Great Ralegh

by Hugh De Sélincourt

At length, at the beginning of April, Ralegh's small fleet of seven vessels weighed anchor, and sailed down the Thames. Even at the very moment of his sailing his purpose was not credited. Lionello, a Venetian resident, wrote to the Senate of Venice, "I know very well that Sir Walter Ralegh's only object in embarking in this enterprise was to free himself from his imprisonment. He would gladly change this scheme for any other. Many people know the fact as well as I."

But Ralegh was firm in his purpose. He was now an old man, if age be counted in years; he was still vigorous and alert, if age be counted by the measure of a man's vitality. Now, at the age when most men take to the fireside and friendly counsel, Ralegh was glad to undertake a desperate venture to win freedom and wealth for himself and for his family, prosperity and greatness for his country.

The seven ships in the Thames weighed anchor. They were: the Destiny, of 440 tons, carrying 36 pieces of ordnance; the Jason, of 240 tons, carrying 25 pieces of ordnance, of which the commander was John Pennington, "of whom to do him right," as Ralegh wrote, "I dare say he is one of the sufficientest gentlemen for the sea that England hath"; the Encounter, of 160 tons, commanded at first by Edward Hastings and afterwards by Whitney, carrying 17 pieces; the Thunder, of 180 tons, commanded by Sir Warham St. Leger, carrying 20 pieces; the Flying Joan, the Husband, alias the Southampton, and the Page, all smaller vessels of 120, 80, and 25 tons respectively. The fleet was joined before it left the coast of England by Keymis in the Convertine, Wollaston in the Confidence, and Sir John Ferne in the Flying Hart. The Destiny was the flagship. It had been built at Sir Walter's own charge, and his son Walter was placed in the position of captain. Of the two hundred men on board, eighty were gentlemen volunteers, who were for the most part friends or relations of Sir Walter.

But months of valuable summer weather elapsed before the fleet left the coast of England. From the outset evil chance brooded over the expedition. Captain Pennington put in to the Isle of Wight with the Jason to obtain provisions, and had not the needful money. He accordingly was obliged to ride post haste to Lady Ralegh in London and wait while she went through the business of a bond, on which the money was raised. At Plymouth Captain Whitney had the same experience, and Ralegh was obliged to sell his plate to the silversmith; Sir John Ferne was also insufficiently supplied with money, and Ralegh borrowed £200 from two friends. The men began to feel that the expedition found no favour, and that their commanders were not trusted. In consequence, they grew uneasy and discontented. The delay lasted nearly three months, their enthusiasm began to abate, their resolution to weaken. The proper time of the year was passing.

While the fleet lay in Plymouth harbour Ralegh issued orders for the conduct of his men to be observed by the Commanders of the Fleet and Land Companies. He ordained that divine service should be read in every ship twice every day: in the morning before dinner and at night before supper; or at least, if there be interruption by foul weather, once the day, praising God every night with singing of a psalm at the setting of the watch. He ordained special care to be taken that God be not blasphemed in the ships. The offender is to be admonished and then fined out of his adventures, and then if no amendment be found the matter is to be reported to Ralegh himself. For if it be threatened in the Scriptures that the curse shall not depart from the house of the swearer, much less shall it depart from the ship of the swearer. Two captains of the watch must be chosen, and they shall pick two soldiers every night to search between the decks that no fire nor candle-light be carried about the ship, nor that any candles be burning in any cabin without a lanthorn. "For there is no danger so inevitable as the ship's firing which may as well happen by taking of tobacco between the decks, and therefore forbidden to all men but aloft the upper deck."

The landsmen must be taught the names and places of the ropes in order that they may assist the sailors in their labours upon the decks, though they cannot go up to the tops and yards. And the sailors must learn the art of land-fighting, otherwise the troops will be very weak when they come to land without the assistance of the sea-faring men. No vessel should be pursued or disfurnished in any way, except under compulsion of absolute necessity, and then bonds shall be entered into for the repayal of what was taken. "You shall every night fall astern the general's ship, and follow his light, receiving instructions in the morning what course to hold, and if you shall at any time be separated by foul weather, you shall receive certain billets sealed up, the first to be opened on this side of North Cape, if there be cause; the second to be opened at the South Cape; the third after you shall pass twenty-three degrees; and the fourth from the height of Cape de Verd." Minute instructions were given for signalling in case of distress or attack, or the sighting of a foreign vessel. In foul weather every man shall fit his sails to keep company with the rest of the fleet and not run so far ahead by day but that he may fall astern the admiral before night. He gave full instructions to the captains how to fight their ships. They are of exceptional interest. "In case we should be set upon by sea the captain will appoint a sufficient company to assist the gunners, after which if the fight require it, the cabins between the decks shall be taken down, and all beds and sacks employed for bulwarks. The gunners shall not shoot any great ordnance at other distance than point blank. An officer or two shall be appointed to take care that no loose powder be carried between the decks, or near any linstock or match in hand. You shall saw divers hogheads in two parts and filled with water set them aloft the decks. You shall divide your carpenters, some in the hold, if any shot come between wind and water, and the rest between the decks, with plates of lead, plugs, and all things necessary laid by them. The master and boatswain shall appoint a certain number of sailors to every sail, and to every such company a master's mate, boatswain, mate, or quarter-master, so as when every man knows his charge and place, things may be done without noise or confusion, and no man to speak but the officers.... You shall take a special care for the keeping of the ship clean between the decks, to have your ordnance in order, and not cloyed with trunks and chests."

Then follow further instructions as to conduct, which forbid any man to play at cards or dice, either for his apparel or arms, upon pain of being disarmed and made a swabber. And whosoever shall show himself a coward upon any landing or otherwise, he shall be disarmed and made a labourer and carrier of victuals for the rest.

And finally a few essential points are mentioned for all fully to realize when God shall suffer them to land in the Indies, namely, the danger of sleeping on the ground, of eating unknown fruits, or any flesh until it be salted, of bathing in rivers. Especial stress is laid upon the necessity of treating the Indians with courtesy in order to win their help and friendship. "For other orders on the land we will establish them (when God shall send us thither) by general consent. In the mean time I will value every man's honour according to their degree and valour, and taking care for the service of God and prosperity of our enterprise."

On the 12th of June the fleet at last set sail. But as in the Islands voyage, just twenty years before, a great storm broke upon the ships and drove some back to Falmouth harbour. The bad weather raged for weeks and ended in a tempest that scattered the fleet and wrought fearful havoc among all.

Ralegh was forced to take refuge with his fleet in Cork harbour, where another long delay ensued. Delay was disastrous. It meant lack of confidence among the men. And well Ralegh knew that his authority had been lessened by the reports which had been industriously spread among his company that his commission being granted to a man non ens in law, took from him both arms and actions: "it gave boldness to every petty companion to spread rumours to my defamation and the wounding of my reputation in all places where I could not be present to make them knaves and liars."