Part 8
Mr. _James Milne_, whom I have since had conversation with in _London_, told me that the reason of the enemies continuing their fire after he had struck to them, was owing to the rage of the captain to find him a _Spanish_ prize instead of an _English_ privatier; and vexed at this mistake, he could not immediately quit his passion, but struck _Milne_ upon the head with his drawn sword. However, the captain soon after sent for him up, and finding him almost stript by the soldiers, generously asked his pardon, and order’d him a complete sute of apparel from top to toe. The captain’s name was _Don Blas de Lesso_ and had been a guard marine in the _French_ service where he lost one of his legs. I mention this to the honour of the said gentleman, who kept Mr. _Milne_ aboard him all the time the men of war were in quest of us and the _French_ interlopers, using him very kindly: and tho’ he was carried prisoner to _Lima_, the said captain soon got him his liberty, procured him his passage gratis to _Panama_, and gave him a jar of brandy, and a jar of wine for his sea store; beside 200 dollars for his expenses to _England_. But I am sorry to hear he never acknowledged it by letter from _Panama_ or elsewhere; the said _Don Blas_ having spoke of it to a particular gentleman, then factor for the _British South-Sea_ company at _Panama_.
_November_ 7th. “This day our agent Mr. _Godfrey_, and Mr. _Cook_ second lieutenant, had words about a pair of gold buckles, which the later had got privately in his keeping. The lieutenant gave Mr. _Godfrey_ very scurrilous language: but our agent insisted, that it was his immediate province to inspect all such matters. Whether _Cook_ keeps the buckles I know not: but he went in a very unmannerly way to captain _Clipperton_ and told him he would no longer take the charge of the watch: whereupon Mr. _Chambers_ the master took that charge in his room. The next day the clothes and other things belonging to our people, taken by the man of war, were sold publicly at the mast. Being thus worsted at _Coquimbo_, and forced to fly their men of war; remembring our mistakes at _Conception_, and that we must now abandon these coasts with short provisions, and no hopes of captain _Shelvocke_, we begin to be much dejected. However we keep jogging on the northward, and
14. “Make the isle of St. _Gallan_, whose latitude I find 13 : 42 S. On the 15th. stood into the road of _Pisco_; but finding nothing, we stood out again, holding to the northward.”
16. “See a sail and give chase. She hoisted _Spanish_ colours and fired a gun; and finding that she could wrong us, she hawld up her courses, and took in all her small sails: we let fly our topgallant sheets, firing three guns to windward, that being the signal between our ship and the _Speedwel_, in case we should meet. The chase holding her wind, we could not come near her. The next day at two in the afternoon she tacked, and stood for us, as if resolved to ingage us: we edgd on towards her, ’till we got within a mile or thereabouts, when she fired several guns at us, which we return’d with a broadside: upon which she held her wind again, and stood to the westward; and being just cleaned, and a prime sailor, went at least two foot for our one; so that we soon found we had no share in her.”
Mr. _Taylor_ is very right; for I my self was in this sham fight. I call it so, because I believe neither of the commanders had any great stomach for a battle. In the first place, it was contrary to the orders of captain _Fitzgerald_ who commanded this ship called the _Flying Fish_: for being ready to sail for _Cales_, he was only now order’d out by the viceroy in quest of _Shelvocke_; of whom news was brought to _Lima_, that he had a day or two before taken the _Jesu Maria_ out of _Pisco_, leaving the _Spaniards_ the bark he built at _Fernandes_. _Pisco_ being but a little to windward of _Callao_, they were in hopes of catching _Shelvocke_ as he went to leeward: and the _Flying Fish_ having a very considerable treasure aboard, the captain was strictly order’d to forbear attacking, or speaking with any imbarkation, except _Shelvocke_. On the other hand, _Clipperton_ may well be supposed willing enough to decline ingaging with a ship just come out of harbour with 200 fresh men aboard; at a time when his people were in a very low condition and dispirited, as appears by the journal: neither had he half the number of men. So that I am of opinion if the dollars had been left ashore, the _Flying Fish_ would have been able to carry _Clipperton_ into _Callao_. For _Fitzgerald_, who was a _St. Malo_ man, had aboard him a hundred townsmen, stout fellows; and the rest were the best hands he could pick out of all the ships at _Callao_ for this occasion.
_November_ 18th. “_Maltesi_ one of the _Guara_ islands bore N. E. one league; from whence I take my departure in latitude 11 : 10 S. Being fine weather we heel’d and scrubb’d both sides of our ship. We stood in for _Guanchaco_: but finding nothing there, bore away for _Cheripe_: where seeing nothing, we stood away for _Payta_, designing to try our fortune at every port to the northward; particularly to get a supply of flower, which being now all expended, we have three pound of _Indian_ corn served to a mess of six men each.”
27. “Saw point _Helen_: shorten’d sail and stood from the land. Hoisted out the pinnace and yawl to set the prisoners ashore belonging to the last prize retaken by the enemy. After which we steer to the westward for the _Gallipagos_ islands, in order to refresh our men, who are very bad with the scurvy.”
30. “Had an observation, and find my self in latitude 00 : 09 N. Here is a strong current to the northward, and I believe a little westerly. I am 22 miles more northerly than the log gives, variation and leeway having been allow’d. All our bread, flower, and _Indian_ corn is now expended, and we have but one little meal in 24 hours; which is a small piece of _English_ beef (being yet very good) and calivances. Six men in a mess.”
_December_ 4th. “Mr. _Thomas Fairman_ our purser departed this life; and we committed him to the deep. Measur’d our logline and find it three fathom too short, which amounts to 52 mile one hour with another since we left cape _Helen_. Having an observation, I rectify my account and find the latitude 00 : 36 N. We keep plying to windward against a strong S. W. current in sight of the _Gallipagos_.”
6th. “Sent the pinnace to discover an anchoring place at one of the islands: returns without finding any; but saw abundance of tortoise ashore. Send the pinnace and yawl to get some. They return with fish enough to serve the company a day: But there running a prodigious surf, they could not land, or look for turtle. We kept plying off and on, and sounded in foul ground from 80 to 50 fath; the latitude of the island I make 9 minutes N. ’tis a mere rock: so we left it, and steer’d away for another S. W. being the same which the _Spaniards_ make to lye under the equator. We run along shore but can find no anchoring: so that being unwilling to lose more time, we make our best way to the isle of _Cocos_, where we hope certainly to get fish, fowl, and coco-nuts; our people being very sick and weak.”
7th and 8th. “We had several islands N. E. but on the 9th got clear of them all. This day I took charge of the captain’s watch, and Mr. _Chambers_ the larboard, Mr. _Davison_ being sick, and lieutenant _Cook_ still refusing his duty. Little happens in this passage, but burying two or three of our hand. Our people fall apace; therefore are in pain lest we miss the island.”
17. “Going very slowly ahead, find there is a southern current. Lye so till day light, believing we are near the island. At nine forenoon with joy we beheld the island _Cocos_ about nine leagues N. W.”
18. “Anchor in 13 fathom white sand. Here all our people and the marquiss _de Villa Roche_ got ashore, where we build a house for the sick men. Here is abundance of good fish round the island which we take pains to catch, the surf being sometimes very great. Our people find here plenty of coco-nuts, crabs, boobies and their eggs, this being their hatching time. Our captain broaches the last hogshead of brandy, allowing every man a dram a day: and on new-years-day gave the people a gallon of strong beer for six. This food, ease, and refreshment pretty well recover’d all our company. We wood and water, tho’ with much difficulty; for here is a great swell coming in from the northward constantly at full moon and change: therefore are forced to wait ’till the spring tides are abated before we can get any thing off.”
_January_ 17. 1721. “The marquiss came aboard as do most of our people, being ready to sail. Eight nigros and three of our men desert here, and abscond in the woods. The names of our men are _Higgins_, _Caulker_ and _Shingle_. The anchorage here being rocky, we have sadly gaul’d both our cables. After continuing here a month, we weigh and set sail, from whence I take my departure, _January_ 20th. latitude 05 : 38 N. running now to the northward on the coast of _Mexico_.”
23. “We spy a sail to which give chase, and send the pinnace to keep sight of her: but at night she gives us the slip.”
25. “This morning I see the coast of _Mexico_. About seven we made a sail: at 11 she struck to our pinnace: which returns and brings account that she is the _Jesu Maria_ a _Spanish_ ship, but now in the possession of captain _Shelvocke_, who commands her. That he has about 40 of his men aboard, the rest being all dead or dispersed. That he lost the _Speedwel_ at _Fernandes_; where they stay’d five months, and built a barque out of the _Speedwel_’s wreck, with which they put to sea, and coasted along _Chili_ and _Peru_ meeting several ships, but could do nothing with them; ’till they came to _Pisco_ near _Lima_, where they took this prize, being the ship we went in there to look for. They differ much in their account: but have no regular command among them, being all alike as the _West-India_ privatiers. They have chose a quartermaster, carrying every thing by a majority of votes: so that we find, they have quite broke their articles with the owners, and have shared all among themselves.”
27. “Perceived captain _Shelvocke_ to hoist St. _George_’s colours at main-top-masthead, firing three guns at intervals, being signals to speak with us. We lye to for his boat, which came aboard with a letter for captain _Clipperton_; who immediately sent back the boat for their purser to be examined concerning their actions on the coast of _Brasil_, and in the rest of their absence from us. Sent away the boat: but the purser Mr. _Hendrie_ stays; who gives but a dark story of their procedings; and that he was not allow’d to take any account of the treasure for the owners. At eight captain _Shelvocke_ came aboard being sent for by our captain and agent to give an account of his transactions. The boat brought Mr. _Dod_ their lieutenant of marines to continue with us; he having been used very ill for standing up for the owners interest.”
28. “Came aboard from captain _Shelvocke_, six chests of pitch and dammer, and two barrels of tar, with six slabs of copper. Captain _Clipperton_ spares him two of our quarterdeck guns, some great and small shot, a compass, and a few other necessaries. His people have laid out a great deal of money with us for clothes, shoes, hats, _&c._ Captain _Shelvocke_ goes aboard and parts company. Here remain with us two of the _Speedwel_’s officers, Mr. _Hendrie_ the purser and Mr. _Dod_ lieutenant of marines, designing with us for China. We keep to the northward on the coast of _Mexico_, meeting with strong west and north-west currents ’till latitude 15 : 00 where they set S. E. In this passage we have met captain _Shelvocke_ three times without speaking, whom we knew by his making the signals. Our men have caught some tortoise, which has been very acceptable, but nothing material happens in all these traverses till _March_ 7th. “Our officers consult, and resolve to joyn captain _Shelvocke_ the next time we meet, in order to attempt the _Acapulco_ ship homeward bound.”
13th. “Made a sail, which by the signals proving to be captain _Shelvocke_, we brought to. He comes aboard with his lieutenants. Our captain and they agree in general, that if we meet the _Manilla_ ship, _Shelvocke_’s company to joyn us, and run her aboard at once. Accordingly we cruise for her: and on the 15th captain _Clipperton_ holds another consultation; wherein proposals being agreed on, are sign’d and sent to captain _Shelvocke_; _That if he and his crew would refund all the money shared among themselves contrary to their articles with the owners, and agree to put it in a joynt stock, then all faults should be forgot; both companies would unite, and procede to cruise for the_ Acapulco _ship_.”
17. “Not hearing from captain _Shelvocke_, and the time for the _Manilla_ ship setting out being several days past: Resolved in a council to make our best dispatch for _East India_. We have an infirm ship’s company, and but five months provision, which must serve us to _China_ unless we get a supply at _Guam_.”
“At six in the evening, the westmost land in sight, which I take to be _port Marquiss_ bore N. N. W. eight leagues; from whence I take my departure, it lying in 16 : 50 north latitude.”
_May_ 10th. “This day at noon we make _Serpana_ one of the _Ladron_ islands, _Guam_ being a few leagues farther ahead. The latitude of _Serpana_ I find to be 13 : 42 N. and the difference of longitude from _port Marquiss_ 121 : 08 W. Nothing worth notice has happen’d in this tedious passage, only burying six of our hands. All our people are very weak, and take the scurvy apace: so that land is now a very welcome sight.”
13. “Anchor at the island of _Guam_. Send the pinnace ashore with a flag of truce. They tell our lieutenant, they cannot trade with us without leave from the Governer.”
16. “A prow came from the governer with Mr. _Godfrey_ our agent, acquainting us, that we may be supply’d with provisions. Accordingly our launch brought aboard some cattle, bread, sugar, brandy and fruit. The next day his honour sent us a handsome present of palm wine, sugar and chocolate; for which we drink his health with a complement of seven guns.”
_May_ 18th. “The marquiss _de Villa Roche_ our prisoner, went ashore in company with our agent, the first lieutenant and doctor, having agreed with the governer about his ransom. We give him five guns at landing. Our launch is imploy’d these six days in bringing wood, and water, and provision aboard: during which time the governer desired he might have some arms and ammunition in exchange. Accordingly captain _Clipperton_ sends him twelve fuzees, three jars of powder, sixty round shot, four pair of pistols; beside cutlases, long swords and daggers.”
25. “Receive a letter, wherein the governer demands the marquiss’s jewels, some consecrated plate, and two _Nigros_ being christians and subjects to the king of _Spain_: as also a certificate under the captain and officers hands that peace was proclaimed; detaining Mr. _Godfrey_ and Mr. _Pritty_ ’till all this is performd. Hereupon our captain sends a letter with a certificate that the _Solidad_, the last prize we took on the coast of _Chili_, told us there was a peace between _England_ and _Spain_; but withal assured the governer that if he did not in 24 hours send the ransom with the two gentlemen, he would demolish the houses upon the shore, burn the ship in the harbour, and do all the mischief he could at the _Philippine_ islands. In the mean time we receive a letter that the governer will pay for the consecrated plate, and desires more powder and shot. To which our captain sends answer that he will not spare any more ammunition or the _Nigros_.”
28. “Our yawl went ashore for more provision: but the officer of the village told us we should have no more, unless we sent more powder and shot: upon which we immediately weighd, staying for no answer by Mr. _Godfrey_ or Mr. _Pritty_. Sent the pinnace ahead to sound, and made the best of our way to the ship in the harbour. The people ashore had raised a battery during this sham treaty, from whence they began to fire at our pinnace; which being returned gave account that what channel they found, was within pistol shot of the shore. At six afternoon, in making up to the ship, we run aground, they having carry’d her into shoal water: so that now we sustain two fires together, one from the battery over our heads, and another from the ship. At nine we got foul of the rocks where we cut away two of our anchors indeavouring to get the ship off; during which time the enemy fired so warmly with stones and shot from a new battery erected on a hill, that we suffer’d extremely in our hull and rigging. We have three men wounded, beside the misfortune of losing Mr. _Davison_ our first lieutenant who was an honest fellow and a good officer. Thus the _Success_ is forced to lye in a miserable condition exposed to the continual fire of the enemy, who in the night have still this advantage of us; that the surface of the water being smooth as a millpond easily shows them our position, whereas we have no other direction for our aim than the flashes of their guns.”
29. “In this emergence our captain being overcome with liquor, and quite unable to command the ship; we officers came to a resolution of running out clear of the enemy as soon as we could get the ship afloat, and signed a paper to indemnify Mr. _Cook_ if he would take upon him the command. At four afternoon we set her floating and cut away the small bower anchor; but in ten minutes we run aground again: at seven carry out the kedge anchor; but in heaving, the hawser broke. We immediately carry out another hawser with a lower deck gun to it, having now lost all our anchors and still aground. At two forenoon, the enemy hale us several times to surrender or except no quarter. At five, carry out the maintopmast-shroud hawser on the starboard bow with another gun; still plying the enemy with our great guns below, and small arms on the poop. We do them little mischief; tho’ they never miss us, especially our boats as soon as they see them stir. At eleven forenoon, carry out the rest of the small bower, with two lower deck guns right ahead into five fathom: we clear away the hold ready to start our water to make the ship lighter: got our upper and lower deck guns forward to bring her by the head, the ship hanging abaft on a rock: we keep two guns out of the stern ports, continually firing at the enemies new battery; but can’t bring them to bear. These twenty four hours we have happily only one wounded: but the ship is wretchedly paid off between wind and water.”
30. “At six afternoon the ship floating, we cut away the yawl being sunk with the shot: the other boats are much damaged: hove to our small bower; then cut away it, and the other two hawsers, and sent the pinnace ahead to tow the ship off. Just as we got afloat, the enemy fired so smartly from the new battery that their shot raked us through between wind and water, killing one of our people, and wounding two others. Thus have we lost both our bower anchors and cables, the stream and kedge anchors, four hawsers, four of our lower deck guns, nineteen barrels of powder, two men kill’d and six wounded: having stood these fifty hours, a fair mark for the enemy to fire at: and if we had not got clear, I do believe they would have sunk us before morning. We are all very sorry for Mr. _Godfrey_ and Mr. _Pritty_, not knowing how the governer may use them ashore. At ten afternoon we brought to, and begin to splice our rigging, not a rope of which has escaped a shot: As for the masts and yards, they have all been severely pepper’d, and the carpenters have been all night stopping the holes in the ship’s bottom. At seven forenoon stow our guns in the hold, bar in the ports, hoist in the launch and pinnace, and at noon steer away west with an easy sail, hoping to save our passage before the _Monsoons_ come on. Wind at S. S. E.”
31. “Our carpenters are imployed in fishing the masts and yards, and the rest of our people in fixing the rigging. At six afternoon, the body of the island _Guam_ bore E. seven leagues, from whence I take my departure, north latitude 13 : 20. allowing half a point N. E. variation, designing now for _China_. Nothing remarkable till
_June 23._ “Find our ship to be in a very weak condition, scarce a whole timber in her upper works: discover one of our fashion pieces to be shot through, which being the chief support of the after part of the ship, we are obliged to frap her, to keep her together: it blowing pretty fresh, we dare not carry sail; having been forced for a week past to feud under bare poles through variable winds and bad weather. We impatiently look out for land, being afraid the currents have forcibly set us much to the eastward.”
24. “At day break, find our selves among several islands, one of which is _Barbuon_ at the north point of the island _Luconia_. I saw also seven rocks, mark’d in some draughts; and likewise other islands, mark’d in some manuscripts with a figure of 5, and by captain _Dampier_ called the _Bashee_ islands. _Dampier_’s account and mine agree: but by Dr. _Halley_’s chart to _Luconia_, my reckoning is out by above three degrees; except he means the south cape of _Luconia_ which may reconcile the difference. From _June_ 14th to 19th. I found the current set to the southward; but whether W. or E. I know not: and from thence chiefly northward.”
30. “Make the isle and shoals of _Prata_ latitude 20 : 46 N. The longitude from _Barbuon_ to it is 4 : 46 W.”
_July_ 1st. “Saw a sail to the eastward which we take to be a _China_ junk. At six forenoon see other islands, and several boats a fishing. At nine forenoon bent the sheet cable: sounded in 30 fathom clay ground. At noon had the islands from N. N. E. to W. by S.: these lands were never mark’d in any chart. Longitude from _Prata_ 2 west.”
2. “Anchor in 13 fathom: send away the pinnace for intelligence how _Macao_ bore. Return’d with a boat and three _Chinese_, of whom we could only understand, that _Canton_ was to S. W. of us; so we parted, and had the land from N. E. to W. of us: soundings from 22 to 13 fathom.”
3. “We gain nothing to windward: but are further to leeward of _Macao_ than we expected. We can get no pilot, and so bear away for _Amoy_: at six afternoon made the white rock lying near the main land: at seven forenoon saw several boats a fishing: had 21 fathom clay ground.”
4. “At six afternoon saw the land N. E, and several islands laid down in the charts. Have had soundings from 30 to 15 fathom, latitude _per_ observation 23 : 40.”
5. “Not knowing the way into _Amoy_, and not being the length as yet, hold upon a wind designing to ply off and on ’till daylight. At six afternoon saw the range of islands that run to _Amoy_: the eastermost bore S. S. W; the southmost N. N. W. At four forenoon made a sail; have had several boats aboard to sell us fish, but can’t understand them. Soundings from 22 to 14 fathom good ground. At ten forenoon saw the _Piscadore_ islands from S. S. E. to E. S. E. 8 leagues.”