Ocean's Story; or, Triumphs of Thirty Centuries / Maritime Adventures, Achievements, Explorations, Discoveries and Inventions; and of the Rise and Progress of Ship-Building and Ocean Navigation, from the Ark to the Iron Steamships

by Frank B. Goodrich

SECTION II.

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CHRISTIAN ERA TO THE APPLICATION OF THE MAGNETIC NEEDLE TO EUROPEAN NAVIGATION, A.D. 1300.

CHAPTER VIII.—Navigation during the Roman Empire—The Rise of Veniceand Genoa—The Crusades—Their Effect upon Commerce—Wedding of theAdriatic—Creation of the French Navy—Introduction of Eastern Art intoEurope—Maps of the Middle Ages—Remote Effect of the Crusades uponGeographical Science	[92]
CHAPTER IX.—The Scandinavian Sailors—Their Piracies and Commerce—TheAnglo-Saxons—Alfred the Great a Ship-Builder—The Voyage of Beowulf—Discoveryof Iceland by the Danes—Discovery of Greenland—The Voyageof Bjarni and Leif to the American Continent—Their Discovery of Newfoundland,Nova Scotia, Nantucket, and Massachusetts—Adventures of Thorwaldand Thorfinn—Comparison of the Discoveries of the Northmen with those ofColumbus	[99]
CHAPTER X.—The Travels of Marco Polo—The First Mention of Japan in History—KublaiKhan—Marco Polo's Voyage from Amoy to Ormuz—Malacca—Sumatra—Pygmies—SingularStories of Diamonds—The Roc—Polo not recognisedupon his Return—His Imprisonment—The Publication of his Narrative—TheInterest awakened in China, Japan, and the Islands of Spices	[108]
CHAPTER XI.—The First Mention of the Loadstone in History—Its EarlyNames—The First Mention of its Directive Power—A Poem upon the CompassSix Hundred Years Old—Friar Bacon's Magnet—The Loadstone in Arabia—AnEye-Witness of its Efficiency in the Syrian Waters in the Year 1240—TheMagnet in China—Early Mention of it in Chinese Works—The Variationnoticed in the Twelfth Century—Other Discoveries made by the Chinese—ModernErrors—Flavio Gioia—The Arms of Amalfi—All Records lost of theFirst Voyage made with the Compass by a European Ship	[113]

SECTION III.

FROM THE APPLICATION OF THE MAGNETIC NEEDLE TO EUROPEAN NAVIGATION TO THE FIRST VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD UNDER MAGELLAN: 1300-1519.

CHAPTER XII.—The Portuguese on the Coast of Africa—The Spaniards andthe Canary Isles—Don Henry of Portugal—The Terrible Cape, now CapeBojador—The Sacred Promontory—Discovery of the Madeiras—A DreadfulPhenomenon—A Prolific Rabbit and a Wonderful Conflagration—Hostility ofthe Portuguese to further Maritime Adventure—The Bay of Horses—The FirstGold-Dust seen in Europe—Discovery of Cape Verd and the Azores—TheEuropeans approach the Equator—Journey of Cada-Mosto—Death of DonHenry—Progress of Navigation under the Auspices of this Prince	[122]
CHAPTER XIII.—The Portuguese cross the Equator from Guinea to Congo—JohnII. conceives the idea of a Route by Sea to the Indies—His Artifices toprevent the Interference of other Nations—The Overland Journey of Covillamto India—The Voyage of Bartholomew Diaz—The Doubling of the TremendousCape—Its Baptism by the King—Injurious Effects of Success upon PortugueseAmbition	[133]
CHAPTER XIV.—Birth of Christopher Columbus—His Early Life and Education—HisFirst Voyage—His Marriage—His Maritime Contemplations—Hemakes Proposals to the Senate of Genoa, the Court of Venice, and the Kingof Portugal—The Duplicity of the latter—Columbus visits Spain—Juan deMarchena—Columbus repairs to Cordova—His Second Marriage—His Letterto the King—The Junto of Salamanca—Columbus resolves to shake the dustof Spain from his feet—Marchena's Letter to Isabella—The Queen givesAudience to Columbus—The Conditions stipulated by the latter—Isabellaaccepts the Enterprise, while Ferdinand remains aloof	[137]
CHAPTER XV.—The Port of Palos—The Superstition of its Mariners—TheHand of Satan—A Bird which lifted Vessels to the Clouds—The Pinta andthe Nina—The Santa Maria—Capacity of a Spanish Caravel—The three Pinzons—TheDeparture—Columbus' Journal—The Helm of the Pinta unshipped—TheVariation of the Needle—The Appearance of the Tropical Atlantic—FloatingVegetation—The Sargasso Sea—Alarm and threatened Mutiny ofthe Sailors—Perplexities of Columbus—Land! Land! a False Alarm—Indicationsof the Vicinity of Land—Murmurs of the Crews—Open Revolt quelledby Columbus—Floating Reeds and Tufts of Grass—Land at last—The Vesselsanchor over-night	[147]
CHAPTER XVI.—Discovery of Guanahani—Ceremonies of taking Possession—Explorationof the Neighboring Islands—Search for Gold—Cuba supposed byColumbus to be Japan—The Cannibals—Haiti—Return Homewards—A Storm—AnAppeal to the Virgin—Arrival at the Azores—Conduct of the Portuguese—Columbusat Lisbon—At Palos—At Barcelona—Columbus' Second Voyage—Discoveryof Guadeloupe, Antigoa, Santa Cruz, Jamaica—Illness of Columbus—TerribleBattle between the Spaniards and the Savages—Columbus returnsto Spain—His Reception by the Queen—His Third Voyage—The Regionof Calms—Discovery of Trinidad and of the Main Land—Assumpcion andMargarita—Columbus in Chains	[158]
CHAPTER XVII.—The Failing Health of Columbus—His Fourth Voyage—Martinique,Porto Rico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama—His Search for aChannel across the Isthmus—He predicts an Eclipse of the Moon at Jamaica—HisReturn—The Death of Isabella—Columbus Penniless at Valladolid—HisDeath—His Four Burials—The Injustice of the World towards Columbus—ChristopherPigeon—Amerigo Vespucci—The New World named America—Errorsof Modern Historians—The District of Columbia—John Cabot inLabrador—Sebastian Cabot in Hudson's Bay—Vincent Yanez Pinzon at theMouths of the Amazon	[168]
CHAPTER XVIII.—Portuguese Navigation under Emmanuel—Popular Prejudices—TheLusind of Camoens—Vasco da Gama—Maps of Africa of the Period—Preparationsfor an Indian Voyage—Religious Ceremonies—The Departure—Rendezvousat the Cape Verds—Landing upon the Coast—The Natives—AnInvitation to Dinner, and its Consequences—A Storm—Mutiny—The Spectreof the Cape	[179]
CHAPTER XIX.—Da Gama and the Negroes—The Hottentots and Caffres—Adventurewith an Albatross—The River of Good Promise—Mozambique—Treacheryof the Natives—Mombassa—Melinda, and its Amiable King—Festivities—TheMalabar Coast—Calicut—The Route to the Indies discovered	[189]
CHAPTER XX.—The Moors in Hindostan—Condition of the Country upon theArrival of Da Gama—Hostility of the Moors—They prejudice the King ofCalicut against the Portuguese—Consequent Hostilities—Da Gama sets outupon his Return—Wild Cinnamon-A Moorish Pirate disguised as an ItalianChristian—A Tempestuous Voyage—Wreck of the San Rafael—Honors andTitles bestowed upon Da Gama—An Expedition fitted out under AlvarezCabral—Accidental Discovery of Brazil—Comets and Water-Spouts—Loss ofFour Vessels—A Bazaar established at Calicut—Attack by the Moors—Cabralwithdraws to Cochin—Visits Cananor and takes in a Load of Cinnamon—Isreceived with Coldness upon his Return—Vasco da Gama recalled into theService by the King—His Achievements at Sofala, Cananor, and Calicut—Hehangs Fifty Indians at the Yard-Arm—Protects Cochin and threatens Calicut—Withdrawsto Private Life	[197]
CHAPTER XXI.—Spread of the Portuguese East Indian Empire—Alphonzod'Albuquerque—Immense Sacrifice of Life—Ancient Route of the Spice-Tradewith Europe—Commerce by Caravans—Revolution produced by opening theNew Route—Francesco Almeida—Discovery of Ceylon—Tristan d'Acunha—ThePortuguese Mars—His Views of Empire—An Arsenal established at Goa—Reductionof Malacca—Siam and Sumatra send Embassies to Albuquerque—TheIsland of Ormuz—Death of Albuquerque—Extent of the PortugueseDominion—Ormuz becomes the great Emporium of the East—Fall of thePortuguese Empire	[207]
CHAPTER XXII.—Ponce de Leon—The Fountain of Youth—Discovery ofFlorida—The Martyrs and the Tortugas—The Bahama Channel—VascoNuñez de Balboa—He goes to Sea in a Barrel—Marries a Lady of the Isthmus—HisSearch for Gold—Hears of a Mighty Ocean—Undertakes to reach it—Preparationsfor the Expedition—Leoncico the Bloodhound—Battle with aCacique—Ascent of the Mountains—Balboa mounts to the Summit alone—TheFirst Sight of the Pacific—Ceremonies of taking Possession—Balboa up to hisKnees in the Ocean—Every one tastes the Water—A Voyage upon thePacific, and a Narrow Escape—Ignominious Fate of Balboa—Juan Diaz deSolis—Discovers the Rio de la Plata—His Horrible Death by Cannibals	[213]
CHAPTER XXIII.—Remarkable Foresight of the Court of Rome—A PapalBull—Ferdinand Magellan—He offers his Services to Spain—His Plans—HisFleet—Pigafetta the Historian—An Inauspicious Start—Teneriffe and itsLegends—St. Elmo's Fire—The Crew make Famous Bargains with the Cannibals—HeavyPrice paid for the King of Spades—Patagonian Giants—Pigafetta'sExaggerations—The Healing Art in Patagonia—The Tragedy of PortJulian—Discovery of a Strait—The Open Sea—Cape Deseado—The Oceannamed Pacific—Ravages of the Scurvy—A Patagonian Paul—The Needle becomesLethargic—Discovery of the Ladrones—The First Cocoanut—A CatholicCeremony upon a Pagan Island	[225]
CHAPTER XXIV.—Discovery of the Philippines—The King of Zubu wishesthe King of Spain to pay Tribute—He finally abandons the idea—A wholeIsland converted to Christianity—Magellan performs a Miracle—A DumbMan recovers his Speech—Magellan invades a Refractory Island—His Death—Attemptsto recover his Body—The Christian Island returns to Idolatry—TheShips arrive at Borneo—The Sailors drink too freely of Arrack—Festivitiesand Treachery—Vivid Imagination of Pigafetta—The Fleet arrives atthe Moluccas—The King of Tidore—A Brisk Trade in Cloves—The Spice-Tariff—TheVittoria sails Homeward—Pigafetta is again imaginative—Arrivalat the Cape Verds—Loss of One Day—Completion of the First Voyage of Circumnavigation—Pigafetta'sRomance becomes Veritable History	[236]

SECTION IV.

FROM THE FIRST VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD TO THE DISCOVERY OF CAPE HORN: 1519-1616.

CHAPTER XXV.—Voyage of Jacques Cartier—Maritime Projects of Francis I.of France—Gulf of St Lawrence—A Quick Trip Home—Second Voyage—Canada,Quebec, Montreal—A Captive King—Voyage of Sir Hugh Willoughbyand Richard Chancellor—Discovery of Nova Zembla—Disastrous Winter—Fateof the Expedition—Martin Frobisher—His Voyage in Quest of a NorthwestPassage—Greenland—Labrador—Frobisher's Straits—Exchange of Captives—SupposedDiscovery of Gold—Second Voyage—A Cargo of PreciousEarth taken on Board—Meta Incognita—Third Voyage—A Mortifying Conclusion	[245]
CHAPTER XXVI.—Origin of English Piracy—Sir John Hawkins—FrancisDrake—His First Voyage to the Spanish Main—Commission granted byQueen Elizabeth—Expedition against the Spanish Possessions—Exploits atMogador and Santiago—Crossing the Line—Arrival in Patagonia—Trial andExecution of Doughty—Passage through Magellan's Strait—Adventures ofWilliam Pitcher and Seven Men—Cape Horn—Arrival at Valparaiso—Riflingof a Catholic Church	[256]
CHAPTER XXVII.—Drake's Exploit with a Sleeping Spaniard—His Achievementsat Callao—Battle with a Treasure-Ship—Drake gives a Receipt for herCargo—Indites a Touching Epistle—His Plans for Returning Home—FreshCaptures—Performances at Guatulco and Acapulco—Drake dismisses hisPilot—Exceeding Cold Weather—Drake regarded as a God by the Californians—Sailsfor the Moluccas—Visits Ternate and Celebes—The Pelican upona Reef—The Return Voyage—Protest of the Spanish Ambassador—He stylesDrake the Master-Thief of the Unknown World—Queen Elizabeth on boardthe Pelican—Drake's Use of his Fortune—His Death—The Voyage of JohnDavis to the Northwest	[267]
CHAPTER XXVIII.—Policy of Queen Elizabeth—Thomas Cavendish—HisFirst Voyage—Exploits upon the African and Brazilian Coasts—Port Desire—PortFamine—Battles with the Araucanians—Capture of Paita—Robberyof a Church—Repeated Acts of Brigandage—Capture of the Santa Anna—TheReturn Voyage—Cavendish's Account of the Expedition—The Spanish Armada—Preparationsin England—The Conflict—Total Rout of the Invincibles—Processionin Commemoration of the Event	[276]
CHAPTER XXIX.—The Fiction of El Dorado—Manoa—Description of itsFabled Splendors—Attempts of the Spaniards to Discover it—Sir Walter Raleigh—HisVoyage to Guiana—His Account of the Orinoco—His Descriptionof the Scenery—His Return—His Second Voyage—Expedition to Newfoundland—HisDeath—Modern Interpretation of the Legend of El Dorado	[285]
CHAPTER XXX.—Discovery of the Solomon Islands by Mendana—He seeksfor them again Thirty Years later—Quiros—The Marquesas Islands—TheWomen compared with those of Lima—Strange Fruits—Conversions to Christianity—ArduousVoyage—Santa Cruz—Mendana exchanges Names withMalopé—Hostilities—War, and its Results—Death of Mendana—Quiros conductsthe Ships to Manilla	[291]
CHAPTER XXXI.—Attempts of the Dutch to discover a Northeast Passage—Voyageof Wilhelm Barentz—Arrival at Nova Zembla—Winter Quarters—Buildinga House—Fights with Bears—The Sun Disappears—The Clock Stops,and the Beer Freezes—The House is Snowed up—The Hot-Ache—Fox-Traps—TwelfthNight—Return of the Sun—The Ships prove Unseaworthy—Preparationsto Depart in the Boats—Death of Barentz—Arrival at Amsterdam—Resultsof the Voyage	[297]
CHAPTER XXXII.—The Five Ships of Rotterdam—Battle at the Island ofBrava—Sebald de Weert—Disasters in the Strait of Magellan—The Creweat Uncooked Food—The Fleet is scattered to the Winds—Adventures of DeWeert—A Wretched Object—Return to Holland—Voyage of Oliver Van Noort—BarbarousPunishment—The Emblem of Hope becomes a Cause of Despair—Fightwith the Patagonians—Arrest of the Vice-Admiral—His Punishment—Descriptionof a Chilian Beverage—Capture of a Spanish Treasure-Ship—APilot thrown Overboard—Sea-Fight off Manilla—Return Home, after theFirst Dutch Voyage of Circumnavigation	[304]
CHAPTER XXXIII.—Quiros' Theory of a Southern Continent—His Argumentsand Memorials—His First Voyage—Discoveries—Encarnaçion—Sagittaria, orTahiti—Description of these Islands—Manicolo—Espiritu Santo—Its Productionsand Inhabitants—Quiros before the King of Spain—His Belief in hisDiscovery of a Continent—His Disappointment—Renewed Solicitations—Deathof Quiros—Discoveries of Torrès—The Muscovy Company of London—HenryHudson—His Voyages to Spitzbergen and Nova Zembla—His Voyageto America—Casts Anchor at Sandy Hook—Ascends the Hudson River as faras the Site of Albany—His Voyage to Iceland and Hudson's Bay—DisastrousWinter—Mutiny—Hudson set adrift—His Death	[316]
CHAPTER XXXIV.—The Fleet of Joris Spilbergen—Arrival in Brazil—Adventuresin the Strait of Magellan—Trade at Mocha Island—Treachery at SantaMaria—Terrible Battle between the Dutch and Spanish Fleets—Ravages ofthe Coast—Skirmishes Upon the Land—Spilbergen sails for Manilla—Arrivalat Ternate—His Return Home—The Voyage of Schouten and Lemaire—Lemonadeat Sierra Leone—A Collision at Sea—Discovery of Staten Land—CapeHorn—Lemaire's Strait—Arrival at Batavia—Confiscation of the Ships—GeneralResults of the Voyage—The Voyage of William Baffin—ArcticResearches during the Seventeenth Century	[326]