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.

[ 50] The voyage of Captaine GEORGE WEYMOVTH, intended for the discouerie of the North-west Passage toward China, with two flye Boates.

ON Sunday the second day of May, 1602. in the afternoone, I weighed anchor and set saile from Redcliffe with two Fly-boates, the one called the Discouery, of seuentie Tunnes; and the other called the God speed, of sixtie Tunnes, to discouer the North-west passage, hauing in my ships fiue and thirtie men and boyes, throughly victualled and abundantly furnished with all ne∣cessaries for a yeere and an halfe, by the right Worshipfull Merchants of the Moscouie and Tur∣kie Companies: who for the better successe of the voyage prouided mee of a great trauailer and [ 60] learned Minister one Master Iohn Cartwright. The Master vnder mee in the Discouerie was one William Cobreth, a skilfull man in his profession; and in the God speed, one Iohn Drewe, and Mate in the said ship one Iohn Lane.

The first of Iune, we descried Buquhamnes in the Latitude of 57. degrees. The second day we saw the Point of Buquhamnes North-west from vs, being a very smooth land; and the land

by it to the Southward riseth with many Homocks. There lyeth a ledge of Rockes hard by the Nesse, in a sandie Bay faire by the shore. When we came neer the land, we met with a fisher Boat, and I agreed with one of the fisher men to carry me betweene the Isles of Orkney, because I was not acquainted with the coast. The fourth day, at ten of the clocke, wee descried the Isles of Orkney. Some of those Southerne Ilands are prettie high land; but the Northerne Iland, which is called the Start, is very low land. There is no danger, giuing the shore a good birth, vnlesse it be by the Norther point of the Start: there doth a ledge of Rockes lye a mile from the shoare. At noone I found my selfe to be in the latitude of 59. degrees and 30. minutes, the point of the Start bearing West: and at one of the clocke in the afternoone, we saw a faire Ile, which bare North-east and by North from vs: and at eight of the clocke at night, wee were North of the Start: Then I directed my course West and by North. The fifth day about ten of the clocke in [ 10] the morning, we ranne some tenne leagues, and then we saw two small Ilands, some two leagues off: and at eight and nine of the clocke we saw foure or fiue Boats of Fisher-men, and spake with one of them, and they were Scottish-men. The sixt, in the morning fell much raine, and lasted till nine of the clocke: and at ten of the clocke it cleared vp, and became very faire weather, and very temperate and warme, and our course was West. The seauenth, the winde was at East and by North, faire weather, and our course West. The eight, at noone I obserued the Sunne, and found vs to be in 59. degrees and fortie seuen minutes, and we ran West South-west.

The twelfth day we held our course West, the winde at East North-east, with fogge in the morning: at noone I obserued the Sunne, and found my selfe in 57. degrees, and 55. minutes. the variation here was nothing at all. The thirteenth at noone, our course was West and by [ 20] North, the winde at North-east, with fogge some three or foure houres, and then cleare againe: the ayre very warme, as in England in the moneth of May. The foureteenth was faire weather, and the winde at East North-east, and our course West and by North. The fifteenth much raine all the forenoone, our course West, the winde at East and by North. The sixteenth, the winde was at North North-east, with much raine, winde and fogge. In the forenoone, being very cold, and at noone, I obserued the Sun, and found vs to be in 57. degrees and 35. minutes: we found the variation to be eleuen degrees Westward; and by that meane I found my selfe to be one degree more to the Southward, then we should haue bin by our course; for we could not see the Sunne in 96. houres before this day at noone, and at our last obseruation before this, which was the twelfth day, we could not finde any variation at all. Then we stood close by a winde to the [ 30] Westward, the winde being at North North-east. The seauenteenth wee ranne North and by West, the winde at North North-east, faire weather. This day we saw many gray Gulles, and some Pigions. The eighteenth at noone I obserued the Sunne, and found our selues to be in the latitude of 59. degrees, and 51. minutes. And then we first descried a great Iland of Ice, which lay North from vs, as farre as we could ken it from the head of our maine topmast: and about two of the clocke in the afternoone, we saw the South part of Groneland, North from vs some ten leagues. As we coasted this Ice to the Northward, we found it to be a maine banke of Ice; for we saw the other end of it to beare West North-west from vs; the winde being at South South-west, little winde: Then we ranne West South-west, to cleere vs of the Ice. The nine∣teenth, [ 40] the winde was at East South-east, with some small raine. The twentieth, our course was West North-west, the winde being at North and by East, little winde. This day sometimes we came into blacke water as thicke as puddle, and in sailing a little space the water would be cleare againe. Seeing this change of water, so often to be thick, and cleare againe so suddenly, we imagi∣ned it had beene shallow water: then we founded, and could fetch no ground in one hundred and twenty fathomes: and the Sea was so smooth, that we could discerne no current at all. At this time I reckoned the Cape of desolation to beare North North-east twentie foure leagues from vs. The one and twentieth, the winde was variable. The two and twentieth, we were in the lati∣tude of 60. degrees and 37. minutes: the winde being at West, wee ranne North and by West. The seauen and twentieth, the winde was at West South-west: then our course was [ 50] North-west and by North, the weather faire and warme, as in England, in the moneth of May. This day we saw great store of Gulles, which followed our Ship sundry dayes.

The eight and twentieth, the winde being at North and by West, wee directed our course to the Westward; and about twelue of the clocke the same night, we descried the land of Ame∣rica, in the latitude of 62. degrees and 30. minutes; which we made to be Warwicks foreland. This Headland rose like an Iland. And when we came neere the Foreland, we saw foure small Ilands to the Northwards, and three small Ilands to the Southward of the same Foreland. The Foreland was high land: all the top•• of the hils were couered with Snow. The three small Ilands to the Southward were also white▪ that we could not discerne them from Ilands of Ice: also there was great store of drift Ice vpon the Eastside of this Foreland: but the Sea was altogether [ 60] voide of Ice: the Land did lye North and by East, and South and by West, being six leagues of length.

The nine and twentieth, at sixe of the clocke in the morning, wee were within three leagues of this Foreland: then the winde came vp at North-east and by East, a good stiffe gale with

fogge: and wee were forced to stand to the Southward▪ because wee could not wether the Land to the Northward: and as wee stood to the Southward along by Warwicks Foreland, we could discerne none otherwise, but that it was an Iland. Which if it fall out to be so, then L••••leys Inlet, and the next Southerly Inlet, where the great Current setteth to the West, must of necessitie be one Sea▪ which will be the greatest hope of the passage that way. The thirtieth, the winde was at North-east, with fogge and Snow. This day wee came into a great whirling of a Current, being in the latitude of 61. degrees, and about twelue leagues from the coast of America.

The first day of Iuly, the winde was at West, with fogge and Snow; the ayre being very cold. [ 10] This day wee came into many Ouerfals, which seemed to runne a great current; but which way it did set, wee could not well discerne. The greatest likelihood was, that it should set to the West. But hauing contrary windes some sixteene or seuenteene dayes, we alwayes lay in trauerse among these ouerfals; but could neuer finde any great current by our courses: wee sounded sometimes, but could get no ground in one hundred and twentie fa∣thomes.

The second day, wee descried a maine Banke of Ice in the latitude of 60. degrees: the winde was at North North-west, and very faire weather. Wee wanting fresh water did sayle close to this Land of Ice, and hoysed out our Boate, and loaded her twice with Ice, which made vs very good fresh water. Within twenty leagues of the coast of America, wee should often∣times [ 20] come into many great ouerfals. Which doth manifestly shew, that all the coast of Ame∣rica is broken Land.

The third, the winde was at South-west, very foggie: and as wee stood toward the coast of America, wee met with another maine Banke of Ice. The fogge was so thicke, that we were hard by the Ice, before wee could see it. But it pleased God that the winde was faire to put vs cleare from this Ice againe; and presently it began to cleare vp, so that wee could see two or three leagues off; but we could see no end of the Ice. Wee iudged this Ice to be some tenne leagues from the coast of America. We found the water to be very blackish and thicke, like pud∣dle water.

The eight, the winde was at North North-west, very faire weather; wee standing to the [ 30] Westwards met with a mighty maine Banke of Ice, which was a great length and breadth, and it did rest close to the shoare. And at eleuen of the clocke in the forenoone, wee descried againe the Land of America, in the latitude of 63. degrees and 53. minutes, being very high Land: and it did rise as Ilands, the toppes being couered with Snow. This Land was South-west and by West, some fiue leagues off vs: we could come no neerer it for the great quantitie of Ice, which rested by the shoare side.

The ninth, the winde being at North-east and by Last, blew so extreamely, that we were for∣ced to stand to the Southward, both to cleare our selues of the Land, and of the Ice: for the day before we passed a great banke of Ice, which was some foureteene leagues to the Eastward of vs, when the storme began; but thankes be to God, we cleared our selues both of the Land [ 40] and of the Ice. This day in the afternoone the storme grew so extreame, that we were forced to stand along with our forecourse to the Southward.

The seuenteenth was very foggie, the winde being at East: and about two of the clocke in the afternoone, wee saw foure great Ilands of Ice, of a huge bignesse: and about foure of the clocke we came among some small scattered Ice, and supposed our selues to be neere some great Banke. The fogge was very thicke, but the winde large to stand backe the same way wee came in; or else it would haue indangered our liues very much. And at nine of the clocke at night we heard a great noyse, as though it had bin the breach of some shoare. Being desirous to see what it was, we stood with it, and found it to be the noyse of a great quantity of Ice, which was very loathsome to be heard. Then wee stood North North-west, and the fogge conti∣nued [ 50] so thicke, that wee could not see two Shippes length from vs: whereupon we thought good to take in some of our sayles; and when our men came to hand them, they found our sayles, ropes, and tacklings, so hard frozen, that it did seeme very strange vnto vs, being in the chiefest time of Summer.

The eighteenth day, the winde was at North-east and by North, the ayre being very cleere and extreame cold, with an exceeding great frost; and our course was North-west. This day in the forenoone, when we did set our sayles, we found our ropes and tacklings harder frozen then they were the day before: which frost did annoy vs so much in the vsing of our ropes and sayles, that wee were enforced to breake off the Ice from our ropes, that they might runne through the blockes. And at two of the clocke in the afternoone, the winde began to blow ve∣ry [ 60] hard, with thicke fogge, which freezed so fast as it did fall vpon our sayles, ropes, and tackling, that we could not almost hoyse or strike our sayles, to haue any vse of them. This extreame frost and long continuance thereof, was a maine barre to our proceeding to the Northward, and the discouraging of all our men.

The nineteenth day, the winde was at North and by East, and our course to the Eastwards.

The same night following, all our men conspired secretly together, to beare vp the helme for England, while I was asleepe in my Cabin, and there to haue kept mee by force, vntill I had sworn vnto them, that I would not offer any violence vnto them for so doing. And indeede they had drawn in writing, the causes of their bearing vp of the helme, and thereunto set their hands, and would haue left them in my Cabin: but by good chance I vnderstood their pretence, and preuented them for that time.

The twentieth day, I called the chiefest of my Company into my Cabin, before Master Iohn Cartwright our Preacher, and our Master, William Cobreth, to heare what reasons they could alleadge for the bearing vp of the Helme, which might he an ouerthrow to the Voyage, seeing the Merchants had bin at so great a charge with it. After much conference, they deliuered mee [ 10] their reasons in writing:

Concluding, that although it were granted, that we might winter betweene 60. and 70. de∣grees of latitude, with safetie of our liues and Vessels, yet it will be May next before wee can dismore them, to lanch out into the Sea. And therefore if the Merchants should haue pur∣pose to proceede on the discouerie of these North-west parts of America; the next yeare you may be in the aforesaid latitudes for England, by the first of May, and so be furnish∣ed better with men and victuals, to passe and proceede in the aforesaid action.

Seeing then that you cannot assure vs of a safe harbour to the Northward, wee purpose to beare vp the Helme for England; yet with this limitation, that if in your wisedome, you shall thinke good to make any discouery, either in 60. or 57. degrees, with this faire Northerly winde, [ 20] we yeelde our liues with your selfe, to encounter any danger. Thus much we thought neede∣full to signifie, as a matter builded vpon reason, and not proceeding vpon feare or cow∣ardise.

Then, wee being in the latitude of 68. degrees and 53. minutes: the next following, about eleuen of the clocke, they bare vp the Helme, being all so bent, that there was no meanes to perswade them to the contrary. At last vnderstanding of it, I came forth of my Cabin, and deman∣ded of them, who bare vp the Helme? They answered me, One and All. So they hoysed vp all the sayle they could, and directed their course South and by West.

The two and twentieth, I sent for the chiefest of those, which were the cause of the bea∣ring vp of the Helme, and punished them seuerely, that this punishment might be a warning [ 30] to them afterward for falling into the like mutinie. In the end, vpon the intreatie of Master Cartwright our Preacher, and the Master, William Cobreaths, vpon their submission, I remit∣ted some part of their punishment. At twelue of the clocke at noone, wee came hard by a great Iland of Ice: the Sea being very smooth and almost calme, wee hoysed out the Boates of both our Shippes: being in want of fresh water, and went to this Iland to get some Ice to make vs fresh water. And as wee were breaking off some of this Ice (which was verie painefull for vs to doe; for it was almost as hard as a Rocke:) the great Iland of Ice gaue a mightie cracke two or three times, as though it had bin a thunder-clappe; and presently the Iland began to ouerthrow, which was like to haue sunke both our Boates, if wee had not made good haste from it. But thankes be to God, we escaped this danger very happily, and came [ 40] aboord with both our Boates, the one halfe laden with Ice▪ There was great store of Sea Foule vpon this Iland of Ice.

The fiue and twentieth and six and twentieth, the winde being at East, did blow a hard gale, and our course was West and by South, with fogge. This day in the afternoone I did reckon my selfe to be in the entering of an Inlet, which standeth in the latitude of 61. degrees and 40. minutes.

The seuen and twentieth, the winde was at South South-east, and blew very hard, our course was West. The eight and twentieth and nine and twentieth, our course was West and by South, the winde blowing very hard at East South-east, with fogge and raine. The thirtieth, the winde came vp in a showre by the West North-west, blowing so hard, that wee were forced to put a [ 50] fore the Sea. Now because the time of the yeare was farre spent, and many of our men in both Shippes sicke, wee thought it good to returne with great hope of this Inlet, to bee a passage of more possibilitie, then through the Straight of Dauis: because I found it not much pestered with Ice, and to be a straight of fortie leagues broad. Also I sayled an hun∣dred leagues West and by South, within this Inlet; and there I found the variation to be 35. degrees to the Westward, and the needle to decline, or rather incline 83. degrees and an halfe.

The fifth of August (the winde all that while Westerly) wee were cleare of this Inlet againe. The sixth the winde was at East South-east with fogge. The seauenth, eight, and ninth, we pas∣sed by many great Ilands of Ice. The ninth day at night, we descried the land of America, in the latitude of 55. degrees, and 30. minutes. This Land was an Iland, being but low land and [ 60] very smooth: then the night approaching, and the weather being something foggie and darke, we were forced to stand to the Northward againe. This night we passed by some great Ilands of Ice, and some bigge peeces which did breake from the great Ilands: and we were like

to strike some of them two or three times: which if we had done, it might haue endangered our Shippes and liues. Our consort, the Godspeede, strooke a little piece of Ice, which they thought had foundred their Shippe; but thankes be to God they receiued no great hurt, for our Shippes were very strong.

The tenth day, the winde was at North-east and by North, with fogge and raine; and our course was to the South-eastward: for we could by no meanes put with the shoare, by reason of the thicknesse of the fogge, and that the winde blew right vpon the shoare, so that we were forced to beare saile to keepe our selues from the land, vntill it pleased God to send vs a cleare; which God knoweth we long wanted. At sixe of the clocke in the afternoone, it was calme; and then I iudged my selfe, by mine account, to be neere the Land: so I founded, and had ground [ 10] in 160. fathomes, and fine grey Osie Sand: and there was a great Iland of Ice, a ground within a league of vs, where we sounded, and within one houre it pleased God to send vs a cleere. Then we saw the land some foure leagues South-west and by South from vs. This land lyeth East and by South, and West and by North, being good high land, but all Ilands, as farre as wee could dis∣cerne. This calme continued vntill foure of the clocke in the afternoone of the eleuenth day: the weather being very cleere, we could not discerne any Current to goe at all by this Land. This day the Sea did set vs in about a league neerer the Land, so that wee iudged our selues three leagues off. Here we sounded againe, and had but eightie fathoms.

The variation of the Compasse we found to be 22. degrees and 10. minutes Westward. At fiue of the clocke there sprung vp a fine gale of winde, at East South-east, and being so neere [ 20] night, wee stood to the Southward, thinking the next day to seeke some harbour. But it plea∣sed God, the next day, being the twelfth, to send vs a storme of foule weather, the winde being at East and by South, with fogge: so that we could by no meanes get the shoare. Thus wee were forced to beate vp and downe at Sea, vntill it should please God to send vs better weather.

The foureteenth, I thought good to stand to the Westward to search an Inlet▪ in the latitude of 56. degrees. I haue good hope of a passage that way, by many great and probable reasons.

The fifteenth the winde continued at the South▪ with exceeding faire weather, and our course was West. We were this day at noone in the latitude of 55. degrees and 31. 〈…〉〈…〉 I found the variation to be 17. degrees and 1••. minutes, to the Westward. And about seuen of [ 30] the clocke at night, we descried the Land againe, being tenne leagues to the Eastward of this Inlet. This Land did beare from vs South-west, some eight leagues off: and about nine of the clocke the same night, the winde came to the West▪ which blew right against vs for our en∣tring into this Inlet.

The sixteenth, the winde was at West North-west, and was very faire weather, and our course South-west: about nine of the clocke in the forenoone, we came by a great Iland of Ice; and by this Iland we found some peeces of Ice broken off from the said Iland: And being in great want of fresh water, wee hoysed out our Boates of both Shippes, and loaded them twice with Ice, which made vs very good fresh water. This day at noone wee found our selues to be in the latitude of 55. degrees and twentie minutes: when we had taken in our Ice and Boates, the [ 40] weather being very faire and cleare, and the winde at West North-west, we bent our course for the Land, and about three of the clocke in the afternoone, we were within three leagues of the shoare. It is a very pleasant low Land; but all Ilands, and goodly sounds going betweene them, toward the South-west. This Land doth stand in the latitude of 55. degrees; and I found the variation to be to the West ••8. degrees and 12. minutes. This coast is voide of Ice, vn∣lesse it be some great Ilands of Ice, that come from the North, and so by windes may be ••riuen vpon this chast. Also we did finde the ayre in this place to be very temperite. Truely there is in three seuerall places great hope of a passage, betweene the latitude of 62. and 54. degrees, if the fogge doe not hinder it, which is all the feare I haue. At sixe of the clocke, wee being becalmed by the shoare, there appeared vnto vs a great ledge of ro••kes, betweene vs and the shoare, as [ 50] though the Sea did flye ouer it with a great height. As we all beheld it, within one houre, vpon a sudden it vanished clean•• away▪ which seemed very strange vnto vs all. And to the Eastward of vs, some two leagues, we saw a great Rocke, lying some three leagues off the Land: we then supposing it to be shoald water, by this broken ground, sounded, but could get no ground in one hundred and sixtie fathoms. About seuen of the clocke▪ there sprung vp a gale of wind••, by the South South-east, which was a very good winde to coast this Land.

But the seuenteenth in the morning, the winde being at the South, it began to blow so ex∣treamely, that we durst not stay by the shoare, for it was like to be a great storme▪ then our course was East North-east, to get vs Sea roome. This storme still increasing, our slye-boates did [ 60] receiue in much water; for they wanted a Sparre-decke, which wee found very dangerous for the Sea. About twelue of the clocke at noone, this day there rose vp a great showre in the West, and presently the winde came out of this quarter with a whirle, and taking vp the Sea into the ayre, and blew so extreamely, that we were forced alwayes to runne before the Sea, howso∣euer

the winde did blow. And within twelue houres after this storme beganne, the Sea was so much growen, that we thought our flye Boates would not haue beene able to haue en∣dured it.

The eighteenth, the winde was at North-west, and the storme increased more extreame, and lasted vntill eight of the clocke in the morning of the nineteenth day, so furious, that to my remembrance, I neuer felt a greater: yet when we were in our greatest extremities, the Lord deliuered vs his vnworthy seruants. And if the winde, with so great a storme, had bin either Northerly, or Southerly, or Easterly but one day, we had all perished against the Rocks, or the Ice: for wee were entred thirty leagues within a Head-land of an Inlet, in the latitude of 56. degrees. But it pleased God to send vs the winde so faire, as we could desire, both to cleare our selues of the Land and Ice. Which opportunitie caused vs for this time to take our leaues of the [ 10] coast of America, and to shape our course for England.

The fourth, in the morning, wee descried the Iland of Silly North-east and by East, some foure leagues off vs. Then wee directed our course East and by North: and at tenne of the clocke in the forenoone, wee descried the Lands end, and next day were forced to put into Dartmouth.

Notes

• Mosc. and Tur∣kie Compa∣nies.

  Master Cart∣wright had bin in Persia and Turkie. See the former Tome. Buquhamnes.
• Orkney.
• The Start.
• 59. degrees 30. minutes. Faire Ile.
• Two small I∣lands.
• 57. degrees 55. min. no varia∣tion.
• Variation ele∣uen degrees Westward.
• No variation.
• Guls and Pigi∣ons.

  59. deg. 51. min. A great Iland of Ice. Groneland.
• A maine bank of Ice.
• Black water as thick as puddle
• The Cape of desolation.
• 60. deg. 37. min.
• Store of Guls.
• America descri∣ed ••n 6••. degr. and 30. min.
• Warwicks Fore∣land supposed to be an Iland. The greatest hope of the North-west passage.

  A current Westward in sixtie one de∣grees.
• A current like∣ly to set to the West.
• A maine bank of Ice in 60. de∣grees.

  The North coast of Ameri∣ca seemeth to be broken land.
• Blacke puddle water.
• America againe discried in 63. deg. 53. min.
• The loathsome noyse of Ice.
• Sayles, ropes and tackling frozen.
• Thick fogge freezing as fast as it fell.
• Mutinie.
• 68. deg. 53. min
• They returne frō the North.
• Mutiners pu∣nished.
• A great Iland of Ice cracked like a thunder∣clap and was ouerthrowne.
• Great store of Sea Foule vp∣on the Ice.
• An Inlet in 61. degrees & 40. minutes.
• The return out of the Inlet.
• The variation 35. degrees Westward.
• An Iland on the coast of A∣merica in 55. deg. & 30. min.
• The Godspeed•• stroke vpon a piece of Ice.
• Many Ilands.
• The variation 22. degrees to West.
• A Storme.
• 55. deg. 31. min. Variation 17. degr. 15. min. They discrie the land again.
• ••5. deg. 20. min.
• A pleasant low land, being all Ilands.

  55. degrees. The variation 18. deg. and ••2. min. Westward•• Temperate ayre▪

  Gr••at hope of a passage 〈◊〉〈◊〉 three places.

  〈…〉〈…〉 Rocks strangly vanishing.

  A great Rocke
• A Whirlwinde taking vp the Sea.
• They were en∣tred 30. leagues into an Inlet in 56. degrees. They returned for England. This Book was also subscribed by W. Cobreth and Iohn Drew. The lands end.