtain to be generally adopted. One of the Northern capes
on the Western shore of Strait Le Maire retains in the present
charts the name of Cape de San Vicente, which it then received.
CHAP. 21.
1619.
Januar}'.
Ledge of
Rocks to the
South of
Port Desire.
Cape
Virgenes.
Canal de
San
Sebastian.
22d.
Strait
Le Maire.
* In the late charts these rocks are named Baxos de Esievan (Stephen's shoals),
and are placed in lat. 48° 39' S.
3 N 2 - The
460
EXPEDITION OF
CHAP. 21.
1619.
January.
Variation
of the
Compass.
Bay de
Buen
Suceso.
Cape
Home.
February.
Isles of
Diego
Kamirez.
The Journal says, Cape Sail Vicente, and another cripe near it
named San Diego, are low capes ; but that the mountauis on
each side of the Strait (Le Maire) are higher than the moun-
tains at the Strait of Gibraltar.
A general notice of the variation of the compass is prefixed to
the Journal in the nature of a prefatory remark. In this it is
said, ' From Cape Frio (on the coast oi BrasilJ to the Cape de
' las Virgenes and the New Strait, the variation is from 1 2°
' to 16 and 17°, which amounts to a point and a half to
' the NE.'
On the evening of the 22d, the caravelas anchored in a good
bay on the Western side of the Strait, and ' three or four leagues
' to the South of Cape San Vicente.' This Bay was named de
Bue?i Suceso (the Ba^ of Good Success) : they found in it fresh
water, wood, and fish; and here they met some of the native
inhabitants.
On the 23d of January 1619, being the 8th day of the moon,
at 9 h. 40 m. it was low water in the Strait.
The 27th, they sailed from the Ba^ de Buen Suceso, following
the coast of the Tierra del fuego to the South and SWward.
Neither the Journal nor the chart accompanying it, gives any
clear information concerning the South coast of Tierra del fuego,
which the winds did not permit them to follow closely. The
Nodales chose in their Journal to give a new }iame to Cape Home.
Their chart places the cape in 56° 9' S, which is much nearer
the truth than the latitude assigned to it by Le Maire and
Schouten.
February the 10th, they discovered some small rocky Islands
lying to the SW from Cape flame*, and in latitude, by their
estimation, 56° 40' S. Tiiey were named after the chief pilot,
the hies of Diego Ramirez. The discovery of these Isles is
* Rel, del Viaje qm hiz-tos Capit. B.G, de 'Nodal, Sjc. fol. 40. 1.
the
THE NODALES. 461
the most remarkable ciicunistance which occurred in the chap. 21.
voyage of the Nodales. They continued during a century 1619.
and a half to be the most Southern known land marked on ^^'^^"^'T'
the charts.*
The Nodales pursued" their route Westward along the coast
of the Tierra delfuego ; but, from the appearance of their chart,
with only a distant' view of the coast, till February the 25th,
when they arrived at the Weslein entrance of the Strait of The Tierra
MagaJhanes. They entered the Strait from the South Sea, and dream?"
sailing Eastward, arrived at the Eastern entrance of the Strait "^^'fe'^ie^-
on March the 13th, having completely circunmavigated the March.
Tierra del J'uego.
In the Strait of MagaUianes, as well as in Strait Le Maire, the Natives in
Nodales met with natives of the country, and the intercourse Magdhanes
■with them was not attended with any injurious circumstance.
In the description which the Journal gives of the natives
seen in the Strait of MagaUianes, their powers of clear articula-
tion, and the delicacy and exactness with which they repeated
after the Spaniards, words of the Spanish language, are men-
tioned in terms of admiration.
March the 1 3th, tlie Nodales sailed from the Strait, and di- I^ef"ni fo
rected their course homewards. On July the 7th, they made ^jliT'
the coast of Spain near Cape San Vicente (Cape St. Vincent),
where Captain Con^alo de Nodal landed, to carry an account
of their expedition to the King who was then at Lisbon. Capt.
Bartolome de Nodal arrived with the vessels at San Lucar, on -
the 9th of July, 9 months and 12 days after then- departure
from Lisbon ; a period which, in the present state of navio-ation
* Captain Coluet observed the latitude of the Isles Diego Ramirez, ^6" 30' S
and estimated their disfaiice from Capt Horn, to be 22 leagues Cap'icin Colntt's
Voyage, p. 17, 18. .n the Spanish Atlas ol 179S, the middle (which is the lar-cst)
of the Ihego -Ramirez hies, is laid down in 56° 28' S, and i' 19' of ion" itude West
from Cape Home. °
would
462 E X P E D I T I O N O F
CHAP. 21
would be reckoned very short for the performance of such a
voyage, and was then unprecedented.
The Journal published by the brothers, contains a daily
account of the course steered, and of the wind. The distance
sailed is frequently omitted, and when given, it is according to
estimation without measurement. The latitude is set down
when observed. In the chart which accompanies the Journal,
the coasts are very incorrectly laid down ; and neither the track
of the vessels, nor the soundings marked.
Amsterdam A relation of this voyage published at Amsterdam, with the
pubu'shed Navigation Austrak de Le Maire, differs in many particulars
of this from the Journal of the Nodales. According: to the Amsterdam
bxpedition. ®
account, the voyage was performed ' under the conduct and
' government of Captain Don Jean de More.' The departure
and the return are each dated about a month later than in the
Spanish Journal. The evidence that the expedition of the
Nodales was meant by the Amsterdam relation, is in the follow-
ing circumstances.
The Amsterdam editor has not expressed from whence was
derived his information. His account (which is comprised in
three pages) states, that two Caravelks, fitted out by order of
the King of Spain to visit the passage of Le Maire, sailed from
Lisbon ; that they stopped at Rio Janeiro ; passed through Strait
Le Maire; sailed round the Tierra del fuego, passing through
the Strait of Magalhanes from the South Sea to the Atlantic ; and
arrived at Seville *, after an absence of ten months from
Europe.
The extreme improbability that Spain should, in that age,
fit out two such expeditions within a month of each other,
might alone be allowed sufficient cause for rejecting any account
to that purpose, unless properly authenticated ; when joined
* San Liicar at the moulh of die Guadalquivir is the port of Seville.
with
T H E N O D A L E S. 463
with the many circumstances of coincidence above noticed, ':"^^-_^'^]
and to the consideration of the weak authority on wliich the
Amsterdam account rests, no reasonable doubt can be enter-
tained of tlie same expedition being designed by the two
accounts. Sj)anish authors in speaking of the voyage of the
Noddies, are silent as to any other similar undertaking at that
time.
The following circumstances are peculiar to the account of
Jean de Mjre's voyage. In the Great Bay de St. George on the
Eastern side of South America, Jean de More traded with the
natives, and procured gold for iron tools. On arriving at Strait
Le Maire, it is related that J. de jVIore sailed past the Strait to
the East along the coast o^ the Staten Land, 30 Spanish leagues,
to examine if there was any other passage leading to the South;
and that finding a continuation of the firm land, it was supposed
that the coast extended Eastward towards the Cape of Good
Hope ; the Caravelles therefore returned and sailed through the
Passage of Le Maire. Concerning this part of the navigation
attributed to De More, it is sufficient to observe, that the
greatest extent of the Stateii Land does not exceed eleven
Spanish leagues. Afterwards, in the Strait of Magalhanes, it is
said they found trees, the bark of whicii had a good scent, and
tasted more poignant than pepper, and that some of it was
carried in the ships to Seville, where it sold for 1 6 reales per
pound.
The Amsterdam account mentions the name of Jean de Witte,
a Hollander, who sailed with the Spaniards on this expedition in
quality of pilot. M. de Brosses has made a very probable
supposition, that Jean de More likewise was one of the Dutch
pilots engaged to serve under the Nodales.
By the voyage of Le Maire and Schouten, and this of the
Nodales, the discovery of South America was fully com-
pleated,
TJie
464 HISTORY OF DISCOVERIES.
Tlie expedition of the Nodales gave all the encouragement
Avhich could have been expected to the plan for establishing a
direct trade from Spain to the coast of Peru, and to the
Fhilippines i but ever}' proposal to that effect met with so much
opposition from the administrators of the commerce to Panama,
and from other interested persons, that the project was thrown
aside.*
This determination, by whatever motives produced, has power-
ful reasons in its favour. Sj)ain had the choice of three modes
of communication with the Philippine Islands. The first, by the
Isthmus of America. The second, round the Cape of Good Hope
and by the East Indies. The third, by the South of America.
The last mentioned of these routes is the farthest in distance,
and in the navigation is most exposed to danger and difficulty.
The oljjections to carrying on the commerce between Spain and
the Philippines l^y the IstJimus of Darien, are, the interruptions
of unloading, of land carriage, and reloading : but these are
well compensated by the safety of the navigation, and by the
convenience resulting from the connection preserved between
the colonies, advantages which, it is probable, are superior to
any which Spain could derive from any other mode of commu-
nication with the Philippine Islands.
* Hdacion del Ult. Viage al Estrcc/io, p. 163.
END OF PART II.
APPENDIX
o Volume the Second.
Vol. II.
3 O
APPENDIX
TO Volume the Second.
Relation of Luis Vaez de Torres, concerning the Discoveries of
QuiRos, as his Almirante. Dated, Manila, July 12th, 1607.
A Translation nearly literal, by Alexander D;ilrymplc, Esq. from a Spanish
Manuscript Copy in his possession. [Seep. 272 of this Volume.]
T> EING in this city of Manila at the end of a year and a
■^-^ half of navigation and making discovery of the lands and
seas in the Southern parts ; and seeing that the Royal Audience
of Manila have not iiitherto thought proper to give me dis-
patches for completing the voyage as Your Majesty com-
manded, and as I was in hopes of being the first to give to
yourself a relation of the Discovery, &c. ; but being detained
here, and not knowing if in this city of Manila I shall receive
my dispatches, I have thought proper to send to Your Majesty
Fray Juan de Merlo of the order of San Francisco, one of the
three religious who were on board with me, who having been an
eye-Avitness, will give a full relation to Your Majesty. The
account from me is the following. • '
We sailed from Callao in Peru, December 21st, 1605, with
two ships and a launch, under the command of Captain Pedro
Fernandez de Quires, and I for his Almirante, and without losing
company, -we stood WSW, and went on this course 800 leagues.
In latitude 26' S, it appeared proper to our conunander not
to pass that latitude, because of changes in the weather: on
3 O 2 which
468 APPENDIX.
N" I. which account I gave a declaration under my hand that it was
Relation of not a thing obvious that we ought to diminish our latitude, if
LuisVaez ^|jg season would allow, till we got beyond 30 degrees. My
opinion had no effect ; for from the said 26° S, we decreased
our latitude in a WNW course to 24° f S. In this situation we
found a small low Island, about two leagues long, uninhabited,,
and without anchoring ground.
From hence we sailed WbN to 24° S. In this situation we
found another Island, uninhabited, and without anchorage:
It was about 10 leaones in circumference. We named it
San Valeria.
From hence we sailed WbN one day, and then WNW to
21° j- S, where we found another small low Island without sound-
ings, uninhabited, and divided into pieces.
We passed on in the same course, and sailed 25 leagues: we
, . found four Islands in a triangle, five or fix leagues each ; low,
uninhabited, and without soundings. We nan:ied them laa
Fi(>^e«es (the Virgins). Here the variation was North-Easterly,
From hence we sailed NW to 19' S. In this situation we saw.
a small Island to the Eastward about three leagues distant. It
appeared like those we had passed. We named it S" Polonia.
Diminishing our latitude from hence half a degree, we saw a
low Island with a point to the SE full of palms : it is in 18» i S.
We arrived at it. It had no anchorage. We saw people on the
beach : the boats went to the shore, and when they reached it,
they could not land on account of the great surf and rocks. The
Indians called to them from the land : two Spaniards swam
ashore: these they received well, throwing their aims upon
the ground, and embraced them and kissed them in the face.
On this friendship, a chief among them came on board the
Capitana to converse, and an old woman, who were cloathed
and other presents were .made to them, and they returned ashore
presently ; for tiiey were in great fear. In return for these good
1 1 offices,
APPENDIX. 469
offices, they sent a heap, or locks, of hair, and some bad feathei-s, N° I.
and some wrought pearl oyster shells: these were all their va- Relation of
luablcs. They were a savage people, mulattoes and corpulent: deTones^
the arms they use are lances, very long and thick. As we could
not land, nor get anchoring ground, we passed on steering
We went in this direction from that Island, o-ettino; si2;ht of
land. We could not reach it from the first, on account of the
wind beins; contrary and strong: with much rain: it was all of
it very low, so as in parts to be overflowed.
From this place in l6°f S, we stood NWbN to 10" i S. In
this situation we saw an Island which was supposed to be that
of San Bernardo, because it was in pieces : but it was not San
Bernardo from what avc afterwards saw. We did not find anchor-
ino- PTound at it, thou2:h the boats went on shore to search for
water, which we were in want of, but could not find any : they only
found some cocoa-nut trees, thou2;h small. Our commander seeino;
we wanted A\'ater, agreed that we should go to the Island Saiiia
Cruz, where he had been with the Adelantado Alvaro de Men-
dana, saying we might there supply ourselves with ^vater and
woodi and then he would determine what was most expedient
for Your Majesty's service. The crew of the Capitana at this
time were mutinous, designing to go directly to Manila : on this
account he sent the chiof pilot a prisoner on board my ship,
without doing any thing farther to him or others, though I
strongly importuned him to j^unish them, or give me leave to
punish them ; but he did not chuse to do it, from whence suc-
ceeded v/hat Your Majesty knows, since they made him turn
from the course [voyage], as v*ill be mentioned and he lias pro-
bably said at Your Majesty's court.
We sailed from the above Island WbN, and found nearly a
point Easterly variation. We continued this course till in full .
lu' S latitude. In this situation we found a low Island of five
or
470 APPENDIX.
N" I. or six leagues, overflowed and without soundings : it was inha-
Relation of bitcd, the people and arms like those w-e had left, but their
Luis Vaez yggggjg y^rQj-Q different. They came close to the ship talking to
«s, and taking what we gave them, begging more, and stealing
what was hanging to the ship, throwing lances, thinking we could
. not do them any harm. Seeing we could not anchor, on account
-of the want we were in of water our commander ordered me
ashore with two boats and 50 men. As soon as we came to the
shore they opposed my entrance without any longer keeping
peace, which obliged me to skirmish with them. Whea we had
done them some mischief, three of them came out to make peace
with mc, singing, with branches in their hands, and one with a
lighted torch, and on his knees. AVe received them well, and
embraced them, and then cloathed them, for they were some
of the Chiefs ; and asking them for water, they did not chuse to
shew it me, making signs as if they did not understand me.
Keeping the three Chiefs Avith me, I ordered tlie serjeant with
1 2 men to search for water, and having fallen in with it, the
Indians came out on their flank and attacked them, woundinw
one Spaniard. Seeing their treacherv, they were attacked and
defeated without other harm whatever. The land being in my
poAver, I went over the toAvn without fmding any thing but dried
oysters and fish, and many cocoa-nuts, w^ith which the land was
well provided. We found no biids nor animals except little
dogs. They have many covered embarkations, with which they
are accustomed to navigate to other Islands, Avith latine sails
made curiously of mats ; and of the same cloth their Avomen
are cloathed Avith little shifts and petticoats ; and the men only
round their waists and their obscene parts. From hence we put
off with the boats loaded Avith Avater ; but by the great swell we
Avere overset Avith much risk of our lives, and so Ave Avere obliged
to go on Avithout getting Avater at this Island, We named it
Matanza,
We
APPENDIX. 471
We sailed in this parallel 32 days. In all this route we had very >^^^!^i^
strono- currents and many drifts of wood and snakes, and many Relation of
birds ; all which ^vei•e signs of land on both sides of us. We did j^ Tones.
not search for it that we might not leave the latitude of the
Island of Sanla Cmz, for we always supposed ourselves near
it ; and with reason if it had been where the first voyage when
it was discovered had represented ; but it was much further on,
as by the account will be seen. So that about 60 leagues
before reaching it, and 1940 from the city of Li?na, we found
a small Island of 6 leagues, very high, and all round it very
good soundings ; and other small Islands near it, under shelter
of which the ships anchored. I went Avith the two boats and
50 men to reconnoitre the people of this Island : and at the
distance of a musket shot separate from the Island, we found a
to^Yn surrounded with a wall, with only one entrance, without a
gate. Being near with the two boats with an intention of
investing them, as they did not by signs chuse peace : at length
their Chief came into the Avater up to his neck, with a staff in
his hand, and without fear came directly to the boats, where he
was very well received, and by signs which we very well under-
stood, he told me that his people were in great terror of the
muskets, and therefore he entreated us not to land, and said
that they would bring water and wood if we gave them vessels.
I told him that it was necessary to remain five days on shore to
refresh. Seeing he could not do more with me, he quieted his
people, who were very uneasy and turbulent, and so it happened
that no hostihty was committed on either side. We went into
the fort very safely ; and having halted, I made them give up
their arms, and made them bring from their houses their efi^ects,
which were not of any value, and go with them to the Island to
other towns. They thanked me very much : the Chief always
continued with me. They then told me the name of the
country : all came to me to make peace, and the Chiefs assisted
me>
472 APPENDIX.
^'° I- rue, making their people get water and wood and carry it on
Relation of board the ships. In this we spent six days.
fi eion!-'! The people of this Island are of an agreeable conversation,
understanding us very well, desirous of learning our language and
to teach us theirs. They are great cruiz^rs: they have much beard,
they are great archers and hurlcrs of darts, the vessels in which
tliey sail are large and can go a great way. They informed us of
more than forty Islands, great and small, all peopled, naming
them by their names, and telling us that they were at waj' with
many of them. They also gave us intelligence of the Island
Santa Cruz and of what had happened when the Adelantado
was there.
The people of this Island are of ordinary stature : they have
amongst them people white and red, some in colour like those
of the Indies, others woolly headed blacks, and mulattoes.
Slavery is in use amongst them. Their food is yams, fish, cocoa-
nuts, and they have hogs and fowls.
This Island is named Taomaco, and the name of the Chief is
Tomai. We departed from hence with four Indians whom we
took, at which tliey were not much pleased : and as we hei'e got
Avood and water, there was no necessity for us to go to the
Island Santa Crur, which, as I have said, is in this parallel 60
leagues farther on.
So we sailed from hence steering SSE to I2°f S latitude,
where we found an Island like that of Taomaco,- and with the
same kind of people, named Chucupia : there is only one small
anchoring place ; and passing in the offing, a small canoe with
only two men came to me to make peace, and presented me
some bark of a tree which appeared like a very fine handkerciiief,
four yards long and three palms wide; on this I parted from
them.
From hence we steered South. We had a hard gale of wind
from the North, which obliged us to lye to for two days : at the
end
APPENDIX. 473
end of that time, it was tlioui^ht, as it was Avinter, that we could N" r.
not exceed the latitude of 1 4° S, in which we were, though my Rektion of
opinion was always directly contrary, thinking we should search deToiTcs^
for the Islands named by the Indians of Taomaco. Wherefore
sailing from this place we steered West, and in one day's sail
'^ve discovered a Volcano very high and large, above three
leagues in circuit, full of trees, and of black people with
much beard.
To the Westward, and in sight of this Volcano, was an
Island not very high, and pleasant in appearance. There are
few anchoring places, and those very close to the shore : it was
very full of black people. Here we caught two m some canoes,
whom we cloathed and gave them presents, and the next day
we put them ashore. In return for this they shot a flight of
arrows at a Spaniard, though in truth it was not in the same
port, but about a musket shot farther on. They are, however, a
people that never miss an opportunity of doing mischief.
In sight of this Island and around it are many Islands, very
high and large, and to the Southward one so large, that we
stood for it, naming the Island where our man was wounded
Santa Maria.
Sailing thence to the Southward towards the large Island^
we discovered a very large bay, well peopled, and very fertile in
yams and fruits, hogs and fowls. They are all black people
and naked. They fight with bows, darts, and clubs. They did
:not chuse to have peace with us, though we frequently spoke to
them, and made presents : and they never with their goodwill
let us set foot on shore.
This bay is very refreshing, and in it fall many and large
jivers. It is in ] 5° I S latitude, and in circuit it is 25 leagues.
We named it the bay de San Felipe y Santiago, and the land
del Espiritu Sa7ito.
Vol. II. 3 P There
474 APPENDIX,
N° I. There we remained 50 days* : we took possession in the name
J^^^^^i^iir^f of Your Majesty. From witliin this bay, and from the most
Luis Vaez gjieltered part of it. the Capitana departed at one hour past mid-
de Tones. ^ . . i • i , ■
night, without any notice given to us, and without making any
signal. This happened the llth of June. And although the
next morning we M-ent out to seek for them, and made all proper
eftorts, it was not possible for us to find them ; for tliey did not
sail on the proper course, nor with good intention. So J was
obliged, to return to the bay to see if by chance they had
returned thither. And on the same account we remained in
this bay 15 days; at the end of which we took Your Majesty's
orders, and held a consultation with the officers of the fi'igate.
It was determined that we should fulfil them, although contrary
to the inchnation of many, I may say of the greater part ; but
my condition Avas diiferent from tha.t of Captain Pedro Fer-
nandez de Quiros.
At length we sailed from this bay in conformity to the order,
although Avith intention to sail round this Island, but the season
and the strong currents would not allow this, although I ran
along a great part of it. In what I saw, there are very large
mountains. It has many ports, though some of them are
small. All of it is well watered with rivere. We had at this
time nothing but bread and water : it was the height of winter,.
with sea, wind, and ill will [of his crew] against us. All this
did not prevent me from reaching the mentioned latitude which
I passed one degree, and would have gone farther if the weather
had permitted ; for the ship was good. It was proper to act in
this manner, for these d,re not voyages performed every day, nor
could Your Majesty otherwise be properly informetl. Going
into the said latitude on a SW course, we had no signs of land
that way.
* This includes the lime Torres remained ia the bay after the separation f om
Quiros.
Trom
APPENDIX. 475
From hence I stood back to the NW to ITI S latitude: N» I.
there we fell in with the begimiing of Nezv Guinea, the coast of Relation of
which runs >\'bN and EbS. I could not weather the East point, ^l^^^^^^l
so I coasted along to the WestAvard on the South side.
All this land of New Guinea is peopled v.'ith Indians, not very
white, and naked, except their obscene parts which are covered
with a cloth made of the bark of trees^ and much painted.
They fight with darts, targets, and some stone clubs, which are
made fine with plumage. Along the coast are many Islands
and habitations. All the coast has many ports, very large, with
very large rivers, and many plains. Without these Islands there
runs a reef of shoals, and between them [the shoals] and the
main land are the Islands. There is a chamiel Avithin. In these
ports I took ])ossession for Your Majesty.
We went along 300 leagues of coast, as I have mentioned, and
diminished the latitude 2° f, which brought us into 9°. From
hence we fell in with a bank of from 3 to 9 fathoms, Avhich
extends along the coast above 180 leagues. We went over it
along the coast to 7° J S latitude, and the end of it is in 5°,
We could not go farther on for the many shoals and great
currents, so we were obliged to sail out SW in that depth to
I r S latitude. There is all over it an archipelago of Islands
without number, by which we passed, and at tire end of the
I I th degree, the bank became shoaler. Here were very lar^e
Islands, and there appeared more to the Southward : they were
inhabited by black people, very corpulent, and naked: their
arms were lances, arrows, and clubs of stone ill fashioned. We
could not get any of their arms. We caught in all this land
20 persons of difierent nations, that with them we might be able
to give a better account to Your Majesty. They give much
notice of other people, although as yet they do not make them,
selves well understood.
3 p 2 We
476 APPENDIX.
N" T. We went upon this bank for two months, at the end of which^
Relaiioiiof time we founcl om'selves in 25 fathoms, and in 5° S latitude, and
ie'To^Jes! ^° leagues from the coast And having gone 480 leagues, here
the coast goes to the NE. 1 did not reach it, for the bank be-
came very shallow. So we stood to the North, and in ^5 fathoms
to 4° latitude, where we fell in with a coast, which likewise lay
in a duection East and West. We did not see the Eastern ter-
mination, but from what we understood of it, it joins the other
^ve had left on account of the bank, the sea being very smooth.
This land is peopled by blacks different from all the others: they
are better adorned : they use arrows, darts, and large shields,
and some sticks of bamboo filled with lime, with which, by
throwing it out, they blind their enemies. Finally, we stood to
the WNW along the coast, always finding this people, for we
landed in many places : also in it we took possession for Your
Majesty. In this land also we found iron, China bells, and
other things, by which we knew we Avere near the Malucas, and
so we ran along this coast above 130 leagues, where it comes to
a termination 50 leagues before you reach the Malucas. There
is an infinity of Islands to the Southward, and very large, which
for the want of provisions we did not approach ; for I doubt if
in ten years could be examined the coasts of all the Islands we
descried. We observed the variation in all this land of New
Guinea to the Malucas ; and in all of it, the variation agrees
with the meridian of the Ladrone Islands and of the Fhilippine
Islands.
At the termination of this land Ave found Mahometans who
were cloathed, and had fire arms and swords. They sold us
fowls, goats, fruits, and some pepper, and biscuit which they
called sagoe, Avhich Avill keep more than 20 years. The whole
they sold us Avas but little ; for they Avanted cloth, and Ave had
not any ; for all the things that had been given us for traffic were
» carried
APPENDIX. 477
carried aM'ay by the Capitana, even to tools, and medicines, and ,^J^°3^
many other things which I do not mention, as there is no help Relaiioaof
for it; but without them, God took care of us. de Torres.
These Moors gave us news of the events at the Malucas, and
told us of Dutch ships, though none of them came here, although
they said that in all this land there was much gold and other
good things, such as pepper and nutmegs.
From hence to the Malucas, it is all Islands ; and on the Soutli
side are many uniting with those of Bancla and Amboi/na, where
the Dutch carry on a trade. We came to the Islands of
Bachian, which are the first Mali(cas, where we found a
Theatine, with about 100 Christians in the country of a
Mahometan King friendly to us, who begged me to subdue
one of the Ternate Islands inhabited by revolted Mahometans, to
whom Don Pedro de Acunha had given pardon in Your Majesty's
name, which I had maintained; and I sent advice to the M. tie
Campo, Juan de Esquivel, who governed the Islajids of Ternate,
of my arrival, and demanded if it Avas expedient to give this
assistance to the King of Bachian, to which he [Juan de
Esquivel] answered that it would be of great service to Your
Majesty if I brought force for that purpose. On this, ^nth 4a
Spaniards and 400 Moors of the King of Bachian, I made wai-,
and in only four days I defeated them and took the fort, and
put the King of Bachian in possession of it in Your iMajesty's
name, to whom we administered the usual oaths, stipulatino-
with him that he should never go to war against Christians, and
that he should ever be a faithful vassal to Your Majesty. I did
not find these people of so intrepid a spirit as those we had left.
It must be ascribed to the Almighty, that in all these labours
and victories we lost only one Spaniard. I do not make a rela-
tion of them' to Your Majesty, for I hope to give it at large.
The King being put in possession, I departed for Ternate,/
which was 12 leagues from this Island, where Juan de Esquivel
was
1
47S APPENDIX.
^^^° I. ^^as, by whom I was very well received, for he had great scarcity
Eelation of of people, and the nations of Ternate were in rebellion, and
de Torres, assistance to him was very unexpected in so round-about a way.
In a few days afterwards arrived succour from Manila, which
■was much desired, for half of the people left by D. Pedro de
Acunha were no more, and there was a scarcity of provisions,
for, as I said, the nations of the Island were in rebellion ; but
by the prndence of the M. de Campo, J. de Esquivel, he went
on putting the affairs of the Island in good order, although he
was in want of money.
I left the Patache here and about 20 men, as it Avas expedient
for the service of Your Majesty. From hence I departed for
the city of Manila^ Avljere they gave me so bad a dispatch, as I
liave mentioned ; and hitherto, which is now two months, they
jiave not given provisions to the crew ; and so I know not when
I can sail from hence to give account to Your Majesty.
Whom may God preserve prosperous,
for Sovereign of the World.
Done at Manila^ July the I2th, 1607,
Your Majesty's Servant,
Luis Vae? de Torres,
;#
[ 479 ]
APPENDIX,
N" IL
Information collected from the Natives of Islands in the South Sea,
hy Pedro Fernandez de Quiros, in 1606, and inserted by him
in his Memorials, concerning undiscovered Lands situated in the
Neighbourhood of the Australia del Espiritu Santo.
OU I R O S carried two natives of the Islands Muth him to
New Spain, by whose assistance he was enabled to examine
at leisure, and to correct, the information he had received
whilst he was at the Island Taiimaco, and at the Australia dei
Espiritu Santo. One of these Islanders was a man named
Luca, native of an Island named Chicayana, After he was taken
by the Spaniards, he was christened by the name of Pedro. The
other was a boy, a native of the Australia, and Avas christened by
the name of Pablo.
Chicayana, Pedro described to be an Island larger than
Taumaco, from which it is distant four days sailing. It is low
land. Pearl oysters are there in great numbers: they are found
in shallow creeks. The inhabitants are a mixed people, among^
whom some are ' mulattoes, whose hair is not eurled, nor quite
* strait.*
Guaytopo, is an Island larger than Chicayana. It is three
days sail from Taumaco and two from Chicayana. In this Island
there are many of the smaller kinds of pearl oysters in creeks as
at Chicayana. Pedro being asked if he had been there, he
answered no. Quiros says, * I then asked him how he knew
what he had told, and he related that a large vessel from
Guaytopo, with more than fifty persons in it, sailed for another
inhabited
480 APPENDIX.
y^^!i^^J inhabited Island named Mecayrayla, to get tortoise-shell, of
Information 'ivhicli they make ear-rings and other ornaments ; and that
from ' when they came in sight of it, they met a contrary wind which
Natives of obliged them to put back for their own Island ; and when they
were near that, the wind changed again. And thus going back-
wards and forwards, they consumed all their provisions, and
40 persons died of hunger and thirst. Pedro said that he was
in the Island Taumaco when the vessel arrived there with only
seven men, who were very white except one who was dark co-
loured, and with three women who were white and beautiful as
Spanish women : that the three women were entirely covered
with a veil of blue or black, very fine, which they name foafoa.'
And of all these ten persons there only remained alive an Indian
named Olan, whom the Spaniards saw at Taumaco and called
the Fleming on account of his being so white and red. Like-
wise, at his own Island Chicayana, Pedro had seen arrive a vessel
of Guaytopo of two hulls [i. e. a double canoe] full of people,
white and handsome ; and counting on his fingers by ten and
ten, he intimated that in all there were 1 1 0 persons.
Manicolo, the ' Great Country,' Pedro estimated to be five
days of their sailing from Tucopia ; and in going thither, the
rising sun was on their left hand. He said the people ihere did
not eat human flesh : they were his friends, but he did not un-
derstand their languages : they lived in large towns, as large as
Acapuleo. It is a country of high mountains, and rivers some
of which they could not ford. Pedro saw there a port, which he
seemed to think was larger, but with narrower entrance than the
Bay de San Felipe y Santiago ; and he observed that the bottom
was sand, and the shore shingles (de lastre, i. e. small stones
fit for ballast).
Fonofojio, is the name given by the natives to a cluster of
small flat Islands, but which are fruitful, and fully inhabited by
a dark coloured people of very tall stature. Fonofono was
7 reckoned
A P P E N D I X. 481
reckoned three days sail from Taumaco, or with a fresh \vind, N" 11.
two. In these Islands there are great beds of oysters, and there information
is a o-ood port. collected
® '^ from
Pilen is an Island near Fonofono, as is Natives of
Niipan : at both of these Islands there are pearls, and the
inhabitants and the food are of the same kind as at Fonofotio.
Poiu'o is the name of a large country which is very populons.
The inhabitants are of a dark colour, and warhke. Pedro said
that a native of Taumaco, a great pilot, had brought to Taumaco, "
from Pouro, a loorey with a red breast, and some arrows with
points of a white metal.
Besides the Islands abovementioned which are distino-uished
by name, Quiros speaks in general terms of many others ; and
in describing the Bay de San Felipe y Santiago, he remarks that
' it is rendered more excellent by the neighbourhood of so many
* and such good Islands, especially of seven, which are 200
' leagues in circuit; one of them is 50, and is distant 12 leagues,
' and is very fertile and populous.' The greater part of this
description must have been written upon the authority of in-
formation given b}" the Islanders.
It appears extraordinary that among the names of Islands
obtained from the natives, Quiros should not have inserted
in his IMemorials either the name by which the Australia del
Espiritu S.arito, or that by which the Island de Santa Cm::, is
known by their inhabitants.
Quiros received from Pedro the following particulars of his reli-
gious belief. He said, ' the Devil was called Tenia : that he talked
* with people from a staff of wood without being seen ; and
' that to himself (Pedro) and to all of them he would come
' many times in the night and touch their cheeks and breast with
' something very cold ; and when they tried to find what it was
« they would find nothing.' Pedro spoke on this subject with
much reserve, as if fearful that in revealing so much he was
Vol. II. t Q guilty
482 APPENDIX.
is;° IT. guilty of a great sin. He moreover said, that before the Spaniards
Iiit'onnation arrived at Taumaco, Tenia had foretold their coming, and that
coHected ^j^^^ would kill the natives. The boy Pablo also gave an account
Natives of of a Demon or Deity, who talked to people whilst he kept him-
self invisible; but the name by which Pablo called this Deity
Avas Hadanna.
Pedro and Pablo were both taken by Quiros to Mexico. Pedro
shewed great desire to return to the Islands, Quiros says ' that
• he might tell the Chief of Taumaco all the good we had done
' to him.' This commendation of the Spaniards did not reach
the Islands. Pedro died soon after his arrival at Mexico, and
it may be concluded that Pablo did not long survive him ; for
Quiros says ' I could not learn so much from him as I w-ished,
* because he was a very weak and sickly boy.' It is prot^able
that pining to revisit their native Islands was the cause of their
early death. Quiros had made a small Vocabulary of their
language, Avhich seems to have undergone the same fate as his
other notes.
THE END..
Luke Hanfard, Printer,
Great TuroftUe, Lincoln's-lnn Fields,
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