Bucaniers of America the second volume : containing the dangerous voyage and bold attempts of Captain Bartholomew Sharp, and others, performed upon the coasts of the South Sea, for the space of two years, &c. : from the original journal of the said voyage / written by ... Basil Ringrose, Gent., who was all along present at those transactions.

CHAP. XXIII. The Bucaniers arrive at a place incognito, unto which they give the name of the Duke of Yorks Islands. A description of the said Islands, and of the Gulf, or Lagoon, wherein they lie, so far as it was searched. They remain there many days by stress of weather, not without great dan∣gers of being lost. An account of some other things remarkable that hapned there.

WEdnesday, October the 12th. All the night before this day we had many high winds. I reckoned an E. S. E. way, and twenty leagues; for our vessel drove at a great rate. Moreover, that we were in Lat. 50 D. 50 S. So that our Easting from Paita by my account ought to be one hundred and one leagues, or thereabouts.

This morning about two hours before day, we hapned by great accident to espie land.* 1.1 It was the great mercy of God, which had always attended us in this Voyage, that saved us from perishing at this time; for we were close a∣shoar before we saw it; and our fore-yard, which we most needed in this occasion, was taken down. The land we had seen was very high and towering; and here appeared to be many Islands scattered up and down. We steered in with what caution we could, between them and the Main, and at last, God be praised, arrived at a place or rather Bay, where we perceived our selves to be land-lockt, and as we thought pretty safe from the danger of those tempestuous Seas. From hence we sent away our Canoa to sound and search the f••ttest place for anchoring. At this time one of our men,* 1.2 named Henry Shergall, as he was going into our sprit-sail top, hapned to fall into the water, and was

drowned before any help could be had unto him, though we endeavoured it as much as we possibly could. This ac∣cident several of our company did interpret as a bad Omen of the place; which proved not so, through the providence of the Almighty, though many dangers were not wanting here unto us, as I shall relate.

We came to an anchor in the depth of forty fathom Wa∣ter, more or less,* 1.3 and yet at no greater distance than a stones cast from shoar. The water where we anchored was very smooth, and the high lands round about all covered with snow. Having considered the time of the year, and all other circumstances, we resolved, that in case we could find a sufficient stock of provisions here,* 1.4 we would stay the longer, that is, until Summer came, or something more, before we prosecuted our intended Voyage homewards through the Straights of Magallanes; which now we be∣gan to be careful how to find. That day of our ancho∣ring in this Bay, we shot six or eight brave Geese,* 1.5 and some smaller fowl besides. Here we found also many hun∣dreds of Mussel-banks; all which were very plentifully stockt with that kind of fish. We buryed our dead man on the shoar, giving him several Volleys for his Funeral-Rites, according to the custom. In the night of this day our anchor came home, so that we were forced to let go a grapling to secure our selves. But still every flaw of wind drove us. Hereupon we set our sprit-sail,* 1.6 and ran about a mile into another Bay, where we let go another anchor, and thus anchored again. The first anchor, which was al∣so the biggest in our ship, we lost by this accident, the cable being cut by the rocks. Unto these Islands afore-mentio∣ned our Captain gave the name of His Royal Highness the Duke of Yorks Islands.

Thursday, October the 13th. This day we began to moor our ship,* 1.7 she driving as we easily could perceive with eve∣ry flaw of wind that blew. The tide sloweth here full seven foot up and down. We moored our Vessell into a rockey point, being a key whereof there be many in the

circumference of this Bay. The ground of the bottom of the said Bay we found was hard and sandy, being here and there rockey. This evening we brought on board great store of Lamperts, of which we made a kettle of broath, that contained more than all our company could eat.

On Friday October the 14th, we killed several Geese. As also many of another sort of Fowl like unto an Eagle, but having a bigger beak,* 1.8 with their nostrils rising from the top of the middle of their beak by a hand trunk. This Fowl liveth on Fish, but we saw none. Yesterday in the evening there fell a great fleet of snow on the hills, round about the Bay, but none where we were at anchor. Moreover, this day in the evening we caught Lamperts in great quantity,* 1.9 being three times as many as we could eat. Our men in ranging the Keys for Game, found grass plai∣ted above a fathom long, and a knot tyed at the end there∣of. In like manner on other Keys they found Mussels and Lampert shells. From these things we presently conclu∣ded,* 1.10 that these Countries were inhabited, and that some In∣dians or others were to be found hereabouts.

Saturday October the 15th, in the night last past we had much rain,* 1.11 with large hail-stones. About midnight the wind came to North with such great fury, that the Tree un∣to which our Cable was fastned on shoar, gave way, and came up by the Roots. All those gusts of wind were mixt with violent storms of rain and hail. Thus we fastned a∣gain unto other trees. But here it hapned, that our ship coming up to the shoar, our Rudder toucht, and thereup∣on broke our Goose-neck. Great was now our extremity, and greater it will be,* 1.12 if God send not better weather. Scarce a minute now passed without flaws of wind and rain.

Sunday October the 16th, all the night past was rainy, as before.* 1.13 About nine of the clock our biggest harser gave way and brake. All this day likewise we had rain with se∣veral showers of hail, and but little wind to westward of the North.

Munday October the 17th, all last night until five this morning, it ceased not to rain. Then until ten it snowed. On the hills it snowed all the night long.* 1.14 This day we hanted on the shoar many tracts of people hereabouts, but could find none hitherto, they having fled and conceal∣ed themselves for fear of us, as we supposed.

October the 18th. In the night past we had much rain and hail. But the day was very clear. Hereupon we made an observation, which gave us Lat. 50 D. 40 S. Moreover, this day we had pretty warm weather.

October the 19th. Both a clear and frosty night the last past. This day was hasey, and something windy from the North quarter. Every day we had plenty of Lam∣perts, and Mussels of a very large size.

October the 20th. The night past was rainy,* 1.15 and this day windy, with very great gusts of wind at N.N.W. un∣til the afternoon. Then we had wind at N. W. being very fresh and in gusts.

October the 21st. All the night past was tempestuous,* 1.16 with huge gusts of wind and showers of hail. Yesterday in the evening we carried a cable ashoar, and fastned it unto a tree. This being done, at midnight our biggest cable broke in the middle.* 1.17 Towards morning we had much snow. In the day, great gusts of wind with large hail stones, and also great plenty of Lamperts.

October the 22d. Last night we had strange gusts of wind from N. W. together with much hail and rain. This day we killed a Penguin; and also began to carry water on board.* 1.18

October the 23d.* 1.19 All the twenty four hours last past we had much rain. The wind was but little at W. and W. S. W.

October the 24th. All this time until noon nothing but rain. At that time it held up fair for the space of half an hour, or thereabouts, and then it rained again all the rest of the day.

October the 25th. All this while we had not one mi∣nute fair. Towards evening it held up from raining, but the weather was cloudy, and withal much warmer than when we came hither at first.* 1.20

Wednesday, October the 26th. All the night past, and this forenoon, we had fair weather. But after noon it rained again. We found Cockles like unto those we have in England.* 1.21

Thursday, October the 27th. In the night past we had much rain,* 1.22 with very gr••at gusts of wind, lasting for the whole space thereof. Yet notwithstanding, this day pro∣ved to be the fairest that we ever had since we came into this place. In the evening of this day, our Canoa which was gone to search the adjacent places for Indians, or what else they could find, returned unto the ship, with a Doree at her stern. They had gone, as it should seem, beyond the old Bay where we first anchored, and thereabouts hapned to meet with this Doree. In it were three Indians, who perceiving themselves nigh being taken,* 1.23 leapt over-board to make their escape. Our men in pursuing them did unadvisedly shoot one of them dead. A second, being a woman, escaped their hands. But the third, who was a lusty boy about eighteen years of age, was taken, and him they brought on board the ship. He was covered onely with a Seals skin, having no other cloathing about him: His eyes were squinted, and his hair was cut pretty short. In the middle of the Doree they had a fire burning either for dressing of victuals, or some other use. The Doree it self was built sharp at both ends, and flat bottom'd. They had a net to catch Penguins, and a club like unto our bandies, called by them a Tomahunks. His Language we could not understand, but withal he pointed up the Lagoon, giving us to understand, that there were more people thereabouts. This was confirmed by our men, who also said they had seen more. They had Darts to throw against an Eenemy pointed with wood.

On the next day, being October the 28th, in the evening our Canoa went from the ship again to seek for more Indi∣ans. They went into several Lagoons,* 1.24 and searched them narrowly. But they could find nothing else than two or three Huts; all the Natives being fled before our arrival. In the evening they returned unto the ship, bringing with them very large Lamperts, and also Mussels which were six inches and an half long.* 1.25 Our Indian prisoner could open Mussels these with his fingers, which our men could not so hreadily do with their knives. Both the night past and this day we ad very fair weather.

On the 29th we had in like manner a very fair day, and also a smooth wind at S. S. E. Our Indian this day poin∣ted unto us, that there were men in this Country, or not far off from hence, with great beards. He appeared unto us by his actions to be very innocent and foolish. But by his carriage I was also perswaded that he was a Man-eater. This day likewise we caught Lamperts enough to suffice us for the morrow.

Sunday, October the 30th. This day was fair, and there blew a small S. S. E. wind.* 1.26 In the morning we sent a Canoa over to the Eastward-shore, to seek either for provi∣sions or Indians. I my self could not go, as I desired, be∣ing with two or three more, at that time very much tormented with the Gripes. I am perswaded that this place where we now were, is not so great an Island as some Hy∣drographers do lay it down, but rather an Archipelago of smaller Islands. We saw this day many Penguins, but they were so shie, that we could not come near them.* 1.27 They pad on the water with their wings very fast, but their bo∣dies are too heavy to be carried by the said wings. The Sun now made the weather very warm,* 1.28 insomuch that the snow melted apace.

October the 31st. Both last night and this day were very fair. At noon our Canoa returned from the Eastern shoar, bringing word they had found several good Bays and Harbours, that were deep even close unto the

shoar. Onely that there lay in them several suncken Rocks, the which we had also where we were. But these Rocks are not dangerous to shipping, by reason they have weeds which lye two fathoms in circumference about them. This morning blew a small wind at N.N.E.

November the first, this day was also fair, and we had a small wind as before, at N.N.E.

November the second, last night I took the Polar distance of the South star of the Cocks foot, and found it to be 28 d. 25. I observed also the two Magallan Clouds, of which I made mention in this Journal before, and found them to be as followeth, viz. the lesser 14 d. 05. and the greater 14 d. 25. The morning of this day we hoysted an end our top-masts, and also brought too a Main-top-sail, and Fore-sail, and finished our filling all the water we needed. At the same time the wind hung Easterly, and I was still much tormented with the Gripes as before.

November the third, this morning we hanged our Rud∣der,* 1.29 the greatest piece of work we had to do, after those violent storms above-mentioned. In the afternoon we halled in our two biggest Harsers; and also our biggest Cable from the shoar. For the three days last past we had a very great and dark fog between us and the Eastward shoar. We had now very little wind in the Cove where we were, but abroad at sea there blew at the same time a stiff gale at S.S.E. Moreover, we could perceive now, the stormy weather being blown over, much small fry of fish about the ship, whereof we could see none, as was mentio∣ned before. This day we had a very clear and calme eve∣ning.

November the fourth, both all last night and this day we had very calme weather.* 1.30 And this morning a small breeze sprang up at N. and N.N.E. which afterwards wheel∣ed about unto S. and S.S.E. This morning we hoisted our Main and Fore-yards; and likewise fetcht off from the shoar our other harser and Cable, into the depth of ele∣ven fathom water. Our resolutions were now changed

for a departure, in order to seek the mouth of the Straights of Magallanes, seeing that we could not winter here, for want of Provisions, which we could not find either on the Continent, or about these Islands afore-mentioned. The weather now was very warm, or rather hot, and the Birds did sing as sweetly as those in England. We saw here both Thrushes and Black birds, and many other sorts of those that are usually seen in our own Country.

Saturday November the fifth, this morning brought us a wind at N.N.E. hereupon, we warped unto a rocky point,* 1.31 thereby to get out of the Cove where we lay. For our an∣chor came home unto us as we were carrying our Warp out. At this time a second breeze came up very fresh in our stern; so that we took the opportunity thereof, and went away before it. By noon this day we hoisted in our Canoas, and also turned away loose unto the sea our Indian Doree. As for the Indian boy whom we had taken in said Doree, we kept him still prisoner, and called him Orson. Our Cove at our departure from this place, looked thus, as I took then the description thereof. When we were come out into the Channel, the weather grew stark calme. On∣ly now and then we had a small breeze, sometimes from one quarter, and then from another. By this slackness of wind we observed, that the Current hoisted us to the South∣ward. On the East-side of this Lagoon, we perceived the Indians to make a great smoak at our departure.

[illustration]

A description of his Royal▪ Highnesses Isles

We had a very fair day till six in the evening, when we got without the mouth of the Gulf, it blew so hard, that in an hour it forced us to hand our top-sails. Having now a fit gale at N. W. and N. N W. we stood S. W. by W. to clear our selves of some breaks which lye four Leagues from the Gulfs mouth at S. and S. S. E. Hereabouts we saw many riffs and rocks, which occasioned us to stand close halled. I have drawn here and given unto my Rea∣der, so much as I have seen of the Gulf it self; the rest must be compleated in due time by them, that have grea∣ter opportunities of making a farther search into it, then I had at the time of our stay here under such tempestuous weather, as I have described, and the distemper which hung upon me at the same time.

[illustration]

A description of y^e English Gulfe Lying a litle to the Northward of Magallanes Straights.

Notes

• * 1.1

  They see land before day, and are miracu∣lously preserved
• * 1.2

  One of their me•• drowned.
• * 1.3

  They came to an anchor.
• * 1.4

  They resolve to stay here.
• * 1.5

  They kill Geese and Fowls.
• * 1.6

  They are in danger.
• * 1.7

  They moor their vessel.
• * 1.8

  A strange sea-fowl.
• * 1.9

  Multitudes of Lamperts and Mussels.
• * 1.10

  They find to∣kens of the Inhabitants·
• * 1.11

  Another storm.
• * 1.12

  They are in great danger.
• * 1.13

  Much rain.
• * 1.14

  Tracts of peo∣ple.
• * 1.15

  Another storm.
• * 1.16

  Which conti∣nueth.
• * 1.17

  New dangers.
• * 1.18

  Penguin.
• * 1.19

  Much rain still
• * 1.20

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 w••ath••r.
• * 1.21

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.22

  A n••w storm.
• * 1.23

  They take a Doree and one prisoner. H•••• habit.
• * 1.24

  They search for more people, but find none.
• * 1.25

  Huge Mussels.
• * 1.26

  They can find neither provisi∣ons nor Indi∣ans.
• * 1.27

  Penguins.
• * 1.28

  Warm weather
• * 1.29

  They make rea∣dy to depart.
• * 1.30

  Calme weather again.
• * 1.31

  They sail away