Candish his Expedition.
A Year after the death of these famous Navigators, Captain Thomas Candish Mann’d with a hundred and twenty Men, and Provisions for two Years, setting sail in a lucky Hour, a second time encompass’d the World, passing the Straights of Magellan; in which Voyage having got above ten times the value of his Charge, by taking the Spanish Carrack St. Anna, valued at twenty Tun of Gold; and at last freighted with a Mass of Treasure, he came safe into the River of Thames.
Smith’s Voyage.
But much worse success had Captain John Smith, who weigh’d Anchor Anno 1614. with two Ships, fitted out by several Merchants in London, for New-England, and on the Island Monachigga to load Copper, Gold, and other Minerals that were to be had there, and also to fish for Whales: But there were no such Minerals to be found there, nor any Whales to be taken on the Coast, because the time of the Year was past; so that he return’d home without Success. However, not long after, they undertook the same Expedition a second time, but with worse Fortune; for being gotten in sight of Virginia, he was treacherously set upon, and taken by the French, who accus’d him, that he had destroy’d the Plantations in Nova Francia, and unless he would make satisfaction for the Damage, they threatned him with death. He was carried Prisoner to Rochel, in a French Ship; but not far from thence surpris’d by a mighty Storm, Smith finding an opportunity, leap’d into the Boat, and driving betwixt the Waves, at last, half dead, was thrown upon the Island of Oleron, whom afterwards, having lost all, an English Ship took in, and brought to his Native Countrey.
Sect. XV.
Netherland Expedition by Jaques Mahu, and Simon de Cordes.
Mahu’s Voyage.
Five Ships being fitted out at Rotterdam, the Command of them was given to Jaques Mahu and Simon de Cordes, who on the twenty seventh of June, Anno 1598. weigh’d Anchor from the Goree, and sail’d on an immense Voyage; at last landing at the Island St. Jago, they won a strong Castle there, and took two Barques; but at last Articled with the Portuguese, that they might undisturb’d supply themselves with Fresh Water, yet they, as if they minded no Agreements, whilst the Dutch were filling their Casks, came down upon them with two hundred Horse, each having a Foot-Soldier behind him; but the Hollanders made so stout resistance, that they put them all to flight.
The City of St. Jago, which gives Denomination to the whole Island, is built long-wise, having a convenient Haven, like a Crescent: Through the City glides a River, on both sides of which, beyond the Town, arise several high Mountains: That part which faces the Sea, hath Fortifications, defended with strong Bulwarks. The Portuguese had brought all their Guns to bear towards the Sea, to sink the Holland Ships, which they invited thither under pretence of kindness; but a great Storm hindred the Fleet, that they could not Anchor at the appointed place; onely two of the Ships sail’d pretty near, but not within Shot.
From hence steering to the Desolate Island Brava, they saw nothing but five ruin’d Houses, the Door of one stopp’d up with great Stones, which being taken away, was found full of Turkish Wheat, which prov’d a great kindness to the Sea-men.