Part 20

[19] In the list of seven ships composing Lord Thomas Howard’s fleet, we find the _Foresight_, Captain Vavisour. He deserves great credit for attempting to yield what succour he was able to the gallant Sir R. Greenville, whose brave defence has been already alluded to in page 10. One other vessel followed, or perhaps set, the example: the _George Noble_, of London, falling under the lee of the _Revenge_, asked Sir Richard if he had anything to command him; but as he was one of the victuallers and but of small force, Sir Richard bid him shift for himself, and leave him to his fortune. Lediard adds in a note, that it is more than probable had all the other vessels behaved with the same vigour and resolution as Sir Richard and his company, they might have given a good account of the Spanish fleet. It is to be regretted the name of the commander of the _George Noble_ is not recorded. We know not which to admire most, his bravery in fully acting up to the principle of “succouring a known friend in view,” or the magnanimity of Sir Richard in dismissing him from an unequal contest.

[20] _Souffler_--to blow.

[21] It is still unfortunately too much the custom to risk the loss of ship and “sweet lives,” by neglecting the use of the lead.

[22] The tide runs two or three hours later in the offing than in shore; by attending to this, a vessel working down channel may gain great advantage.

[23] Of Magellan.

[24] Probably what is now called a “gig”; a fast-pulling boat.

[25] Obviously a phrase of the period. Ancient Pistol is made to say: “Si fortuna me contenta, spero me contenta.”

[26] Familiar as we are with the present resources of the dockyard at Plymouth, we can hardly estimate the firmness that could bear up against such mischances; of this stuff were the founders of the British naval power composed.

[27]

Now fitted the halter, now traversed the cart, And often took leave yet was loath to depart.

_The Thief and the Cordelier.--Prior._

[28] Chart, or perhaps card for reducing the courses and distances:--

_Second Witch._ I will give thee a wind. _First Witch._ Thou art kind. _Third Witch._ And I another. _First Witch._ I myself have all the other, And the very ports they blow, All the quarters that they know; I’ the shipman’s card. --_Macbeth._

[29] The seaman of 1600 appears to have differed very little from the seaman of 1800. Let us hope that the present race will discountenance such “lewd proceedings.”

[30] Thomas Cavendish, one of the early circumnavigators.

[31] Some such long-shore fellows are still to be met with.

[32] From the Dutch word _loeven_, to ply to windward.

[33] The “waytes” seem to have been either music played during the setting of the watch, or occasionally, to show that a look-out was kept. _Guetter_ (?)

[34] The use of private signals and the appointment of a place of rendezvous, may perhaps date from this period.

[35] Weight--_peso_. (Spanish.)

[36] Stern-post.

[37] A trivial hole left open, or a treenail not driven by a careless workman, may cause the failure of an important expedition; or at least cause great mischief and discomfort: which neglect still occasionally happens.

[38] _Amener le pavillon_--to haul down the ensign.

[39] Under bare poles.

[40] Probably derived from _lâcher un coup_: to fire a shot.

[41] In those days the principle of “mare clausum” was acted upon; now it is “mare liberum” everywhere.

[42] Probably the islands that lie off Bayona, near Vigo.

[43] _Carabela_, (Spanish) a small vessel so called.

[44] Still well known as the rock of Lisbon.

[45] With the wind abeam.

[46] Although Sir Richard thinks it necessary to hold such prudent language, we have little doubt he was just the man to attempt to take a large ship armed or unarmed, in a “pynace.”

[47] _Orchilla_--a lichen yielding a purple dye.

[48] The latest measurement, by Captain Vidal, R.N., makes the height of the Peak 12,370 feet.

[49] The old voyagers were fond of dealing in the marvellous; our author is singularly free from this defect.

[50] We cannot trace the meaning of this word, unless it be a closed vessel, derived from the Anglo-Saxon _tynan_--to close. At Bermuda all the drinking water is preserved in tanks.

[51] Further on written “sedge,” surf (?)

[52] The Fortunate islands were known before they were conquered by MM. Bethencourt, in the sixteenth century.

[53] Although the difference between _black_ and _white_ be great, we think Cape Blanco is meant.

[54] Probably the evening watch.

[55] This has become a standing order in the service. Many a good prize has been made by sending a mast head man up before daylight.

[56] Most of us are familiar with Dr. Watts’ lines,--

“For Satan finds some mischief still For idle hands to do.”

[57] Covering--the deck so called because it covers in the ship--_cubierta_ (Spanish).

[58] _Montera_--a species of hat worn in Spain.

[59] We apprehend the whole of this story to be “moonshine.”

[60] Groups.

[61] Coast of Guinea and Bight of Benin.

[62] From the account in Lediard, it appears that Sir A. Shyrley failed in his object; but he deserves credit for effecting a safe retreat to his ships in the face of a superior force. The expedition under Sir F. Drake was successful. It is curious to notice how the titles of military rank have changed since those days. The troops were commanded by Christopher Carlisle, an experienced officer; under him Captain A. Powel, _Sergeant Major_; Captain M. Morgan, and Captain J. Sampson, _Corporals of the field_. (See p. 17, line 26.)

[63] The terminal bud of the areca or cabbage palm, when boiled, makes a delicate dish.

[64] This is a most valuable production: we believe it bears, on the same area, a greater weight of food than any other vegetable. The fruit of the plantain, _Musa sapientum_, is chiefly eaten cooked. The banana, _Musa paradisiaca_, is eaten raw. There are many species, almost all excellent.

[65] _Succade_--preserved citron.

[66] The cocoa nut palm is too well known to need description. All its parts are applied by the natives to innumerable uses. Few visitors to tropical countries but have been refreshed by a draught of cocoa nut water; always preserved cool by the thick husk.

[67] _All sail set_--at present its signification is confined to a vessel rigged and ready for sea.

[68] It is still the custom to attribute all similar discordancies to the effect of current. This is a simple if not very philosophical mode of making the reckoning agree with observation. In this case, probably both the reckoning of the ship and the position of the land on the chart were faulty.

[69] The term height is used for latitude; probably because the pole star was the principal object used to determine position.

[70] The current in the West Indies, known as the Gulf stream, still runs to the northward through the Gulf of Florida, and then trending to the eastward, expends its force in the Atlantic.

[71] At the present day, by the general use of chronometers, the longitude can be determined with almost as great facility as the latitude.

[72] The cause of scurvy is now known to be, the use for a long period of one diet, and that unwholesome. Since greater attention has been paid to the proper admixture of articles of food, and also to the cleanliness and ventilation of the vessel, this disease has nearly disappeared.

[73]

“The very deep did rot! That ever this should be! Yea slimy things did crawl with legs Upon the slimy sea.”

_Ancient Mariner.--Coleridge._

[74] It forms part of a naval surgeon’s instructions, that in tropical countries, when the crew are likely to be employed on shore, each is to take a morning draught of spirits or wine, with bark infused.

[75] The scurvy is not peculiar to seamen. It raged with great violence during the siege of Gibralter. Oranges and lemons were found of great benefit in arresting the disease. Lime juice has been long a fixed article of diet in men-of-war, and lately merchant vessels are compelled to carry it as an article of provision.

[76] Oil of vitriol or sulphuric acid.

[77] In the year 1776, the Royal Society awarded their gold medal to Captain James Cook, for a paper on “Preserving the health of the crew of her majesty’s _Resolution_, &c.” Captain Cook considers that much was owing to the extraordinary care taken by the admiralty in causing such articles to be put on board, as by experience or conjecture were judged to be useful. But he adds, that the introduction of the most salutary articles will prove unsuccessful, unless supported by certain rules. The men being at three watches, except on emergency, were consequently less exposed to the weather, and generally had dry clothes to shift themselves. Care was taken to keep their persons and clothes clean and dry. A fire was often burned in the well. The coppers were kept clean, and no fat allowed to be given to the people. Fresh water was obtained at every opportunity. Few places but what offered some refreshment, and example and authority were not wanting to induce their being employed. These methods, under Divine Providence, enabled the _Resolution_ to complete a voyage of three years and eighteen days with the loss of only _one man_ by disease.

We may remark that our author seems to have been fully alive to the importance of caring for the health of his company, and it is not improbable that Cook benefited by some of his suggestions.

[78] Shoals called the Abrolhos.

[79] Snyte for snipe.

[80] Heating pitch, and drawing off spirits in the hold, using a light, are the most common causes that lead to fire. Excluding the air is the best remedy, and no better device could have been hit upon than wetting the rug gowns.

[81] Holes in the ship’s side to carry off the water. The term now in use is _scupper_: slopper appears to be as good a word.

[82] Swabs are a species of mop, made of a collection of rope yarns, used to dry the deck. _Swebban_--(Anglo-Saxon) to sweep.

[83] _To scuttle_--to make openings. _Escotilla_ (Spanish), is applied to the openings in the deck, called by us hatch-ways. The term scuttle is also applied to the small openings made in the ship’s side, to admit light and air.

[84] If impure water be confined in a close cask, gas will be generated, and the effect described happen.

[85] In the instructions given by the Lords Generals, the Earl of Essex and Charles Lord Howard, Lord High Admiral of England, to the captains of the ships composing the expedition to Cadiz, in 1596, the second article runs thus: Item--You shall forbid swearing, brawling, dicing, and such like disorders, as may breed contention and disorder in your ship, wherein you shall also avoid God’s displeasure and win his favour.

[86] The early painters and sculptors, and others who deal in “naval attributes,” have treated the dolphin very ill; Sir Richard’s description, if studied, might have amended the monsters given out to the public as dolphins.

[87] A shoal or scull of fish; that is, separated from the main body. This is Horne Tooke’s derivation. We think the term is more commonly applied to the main body itself.

[88] _Fisgig_ or _grains_--a small trident used for striking fish. From the Spanish _fisga_.

[89] Pouch or stomach.

[90] One species produces its young alive: others in a hard membraneous pouch.

[91] This enmity betwixt sailors and sharks still exists, and the interest attending their capture is great.

[92] Probably a small cask.

[93] The man-of-war bird, or cormorant--_Pelecanidæ_. On the coast of Brazil, in latitude twenty-four, are the Alcatrasse islands.

[94] _Xiphias_--the sword or snout is about three-tenths of his whole length.

[95] _The surface_--from cream or ream, what rises to the surface--or perhaps from rim, brim.

[96] This story seems to be founded on the fact that the snout of the sword fish is often found driven through parts of vessels’ bottoms; whence it has been inferred, the fish mistook them for whales. We imagine the account of the thresher to be fabulous.

[97] In the thirteenth century the tongue of the whale was esteemed as an article of food; and whale beef, as it is called, is eaten at Bermuda, and probably elsewhere.

[98] In the early days of the whale fishery, when the fish were plentiful, the oil was boiled out on shore, near the place of capture. At present the blubber is imported from the northern fishery.

[99]

“And telling me the sovereign’st thing on earth Was parmaceti for an inward bruise.”

--_Henry IV_, Part I.

Spermaceti is obtained from the brain of the sperm whale,--_physeter monocephalus_--not from the spawn.

[100] _Bezoar_--name applied to a concretion found in the stomach of various animals. Many extraordinary virtues were formerly ascribed to it, without much foundation.

[101] Ambergris is still considered to be a concretion formed in the stomach of the sperm whale.

[102] In Waterton’s _Wanderings_ will be found a parallel story, of a gentleman riding on a cayman.

[103] According to Horsburgh, the least favorable season for getting to the southward, is the period from June to September inclusive.

[104] Bisoño--(Spanish) raw, undisciplined:--

_Pistol._ Under which king, Bezonian? speak or die.

_Henry IV_, Part II.

[105] The double pistole was a coin of about the value of thirty or thirty-five shillings.

[106] So that he may get away when it pleases him.

[107] Alluding to the attempt the fleet made to return northabout. In the British Museum is preserved a curious old pack of playing cards, on which are depicted subjects relating to the defeat of the “Spanish Armada”. On the ten of spades is shewn a consultation about returning by the North Ocean.

[108] Such a wind as would enable them to lie aslant or obliquely near the desired course. It is commonly said that “a calm is half a fair wind”; it is more than this, as out of thirty-two points, twenty would be fair.

[109] Easterhand?

[110] _Répartir_--(French) to divide.

[111] Various schemes have been tried to distil fresh water at sea from salt water; but none apparently have succeeded in producing an equivalent for the expense of fuel. In steam vessels a considerable supply is obtained from the condensation of the steam.

[112] The term mate, as used at present, implies some one under the master. The real meaning implies persons co-equal. Thus we still speak of ship-mates, etc., without inference to rank.

[113] The coast lies nearer south and by west, than west and by south, so they would certainly have run on shore without any blame attaching to the helmsman.

[114] The quarter deck may be defined as the space betwixt the mainmast and the after-hatchway; it seems also to have been called the half deck. Both terms arising from the fact that before the mainmast, the skids or beams were not planked. We still speak of being _on_ the quarter deck, but _under_ the half deck. The quarter deck is set apart for purposes of parade, and there the officer of the watch should always be sought.

[115] _Adjutare_--(Latin) to assist.

[116] On a still night, unless the attention of the helmsman be continually excited, it is quite possible that he get into a dreamy state and, if at the same time, the officer of the watch is thinking of “those far away,” the ship may be run for a time some points off her course. In the preceding section, Sir Richard well describes the difficulty of distinguishing betwixt a sandy shore and the water, on a calm bright night.

[117] Cape Saint Thomé?

[118] Now called Saint Anna.

[119] Well soaked in water to remove the salt.

[120] _Portulaca sativa_--a fleshy-leaved plant, much esteemed in hot countries for its cooling properties.

[121] Great caution should be used in tasting unknown fruits; perhaps this tree was the _croton tiglium_, every part of which possesses powerful drastic properties.

[122] A species of cactus; the fruit is eaten in Sicily and elsewhere. We cannot join Sir Richard in its praise: perhaps as he had been long at sea, he found it grateful. The cochineal insect feeds on one species of this plant.

[123] This river is now called the Maccahe: probably it floods in the rainy season.

[124] By working up under their lee.

[125] These shoals, already alluded to at page 62, are now called the Abrolhos: there is a channel betwixt the islets and the main: the soundings extend to the eastward eighty or ninety miles.

[126] Boats hollowed from the trunk of a tree.

[127] Whoop! whoop! Cotgrave gives us the meaning of _hootings_ and _whoopings_: noises wherewith swine are scared, or infamous old women disgraced.

[128] A sudden sensation, be it from fear or otherwise, has a surprising effect upon persons sick or bed-ridden. Lediard relates that in a sharp engagement with a combined squadron of French and Dutch ships, off St. Christopher, in 1667, Sir John Harman, the English commander, who had been lame and in great pain from the gout, upon discovering the enemy’s fleet, got up, walked about, and gave orders as well as ever, till the fight was over, and then became as lame as before.

[129] We do not approve of such means of exciting vigilance; some might have got their payments. According to Æsop, _wolf_ may be called too often.

[130] Cape Frio has since become remarkable as the point on which her majesty’s ship _Thetis_ was wrecked in December 1830, the night after she had left Rio Janeiro. A landing was effected, and nearly the whole crew saved. A snug cove north of the cape, with a boat entrance to the southward, was much used during the operations afterwards carried on to attempt to recover the treasure embarked in her.

[131] Pine apples, _ananassa sativa_.

[132] Probably a species of nautilus.

[133] The ryal of silver, of which ten went to a “piece,” is in value about fivepence of our money.

[134] Cassava or manioc is of the natural order _euphorbiaceæ_. The root abounds with a poisonous juice, but this after maceration is driven off by heat, and the fecula is obtained in an edible state. Tapioca is a preparation of cassava. _Farina do pao_--flour of wood.

[135] _Vinewed_--mouldy.

[136] Probably cacao (_theobroma cacao_), well known from the beverage of the same name, and from which chocolate is manufactured.

[137] In the Devonshire dialect, _remlet_ means a remnant.

[138] A similar disagreeable preparation, called _kava_, is prepared and drunk in the Polynesian islands.

[139] The hammock now in general use at sea, takes its name from this term.

[140] Blow steadily--in one direction. Whence trade wind.

[141] Before the discovery of America, dye woods were known by this denomination; and Brazil owes its name to the quantity of wood of this nature found among its forests.

[142] Saint Catherine’s now ranks as a port after Rio Janeiro and Bahia.

[143] The cause of the variation of the compass still remains a secret. But from the close analogy existing between magnetism and electricity, perhaps we are not far from discovering it. The variation at this point in 1820, was 7-1/2° E.

[144] Sudden squalls are generated on the Pampas or plains lying round Buenos Ayres, called thence Pamperos; which do great damage. See the account of one in the Voyages of the _Adventure_ and _Beagle_.

[145] Probably barricades to retire behind in case of being boarded. The piratical prahus of the Indian Archipelago are fitted with a similar defence.

[146] Misbehaviour. Tooke derives _lewd_ from the Anglo-Saxon _læwan_--to delude or mislead.

[147] This fowl was doubtless the albatross (Diomedea), which seems to be a corruption of the Portuguese word _alcatraz_. The practice of fishing for them still continues, though more for recreation (?) than for refreshment.

[148] The account of the gigantic stature of the Patagonians seems to be fabulous. Magalhaens reported them as giants; but later navigators disputed it: however, Fitzroy states them to average nearly six feet.

[149] It is generally supposed that this land was the Falkland islands; but as they lie betwixt 51° and 53°, this cannot be reconciled with being “next of anything in 48°.” In this parallel, the main land projects to the eastward; and this perhaps was the land he descried. The rock like a sail might be the Bellaco rock.

[150] The expedition of Drake having excited considerable alarm in Peru, the viceroy despatched Don Pedro Sarmiento with orders to take him dead or alive. Proceeding to the Strait of Magalhaens in pursuit, he took the opportunity to explore its shores. He afterwards pointed out to the King of Spain, Philip II, the importance of fortifying the Straits, to prevent the passage of strangers. Accordingly an expedition was fitted out, which, after some accidents, founded the two settlements of Jesus and San Felipe. The site of the last is now known as Port Famine: so named from the disasters which befell the unhappy colonists, who mostly perished by want. Sarmiento himself having been blown off the coast, appears to have used every effort to obtain and forward supplies from Brazil to his friends, but, proceeding to Europe for further assistance, was captured and taken to England.

[151] The tides run with great velocity in some parts of the straits. The rippling might justly cause fear, ignorant as the parties were of the extent of the rise and fall of tide. Fitzroy relates that an American captain hardly recovered, being told that it amounted to six or seven fathoms.

[152] Birds which are strong-flavoured are rendered edible by stripping off their skin.

[153] _Fucus giganteus._--In the voyage of the _Adventure_ and _Beagle_ it was found firmly rooted in twenty fathoms, yet streaming fifty feet upon the surface.

[154] The narrowest part is in Crooked Reach, a little to the westward of St. Jerome point: here the strait is about one mile across.

[155] This was probably the opening into Otway water, leading to Sky-ring water, but not disemboguing into the Pacific.

[156] The _teredo navalis_ is very destructive. Nothing but metal is proof against its ravages. It is not clear what may be its purpose in boring into any wood that comes in its way, for it is thought not to be nourished by what it destroys.

[157] These inventions have been improved upon by the use of copper and other metals; of these, copper is the best; and an approved method of applying it, is over a coating of _felt_. Truly there is nothing new under the sun.

[158] Taken _astayes_--another term for taken aback.

[159] It is possible that the natives may have been aware of the coming change. The suspicion entertained of them is an instance of the mistakes often fallen into by misconceiving the motives of those whose language cannot be understood.

[160] To hull, is to lie without sail set; to try, with only low sail; whence we have now special storm sails, called try sails. We believe the correct expression is “to try” either a _hull_ or _under sail_.

[161] To _assay_--to prove. Ancient mode of writing essay.

[162] _To move her off._--To wind a ship now means to turn her. The term is probably derived from to wend.

[163] Now called bilge--that part of the ship’s bottom that bulges or swells out. When a ship takes the ground and heels over, the bilge bears all the strain, and consequently suffers damage.

[164] _To flat in_, means so to adjust the sails as to cause them to act with the greatest effect to turn the ship’s head from the wind; this is done when the ship is nearly taken aback, either by a sudden flaw or by carelessness at the helm. As applied here, it means that the vessel came round on her heel. The time vessels take in performing a similar evolution, bears a certain ratio to their length; long ships requiring more time than short ones.