Success of the Dutch against the Portuguese Fleet.
Near Mona the Fox Frigat joyn’d with the Fleet, with information, that he could hear no tydings of Henrickszoon; wherefore Peter Heyn judg’d it convenient to Sail along the South-Coast of Hispaniola with a separated Fleet, which was to joyn again near the great Caiman. Near Cape de Corientes the Dutch took a Spanish Ship laden with Sarsaparilla; after that another with Salt and Fish, and on the Shelves before Coche before the Promontory Antonio, a Fly-boat with Tallow and Hides, and at the same places two Vessels more with Ballast, the Men whereof inform’d him, that the Fleet from New Spain had about a Moneth before weigh’d Anchor from the Haven Juan de Ulva, and set Sail to Havana, so that without doubt they were arrived there; wherefore Peter Heyn steer’d towards Tortugos, in hopes, if he could, to overtake some of the heavy Sailers. Before the Promontory De Florida he discover’d seven Sail, and coming up nearer, above thirty, which, had Henrickszoon been united with Peter Heyn, had without doubt fallen into the hands of the Netherlanders; but it being judg’d a madness to set upon so great a Fleet with so small a number of Ships, they Sail’d away undisturb’d. Peter Heyn steer’d his Course along Florida, where he met three Canoos with strange Men in them, who came aboard of him, their Bodies being naked, were painted with several colours, onely Mats of Rushes about their Middle, and on their Backs long Tassels hanging down: their Merchandise consisted of a sort of Gum of little value. The Netherlanders in this Place took also a Vessel with Sina Leaves, and some pounds of Ambergreece: but the Scurvey increasing daily amongst them, they Tack’d about, and ran to an Anchor at Sierra Leona, where they stay’d till the latter end of January 1627. and then set Sail to Brasile, and overtook a Vessel from Madera laden with a hundred and fifty Pipes of Wine, and other rich Goods, and ran into the Inlet Todos los Sanctos with undaunted courage, not regarding the Guns that were fir’d from the Fort and Battlements of the City St. Salvador, near which lay thirty Sail of Ships, to which he making up, steer’d between the Portuguese Admiral and Rere-Admiral, whom sinking, he forc’d the Admiral to surrender, whilest the Hollandia and Gelria Frigats fell upon the rest, which were forsaken by the Seamen, who leap’d over-board; then several Mann’d Boats of the Hollanders (notwithstanding the Enemy’s continual firing) went and fetch’d off twenty two Sail of the Portuguese Vessels; all which they did in three hours time, onely with the loss of fifty Men, besides some that were wounded, amongst whom was the Admiral, being shot with a Bullet through the Arm, and wounded in the Legs with a Splinter; his Ship also was, with the Gelria Frigat, driven with the Spring-Tide on a Bank, whence, after the Gelria had receiv’d above sixty Shot from the Enemy, they both got off at last; but the Admiral’s Frigat being shot in a manner to a Wreck, was set on fire, which Misfortune ended not there, for the Orange-tree Frigat blew up, with sixty Men, fourteen whereof, though miserably scorch’d, had their Lives sav’d. Soon after which the Admiral sent into Holland the Ship St. Peter, the Hoop, Nostra Sennora de la Vittoria, and the Black-Lyon, which besides their Lading of Hides, Silver, Gold, and Precious Stones, were most of them full of Sugar; which safely arriving, did not a little encourage the West-India Company. After this Heyn took two Ships with Slaves from Angola, which because the Governor of St. Salvador would not redeem, were put ashore on Taperica. On the last of March he set Sail from the Inlet Todos los Sanctos, pass’d by Morro Pablo, and on Easter Eve with a strong Gale by the Abrolhos: before the Highland between Cape Frio and the River De Jenero, he discover’d two Sail, one whereof being laden with Sugar was taken, but the other escap’d in the Night; then Sailing on to the meandring Stream Spirito Sancto, he digg’d Pits on some of the River-Isles to get fresh Water, because it was not safe to Land on the Continent on each side, because the Inhabitants shot frequent showers of Arrows from the Thickets, in which they lay ambuscaded. Moreover the Town Spirito Sancto sent off several Fire-ships at the time of Flood, but they being easily quench’d did no harm. Here also a Vessel laden at Lisbon with Wines and Piece-Goods, was taken by Heyn, who setting Sail again divided the Fleet into three Squadrons, the Vice-Admiral Cornelis Oole keeping three Ships to Cruise withal before the River La Plata, Henrick Best had one Frigat, a Ketch, and a Carvel, to guard the Mouth of the Stream Jenero, whilest the Admiral himself Sail’d with four Frigats, three Ketches, and a Barque, towards the Inlet Todos los Sanctos, where two Ships riding near the Shore by the Fort Tapecipe, were by him set on fire. Also taking a Barque he was inform’d, that six laden Vessels lay in the River Tapecipe, whither he sending some Boats to explore the truth, they found a great Ship without Men in the Mouth of the Stream, and half a League farther six Portuguese Vessels lying near the Shore; bringing back news thereof to the Admiral, he went aboard of the Fox Ketch the next Morning, and taking two Ketches and several Boats with him, Sail’d up the River, and perceiv’d that the fore-mention’d six Ships were gotten up higher, and were Mann’d with a hundred and fifty Soldiers, Commanded by Captain Padilha; the Portuguese Admiral lying in Ambuscade, no sooner perceiv’d the Netherlanders Boats, but he let flie a whole Volley of small Shot at them, insomuch that it made them Retreat, and their whole Design had been fruitless, had not Heyn animated his Men to board the Vice-Admiral; which encouragement prov’d so successful that they master’d the same, killing all those that fell into their hands; which so amaz’d the two Vessels that lay by, that all the Men swam ashore, and left their rich Lading to the disposal of the Hollanders, besides which the vanquish’d Party lost above a hundred and fifty Men, and the Conquerors but fifteen. Somewhat farther up lay three Ships more, but the River being dry there at Low-water, and so narrow that the Trees on each Shore could touch one another, Heyn judg’d it convenient to prosecute the Design no farther, but to return with the three fore-mention’d Prizes, which he did not without great difficulty; for the Portuguese had rais’d Battlements on each side of the Mouth of the River Tapecipe, and stopt the same with a sunk Vessel, which Heyn himself set on fire at Low-water, and return’d untouch’d through thick Volleys of Shot, which flew about his Ears to the Fleet, leaving the three Ships to be fetcht off afterwards; to which end he commanded that they should hang some of the taken Hides about the Fox Ketch’s Pinnace, the Carvel and Boats, that so the Men which were in them might stand secure from the small Shot, and the rather, because the Ships could not be got out of the shallow and narrow River but by Toeing. Mean while the Governor of St. Salvador lay with a considerable number of Citizens and Soldiers behind the fore-mention’d Battlements, not doubting but to take revenge for the Losses sustain’d by Heyn; who nevertheless coming down thither Toed out the three Prize-ships with Boats hung about with Hides, firing into the Enemies Battlements with his great Guns, which he had put aboard of the Fox Ketch. About the middle of June he took in the Prize-goods in view of the City St. Salvador, where seven Netherland Ships from several places lay at an Anchor. Setting Sail from hence on the fourteenth of July, and reaching Noronho, known by a Mountain which appears like a Steeple, he met with Cornelis Oole’s Fleet, (who had been Cruising before La Plata) with whom he arriv’d safe in the Texel, having in their Way thither from Noronho taken a Prize, laden with Sugar, Tobacco, and Brasile Wood.
Thomas Sickes his Expedition.
Henrick Lucifer set out by the West-India Company.
During Peter Heyn’s Expedition Thomas Sickes, fitted out by the West-India Company, weighed Anchor out of the Texel with two Sail, and coming to St. Vincent he found a Spanish Vessel burnt down to the Hulk, took a Portuguese Pink with Slaves from Angola: Near the Inlet Todos los Sanctos he sunk a Barque, having first taken several Pots of Oyl and Packs of Linnen out of the same: Before Pernambuco he took a Carvel with a hundred and eighty Pipes of Wine, and a Vessel with Sugar and Hides, and drove another ashore against the Promontory St. Augustine. But Sickes being supply’d and strengthned by three Ships from the Texel, and four taken Vessels, ran with four to Todos los Sanctos, sent two to Cruise about Cape St. Augustine, and two more to the North of Pernambuco; At the Isle Noronho they were order’d to stay a Moneth one for another, from whence, after much hardship, they return’d home with so many rich Prizes, that they pay’d their Charges ten times double; which so encourag’d the Adventurers, that the Chamber of the West-India Company in Zealand fitted out three Sail under the Command of Henrick Lucifer, who weighing Anchor from Flushing Anno 1627. steer’d along the Coast of Africa to the Amazone River, and from thence North North-West to the Stream Wiapoco, to settle a Colony there; to which purpose Rowing up the River with Sloops, they came in the Night to two empty Houses, built at a place call’d Wacogenive, which they judg’d fit for their purpose; wherefore they carry’d all things ashore which they had brought out of Zealand with them for the new Planters, who while they were all busie building of Huts, a Negro was taken Prisoner, who being ask’d why the Inhabitants fled? reply’d, That it was occasion’d from a guilty Conscience; for two years before a Barque and two Sloops with Christians coming thither from the Amazone River, had stay’d thirty days on Wacogenive, when unawares they were set upon by the Natives, and all kill’d except three, who were yet living. Upon which Lucifer, having four Indians, three Men and one Woman, aboard of his Vessel, threatned to put them all to the Sword, unless they would produce the three foremention’d Christians: Whereupon the next day a German came to the Water side, of whom they could get little Information, he having in a manner forgot his native Tongue; but at length the other two coming thither, the eldest of them, nam’d John Hendricszoon, related to him, That the Portuguese in great numbers fell upon the Plantations near the Amazone River, Govern’d by Captain Oudaen, who after he had fought valiantly a whole day, being overpower’d by number, retreated to his Barque, and Sail’d into the Creek inhabited by the English, whither the Portuguese following in Canoos, cut off not onely Oudaen, but the English also, forty six Men onely escaping in a Barque under the Command of Lieutenant Peter de Bruine to the River Wiapoco; where they had stay’d about three days, when Sergeant Matruit treacherously shot Lieutenant Bruine: after which the forty six divided themselves into four Parties; but the Inhabitants to rid themselves of these Strangers, under the shew of great friendship, made them Drunk with the Liquor call’d Pernau, and then murder’d them all, except himself and two Germans. Which villanous act Lucifer judg’d worthy of punishment; but his Orders being to shew Kindness and Civility to the Inhabitants, he suffer’d the Murder to go unpunish’d, but built a triangular Fort near the River Wiapoco, on a Hill eight Fathom above the Shore, to prevent the passing by of Sloops; which done, he went to visit the Island Blanco, where he caught three hundred Goats. From thence he went to the Bay of Honda, the Inhabitants whereof are a valiant People, tall of Stature, having long Beards, and wearing Copper Rings through their Ears. Near the Sea-side is a Salt-pan, of which the Inhabitants make great benefit. Lucifer setting Sail again from hence, met with three Ketches sent out by the West-India Company at Amsterdam, before Corientes. The Commander Dirk Simonszoon van Uitgeest, steering his Course towards the Promontory St. Anton, took a Frigat laden with Meal, Silk, and other rich Goods, and within view of Cuba near the River Poros, descrying two brave Gallions from Honduras, bore up to them with his three Ketches; one of which, call’d The Lyon, being got betwixt both the Gallions, was in no small danger, the Netherlanders not being able to get up out of their little Vessel into the high Gallions, in which the Spaniards stood pushing them down with their Pikes; but no sooner did the Netherlanders throw their Hand-Granado’s amongst them, but Uitgeest got aboard of the Gallion, and carry’d her off, whilest the other by nimble Sailing got away. With this Prize Uitgeest thinking himself sufficiently enrich’d, steer’d homewards.
Joost Johnson and Claes Henrickszoon, Commanding each of them a Ketch, took a Ship coming from Lisbon before Pernambuco, laden with Meal, Salt, Wine, and thirty Monks; and not long after a Pink with six hundred Negro’s, a Barque with Salt and Iron, a Ketch with Wine, and a Frigat with Brasile Wood, Sugar and Tobacco: Before Itamerica they took two Prizes more; with all which they return’d to the Texel.
Peter Adrianszoon’s Expedition.
The West-India Company thus enrich’d by the Spoil taken from their Enemies, fitted out twelve Ships again under the Command of Peter Adrianszoon Ita, which set Sail in the beginning of the Year 1628. and anchor’d first before Blanca, an Isle abounding with Goats, the Ground stonie, and in some places Rocky, and having a small, but very convenient Haven, from whence Ita ran beyond Porto Rico, where he took a Vessel with seven thousand weight of Ginger, and Landed opposite to Hispaniola on the stonie Isle Catalina, where he took in fresh Water, and then Cruis’d to and again before Cuba, took six Barques, the Prisoners whereof inform’d him, That the Honduras Traders were on their Way coming thither, and that they had two small Men of War for their Convoy: Not long after Ita discover’d them Sailing along the Shore towards the Haven of Havana, but before they could get in, Captain John Peters, whose Ketch carry’d two Brass, and fourteen Iron Guns, boarded the Vice-Admiral, but having no Graplings to take hold with, the Spanish Ship ran aground, as likewise John Peterszoon in the pursuit of him; which the Admiral seeing, came to assist his Vice-Admiral, and ran aground on one side of John Peters, which drove the Netherlanders Ketch in great danger, she not being able to do Execution with her small Guns, whilest the Spaniards with their Demy-Cannon play’d vehemently upon her; neither was Ita, by reason of calmness and contrary Tide, able to come up with them, but was forc’d to stand Northerly, that so he might get an Easterly Wind, which about Noon always blows fresh here, and so by degrees got near the Spanish Fleet, till at last coming up with the Vice-Admiral, call’d St. Jago, he threw Fire-pots into her, and presently after boarding her, enter’d with that Valor, that of three hundred Spaniards above a hundred and fifty were slain; for those that leapt over-board were kill’d in the Water, whilest Joachim Guyszoon, John Braems, and Anthony Gonde fell upon the Admiral Sennora de los Remedios, and took her. In both these Ships Ita took Two thousand five hundred Chests of Indigo, above Six thousand Hides, Two thousand five hundred Packs of Sarsaparilla, several Pots of Balsam Oyl, Seventy thousand Pound of Ginger, One and twenty Bars of Silver, Twelve Brass, and Twenty eight Iron Guns; all which having taken out, he set fire in both the Ships.
A little before this Victory, the Fortune Frigat weighed Anchor from Flushing, with sixty three Men of War, to be Landed on the Island Tabago. At St. Vincent they found two Men that were left of seven, who having setled along the River Wiapow, under Captain John Van Ryen, were forc’d by the salvage Natives to remove, two whereof dyed by the way, the remaining five landing on the Isle Trinidad, had three of their Companions kill’d by the Indians of Granada, they being French-men, to whom the Natives bore an inveterate Hatred, so that they left onely the two Hollanders alive. The Fortune assisted by the South-star Ketch, took a rich Barque near the Isles des Virgines.
Vitgeest’s Exploits.