Purchas his pilgrimes. part 3 In fiue bookes. The first, contayning the voyages and peregrinations made by ancient kings, patriarkes, apostles, philosophers, and others, to and thorow the remoter parts of the knowne world: enquiries also of languages and religions, especially of the moderne diuersified professions of Christianitie. The second, a description of all the circum-nauigations of the globe. The third, nauigations and voyages of English-men, alongst the coasts of Africa ... The fourth, English voyages beyond the East Indies, to the ilands of Iapan, China, Cauchinchina, the Philippinæ with others ... The fifth, nauigations, voyages, traffiques, discoueries, of the English nation in the easterne parts of the world ... The first part.

CHAP. VII. A true report of a Voyage Anno 1615. for Discouerie of Seas, Lands, and Ilands, to the Northwards; as it was performed by ROBERT FOTHERRIE, in a Pin∣nasse [ 40] of twentie tunnes called the Richard of London: set forth at the charge of the Right Worshipfull Sir THOMAS SMITH, Knight, my very good Master, and Master RICHARD WICHE, Gouernours: and the rest of the Worship∣full Company of Merchants, called the Merchants of New Trades and Discoueries, trading into Moscouia, and King IAMES his New Land.

BY the prouidence of Almightie God I went forth of Harwich Harbour in the foresaid Pinnasse, the twelfth of May, in the company of eight shippes of the Fleet, for King Iames his New Land, who in foule weather out-fayled me in the [ 50] latitude 71. degrees, or thereabouts. So I proceeded alone towards King Iames his New Land: and met with Ice in latitude 73. degrees 30. minutes, I stood North-eastwards for the wast of King Iames his New Land, and had sundry conflicts with the Ice in rainie and wet foggie weather, and had sight of Land the eleuenth of Iune, and on the nineteenth of the same I anchored in Faire Hauen. Here I stayed till the third of Iuly, for the Pinnasse had receiued some hurt amongst the Ice, which to amend, I was faine to hale her a∣ground, besides diuers other things necessary to be done, which detayned mee longer then wil∣lingly I would haue stayed there.

From hence I sayled Northward, but met with Ice in latitude 79. degrees 50. minutes, being six leagues from Hackluyts Head-land,* 1.1 then I coasted the Ice as it lay in Points and Bayes to the [ 60] Westwards and South-westward, and being thirtie leagues from the Land in latitude 79. degrees 10. minutes, I found it to trend Northward and North-westwards, and coasted it to the latitude

of 79. degrees 50. minutes, but then I was embayed with Ice, and was faine to stand out a∣gaine and sailed aboue ten leagues before I got cleere: when I was out of this Bay, I proceeded South Westerly with the Ice on the starboord to the latitude 78. degrees 30. minutes, where be∣ing fortie leagues from the shoare, I was againe embayed with the Ice,* 1.2 and hauing had faire Sun-shine weather all the day, which made mee the bolder to stand so neere it, the weather on a sudden fell foggie, and the wind beganne to blow hard at South, which put vs to great trou∣ble and no small perill: but the Almightie power who hath mercifully deliuered vs heretofore out of as great dangers, preserued vs also from this: when wee were gotten cleere off the Ice, we had the Sea much growne, and the storme increasing, but beeing desirous still to keepe the Sea, I stood close by the wind vnder a payre of coarses, till the Pinnasse waxt leake with bearing [ 10] too much sayle, and there was forced to lye atry vnder a mayne coarse only: and although shee stemmed South-east and South-east by South, yet was she hurried violently to the North-east∣wards, and by the mercifull prouidence of God we fell right with the Fore-land, in latitude 79. degrees, then I stood ouer Sir Thomas Smiths Bay for harbour in Crosse-road, where I anchored the thirteenth of Iuly being Thursday. I stayed here foure dayes, in which time my men men∣ded the Sayles and ships tackling that had receiued hurt by the late storme, and made a new mayne Sayle to serue in time of need, and on the seuenteenth of Iuly I weighed out of Crosse-road, and sayling Westwards from thence came to Ice againe in latitude 78. degrees 40. minutes, which I coasted as it lay neerest South-west, or more Westerly, but with many Points & Bayes, wherewith I was sometimes intangled, yet, God be thanked, got cleere againe, either by helpe [ 30] of Oares or Sayles without any hurt. In this sort I proceeded with good satisfaction, although not with so good content, till I came to the latitude of 76. degrees, beeing aboue one hundred leagues from Point Looke-out, but then was crossed with a contrarie storme from the South-west and South South-west, which droue me to the South-eastward, till I came in the latitude of 74. degrees, and then I made my way Westward againe, so neere as I could lye, close by the winde, and ouer-ranne the formerly supposed Land of Groynland,* 1.3 which some haue layd downe in plats and extended to 75. degrees. When I came into the latitude of 73. degrees, I stood West and North-west, and fell with Ice againe in latitude 73. degrees 50. minutes, and thought indeed at that time that I was neere Land by abundance of Fowle, which we saw in great flockes: but such thicke fogges haue continued for three or foure dayes together,* 1.4 that we might sooner heare [ 30] the Land if anywere, then see it, and so did we first find this Ice by hearing the rut, thinking till we saw it, that it had beene Land, so that we were embayed with it, before we thought that we had beene neere it; then I stood out againe and coasted the Ice still to the Westwards Souther∣ly, but could see no Land, as I expected to haue done, vntill wee came vnder the latitude of 71. degrees thirtie minutes, and then we espyed a snowie Hill very high in the cloudes,* 1.5 for this day was very cleere at Sea, but the fogge was not yet cleered from the Land, so that we could see no part of it, but only the top of a snowie Mountayne, which appeared very high although wee were fourteene or fifteene leagues distant from it, bearing off vs South-east and by South.

Then I stood in for the shoare, supposing it had beene part of the Mayne of Groynland: for the fogge lay on each side of this Mount, as if there had beene a great Continent vnder it, but it pro∣ued [ 40] otherwise, for as we came neerer to it, the fogge dispersed more and more, and when wee were fiue leagues distant, the Land appeared in forme like an Iland.

When I came neerer the shore, I could find no Harbor to anchor in. Notwithstanding, the wea∣ther being faire & calme, I hoist out my Boat & went ashore with three men more, and set vp the Kings Armes: then we searched a Sandie Beach, which was abundantly stored with drift wood,* 1.6 but yeelded no other fruits, that we could find worth the taking vp, so I returned aboord againe, and sent ashoare my Boat to fetch some wood. But before the men had laid into her the little quantitie that she was able to carrie, they came aboard againe, for the wind began to blow hard, and the Sea to goe loftie, so that here was no place for vs to abide any longer, otherwise I was purposed to haue searched further alongst the shoare, but this gale of winde comming Northerly [ 50] I stood from hence to the Westwards, being desirous to see more Land or finde a more open Sea. And hauing sayled about fifteene or sixteene leagues I met with Ice again, in latitude 71. degrees, and coasted it eight or nine leagues further Westward, and South-westward as it lay, but then the wind came to the South-west, and we stood close by it a while to the Southwards, but finding the gale to increase, and considering that it was the most contrary winde which could blow a∣gainst my further proceeding (for the Ice as we found did ••••end neerest South-west, and besides if there had beene any high Land within twentie leagues of vs, wee might perfectly haue made it, the weather was so faire and cleere.) In these respects, and for the Reasons following, I tooke the benefit of this wind to returne to the North-eastwards againe, being now about two hun∣dred [ 60] leagues from King Iames his New Land in latitude 71. degrees.* 1.7

First, I purposed to sayle alongst the South-east side of the Land that I had discouered, to bee better satisfied what Harbours there were, and what likelihood of profit to ensue; and from thence to proceed to the place where I first fell with Ice in latitude 73. degrees when I was dri∣uen to the South-eastwards with a Westerly storme, for I am yet verily perswaded, that being

there we were not farre from Land, although wee could not see it by reason of thicke foggie weather. Then my further intent was, if I found no good occasion to spend my time there, for to coast the Ice, or try the open Sea to the Northwards, betwixt 73. and 76. degrees, where formerly I had not receiued desired satisfaction by reason of a storme that draue me off, and then I purposed, if time might seeme conuenient, to proceed to the North Coast of King Iames his New Land, to haue seene what hope was there to be had for passage Northward, or for compas∣sing of the Land, which is most like to be an Iland.

I stood away East and by South, and being neere the foresaid Iland, the winde came to the West and blew a very hard gale, wherewith I passed alongst the South-east side of the Iland vn∣der a paire of coarses, but without that satisfaction which I expected: for the winde blowing so stormie, and the Sea growne very great, I was forced to stand further from the shoare then wil∣lingly [ 10] I would haue done, and besides there was a thicke fogge vpon the Land, whereby I could not be satisfied what Harbours or Roads were about it, yet might we see three or foure Capes, or Head-lands, as if there went in Bayes betwixt them. I sayled about it, and then stood to the Northward againe, and being now assured that it was an Iland, I named it Sir Thomas Smiths Iland.* 1.8

This Iland is about ten leagues in length, and stretcheth North-east and South-west: it is high Land, and at the North end of it there is a Mountayne of a wonderfull height and big∣nesse,* 1.9 all couered with Snow, which I called Mount Hackluyt; the base or foot of it on the East side is almost foure leagues long, it hath three such sides at the base lying out to the Sea, and from the fourth side doth the rest of the Iland extend it selfe towards the South-west, which is also, [ 20] as it were, a place fortified with Castles and Bulwarkes, for on each side there bee three or foure high Rockes which stand out from the Land, appearing like Towres and Forts. It lyes in the parallel of 71. degrees, where the Needle varieth from the true Meridian Westwards eight de∣grees. The Land is generally so farre as I haue seene, Rockie and very barren, and worse then the Land that I haue seene in King Iames his New Land, vnder eightie degrees, for there is no grasse but mosse, and where I first landed vpon low ground, all the stones were like vnto a Smiths fin∣ders both in colour and forme, the sand is generally mixed with a corne like Amber; the Beaches are abundantly stored with drift wood and many stones, light like Pumis, which will swimme on the water. I saw many traces of Foxes and the footing of Beares, but not any signe of Deere or other liuing creatures, and very small store of Fowle. [ 30]

From hence I stood to the Northward according to my former purpose, but was crossed with a contrarie storme from the North-west which put me off to the Eastward: but as the wind shif∣ted I made my way to the North-westwards all I could, and came againe to the Ice in latitude 75. degrees, from whence I proceeded towards King Iames his New Land, and had sight of the Land the eighteenth of August, being in latitude 77. degrees 30. minutes, and hauing a hard gale of wind then at North-west, I stood close by it vnder a paire of coarses, but could not wea∣ther Prince Charles Iland, and therefore I bore vp, intending to goe into Nicks Coue, which is on the North side of Ice-sound, there to attend a faire winde, and in the meane time to get ballast aboard the Pinnasse, and all other things necessary. But comming to enter into the Harbour, I thought it not a place conuenient, because I could hardly haue gotten out againe with a Souther∣ly [ 40] wind, which would carrie me to the Northwards, and therefore I stood ouer for Green-harbor, where I anchored at one a clocke in the morning, the nineteenth of August.

Here I caused my men to launch a shallop, and to get ballast and water aboard the Pinnasse, and before nine a clocke at night I was readie to proceed Northward with the first faire winde. I stayed here fiue dayes, during which time it blew hard for the most part at North and North-west, and on the foure and twentieth of August, the winde came to the East North-east as wee supposed, till we were out of the Harbour, so I set sayle to proceed Northward, and had the wind Easterly out of Ice-sound, wherewith I stood North-west towards Cape Cold, but being cleere of the high Land, we found the wind to bee at North North-east, therefore I resolued of ano∣ther course, which was this. [ 50]

Hauing perused Hudsons Iournall written by his owne hand in that Voyage wherein hee had sight of certayne Land,* 1.10 which he named Hold-with-hope; I found that by his owne reckoning it should not be more then one hundred leagues distant from King Iames his New Land, and in the latitude of 72. degrees 30. minutes or thereabouts: therefore seeing I could not proceed North∣ward, I purposed to goe to the South-westwards to haue sight of this Land, and discouer it, if wind and weather would permit. So I stood away South-west, and sometimes West South-west, till I had runne one hundred and thirtie leagues, and was by account in latitude 72. degrees 30. minutes, where hauing the wind contrarie to proceed further Westward, I stood Eastward till I had runne thirtie leagues, in which course I should haue seene this Land, if credit might be [ 60] giuen to Hudsons Iournall, but I saw not any. And hauing a hard gale of winde still Northerly, I conceiued no course so good to be taken at this time, as to s••eed homewards; and so stood to the Southwards, directing my course for England, this beeing the eight and twentieth of August. After which time the wind continued Northerly till the sixt day of September, and then wee

were on the coast of Scotland in latitude 57. degrees, and on the eight day of September had sight of the land of England on the coast of Yorkeshire. Thus by the great mercy of God haue we escaped many dangers, and after a cold Summer haue some taste of a warme Autumne. All glo∣rie therefore be to God the Father, the Sonne, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

By this briefe Relation, and by the plat wherein I haue traced the ships way vpon each seue∣rall trauerse it may plainly appeare, how farre the state of this Sea is discouered betwixt 80. and 71. degrees of latitude, making difference of longitude 26. degrees from the Meridian of Hack∣luyts Headland.

Now if any demand my opinion concerning hope of a passage to bee found in those Seas; I [ 10] answer, that it is true, that I both hoped and much desired to haue passed further then I did, but was hindred with Ice: wherein although I haue not attayned my desire, yet forasmuch as it ap∣peares not yet to the contrarie, but that there is a spacious Sea betwixt Groinland and King Iames his New-land, although much pestered with Ice; I will not seeme to disswade this wor∣shipfull Companie from the yeerly aduenturing of 150. or 200. pounds at the most, till some further discouerie be made of the said Seas and Lands adjacent, for which purpose no other Ves∣sell would I aduise vnto, then this Pinnasse with ten men, which I hold to bee most conuenient for that action, although heretofore I conceiued otherwise, but now I speake after good expe∣rience, hauing sayled in her out and in aboue two thousand leagues.

[ 20] RO. FOTHERBY.

A Letter of ROBERT FOTHERBY to Captaine EDGE, written in Crosse-rode, Iuly 15. 1615.

MAster Edge, By the mercy of God I came into Crosse-road on Thursday last, being driuen from Sea neere shoare by extreme tempest. At the beginning of the storme I was vnwittingly e••∣bayed with Ice aboue fortie leagues from land, in latitude 78. degrees and 30. minutes, but, thankes be [ 30] to God, I got cleare of it, yet not without much trouble and great danger. Hauing plyed vnder two coar∣ses to and againe so long till my Pinnasse was made leake with bearing, I tryed it vnder a mayne coarse and stem'd South-east and South-east and by South, notwithstanding I was hurried to the Northward, and fell right with the Foreland, which by reason of the misty storme we could not set till we were within a league of it; then I stood ouer the Bay and came to an anchor here, where I must be forced to stay till our sailes be mended▪ and a new mayne coarse be made, if not a fore coarse also. Then I purpose to goe to Sea againe, and to proceed in coasting the Ice to the Westward, if it hinder me to proceed Northward. I haue already coasted it from Hackluyts Headland to the latitude aforesaid, and intend to beginne againe so neare as I can at the place where I was put off with the storme. I came from Faire Hauen the fourth of Iuly, and then had there beene killed twelue Whales, besides one found dead, and another brought in by [ 40] Fra. Birkes, which he found at Sea before he came into Faire Hauen.

When I came in hither, here were three Ships and a Pinnasse of the King of Denmarks;* 1.11 they rid in deepe water about a league and a halfe from the Road, but weighed from thence, and the Admirall came to an anchor close by me, and sent to intreat me to come aboord of him; I went aboord and was cour∣teously entertayned by the Generall, who questioned me of the Country, and asked me by what right the English Merchants did resort and fish in this place: I told him, by the King of Englands right, who had granted a Patent to the Muscouie Company of Merchants, whereby he authorizeth them, and for∣biddeth all others to frequent these places. Then he entreated me to goe with him to Sir Tho. Smiths Bay, to the two Engl••sh ships there. I told him, it would be losse of time to me, because I had some businesse here to doe, and then to goe forth presently to Sea againe to prosecute my Discouery. He said, that he would [ 50] haue me goe with him to be witnesse what passed betwixt him and you, for he had matters of importance to acquaint you withall, which concerned our King and theirs, and therefore intreated me to giue direction presently to weigh and set saile, for I must needs goe with him: I replyed againe, that it would be a great losse vnto me of time, and I knew not how to answer it; but he told me peremptorily that I must goe with him. So seeing no remedie. I bad the Master be readie: then he presently weighed and kept me aboord him, but afterwards meeting with the two Captaines that came from you, he returned and anchored a∣gaine in Crosse-road. I receiued very courteous entertaynment of the Admirall, Vice-admirall, and of Captaine Killingham: but Captaine Killingham being aboord of me, went away as he seemed, disconten∣ted, because I would not giue him a young Morse I haue aboord, which I denyed to doe, because I writ to my Master from Faire Hauen, that such a thing I haue, and will bring aliue into England, if I may. [ 60] When he went off aboord of me, he said, he would shoot downe my flag: And soone after there came a shot which flue ouer vs, out of the Admirall, and I expected another; but soone after there came a man a∣boord of me out of the Admirall, to see if any of your men that came in the Shallop, would goe with them into the Bay, and he swore vnto me that the shot was made to call their Boat aboord, because they were ready to weigh. As farre as I can perceiue, their purpose is to see what Grant the King of England hath

made vnto the Companie, for they seeme to pretend that the right of this Land belongs to the King of Denmarke, and neither to English nor Hollanders. Thus with my heartie commendations to your selfe, and Master Bredcake, together with my praiers for your prosperous voyage, I commit you to God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Hackluyts Headland.
• * 1.2

  Perill and escape.
• * 1.3

  Note. Errour of Grouland.
• * 1.4

  Fogges.
• * 1.5

  High Hill.
• * 1.6

  Drift wood▪
• * 1.7

  Note.
• * 1.8

  Sir T. Smiths Iland.
• * 1.9

  Mount Hack∣luyt.
• * 1.10

  Hudsons Hold-with-hope que∣stioned as be∣fore also.
• * 1.11

  Ships of the King of Den∣marke.