Part 7 (2/2)
While we lay here 4 Malayan proas came from the sh.o.r.e, laden with coconuts, plantains, bananas, fowls, ducks, tobacco, sugar, etc. These were very welcome, and we purchased much refreshment of them. At 10 o'clock I dismissed all the boats, and weighed with the wind at north-west. At half an hour past 6 in the evening we anch.o.r.ed in 32 fathom water in a coa.r.s.e sort of oaze. We were now past the island Thwart-the-way, but had still one of the small islands to pa.s.s. The tide began to run strong to the west; which obliged me to anchor while I had soundings, for fear of being driven back again or on some unknown sand. I lay still all night. At 5 o'clock the next morning the tide began to slacken: at 6 I weighed with the wind at south-east by east, a handsome breeze. We just weathered the b.u.t.ton; and, sounding several times, had still between 30 and 40 fathom. When we were abreast of the b.u.t.ton, and about 2 leagues from the westermost point of Java, we had 34 fathom, small peppery sand. You may either come between this island and Java, or, if the wind is northerly, run out between the island Thwart-the-way and this last small island.
The wind for the most part being at east and east by south I was obliged to run over towards the Sumatra sh.o.r.e, sounding as I went, and had from 34 to 23 fathom. In the evening I sounded pretty quick, being got near the Sumatra sh.o.r.e; and, finding a current setting to the west between 8 and 9 o'clock, we anch.o.r.ed in 34 fathom. The tide set to the west from 7 in the evening to 7 this morning; and then, having a small gale at west-south-west, I weighed and stood over to the Java sh.o.r.e.
In the evening, having the wind between east-north-east and south-east by east, we could not keep off the Java sh.o.r.e. Wherefore I anch.o.r.ed in 27 fathom water, about a league and a half off sh.o.r.e. At the same time we saw a s.h.i.+p at anchor near the sh.o.r.e, about 2 mile to leeward of us. We found the tide setting to the westward, and presently after we anch.o.r.ed it fell calm. We lay still all night and saw many fires ash.o.r.e. At 5 the next morning, being July the 1st, we weighed and stood to the north for a seabreeze: at 10, the wind coming out, I tacked and had a fine brisk gale. The s.h.i.+p we saw at anchor weighed also and stood after us. While we pa.s.sed by Pulo Baby I kept sounding and had no less than 14 fathom. The other s.h.i.+p, coming after us with all the sail she could make, I shortened sail on purpose that she might overtake us but she did not. A little after 5 I anch.o.r.ed in 13 fathom good oazy ground. About 7 in the evening the s.h.i.+p that followed us pa.s.sed by close under our stern; she was a Dutch fly-boat; they told us they came directly from Holland, and had been in their pa.s.sage six months. It was now dark, and the Dutch s.h.i.+p anch.o.r.ed within a mile of us. I ordered to look out sharp in the morning; that so soon as the Dutchman began to move we might be ready to follow him; for I intended to make him my pilot. In the morning at half an hour after 5 we weighed, the Dutchman being under sail before; and we stood directly after him. At 8, having but little wind, I sent my boat aboard of him to see what news he had brought from Europe. Soon after we spied a s.h.i.+p coming from the east, plying on a wind to speak with us, and showing English colours. I made a signal for my boat, and presently bore away towards her; and, being pretty nigh, the commander and supercargo came aboard, supposing we had been the Tuscany galley which was expected then at Batavia. This was a country s.h.i.+p belonging to Fort St. George, having come out from Batavia the day before, and bound to Bencola. The commander told me that the Fleet frigate was at anchor in Batavia Road, but would not stay there long: he told me also that His Majesty's s.h.i.+ps commanded by Captain Warren were still in India, but he had been a great while from the coast and had not seen them. He gave me a chart of these straits from the b.u.t.ton and Cap to Batavia, and showed me the best way in thither. At 11 o'clock, it being calm, I anch.o.r.ed in 14 fathom good oazy ground.
ARRIVAL AT BATAVIA.
At 2 o'clock we weighed again; the Dutch s.h.i.+p being under sail before, standing close to Mansheters Island; but, finding he could not weather it, he tacked and stood off a little while, and then tacked again. In the meantime I stood pretty nigh the said island, sounding, but could not weather it. Then I tacked and stood off, and the Dutch stood in towards the island; and weathered it. I, being desirous to have room enough, stood off longer and then went about, having the Dutch s.h.i.+p 4 points under my lee. I kept after him; but as I came nearer the island I found a tide setting to the west, so that I could not weather it. Wherefore at 6 in the evening I anch.o.r.ed in 7 fathom oazy ground, about a mile from the island: the Dutch s.h.i.+p went about 2 miles further, and anch.o.r.ed also; and we both lay still all night. At 5 the next morning we weighed again, and the Dutch s.h.i.+p stood away between the island Cambusses and the main; but I could not follow because we had a land-wind. Wherefore I went without the Cambusses, and by noon we saw the s.h.i.+ps that lay at the careening island near Batavia. After the land-wind was spent, which we had at south-east and south-south-east, the seabreeze came up at east. Then we went about; and, the wind coming afterward at east-north-east, we had a large wind to run us into Batavia Road: and at 4 in the afternoon we anch.o.r.ed in 6 fathom soft oaze.
CHAPTER 6.
HOME VOYAGE AND LOSS OF s.h.i.+P.
THE AUTHOR CONTINUES IN BATAVIA ROAD TO REFIT, TO GET PROVISIONS.
We found in Batavia Road a great many s.h.i.+ps at anchor, most Dutch, and but one English s.h.i.+p named the Fleet frigate, commanded by one Merry. We rode a little without them all. Near the sh.o.r.e lay a stout China junk, and a great many small vessels, namely brigantines, sloops and Malayan proas in abundance. As soon as I anch.o.r.ed I sent my boat aboard the Fleet frigate with orders to make them strike their pennant, which was done soon after the boat went aboard. Then my clerk, whom I sent in the boat, went for the sh.o.r.e, as I had directed him, to see if the government would answer my salute: but it was now near night, and he had only time to speak with the s.h.i.+p-bander, who told him that the government would have answered my salute with the same number of guns if I had fired as soon as I anch.o.r.ed; but that now it was too late. In the evening my boat came aboard and the next morning I myself went ash.o.r.e, visited the Dutch general, and desired the privilege of buying such provision and stores as I now wanted; which he granted me.
I lay here till the 17th of October following, all which time we had very fair weather, some tornadoes excepted. In the meantime I supplied the carpenter with such stores as were necessary for refitting the s.h.i.+p; which proved more leaky after he had caulked her than she was before: so that I was obliged to careen her, for which purpose I hired vessels to take in our guns, ballast, provision and stores.
ENGLISH s.h.i.+PS THEN IN THE ROAD.
The English s.h.i.+ps that arrived here from England were first the Liampo, commanded by Captain Monk, bound for China; next the Panther commanded by Captain Robinson; then the Mancel frigate, commanded by Captain Clerk.
All these brought good tidings from England. Most of them had been unfortunate in their officers; especially Captain Robinson, who said that some of them had been conspiring to ruin him and his voyage. There came in also several English country vessels; first a sloop from Benjarr, commanded by one Russel, bound to Bengal, next the Monsoon, belonging to Bengal: she had been at Malacca at the same time that His Majesty's s.h.i.+p the Harwich was there: afterwards came in also another small s.h.i.+p from Bengal.
While we stayed here all the forenamed English s.h.i.+ps sailed hence; the 2 Bengal s.h.i.+ps excepted. Many Dutch s.h.i.+ps also came in here, and departed again before us. We had several reports concerning our men-of-war in India, and much talk concerning rovers who had committed several spoils upon the coast and in the Straits of Malacca. I did not hear of any s.h.i.+ps sent out to quash them. At my first coming in I was told that 2 s.h.i.+ps had been sent from Amboina in quest of me; which was lately confirmed by one of the skippers, whom I by accident met with here. He told me they had 3 protests against me; that they came to Pulo Sabuda on the coast of New Guinea 28 days after my departure thence, and went as far as Schouten's Island and, hearing no further news of me, returned. Something likewise to this purpose Mr. Merry, commander of the Fleet frigate, told me at my first arrival here; and that the general at Batavia had a copy of my commission and instructions; but I looked upon it as a very improbable thing.
While we lay here the Dutch held several consultations about sending some s.h.i.+ps for Europe sooner than ordinary: at last the 16th of October was agreed upon for the day of sailing, which is 2 months sooner than usual.
They lay ready 2 or 3 days before, and went out on the 10th. Their names were the Ostresteen, bound to Zealand; the Vanheusen, for Enchiehoust; and the 3 Crowns, for Amsterdam, commanded by skipper Jacob Uncright, who was commodore over all the rest. I had by this time finished my business here, namely fitted the s.h.i.+p, recruited myself with provision, filled all my water; and, the time of the year to be going for Europe being now at hand, I prepared to be gone also.
DEPARTURE FROM BATAVIA.
Accordingly on the 17th of October, at half an hour after 6 in the morning, I weighed anchor from Batavia, having a good land-wind at south, and fair weather: and by the 19th at noon came up with the 3 Dutch s.h.i.+ps before mentioned. The 29th of November in the morning we saw a small hawk flying about the s.h.i.+p till she was quite tired. Then she rested on the mizzen-topsail-yard, where we caught her. It is probable she was blown off from Madagascar by the violent northerly winds; that being the nighest land to us, though distance near 150 leagues.
1701.
TOUCH AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.
The 30th December we arrived at the Cape of Good Hope and departed again on the 11th of January, 1701. About the end of the month we saw abundance of weeds or blubber swim by us, for I cannot determine which. It was all of one shape and colour. As they floated on the water they seemed to be of the breadth of the palm of a man's hand, spread out round into many branches about the bigness of a man's finger. They had in the middle a little k.n.o.b, no bigger than the top of a man's thumb. They were of a smoke-colour; and the branches, by their pliantness in the water, seemed to be more simple than jellies, I have not seen the like before.
AND AT ST. HELENA.
The 2nd of February we anch.o.r.ed in St. Helena Road and set sail again from thence on the 13th.
ARRIVAL AT THE ISLAND OF ASCENSION. A LEAK SPRUNG.
On the 21st we made the island of Ascension and stood in towards it. The 22nd between 8 and 9 o'clock we sprung a leak which increased so that the chain-pump could not keep the s.h.i.+p free. Whereupon I set the hand-pump to work also, and by 10 o'clock sucked her: then wore the s.h.i.+p, and stood to the southward to try if that would ease her; and then the chain-pump just kept her free. At 5 the next morning we made sail and stood in for the bay; and at 9 anch.o.r.ed in 10 and a half fathom, sandy ground. The south point bore south-south-west distance 2 miles, and the north point of the bay north-east half north, distance 2 miles. As soon as we anch.o.r.ed I ordered the gunner to clear his powder-room that we might there search for the leak and endeavour to stop it within board if possible; for we could not heel the s.h.i.+p so low, it being within 4 streaks of the keel; neither was there any convenient place to haul her ash.o.r.e. I ordered the boatswain to a.s.sist the gunner; and by 10 o'clock the powder-room was clear. The carpenter's mate, gunner, and boatswain went down; and soon after I followed them myself and asked them whether they could come at the leak: they said they believed they might, but cutting the ceiling; I told the carpenter's mate (who was the only person in the s.h.i.+p that understood anything of carpenter's work) that if he thought he could come at the leak by cutting the ceiling without weakening the s.h.i.+p he might do it, for he had stopped one leak so before; which though not so big as this, yet, having seen them both, I thought he might as well do this as the other. Wherefore I left him to do his best. The ceiling being cut, they could not come at the leak; for it was against one of the foot-hook-timbers which the carpenter's mate said he must first cut before it could be stopped. I went down again to see it, and found the water to come in very violently. I told them I never had known any such thing as cutting timbers to stop leaks; but if they who ought to be best judges in such cases thought they could do any good I bid them use their utmost care and diligence, promising the carpenter's mate that I would always be a friend to him if he could and would stop it: he said by 4 o'clock in the afternoon he would make all well, it being then about 11 in the forenoon. In the afternoon my men were all employed, pumping with both pumps; except such as a.s.sisted the carpenter's mate. About one in the afternoon I went down again and the carpenter's mate was cutting the after-part of the timber over the leak. Some said it was best to cut the timber away at once; I bid them hold their tongue and let the carpenter's mate alone; for he knew best and I hoped he would do his utmost to stop the leak. I desired him to get everything ready for stopping the violence of the water, before he cut any further; for fear it should overpower us at once. I had already ordered the carpenter to bring all the oak.u.m he had, and the boatswain to bring all the waste cloths to stuff in upon occasion; and had for the same purpose sent down my own bedclothes. The carpenter's mate said he should want short stanchions to be placed so that the upper end should touch the deck, and the under-part rest on what was laid over the leak; and presently took a length for them. I asked the master-carpenter what he thought best to be done: he replied till the leak was all open, he could not tell. Then he went away to make a stanchion, but it was too long: I ordered him to make many of several lengths, that we might not want of any size. So once more desiring the carpenter's mate to use his utmost endeavours I went up, leaving the boatswain and some others there. About 5 o'clock the boatswain came to me and told me the leak was increased, and that it was impossible to keep the s.h.i.+p above water; when on the contrary I expected to have had the news of the leak's being stopped. I presently went down and found the timber cut away, but nothing in readiness to stop the force of the water from coming in. I asked them why they would cut the timber before they had got all things in readiness: the carpenter's mate answered they could do nothing till the timber was cut that he might take the dimensions of the place; and that there was a caulk which he had lined out, preparing by the carpenter's boy. I ordered them in the meantime to stop in oak.u.m, and some pieces of beef; which accordingly was done, but all to little purpose: for now the water gashed in with such violence, notwithstanding all our endeavours to check it, that it flew in over the ceiling; and for want of pa.s.sage out of the room overflowed it above 2 foot deep. I ordered the bulkhead be cut open, to give pa.s.sage to the water that it might drain out of the room; and withal ordered to clear away abaft the bulkhead, that we might bail: so now we had both pumps going and as many bailing as could; and by this means the water began to decrease; which gave me some hope of saving the s.h.i.+p. I asked the carpenter's mate what he thought of it; he said ”Fear not; for by 10 o'clock at night I'll engage to stop the leak.” I went from him with a heavy heart; but, putting a good countenance upon the matter, encouraged my men, who pumped and bailed very briskly; and when I saw occasion I gave them some drams to comfort them. About 11 o'clock at night the boatswain came to me and told me that the leak still increased; and that the plank was so rotten it broke away like dirt; and that now it was impossible to save the s.h.i.+p; for they could not come at the leak because the water in the room was got above it. The rest of the night we spent in pumping and bailing. I worked myself to encourage my men, who were very diligent; but the water still increased, and we now thought of nothing but saving our lives. Wherefore I hoisted out the boat that, if the s.h.i.+p should sink, yet we might be saved: and in the morning we weighed our anchor and warped in nearer the sh.o.r.e; yet did but little good.
WHICH BEING IMPOSSIBLE TO BE STOPPED, THE s.h.i.+P IS LOST, BUT THE MEN SAVED.
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