Sir Humphrey Gilberts Voyage to Newfoundland | Page 9

to go
to the northward of the height of 47 degrees of septentrional latitude by
no means, if God shall not enforce the contrary; but to do your
endeavour to keep in the height of 46 degrees, so near as you can
possibly, because Cape Race lieth about that height.

NOTE.
If by contrary winds we be driven back upon the coast of England, then
to repair unto Scilly for a place of our assembly or meeting. If we be
driven back by contrary winds that we cannot pass the coast of Ireland,
then the place of our assembly to be at Bere haven or Baltimore haven.
If we shall not happen to meet at Cape Race, then the place of
rendezvous to be at Cape Breton, or the nearest harbour unto the
westward of Cape Breton. If by means of other shipping we may not
safely stay there, then to rest at the very next safe port to the westward;
every ship leaving their marks behind them for the more certainty of
the after comers to know where to find them. The marks that every man
ought to leave in such a case, were of the General's private device
written by himself, sealed also in close wax, and delivered unto every
ship one scroll, which was not to be opened until occasion required,
whereby every man was certified what to leave for instruction of after
comers; that every of us coming into any harbour or river might know
who had been there, or whether any were still there up higher into the
river, or departed, and which way.
Orders thus determined, and promises mutually given to be observed,
every man withdrew himself unto his charge; the anchors being already
weighed, and our ships under sail, having a soft gale of wind, we began
our voyage upon Tuesday, the 11 day of June, in the year of our Lord
1583, having in our fleet (at our departure from Cawset Bay) these
ships, whose names and burthens, with the names of the captains and
masters of them, I have also inserted, as followeth:--1. The /Delight/,
alias the /George/, of burthen 120 tons, was Admiral; in which went the
General, and William Winter, captain in her and part owner, and
Richard Clarke, master. 2. The bark /Raleigh/, set forth by Master
Walter Raleigh, of the burthen of 200 tons, was then Vice- Admiral; in
which went Master Butler, captain, and Robert Davis, of Bristol, master.
3. The /Golden Hind/, of burthen 40 tons, was then Rear-Admiral; in
which went Edward Hayes, captain and owner, and William Cox, of
Limehouse, master. 4. The /Swallow/, of burthen 40 tons; in her was
captain Maurice Browne. 5. The /Squirrel/, of burthen 10 tons; in which
went captain William Andrews, and one Cade, master. We were in
number in all about 260 men; among whom we had of every faculty
good choice, as shipwrights, masons, carpenters, smiths, and such like,

requisite to such an action; also mineral men and refiners. Besides, for
solace of our people, and allurement of the savages, we were provided
of music in good variety; not omitting the least toys, as morris-dancers,
hobby-horse, and May-like conceits to delight the savage people,
whom we intended to win by all fair means possible. And to that end
we were indifferently furnished of all petty haberdashery wares to
barter with those simple people.
In this manner we set forward, departing (as hath been said) out of
Cawset Bay the 11 day of June, being Tuesday, the weather and wind
fair and good all day; but a great storm of thunder and wind fell the
same night. Thursday following, when we hailed one another in the
evening, according to the order before specified, they signified unto us
out of the Vice-Admiral, that both the captain, and very many of the
men, were fallen sick. And about midnight the Vice-Admiral forsook
us, notwithstanding we had the wind east, fair and good. But it was
after credibly reported that they were infected with a contagious
sickness, and arrived greatly distressed at Plymouth; the reason I could
never understand. Sure I am, no cost was spared by their owner, Master
Raleigh, in setting them forth; therefore I leave it unto God. By this
time we were in 48 degrees of latitude, not a little grieved with the loss
of the most puissant ship in our fleet; after whose departure the /Golden
Hind/ succeeded in the place of Vice-Admiral, and removed her flag
from the mizen into the foretop. From Saturday, the 15 of June, until
the 28, which was upon a Friday, we never had fair day without fog or
rain, and winds bad, much to the west-north- west, whereby we were
driven southward unto 41 degrees scarce.
About this time