Chapter XIII: Part 13

_We resolve with the utmost Care and Diligence to wait here the
coming of the_ Manila _Ship belonging to the_ Spaniards, _and bound
for_ Acapulco; _whose Wealth on board her we hope will prompt every
Man to use his utmost Conduct and Bravery to conquer. This is our
Opinion the Day above._

Tho. Dover, _Pres._ John Connely,
Woodes Rogers, William Bath,
Stephen Courtney, Tho. Glendall,
Edw. Cooke, Geo. Milbourne,
William Dampier, Robert Knowlman,
Robert Frye, John Bridge,
William Stratton, John Ballett,
Cha. Pope, Lan. Appleby.

Being all supply’d with Wood, Water, and Turtle, we came to sail at Eleven this Forenoon, Wind at N. by W. a fine Gale; but e’er I proceed with my Journal, I will give a short Description of these Islands.

The Islands of _Tres Marias_ lie N. W. in a Range at equal Distances from each other, about 4 Leagues asunder: The largest Island is the Westermost, appears to be high double Land, and about 5 Leagues in Length; the middle Island about 3 Leagues the longest way, and the Eastermost scarce 2 Leagues; these are also middling high Lands, and full of Trees. Near the least Island are 2 or 3 small broken white Islands, one of the outermost of these appear’d so much like a Ship under Sail at a distance, that we gave the usual Signal for a Chase, but soon found our Mistake.

These Islands have abundance of different sorts of Parrots, Pigeons, Doves, and other Land Birds, of which we kill’d great Numbers, with excellent Hares, but much less than ours. We saw abundance of Guanas, and some Raccoons; the latter bark’d and snarl’d at us like Dogs, but were easily beat off with Sticks.

I think the Water more worthy of Remark than any thing we saw here, because we found but two good Springs, which ran down in large Streams near others, that were very bitter and disagreeable, which I suppose might proceed from Shrubs and Roots that grow in the Water, or from some Mineral.

The Turtle here is very good, but of a different Shape from any I have seen; and tho’ vulgarly there’s reckon’d but 3 sorts of Turtle, we have seen 6 or 7 different sorts at several Times, and our People have eat of them all, except the very large hooping or logger-head Turtle (as they are call’d) found in _Brazil_ in great plenty, and some of them above 500 _l._ Weight. We did not eat of that sort, because then our Provisions were plentiful, which made those Turtles to be slighted as coarse and ordinary Food. Those at the _Gallapagos_ Islands, both He’s and She’s, I observed came ashore in the Day-time, and not in the Night, quite different from what I have seen or heard of the rest.

All that we caught in this Island was by turning ’em in the Night, and were She’s, which came ashore to lay their Eggs, and bury them in the dry Sand: One of these had at least 800 Eggs in its Belly, 150 of which were skin’d, and ready for laying at once. I could not imagine that Turtle were 6 Weeks in hatching, as some Authors write, considering the Sun makes the Sand so very hot wherever these Eggs are found, and instead of a Shell they have nothing but a very thin Film. In order therefore to be better informed, I order’d some of our Men ashore to watch carefully for one, and suffer her to lay her Eggs without disturbance, and to take good notice of the Time and Place. Accordingly they did so, and assur’d me they found the Eggs addled in less than 12 Hours, and in about 12 more they had young ones in ’em, compleatly shap’d, and alive. Had we staid a little longer, I might have given my self and others a thorough Satisfaction in this quick Production of Nature. From hence I am inclinable to credit the Report of divers of our Sailors, who assert, that where they have found Eggs in the Sand, and look’d for ’em 3 Days after in the same place, they found nothing but Films; this shews that the young ones are hatch’d within that time. They assured me also, that they had observed oftener than once, that the young Brood run out of the Sand every day directly for the Sea in great Numbers, and quicker than the old ones.

[Sidenote: _At Anchor at Tres Marias._]

At this time here was little Fish about the Shores of this Island, and of the same sorts mention’d at other Places in these Seas; but the Plenty of Turtle at this time supplies that Defect. We the chief Officers fed deliciously here, being scarce ever without Hares, Turtle Doves, Pigeons, and Parrots of various Sizes and Colours, many had white or red Heads, with Tufts of Feathers on their Crowns. I wish ’twould hold, but ’tis in vain to tantalize our selves; for we must soon fare otherwise, and take to our old Food of almost decay’d Salt Pork and Beef, which we must prize, and heartily wish we had more on’t. We found good Anchor Ground about this middle Island, and gradual Soundings from 20 to 4 Fathom Water close by the Shore. Between this and the least Island ’tis about the same Depth; where we were between them I found no Shole, but what was visible, as a Rock off the S. W. Point, and a Shole off the N. E. Point of the same, with another at a greater distance from that Point off the least Island, but neither runs above half a Mile from the Shore. I know no Danger about them, but what with Care might be easily avoided.

Where we rode we could see Spots of high Land, which I suppose was the Continent join’d by low Land between it; the Northermost bore N. by E. half E. about 16 Leagues distance: I take it to be the Starboard Entrance into the Gulph or Strait of _California_; the nearest Land to us bore E.N.E. about 12 Leagues, and the Southermost E. S. E. at least 17 Leagues, very high, which I believe is the next Headland to the Northward of Cape _Corientes_. I had but two Opportunities to see it just at Sun-rising, because ’twas very hazey during our Stay here, so that I might err in the Distance; but the best Directions for these Islands is thus: We account the nearest bears N.N.W. from Cape _Corientes_ 28 Leagues, and that it lies in the Lat. 21°. 15´´. N. and Longit. 111°. 40´´. West from _London_. I return to my Journal.

_Octob. 28._ At 6 this Evening the Westermost Island bore E.N.E. 15 Leagues. The Wind has been very little, and veerable, with a great Swell out of the N.W. I sent our Yawl with a Lieutenant aboard the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_, with whom we agreed to spread as we ran to the Northward, that the _Acapulco_ Ship might not pass us, if they should arrive sooner than we expected: We agreed to be to the Leeward, the _Marquiss_ to Windward, and the _Dutchess_ between us, and all to keep in sight of each other. I order’d our Surgeons and Mr. _Vanbrugh_ to see the Inside of the Physick Chest that Capt. _Dover_ left us, and take an Inventory of what was in it. We saw no more of the Islands.

_Octob. 29._ Still easy Gales, and sometimes quite calm, and extream hot. We can hardly keep our Ground against the Current, that runs strong to the Southward. We are in the same Latitude, and I judge about the same Place we were 2 Days ago.

_Octob. 30._ This Morning one of our Negro Women cry’d out, and was deliver’d of a Girl of a tawny Colour; Mr. _Wasse_ our chief Surgeon was forced to discharge the Office of a Midwife in a close Cabbin provided for that Purpose; but what we most wanted was good Liquor, to keep up, or imitate the Womens laudable Custom of a refreshing Cup, on such an Occasion. I accidentally found a Bottle of thick strong _Peru_ Wine, a good Part of which was given to the sick Woman, who desir’d more than we could spare her. She had not been full 6 Months amongst us, so that the Child could belong to none of our Company. But to prevent the other she-Negro (call’d _Daphne_) from being debauch’d in our Ship, I gave her a strict Charge to be modest, with Threats of severe Punishment, if she was found otherwise. One of the _Dutchess_’s black Nymphs having transgressed this Way, was lately whip’d at the Capston. This I mention to satisfy the censorious, that we don’t countenance Lewdness, and that we took those Women aboard, only because they spoke _English_, and begg’d to be admitted for Landresses, Cooks and Semstresses.

_Nov. 1._ This Day we saw high Land, being the Point of _California_. By Noon the Westermost in sight bore W. by N. 8 Leagues, and the Northermost N. half W. about 10 Leagues. We had an Observation Lat. 22°. 55´´. Long. 113°. 38´´. W. from _London_.

_Nov. 2._ The Westermost Land we set yesterday Noon, we make to be Cape St. _Lucas_, the Southermost Head-land of _California_. We agreed on Signals and Stations; and to spread S.W. into the See, off of this Cape that now bore N. by W. from us.

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]

_Nov. 3._ Our Stations being concluded, I was to be the outermost Ship, the _Dutchess_ in the middle, and the _Marquiss_ next the Land; with the Bark to ply and carry Advice from Ship to Ship: The nearest Ship to be 6 Leagues at least, and 9 at most from the Land: By this Agreement, we could spread 15 Leagues, and see any thing that might pass us in the Day, within 20 Leagues of the Shore. And to prevent the Ships passing in the Night, we were to ply to Windward all Day, and drive at Night. Whilst we were together, we at last settled the Form of our Agreement for each Ship; that all the Ships Companies might sign it, for every one to give an Account of all Plunder he has received, that he may be charged with what’s more than his Share; and those (now or for the future suspected or accus’d of Concealment) when demanded shall give their Oaths before the Commanders, to the Truth of their Accounts, and if any one was found to conceal above the Value of half a Piece of 8. he is to be severely punished, and fined 20 Times its Value: This we did to deter every one from fraudulent Practices, which if we should happily take this Ship, might also prevent Disorders.

_Nov. 4._ I order’d a Sailor into Irons, for threatning the Cooper; and one _Peter Clark_, an ill abusive Fellow, I order’d to have the like Punishment, because he had wished himself aboard a Pirate, and said he should be glad that an Enemy, who could over-power us, was a-long-side of us.

_Nov. 5._ Yesterday in the Afternoon the _Dutchess_ being near, I sent our Yawl aboard with Lieut. _Glendall_, to agree more exactly on some remarkable Land, that each of us knowing the same Land Mark, might the better keep our Stations. We agreed also, that the _Marquiss_ should now be in the middle, and the _Dutchess_ next the Shore, as being the properest Stations. This Morning we put all manner of Lumber and Chests down, designing to keep all as clear as possible, that we might not be in a Hurry if near the _Acapulco_ Ship.

_Nov. 6._ This Day ended our Stock of Turtle we had at the _Marias_; being all Shes, with Eggs in them, they would not keep so long as those we had at the _Gallapagos_ Islands: We have for some Days thrown more dead Turtle overboard than we kill’d for eating.

_Nov. 7._ Yesterday I went aboard the _Marquiss_, and desir’d them to tell Capt. _Courtney_, when he came off the Shore, that we would take the inner Birth, and exchange again for the same Number of Days, that we might have equal Chances for seeing the _Manila_ Ship; because I now think the inner Birth the likeliest. Sir _Thomas Cavendish_, in Queen _Elizabeth_’s Time, took the _Manila_ Ship in this Place on the 4th of _November_.

_Nov. 12._ Yesterday Afternoon, all our Ships Company sign’d the before-mention’d Agreement, finally to settle Plunder. At the same time we sign’d another Agreement, to prevent gaming and wagering: some of our Crews having already lost most of their Clothes, and what else they could make away with. To prevent those loose and dissolute Courses, we sign’d both Agreements as follows.

_We the Officers, Seamen and Landmen belonging to the Ship_ Duke,
_having made several former Agreements concerning the equal sharing
of Plunder, do now desire and agree, That each Man give an exact
Account of all Clothes, Goods of Value, or Necessaries of any kind
he had, over and above his Dividend deliver’d him at_ Gorgona, _or
had purchased of others since, to be rightly charged to him in his
Account of Plunder, by the Agents appointed; and to restore
whatever he had taken without the Agents Knowledge, and to prevent
any Persons detaining and concealing any Goods or Riches of any
kind, now or for the future, more than their respective Shares, in
order to a right Distribution of Plunder, except Arms, Chests,
Knives_, Roman _Relicks, Scizzars, Tobacco, loose Books, Pictures,
and worthless Tools and Toys, and Bedding in use, which are not
included in this Agreement; and those that have already only things
of this kind, are not liable to a Penalty: We do voluntarily sign
this, and offer our selves to be obliged firmly by these Presents,
to be under the Penalty of 20 Shillings for every Shilling value
taken hid or conceal’d by any of us, or removed out of any Prize
without written Orders from the Commanders publickly; and that none
but the Agents already named, or to be named hereafter, shall
detain in Possession any Plunder; but whatever is found conceal’d
shall be valued, and the Persons that hid it to be fin’d as
aforesaid, which Penalty we acknowledge to be laid on us by our own
Desire, Consent, and Approbation, over and above the former Penalty
agreed on, That any Person shall loose his share of every Prize or
Purchase taken, whether Cargo or Plunder, that conceals of either
the Value of half a Piece of 8. and this to remain in Force, to the
End of the Voyage._

_And to encourage Discoveries of such Concealments, what-ever
Person discovers the Fraud of any, who shall be so imprudent as to
detain more than his due, in any Goods that has not been shar’d
before as Plunder, or purchas’d of the Owners Agent or Commanders;
the Informer of such Fraud shall have one Half given him gratis,
out of the Offenders Shares and Wages; the other Half for the use
of the Ships Company as Plunder; which Information shall be
encouraged by the Commanders of each Ship, in order to prevent
Frauds, as long as this Voyage holds; and that ever hereafter
Accounts shall be made up, and the Plunder immediately adjudg’d to
prevent Confusion._

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]

_We likewise agree, That if any of us hereafter shall without
farther Proof be accus’d of concealing Plunder or Goods of Value,
belonging to any Prize, he shall, on request, before a Committee of
all or either of the Ships Commanders and chief Officers,
voluntarily make Affidavit to answer fully and satisfactorily to
such Questions as shall then and there be demanded of him, in
order to prevent fraudulent Concealments, and on his Refusal,
agrees to be punish’d or degraded, and to be subject to such
Penalty as a general Committee shall think fit to inflict on him or
them. Every one hereunto subscribed is within 3 Days from the Date
hereof to settle his Account of Plunder; after which time, this
Instrument is in full Force and not before._

Sign’d by the Officers and Men of each Ship.

The Agreement to prevent Gaming was as follows.

_We the Ship’s Company belonging to the Ship_ Duke _now in the_
South Seas, _being Adventurers so far to improve our Fortunes in a
private Man of War, under the Command of Capt._ Woodes Rogers, _who
has a lawful Commission from his Royal Highness Prince_ George _of_
Denmark,[138] _and considering the apparent Hazard of our Lives in
these remote Parts; do mutually agree to prevent the growing Evil
now arising amongst us, occasion’d by frequent Gaming, Wagering,
and abetting at others Gaming, so that some by chance might thus
too slightly get Possession of what his Fellow-Adventurers have
dangerously and painfully earn’d. To prevent this intolerable
Abuse, we shall forbear and utterly detest all Practices of this
kind for the future during the whole Voyage, till our safe Arrival
in_ Great Britain, _where good Laws of this kind take place, and
designing effectually to confirm this our Desire and Agreement, We
do jointly remit all sorts of Notes of Hand, Contracts, Bills, or
Obligations of any kind whatsoever, that shall any ways pass,
directly or indirectly, sign’d by either of us after the Date
hereof, provided the Sum in each Note be for Gaming, Wagering, or
Abetting any way whatsoever by any of us; and to prevent our being
misled for the future, all manner of Obligations of this kind, and
for this Consideration, shall be wholly invalid, and unlawful here,
and in_ Great Britain _or_ Ireland; _And throughly to secure this
Method, we farther jointly agree, that no Debt from this Time
forward shall be lawfully contracted from Man to Man amongst us,
unless by the Commanders Attestation, and enter’d on the Ship’s
Book, it shall appear done publickly and justly to prevent each
others Frauds being conniv’d at amongst us; And that none of us may
fraudulently do ill things of this kind for the future, and make a
Pretence to Ignorance, We have all publickly and voluntarily set
our Hands, desiring the true Intent and Meaning hereof may take
place without the least Evasion, it being (as we very well know)
for our common Interest and publick good, that not one of us
employ’d on this dangerous and remote Undertaking, might be so
unhappy to arrive at his wish’d for Country and Habitation poor and
dejected: And being throughly sensible of the Necessity of this
Agreement, we have set our Hands._

Sign’d by all the Officers and Men in each Ship in sight of
_California_, Nov. 11. 1709.

_Nov. 13._ The Water being discolour’d, and we near the Shore, we hove the Lead but found no Ground.

_Nov. 17._ Yesterday we sent the Bark to look for Water on the Main, and this Morning they return’d, having seen wild _Indians_ who padled to them on Bark Logs; they were fearful of coming near our People at first, but were soon prevail’d with to accept of a Knife or two and some Bays, for which they return’d 2 Bladders of Water, a Couple of live Foxes, and a dear Skin. Till now we thought the _Spaniards_ had Missionaries among those People, but they being quite naked, having no sign of _European_ Commodities, nor the least Word of _Spanish_; we conclude they are quite savage. We dispatch’d the Bark and Boat a second Time with odd Trifles, in hopes to get some Refreshment from ’em.

_Nov. 19._ Before Sun set last Night we could perceive our Bark under the Shore, and having little Wind she drove most part of the Night, that she might be near us in the Morning. We sent our Pinnace, and brought the Men aboard, who told us, that their new Acquaintance were grown very familiar, but were the poorest Wretches in Nature, and had no manner of Refreshment for us. They came freely aboard to eat some of our Victuals; and by Signs invited our Men ashore; the _Indians_ swam a-shore in the Water to guide the Bark Logs, that our Men were on, there being too much Sea to land out of our Boat: After they got safe on Shore the _Indians_ led each of our Men betwixt two of ’em, up the Bank, where there was an old naked Gentleman with a Deer-skin spread on the Ground, on which they kneeled before our People, who did the like, and wip’d the Water off their Faces, without a Cloth; those that led them from the Water-side, took the same Care of ’em for a quarter of a Mile, and led them very slowly thro’ a narrow Path to their Hutts, where they found a dull Musician rubbing two jagged Sticks a-cross each other, and humming to it, to divert and welcome their new Guests. After the Ceremonies were over, our People sat on the

_From a print in the Macpherson Collection_.]

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]

Ground with them, eat broil’d Fish, and were attended back in the same manner, with the _Indian_ Musick. The Savages brought a Sample of every thing they had except their Women, Children, and Arms, which we find are not common to Strangers: Their Knives made of Sharks Teeth, and a few other of their Curiosities, our People brought aboard to me, which I have preserved to shew what Shifts may be made.

_Nov. 21._ Last Night we saw a Fire ashore, which we interpreted to be a Signal from the Inhabitants, that they had got something extraordinary for us; and we wanting Refreshments, sent our Bark and Boat this Morning with one of our Musicians, to shew that we could at least equal them in Musick.

_Nov. 22._ Our Boat return’d and brought an Account, that they had found a very good Bay, with a fresh Water River, and that they saw near 500 _Indians_, who lived there in small Hutts, but had no Recruit for us, besides a little Fish. They met them as customary, and pilotted the Bark to that Place, which we suppose was the same that Sir _Thomas Cavendish_ recruited at in Queen _Elizabeth’s_ Time, _Anno_ 1588.

_Nov. 23._ Our main Top-Gallant-Mast being broke, we got up another, but the Rope breaking the Mast fell down upon the Deck, amongst the Men, but by God’s Providence hurt no body. At 8 last Night our Ship sprung a Leak; so that we were forced to keep one Pump a going.

_Nov. 25._ Capt. _Courtney_ came aboard in his Yawl, and complain’d his Stock of Water was almost spent; I agreed with him to send in our Pinnace, and a Bark, to supply them with Water.

_Nov. 26._ This Morning our Pinnace return’d from Shore, brought 3 Barrels of Water, and 2 very large Fish from the _Indians_, which serv’d most of the Ships Company. Those that came from the Shore observed the _Indians_ were not so friendly to our Men as customary.

_Nov. 27._ They refus’d to let them come ashore after it was Night, which could not be to prevent their thieving, because the miserable Wretches had nothing to lose; yet they are jealous to keep what they have; and though they make no Use of their Land, might be afraid of Rivals.

_Nov. 28._ Yesterday in the Afternoon we heard the _Marquiss_ fire a Gun, which was answer’d by the _Dutchess_, who had the middle Birth. We tackt immediately, and made all possible Sail, supposing they had seen a Stranger; the _Marquiss_ stood to us towards the Shore, and we soon met her; by 4 a Clock I was aboard them, and enquiring into the Cause of the Alarm, was surpriz’d to hear they took us for the _Manila_ Ship, and the Gun they fired was to alarm the _Dutchess_ to give chase, as she had done all the day, tho’ not regarded by us, who knew the _Marquiss_, and admir’d they could mistake the _Duke_. Immediately each Ship return’d to his Station; soon after our Main-tye gave way, and our Main-yard came down at once, but did no other Damage. This Morning we saw the Bark coming off Shore, where she had been becalm’d; being longer wanting than usual, we were afraid they were cut off by the _Indians_. We got our Bale Goods up from abaft to see for the Leak, but all to no purpose; we found some of the Bales that had receiv’d old Damages, which we dry’d and re-pack’d, and sold what was damaged among the Ship’s Company.

_Nov. 29._ Last Night our Lazareto[139] Door being broke open, and losing Bread and Sugar, this Morning I order’d a Search, and found the Thief; I blam’d the Steward for his Remisness; he told me he lay next the Door, with the Key fastned to his Privy Parts, because he had it once stoln out of his Pocket, I suppose by the same Thief, who was so dextrous to get it now without disturbing him; but not being ingenious enough to fasten it to the same Place, he was discover’d. His Mess-mate was also guilty, but knowing his Friends in _Bristol_, I was unwilling to punish him, tho’ Provisions being scarce, it makes the Crime the greater, for we expect no Recruit till we get to the _East Indies_. I order’d the first to be severely whipt at the Geers,[140] and the other and a _Dutchman_ to be afterwards left with him in Irons.

_Dec. 9._ Mr. _Duck_ the Master of the Bark came aboard, and presented me with some Dolphins he had from the _Indians_. I order’d our Master to go with him, and endeavour, if possible, to discover the Shore along to the Northward, to find out a better Harbour than that where the _Indians_ lived, and if they met with the _Dutchess_, to tell Capt. _Courtney_, I thought it convenient for one of the Ships to go into the Bay we had already discover’d, and there to take in Water and Wood, _&c._ so to fit our Ships by turns to save time, and consequently Provisions, which begin to grow short with us. We were now something dubious of seeing the _Manila_ Ship,

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]

because it’s near a Month after the time they generally fall in with this Coast.

_Dec. 14._ Yesterday I went aboard the _Dutchess_, where ’twas agreed the _Marquiss_ should go into the Harbour and refit with all manner of Dispatch. In the mean time we to keep the outer Birth, and the _Dutchess_ to be betwixt us and the Shore, and to cruize but 8 Days longer, without we had a Prospect of the _Manila_ Ship, because our Provisions grow short.

_Dec. 20._ Having compar’d our Stock of Bread, and of what would serve to prolong it, we agreed that a Committee should be held, and that every one should give his Opinion in Writing, whether we should attempt taking a Town to victual us, and so continue the Cruize for some time longer; or to make all possible Dispatch to refit, and sail hence for the Island _Guam_, one of the _Ladrones_, and there if possible to get a fresh Recruit. My Opinion was as follows.

On board the Ship _Duke_, cruising off Cape _St._ Lucas _in_ California, this 19_th_ of _December_, 1709.

_Eight Days ago I was with Capts._ Courtney _and_ Cooke, _and
computed what Bread there might be left aboard the 3 Ships; and we
all agreed there might be 64 Days Bread of all sorts for each Ship,
when equally divided_.

_Since which Time there is 8 Days spent, } so that there should be left no more } _56 Days Bread_, than_ }

_But on a Rumage of both Ships_ Duke } _and_ Dutchess, _and strictly computing } every thing that will help prolong } _14 Days more Bread_, our Bread, we hope to make_ }

_Which may be in all 70 Days Bread to come_,

_We must expect before we can get fitted } hence to spend at least 9 Days, and } add to that our Passage to_ Guam, } _59 Days Bread_, _which we can’t think will be less than } 50 Days, is_ } ---- 11

_By this Account, which is the utmost,--11 Days Bread will be left
when we come to_ Guam.

_I am of opinion now we have search’d each others Ships to prevent
Frauds, that there can be no more than 11 Days Bread left when we
come to_ Guam, _as above, except we shorten our Allowance very
much, which we can’t do till driven to the last Extremity, our
Allowance being very small already; but if we should have an
unexpected long Passage from hence to_ Guam, _it will go hard with
us at the present Allowance, besides we are not certain of a
Recruit at_ Guam.

* * * * *

_By the foregoing Account it’s plain what Flower and Bread-kind we
have left, and the risque we must now run to get to the_
East-Indies, _with so mean a Stock. This I doubt not will be full
Satisfaction to our Imployers, that we have prolonged our Cruize to
the utmost Extent, in hopes to meet the Rich_ Manila _Ship: But
since Fortune has not favour’d us, we must think of other Methods
to promote our Safety and Interest. Except we resolve to take a
Town here to victual us, ’tis evident we can’t cruize, and ’tis my
Opinion, that now our Time is so far spent, we ought to attempt
nothing more in these Seas, lest our too long Stay might be the
Loss of all, because the Worm has already entred our Sheathing, For
these and other Reasons, I think it highly necessary, that from
this Instant we make all manner of Dispatch to fit, and sail hence
for the Island of_ Guam, _one of the_ Ladrones _Islands, and there,
if possible, to get a fresh Recruit, and consult how farther to
proceed for the Interest of our Imployers, and our own Advantage
and Reputation. This I give as my Opinion aboard the_ Dutchess,
_this_ 20th _of_ December, 1709.

Woodes Rogers.

This my Opinion being perused with the rest, we came to the following Resolve.

_We the Officers present in a Committee on board the_ Dutchess,
_having farther considered our short Store of Bread and Bread-kind,
and finding it too little to continue our Cruize longer here for
the_ Manila _Ship, do therefore now agree to get a Harbour, and
there to recruit with the utmost dispatch, and sail for the Island
of_ Guam, _or any other Place where we can revictual. We design to
consult farther of our next Proceedings, when in Harbour. This is
our present Opinion. Witness our Hands this_ 20th _of_ December,
1709.

Signed by the Officers of the Committee.

[Sidenote: _The Manilla Ship._]

At signing this in the Committee we all looked very melancholy and dispirited, because so low in Provisions, that if we should not reach _Guam_ in the limited Time, or accidentally miss it, we shall not have enough till we arrive at any other Place.

Necessity forces us to design from hence to _Guam_, and thence to the _East Indies_; for if we had Provisions to go back round Cape _Horne_, and to stop in _Brazil_, and there to sell our _Europe_ Prize Goods, it might be much more for our Advantage, and be sooner at _Great Britain_.

_Dec. 21._ Pursuant to Yesterday’s Agreement we made the best of our Way into the Harbour call’d by Sir _Tho. Cavendish_ Port _Segura_, where the _Marquiss_ was refitting; but having Calms most part of the Afternoon, and a Current setting to Leeward, we rather lost than got ground. Towards Morning there sprung up a Gale, and we found our selves to Leeward of the Port, tho’ we took all Advantages of the Wind: But to our great and joyful Surprize, about 9 a Clock the Man at Mast-head cry’d out he saw a Sail besides the _Dutchess_ and Bark, bearing West half South of us, distant about 7 Leagues. We immediately hoisted our Ensign, and bore away after her, the _Dutchess_ soon did the same; but it falling calm, I order’d the Pinnace to be mann’d and arm’d, and sent her away to make what she was: Some were of opinion ’twas the _Marquiss_ come out of the Harbour, and to confirm this, said they could discern the Sail to have no Foretop mast; so the Boat being not out of call, return’d back, and we put a Cap[141] in her for the _Marquiss_, then sent her away again, by which time it was Noon. The Cape then bore N.N.E. of us, distant about 5 Leagues.

_Dec. 22._ We had very little Wind all Yesterday Afternoon; so that we near’d the Ship very slowly, and the Boat not returning kept us in a languishing Condition, and occasion’d several Wagers, whether ’twas the _Marquiss_ or the _Acapulco_ Ship. We kept sight of our Boat, and could not perceive her to go aboard the Ship, but made towards the _Dutchess_’s Pinnace, who was rowing to them; they lay together some time, then the _Dutchess_’s Boat went back to their Ship again, and ours kept dogging the Stranger, tho’ at a good distance, which gave us great hopes that ’twas the _Manila_ Ship. I sent Mr. _Frye_ aboard the _Dutchess_ in our Yawl, to know what News, and if the Ship was not the _Marquiss_, to agree how to engage her. We then hoisted a _French_ Ensign, and fired a Gun, which the Stranger answer’d. Mr. _Frye_

[Sidenote: _At Anchor on the Coast of California._]

return’d with the joyful News that it was the Ship we had so impatiently waited for, and despair’d of seeing her. We agreed the 2 Pinnaces should tend her all Night, and keep showing false Fires, that we might know whereabouts they and the Chase was; and if we were so fortunate to come up with her together, agreed to board her at once. We made a clear Ship before Night, had every thing in a Readiness to engage her at Day-break, and kept a very good Look-out all Night for the Boat’s false Fires, which we saw and answer’d frequently. At Day-break we saw the Chase upon our Weather-Bow, about a League from us, the _Dutchess_ a-head of her to Leeward near about half as far. Towards 6 our Boat came aboard, having kept very near the Chase all Night, and receiv’d no Damage, but told us the _Dutchess_ pass’d by her in the Night, and she fired 2 Shot at them, but they return’d none. We had no Wind, but got out 8 of our Ships Oars, and rowed above an Hour; then there sprung up a small Breeze. I order’d a large Kettle of Chocolate to be made for our Ship’s Company (having no spiritous Liquor to give them;) then we went to Prayers, and before we had concluded were disturb’d by the Enemy’s firing at us. They had Barrels hanging at each Yard-Arm, that look’d like Powder Barrels, to deter us from boarding ’em. About 8 a Clock we began to engage her by our selves, for the _Dutchess_ being to Leeward, and having little Wind, did not come up. The Enemy fired her Stern Chase upon us first, which we return’d with our Fore Chase several times, till we came nearer, and when close aboard each other, we gave her several Broadsides, plying our Small Arms very briskly, which they return’d as thick a while, but did not ply their great Guns half so fast as we. After some time we shot a little a-head of them, lay thwart her Hawse close aboard, and plyed them so warmly, that she soon struck her Colours two thirds down. By this time the _Dutchess_ came up, and fired about 5 Guns, with a Volley of Small Shot, but the Enemy having submitted, made no Return. We sent our Pinnace aboard, and brought the Captain with the Officers away, and having examin’d ’em, found there was another Ship came out of _Manila_ with them, of a bigger Burthen, having about 40 Brass Guns mounted, and as many Patereroes; but they told us they lost her Company 3 Months ago, and reckon’d she was got to _Acapulco_ before this time, she sailing better than this Ship. This Prize was call’d by the long Name of _Nostra Seniora de la Incarnacion Disenganio_, Sir _John Pichberty_ Commander; she had 20 Guns, 20 Patereroes, and 193 Men aboard, whereof 9 were kill’d, 10 wounded, and several blown up and burnt with Powder. We engag’d ’em about 3 Glasses, in which time we had only my self and another Man wounded. I was shot thro’ the Left Cheek, the Bullet struck away great part of my upper Jaw, and several of my Teeth, part of which dropt down upon the Deck, where I fell; the other, _Will._ _Powell_, an _Irish_ Land-man, was slightly wounded in the Buttock. They did us no great Damage in our Rigging, but a shot disabled our Mizen Mast. I was forced to write what I would say, to prevent the Loss of Blood, and because of the Pain I suffer’d by speaking.

_Dec. 23._ After we had put our Ships to rights again, we stood in for the Harbour, which bore N.E. of us, distant about 7 Leagues. Our Surgeons went aboard the Prize to dress the wounded Men.

_Dec. 24._ About 4 Yesterday Afternoon we got to an Anchor in Port _Segura_ in 25 Fathom Water, found the _Marquiss_ in a sailing Posture, and all the Company much overjoy’d at our unexpected good Fortune. In the Night I felt something clog my Throat, which I swallow’d with much Pain, and suppose it’s a part of my Jaw Bone, or the Shot, which we can’t yet give an account of, I soon recover’d my self; but my Throat and Head being very much swell’d, have much ado to swallow any sort of Liquids for Sustenance. At 8 the Committee met aboard us, and agreed that the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_ should immediately go out, and cruize 8 Days for the other Ship, being in hopes she had not pass’d us; in the mean time we and the Prize to stay and refit, and dispatch the Prisoners away in the Bark, and if we could get Security from the _Guiaquil_ Hostages for the Payment of the Remainder of the Ransom, to let ’em go likewise. We lie land-lockt from the E. by N. to the S. S. E. distant from the Eastermost Point about 4 Mile, from the Southermost Rock about half a Mile, and near the same Distance off Shore. The Committee we held resolv’d as follows.

On board the _Duke_ riding in Port _Segura_ on the Coast of
_California_, _Dec. 24. 1709_.

_Having Information from the Prisoners taken on board the Prize the
22d instant, bound from_ Manila _to_ Acapulco, _that they came out
in company with another Ship bound for the same Port from which
they parted in Lat. 35._ N. _It is resolved that Capt._ Courtney
_in the_ Dutchess, _and Capt._ Cooke _in the_ Marquiss, _do
forthwith go out upon a Cruise for 8 Days, to look after the said
Ship_.

Signed by the Majority of the Council.

Capt. _Courtney_, _Cooke_, and their Officers of the Council, would not agree that the _Duke_ and _Dutchess_ should go out as I desir’d, with most of the Men belonging to the _Marquiss_ divided between them, in order to cruise for the biggest _Acapulco_ Ship, which we were in hopes had not passed us; and by being thus well mann’d, might if they meet her carry her by boarding at once, and that in the mean time the _Marquiss_ with a very small number of Men might be sufficient to stay in the Port, and send off the Bark with the Prisoners.

But there having been some Reflections amongst the Sailors because the _Dutchess_ did not engage this Prize before the _Duke_ came up, it made them obstinate to cruize for her without us, and the Officers of our Consorts being agreed, made the Majority of our Council; so that according to the foregoing Committee we were obliged to stay in the Harbour against our Will.

_Dec. 25._ Last Night the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_ went out: We put 10 good Hands aboard the _Dutchess_, that if they should be so fortunate as to see the Great Ship, they might be the better able to attack her. In the Morning we began to put part of the Goods aboard the Bark into the Prize, in order to send the Prisoners away. Capt. _Dover_ and Mr. _Stretton_, who were aboard the Prize, came to me, and we all agreed to send off the _Guiaquil_ Hostages, the Captain of the _Manila_ Ship (who was a _French_ Chevalier) having given us 5 Bills of Exchange for the same, payable in _London_ for 6000 Dollars, being 2000 more than the Ransom Money, for which we allow’d him the Benefit of the Bark and Cargo, the Captain and Hostages giving us Certificates, that it was a Bargain concluded at their own Requests, and very much to their advantage. Sir _John_ _Pichberty_ being, we hope, a Man of Honour, will not suffer his Bills to be protested, since we have so generously trusted him, tho’ a Prisoner, without a Hostage, which is always demanded for less Sums.

_Dec. 25._ We plac’d two Centries to keep a good Lookout upon the Top of a Hill, with Orders if they saw 3 Sail in the Offing, to make 3 Waffs[142] with their Colours.

_Dec. 26._ Yesterday Afternoon the Centrys made 3 Waffs,

[Sidenote: _Cruising off Cape St. Lucas._]

and we immediately sent the Yawl to them for better Satisfaction, and found there were 3 Sail out at Sea; upon which we immediately put all the Prisoners aboard the Bark, taking away her Sails, and fetched our Men aboard, leaving only 22 Hands belonging to us, aboard the Prize, to help refit and look after her. The Prisoners, who were about 170, being secur’d aboard our Bark, without Arms, Rudder, Sails, or a Boat, and moar’d near a Mile from our Prize, a few more of our Men than was sufficient to give them Victuals and Drink, might have guarded them very safely; yet for the more Security, we left a Lieutenant of each Ship, and the above Men well arm’d aboard our Prize, and immediately weigh’d in order to go and assist our Consorts to attack the great Ship, which then came in sight. Capt. _Dover_ thought fit to go on board the Prize, and exchange Posts with one of the Lieutenants that guarded the Prisoners, and sent him to us in his stead. I was in so weak a Condition, and my Head and Throat so much swell’d, that I yet spoke in great Pain, and not loud enough to be heard at any distance; so that all the rest of the chief Officers, and our Surgeons, would have perswaded me to stay in the Harbour in Safety aboard our Prize. We weigh’d our Anchors, and got under Sail by 7 a Clock: We saw Lights several times in the Night, which we took to be our Consorts Boats making false Fires. In the Morning at Day-break we saw 3 Sail to Windward of us, but were so far distant, that we could not make which were our Consorts, and which the Chase, till about 9 a Clock, when we saw the _Dutchess_ and Chase near together, and the _Marquiss_ standing to them with all the Sail she could crowd. We made what Sail we could, but were to Leeward of them 3 or 4 Leagues, and having a scant Wind, made little Way. At Noon they bore S.E. of us, being right to Windward about 3 Leagues.

[Sidenote: _Engaging the bigger Manila Ship._]

In the Afternoon we saw the _Marquiss_ come up with the Chase, and engage her pretty briskly; but soon fell to Leeward out of Cannon-shot, and lay a considerable Time, which made us think she was some way or other disabled. I order’d the Pinnace to be mann’d, and sent her away to her, that if what we suspected prov’d true, and we had not Wind to get up with them before Night, our Boat might dog the Chase with Signals till the Morning, that she might not escape us and the other Ships; but before the Boat could get up with them, the _Marquiss_ made sail and came up with the Chase, and both went to it again briskly for 4 Glasses and upwards: Then the Ship which we took to be the _Dutchess_ stretch’d a-head to Windward of the Enemy, I suppose to fix her Rigging, or stop her Leaks; mean while the other kept her in play till she bore down again, and each firing a Broadside or two, left off, because ’twas dark: They then bore South of us, which was right in the Wind’s Eye, distant about 2 Leagues. By Midnight we were pretty well up with them, and our Boat came aboard, having made false Fires, which we answer’d: They had been on board the _Dutchess_ and _Marquiss_, and told me the former had her Foremast much disabled, and the Ring of an Anchor shot away, with several Men wounded, and one kill’d, having receiv’d a Shot in their Powder Room, and several in their upper Works, but all stopt. They engag’d the Ship by themselves the Night before, which was what we took to be the Boats Lights, being out of the hearing of the Guns. At that time they could perceive the Enemy was in disorder, her Guns not being all mounted, and consequently their Netting-deck and Close Quarters unprovided; so that had it been my good Fortune in the _Duke_ to accompany the _Dutchess_, as I desired, we all believe we might then have carried this great Ship; or if they in the _Dutchess_ had thought of taking most of the Men out of the _Marquiss_, who did not sail well enough to come up to their Assistance at first, they alone might very probably have taken her by Boarding at once, before the _Spaniards_ had experienc’d our Strength, being afterwards so well provided, as encouraged them to lie driving, and give us all Opportunity to board them when we pleas’d. Capt. _Cooke_ sent me word, that the _Marquiss_ had fired near all her Shot and Powder, but had escap’d very well both in Masts, Rigging and Men. I sent our Boat with 3 Barrels of Powder, and Shot in proportion, and Lieut. _Frye_, to consult our Consorts how to engage the Enemy to the best advantage at Break of Day. The Chase had made Signals to our Ship all the Day and Night, because she took us for her Consort, which we had in possession, and after ’twas dark had edg’d away to us, else I should not have been up with her, having very little Wind, and that against us. In the Morning as soon as ’twas Day, the Wind veering at once, put our Ship about, and the Chase fired first upon the _Dutchess_, who by means of the Wind’s veering was nearest the Enemy; she return’d it smartly: we stood as near as possible, firing as our Guns came to bear; but the _Dutchess_ being by this time thwart the _Spaniards_ Hawse, and firing very fast, those Shot that miss’d the Enemy flew from the _Dutchess_ over us, and betwixt our Masts, so that we ran the risque of receiving more Damage from them than from the Enemy, if we had lain on her Quarters and cross her Stern, as I design’d, while the Enemy lay driving. This forced us to lie along side, close aboard her, where we kept firing round Shot, and did not load with any Bar or Partridge, because the Ship’s Sides were too thick to receive any Damage by it, and no Men appearing in sight, it would only have been a Clog to the Force of our Round Shot. We kept close aboard her, and drove as she did as near as possible. The Enemy kept to their close Quarters, so that we did not fire our Small Arms till we saw a Man appear, or a Port open; then we fired as quick as possible. Thus we continued for 4 Glasses, about which time we received a Shot in the Main Mast, which much disabled it; soon after that the _Dutchess_ and we firing together, we came both close under the Enemy and had like to have been all aboard her, so that we could make little use of our Guns. Then we fell a-stern in our Birth along side, where the Enemy threw a Fire-ball out of one of her Tops, which lighting upon our Quarter-deck, blew up a Chest of Arms and Cartouch Boxes[143] all loaded, and several Cartridges of Powder in the Steerage by which means Mr. _Vanbrugh_, our Agent, and a _Dutchman_, were very much burnt; it might have done more Damage, had it not been quench’d as soon as possible. After we got clear of each other, the _Dutchess_ stood in for the Shore where she lay braced to, mending her Rigging, _&c._ The _Marquiss_ fired several Shot, but to little purpose, her Guns being small. We were close aboard several times afterwards, till at last we receiv’d a second Shot in the Main Mast not far from the other, which rent it miserably, and the Mast settl’d to it, so that we were afraid it would drop by the board, and having our Rigging shatter’d very much, we sheer’d off, and brought to, making a Signal to our Consorts to consult what to do; in the interim we got ordinary Fishes[144] for a port[145] to the Main mast, and fasten’d it as well as we could to secure it at present. Capt. _Courtney_ and Capt. _Cooke_ came aboard with other Officers, where we consider’d the Condition the 3 Ships were in, their Masts and Rigging being much damnified in a Place where we could get no Recruit, that if we engag’d her again, we could propose to do no more than what we had already done, which was evident did her no great Hurt, because we could perceive few of our Shot enter’d her Sides to any purpose, and our Small Arms avail’d less, there being not a Man to be seen above-board; that the least thing in the World would bring our Main-mast, and likewise the _Dutchess_ Fore-mast by the board, either of which by its Fall might carry away another Mast, and then we should lie a Battery for the Enemy, having nothing to command our Ships with, so that by his heavy Guns he might either sink or take us: That if we went to board her, we should run a greater hazard in losing a great many Men with little Hopes of Success, they having above treble the Number aboard to oppose us, and there being now in all our 3 Ships not above 120 good Men fit for boarding, and those but weak, having been very short of Provisions a long time; besides we had the Disadvantage of a Netting-deck[146] to enter upon, and a Ship every other way well provided; so that if we had boarded her, and been forc’d off, or left any of our Men behind, the Enemy by that means might have known our Strength, and then gone into the Harbour and took possession of the Prize in spight of all we could do to prevent it: Besides, our Ammunition was very short, having only enough to engage a few Glasses longer. All this being seriously consider’d, and knowing the Difficulty we should have to get Masts, and the Time and Provisions we must spend before we could get ’em fitted, ’twas resolved to forbear attempting her further, since our battering her signify’d little, and we had not Strength enough to board her: Therefore we agreed to keep her company till Night, then to lose her, and make the best of our way into the Harbour to secure the Prize we had already took. We engag’d first and last about six or seven Hours, during all which time we had aboard the _Duke_ but eleven Men wounded, 3 of whom were scorch’d with Gun-powder. I was again unfortunately wounded in the Left Foot with a Splinter just before we blew up on the Quarter-deck, so that I could not stand, but lay on my Back in a great deal of Misery, part of my Heel-bone being struck out, and all under my Ankle cut above half thro’, which bled very much, and weaken’d me, before it could be dressed and stopt. The _Dutchess_ had about 20 Men killed and wounded, 3 of the latter and one of the former were my Men. The _Marquiss_ had none kill’d or wounded, but 2 scorch’d with Powder. The

[Sidenote: _Engaging the bigger Manila Ship._]