HAuing bin for many yeeres impor­tuned, by my Honorable and wor­shipfull friends; to vndertake the discouery of that part of the world, which is commonly called The North-west Passage into the South Sea; and so to proceed to Iapan, and to round the world to the Westward; Being prest forward withall, by signify­ing to mee the earnest desire the Kings most excellent Ma­iestie had, to be satisfied therein: I acquainted my much Honoured friends the Merchants of Bristoll therewith: who as euer they haue bin Benefactors and Aduancers of them that pursue the wayes of Honour: together with the enlargement and benefit of his Maiesties Kingdomes: did freely offer to bee at the charge of furnishing forth ship­ping for this purpose. And now being thus enabled, I addrest my selfe to the Honourable Sir Thomas Roe, Knight (as to a learned, and furthest employed traueller [Page 2] by Sea and Land, this day in England) who ioyfully pre­sented theirs and mine owne voluntary willingnesse, to doe his Maiesties Seruice in this kinde: who most graciously accepted of the offer; and encouraged mee by many fauours in my weake vndertakings. Wherefore with all speed I con­triued in my mind, the best modell I could; wherby I might effect my designe. The Adventurers monies were instant­ly ready, and put into a Treasurers hand: that there might be no want of present pay, for any thing I thought neces­sary for the Voyage.

I was euer of the opinion, that this particular action might be better effected by one ship, then by two consorted: because in those Icie Seas, so much subiect to fogs, they might be easily separated; I forbeare to speake of stormes and other accidents: as that a Rendezvous in discoueries, cannot surely, or without much hinderance be appointed: and that speedy perseuerance is the life of such a businesse. Wherefore I resolued to haue but one Ship, the Ship-boate, and a Shallop.

A great Ship (as by former experience I had found) was vnfit to be forc'd thorow the Ice: wherefore I made choice of a well-conditioned, strong Ship, of the burthen of seuentie Tunne: and in God and that only Ship, to put the hope of my future fortunes.

The Ship resolued vpon, and that in lesse time then 18. moneths our voyage could not be effected: I next con­sidered how our Ship of seuentie Tuns in bulke and weight might now be proportioned; in victuals, namely, and other necessaries: this was all done, as contractedly as we could: and the number of men it would serue, at ordinary allow­ance, for the forementioned time; was found to be twenty two, a small number to performe such a businesse, yet [Page 3] double sufficient to sayle the Ship, with prouident care­fulnesse.

The Baker, Brewer, Butcher, and others, vndertake their Offices vpon their credits; knowing it to be a generall bu­sinesse, and their vtter vndoing if they fayled in perfor­mance, but truly they prooued themselues Masters in their Arts; and haue my praise for their honest care: in them consisting a great part of the performance of the voyage.

The Carpenters goe in hand with the Ship: to make her as strong and seruiceable, as possibly in their vnder­standings they could.

Euery thing being duly proportioned, and my small number of men knowne; I began to thinke of the quality and abilitie they should be of.

Voluntary loyterers I at first disclaimed, and published I would haue all vnmarried, approoued, able, and healthy Sea-men: in a few dayes an abundant number presented themselues; furnished with generall sufficiencie in ma­rine occasions; I first made choice of a Boate-swayne; and some to worke with him, for fitting the rigging of the Ship: and as things went forward, shipt the subordinate Crue; and all things being perfectly ready, I shipt the Masters mates, and last of all, the Master of my Ship, and my Liefetenant. The whole company were strangers to me, and to each other (as by way of familiaritie) but yet priuately recommended by worthy Merchants, for their abilitie and faithfulnesse. I was sought to by diuers, that had bin in places of the chiefest command in this action formerly; and others also that had vsed the Northerly Icie Seas: but I vtterly refused them all, and would by no meanes haue any with mee that had bin in the like voy­age, or aduentures, for some priuate reasons vnnecessary [Page 4] here to be related; keeping thus the power in my owne hands I had all the men to acknowledge immediate dependance vpon my selfe alone; both for direction and disposing of all, as well of the Nauigation, as all other things whatsoeuer.

In the meane time, the better to strengthen my former studies in this businesse, I seeke after Iournals, Plots, Discourses; or what-euer else might helpe my vnder­standing.

I set skilfull workemen to make me Quadrants, Staues, Semicircles, &c. as much, namely, as concerne the Fa­bricke of them: not trusting to their Mechannicke hands, to diuide them; but had them diuided by an ingenious practitioner in the Mathematicks. I likewise had Com­passe-needles made after the most reasonablest and truest wayes that could be thought on: and by the first of April, euery thing was ready to be put together into our hopefull Ship.

In the meane space, I made a Iourney vp to London, to know his Maiesties further pleasure; and to make knowne to him my readiness: who calling for the forementioned Honourable Knight, I speedily after receiued his Maiesties Royall Letters; with directions for proceeding in my voy­age, and my discharge: whereupon I had foorth the Ship into the Rode, expecting a faire winde to begin the voyage.

THE second of May, May 2. 1631. I tooke my leaue of the Worshipfull Merchant Aduenturers in this Action, in the Citie of Bristoll: and being accompanied with a Reuerend Diuine, one Master Thomas Palmer, and diuers of the Merchants, with others of my kindred and natiue Countrey-men; I repaired aboord. Here Master Palmer made a Sermon: exhorting vs to continue brotherly loue amongst vs, and to be bold to professe the true Christian Religion where-euer we should happen, in this our perigrination. After they had receiued such entertainment, as my estate could affoord them; they departed for Bristoll. This afternoone, I made reuiew of all things; aswell of clothes, and other necessaries, as of victuals; and where there was found any want, wee were presently furnished.

The third of May (after Prayer for a prosperous successe to our endeauours) 3. about three a clocke in the afternoone we came to Sayle: and Stode downe the Channell of Seuerne, with little winde, but slowly got forward to the Westward of Lundie; and then the winde opposed it selfe so strongly against vs, that wee were driuen to beare vp and come to an Anker in Lundie-Rode the fifth in the euening; where we re­mained vntill the eighth in the morning. Now hoping the winde would fauour vs, wee came to Sayle; but wee were forc'd to put into Milford: where we came to an Anker [Page 6] about mid-night. Here we remained till the seuenteenth in the morning; when with the first fauouring winde, we pro­ceeded and doubled about Cape Cleere of Ireland. May 22. The two and twentieth we were in Latitude 51: 26. and the Blaskes did beare of vs North-east, about twelue leagues off: which Blaskes is in Lat. 52. 4. Here I ordred the course that should bee kept: which was generally West North-west, as the winde would giue leaue: which in this Course and distance, is very variable and vnconstant. Iune 4. The fourth of Iune we made the land of Groynland: standing in with it to haue knowledge of the trending of it; It prooued very thicke foule weather; and the next day, 5. by two a clocke in the morning, we found our selues incompassed about with Ice: and endeauouring to cleere our selues of it (by reason we could not see farre about vs) we were the more ingaged, and strooke many fearefull blowes against it: At length we made fast to a great piece, (it blowing a very storme) and with poles wrought day and night to keepe off the Ice; in which labour we broke all our poles. 6. The sixth, about two a clocke in the morning, we were beset with many extraordinary great pieces of Ice, that came vpon vs, as it were with wilfull violence: and doubtlesse had crushed vs to pieces, if we had not let fall some Sayle which the Ship presently felt. In scaping that danger, we ran against another great piece, that we doubted whether our Ship had not bin stav'd to pieces. But pumping, we found she made no water. The former pieces of Ice, had crushed our Shallop all to pieces; wherefore I caused our long Boate speedily to be had vp from betwixt the Decks, and put ouer Boord: by helpe whereof we againe recouered our broken Shallop; and had her vp on the Decks, intending to new build her. All this day, we did beat, and were beaten fearefully, amongst the Ice; it blowing a very storme. In the euening, wee were inclosed amongst great pieces; as high as our Poope: and some of the sharpe blue corners of them, did reach quite vnder vs. All these great pieces (by reason it was the out-side of the Ice) did heaue and set, and so beat vs; that it was wonderfull how the Ship could indure one blow of it; but it was Gods only [Page 7] preseruation of vs, to whom be all honour and glory. In this extremitie, I made the men to let fall, and make what Sayle they could; and the Ship forced her selfe thorow it: though so tossed and beaten, as I thinke neuer Ship was. When we were cleere, we sayed the pumps, and found her stanch: vpon which we went instantly to prayer, and to praise God for his mercifull deliuery of vs.

The seuenth and eighth dayes, 7. & 8. we indeauoured to double about Cape Farewell; being still pestered with much Ice.

The ninth, 9. we were in Lat. 59. 00. and we made account the Cape Farewell bare of vs due East, and some ten leagues off. The Blaskes in Ireland, is in Lat. 52. 4. and Cape Fare­well in Lat. 59. 00. The course is West North-west: and the distance about 410. leagues: I know very well these La­titudes, courses and distance, doe not exactly agree with Ma­thematicall conclusions: but thus we found it by practice. The variation of the Compasse in Lat. 52. 30. and 30. leagues to the Westward of Ireland, is about 3. 00. to the Eastward; in Lat. 57. 00. about 310. leagues, West North-west, from the Blaskes, the Compasse doth vary 9. 00. to the West-ward: in Lat. 59. 15. some 40 leagues to the East-ward, of Cape Farewell, the variation is about 14. 45. In this course I haue bin obseruant whether there were any Currant that did set to the N. E. as some haue written there did, and that as well in Calme weather, as other-wayes: But I could not perceiue any. The windes here are variable; and the Sea of an vn­searchable depth. We haue not seene from Ireland hitherto, any Whales or other Fish; The weather, for the most part, was foggie and mistie, that wets as bad as raine.

The tenth, 10. all the morning, was very foule weather: and a high-growne Sea: although we had Ice not farre off about vs, and some pieces, as high as our Top-mast-head. Our long Boate, which we were faine to Towe at Sterne (by reason we were building our Shallop on our Decks) broke away, and put vs to some trouble to recouer her againe. This we did, and made meanes to haue her into the Ship, though very much bruised: and that I had two men sore hurt, and like to [Page 8] be lost in the hauing of her in. By eight a clocke this euening, we were shot vp as high as Cape Desolation: for finding here the Land to trend away North and by East, we certainly knew it to be the Cape. It stands in Lat. 60. 00. and the Land from Cape Farewell to it, trends N. W. the distance about 40. leagues. The distance from Cape Desolation, to the South end of the Iland of Resolution, is about 140. leagues: the course West, halfe a point North. The Lat. of the South end of the Iland, being 61. 20. some 12. leagues to the West­ward of Cape Desolation, the variation is 16. 00. In this course, we were much tormented, pestered and beaten with the Ice: many pieces being higher then our Top-mast-head. In our way, we saw many Grampusses amongst the Ice; and it seemeth the Sea is full of them: The weather for the most part, a stinking fogge; and the Sea, very blacke: which I con­ceiue to be occasioned by reason of the fogge.

The seuenteenth at night, 17. we heard the rutt of the shoare, as we thought: but it prooued to be the rutt against a banke of Ice, that lay on the shoare. It made a hollow and a hide­ous noyse, like an ouer-fall of water: which made vs to rea­son amongst our selues concerning it: for we were not able to see about vs, it being darke night, and foggie. We stood off from it, till breake of day; then in againe: and about 4. a clocke in the morning wee saw the Land aboue the fogge: which we knew to be the Iland of Resolution. This last night was so cold, that all our Rigging and Sayles were frozen. Wee endeauoured to compasse about the Southern point of the Iland: for that we were so much pestered with the Ice, and blinded with a very thicke fogge. Here runnes a quicke tyde into the Straight; but the ebbe is as strong as the flood; The fogge was of such a piercing nature, that it spoiled all our Compasses, and made them flagge; and so heauy withall, that they would not trauerse. Wherefore I would aduise any, that shall Sayle this way hereafter, to prouide Compasses of Muscouia Glasse, or some other matter, that will endure the moisture of the weather. As the fogge cleered vp, we could see the entrance of the Straight, to be all full of Ice [Page 9] close thronged together. Indeauouring to goe forward, wee were fast inclosed amongst it; and so droue to and againe with it, finding no ground at 230. fad. 4. leagues from the shoare.

The twentieth in the morning, we had got about the Sou­therne point of the Iland; 20 and the winde came vp at West, and droue both vs and the Ice vpon the shoare. When we were driuen within two leagues of the shoare, we came a­mongst the most strangest whirlings of the Sea, that possibly can bee conceiued; There were diuers great pieces of Ice a-ground in 40. fad. water, and the ebbe comming out of the broken grounds of the Iland, amongst these Iles of Ice, made such a distractiō that we were carryed round: sometimes close by the Rocks; sometimes close by those high pieces: that we were afeard they would fall vpon vs. We were so bea­ten likewise with the encountering of the Ice, that we were in a most desperate estate: We made fast two great pieces of Ice to our sides, with our Kedger and Grapnels, that drew 9. or 10. fad. that so they might be a-ground before vs, if so be we were driuen on the shoare. But that designe fayled vs: and now from the top seeing in amongst the Rocks, I sent the Boate (for now wee had finished her) to see if shee could finde some place of securitie: but shee was no sooner parted, but shee was inclosed, and driuen to hale vp on the Ice, or else shee had beene crushed to pieces. They ranne her ouer the Ice from piece to piece: and in the meane space, with the whirling and incountring of the Ice, the two pieces brake away from our sides, and carryed away our Kedger and Grapnels: Then we made signes to the Boate, to make all the haste shee could to vs: which shee perceiuing, did: the men being with much difficultie inforced to hale her ouer many pieces of Ice. In the meane space, we made some Sayle; and got to that piece of Ice, that had our Grapnell on it: which wee againe recouered. By this time, was our Boate come; and We put afresh Crue into her, and sent her to fetch our Kedger: which shee endeauoured with much dan­ger of Beate and Men. By this time, the Ship was driuen so [Page 10] neere the shoare, that we could see the Rocks vnder vs and about vs: and we should be carryed with the whirlings of the waters, close by the points of Rocks, and then round a­bout backe againe: and all this, notwithstanding the Sayle we had abroad; that wee expected continually when shee would be beaten to pieces. In this extremitie, I made them to open more Sayle, and to force her in amongst the Rocks and broken grounds: and where there was many great pieces of Ice aground. We went ouer Rocks, that had but 12. or 13. foot water on them; and so let fall an Anker. This An­ker had neuer bin able to winde vp the Ship, but that, (by good fortune) the Ship ranne against a great piece of Ice, that was a-ground. This rush, brake the Mayne knee of her Beake head, and a corner of it: tare away 4. of our maine Shrouds, and an Anker that we had at the Bowe, fastened into it: and so stopt her way, that she did winde vp to her Anker. Wee saw the sharpe Rocks vnder vs, and about vs; and had but 15. foot water: being also in the sides way, where all the Ice would driue vpon vs: Our Boate we could not see; which made vs doubt shee had bin crushed to pieces. In her, was the third part of our company: but by and by we saw her come about a point amongst the Rocks. Shee had reco­uered our Kedger; which made vs something ioyfull; With all speed we laid out Hawsers to the Rocks; and euery one did worke to the best of his strength, to Warp her out of this dangerous place, to the Rocks sides: where wee had 3. fad. water, and were vnder the shelter of a great piece of Ice that was a-ground, which should keepe off the Ice, that otherwise would haue driuen vpon vs. Here wee lay very well all the ebbe; but when the stood came, we were assaul­ted with pieces of Ice, that euery halfe houre put vs into despayrable distresse. We did worke continually, and extreme­ly, to keepe off the Ice. At full Sea, our great piece of Ice (which was our buckler) was afloate; and doe what wee could, got away from vs, and left vs in a most eminent dan­ger, by reason of the Ice that droue in vpon vs. But the ebbe being once made, this great piece of Ice came againe a-ground [Page 11] very fauourable to vs; and sheltered vs all the rest of the, ebbe. All night we wrought hard, to shift our Cables and Hawsers; and to make them fast aloft on the Rocks, that the Ice might the better passe vnder them. All day, and all night, it snowed hard; and blew a very storme at West; which droue in all the Ice out of the Sea vpon vs. In working a­gainst the violence of the Ice, the flooke of our Kedger was broken; two armes of our Grapnels, and two Hawsers, our Shallop being againe very much bruised: whereupon to work we goe on all hands to repaire it.

This tyde, 21 the Harbour was choaked full of Ice; so that it did seeme firme and vnmooueable: but when the ebbe was made, it did mooue. Some great pieces came a-ground; which did alter the course of the other Ice, and put vs on the Rocks. Here, notwithstanding all our vttermost endeauours, she set­tled vpon a sharpe Rocke; about a yard aboue the Mayne Mast; and as the water ebbed away, she hung after the Head, and heeld to the Offing. We made Cables and Hawsers aloft to her Masts, and so to the Rocks; straining them tough with our Tackles: but shee as the water ebbed away, sunke still; that at length shee was so turned ouer, that wee could not stand in her. Hauing now done all to the best of our vnder­standings (but to little purpose) we went all vpon a piece of Ice and fell to prayer; beseeching God to be mercifull vnto vs. It wanted yet an houre to low-water: and the tyde did want a foot and a halfe to ebbe, to what it had ebbed the last tyde. We were carefull obseruers of the low-waters, and had marks by stones and other things which we had set vp, so that we could not be deceiued. The Ship was so turn'd o­uer, that the Portlesse of the Fore-castell, was in the water: and we did looke euery minute, when shee would ouer-set. Indeed at one time, the Cables gaue way; and shee sunke downe halfe a foot at that slip: but vnexpectedly it began to flow, and sensibly wee perceiued the water to rise apace; and the Shippe withall. Then was our sorrow turned to ioy, and we all fell on our knees, praising God for his mercy, in so miraculous a deliuerance.

[Page 12] As soone as she was freed from this Rocke, we wrought hard to get her further off. All the flood, we were pretty quiet from the Ice: but when the ebbe was made, the Ice came all driuing againe vpon vs; which put vs to a great ex­tremity. We got as many pieces betwixt vs and the Rockes, as we could; to fence vs from the Rockes. There came a great piece vpon our quarter, which was aboue 300. of my pa­ces about, but it came a-ground. Thus did diuers great pieces besides; which was the occasion, that this tyde the Harbour was quite choakt vp: so that a man might goe any way o­uer it, from side to side. When it was three quarters ebbe, these great pieces that came a-ground, began to breake with a most terrible thundering noyse: which put vs in a great feare, that those about vs would breake vs all to pieces. But God preserued vs.

This morning the water veer'd to a lower ebbe then the last tide it had done, 22. by two foote; whereby we saw Gods mercies apparent in our late extremity. That flood, wee had some respit from our labours; but after full sea, our hopes ebde too. The great peece that was by vs, so stopt the Chan­nell, that the Ice came all driuing vpon vs; so that now, vn­doubtedly we thought wee should haue lost our Ship. To worke thereupon we goe, with axes, barres of iron, and any thing proper for such a purpose; to breake the corners of the Ice, and to make way for it to driue away from vs. It pleased God to giue good successe to our labours; and we made way for some, and fended off the rest; and got so much of the sof­ter sort of the Ice betwixt vs and the Rockes, that we were in pretty security. But at low-water, those peeces that were aground, breaking; kept a most thundering noyse about vs. This day I went ashore; and built a great Beacon with stones vpon the highest place of the Iland; and put a Crosse vpon it; and named this Harbour, The Harbour of Gods Prouidence. In the Euening, the Harbour was fuller of the Ice, then euer it had beene since we came hither: and the greater peeces grounded, and stopt the rest, that none went out the ebbe, but the Ship lay, as if shee had laine in a bed of Ice.

[Page 13] The three and twentieth day in the morning, 23. with the flood, the Ice droue vp amongst the broken grounds; and with the ebbe, droue all out (it being then very calme) except one ex­traordinary great peece: which comming aground not farre from vs, settled it selfe in such a manner, that we much feard him. But there came no more great Ice after him: o­therwise, we must haue expected as great danger, as at any time heretofore. I tooke the boate, and went ashoare vpon the Easterne side; to see if I could finde any place freer from danger then this vnfortunate place: where amongst the Rockes, I discried a likely place. From the top of the Hill where I was, I could see the Ship. It was now almost lowe water: at which instant the forementioned piece of Ice brake with a terrible noyse into foure pieces: which made me doubtfull it had not spoyled the Ship; it being full halfe mast high. I made what haste I could to the boate, and so to the Ship, to be satisfied: where I found all well, God be thanked: for that the Ice had broken from the Ship-ward. I instantly sent away the boate, to sound the way to a Coue that I had found: which was a very dangerous passage for the boate. At her returne, we vn-moord the Ship: and with what speede possible warpt away from amongst this terrible Ice. We were not a mile from them, but they brake all to pieces: and would surely haue made vs beare them company, but that God was more mercifull vnto vs. We got about the Rocks, and so into this little Coue which I had so newly dis­couered. Here we made fast to the Rockes; and thought our selues in indifferent safety: which being done, I went ashoare againe, to wander vp and downe, to see what I could disco­uer. I found it all broken Rockie grounds: and not so much as a tree, herbe, or grasse vpon it: Some Ponds of water there were in it, which were not yet thawed, and therefore not ready for the fowle; We found not in the snow any footing of Deere, or Beares, but Foxes we saw one or two.

We found where the Saluages had beene; but it was long since. They had made fiue hearths; and we found a few fire­brands about them; and some heads of Foxes, and bones of [Page 14] Foxes; with some Whale-bones. I could not conceiue, to what purpose they should come thither; for we could finde none or very little wood on the shoares side, and no fish at all; though we did dayly indeauour to take some. But it may be, the season was not yet come. I named this Coue by the Ma­sters name of my Ship, Prices Coue. The Latitude of it is 61. 24. the Variation. The firebrands and chips which I spake of, had beene cut with some hatchet or other good in­strument of iron: from the top of the hills, we could see the Ilands that are on the South shore; and commonly called Sir Thomas Buttons Iles: They did beare South and by East, halfe a point Easterly: some 14. or 15 leagues distant vpon the change day, it flowes here seuen a clocke and a halfe; and the tyde highest at most three fad. The flood comes from the Eastwards, and thither it returnes. I haue beene obseruant from the top of the hills; whence I might descry the great pieces of Ice, 2. or 3. leagues from the shoare, driue to and againe with the flood and ebbe indifferently. Hence I col­lected that assuredly there is no currant sets in here, but that it is a meere tyde. Neere the shoare, the eddies whitle into twenty manners; when the ebbe is made: which is, because it comes out of the broken ground amongst the Ice that is a­ground neere the shoare: Besides which reason, there be di­uers Rockes lying vnder water; on which you shall haue now 30. then 12. and anon but 8. and then 20. fad. And these vncertainties, occasion such distractions. I would therefore aduise none to come too neere those dangerous shoares, for feare hee lose his ship, and so by consequence all: The last night, we tooke better rest then we had done in tenne nights before.

And this morning being the 24. 24. there sprung vp a faire gale of wind at East: and after prayer we vnfastened our Ship, and came to saile, steering betwixt great pieces of Ice, that were a-ground in 40. fad. and twice as high as our top-mast head.

Wee went forth of this Coue, vpon the flood, and had none of those whirlings of the waters, as we had at our going [Page 15] into it. We indeauoured to gaine the North shoare; kept our selues within a league of the shoare of the Iland of Resolution, where we had some cleere water to saile thorow. In the Offing, it was all thicke throngd together, as might be possi­ble. By 12. a clocke, we were fast inclosed, and notwithstan­ding it blew very hard at East, yet we could make no way through it: but the hard corners of the Ice did grate vs with that violence, as I verily thought it would haue grated the plankes from the Ships sides. Thus we continued in tor­ment, till the day, driuing to and againe in the Ice; not being able to see an acre of sea from top-mast head. This 26. 26. was calme Sun-shine weather; and we tooke the Latitude & Variation. The Latitude is, the Variation we sounded, and had ground at 140. fad. small white sand. I caused the men to lay out some fishing lines; but to no purpose: for I could not perceiue that baite had beene so much as touched. The nights are very cold: so that our rigging freezes: and the fresh ponds of water stand vpon the Ice, aboue halfe an inch thicke.

The 27. 27. there sprung vp a little gale at South-East: and the Ice did something open. Hereupon we let fall our foresayle, and forced the Ship thorow the throng of Ice. In the Euen­ing, the winde came contrary, at W. N. W. and blew hard: which caused vs to fasten to a great piece, to which we re­mained moord till the 29.

I am resolued, 28. that here is no currant: and that by many experiments which I haue made. Namely, by taking markes on the land; and noting our drift to and againe, with the ebbe and flood, for many dayes together; as well in calme weather, as otherwayes. By all these experiments I found exactly, that the tide was no stronger there, then that be­twixt England and France.

This morning, 29. there sprung vp a fine gale at E. and the Ice did open something, so that we did force the Ship thorow it with her fore-saile. By 12. a clocke, we were gotten into some open water, with a fine gale of wind at East, and so cleere weather, that we could see the Iland of Resolution. [Page 16] The North end did beare of vs E. N. E. some 12. leagues off.

From this 29. till the 5. of Iuly, Iuly 5. wee sayled continually thorow the Ice, with variable winds and fogges, and some­times calme. The 5. at noone, we had a good obseruation, and were in Latitude 63. 15. and then wee saw Salisbury Iland, bearing W. by N. some 7. leagues off: with much Ice be­twixt it and vs: to weather which, we were driuen to stand to the Northward. Soone after, we saw Prince Charles his Cape, and Mill Iland: and to the North-north-west, (and in deed, round about vs) the Sea most infinitely pestered with Ice. This did grieue mee very much: for whereas I had determined to prosecute the discouery to the North-westward, I saw it was not possible this yeere. Wee were moreouer driuen back againe with contrary windes; still closed and pestered with Ice: and with all the perils and dangers, incident to such aduentures: so that we thought a thousand times, that the Ship had bin beaten to pieces.

By the fifteenth day of Iuly, 15. we were got betwixt Digges Iland and Nottinghams Iland: not being able to get more Northward. There for an houre or two, we had some open water.

But before I proceed further, it were not amisse in some manner to describe the Straight, which begins at the Iland of Resolution, and ends here at Digges Iland. If you goe downe into the Bay, the Straight is about 120. leagues long; and trends W. N. W. and E. S. E. generally. In the entrance, it is about 15. leagues broad; and then on the Southward side, is a great Bay. About the middest, it is likewise about 15. leagues broad: and then the Land opens something wider: so that betwixt Digges Iland, and Cape Charles, it is about 20. leagues broad. Betwixt which two stands Salisbury Iland, and Nottingham Iland. If it be cleere weather, you may see both the South and the North shoares: ordinarily, the depth in the middle of the Straight, is 120. faddomes, white sand. A certaine tyde runnes in it, and no Current: The North shoare, is the straightest, and the cleerest from Ice too. A­longst the North shoare, you haue many low small Ilands: [Page 17] which cannot be seene farre off from the land: and in many places, the land makes as if it had small sounds into it. The Maine land on both sides, is indifferent high land. And so much for discourse may suffice: referring you to the Plot for the particulars.

Being now resolued of the impossibilitie to doe any thing to the North-westward, 16. for the reasons aforesaid: I gaue order to the Master of my Ship to Steere away, W. S. W. to haue a sight of Mansfeilds Iland; which the next day by three a clocke in the after-noone, we had: hauing had so much dangerous foule weather amongst the Ice, that we strooke more fearefull blowes against it, then we had euer yet done. This was the first day that wee went to halfe allowance of bread Flesh dayes: and I ordered things as sparingly as I could. Two of our men complaine likewise of sickenesse; but soone afterward recouered. In the euening wee came to an Anker: and I sent the Boate ashoare to try the tydes. They brought mee word, that whilest the Boat was ashoare, it flowed about some three foote: and as wee found by the Ship, and by the Ice; the water at that time came from the W. S. W. and that the highest tydes (so farre as they could perceiue) it had not highed aboue two faddome: They found that the Saluages had beene vpon it; by certaine fires which they found, and heapes of stones, Tracks of other beasts, but Foxes they could not finde. The winde was so contrary, and the weather so foggie; that wee were faine to spend some powder to recouer our Boate againe.

Next morning being the 17. 17. the winde came something fauourable: and wee wayed. The shoare being something cleere of Ice (though very thicke all to the Offing) wee stood alongst it S. and S. by W. some 10. leagues. In the after-noone, the winde came contrary: and we came againe to an Anker, within a mile of the shoare: for to Sea-boord, was all thicke Ice, and vnpassable. I went ashoare my selfe, to be resolued of the tyde, and found whilest I was a shoare, that it did flow two foote: and at that time the flood came from the S. W. by W. I doubted it was an halfe tyde; which [Page 18] afterwards I found to be true. I found where the Saluages had beene vpon the Iland; but could see little or no drift wood on the shoare; no beasts on the Iland, nor fishes in the Sea. It flowes on the change day, about a eleuen a clocke. We saw some fowle on it: of which we killed one, and re­turned aboord. This Iland is very low land; little higher then a dry sand-banke. It hath Ponds vpon it of fresh water, but no grasse: and is vtterly barren of all goodnesse.

The 18. in the morning, the winde came something fauou­rable; 18. and we weyed and came to Sayle: for the Ice was all comne about vs. We endeauoured to proceed to the West­ward; intending to fall with the Westerne land, about the Latitude 63. 00. By twelue a clocke, (hauing beene much pestered) we were comne to a firme range of Ice: but it pleased God that the winde larged, and wee stowed away S. S. W. At noone in Lat. 62. 00. by 4. in the euening (ha­uing scaped dangerous blowes) wee were come (as wee thought) into an open Sea; and ioyfully steered away West, and W. by N. although that Ioy was soone quayled. By ten at night, we heard the rut of the Ice: and it grew a thicke fogge, and very darke with it: neuerthelesse we proceeded, and the neerer we came to it, the more hideous noyse it made.

By three in the morning, the 19. we were come to it, 19. and as it did cleere a little, we could see the Ice: which were as thicke rands of Ice, as any we had yet seene. These being vn­passable, and moreouer the winde at N. W. we stowed alongst it, hoping to weather it to the Southward: but at last, we be­came so blinded with fogge, and so incompassed with Ice, that we could goe no further.

The 20. in the morning (notwithstanding the fogge) 20. we endeauoured to get to the Westward; our Ship beating and knocking all this while most fearefully.

In this wilfulnesse we continued till the 21: 21. when being fast amongst the Ice, I obserued we were in Lat. 60. 33. and then looking what damage our Ship might haue receiued, we could perceiue that below the plate of Iron, which was be­fore her Cut-water, shee was all bruised and broken: the two [Page 19] knees she had before, to strengthen her, spoyled and torne: and many other defects, which we could not by any meanes come to mend. Notwithstanding all this, and the extraordi­nary thicke fogge (that we could not see a Pistoll shot about vs) we proceeded with the hazzard of all.

Till the 27: 27. which was the frist time we had cleere wea­ther to looke about vs: The winde withall came vp at South, and the Ice did open something: so that we made some way thorow it to the Westward. In the euening, we were fast againe, and could goe no further: the winde veering from the South to the East; and blowing a fresh gale. This occa­sioned our griefes the more; that with a good winde, wee could not goe forward: putting therefore a Hawser vpon a piece of great Ice, to keepe the Ship close to it, we patiently expected for better fortune. Since we came from Mansfields Iland, our depth was commonly 110. and 100. fad. oozye ground. Now the water begins to showlde: for this present 27. driuing fast to and againe in the Ice, we haue but 80. fad. ground as before.

The 28. and 29. we were so fast inclosed in the Ice, 28. that notwithstanding, we put abroad all the sayle that was at yards; and that it blew a very hard gale of winde; the Ship stirred no more then if shee had beene in a dry Docke. Hereupon we went all boldly out vpon the Ice, to sport and recreate our selues, letting her stand still, vnder all her Sayles. It was flat, extraordinary large Ice: the worst to deale withall, that we had yet found. I measured some pieces: which I found to be 1000. of my paces long. This was the first day that our men began to murmure: thinking it impossible to get either forwards or backe-wards. Some were of the opinion, that it was all such Ice, betwixt vs and the shoare. Others, that the Bay was all couered ouer: and that it was a doubt whether we could get any way, or to any land, to winter in. The nights were long; and euery night it did so freeze, that we could not sayle amongst the Ice by night, nor in the thicke foggie weather. I comforted and incouraged them, the best I could: and to put away these cogitations, wee dranke a health to his [Page 20] Maiestie on the Ice; not one man in the Ship; and shee still vnder all her sayles. I most ingeniously confesse, that all their murmuring was not without reason; wherefore doubting that we should be frozen vp in the Sea: I ordered that fire should be made but once a day, and that but with a certaine number of shides, that the Steward should deliuer to the Cooke by tale, the better to prolong our fewell whatsoeuer should happen.

The 30. 30. we made some way thorow the Ice: we heauing the Ship with our shoulders, and with Mawles and Crowes of Iron, breaking the corners of the Ice, to make way. As we got forwards, the water shoalded apace: so that I be­leeue it to be some Iland. At noone we obseru'd thorow the fogge, with the Quadrant, vpon a piece of Ice: and were in Lat. 58. 54. our depth 30. fad. We put out hookes, to try to catch some fish, but to no purpose; for there is not any in this Bay.

The 31. 31. we laboured as aforesaid: and got something for­ward. At noone we were in Lat. 58. 40. our depth 23. fad. It was very thicke hazye weather; or else I thinke we should haue seene the land.

The first of August, August 1. the winde came vp at West; which droue vs to the Eastward: where our depth increased to 35. fad. At noone (by obseruation with the Quadrant, on the Ice) we were in Lat. 58. 45. At sixe a clocke this euening, we might perceiue the Ice to heaue and set a little: which was occasioned by a swelling Sea, that came out of the South-West. This did comfort vs very much: hoping shortly we should get out of the Ice.

The second, 2. it did blow hard at South-West, and yet we could not feele the forementioned swelling Sea: which did againe quench the hopes we had formerly conceiued.

The third, 3. wee did see a little open water to the North-westward; and did feele a swelling Sea from the West: which doth assure vs, that there is an open Sea to the Westward.

The fift, 5. we saw the Sea cleere: but could by no meanes worke our selues to it with our sayles: wherefore about sixe [Page 21] in the euening, wee let fall an Anker in 50. fad. water; and stood all with poles and oares to fend off the Ice, and let it passe to Leewards. We continued this labour all night.

In the morning, 6. the winde came vp at North-West, and we wayed with much ioy, as hoping now to get into an open Sea to the Southward. This by noone we had done; and were in Lat. 58. 28. very free of Ice. The winde did large vpon vs: so that we stood away North-West, to get vp as high to the Northward as we could: and so to come coasting to the Southward. We went to prayer, and to giue God thanks for our deliuery out of the Ice.

The ninth, 9. (being in Lat. 59. 40.) we came againe to the Ice, which lye very thicke to the North: since we came out of the Ice, our depth increased to 110. and now decreaseth a­gaine: So that I thinke we approched towards the shoare.

The tenth prooued very thicke foggie weather; 10. the winde contrary, and the water showlding apace, we came to an An­ker in 22. fad.

The eleuenth in the morning, 11. we wayed, and made in for the shoare; and about noone saw the land: our depth being 16. fad. in Lat. 59. 40. The land to the North of vs, did trend North by East, and so made a point to the Southward, and trended away West by South, which we followed: ma­king it for that place, which was formerly called Hubberts Hope. And so it prooued indeed: but it is now hopelesse.

Two or three words now, concerning the Bay that we haue past ouer. It is from Digges Iland, to this Wester land (in latitude aforesaid) about 160. leagues, the course West South West, the variation

The tydes doe set in the middle of the Bay, East and West, as we haue often tryed by our ledde aground: but neerer the shoares, as they are forced by the land; I am of the opinion that in the Ocean, or in large Bayes, the tydes doe naturally set East and West, and that this doth giue little hope of a passage. The greatest depth we had in the Bay, was 110. fad. and so shoalding, as you approch to land, we coasted round about this forementioned little Bay; which is some 18. leagues [Page 22] deepe in 8. and 6. fad. and in the bottome of it, we were in two faddome and a halfe water, and saw the firme land, al­most round about vs. Then we proceeded to the Southward sixe and seuen faddome water; within sight of the breach of the shoare: keeping the lead continually going, and in the night we would come to an Anker. This night being little winde, we came to an Anker with our Kedger: but in way­ing of him, we lost him, hauing no more aboord vs.

The 12. 12. we were in Lat. 58. 46. some two leagues from the shoare. The variation is about 17. deg.

The 13. 13. in the afternoone (it being something hazye) we saw some breaches ahead vs: our depth was 9. and 10. fad. and luffing to cleere our selues of them, we suddenly strooke vpon the Rocks: the Ship then being vnder our two Top­sayles, Foresayle and Spreetsayle: with a fresh gale of winde. In this fearefull accident, wee strooke all our sayles amaine; and it did please God to send two or three good swelling Seas, which did heaue vs ouer the Rocks, into 3. fad. and pre­sently into three faddome and a halfe; where we chopt to an Anker: and sayed the pumps: but we found shee made no water, although shee had three such terrible blowes, that we thought her Mast would haue shiuered to pieces, and that she had bin assuredly bulged. Wee hoyst the Boate ouer-boord, and double man'd her: to goe seeke and sound a way, out of this perilous place. Shee was no sooner gone, but there rose a fogge; so that we were faine to spend some powder, that shee might heare whereabouts we were. The winde duld something; otherwise, it had beene doubtfull whither shee could euer haue recouered to vs againe. After shee had beene absent two houres, she brought vs word, that it was all Rocks and breaches, round about vs: and that withall, shee had found a way, where there was not lesse then two fad. and a halfe: and that afterwards, the water did deepen. We did presently way, and follow the Boate, and past ouer two ledges of Rocks, on which there was scarce 14. foot water. Then it did deepen to 3. 4. and so to 14. fad. then it shoulded againe to 9. It being now night, we came to an Anker: where [Page 23] we ride indifferent well all the night. In the morning, the winde came contrary; so that wee could not goe that way we intended to cleere our selues: and therefore we went to worke; to fit our holds, to splise our Cables; and made rea­dy two shot, and so placed them in the Hold, that they might vpon all occasions runne cleere; the ends of them being fast­ned to the maine Mast. We likewise lookt to our Ankers, and fitted our spare ones. We got out our long Boate from betwixt the decks; which was very much broken and brui­sed. The Carpenter went to worke to fit her, (for I inten­ded to tow the Shallop at Sterne) and so to haue the Boats ready at an instant, either to lay out Ankers, or to be seruice­able to what God should be pleased to try our faith and pati­ence withall: for in him was our only trust, and our hope vpon his fauour, in our honest endeauours. At noone, in Lat. 57. 45. wee could see the land from the N. W. to the S. E. by E. with Rocks and breaches: and the Rocks that we came ouer, dry aboue water: whereby I knew it flowes here two faddomes at least. At noone, I sent the Boate off to sownd to the Eastward: because the water shoulded, when we came to an Anker. Shee brought vs word, the shouldest water she had beene in, was 7. fad. We intending thereupon to way, the winde came Easterly: so that we could not budge: but lay here the 14. all night, 14. with a stiffe gale of winde.

The 15. in the euening, 15. our Cable galded off: by reason of which perilous and sudden accident, in which wee had not time to put a Buoy to it, we lost our Anker, and were driuen into 4. fad. water, before we could set our sayles. This when we had done, we stowed South South-East, the winde being at East, but the water shoulded to 3. fad. Then wee stowed North north-east, and it did deepen by degrees to ten fadd. and because it grew darke, we came to an Anker, and rid a good stresse all night.

In the morning the 16. 16. the winde came vp at North a fresh gale: and we wayed and came to sayle. By nine a clocke, it grew to be a very storme: and we turned to and againe, in 10. fad. water. In the euening, the winde duld: and wee [Page 24] stood South-west, to haue a sight of Port Nelson: which course we stood all night, by the Starres, being in Lat. 57. 25. the variation, about 17. degrees.

The 17. in the morning, 17. we stood South: and our depth decreased by degrees to 8. faddomes. At noone we had good obseruation: being in Latitude 57. 15. and wee make ac­count, that we are some 6. or 7. leagues of the Southerne side of Port Nelson. Here the colour of the water changed: and was of a puddlelish and sandy red colour. We stood into 6. fad. and could not see the land from Top-mast-head: so night comming on, and it beginning to blow hard at East by South, we stood off againe into 10. and 12. faddomes: where the water was againe of the colour of the Sea.

The 18. as the winde and weather fauoured vs, 18. and the storme was broken vp: we stood in againe South, and came againe into thicke puddlelish water: into 8. 7. and 6. fad. and then off againe: for that it grew thicke foggie weather: keeping our lead continually going, night and day.

The 19. being fine cleere Sun-shine weather; 19. we stood in againe into the thicke puddleish water, into 8. fad. where we came to an Anker, to try the tydes: For that from Top-mast-head, we could not now see the land. We were at noone (by good obseruation) in Latitude 57. 20. and the tyde did set N. W. by W. and S. E. by E. It did runne two knols and a halfe in two glasses; I resolued, that this was nothing but shoalds to the land. In the after-noone it began to snuffle and blow; so that we had much adoe to get vp our Anker. This being done, we stood East South East: but the water shoal­ded apace. Then we stood East, and it deepened a little: In the euening, the winde came vp at West; and then we stood East South-east, into 10. and 8. and afterwards South-East, as our depth did guide vs by our lead, and the colour of the water into 7. and 6. faddomes.

The 20. 20. at 6. in the morning, we saw the land: it being a very low flat land. Wee stood into 5. faddomes, to make it the better: and so stood alongst it. At noone wee were in lat. 57. 00. We named it, The new Principality of South Wales; [Page 25] and drank a health in the best liquor we had to Prince Charles his Highnesse, whom God preserue. We stood alongst it; and came to a point where it trends to the Southward: neere to which point, there are two small Ilands. In the euening it was calme, and we came to an Anker. The tyde set as afore­said. There we rid all that night, and the next day: by rea­son the winde was contrary. There went a chopping short Sea: and the Ship did labour at it, exceedingly leaping in Spreet-sayle yard, Forecastell, and all: for as yet we had not trimmed her well, to ride. About nine at night, it was very darke: and it did blow hard. Wee did perceiue by the lead the Ship did driue, wherefore bringing the Cable to Cap­stang, to heaue in our Cable (for we did thinke we had lost our Anker) the Anker hitcht againe, and vpon the chopping of a Sea, threw the men from the Capstang. A small rope in the darke, had gotten foule about the Cable, and about the Masters legge too: but with helpe of God hee did cleere himselfe, though not without sore bruising. The two Mates were hurt; the one in the head; the other in the arme. One of our lustiest men, was strooken on the brest with a bar, that he lay sprawling for life: another had his head betwixt the Cable; and hardly escaped. The rest were flung, where they were sore bruised: But our Gunner (an honest and a diligent man) had his legge taken betwixt the Cable and the Cap­stang: which wrung off his foote, and tare all the flesh off his legge, and crushed the bone to pieces, and sorely withall brui­sed all his whole body: in which miserable manner hee re­mained crying till we had recouered our selues, our memory and strengths to cleere him. Whilest we were putting him and the rest downe to the Chirurgion; the Ship droue into shoalde water; which put vs all in feare: we being so sorely weakened by this blow, which had hurt eight of our men. It pleased God, that the Anker held againe: and shee rid it out all night. By midnight, the Chirurgion had taken off the Gunners legge at the gartering place; and drest the others that were hurt and bruised: after which we comforted each other as well as we could.

[Page 26] The 22. 22. wee weyed; and stood a little off into deeper water; expecting a better winde. Which in the afternoone fauoured vs. Wee stood in againe for the shoare, and alongst it wee proceeded. It is very shoald about foure leagues off, and full of breaches.

The 23. 23. at noone, we were in latitude 56. 28. In the eue­ning, the winde came contrary: and we were faine to turne to and againe. All this moneth, the winde hath beene very variable, and continued not long vpon one point: yet it hap­pened so, that we can get but little forward.

The 26. 26. there sprung vp a fine gale at West, but very thicke weather: neuerthelesse wee stood into 7. and 6. fad. the water very thicke and puddlelish. At noone, it cleered; and we could see that we were imbayed in a little Bay: the land being almost round about vs. We stood out of it, and so alongst it, in sight; till the 27. 27. in the morning: when we came to higher land then any we had yet seene, since we came from Nottingham Iland. We stood into it, and came to an Anker in 5. faddome. I sent off the Boate, well man'd and arm'd; with order in writing what they were to doe: and a charge to returne againe, before Sunne-set: The euening came, and no newes of our Boate: we shot and made false fires; but had no answer: which did much perplex vs, doub­ting that there had some distaster befalne her, through care­lesnesse, and in her we should lose all. Wee aboord, at present, were not able to wey our Anker, nor sayle the Ship. At last we saw a fire vpon the shoare; which made vs the more doubtfull, because they did not answer our shot, nor false fires with the like. Wee thought withall, that it had beene the Saluages, who did now triumph in their conquest. At length they came, all safe and well: and excused themselues, in that vpon their comming ashoare, it did ebbe so suddenly, that a banke of sand was so presently dry without them, as they could not come away, till that was couered againe: and with that they pacified mee: They reported, that there was great store of drift wood, on the shoare: and a good quantitie growing on the land. That they saw the tracks of Deere and [Page 27] Beares: good store of Fowle; (of which they had killed some) but no signe of people. That they past ouer two lit­tle riuers, and came to a third; which they could not passe: That it did flow very neere three faddomes, sometimes; as appeared by the shoare. That it was low water at foure a clocke; that the flood came from the North-west: and that it flowed halfe tyde; which both they and we had perceiued by the Ship. At low water, we had but three faddome, where we did ride. The winde began to blow hard at East, where­upon we weyed and stood to the Northward till midnight: Then in againe; and in the morning wee saw the land: and then it began to blow hard, and as we stood off, it increased to a very storme; so that at length wee could not maintaine a payre of courses; but tryed vnder our Maine course, all day and all night: sometime turning her head, to the Landward: sometime to the Offing.

The 29. 29. in the morning, we made account we had drouen backe againe, some 16. or 18. leagues: and in the morning (as it cleered) wee saw a Ship to Leeward of vs some three or foure leagues: so wee made sayle and bore vp with her. Shee was then at an Anker in 13. fadd. It was his Maiesties Ship, and Captaine Foxe commanded in her.

I saluted him according to the manner of the Sea, and re­ceiued the like of him. So I stood in to see the land, and thought to tacke about, and keepe weather of him, and to send my Boat aboord of him: but the winde shifted, so that for that time I could not. In the euening, I came to weather of him, and sent my Boat aboord of him; who presently weigh­ed, and stood off with mee till midnight: and then we stood in againe.

In the morning Captaine Foxe and his friends, came aboord of mee: where I entertained them in the best manner I could: and with such fresh meat as I had gotten from the shoare; I told him, how I had named the land, The South Principality of Wales. I shewed him how farre I had beene to the East­ward: where I had landed; and in briefe, I made knowne to him, all the dangers of this Coast, as farre as I had beene. [Page 28] He told mee, how himselfe had beene in Port Nelson: and had made but a Cursory discouery hitherto: and that he had not beene aland; nor had not many times seene the land. In the euening, after I had giuen his men some necessaries, with Tobacco and other things which they wanted: hee departed aboord his Ship: and the next morning, stood away South South-west: since which time, I neuer saw him. The winde something fauouring mee, I stood in for the shoare; and so proceeded alongst it, in sight.

This moneth of August ended with Snow and Haile; the weather being as cold, as at any time I haue felt in England.

We coasted alongst the shoare in 10. September 1. faddomes, and when it cleered; in sight of land. At length the water shoalded to 6. and 5. fadd. and as it cleered, we saw it all breaches to Lee­ward: so we hull'd off, North North-east, but still raised land. By night, we had much adoe to get safely out of this dange­rous Bay. At midnight, the winde came vp at South, and so we tooke in our sayles, and let the Ship driue to the North­ward into deeper water. This day, was the first time, the Chirurgion told mee, that there were diuers of the men tain­ted with sicknesse. At noone, we were in latitude 55. 12.

The second, 2. we stood in againe for the shoare; but as we came in to shoald water, it began to blow: the weather being winterly and foule; threatning a storme: wherein we were not deceiued, for that in standing off, wee had a violent one. By midnight it broke vp; 3. and the third in the morning, wee stood in againe: and by a 11. wee saw it. Here wee found the land to trend South South-east and South: so that we knew, we were at a Cape Land: and named it Cape Henrietta Maria: by her Maiesties name; Who had before named our Ship. At noone, we were in latitude 55. 05. and that is the height of the Cape.

From Port Nelson to this Cape, the land trends (generally) East South-east, but makes with points and Bayes: which in the particulars doth alter it a point, two or three. The di­stance is about one hundred and thirtie leagues: the variation at this Cape taken by Amplitude, is about sixteene degrees. [Page 29] A most shoald and perilous coast: in which there is not one Harbour to be found.

The third day in the afternoone, 3. we had a tearing storme at North; which continued till midnight, in extreme violence.

The fourth in the morning (the storme being broke vp) we stood in againe, 4. South-West. The weather was very thicke, and we sounded continually: but by noone it cleered and we saw the land. Here it did trend South by East, and the tydes did set alongst it, with a quicke motion. In the euening, there came a great rowling Sea out of the North North-east, and by eight a clocke, it blew very hard at South-east, and by reason of the incounter of the winde and this great Sea: the Sea was all in a breach; and to make vp a perfect tempest, it did so lighten, snow, raine, and blow, all the night long, that I was neuer in the like: We shipt many Seas; but one most dangerous: which rackt vs fore and aft: that I verily thought it had sunke the Ship: It strooke her with such a violence. The Ship did labour most terribly in this distraction of winde and waues: and we had much adoe to keepe all things fast in the hold, and betwixt decks.

The fift in the morning, 5. the winde shifted South-West, but changed not his condition; but continued in his old anger and fury. In the afternoone, it shifted againe to the North-west, and there showed his vttermost malice; and in that tea­ring violence, that nor I, nor any that were then with mee, euer saw the Sea in such a breach. Our Ship was so tormented, and did so labour; with taking it in on both sides, and at both ends: that we were in a most miserable distresse, in this so vnknowne a place. At eight a clocke in the euening, the storme brake vp: and we had some quietnesse in the night following: not one hauing slept one winke in 30. houres be­fore. If this storme had continued Easterly, as it was at first, without Gods goodnesse we had all perished.

The sixt, 6. the winde was at South-west, so that wee could do no good to the Westward. We spent the time therefore, in trimming of our Ship: we brought all our coales (which for the most part was great Coale) aft: as we also did some [Page 30] other things; and all to lighten her afore. Others did picke our bread; whereof there was much wet: for doe what we could, we shipt abundance of water betwixt decks: which ranne into the hold, and into our bread-roome: for the Sea, indeed, so continually ouer-rackt vs, that we were like Ionas in the Whales belly: We ouer-looked our Tacks and Shoots, with other Riggings of stresse: because that henceforward, we were to looke for no other but Winter weather: This euening our Boate-swayne (a painefull man, and one that had laboured extremely these two or three dayes) was very sicke: swouning away three or foure times: insomuch that wee thought verily, he would presently haue dyed.

The seuenth in the morning, 8. the winde came vp at South-east, and we stood away South-west, vnder all the sayle we could make. In this course, we saw an Iland and came close aboord it: and had twentie fadd. water, which was some com­fort to vs: for hitherto, we could not come within foure or fiue leagues of the shoare, at that depth. This Iland stands in 54. 10. The afternoone, we stood away South-west, and in the euening, had the shoalding of the Westerne shoare, in 10. 8. and 7. fadd. but it was so thicke, that we could not see the land. It is about 14. leagues, betwixt this Iland and the Maine.

The eight was thicke, 9. foggie, and calme: which so conti­nued till the ninth about sixe in the morning. The winde then comming vp at South South-west: (though very foggy) we stood to the Eastward: keeping our lead going continually. In the euening, the water shoalded to 10. and 9. fadd: where­fore we stood off and on, all night.

The tenth we made it: finding it an Iland, 10. of about 8. or 9. leagues long. It stands in latitude 53. 5. and about 15. leagues from the Westerne shoare. The part of it, that we coasted, trends West North-west: I named it my Lord We­stons Iland; We stood still away to the Eastward: it being broken foggie weather. In the afternoone, we discryed land to the Eastward of vs: which made like three hils, or hum­mockes: Towards them we sayle; keeping our lead still going: [Page 31] and very circumspect. At length wee also saw land to the Southward of vs: whereupon we loofe vp, and now make for that: by course as we had set it in the thicke darke fogge. We came in amongst such low broken grounds, breaches, and rockes; that we knew not which way to turne vs: but God be thanked it was but little winde; and so we came to an An­ker; Soone after it cleered; at which time we could see no­thing but sands, rocks, and breaches, round about vs: that way onely excepted, which we came in. I sent presently the Boate to sound amongst the shoalds and rocks: that if wee should be put to extremitie, we might haue some knowledge which way to goe. This night prooued calme and faire wea­ther: and we rid quietly.

The eleuenth in the morning, 11. I went in the Boate ashoare my selfe: and whilst I was a land, I sent the Boate about a­mongst the broken grounds, to sound. I found this Iland, vt­terly barren of all goodnesse: yea of that which I thought easily to haue found: which was Scuruy-grasse, Sorrell, or some herbe or other, to haue refreshed our sicke people. I could not perceiue that the tyde did flow here (ordinarily) a­boue two foot. There was much drift wood on the shore: and some of it droue vp very high, on the North side of the I­land: whereby I iudged that the stormes were very great at North, in the Winter. Thus I returned aboord; and sent ma­ny of our sicke men to another part of the Iland, to see if they themselues could fortunately finde any reliefe for their griefes. At noone, by good obseruation, we were in latitude 52. 45. In the euening, our men returned comfortlesse: and then we weyed and stood to the Westward, comming to an Anker vnder another Iland, in 20. faddomes.

The twelfth in the morning, 12. it began to blow hard at South-east, which was partly of the shoare; and the Ship be­gan to driue: it being soft oozie ground. We heaued in our Anker thereupon, and came to sayle vnder two courses. Whilest the most were busie in heauing out of Top-sayles: some, that should haue had speciall care of the Ship ranne her ashoare vpon the rocks: out of meere carelesnesse, in looking [Page 32] out and about or heaving of the leade, after they had seene the land all night long, and mought euen then haue seene it, if they had not been blinded with selfe conceit, and beene enui­ously opposite in opinions. The first blow, stroke me out of a dead sleepe, and I running out of my Cabbin; thought no other at first, but I had beene wakened (when I saw our dan­ger) to prouide my selfe for another World.

After I had contrould a little passion in my selfe, and had checkt some bad counsell that was giuen me, to reuenge my selfe vpon those that had committed this error: I ordered what should be done to get off these Rockes and stones. First we halde all our sayle abacke-slayles; but that did no good, but make her beate the harder. Whereupon we strooke all our sayles amaine; and furdeld them vp close, tearing downe our sterne, to bring the Cable thorow the Cabbin to Capstang: and so laid out an Anker to heaue her asterne. I made all the water in hold to be stau'd: and set some to the pumpes to pumpe it out, and did intend to doe the like with our Beere; Others I put to throw out all our Coales: which was soone and readily done. We quoyld out our Cables into our long boate; all this while, the Ship beating so fearefully, that we saw some of the sheathing swim by vs. Then stood we, as many as we could, to the Capstang: and heaued with such a good will, that the Cable brake, and we lost our An­ker. Out, with all speede, therefore, we put another: Wee could not now perceiue whether she did leake or no; and that by reason we were imployed in pumping out the water, which we had bulged in hold: though we much doubted, that she had receiued her deaths wound: wherefore we put into the Boate the Carpenters tooles, a barrell of bread, a barrell of powder, sixe muskets, with some match; and a tin­der-boxe, fish, hookes and lines, pitch and okum: and to be breefe, what-euer could be thought on in such an extremity. All this we sent ashoare, to prolong a miserable life for a few dayes. We were fiue houres thus beating; in which time she strooke 100. blowes: insomuch that we thought euery stroke had bin the last that it was possible she could [Page 33] haue endured. The water, we could not perceiue in all this time, to flowe any thing at all: at length, it pleased God, she beat ouer all the Rockes: though yet wee knew not whe­ther she were stanch. Whereupon, to pumping we goe on all hands, till we made the pumpes sucke: and then we saw how much water she did make in a glasse. VVe found her to be very leakie; but wee went to prayer and gaue God thankes it was no worse: and so fitted all things againe, and got further off and came to an Anker. In the Euening, it be­gan to blow very hard at W. S. W. which if it had done whilest we were on the Rockes, we had lost our Ship with­out any redemption. With much adoe, we wayde our Anker, and let her driue to the Eastward amongst the broken grounds and Rockes: the boate going before, sounding. At length, we came amongst breaches; and the boate made signes to vs that there was no going further. Amongst the Rockes there­fore we againe came to an Anker, where we did ride all night: and where our men which were tyred out with extreme la­bour, were indifferent well refreshed. Here I first noted, that when the wind was at S. it flowed very little or no wa­ter at all; so that we could not bring our Ship aground to looke to her: for we did pumpe almost continually.

The 13. at noone we wayed, 13. and stood to the Westward: but in that course, it was all broken grounds, shoaldes and sunken Rockes: so that we wondered with our selues, how we came in amongst them in a thicke fogge. Then we shapte our course to the North-ward: and after some consultation with my associates, I resolued to get about this land, and so to goe downe into the bottome of Hudsons Baye; and see if I could discouer a way into the Riuer of Canada: and if I failed of that, then to winter on the maine Land; where there is more comfort to be expected, then among Rockes or Ilands. We stood alongst the shoare, in sight of many breaches. When it was night, we stood vnder our fore-sayle; the leade still going. At last, the water shoalded vpon vs, to 10. fad. and it began to blow hard. We tackte about, and it did deepen to 12. and 14. fad. but by and by, it shoalded againe [Page 34] to 8. fad. Then we tackt about againe; and suddenly it shoal­ded to 6. and 5. fad. so wee strooke our sayle amaine, and chopt to an anker: resoluing to ride it out for life and death. We ridde all night a great stresse; so that our bittes did rise, and we thought they would haue beene torne to pieces.

At breake of day the 14. 14. we were ioyfull men: and when we could looke about, we discried an Iland some 2. leagues off, at W. by N. and this was the shoald that lay about it. Here did runne a distracted, but yet a very quicke Tyde: of which we taking the opportunity, got vp our Anker, and stood N. W. to cleere our selues of this shoald. In the after­noone, the wind came vp at N. E. and we stood alongst the Easterne shoare in sight of a multitude of breaches. In the Euening, it began to blow a storme not sayle-worthy; and the sea went very high, and was all in a breach. Our shallop, which we did now towe at sterne, being moord with two hawsers, was sunken: and did spine by her moorings, with her keele vp, 20. times in an houre. This made our ship to hull very broad; so that the sea did continually ouer-rake vs: yet we indured it, and thought to recouer her. All night, the storme continued with violence, and with some raine in the morning: it then being very thicke weather. The water shoalded apace; with such an ouer-growne sea withall, that a sayle was not to be endured: and what was as ill, there was no trusting to an Anker. Now therefore began we to pre­pare our selues, how to make a good end, of a miserable tor­mented life. About noone as it cleered vp, we saw two Ilands vnder our lee; whereupon we bare vp to them: and seeing an opening betwixt them, we indeauoured to get into it before night: for that there was no hope of vs, if we continued out at sea, that night. Therefore come life, come death, we must runne this hazzard. We found it to be a good sound: where we ridde all night safely, and recouered our strengths againe, which were much impared with continuall labour. But before we could get into this good place, our shallop broke away (being moord with 2. hawsers) and we lost her to our great griefe: Thus now had we but the Ship boate, [Page 35] and she was all torne and bruised too. This Iland was the same that we had formerly coasted the Wester side of; and had named my Lord Westons Iland. Here we remained till the 19. in which time it did nothing but snow and blow extremely, insomuch that we durst not put our boate ouer­boord.

This 19. 19. The wind shifted N. N. E. and we wayde and stood to the Southward: but by noone the wind came vp at S. and so we came to an Anker vnder another Iland, on which I went ashoare, and named it The Earle of Bristols Iland. The Carpenter wrought hard in repairing our boate: whilest I wandered vp and downe on this desart Iland, I could not perceiue, that euer there had beene any Saluages on it: and in breefe, we could finde neither Fish, Fowle, nor Hearbe vpon it; so that I returned comfortlesse aboord againe. The tydes doe high about some 6. Foot: now that the wind is Northerly. The flood comes from the North: and it doth flow halfe tyde; The full sea this day, was at one a clocke. Here, seeing the windes continue so Northerly, that we could not get about to goe into Hudsons Baye; we considered a­gaine what was best to doe, to looke out for a wintering place. Some aduised me to goe for Port Nelson: because we were certaine that there was a Coue, where we might bring in our Ship. I likte not that counsell; for that it is a most pe­rilous place, and that it might be so long ere we could get thither, that we might be debard by the Ice. Moreouer, see­ing it was so cold here, as that euery night our rigging did freeze: and that sometimes in the Morning, we did shouell away the snow halfe a foote thicke off our deckes: and in that Latitude too: I thought it farre worse in the other place. I resolued thereupon, to stand againe to the Southward, there to looke for some little Creeke or Coue for our Ship.

The 21. 21. the winde came vp at N. and we wayde: although it was a very thicke fogge, and stood away S. W. to cleere our selues of the shoalds that were on the point of this Iland. This Iland is in Lat. 53. 10. When we were cleere, we steerd away S. At noone the fogge turned into raine: but very [Page 36] thicke weather; and it did thunder all the afternoone: which made vs doubt a storme: for all which, wee aduentured to proceed. In the euening, the winde increased; and blew hard: wherefore we tooke in all our sayles, and let her driue to the Southward, heauing the lead euery glasse. Our depth, when we tooke in our sayles, was 30. fadd. and it did increase to 45▪ which was a great comfort to vs in the darke: At mid­night, our depth began suddenly to decrease; and as fast as the lead could be heaued, it shoalded to 20. fadd. wherefore we chopt to an Anker and trimmed our Ship aft, to mount on the Sea, and fitted all things to ride it out. There was no need to bid our men watch; not one of them put his eyes together all the night long. We rid it out well all the night: although the Sea went very loftie: and that it did blow very hard.

The 22. in the morning, when we could looke about vs; we saw an Iland vnder our Lee some league off: 22. all being shoalds and breaches, betwixt vs and it. At noone (with the helpe of the windward tyde) we attempted to haue vp our Anker: although the Sea still went very loftie▪ Ioyning all our strengths therefore, with our best skils; God be thanked, we had it vp: but before we could set our sayles, wee were driuen into nine fadd. Indeauouring thereupon to double a point, to get vnder the Lee of this Iland; the water shoalded to 7. 6. and 5. fadd. but when we were about, it did deepen againe and we come to an Anker in a very good place; And it was very good for vs, that we did: for the winde increased to a very storme. Here wee rid well all the night, tooke good rest, and recouered our spent strengths againe. The last night and this morning, it did snow and hayle, and was very cold: neuerthelesse I tooke the Boate and went ashoare to looke for some Creeke or Coue to haue in our Ship; for shee was very leaky: and the company becomne sickly and weake, with much pumping and extreme labour. This Iland when wee came to the shoare; it was nothing but ledges of rocks, and bankes of sand: and there went a very great surfe on them. Neuerthelesse I made them rowe thorow it; and ashoare I got with two more, and made them rowe off without the [Page 37] breaches; and there to come to an Anker and to stay for mee: I made what speed I could to the top of a hill, to discouer a­bout: but could not see what we looked for: Thus because it began to blow hard, I made haste towards the Boate againe. I found that it had ebbed so low, that the Boate could not by any meanes come neere the shoare for mee: so that we were faine to wade thorow the surfe and breaches to her: in which, some tooke such a cold, that they did complaine of it to their dying day. But now it began to blow hard, so that we could not get but little to windward toward our Ship: for the wind was shifted since we went ashoare, & return to the shoare, we could not, by reason of the surfe. Well: we row for life, they in the Ship, let out a Buoy by a long warpe; & by Gods assistancè we got to it: and so haled vp to the Ship; where we were well welcom'd, & we all reioyc'd together. This was a premonition to vs; to be carefull how we sent off the Boate; for that it was winter weather already. I named this Iland, Sir Thomas Roes Iland: It is full of small wood; but in other benefits not ve­ry rich: and stands in latitude 52. 10. At noone, we weyed: seeing an Iland that bare South South-east of vs, some foure leagues off; which was the highest land we had yet seene in this Bay: but as we came neere it, it suddenly shoalded to 6. 5. and 4. fadd. Wherefore we strooke our sayles amaine, and chopt to an Anker: but it was very foule ground, and when the Ship was winded vp, we had but three fadd. at her Sterne. As it cleered, we could see the breaches all alongst vnder our Lee: holding it safe therefore to stay long here; we settled euery thing in order, for the Ship to fall the right way. We had vp our Anker, got into deeper water; and stood ouer a­gaine for Sir Thomas Roes Iland: which by night we brought in the winde of vs; some two leagues off: which did well shelter vs. The tydes runne very quicke here amongst these shoalds; and their times of running ebbe, or flood, be very vncertaine: Their currants, are likewise so distracted, that in the night there is no sayling by the Compasse: wherefore we were faine to seeke euery night some new place of securitie to come to an Anker.

[Page 38] The 24. 24. in the morning, it did lower, and threaten a storme: which made vs with the windward tyde, wey to get neerer vnder the Iland. It was very thicke foggie weather: and as we stood to the North-eastward, we came to very vncertaine depths: at one cast, 20. fadd. the next 7. then 10. 5. 8. and 3. and comming to the other tacke, we were worse then we were before, the Currants making a foole of our best iudge­ments, in the thicke fogge when we could see no land-marks. It pleased God, that we got cleere of them: and endeauou­red to get vnder the Lee of the Iland. This being not able to doe, wee were faine to come to an Anker in 35. fadd. some two leagues off the shoare: All this afternoone (and indeed all night too) it did snow and hayle: and was very cold.

The 25. 25 wee weyed, and thought to get to the Eastward: but as wee tackt to and againe, the winde shifted so in our teeths, that it put vs within a quarter of a mile of the very shoare: where we chopt to an Anker and rid it out for life and death. Such miseries as these, we indured amongst these shoalds and broken grounds: or rather more desperate then I haue related: (very vnpleasant perchance to be read) with snow, haile, and stormy weather, and colder then euer I felt it in England in my life. Our shoote-Anker was downe twice or thrice a day: which extreme paines made a great part of the company sickly. All this lasted with vs, vntill the 30. of this moneth of September: which we thought would haue put an end to our miseries: for now we were driuen amongst rocks, shoalds, ouer-falles, and breaches round about vs; that which way to turne, we knew not; but there ride amongst them, in extremitie of distresse. All these perils, made a most hideous and terrible noyse, in the night season: and I hope it will not be accounted ridiculous, if I relate with what medi­tations I was affected, now and then, amongst my ordinary prayers: which I here affoord the Reader, as I there conceiued them; in these few ragged and teared Rimes.

[Page 40] The first of October was indifferent faire weather; October 1. and with a windward tyde, out went our Boate, to sound a chan­nell to help vs out of this perilous place. The Boat, within two houres shee returned: and told vs, how shee had beene away where there was not lesse then 12. fadd. We presently, there­upon weyed; but found it otherwise: and came amongst many strange races, and ouer-falles, vpon which there went a very great and breaking Sea: As we proceeded, the water shoalded to 6. fadd. Well! there was no remedy, we must goe forward: happy be luckie; seeing there neither was any riding; and as little hope to turne any way with a sayle, but that there appeared present death in it. It pleased God so to direct vs, that we got thorow it: hauing no less then fiue se­uerall, and all very vncertaine depths. The water, sometimes deepened to 20. fadd. then vpon a sudden, it shoalded to 7. 6. and 5. faddomes: so we strooke all our sayles amaine, and chopt to an Anker, where wee rid till midnight, for life and death: it blowing a mercilesse gale of winde, and the Sea go­ing very loftie, and all in a breach. The ground was foule ground too, insomuch that wee doubted our Cable, euery minute.

The second in the morning was little winde: 2. wherefore taking the opportunitie of the tyde, the Boate went forth to sound: which returning againe in two houres, told vs how they had sounded about that shoald, and had found a place of some safetie to ride in; and had beene in no lesse water then fiue faddome. We weyed; and found our Cable galled in two places: which had soone failed vs, if the foule weather had continued. We stood the same way, that the Boat did direct vs: but it prooued so calme, that wee came to an Anker in 18. faddome. I tooke the Boate, and went ashoare on an I­land, that was to the Southward of vs: which I named, The Earle of Danbyes Iland: From the highest place in it, I could see it all broken grounds and shoalds, to the Southward: and rather worse, then any thing better, then that which we had beene in▪ I found that the Saluages had beene vpon it: and that it was full of wood. I made haste to the Boate to sound [Page 41] the Baye for feare of shoalds and sunken Rockes: but found it indifferent good. Toward the Euening, it began to blow hard: wherefore we made towards the Ship. She put forth a Buoy and a warpe; and we rowing for life to recouer her, were put to Lee-ward of her: but by getting hold of the warpe, we halde vp to her. The boate we left halfe full of wa­ter: our selues being as wet as drown'd rats; and it made vs the more reioyce, that we had escapt this great danger. All night, we had a very hard rode-steede; it blowing a most violent gale of wind, with snow and haile.

The third about noone, 3. the wind duld; and we had vp our Anker, standing in further into the Baye into foure fad. and a halfe water. Here we came againe to an Anker, with our second Anker: for many of our men are now sicke; and the rest so weakened, that we can hardly way our shoote-Anchor; I tooke the Boate, and went presently ashoare to see what comfort I could find; This was the first time, that I put foote on this Iland; which was the same that we did after winter vpon. I found the tracks of Deere, and saw some Fowle: but that that did reioyce me most, was, that I did see an opening into the Land, as if it had beene a riuer. To it we make with all speede, but found it to be barr'd; and not 2. foote water at full sea on the Barre: and yet within, a most excellent fine Harbour, hauing 4. fad. water. In the Euening I return'd aboord, bringing little comfort for our sicke men, more then hopes.

The 4. 4. it did snow and blow very hard; yet I got ashoare, and appointed the boate to goe to another place, (which made like a Riuer) and to sound it. In the meane time, I went with foure more, some 4. or 5. miles vp into the Countrey; but could find no releefe all that way for our sicke, but a few Ber­ries onely. After we had well wearied our selues in the trou­blesome woods, wee return'd to the place I had appointed the boate to tarry for me: where at my comming I still found her, she hauing not beene where I had ordered her, for it had blowne such a fierce gale of wind, that she could not row to wind-ward. Thus we return'd aboord, with no good newes. [Page 42] It continued foule weather, with snow and haile, and extreme cold; till the 6. when with a fauouring winde, we stood in neerer to the shoare, and here moord the ship.

The 7. 7. it snow'd all day; so that we were faine to cleare it of the Decks with shouels; and it blew a very storme with­all. It continued snowing and very cold weather, and it did so freeze, that all the bowes of the Ship, with her beake-head, was all Ice: about the Cable also, was Ice as bigge as a mans middle. The bowes of the boate were likewise frozen halfe a foote thicke, so that we were faine to hew and beate it off. The Sunne did shine very cleere; and we tore the top-sayles out of the tops, which were hard frozen in them, into a lumpe: so that there they hung a Sunning all day, in a very lumpe; the Sunne not hauing power to thawe one drop of them. After the Boate was fitted, we rowed towards the shoare: but could not come neere the place where we were vsed to land, for that it was all thickned water with the snow, that had fallen vpon the sands, that are dry at low water. This made it so difficult to row, that we could not set through it with 4. oares: yet something higher to the West-ward, we got ashoare. Seeing now the winter to come thus extremely on vpon vs, and that we had very lit­tle wood aboord; I made them fill the boate, and went a­boord and sent the Carpenter and others to cut wood; others to carry it to the water side: whilest the boate brought it aboord, for I doubted that we were likely to be debar'd the shoare, and that we should not goe to and againe with the boate. It was miserable and cold already aboord the Ship: euery thing did freeze in the Hold, and by the fire side: See­ing therefore that we could no longer make vse of our sayles (which be the wings of a Ship) it raised a many of doubts in our mindes, that here we must stay and winter. After we had brought so much wood aboord, as we could conue­niently stowe, and enough as I thought would haue lasted 2. or 3. moneths: The sicke men desired that some little house or houell might be built a shoare, whereby they might be the better sheltered, and recouer their healths. I tooke [Page 43] the Carpenter (and others whom I thought fit for such a pur­pose) and choosing out a place, they went immediately to worke vpon it. In the meane space, I my selfe accompanied with some others, wandered vp and downe in the Woods, to see if we could discouer any signes of Salvages, that so we might the better prouide for our safeties, against them. We found no appearance that there was any on this Iland▪ nor neere vnto it: The snow by this time was halfe legge high; and stalking through it, we returned comfortlesse to our Companions: who had all this time wrought well vp­on our house. They aboord the Ship, tooke downe our top-sayles in the meane while, and made a great fire vpon the hearth in the hatch way; so that hauing well thaw'd them, they folded them vp, and put them betwixt deckes, that if we had any weather, they might bring them againe to yard: Thus in the Euening we returned aboord.

The 12. 12. we tooke our maine sayle from the yard which was hard frozen to it: and carryed it ashoare, to couer our house withall: being first faine to thawe it by a great fire; By night they had couered it; and had almost hedged it a­bout: and the sixe builders did desire to lye in it ashoare that night, which I condiscended vnto: hauing first fitted them with Muskets and other furniture; and a charge to keepe good watch all night. Moreouer they had a shoare 2. Grey-hounds (a dogge and a bitch) which I had brought out of England, to kill vs some Deere, if happily we could finde any.

By the 13. 13. at night, our house was ready; and our sixe builders desired they might trauell vp into the Country to see what they could discouer.

The 14. 14. betimes in the morning, being fitted with muni­tion, and their order to keepe together (but especially to seeke out some Creeke or Cove for our Ship) they departed. We aboord, tooke downe our two top-masts and their rigging: making account if we did remooue, to make vse of our fore­sayle and mizzen.

The 15. 15. in, the Euening our hunters returned very weary, [Page 44] and brought with them a small, leaue Deere, in 4. quarters: which reioyced vs all, hoping we should haue had more of them, to refresh our sicke men withall. They reported, that they had wandered aboue 20. miles, and had brought this Deere aboue 12. mile: and that they had seene 9. or 10. more: The last night, they had a very cold lodging in the woods; and so it appeard, for they lookt all almost starued, nor could they recouer themselues in 3. or 4. dayes after. They saw no signe of Salvages, nor of any rauening wild beasts, nor yet a­ny hope of harbour.

The 17. 17. my Lieutenant and 5. more, desired they might try their fortunes in trauelling about the Iland. But they had farre worse lucke then the others, although they endured out all night, and had wandered very farre in the snow (which was now very deepe) and returned comfortlesse and misera­bly disabled with the coldnesse. But what was worse then all this, they had lost one of their company, Iohn Barton, name­ly our Gunners mate; who being very weary, meerly to saue the going about, had attempted to goe ouer a pond that was a quarter of a mile over; where when he was in the very middest, the Ice brake and closed vpon him, and we neuer saw him more. Considering these disasters, I resolued to fish no more with a golden hooke: for feare, I weakned my selfe more with one hunting, then 20. such deare Deeres could doe me good. Being now assured, that there was no Salvages vpon the Iland, nor yet about vs on the other Ilands: no nor on the maine neither, as farre as we could discouer, (which we further proued by making of fires) and that the cold season was now in that extremity, that they could not come to vs, if there were any: we comforted and refreshed our selues, by sleeping the more securely. We changed our Iland garrison, euery weeke; and for other refreshing we were like to haue none till the Spring.

From this 10. to the 29. it did (by interims) snow and blow so hard, that the boate could hardly aduenture ashoare, and but seldome land, vnlesse the men did wade in the thicke congealed water, carrying one another. We did sensibly per­ceiue [Page 45] withall, how wee did daily sinke into more miseries. The land was all deepe couered with snow; the cold did multiply; and the thicke snow water did increase: and what would become of vs, our most mercifull God and preseruer knew onely.

The 29. 29. I obserued an Eclipse of the Moone, with what care possibly I could both in the tryall of the exactnesse of our instruments, as also in the obseruation: I referre you to the obseruation in the latter end of this Relation: where it is at large described. This moneth of October ended with snow and bitter cold weather.

The first of November I cast vp accounts with the Stew­ard concerning our victuall: November 1. the third part of our time being this day out. I found him an honest man: for he gaue me an account euery weeke what was spent; and what was still in the hold remaining vnder his hand: I would take no ex­cuse of leakage or other waste; vnlesse he did daily show it me. Euery month, I made a new suruey; and euery sixe moneths, put what we had spared, by it selfe: which now was at least a moneths prouision of Bread; and a fortnights of Pease and Fish, &c.

The 3. 3. day the boate indeauoured to get ashoare; but could not set thorow the thicke congealed water.

The 4. 4. they found a place to get ashoare; and so once in 2. or 3. dayes, till the 9. bringing Beere to our men ashoare in a barrell, which would freeze firmely in the house in one night. Other prouision they had store. The Ice Beere being thaw'd in a kettell, was not good: and they did breake the Ice of the pondes of water, to come by water to drinke. This pond-water had a most lothsome smell with it: so that doubting lest it might be infectious, I caused a Well to be sunke neere the house. There we had very good water: which did taste (as we flattered our selues with it) euen like milke.

The 10. 10. (hauing store of boordes for such a purpose) I put the Carpenter to worke, to make vs a little boate which we might carry (if occasion were) ouer the Ice and make vse of [Page 46] her, where there was water. At noone I tooke the Latitude of this Iland, by 2. Quadrants: which I found to be 52. 00. I vrged the men to make traps to catch Foxes: for we did daily see many. Some of them were pied, blacke and white: whereby I gathered that there was some blacke Foxes; whose skinnes, I told them, were of a great value: and I promised, that whosoeuer could take one of them, should haue the skinne for his reward: Hereupon, they made diuers traps: and waded in the snow (which was very deepe) to place them in the woods.

The 12. 12. our house tooke a fire, but we soone quenched it: We were faine to keepe an extraordinary fire, night and day: and this accident, made me order a watch to looke to it continually: seeing, that if our house and clothing should be burnt, that all we were but in a woefull condition. I lay ashoare, till the 17. all which time, our miseries did increase. It did snow and freeze most extremely. At which time, we looking from the shoare towards the Ship, she did looke like a piece of Ice, in the fashion of a Ship: or a Ship re­sembling a piece of Ice. The snow was all frozen about her; and all her fore-part firme Ice: and so was she on both sides also. Our Cables froze in the hawse, wonderfull to behold. I got me aboord: where the long nights I spent, with tor­menting cogitations: and in the day time, I could not see any hope of sauing the Ship. This I was assured of, that it was most impossible to endure these extremities long. Eue­ry day the men must beare the Ice off the Cables: while some within boord; with the Carpenters long Calking Iron, did digge the Ice out of the hawses: in which worke, the water would freeze on their clothes and hands, and would so benumme them, that they could hardly get into the Ship, without being heau'd in with a rope.

The 19. 19. our Gunner (who as you may remember, had his legge cut off) did languish vnrecouerably: and now grew very weake: desiring, that for the little time he had to liue, hee might drinke Sacke altogether, which I ordered hee should doe.

[Page 47] The 22. 22. in the morning he dyed. An honest and a strong­hearted man. Hee had a close-boorded Cabbin in the Gun­roome; which was very close indeed: and as many clothes on him, as was conuenient (for we wanted no clothes:) and a panne with coales, a fire continually in his Cabbin. For all which warmth, his playster would freeze at his wound, and his bottle of Sacke at his head. We committed him at a good distance from the Ship vnto the Sea.

The three and twentieth, 23. the Ice did increase extraordina­rily: and the snow lay on the water in flakes, as it did fall, much Ice withall droue by vs: yet nothing hard all this while. In the euening after the watch was set, a great piece came athwart our hawse; and foure more followed after him: the least of them a quarter of a mile broad: which in the darke did very much astonish vs, thinking it would haue car­ried vs out of the Harbour, vpon the shoalds Easter point, which was full of rocks. It was newly congealed, a matter of two inches thicke: and wee broke thorow it, the Cable and Anker induring an incredible stresse, sometimes stopping the whole Ice. We shot off three Muskets, signifying to our men ashoare, that we were in distresse: who answered vs a­gaine, but could not helpe vs. By ten a clocke, it was all past; neuerthelesse wee watched carefully: and the weather was warmer then wee had felt it any time this moneth. In the morning at breake of day, I sent for our men aboord, who made vp the house, and arriued by 10. being driuen by the way, to wade thorow the congealed water; so that they re­couered to the Boate, with difficultie. There droue by the Ship many pieces of Ice, though not so large as the former, yet much thicker: One piece came foule of the Cable, and made the Ship driue.

As soone as we were cleere of it, we ioyned our strengths together, and had vp our Eastermost Anker: and now I re­solued to bring the Ship aground: for no Cables nor Ankers could hold her: But I will here show you the reasons, why I brough her no sooner aground. First, it was all stony ground: some stones lying dry, three or foure foot aboue water: so [Page 48] that it was to be suspected, that it was the like all about vs. Secondly, it did ordinarily flow but two foot and a halfe here; and if shee should bed deepe in the sands, we could not euer come to digge her out againe: for that shee would not be dry, by foure or fiue foot. Thirdly, it was a loose sand which might rise with the surfe, or so mount about her: that all our weake powers could not heaue it away in the next spring time. Fourthly, we doubted the tydes would not high so much in the summer, as they did now. Fifthly, we could not bring her out of the tydes way; which doth runne some­thing quicke here: and the Ice, besides, might driue and mount vp vpon her, and so ouerset her, or teare her, and carry away her plankes, iron works and all: so that we should haue no­thing left to finish our Pinnasse with. Sixtly, if it did blow a storme at North-west, or thereabouts; the water would flow ten foot, and vpwards: and that winde being of the shoare, it would blow away all the Ice, and there would come in an extraordinary great surfe about the shoald Ester-point; which was occasioned by a deepe ouerfall. Moreouer, shee would beate extremely: and if shee were put vp by the Sea or that surfe, it was very doubtfull that we should neuer haue her off againe. For these reasons we endured all the extremitie: still hoping vpon some good and fortunate accident. But now all our prouident designs we saw to become foolishnesse; and that a great deale of miserable labour had beene spent in vaine by vs. With the flood wee weyed our Westermost Anker, perceiuing Gods assistance manifestly: because it happened to be fine warme weather, otherwise we had not beene able to worke. The winde was now South: which blew in vpon the shoare; and made the lowest tydes. We brought the Ship into 12. foot water: and layd out one Anker in the Offing, and another in shoald water, to draw her aland at command. Our hope also was, that some stones that were to the Westward of vs, would fend off some of the Ice. We then being about a mile from the shoare, about ten a clocke in the darke night, the Ice came driuing vpon vs; and our Ankers came home. She droue some two Cables length: and the winde blowing on [Page 49] the shoare, by two a clock she came aground; and stopt much Ice: yet shee lay well all night, and we tooke some rest.

The fiue and twentieth, 25. the winde shifted Easterly: and put abundance of Ice on vs. When the flood was made, we incouraged one another, and to worke we goe: drawing home our Ankers by maine force, vnder great pieces of Ice, our endeuour being to put the Ship to the shoare. But to our great discomforts, when the halfe tyde was made; (which was two houres before high water) the Ship droue amongst the Ice to the Eastward (doe what we could) and so would haue on the shoald Rockes. As I haue formerly said, these two dayes and this day, was very warme weather: and it did raine, which it had not yet but once done, since wee came hither: otherwise, it had beene impossible we could haue wrought. Withall, the wind shifted also to the South: and at the very infant, blew a hard puffe: which so continued for halfe an houre. I caused our two Top-sailes to be had vp from betwixt deckes, and wee hoyst them vp with ropes in all haste, and we forst the Ship ashoare, when she had not halfe a Cables length to driue on the Rocky shoalds. In the Euening wee broke way thorow the Ice, and put an An­ker to shoareward in fiue foot water: to keepe her to the shoare, if possible it might be. Here Sir Hugh Willoughby came into my mind, who without doubt was driuen out of his Harbour in this manner, and so starued at sea. But God was more mercifull to vs. About nine a clocke at night, the winde came vp at North-West, and blew a very storme. This winde was of the shoare: which blew away all the Ice from about vs, long before we were afloat. There came in a great rowling Sea withall, about the point; accompanied with a great surfe on the shoare. And now were we left to the mercy of the Sea, on the ground. By tenne, she began to rowle in her docke: and soone after, began to beate against the ground. We stood at the Capstang, as many as could: others at the Pumpes: for we thought that euery fift or sixt blow would haue staued her to pieces. We heaued to the vttermost of our strengths, to keepe her as neere the ground [Page 50] as we could. By reason of this wind, it flowed very much water: and we drew her vp so high, that it was doubtfull, if euer we should get her off againe. She continued thus bea­ting, till two a clocke the next Morning, and then she againe settled. Whereupon wee went to sleepe, to restore na­ture: seeing the next tyde we expected to be againe tor­mented.

The sixe and twentieth, 26. in the morning tyde, our Ship did not floate; whereby we had some quietnesse. After prayers, I cald a consultation of the Master, my Lieutenant, the Mates, Carpenter, and Boate-swayne; to whom I propo­sed, that now we were put to our last shifts; and therefore they should tell me what they thought of it: Namely, whe­ther it were not best, to carry all our prouision ashoare: and that when the winde should come northerly, it were not sa­fest to draw her further off, and sinke her. After many rea­sonings they allowed of my purpose: and so I communica­ted it to the Company, who all willingly agreed to it. And so we fell to getting vp of our prouisions: first our bread, of which we landed this day two Dryfats with a Hogshead of Beefe: hauing much adoe to set the Boate thorow the thicke congealed water. In the Euening, the winde came vp at North-East, and East: and fild the Bay choakefull of Ice.

The twenty seuenth, 27. the Bay continued full of Ice, which I hoped would so continue and freeze, that we should not be put to sinke our Ship. This day we could land nothing.

The twenty eighth, 28. at breake of day, three of our men went ashoare ouer the Ice, vnknowne to mee: and the winde comming vpat West, droue the Ice from betwixt vs and the shoare, and most part out of the Bay also: And yet not so, that the Boate could goe ashoare for anything. I made the Carpenter fit a place against all sudden extremi­ties: for that with the first North-West, or northerly wind, I meant to effect our last proiect. In the runne of her, on the starboord side; he cut away the sealing and the planke to the sheathing, some foure or fiue inches square; some foure [Page 51] foote high from the keele of her, that so it might be boared out, at an instant. We brought our bread which was re­mayning in the Bread-roome, vp into the great Cabbin; and likewise all our powder; setting much of our light dry things betwixt deckes.

The nine and twentieth at fiue a Clocke in the Morning, 29. the winde came vp at West North-West, and began to blow very hard. It was ordinary for the wind to shift from the West by the North, round about. So first I orderd the Cooper to goe downe in hold, and looke to all our Caske: those that were full, to mawle in the bungs of them: those that were empty, to get vp, or if they could not be gotten vp, to staue them. Then to quoile all our Cables vpon our lower tyre: and to lay on our spare Ankers, and any thing that was weighty, to keepe it downe from rising. By seuen a Clocke, it blew a storme at North-West, our bitter ene­my. The Ship was already bedded some two foote in the sand, and whilst that was a flowing, shee must beate. This I before had in my consideration: for I thought she was so farre driuen vp, that we should neuer get her off. Yet we had bin so ferrited by her last beating, that I resolued to sinke her right downe, rather then runne that hazzard. By nine a cloke, she began to rowle in her docke, with a most extra­ordinary great Sea that was come; which I found to be occa­sioned by the formentioned ouerfall. And this was the fatall houre, that put vs to our wits end. Wherefore I went downe in hold with the Carpenter, and tooke his auger and board a hole in the Ship, and let in the water. Thus with all speed, we began to cut out other places, to boare thorow, but euery place was full of nailes. By tenne, notwithstan­ding, the lower tyre was couered with water, for all which, she began so to beate in her docke, more and more: that we could not worke, nor stand to doe any thing in her. Nor would she sinke so fast as we would haue her: but continued beating double blowes; first abaft, and then before, that it was wonderfull, how she could indure a quarter of an houre with it. By twelue a clocke, her lower Tyre rose: and that [Page 52] did so counter-beate on the inside, that it beat the bulke heads of the Bread-roome, powder-roome, and fore piece, all to pieces: and when it came betwixt deckes, the chests fled wildly about: and the water did flash and flie wonderfully: so that now we expected euery minute, when the Ship would open and breake to pieces. At one a clocke shee beat off her Rudder: and that was gone, we knew not which way. Thus shee continued beating, till three a clocke: and then the Sea came vp on the vpper decke: and soone after, shee began to settle. In her, wee were faine to sinke the most part of our bedding and clothes: and the Chirurgions Chest with the rest. Our men that were ashoare, stood looking vpon vs: al­most dead with cold, and sorrowes to see our misery and their owne. We lookt vpon them againe: and both vpon each o­ther with woefull hearts. Darke night drew on; and I bade the Boate to be haled vp; and commanded my louing com­panions to goe all into her: who (in some refusing comple­ments) expressed their faithfull affections to mee; as loth to part from me. I told them, that my meaning was to goe a­shoare with them. And thus, lastly, I forsooke the Ship.

We were seuenteene poore soules, now in the Boate: and we now imagined that we were leapt out of the Frying pan into the fire: The ebbe was made; and the water extraordinary thicke congealed, with snow: so that we thought assuredly, it would carry vs away into the Sea. We thereupon double­mand foure oares: appointing foure more to sit ready with oares: and so with the helpe of God we got to the shoare; haling vp the Boate after vs. One thing was most strange, in this thicke water: namely, That there went a great swelling Sea. Being arriued vpon the land, we greeted our fellowes the best we could: at which time they could not know vs, nor we them by our habits nor voyces: so frozen all ouer wee were, faces, haire, and apparell. And here I meane to take breath awhile, after all this long and vnpleasant Relation of our miserable endeauours: Crauing leaue first of all to speake a word or two in generall.

The winds, since we came hither, haue beene very variable [Page 53] and vnconstant: and till within this fortnight, the Southerly winde was the coldest. The reason I conceiue to be, for that it did blow from the Maine land; which was all couered with snow: and for that the North winds came out of the great Bay which hitherto was open. Adde to that; we were now vnder a South Banke which did shelter vs: so that we were not so sensible of it.

A North-west, a North-west by North, and a North-North-west winde (if it blew a storme) would raise the Tydes extraordinarily: and in briefe, from the West North­west, to the North North-east; would raise the tydes in pro­portion, as they did blow from the middle point: The wind being on the opposite points (if it blew) it would flow ve­ry little at all. The harder it blew, the lesse water it would flow. If it were little winde, or calme; it would flow indif­ferently. The tydes doe high ordinarily (without being for­ced) about three foot: but being forced with the foremen­tioned winds; vpward of ten foot. I could perceiue no dif­ference betwixt Neape and spring tydes: It flowes halfe tyde: that is; the flood comes from the Northward: and thither returnes againe, two houres before it be high water: and it is commonly so seene, in most Bayes or Inlets.

AFter we had haled vp the Boate, we went alongst the breach side in the darke, towards our house, where we made a good fire, and with it, and bread and water, wee thawde and comforted our selues, beginning after that to reason one with another, con­cerning our Ship. I requir'd that euery one should speak his mind freely. The Carpenter, (especially) was of the opinion, that she was founderd; and would neuer be seruiceable againe. He alledged, that she had so beaten, that it was not possible, but that all her Ioints were loose, and seames open: and that by reason it flowed so little wa­ter, and no Creeke nor Coue being neere, wherein to bring her aground, he could not deuise how he might come to mend it. Moreouer, her Rudder was lost, and he had no Iron-worke to hang on another. Some alledged, that we had hea­ued her vp so high vpon the sands, that they thought we should neuer haue her off againe: and that they were assured she was already dockt three foote. Others, that she lay in the Tydes way; and that the Ice might teare her to pieces off the ground: besides which, two of our Ankers we could not now get from vnder the Ice: which when the Ice brake (which would be of a great thickenesse by the Spring) would breake our Ankers to pieces, and then we should haue [Page 55] no Ankers to bring vs home withall: supposed we got off the ship, & that she proued sound also. I comforted them the best I could with such like words: My Masters and faithfull Companions: be not dismaide for any of these disasters, but let vs put our whole trust in God. It is he that giueth, and he that taketh away: he throwes downe with one hand, and raiseth vp with another. His will be done. If it be our fortunes to end our dayes here, we are as neere heauen, as in England; and we are much bound to God Almighty for gi­uing vs so large a time of repentance, who as it were dayly calls vpon vs, to prepare our solues for a better life in heauen. I make no doubt, but he will be mercifull to vs, both here on earth, and in his blessed Kingdome: he doth not in the meane time deny, but that we may vse all honest meanes to saue and prolong our naturall liues withall: and in my Iudge­ment, we are not yet so farre past hope of returning into our natiue Countries, but that I see a faire way by which wee may effect it. Admit the Ship be foundered (which God for­bid, I hope the best) yet haue those our owne nation, and others, when they haue beene put to these extremities, euen out of the wracke of their lost Ship, built then a Pinnasse, and recouered to their friends againe. If it be obiected, that they haue happened into better Climats, both for temperate­nesse of the ayre, and for pacificke and open Seas: and pro­vided withall, of abundance of fresh victuall: yet there is nothing too hard for couragious minds: which hitherto you haue showne, and I doubt not will still doe, to the vtter­most.

They all protested to worke to the vttermost of their strength, and that they would refuse nothing that I should order them to doe, to the vttermost hazzard of their liues. I thanke them all: and to the Carpenter for his cheerefull vn­dertaking, I promised to giue him so much plate presently, as should be worth ten pound sterling: and if so be I went to England in the Pinnasse, I would giue her him freely, and fifty pounds in mony ouer and aboue, and would moreouer gratifie all them, that I should see painefull and industrious. [Page 56] Thus we then resolued, to build vs a new Pinnasse, with the timber we should get vpon the Iland: that so in the spring, if we found not the Ship seruiceable; wee might teare her vp, and planke her with the Ships planks. And so for this night we settled our selues close about the fire: and tooke some rest till day-light.

The thirtieth betimes in the morning, 30. I caused the Chirur­gion to cut the haire of my head short, and to shaue away all the haire of my face: for that it was become intolerable; and that it would be frozen so great with Ice-sickles.

The like did all the rest: Nouember. and we fitted our selues to worke. The first thing we were to doe, was to get our clothes and prouisions ashoare: and therefore I deuided the company. The Master and a conuenient company with him, were to goe aboord; and to get things out of Hold. The Cock-swaine with his ging, were to goe in the Boate, to bring and carry things ashoare. My selfe with the rest, to carry it halfe a mile thorow the snow, vnto the place where we intended to build a Store-house; As for the heauier things, we purposed to lay them vpon the Beache. In the afternoone, the winde was at South South-west, and the water veerd to so low an ebbe, that we thought we might get something out of our Hold: we lanched our Boate therefore: and with oares, set thorow the thicke congealed water: It did freeze extreme hard: and I did stand on the shoare with a troubled minde, thinking veri­ly that with the ebbe the Boate would be carried into the Sea; and that then wee were all lost men. But by Gods assistance they got safely to the Ship and made a fire there, to signifie their arriuall aboord. They fell presently to worke; and got something out of the Hold, vpon the decks: but night com­ming on, they durst not aduenture to come ashoare, but lay on the bed in the great Cabbin, being almost starued.

The first of December was so cold, December 1. that I went the same way ouer the Ice to the Ship, where the Boate had gone ye­sterday. This day we carried vpon our backs in bundles 500. of our fish: and much of our bedding and clothes; which we were faine to digge out of the Ice.

[Page 57] The second was milde weather: 2. and some of the men go­ing ouer the Ice, fell in, and very hardly recouered: so that this day we could land nothing, neither by Boate nor backe: I put them therfore to make vs a Store-house ashoare. In the euening, the winde came vp at West: and the Ice did breake and driue out of the Bay: It was very deepe and large Ice: that we much doubted it would haue spoyled the Ship.

The third day, 3. there were diuers great pieces of Ice that came athwart the Ship: and shee stopt them, yet not so, that we could goe ouer them. We found a way for the Boat: but when shee was loaden, shee drew foure foot water, and could not come within a slight-shot of the shoare. The men there­fore must wade thorow the thicke congealed water; and carry all things out of the Ship vpon their backs. Euery time they waded in the Ice, it so gathered about thē, that they did seeme like a walking piece of Ice, most lamentable to behold. In this extreme cold euening, they cut away as much Ice from about the Boate as they could, and pickt it with hand-spikes out of her, and endeauouring to hoyse her into the Ship. There being small hope, that shee could goe to and againe any more. But vse what meanes they could, shee was so heauy, that they could not hoyse her in: but were faine there to leaue her in the tackles by the Ships side.

The fourth being Sunday, 4. we rested; and performed the Sabbath duties of a Christian.

The fift and sixt were extreme cold: 5. & 6. and wee made bags of our store shirts: and in them carried our loose bread ouer the Ice ashoare vpon our backs. We also digged our clothes and new sayles with hand-spikes of iron, out of the Ice: and carried them ashoare, which we dryed by a great fire.

The seuenth day was so extremely cold, 7. that our noses, cheekes, and hands, did freeze as white as paper.

The eighth and ninth, 8. & 9. it was extreme cold; and it did snow much, yet we continued our labour; in carrying and rowling things ashoare. In the euening the water raised the Ice very high: and it did breake two thoughts of our Boat: and breake in the side of her: but for that time, we could not helpe it.

[Page 58] The tenth, 10. our Carpenter found timber to make a Keele, and a Sterne for our Pinnace: the rest wrought about our pro­visions, vntill the 13. day: and that we spent in digging our boate out of the Ice: which we were faine to doe to the ve­ry Keele: and dig the Ice out of her, and then we got her vp on the Ice: in which doing, many had their noses, cheekes and fingers, frozen as white as paper. The cold now increa­sed most extremely. By the 19. we could get no more things out of our Hold: but were faine to leaue 5. barrels of Beefe and Porke, all our Beere; and diuers other things: which were all firme frozen in her.

The one and twentieth was so cold, 21 that we could not goe out of the house.

The three and twentieth we went to haue our boate a­shoare; 23. running her ouer our oares: but by 10. a clocke there came such a thicke fogge, that it was as darke as night. I made them giue ouer, and make what haste we could to the shoare: which we had much adoe to finde, for the time, losing one another. At the last we met all at the house, the miserablest frozen, that can bee conceiued. Vpon di­vers, had the cold raised blisters as bigge as wall-nuts. This we imagined to come, by reason that they came too hastily to the fire. Our Well was now frozen vp: so that digge as deepe as we could, we can come by no water. Melted snow-water is very vnwholsome: either to drinke or to dresse our victuals. It made vs so short-breathed, that we were scarce able to speake. All our Sacke, Vineger, Oyle, and euery thing else that was liquid, was now frozen as hard as a piece of wood, and we must cut it with a hatchet. Our house was all frozen on the inside, and it froze hard within a yard of the fires side. When I landed first vpon this Iland, I found a spring vnder a hils side: which I then obseruing, had caused some trees to be cut for markes to know the place againe by. It was about three quarters of a mile from our house. I sent 3. of our men which had beene formerly with me, thither vpon the 24. These wading thorow the snow, at last found the place, and shoueling away the snow, they made way to [Page 59] the very head of it. They found it spring very strongly: and brought me a Can of it, for which I was right ioyfull. This spring continued all the yeere; and did not freeze: but that we could breake the Ice and come to it. We labor'd very hard, these three or foure dayes, to get wood to the house, which we found to be very troublesome, through the deepe snow.

Wee then settled our bedding and prouisions, pro­viding to keepe Christmas day holy: which we solemnized in the ioyfullest manner we could: So likewise did we Saint Iohns day: vpon which we named the wood we did winter in, in memory of that Honourable Knight Sir Iohn Winter, Winters Forrest. And now in stead of a Christmas Tale, I will here describe the house that we did liue in, with those ad­ioyning.

When I first resolued to build a house, I chose the most war­mest and conuenientest place and the neerest the Ship withall. It was amongst a tuft of thicke trees, vnder a South banke; about a flight-shot from the Seas side. True it is, that at that time we could not digge into the ground, to make vs a Hole or Caue in the earth, (which had been the best way) because we found water within 2. foote digging: and therefore that proiect fail'd. It was a white light sand; so that we could by no meanes make vp a mud-wall. As for stones, there were none neere vs: which, moreouer, were all now couered with the snow. We had no boords for such a purpose; and there­fore, we must doe the best we could, with such materials as we had about vs.

The house was square; about 20. foote euery way: as much namely, as our mayne-Course could well couer: first we droue strong stakes into the earth, round about: which we watteled with boughes, as thicke as might be, beating them downe very close. This our first worke was sixe foote high on both sides, but at the ends, almost vp to the very top. There we left 2. holes, for the light to come in at: and the same way the smoke did vent out also. Moreouer, I caused at both ends, three rowes of thicke bush trees: to be stucke [Page 60] vp, as close together as mought be possibly. Then at a distance from the house, we cut downe trees: proportioning them into lengths of sixe foote; with which we made a pile on both sides, sixe foote thicke, and sixe foote high: but at both ends, tenne foote high, and sixe foote thicke: We left a little low doore to creepe into; and a portall before that, made with piles of wood, that the wind might not blow into it. We next of all fastned a rough tree aloft ouer all: vpon which we laid our rafters; and our Mayne Course o­uer those againe: which lying thwart-wayes ouer all, did reach downe to the very ground, on either side. And this was the Fabricke of the out-side of it. On the inside, we made fast our bonnet sayles, round about. Then we droue in stakes and made vs bed-stead frames; about three sides of the house: which bed-steads were double, one vnder an­other: the lower-most, being a foote from the ground: These, we first fild with boughes, then we layd some spare sayles on that, and then our bedding and clothes. We made a Hearth or Causie in the middle of the house, and on it, made our fire: some boords wee layd round about our Hearth, to stand vpon: that the cold dampe should not strike vp into vs. With our Wast-clothes, we made vs Ca­nopies and Curtaines: others did the like with our small sayles. Our second house was not past 20. foote distant from this, and made for the watteling much after the same manner, but it was lesse, and couered with our fore-Course: It had no pyles on the South side: but in liew of that, we pilde vp all our Chests, on the inside: and indeed the reflexe of the heate of the fire against them, did make it warmer then the Mansion house. In this house, we drest our victuall: and the subordinate crue did refresh themselues all day in it. A third house, (which was our store-house) we likewise made, some twenty paces off from this; for feare of firing. This house was onely a rough tree fastened aloft: with raf­ters layd from it to the ground, and couered ouer with our new suite of sailes. On the inside, we had laid small trees, and couered them ouer with boughes: and so stor'd vp our [Page 61] Bread, and Fish in it; about two foote from the ground: the better to preserue them. Other things lay more care­lessely.

Long before Christmas, our mansion house was couered thicke ouer with Snow: almost to the very roofe of it. And so likewise was our second house: but our Store-house, all ouer: by reason we made no fire in it. Thus we seemed to liue in aheape, and Wildernesse of Snow; forth adores we could not go, but vpon the snow: in which we made vs paths middle deepe in some places: and in one speciall place, the length of tenne steps. To doe this, we must shouell away the Snow first; and then by treadding, make it something hard vnderfoote: The Snow in this path, was a full yard thicke vnder vs. And this was our best gallery for the sicke-men: and for mine owne ordinary walking. And both houses and walkes, we did daily accommodate more and more, and make fitter for our vses.

The twenty seuenth, 27. we got our Boate ashore: and fetcht vp some of our prouisions from the beach side into the Store-house: and so by degrees did we with therest of our prouisions: with extremity of cold and labour, making way with shouels thorow the deepe Snow; euen from the Sea-side vnto our Store-house. And thus concluded we the old yeere. 1631.

A Quadrant of old seasoned Pearetree-wood, artifici­ally made: and with all care possible diuided with Diagonals, euen to minutes. It was of foure foote (at least) Semidiameter.

An Equilaterall Triangle of like wood; whose Radius was fiue foote at least; and diuided out of Petiscus Table of Tangents.

A Quadrant of two foote Semid. of like wood: and with like care proiected.

The Sights, Centers, and euery other part of them lookt to, and tryed with conuenient Compasses: to see if they had beene wrongd or altred. And this continually, before they were made vse of.