[10] This great caracke was taken, after a sharp engagement, by six ships, part of the expedition alluded to in note 1; which was dispatched expressly to the Azores, to lie in wait for the East India carackes. This expedition left under the command of Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir John Borrough. Sir Walter was, however, superseded by Sir Martin Forbisher. She was called the “Madre de Dios,” a seven-decked ship of one hundred and sixty-five feet from stem to stern, manned with six hundred men. The burthen of this caracke was sixteen hundred tons, and she carried thirty-two brass guns. Her cargo, besides jewels, which never came to light, was as follows: spices, drugs, silks, and calicoes, besides other wares, many in number, but less in value, as elephant’s teeth, china, cocoa-nuts, hides, ebony, and cloth made from rinds of trees. All which being appraised, was reckoned to amount to at least one hundred and fifty thousand pounds. The carracke, or Carraca, was a large vessel of two masts, used in the India and Brazilian trade.
[11] Bounty? or perhaps wages paid in advance.
[12] A small vessel fitted with sails and oars.
[13] Drop down.
[14] We ought to profit by the experience of those who precede us. Had this “gentle warning” been attended to, probably the loss of the Royal George might have been prevented. She went down at her anchors while lying at Spithead, the 29th of August, 1782, having been struck by a squall, while her lower ports were open.
[15] The term admirall, appears formerly to have been applied as well to the principal ship in a fleet, as to the superior officer. To cite one among many instances, in an expedition under the Earl of Cumberland, in 1594, we find the Royal Exchange, Admiral, two hundred and fifty tons, commanded by Captain George Cave. The May-flower, two hundred and fifty tons, Vice-Admiral, commanded by Captain W. Anthony. The Samson Rear-Admiral, by Captain Nicholas Downton, together with a caravel and pinnace.
[16] A remarkable instance of carelessness occurred in 1801. The Dutch Frigate Ambuscade, went down by the head half an hour after leaving her moorings in Sheerness harbour. This arose from the hawse holes being unusually large, and the plugs not in.
[17] This is sound advice and good seamanship. In turning to wind-ward, it is wise to keep in the fair way, so that in case of missing stays, you have not a danger under your lee.
[18] Boats built for speed (?) or perhaps from the Dutch Filibote.
[19] In the list of seven ships composing Lord Thomas Howard’s fleet, we find the Foresight, Captain Vavisour. He deserves great credit for attempting to yield what succour he was able to the gallant Sir R. Greenville, whose brave defence has been already alluded to in [page 10]. One other vessel followed, or perhaps set, the example: the George Noble, of London, falling under the lee of the Revenge, asked Sir Richard if he had anything to command him; but as he was one of the victuallers and but of small force, Sir Richard bid him shift for himself, and leave him to his fortune. Lediard adds in a note, that it is more than probable had all the other vessels behaved with the same vigour and resolution as Sir Richard and his company, they might have given a good account of the Spanish fleet. It is to be regretted the name of the commander of the George Noble is not recorded. We know not which to admire most, his bravery in fully acting up to the principle of “succouring a known friend in view,” or the magnanimity of Sir Richard in dismissing him from an unequal contest.