Part 38

_April_ 3. Being in a readiness to sail, the Flag came off Shore, was saluted first by the _Dutch_, and then by all the _English_ Ships; but a contrary Wind prevented our sailing. Most of the Goods sold at the Cape were taken out of the _Duke_, being in much worse Package than those aboard the _Dutchess_ and _Batchelor_; so that most of our Bales that could be come at, have been open’d, and we find abundance of Damage, our Ship having been so long leaky, that we have not a tight Place in the Ship fit to secure dry Goods.

_April_ 5. At Day-break this Morning the Flag hoisted a blue Ensign, loos’d his Fore-top-sail, and fired a Gun as a Signal to unmoor: As we were heaving in our Cable, it rubb’d against the Oakham, which had got into the Leak, and occasion’d the Ship to be as leaky again as ever, she having been indifferent tight for some time, and we were in hopes it would have continu’d. About Noon I came aboard very thin, and in no better Health than I was when I went first ashore at our Arrival here. Presently after I went aboard the Flag, there being a Signal made for all the _English_ Commanders. We had before received our Orders, which were very particular, and as obligatory to be punctually observed. About 4 in the Afternoon the Flag, Vice and Rear Admirals weigh’d, with part of the Fleet, and fell down to _Robins_ or _Penguin_ Island, where they lay for the rest of the Ships.

_April_ 6. In the Afternoon we all weigh’d from _Penguin_ Island, 16 _Dutch_ and 9 _English_ Ships, having a fresh Breeze at S. S. E.

[Sidenote: _At the Cape of Good Hope._]

We buried ashore here, _George Russel_, a Foremast-man, _Dec._ 30. 1710. _John Glasson_, d^o. 5 _Jan._ Mr. _Carleton Vanbrugh_, Owners Agent, 3 _Feb._ Mr. _Lancelot Appleby_, 2_d_ Mate, 21 d^o. and four deserted.

Here follows a List of the Ships that arrived during our Stay at the Cape; all those homeward bound are now in company with us, except Capt. _Opie_ in the _Olie_, and a _Dane_ that sailed in _February_, designed home before us.

_The Ships that arriv’d at the Cape while we were there._

_Donnegall_, Capt. _Cliff_, found here, from _Mocha_ bound to _England_.

A _Dutch_ Ship, arriv’d _Jan._ 6, from _Batavia_, and bound thither.

_Loyal Bliss_, Capt. _Rob. Hudson_, arriv’d _Jan._ 10. from _Bengall_, bound to _England_.

A _Dane_, arriv’d _Jan._ 15. from _Trincombar_, bound to _Denmark_.

A _Dutch_ Ship, arriv’d _Jan._ 16. from _Zealand_, bound for _Batavia_.

_Blenheim_, Capt. _Parrot_, _Jan._ 22. arriv’d from _Mocha_, bound to _England_.

_Oley_, Capt. _Opie_, arrived _Jan._ 25. from _Batavia_, bound for _England_.

A _Dutch_ Ship, arrived _Feb._ 4. from _Holland_, bound to _Batavia_.

The _Batavia_ Fleet, 11 Ships, arrived _Feb._ 22. bound to _Holland_.

The _Ceilon_ Fleet, 4 Ships, arrived _March_ 7. bound for _Holland_.

_Loyal Cook_, Capt. _Clark_, arrived _March_ 12. from _China_, bound for _England_.

_Carleton_, Capt. _Litton_, arrived _March_ 17. from _Batavia_, bound for _England_.

King _William_, Capt. _Winter_, arrived _March_ 26. from _Bengall_, bound to _England_.

_A Short Description of the Cape of_ Good Hope.

I Shall not trouble the Reader with what has been writ by others concerning this noted Place: And since I had neither Time, Health, nor Permission to ramble the Country, I can relate no Adventures that we had with Bears, Tygers or _Hottentots_; but what I shall say is from my own Observation.

[Sidenote: _A Description of the Cape of Good Hope._]

The _Dutch_ have here a well built small Town, containing about two hundred and fifty Houses, with a Church, and several fine Gardens and small Vineyards near it. There are divers Villages in the Country, from 10 to 30 Miles distance, and scattering Plantations near a hundred Miles from the Cape; so that from the whole they are supposed to be capable of raising 3000 well armed Horse and Foot at a short warning. The Climate being in about 35 S. Lat. is excellent and healthful, and the Soil very fruitful. They have many pleasant Seats in the Neighbourhood, with Gardens, Vineyards, and Plantations of young Oaks, and other Trees raised by themselves; there being no large Timber nearer than 50 Miles off the Cape. I was inform’d that these Farms and Plantations bring in their _East India_ Company a considerable Sum _per Annum_, besides Maintenance for the Garrison. They let the Land so cheap, for Encouragement of Planters, and it produces such a large Increase of Corn, Wine and Cattle, that it enables the People to pay a great Excise for their Commodities, which are also continually exported for the _Dutch_ Settlements in _India_, and spent in recruiting their Fleets that stop here; so that in a few Years they hope this Place will be so considerable, as to afford them Recruits on any Occasion for their Garrisons in _India_; and if they be pressed by a War there, they may always lodge such a Number of Men at this noble Settlement, which they esteem a second Fatherland, as may arrive at _India_ in so good a Condition, that no _European_ Power can be so capable of holding the _India_ Trade as themselves. This makes me think it to have been a great Omission in our _East India Company_ to quit this Settlement for _St. Hellena_, which is no way comparable to it, nor able to answer the same End. Amongst other Advantages, the _Dutch_ have here a noble Hospital, furnished with Physicians and Surgeons as regularly as any in _Europe_; and this Hospital is capable of entertaining 6 or 700 sick Men at one time; so that as soon as the _Dutch_ Ships arrive here, their distemper’d Men are put ashore, and they are supplied with fresh Men in their stead. They have all sorts of Naval Stores here, with proper Officers to attend on all Occasions, which is a mighty Addition to their Strength, and enables them to preserve their _India_ Trade. An Express comes hither annually from _Holland_ by a small Ship, to meet their homeward bound _E. India_ Fleet, which is generally from 17 to 20 great Ships. The Express brings a private Order to the Commander in chief, who is appointed by the Government in _India_; so that none knows where they are to meet their Convoy in the North Seas, but himself; and he gives it sealed up to each Ship, to be open’d in a proper Latitude near home. By this Method their Fleets have for many Years escaped the Enemy, and arrived safe in _Holland_. Their Form of Government, their Industry and Neatness abroad, is justly to be admired, and worthy to be imitated. I saw nothing I could blame, unless it be their Severity, for which no doubt they have very good reason, tho’ it seemed harsh to me, who was born with _English_ Liberty. They have an Island call’d _Robin_, which lies at the Entrance of the Cape Bay, about 3 Leagues from the Town, where they confine Mutineers, or other heinous Offenders, to hard Labour during Life, by Sentence of the Fiscal.

The _Dutch_ generally send a Ship every Year from hence to _Madagascar_ for Slaves, to supply their Plantations; for the _Hotentots_, who are very numerous, and love their Liberty and Ease so much, that they cannot be brought to work, even tho they should starve.

I spoke with an _English_ and an _Irish_-man, who had been several Years with the _Madagascar_ Pirates, but were now pardoned, and allowed to settle here: They told me, that those miserable Wretches, who had made such a Noise in the World, were now dwindled to between 60 or 70, most of them very poor and despicable, even to the Natives, among whom they had married. They added, that they had no Embarkations, but one Ship, and a Sloop that lay sunk; so that those Pirates are so inconsiderable, that they scarce deserve to be mentioned; yet if Care be not taken after a Peace to clear that Island of them, and hinder others from joining them, it may be a Temptation for loose stragling Fellows to resort thither, and make it once more a troublesome Nest of Free-booters.[154]

The _Dutch_ have seldom less than 500 Soldiers in the Cape Castle, which is very large, built with Stone, and has 70 Guns well mounted on its Ramparts, with convenient Dwellings for the Officers and Soldiers; but it lies too deep in the Bay to protect the Ships in the Road; therefore they talk of erecting a Battery on the Starboard sandy Point, as you enter the Bay. The Road is so much exposed to the sea, that in the Winter Months, when the Wind blows strong from thence, it is unsafe Riding, and Ships are very often lost here; so that whoever comes hither in that Season, ought to be well provided with Cables and Anchors to ride out a Storm: But in the Summer it seldom blows from the Sea; yet scarce a Day passes without very strong Flaws at S. E. which come down from the Table Mountains that lie over the Fort, so violently, that Boats cannot go to or from the Ships, but in the Morning and Evening, when it is generally very moderate and calm.

The _Dutch_ have found out a noble hot Spring of Water above 100 Miles up in the Country, which is of excellent virtue against all Distempers contracted in _India_; so that few have been carried thither, tho’ in a desperate Condition, but they have recover’d to admiration by drinking and bathing in that Water.

This Place having been so frequently describ’d by others, I shall only add, that I found the Character of the _Hotentots_ to be very true, and that they scarce deserve to be reckon’d of the Human Kind, they are such ill look’d stinking nasty People: Their Apparel is the Skins of Beasts, their chief Ornament is to be very greasy and black, so that they besmear themselves with stinking Oil, or Tallow and Soot, and the Women twist the Guts of Beasts or Thongs of Hides round their Legs, which resembles a Tobacco-roll. Here’s plenty of all sorts of Beasts and Fowl, wild and tame; and in short, there’s nothing wanting at the Cape of _Good Hope_, for a good Subsistence; nor is there any Place more commodious for a Retirement to such as would be out of the Noise of the World, than the adjacent Country in possession of the _Dutch_.

Nothing remarkable happen’d till the _1st_ of _May_, only I continued very ill, as my Ship did leaky, and sometimes we

[Sidenote: _Sailing from the Cape towards Europe._]

had Thunder, Lightning, Rain, and Squalls of Wind. Yesterday Afternoon we had sight of the Island _St. Hellena_, bearing N. W. by N. about 6 Leagues, lying in S. Lat. 16.

On the _7th_ we made the Island of _Ascension_, S. Lat. 8. 2. Longit. W. from _London_ 13. 20.

On the _14th_ at Noon we found we had just cross’d the Equator, being the _8th_ time we had done so in our Course round the World. There was a strong Current setting to the Northward, after the rate of about 1 Mile an Hour, Longit. W. from _London_. 21. 11. So that we have run much continually to the Westward, over and above the Circumference of the Globe.

The _17th_ in Lat. 3. 13. we found the Current still continuing to set to the N.W. 20 Miles in 24 Hours. The _Dutch_ Commadore was very civil to us, and because our Prize sailed heavy, he allow’d her to keep a-head in the Night, which he did not to any other Ship. We and the _Dutchess_ often tow’d her in the Day, to keep her up with the Fleet.

_June 7._ In the Lat. of 24°. 55´´. The 3 Admirals hall’d down their Flags, and hoisted Pennants at their Main topmast Heads, to appear more like Ships of War, every _Dutch_ Ship doing the same. Now we draw near home, they scrape and clean their Ships, bending new Sails, so that they look as if newly come out of _Holland_.

_June 13._ Yesterday Afternoon the Flag made a Signal for all the _Dutch_ Commanders to go aboard with their Latitude and Longitude. We took the _Batchelor_ in towe this Morning, having a fine moderate Gale at E. by N. with smooth pleasant Weather.

_June 14._ We cast the _Batchelor_ off about 5 Yesterday Afternoon, I being unwilling to run too far a head with her, now we are got so far to the Northward, where we may expect not only the Danger of the Enemy, but also veerable Winds and thick Weather, by which means she may loose the Fleet. I advis’d Capt. _Courtney_ the same in the Evening by a Letter. This Morning we rummaged our Hold, and found very little new Damage amongst the Bails, but all in general much decay’d by lying so long in ordinary Package.

_June 15._ The Admiral made a Signal this Morning for all the _English_ Commanders, and some of the _Dutch_ Skippers to come aboard him, where we found an excellent Entertainment, and the good Humour of the _Dutch_ Admiral soon made all the Company understand each other without a Linguist, tho’ we had much ado to get one at first Meeting. We parted before the Sun set, and had a fine Day.

_June 28._ Being got into the Latitude of 51 N. we had thick foggy Weather, so that the Flag fired two Guns every half hour; each Ship answer’d with one. This continu’d several Days, which consumed a great deal of Powder, but by the Noise of the Guns it was easy to keep Company, tho’ sometimes so thick for several Hours, that we could not see three Ships Lengths.

_July 14._ This Morning we fancied we saw Land, and some of the _Dutch_ Ships made the concerted Signal, but none was positive, having sounded, and found no Ground with above 100 Fathom of Line.

_July 15._ We saw 2 Ships Yesterday Afternoon, one of which we spoke with, being a _Dane_ bound for _Ireland_. She told us the Wars still continued, but gave a very imperfect Account of any other News: She informed us of the _Dutch_ Men of War, that were cruizing for us off _Shetland_ (being 10 Sail) whom she saw 4 or 5 Days ago, and reckon’d her self now about 40 Leagues from the Land. We had Soundings then in 70 Fathom Water, brown gravelly Ground. I just had time to send the Owners a Copy of my Letters from the Cape of _Good Hope_, and to let ’em know we were now got so far safe towards the Conclusion of a fatiguing Voyage. In the Morning we made _Fair Island_ and _Foul Island_ lying off of _Shetland_, presently after we saw the Men of War; but having little Wind, and they a good way distant from each other, we could join but one of them by Noon. _Fair Island_ then bore S.S.E. distant about 2 Leagues.

_July 16._ All the Men of War join’d us Yesterday Afternoon, but one or two with the fishing Doggers, who were cruizing off to the North East of _Shetland_. After mutual Salutations both by the _Dutch_ and _English_ Ships, one of the Men of War was sent out to see for the missing Ships. Mean while the Fleet lay by, and having little Wind, the Boats came to and fro all Night, and supply’d us with what we wanted. The Inhabitants of those Islands came aboard with what Provisions they had, being very poor People, who subsist most by Fishing.

[Sidenote: _Arrival at the Texel._]

_July 17._ In the Morning we had a small Breeze, with which the Men of War got into the Fleet again, having met with the other. About Noon we all made Sail, steering away betwixt the S.S.E. and S.E. and the Wind at S.W. and S.W. by S. I wrote a single Letter to the Owners in general, by a _Scots_ Fishing Boat belonging to _Shetland_, advising them of our joining the Men of War, who are order’d with the Fleet to the _Texel_, where I hope we shall soon meet an _English_ Convoy. The _Dutch India_ Admiral, tho’ but a Company’s Ship, wears his Flag, and gives Signals and Orders to the _Dutch_ Men of War, which is not suffer’d among the _English_, and in the whole Run from the Cape have kept an exact Discipline in the Fleet, not suffering any of the Commanders to go out of the Ships to visit each other at Sea without his Signal or Leave.

_July 21._ This Morning one of the Men of War was order’d away for the _Texel_, to give notice of the Fleet’s coming; I again wrote to the Owners, for fear of any Miscarriage by the former Conveyances.

_July 23._ The Weather being close, the Commadore made a Signal about 10 a Clock for seeing Land; presently after all the Fleet answer’d him with their Colours. The Pilot-Boats coming off aboard the Ships, we had 2 aboard, who told us the _Texel_ bore about S.E. by E. distant 15 or 16 Miles. Presently after Noon we parted with the _Rotterdam_ and _Middleburgh_ Ships, most of the Men of War going with ’em to see ’em safe in. The Flag and all the _English_ Ships saluted the Commadore, and afterwards we saluted the Flag himself to welcome him in sight of _Holland_; and as soon as they got over the Bar, the _Dutch-men_ fir’d all their Guns for joy of their safe Arrival in their own Country, which they very affectionately call _Father-land_. All the Ships bound into the _Texel_ lay by from 2 till 5 a Clock, waiting for the Flood to carry us up. About 8 at Night we all came safe to an Anchor in 6 Fathom Water about 2 Miles off Shore.

On the _24th_ in the Morning the _Dutch_ Flag weigh’d, in order to go up to the unlivering Place. As he pass’d by us, we gave him 3 Huzza’s and 9 Guns. In the Afternoon I went up to _Amsterdam_, where we had Letters from our Owners, to direct us how to act and proceed from hence. On the _28th_ the _English East India_ Ships had Orders to be in a readiness for sailing with the first _Dutch_ Convoy for _London_. We got some Provisions aboard from _Amsterdam_ on the _30th_. When I came aboard, on the 1st of _August_, by Consent of our Council, we discharg’d what Men we ship’t at _Batavia_ and the _Cape_, and afterwards went away from _Amsterdam_. On the 4th the _Dutchess_ and _Batchelor_ went up to the Road, call’d the _Vlicter_, being a better Road than the _Texel_. In the Evening we had News of some of our Owners being at the _Helder_: Mr. _Pope_ went to wait upon ’em, and in the Morning came aboard with them. After a short Stay they went for the _Dutchess_ and _Batchelor_, designing thence for _Amsterdam_; we welcom’d ’em with 15 Guns at their coming and going; the _English East-India_ Ships and others bound for _England_ weigh’d with the _Dutch_ Convoy to Day, having a fine Gale at N. E. On the 6th we weigh’d from the _Texel_, and went up to our Consorts, it being by a particular Order from the Owners for our better Security; we being oblig’d to wait there, fearing the _India_ Company would be troublesome, altho’ we had dealt for nothing but Necessaries in _India_.

On the 10th in the Afternoon, the Owners with the Chief Officers came down, and the next Day went a-shoar to the _Texel_, where having an Abstract of our Voyage ready drawn up, we went before a Notary Publick, and took our Affidavits, that what was therein contain’d was true to the best of our Knowledge, and that we had been at no other Places than therein mention’d. This was desir’d of us by _James Hollidge_, Esq; one of our Owners, to justifie our Proceedings to the Queen and Council, in Answer to what the _East-India_ Company had to alledge against us, they being, as we were inform’d, resolved to trouble us, on Pretence we had encroached upon their Liberties in _India_. On the 12th, we return’d aboard again; and to keep up a Form of Government, tho’ the Owners were here, we held a Committee, where ’twas agreed to carry a Quantity of Gold to _Amsterdam_, to exchange for a Supply of our Men and Ships, _viz._ 20 Guilders to a Sailor, 10 to a Land-man, and to every Officer in Proportion as his Occasions requir’d. On the 13th we went away for _Amsterdam_, but did not carry any Gold out of our Ships, upon Consideration it might be prejudicial to the Insurance made on our Ships, if we took any Value out, and an Accident should afterwards happen, so we agreed again, ’twould be better to take up the Money at _Amsterdam_.

We had several Stores and Provisions from _Amsterdam_ this Week, and likewise Money for the Officers and Men, which was paid ’em, and they had Liberty to go a-shoar by turns.

[Sidenote: _Transactions in Holland._]

On the 23d in the Afternoon, the Owners came down from _Amsterdam_, and the next Day examin’d the Prisoners aboard Us and the _Batchelor_, about taking the said Ship and other Prizes, having Notice of our going over for _England_, and that a Convoy was appointed to come for us.

We got all the Men off Shoar, who had been very troublesome to the Owners at _Amsterdam_, and every thing in Readiness for Sailing. On the 31st Mr. _Hollidge_ came aboard (the rest of the Owners being gone over for _England_) and took Account of what Plate, Gold, Pearl, _&c_. was in the Ship. The same being done aboard the _Dutchess_, he likewise took a List of our Men to get Protections for them, from being impress’d after our Arrival in the River of _Thames_. The next Day he went to the _Texel_ to discharge the Custom due from our Ships, and on the 5th in the Morning he took his Leave of us.

On the 19th in the Afternoon, we had News of our Convoys lying without the _Texel_, which was very acceptable to the Crews of each Ship, who were in the utmost Uneasiness at our long Stay, being just at Home, so that we had much ado to keep the Companies aboard till now. We got every thing in Readiness, in order for falling down to them.

On the 20th, about 5 in the Afternoon, we got down to the _Texel_, where we found our Convoy at Anchor, being the _Essex_, _Canterbury_, _Medway_, and _Dunwich_ Men of War.

On the 22d in the Morning, the Wind being at N. E. we weigh’d from the _Texel_, and by 10 of the Clock got clear of the Channel. In the Afternoon the _Commodore_ took the _Batchelor_ in Towe, and next Morning the Wind being against us, we bore away again for the Harbour, as did likewise 4 _Dutch_ Men of War that came out with us, bound for _London_; after seeing us safe in, he stood off to the Northward with the _Canterbury_ and _Medway_, but came in the next Morning.

On the 25th our Officers met, where consulting that our 3 Ships wanted several Necessaries to keep the Sea, in case we should meet with bad Weather, we requested Captain _Roffey_ our Commodore, that he would please to stay, should the Wind be fair, till such Time as we could be provided with the said Necessaries from _Amsterdam_, which was granted.

On the 13th the Wind continuing at S. E. by S. and S. E. at Break of Day we weigh’d, as did likewise 4 _Dutch_ Men of War.

On the 1st of _October_, about 11 of the Clock we came to an Anchor in the _Downs_, where several of our Owners came aboard, and after they had visited every Ship, went a-shoar with some Prisoners to examine ’em about our Capture, _&c_.

At 3 this Morning the _Essex_ made a Signal to unmoar, and betwixt 9 and 10 weigh’d, he being order’d up to the _Buoy in the Noar_, and we to make the best of our Way to the _Hope_.

_Octob. 14._ This Day at 11 of the Clock, we and our Consort and Prize got up to _Eriff_ [Erith], where we came to an Anchor, which ends our long and fatiguing Voyage.

_FINIS._

INDEX

Acapulco, 110, 241

Acapulco galleon, _see_ Manila galleon

Addison, Joseph, xxvi, xxvii

Albacore, a fish, 151

Alcatros, a large bird, 74

Alexander, Joseph, 19, 21

Algaroba bread, 260

Amazons, River of the, 43 _et seq._

Amsterdam, 311

Andirova tree, 52

Angre de Reys, 28, 31 _et seq._

Annete, Peru, 52

Anson, Admiral Lord, xx _n_, xxv, 98 _n_.

Appleby, Lancelot, 5, 103, 104, 158, 288, 305

Arrack, 292 _n_.

_Arundel_, man-of-war, 3

Assumption, Paraguay, 55

Athul Island, Oronoco, 74

Augur, John, a pirate, xxx

Australis, Terra, 237

Bahama Islands, xxvi _et seq._, xl _et seq._

Balboa, Vasco Nuñes de, 80

Ballet, John, 5, 9, 17, 25, 34, 35, 104, 174

Bands, the ships’, 31

Batavia, 285, 294 _et seq._

Batchelor, Alderman, 8

_Batchelor_, the Acapulco prize, 224

Bath, William, 6, 16, 17, 34, 35, 75, 102, 104

_Beecher_, galley, 2, 3

_Beginning_, privateer, 107, 110, 111, 117, 139

_Berkely_, galley, 2, 3

Bezoar stones, 258

_Bigonia_, Acapulco galleon, 221

Bilboes, 25 _n_.

Biobio River, 256

Bishop of Chokeaqua, 111, 116

_Blenheim_, 305

Bonnet, 303 _n_.

Bouton Island, 277 _et seq._

Bowden, John, 6

Boyse, an English prisoner, 243, 262

Brazil, 26, 38 _et seq._