Part 7

_Sept. 22._ Last night just as we had finish’d with Mr. _Crosse_, and deliver’d the _Spaniards_ their Bark, we spy’d a Sail to the Westward of the Island between three and four in the Evening. We immediately made what Sail we could, and steer’d W by N. along the Shore. At eight a clock we were in sight of _Gomera_ bearing S S W. distant three Leagues, _Palma_ W by N. distant five Leagues. We lost sight of the Sail before Night, spoke with our Consort, and agreed to keep between _Palma_ and _Gomera_ in our Voyage; it being uncertain to meet with the Chase the next day, since last night she was near five Leagues from us, so that we believ’d she might get into a place of safety, if an Enemy, before we could see her. Besides, there came on a stiff Gale, which put us quite out of hopes of seeing her again to advantage. Fair Weather, fresh Gales at N E by N.

_Sept. 23._ About five yesterday in the afternoon, when at least 36 Leagues distant, we saw the _Pico Teneriff_ very plain. Fine pleasant Weather, fresh Gales with smooth Water, Wind at N E by E.

_Sept. 24._ We sent our Boat for Capt. _Courtney_, Capt. _Cook_, Mr. _Stratton_, and Mr. _Bath_ their Agent, who staid and din’d with us; and whilst they were aboard, we held a Council, the Result of which was as follows.

At a Committee by Desire of Capt. _Woodes Rogers_, Capt. _Thomas Dover_, and Capt. _Stephen Courtney_, held on board the _Duke_.

[Sidenote: _Differences with Mr. Carleton Vanbrugh._]

_We have examin’d all Letters and Proceedings that happen’d at and after the taking the_ Spanish _Bark, and the Reason of both Ships Stay off of_ Teneriff, _and amongst the_ Canary _Islands; and we do approve of all that was transacted and wrote: the major part of us having at the time when ’twas done advis’d the Commanders to it. Witness our Hands_,

Tho. Dover, _Pres._ William Stratton, Steph. Courtney, Robert Frye, Woodes Rogers, Charles Pope, Will. Dampier, Thomas Glendal, Edward Cook, John Bridge, Carl. Vanbrugh, John Ballet. William Bath,

Whilst the Committee were together, Mr. _Vanbrugh_ complain’d I had not treated him as I ought: upon which I offer’d to refer it to all present, that we might not have needless Misunderstandings at the beginning of our Voyage; and they came to the following Resolution.

_Whereas there has been some Difference between Capt._ Woodes Rogers _and Mr._ Carleton Vanbrugh _the Ship’s Agent; it being refer’d to the Council, we adjudg’d the said Mr._ Vanbrugh _to be much in the wrong. In witness whereof, we have set our Hands, the_ 24_th of_ Sept. 1708.

Tho. Dover, _Pres._ William Bath, Stephen Courtney, Charles Pope, William Dampier, Thomas Glendal, Edward Cook, John Bridge, Robert Frye, John Ballet. William Stratton,

_Sept. 25._ This day, according to custom, we duck’d[92] those that had never pass’d the Tropick before. The manner of doing it was by a Rope thro a Block from the Main-Yard, to hoist ’em above half way up to the Yard, and let ’em fall at once into the Water; having a Stick cross thro their Legs, and well fastned to the Rope, that they might not be surpriz’d and let go their hold. This prov’d of great use to our fresh-water Sailors, to recover the Colour of their Skins which were grown very black and nasty. Those that we duck’d after this manner three times, were about 60, and others that would not undergo it, chose to pay Half a Crown Fine; the Money to be levy’d and spent at a publick Meeting of all the Ships Companys, when we return to _England_. The _Dutch_ Men and some _English_ Men desir’d to be duck’d, some six, others eight, ten, and twelve times, to have the better Title for being treated when they come home. Wind N W by W. and veering to the Northward and Eastward.

_Sept. 26._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we sold the loose Plunder of the Bark amongst the Sailors by Auction. Fair Weather, moderate Gales at N N E. had a very good Observ. Lat. 21. 33. N.

_Sept. 29._ Betwixt nine and ten at night, a Sailor going up to furl the Main-Top-Gallant Sail, fell suddenly without any noise from the Main-Top over board, occasion’d as I suppos’d by a Fit. At nine this morning we saw Land, and suppos’d it to be _Sal_ one of the Cape _De Verd_ Islands, bearing S E by S. distant about 12 Ls.[93] At twelve a clock at noon it bore E S E. dist. 4 Ls. fair Weather, smooth Water, fresh Gales at N E. Lat. 17. 5. N. Long. W. from _London_, 23. 16.

_Sept. 30._ After being satisfy’d the Island was _Sal_, we stood from it W and W by N. for _St. Vincent_. At four a clock _Sal_ bore E by S. 1/4 S. dist. 10 Ls. At six _St. Nicholas_ bore S W by W. dist. 8 Ls. We went with an easy Sail till four this Morning, and lay by to make the Islands, because we had none aboard either Ship that was acquainted with ’em. When day broke, we saw the Islands all in a range, much as is laid down in the Draughts. At ten a clock we anchored in the Bay of _St. Vincent_ in five fathom Water. ’Tis a fine Bay: The Northmost Point bore North near a mile dist. and the Westermost Point bore West dist. about two miles: _Monk’s_ Rock, which is like a Sugar-Loaf, high and round, and bold on every side, lies almost in the Entrance of this fine sandy Bay on the West-side of the Island: But nearest the North Point of the Bay, Sailors must be careful as they come in, not to run too near under the high Land of the North Point, for fear of being becalm’d, and sudden Flaws coming every way upon ’em. There being a small Shoal about three Ships length almost without the Point, but giving it a small birth it’s bold enough. We ran within two Cables length of the first round Point, next to the long sandy Bay, and came to an anchor in clean sandy Ground. _Monk’s_ Rock bore N W by N. dist. 3/4 Mile; the Body of the Island _St. Antonio_ bore N W 1/2 N. dist. nine Miles.

[Sidenote: _Arival at St. Vincent._]

This is a fine Bay and good Landing, but the best at the Northermost Point. The Wood lies in the middle of the sandy Bay, and the Water between the North Point and the place where we anchor’d. There is good Anchoring all over the Bay, and the _Monks_-Rock will direct any Stranger into it, there being no other like it about this Island on the side opposite to _St. Antonio_. It blows here a constant Trade-Wind betwixt the E by N. and the N N E. except in the Months of _October_, _November_, _December_, and _January_, it sometimes blows Southerly with Tornadoes and Rain.

_October 1._ We clear’d our Ship yesterday, but it blow’d too hard to row our Boat-Loads of empty Butts ashoar; and we could do but little to Wooding and Watering, till this morning we were forc’d to get a Rope from the Ship to the watering-place, which is a good half-mile from our anchoring-place, and so haul’d our empty Casks ashore by Boat-loads, in order to have ’em burnt and clean’d in the Inside, being Oil-Casks; and for want of cleaning, our Water stunk insufferably. I borrow’d a Cooper from the _Dutchess_, and having five of my own, made quick dispatch.

_Octob. 3._ We sent our Boat over to _St. Antonio_, with _Joseph Alexander_, a good Linguist, and a respectful Letter to the Governour, who accounts himself a Great Man here, tho very poor, to get in Truck for our Prize-Goods what we wanted; they having plenty of Cattel, Goats, Hogs, Fowls, Melons, Potatoes, Limes, ordinary Brandy, Tobacco, Indian Corn, _&c._ Our People were very meanly stock’d with Clothes, and the _Dutchess’s_ Crew much worse; yet we are both forc’d to watch our Men very narrowly, and punish several of ’em, to prevent their selling what Clothes they have for Trifles to the Negroes, that came over with little things from _St. Antonio’s_. The People at all these Islands rather chuse Clothing or Necessaries of any sort than Mony, in return for what they sell. The Letter sent by the Linguist to the Governour of _St. Antonio’s_, Senior _Joseph Rodriges_, was as follows:

_Honourable Sir_,

‘The Bearer hereof is one of our Officers, whom we have sent to wait upon your Honour with our due Respects, and to acquaint you with our Arrival in the Bay of _St. Vincent_; and further, that being Subjects and Servants of her Majesty the Queen of _Great Britain_, a High Ally and Confederate of his Sacred Majesty the King of _Portugal_, and having several Necessaries which we suppos’d the Inhabitants of your Island may want, and supposing they can accommodate us _per contra_, we are desirous of an immediate Traffick with them. We arriv’d three days ago, but being Strangers were unacquainted in these parts, and not sooner inform’d of your Honour’s Residence in the neighbouring Islands; else we had been earlier with our Respects: and if not too great a Favour, we should be proud to see your Honour on board. Our Stay cannot exceed two days more, so that Dispatch is necessary. We have Mony or Goods of several kinds, to pay or exchange for what they bring. The Bearer can inform your Honour of the publick Occurrences of _Europe_, and the great Successes of the Confederate Arms against the _French_ and _Spaniards_; which, no doubt must soon be follow’d with a lasting Peace, which God grant. We subscribe our selves with much Respect,

Your Honour’s most Obedient Humble Servants, _Woodes Rogers_, _Stephen Courtney_.

_Octob. 4._ Our Boat return’d this Morning; but the Landing-place being far from the inhabitable part of _St. Antonio_, they brought nothing but a few Limes and Fowls, and left our Linguist behind to get what we wanted. We struck two of our Gun-room Guns into the Hold, being useless in their place, and the Ship having too much top-weight, and not very stiff. We had plenty of Fish here, but not very good. Wind at N N E.

_Octob. 5._ Our Boat went to _St. Antonio_ to see for our Linguist, according to appointment. We heel’d and clean’d our Ships, and got a great deal of Wood and Water aboard. Wind at N E. fine Weather.

_Octob. 6._ Our Boat return’d with nothing but Limes and Tobacco, and no News of our Linguist. But soon after there came another Boat belonging to that part of the Island where the Governour lives, with his Deputy-Governour, a Negro, who brought Limes, Tobacco, Oranges, Fowls, Potatoes, Hogs, Bonanoes, Musk and Water-Melons, and Brandy, which we bought of him, and paid in such Prize-Goods as we had left of the Bark’s Cargo cheap enough. They are poor People, and will truck at any Price for what they want, in such Payments as they can make.

[Sidenote: _In the Bay of St. Vincent._]

_Octob. 7._ We sent our Boat at Three this Morning to see if our Linguist was return’d. The Deputy-Governour told us he promis’d him to wait at the Water-side all that night where we put him ashore, and that there were Cattel for us if we would fetch ’em. We were ready to sail: A good Wind at N E. and a fresh Gale.

_Octob. 8._ Our Boat return’d yesterday in the Afternoon with two good black Cattel, one for each Ship, but no News of our Linguist; upon which we consulted with the Officers of both Ships, and all unanimously agreed, that we had better leave him behind, than to wait with two Ships for one Man that had not follow’d his Orders. We held a Committee on board the _Dutchess_ to prevent Embezlements in Prizes, and to hinder Feuds and Disorders amongst our Officers and Men for the future, because the small Prize had shew’d us, that without a Method to be strictly observ’d in Plunder, it might occasion the worst of Consequences to both Ships, and such Quarrels as would not easily be laid. So with the Consent and Approbation of the Officers appointed for a Committee, we unanimously agreed on it, to prevent those Mutinies and Disorders amongst the Men of both Ships, who were not yet reconcil’d since the taking the small _Canary_-Prize. They all insisted there was never any Privateer’s Crew hinder’d from Plunder, so that we were forc’d to agree on the following Instrument of a Dividend, when we should meet with any Prize. And that the things we deem’d to be Plunder, according to custom in Privateering, should tend as little as possible to the disadvantage of the Owners, we did for that end take care by the second Article in the said Instrument and Agreement with the Men, to reserve the Power of adjudging what should be deem’d Plunder, unto the superior Officers and Agents exclusive of the Crew, _&c._ For we found it would be next to a miracle to keep the Men in both Ships under Command, and willing to fight resolutely on occasion, if we held ’em to the Letter of Agreement with the Owners, which was not duly consider’d of at home. We had a particular Regard however to the Sentiments of the Owners, deliver’d on this head in Discourses at several times with divers of the Committee, as my self, Capt. _Dover_, Capt. _Courtney_, Mr. _Robert Frye_, and Mr. _Carleton Vanbrugh_; and particularly in _Kingroad_ to the Men, at the time of signing of their Instrument. By all which we judg’d that the Owners could not but approve of the Measures that we took on this occasion, and that the good effects of ’em would abundantly answer our Intentions. Altho the Officers and Men did voluntarily allow Capt. _Courtney_ and me 5 _per Cent._ each, out of the Value of all Plunder, it was much less than our Due; and we would have been glad to have let all alone, provided we could with the Advice of our chief Officers in both Ships have contriv’d any other Method to be safe in the Prosecution of our Designs with our Men, and have kept them to their Duty on all occasions, at so great a distance from home: without their being easy, we must unavoidably have run into such continual Scenes of Mischief and Disorder, as have not only tended to the great Hindrance, but generally to the total Disappointment of all Voyages of this nature, that have been attempted so far abroad in the Memory of Man. The Agreement we made was as follows.

At a Committee held on board the _Dutchess_ the 8_th of October_, 1708. it is agreed by the Officers and Men of both Ships to the sundry Particulars following.

Impr. _That all Plunder on board each Prize we take by either Ship, shall be equally divided between the Company of both Ships, according to each Man’s respective whole Share, as ship’d by the Owners or their Orders._

2. _That what is Plunder shall be adjudg’d by the superior Officers and Agents in each Ship._

3. _That if any Person on board either Ship do conceal any Plunder exceeding one Piece of Eight in value_, 24 _hours after the Capture of any Prize, he shall be severely punish’d, and lose his Shares of the Plunder. The same Penalty to be inflicted for being drunk in time of Action, or disobeying his superior Officer’s Commands, or concealing himself, or deserting his Post in Sea or Land-Service; except when any Prize is taken by Storm in Boarding, then whatsoever is taken shall be his own, as followeth: A Sailor or Landman_ 10 l. _Any Officer below the Carpenter_ 20 l. _A Mate, Gunner, Boatswain, and Carpenter_ 40 l. _A Lieutenant or Master_ 70 l. _And the Captains_ 100 l. _over and above the Gratuity promis’d by the Owners to such as shall signalize themselves._

4. _That publick Books of Plunder are to be kept in each Ship attested by the Officers, and the Plunder to be apprais’d by Officers chosen, and divided as soon as possible after the Capture. Also every Person to be sworn and search’d so soon as they shall come aboard, by such Persons as shall be appointed for that purpose: The Person or Persons refusing, shall forfeit their shares of the Plunder as above._

[Sidenote: _In the Bay of St. Vincent._]

5. _In consideration that Capt._ Rogers _and Capt._ Courtney, _to make both Ships Companies easy, have given the whole Cabin-Plunder (which in all probability is the major part) to be divided as aforesaid; we do voluntarily agree, that they shall have_ 5 _per Cent. each of ’em, over and above their respective Shares, as a Consideration for what is their Due of the Plunder aforesaid._

6. _That a Reward of twenty Pieces of Eight shall be given to him that first sees a Prize of good Value, or exceeding_ 50 _Tuns in Burden._

7. _That such of us who have not sign’d already to the Articles of Agreement indented with the Owners, do hereby oblige our selves to the same Terms and Conditions as the rest of the Ships Company have done; half Shares and half Wages_, &c.

_To which Articles of Agreement we have set our Hands, as our full Intent and Meaning, without any Compulsion._

Sign’d by the Officers and Men of both Ships.

_Octob. 8._ At seven in the Evening (after having put the Deputy-Governour ashore, where he must lie in a Hole of the Rocks, there being no House on that part of the Island) we came to sail: our Consort got before us, and lay with a Light for us. There were several Negroes on the Island, that came from _St. Nicholas_ and _St. Antonio_ to make Oil of Turtle, there being very good green Turtle at this time of the Year, which I sometimes gave our Men to eat. They have likewise wild Goats, but in no great plenty; wild Asses, _Guinea_-Hens and Kerlews, and abundance of Sea-Fowls. Capt. _Dampier_, and others aboard each Ship, that had formerly stopt at _St. Jago_, another of these Cape _de Verd_ Islands, told us, that tho this Island is not often frequented by Ships, yet it is preferable to _St. Jago_ for stopping outward, because ’tis a much better Road for Ships, and more convenient for Water and Wood, and has better Landing. The Island is mountainous and barren, the plainest part lies against this sandy Bay where we rode. The Wood that grows in it is short, and for no use but Firing. They have very large Spiders here, which weave their Webs so strong betwixt the Trees, that ’tis difficult to get thro ’em. Where we water’d, there’s a little Stream that flows down the Hill from a Spring, and is very good, but in other parts ’tis brackish. This Island was formerly inhabited, and had a Governor, but is now only frequented in the Season for catching Tortoises by the Inhabitants of the other Islands, who are for the most part Negroes and Mulattoes, and very poor. The Stock of wild Goats in this Island is almost destroy’d by the People of _St. Nicholas_ and _St. Antonio_. The Heats are excessive to us who came newly from _Europe_, so that several of our Men began to be sick, and were blooded. Some of our Officers that went ashore a hunting, could meet no Game but a wild Ass, which after a long Chase they got within shot and wounded; yet he afterwards held out so as to tire them, and they return’d weary and empty-handed.

These Islands are so well known, that I need not say much of ’em. They are ten in number, of which _St. Jago_, _St. Nicholas Bonavist_, _St. Antonio_, _Brava Mayo_, and _Fuego_ are inhabited: The latter is so nam’d from a _Volcano_. _St. Jago_ is much the largest and best, and the Seat of the chief Governour. It produces a small matter of Indico, Sugar and Tobacco; which, with their Goat-Skins and others, they send to _Lisbon_. The Capital is of the same Name, and the See of a Bishop. There is also a Town call’d _Ribera Grande_, which is said to consist of 500 Houses, and has a good Harbour towards the West. The Air of this Island is not very wholesom, and the Soil uneven. Their Valleys produce some Corn and Wine. Their Goats are fat and good Meat, and the she ones are said to bring three or four Kids at a time once in four months. _St. Nicholas_ is the best peopled next to _St. Jago_. The Island _Mayo_ has a great deal of Salt naturally made by the Sun from the Sea-Water, which is left from time to time in Pits on shore: It’s known they load many Ships with that Commodity in a Year, and are able to furnish some thousands, had they Vent for it. The fine _Marroquin_ Leather is made of their Goats-Skins. The other inhabited Islands afford more or less of Provisions. They have their Name from Cape _Verd_ on the _African_ Coast, from whence they lie about 160 Leagues to the Westward. The _Portuguese_ settled here in 1572. We had very hot Weather here. On the 8_th_ a brisk Gale at E N E. At nine last night _St. Antonio’s_ bore N W by N. dist. 3 Ls. from whence we took our Departure for the Isle of _Grande_ in _Brazile_.

_Octob. 9._ Fair Weather, brisk Gale of Wind at N E. We saw abundance of flying Fish. At 12 a clock being near the Lat. 14 N. we hal’d up S E. by S. to get well to the Eastward, expecting as usual to meet with Southerly Winds, when near the Equinoctial. Had an Observ. Lat. 12. 53.

_Octob. 10._ Fair Weather, moderate Gales of Wind at N E by E. These 24 hours we met with several great Riplings as if a Current, which had it been calm we would have try’d.

[Sidenote: _From St. Antonio to the Southward._]

_Octob. 11._ Wind and Weather as before till seven last night, when we had much Lightning follow’d by a hard Shower of Rain, and a Calm ensu’d. Such Weather is customary as we draw near the Line.

_Octob. 14._ Cloudy Weather, with moderate Gales from the S S W. to the S W. by W. all last night; but this morning cloudy Weather, with hard Showers of Rain. This day we put up the Smith’s Forge, and he began to work on such things as we wanted.

_Octob. 21._ Yesterday I din’d on board Captain _Courtney_. Nothing remarkable happen’d since the 14_th_, but veerable Winds and frequent Showers of Rain, with Calms. We agreed with our Consort, if possible, to stop at the Isle _Trinidado_, and not to water and refresh at _Brazile_, for fear of our Mens deserting, and losing our time.

_Octob. 22._ Close cloudy Weather all night, with Squalls of Rain. At ten this morning it clear’d up: Capt. _Courtney_ came aboard of us, and sent back his Boat for Capt. _Cook_, with Orders to bring Mr. _Page_, second Mate, with him, to be in the room of Mr. _Ballett_, that we exchang’d out of our Ship. _Page_ disobeying Command, occasion’d Capt. _Cook_, being the superior Officer aboard, to strike him; whereupon _Page_ struck him again, and several Blows past: but at last _Page_ was forc’d into the Boat, and brought on board of us. And Capt. _Cook_ and others telling us what Mutiny had pass’d, we order’d _Page_ on the Fore-Castle into the Bilboes.[94] He begg’d to go into the Head to ease himself; under that pretence the Corporal and the rest left him for a while: upon which he leapt over board, thinking to swim back to the _Dutchess_, it being near calm, and the Captains out of the Ship. However, the Boat being along side, we soon overtook him, and brought him on board again. For which and his abusive Language he was lash’d to the Main-Geers[95] and drub’d; and for inciting the Men to Mutiny, was afterward confin’d in Irons aboard the _Duke_.

_Octob. 28._ At five last night we were on the Equinoctial, and spy’d a Sail about 4 Leagues dist. to Windward, bearing S. by E. and thinking she had not seen us, we lay by in her way from six a clock till half an hour past ten, hoping to meet her if bound to the _West-Indies_; but it growing dark, and she having, as we suppose, seen us before night, and alter’d her Course, we saw no more of her. This day we began to read Prayers in both Ships Mornings or Evenings, as Opportunity would permit, according to the Church of _England_, designing to continue it the Term of the Voyage. Cloudy Weather, moderate Gales at S E by S.

_Octob. 29._ This Morning I let Mr. _Page_ out of Irons on his humble Submission, and acknowledging his Fault, with Promises of Amendment. Fair pleasant Weather, with a fresh Gale.

_Novemb. 1._ This Morning between one and four a clock the Sea seem’d to be in a Breach as far as we could see, being a Moon-light Night. The Watch being surpriz’d, call’d me up; for they suppos’d it to be something extraordinary, and hove the Lead: but finding no Ground, were all easy, and afterwards believ’d that it was the Spawn of Fish floating on the Water. Fair Weather, with moderate Gales.