Five Leagues beyond Havana, a Spanish Ship laden with Campeche Wood and Sarsaparilla, being chased against the Shore, was set on fire by her own Men, which the Hollanders attempted twice in vain to put out.
After this Ita’s Fleet lay long upon the Coast of Cuba, but finding no Spanish Vessels, and their Provisions growing scarce, return’d back to the Texel, where they arriv’d without doing any farther Exploits.
St. Martha taken by the Dutch.
In the mean while Pater lying before Punta del Gallo, intending to Invade the City built on the Shore of the Island Trinidad; but the Fort built at the Mouth of the River, and contrary Current preventing his Design, he ran through the middlemost Hole of Boccas to Blanca, where he caught two thousand Goats and a Bonaire, set several Towns on fire, whilest the Spaniards made a Smother of dry Stubble all along the Fields, through which the Hollanders were to return, that so they might be choak’d with the Smoak; which their Invention had prov’d successful, had not the Hollanders forc’d a Way through a Wood. At last the Fleet leaving Hispaniola, Steer’d for St. Martha, a Town built on the Main Coast between Carthagena, and the River La Hacha, being instigated thereto by a Letter (taken by the Hollanders in a Prize) writ by the Governor Hieronymo de Quero to the Spanish King; which Letter set forth the present Condition of St. Martha, whereby they conceiv’d great hopes of a possibility of taking it, and of the Advantages that would accrue thereby: nor did it happen contrary to their expectation; for the Admiral Landing his Men, took the City without the least resistance; and though the great Fort fir’d some Guns, yet it soon surrendred on promise of Quarter; the City also was sav’d from being burn’d, by paying fifty five hundred Pieces of Eight, after they had plunder’d the same, and carry’d away whatsoe’re they thought good. Mean while the Provisions growing scarce in the Fleet, Pater judg’d it convenient to return home, where he arriv’d safely with all his Prizes.
The valiant Exploit of John Lichthart.
Notable Exploits were perform’d by John Lichthart, one of which, amongst others ought not to be omitted, viz. he setting Sail homewards from Reciffa about the beginning of October Anno 1630. chanc’d to fall with his Ship, the Over-yzel, amongst five Biscayan Pyrats, Cruising between the French and English Coast, which thought to clap him aboard on a sudden; but they seeing him bear up to them, were afraid to venture, and Tack’d about: after which he was set upon about three Leagues to the Northward of the Lizard, by three Frigats belonging to Dunkirk, the biggest whereof carry’d thirty six Guns, the second twenty eight, and the last twelve; with which three he maintain’d a Fight eight hours, in which he had fourteen Men kill’d, and thirty two wounded; his Ship resembled a Wreck, the Main-mast being shot overboard, the Rudder hung by pieces at the Stern, and the Tackling all shatter’d and torn, besides seven Shot under Water, and not less than four hundred through the sides above, but not without sufficient marks of retribution on the Dunkirkers side; but Lichthart getting into Plymouth, mended his Ship, and from thence Sail’d to Amsterdam, where he was Presented with a Gold Chain in recompence of his Valor.
The Expedition of the Brown-Fish Frigat.
The Expedition of the Brown-Fish Frigat is also remarkable, which Sailing beyond Cape de Verd, Steer’d by Cape Roxo along the Shore to the River Catchieu, at whose Mouth lie two Shelves, and between them ran a Channel through which the Ships pass’d. The Brown-Fish Sailing about a League up the River, which is a Mile in breadth, took a Portuguese Barque. The Seamen also Landing on the Isle Bissis, spake Portuguese with the Natives, who are Coal-black, and have strong Bodies, go Arm’d with Darts, Bowes, Arrows, Symiters, and were Baptiz’d by a Priest sent thither from Portugal, who with a few Countrey-men had built a Chappel and some Houses there.
From hence the Brown-Fish Sail’d to the most Northern Isle Bisegos, which is continually at Wars with Bissis. The King of this Isle receiving some Presents from the Netherlanders, gave leave to his Subjects, shie at first, to go aboard of them.
Steering from hence to Noronho, they found the Inhabitants carry’d away, and their Gardens and Houses ruin’d, so that they could get nothing but wild Pumpions to refresh themselves with; therefore leaving the Isle they anchor’d at Reciffa.