The last of June [1594], after long traversing of the seas, we had sight of another mighty Carrack; which divers of our Company, at the first, took to be the great San Philip, the Admiral [or Flag Ship] of Spain; but the next day, being the 1st of July [1594], fetching her up, we perceived her indeed to be a Carrack: which, after some few shot bestowed upon her, we summoned to yield; but they, standing stoutly to their defence, utterly refused the same.
Wherefore, seeing no good could be done without boarding her, I consulted what course we should take in the boarding. But by reason that we, which were the chief Captains, were partly slain, and partly wounded, in the former conflict; and because of the murmuring of some disordered and cowardly companions: our valiant and resolute determinations were crossed. And, to conclude a long discourse in few words, the Carrack escaped our hands.
After this, attending about Corvo and Flores for some West Indian purchase [booty], and being disappointed of our expectation; and victuals growing short, we returned to England: where I arrived at Portsmouth, the 28th of August [1594].
Footnotes
[5] By noon, or one of the clock, of that day, being the 3rd of August [1592], the Dainty came near her so that the Gunner, whose name was Thomas Bedome (being a proper tall man: and had very good aim at anything, and good luck withal), desired the Captain [Thomson] he might give them a shoot: to let them understand that they were Englishmen; and, under Her Highness, Commanders of the Seas.
The Captain (having great care; and not willing to have any shoot shot in vain) commanded him to forbear till they should come nearer her; which was not long: when the Captain commanded him to do his best; and carousing a can of wine to his Company, encouraged them to begin the fight.
And coming up, [he] hailed them, after the manner of the sea; and commanded them to strike for the Queen of England: which they no sooner refused, but the Gunner, being ready, gave fire to two whole culverins in her chase; and racked and tore her pitifully.
Bearing up with them, [we] gave them the whole [broad] side; and boarded them presently: who resisted most courageously, and put us off again.
Thus continued the Dainty in fight a pretty while before any others could come to help her.
In which time, she laid her aboard three several times, tore her Ancient [Flag] from her Poop, and slew her Captain [?]. And more harm had done them: but that, by chance, a shot bare their Foremast by the board; which they were compelled to splice again, to their great trouble.
The Seaman's Triumph. [30th September] 1592.
[6] The next was Her Majesty's good Ship, the Foresight; whose Commander for that Service was Captain [Sir Robert] Crosse (a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath adventured): who with his ship laid her aboard, and very valiantly assailed them; and was most stoutly by the Spaniards also repulsed.
Insomuch that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak; and yet being loath Her Majesty's Ship should be shaken off without victory, fired the Carrack: rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded Spaniards, standing on their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other: which three times was kindled [on board the Foresight]; to the great cumber of Captain Crosse and his Company, that would not so leave them.
This dangerous conflict between these ships endured [a] long time. Which the Phœnix of Portsmouth perceiving...being of 60 tons or thereabouts...left her for a time; standing with their Admiral and Vice-Admiral, which were the Tiger and the Sampson: and coming up with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of the Foresight; who presently bare up with them all the night. The Sampson, being the first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside: and shutting up into the Foresight's quarter, entered his men into her.
Captain Norton, that brave and worthy Gentleman, laid her also aboard, having the Tiger with him.
And so [all three crews] entered together, being 100 men at the least, all resolutely minded. At whose entrance they yielded so great a cry as the dismayed Portugals and Spaniards could not bethink themselves what course to take to help themselves: in such a maze were they stricken, although they were [originally] 800 strong, all well-appointed and able men; and of ours but 100. But standing thus, as men amazed, at length [they] yielded themselves vanquished.
The Seaman's Triumph. [30th September] 1592.
[7] They gan to consult, What were best to do with the prisoners, which were many? And finding their great scarcity of victuals; and not knowing what weather they might have; nor how it might please GOD with good wind to prosper them: it was concluded to ship as many of them as they might; and to send them for Lisbon. This they fully determined; and provision was made of a Bark of Dover, which they met: the Fleet taking in her men, and such provision as they had in her; and embarked the Spaniards and Portingals, with their Negroes, whereof were many. And gave them, with them, store of victuals; and so gave them leave to depart; detaining none but the principalest of them.
The Seaman's Triumph. [30th September] 1592.
[8] The conflict ended, it were a world of wonder to recount unto you the true reports, how our men bestirred themselves in searching and prying into every corner of her as far as they might: as they might well do, having with so great danger overcome her. The sight of the riches, within the same contained, did so amaze the Companies (that were within board of her: and that still came from every ship; being desirous to see what GOD had sent them, after so long and hot a fight) that many of them could not tell what to take; such was the store and goodness thereof.
Yea, he that had known what [the] things had been worth, in a little room might have contrived great wealth. For it is credibly reported that some younkers happened to find many Jars of Civet, which is of great worth; and [it having been] of some long time closely kept was cause, when they opened the same, it yielded no savour: and they, ignorant and not knowing what it should be, thinking it but trash, as it came to their hands, heaved it overboard. Many other things were so spoiled [destroyed] for want of knowledge; when every man had sufficient, and that not one had cause to complain.
The Seaman's Triumph. [30th September] 1592.
