1589 fleet

jeff k

Bronze Member
Mar 4, 2006
1,264
16
Florida
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Here's a new listing in Bob's book.

"1588: This year only one ship, the "Santa Maria Del Camino," 280 tons, commanded by Captain Alonzo Martin Morejon, was dispatched to Nombre de Dios in Panama to pick up all of that year's treasures from South America. She took on 1.8 million pesos in gold and silver in Panama and then an unspecified amount of gold, emeralds and pearls in Cartagena, Colombia. A hurricane drove the ship ashore and it was dashed to pieces near St. Lucie Inlet on the east Florida coast. Indians massacred most of the survivors, but kept some of them prisoners until they were rescued several years later by Spaniards from Havana, who were searching for ambergris."
 

OP
OP
Chagy

Chagy

Bronze Member
Dec 20, 2005
2,226
121
Florida
Detector(s) used
JW Fishers Pulse 8X
Primary Interest:
Shipwrecks
Jeff K said:
Here's a new listing in Bob's book.

"1588: This year only one ship, the "Santa Maria Del Camino," 280 tons, commanded by Captain Alonzo Martin Morejon, was dispatched to Nombre de Dios in Panama to pick up all of that year's treasures from South America. She took on 1.8 million pesos in gold and silver in Panama and then an unspecified amount of gold, emeralds and pearls in Cartagena, Colombia. A hurricane drove the ship ashore and it was dashed to pieces near St. Lucie Inlet on the east Florida coast. Indians massacred most of the survivors, but kept some of them prisoners until they were rescued several years later by Spaniards from Havana, who were searching for ambergris."

Jeff,

Last night when you posted this I looked it up in the Chaunu books and the vessel was no where to be found in 1588, 1586, 1587 or 1589. So I thought it was another ghost ship but I didn’t want to be the one to bring down again good old Bob (why does it always have t be me) I was tired I had been translating documents and my eyes were tired so I decided to let it rest. This morning I started by doing a Google search and I found this….

http://www.somosprimos.com/sp2009/spfeb09/spfeb09.htm

Actualmente tu pides un articulo y en un tiempo record llega a tu poder por una agencia rápida de transportes. La evolución que ha sufrido el sistema es sensacional, porque hasta hace unos años solo se utilizaba el tren, camión o barco, pero ahora se realiza con los más sofisticados medios, avión, helicóptero, etc.lo que hace que lo puedas recibir incluso en horas.
Casualmente, cuando estaba investigando sobre otro tema, encontré en documentos del Archivo de Indias los datos sobre el transporte a América, en el año 1553, de las mercancías de un comerciante sevillano llamado Bernardo de San Martín, y hay que reconocer que era mucho más laboriosa y costosa la empresa.

En primer lugar, Bernardo de San Martín, solicitó a la Casa de Contratación permiso para enviar al Nuevo Mundo de una serie de mercaderías en la nao “Santa Maria del Camino”, en la que iba como maestre Alonso Martín Morejón.
Para acompañar a la mercancía, partía en el mismo barco un tal Alonso de Quirós, que no especifica si era o no empleado de Bernardo, y por si por cualquier circunstancia, (muerte o desaparición de Alonso de Quirós), se entregaran en Tierra Firme a Alonso de la Serna , quien después de venderlas haría llegar su importe al comerciante sevillano.

La expedición estaba compuesta por un buen número de bultos, entre arcones, cofres y fardos de diferentes tamaños y que, entre otras cosas, llevaban piezas completas de tela, mantelerías y servilletas, camisas, jubones y otra ropa confeccionada.

Pero no iban solo tejidos, también incluían dos libras de azafrán, dos libras de clavos, otras dos de canela, pimienta y otras especias.

En otros cofres se enviaban cuchillos, cintas, cuerdas, y una extensa variedad de artículos.

A los costes del transporte, había pues que unir el pasaje ida y vuelta de Alonso de Quirós y la incertidumbre de si la mercancía llegaría a su destino, porque los barcos españoles, con frecuencia eran atacados y saqueados por los piratas, algunos incluso obedeciendo ordenes de sus respectivos gobiernos.

Y estos eran entre otros, los muchos problemas y gastos que había para enviar mercaderías en aquella época..
Custodio Rebollo

I looked her up in the Chaunu book in 1553 and there she was. But she was not listed as lost. So I went back to the Google search and I noticed that Steven Singer has her listed in a 1998 book “Shipwreck of Florida” listed as a possible Florida wreck lost in the Bahamas Channel in 1555. Singer has her as a 200 ton, nao traveling alone from S.A. to Spain.

Went back to the Chaunu books looked her up in 1555 and there she was listed as lost in the Bahamas Channel. So once again good old Bob is wrong. The correct information is:
1555 "Santa Maria Del Camino," 200 tons, Nao, commanded by Captain Alonzo Martin Morejon lost in the Bahamas Channel.
 

old man

Bronze Member
Aug 12, 2003
1,773
1,709
East Coast
Jesus Maria? If any of you gentlemen are going to Aguanut's party on the 22nd. I have a nautical chart from a commercial fisherman listing several wrecks or snags along the 30 degree lat.line. Could be interesting since an old 90 year old commercial fisherman claims one of the snags is the Jesus Maria. Could be just wishful thinking on his part.
 

OP
OP
Chagy

Chagy

Bronze Member
Dec 20, 2005
2,226
121
Florida
Detector(s) used
JW Fishers Pulse 8X
Primary Interest:
Shipwrecks
old man said:
Jesus Maria? If any of you gentlemen are going to Aguanut's party on the 22nd. I have a nautical chart from a commercial fisherman listing several wrecks or snags along the 30 degree lat.line. Could be interesting since an old 90 year old commercial fisherman claims one of the snags is the Jesus Maria. Could be just wishful thinking on his part.

Too funny!!! Last night I was talking to Darren on the phone and he told me I believe Ed has a chart with a snag around that area.....
 

old man

Bronze Member
Aug 12, 2003
1,773
1,709
East Coast
Chagy said:
old man said:
Jesus Maria? If any of you gentlemen are going to Aguanut's party on the 22nd. I have a nautical chart from a commercial fisherman listing several wrecks or snags along the 30 degree lat.line. Could be interesting since an old 90 year old commercial fisherman claims one of the snags is the Jesus Maria. Could be just wishful thinking on his part.

Too funny!!! Last night I was talking to Darren on the phone and he told me I believe Ed has a chart with a snag around that area.....

Actually Chagy the Nautical Chart lists snags from South Carolina south into Florida.
 

jeff k

Bronze Member
Mar 4, 2006
1,264
16
Florida
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Chagy... Singer referenced Bob's book, "Spanish Treasure in Florida Waters." ???
 

Attachments

  • Camino.jpg
    Camino.jpg
    120.7 KB · Views: 551

jeff k

Bronze Member
Mar 4, 2006
1,264
16
Florida
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
Chagy... Here's another listing with two different locations given. Did he mean Cape Florida?

"1624: The Spanish galleon “El Espiritu Santo El Mayor,“ 600 tons, commanded by Captain Juan de Olozabal, was lost near Key Largo, Florida. She was one of more than forty ships of the Tierra Firme treasure fleet under the command of Don Antonio de Oquendo. The fleet sailed from Havana, and as it entered the Bahama Channel, a sudden squall struck near Cape Canaveral. When the fierce storm was over, the “El Espiritu Santo El Mayor“ and her cargo of 2.2 million pesos had disappeared without a trace in deep water."
 

twiprod001

Jr. Member
Jun 21, 2011
25
19
Florida
I've been researching this (Santa Maria Del Camino) 1555 wreck for around 15 years now. I believe it to be exactly where it is said to be. Old St Lucie Inlet. I've found era coins in that area along with fleet coins after various storms. Could a fleet ship be wrecked that far south? Sure. Could a fleet passenger have carried 1555 coins on them? Sure. Maybe a coincidence or could I be on to something..... The research continues...
 

Last edited:

Tristan De Luna

Jr. Member
Aug 13, 2020
62
161
Florida
Detector(s) used
Excalibur II , Bounty Hunter Quick Draw Pro , Vanquish 340,
and coming soon, Equinox 800
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
i am in . where do i sign up
 

Red_desert

Gold Member
Feb 21, 2008
6,838
3,488
Midwest USA
Detector(s) used
Garrett Ace 250/GTA 1,000; Fisher Gold Bug-2; Gemini-3; Unique Design L-Rods
Primary Interest:
All Treasure Hunting
For the Azores wrecks in 1589 (1 portuguese galleon from Malaca and 3 spanish naos):

AGI, Contratación 2449, San Lucar de Barrameda, 22 de Novembro de 1589.

Relacion que Damos Nos, Luis Ortega, piloto y Alonso Perez, capitan del navio nombrado/
La Esperanza qu es de su Majestad, y ha entrado en el puerto de Sanlucar oy miércoles/
22 noviembre 1589 Anos que llevo por Almiranta [sic] el General Juan de oriue/

En 11 de septiembre Salimos de la Hauana. 32 nauios/
Los nueue com plata que son los Siguientes/

La capitana de Nueva España/
La capitana de juan de Uribe Apallua/
La nao de Pedro Allo que Uiene por Almiranta/
La francesa donde venia pedro ssanchez escudero/
La Nao de Juan Baptista espindola/
La nao de gaspar de Maya/
La nao de Alonso martin Marquez/
La nao de Diego de Narea la pequena/

Desembocamos en 5 dias y en 31 grados y médio/
despues de desembocados nos dio ocho dias de/
brisas naturales donde el segundo dia de la brisa/
se aparto Una nao de la florida y una galizabra/
y en 23 de septiembre la nao de malaça La/
dexamos en la mar Abierta por la proa, este/
dia se perdieron de nuestra compania cuatro naos que eran/
el Almiranta y La saluadora y el frances y Una/
fregata de la florida.

A primero de octubre despacho el General/
Um nauio de Aviso para castilla./
A 2 de del dicho como A las dez Uimos en la/
Un Humo com bonanca de la mar y/
Uiento y el general nos Jmbió a nosotros y/
a los demas pataches y llegamos a el/
como A las 10 de la noche y Uimos que era//
Una nao grande e dimos cuatro O cinco buel/
tas A la redonda por el ver se hallauamos/
alguna gente en la Madera y hallamos los/
Arboles y Uelas y no hallamos Ninguna persona/
y nos dixo Un patache que no pasasemos/
adelante que auia Uisto Un farol y que/
Entendia que eran naos de Inglaterra y/
Otro día siguiente hablamos Con Un patache/
y nos ensenó poleas y motones por las quaes/
Entendió que era el françes de la plata A 5/
dias de dicho mes Uimos quatro Uelas/
Al norte de nosotros y el general Alvaro Flores/
embió a Uer que naos eran y como a puestas/
del sol conoscimos que eran las que se auian/
apartado y Tomando platica dellas/
nos dixeron que el frances se auia Abierto por/
abaxo y que no le podian Tomar el agua/
y assi se determinaron a sacarle la plata y bastimientos/
y todo lo que del se pudieron aprovechar/
y luego le pegaron fuego.

A 16 de el mes A media noche nos dio Un tiempo/
el Uiento en el Oeste que nos hizo correr con/
el papa figo del trinquete y nos Hizo apar/
tar del Armada y por no correr con el navio/
echamos un cable por la popa hasta otro dia/
y assi se huBieron las diligencias posibles para jun/
tarnos con la Armada corriendo Por Buena Altura/
Por 39 y 40 grados y dos tercios Uenimos/
a Uer el Cueruo Uispera de todos sanctos//

Nosotros y otro navio de nuestra Compania/
que Hallamos sin Arbol mayor y entre san/
Jorge y la graciosa hallamos Un navio in/
gles y anduuo A las bueltas para juntar/
se Con nosotros y no pudo y assi entramos/
En la Tercera donde Hallamos 15/
naos de la flota de nueva España que no osaban/
Salir por miedo de siete naos Jnglesas/
que les estauan guardando la Jsla y en ellas/
andaua por general el conde de Cumberland.
destas naos auian peleado 4 dellas a Uista/
de la Tercera con Una nao y Un patache/
que no se sabe que nao; era y otro navio/
Jngles peleo, con francisco granillo tres dias/
y Como una legua de la Terçera Le dió Un/
balazo A la lumbre del Agua y se fue/
a fondo y se Ahogaron del dicho navio 60

Personas/ y escapo a nado el dicho granillo con 16 personas/
Tomo este Jngles la nao de Inigo de lurriaga/
Hicieron Uarar en el faial Un nauio/
de Santo domingo y otro de Pedro de Oleguis/
de Honduras/

Las naos que se desampararon en la mar

La catalina de fernando home
La Maria de Cadiz
Dos naos de Fernando Cauallero
La nao de Campeche, capitana de Honduras//

De la Ciudad De Angla en las/
Tercereas partimos con otro nauio, en Domingo 5/
De noviembre Presente la buelta de España en companhia de/
15 naos que estauan en aquele puerto de las [sic] De la/
flota de nueva España de que Uenia por/
capitan Gentil Uasilio y por Almirante Rodrigo/
madera y Uenimos la buelta del Cabo/
de san Vicente Hasta ponerse en altura de 36/
grados y medio. Todas las dichas 16 naos juntas/
y llegaron sobre el dicho cabo de san Vicente Sabado/
18 de noviembre presente y aquella noche Como A las/
10 oras oyeron 3 o 4 preças de Artillaria/
cerca dellos y el domingo siguiente al Ama/
necer ReConocieron 3 nauios Jngleses los/
dos de 500 toneladas y el otro de 250/
y habia [en] el Cabo otros dos nauios que en/
tendieron ser de Jngleses que Remolcandolos/
con lanchas porque habia calma. Y se jun/
taron la nao capitana Jnglesa y la Almiranta de Rodrigo madera y en espacio de Una ampole/
ta Tiró la Jnglesa a la Almiranta de que/
dera 83 pieças de Artilharia por la Vanda/
de Vabor hast desapareseca el Trinquete/
y a Viendolo hecho dexo aquella nao como/
Rendida y despuestas las otras naos donde/
La dicha nao Jnglesa y la otra de 250 toneladas//

Las leuaua A las demas naos de Jndias AnteCogidas y A cañoneándolas/
y assi teniendo por cierto y por sin dubda/
que tomaron dellas 5 o 6 naos/
porquelas Uieron Amaynadas que es senal/
de estar Rendidas y el nauio destes/
deClarantes dio todas las Uelas y lle/
go al cabo de Santa Maria y de alli Vino a este puerto/
donde entro oy miércoles 22 de noviembre 1589/
y que esta es la Verdad para el Juramento/
que Hubieron y lo firmaron | luis d ortega/
Alonso Perez//




Also, check Linschoten's Itinerary and Lord Cumberland diary, "The voiage of the right honorable George Erle of Cumberland to the Azores,
&c. Written by the excellent Mathematician and Enginier master Edward Wright":


"(...) Vpon Munday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, we plyed to and fro about those
Islandes, being very rough weather. And vpon Thursday at night, being
driuen some three or foure leagues from Tercera, we saw fifteene saile of
the West-Indian Fleete comming into the Hauen at Angra in Tercera. But the
winde was such, that for the space of foure dayes after, though wee lay as
close by the winde as was possible, yet we could not come neere them. In
this time we lost our late French Prize, not being able to lie so neere the
winde as we, and heard no more of her till we came to England where shee
safely arrriued. Vpon Munday we came very neere the Hauens month, being
minded to haue runne in amongst them, and to haue fetched out some of them
if it had beene possible: But in the end this enterprise was deemed too
daungerous, considering the strength of the place where they rode, being
haled and towed in neerer the towne, at the first sight of our approching,
and lying vnder the protection of the Castle of Brasil, on the one side
(hauing in it fiue and twentie peeces of Ordinance) and a fort on the other
side wherein were 13 or 14 great brasse pieces. Besides, when we came neere
land the winde prooued too scant for vs to attempt any such enterprise.

Vpon Tuesday the fourteenth of October we sent our boate to the roade to
sound the depth, to see if there were any ankoring place for vs, where we
might lie without shot of the Castle and Fort, and within shot of some of
those shippes, that we might either make them come out to vs, or sinke them
where they lay. Our boate returned hauing found out such a place as we
desired, but the winde would not suffer vs to come neere it, and againe if
we could haue ankered there, it was thought likely that they would rather
runne themselues a ground to saue their liues and liberties, and some of
their goods, then come foorth to loose their liberties and goods to vs
their enemies. So we shot at them to see if we could reach them, but it
fell farre short. And thus we departed, thinking it not probable that they
would come foorth so long as we watched for them before the hauens mouth,
or within sight of them. For the space of fiue dayes after we put off to
sea, and lay without sight of them, and sent a pinnesse to lie out of sight
close by the shore, to bring vs word if they should come foorth. After a
while the Pinnesse returned and told vs that those shippes in the Hauen had
taken downe their sayles, and let downe their toppe mastes: so that wee
supposed they would neuer come foorth, till they perceiued vs to bee quite
gone.

Wherefore vpon the 20 of October, hearing that there were certaine Scottish
ships at Saint Michael, we sayled thither, and found there one Scottish
roader, and two or three more at Villa Franca, the next road a league or
two from the towne of S. Michael, to the Eastwards: of whom we had for our
reliefe some small quantitie of wine (viz. some fiue or sixe buttes of them
all) and some fresh water, but nothing sufficient to serue our turne.

Vpon Tuesday the one and twentieth of October, we sent our long boate to
shore for fresh water at a brooke a little to the Westwards from Villa
Franca.

But the Inhabitants espying vs came downe with two Ensignes displayed, and
about some hundred and fiftie men armed, to withstand our landing. So our
men hailing spent all their pouder vpon them in attempting to land, and not
being able to preuaile at so great oddes, returned frustrate.

From thence we departed towards Saint Maries Iland, minding to water there,
and then to goe for the coast of Spaine. For we had intelligence that it
was a place of no great force, and that we might water there very well:
therefore vpon Friday following, my Lord sent Captaine Lister, and Captaine
Amias Preston now Sir Amias Preston (who not long before came to vs out of
his owne shippe, and she loosing vs in the night, hee was forced to tarry
still with vs) with our long boate and Pinnesse, and some sixtie or
seuentie shotte in them, with a friendly letter to the Ilanders, that they
would grant vs leaue to water, and we would no further trouble them.

So we departed from the Victorie for the Iland, about nine of the clocke in
the afternoone, and rowed freshly vntill about 3 a clocke afternoone. At
which time our men being something weary with rowing, and being within a
league or two of the shore, and 4 or 5 leagues from the Victorie, they
espied (to their refreshing), two shippes ryding at anker hard vnder the
the towns, whereupon hauing shifted some 6 or 7 of our men into Captaine
Dauis his boate, being too much pestered in our owne, and retayning with vs
some 20 shot in the pinnesse, we made way towardes them with all the speede
we could.

By the way as we rowed we saw boates passing betwixt the roaders and the
shore, and men in their shirtes swimming and wading to shoare, who as we
perceiued afterwardes, were labouring to set those shippes fast on ground,
and the Inhabitants as busily preparing themselues for the defence of those
roaders, their Iland, and themselues. When we came neere them, Captaine
Lister commaunded the Trumpets to be sounded, but prohibited any shot to be
discharged at them, vntill they had direction from him: But some of the
companie, either not well perceiuing or regarding what he sayd, immediately
vpon the sound of the Trumpets discharged their pieces at the Islanders;
which for the most part lay in trenches and fortefied places vnseene, to
their owne best aduantage: who immediatly shot likewise at vs, both with
small and great shot, without danger to themselues: Notwithstanding
Captaine Lister earnestly hastened forward the Saylers that rowed, who
beganne to shrinke at that shot, flying so fast about their eares, and
himselfe first entring one of the shippes that lay a litle further from
shoare then the other, we spedily followed after him into her, still plying
them with our shot And hauing cut in sunder her Cables and Hausers, towed
her away with our Pinnesse. In the meane time Captaine Dauis his boate
ouertooke vs and entred into the other shippe, which also (as the former)
was forsaken by all her men: but they were constrayned to leaue her and to
come againe into their boate (whilest shot and stones from shoare flew fast
amongst them) finding her to sticke so fast a grounde, that they could not
stire her: which the Townesmen also perceiuing, and seeing that they were
fewe in number, and vs (busied about the other ship) not comming to ayde
them, were preparing to haue come and taken them. But they returned vnto
vs, and so together we came away towards the Victory, towing after vs the
Prize that we had now taken, which was lately come from Brasil, loden with
Sugar.

In this fight we had two men slaine and 16 wounded: and as for them, it is
like they had little hurt, lying for the most part behind stone walles,
which were builded one aboue another hard by the sea side, vpon the end of
the hill whereupon the Towne stoode betwixt two vallies. Vpon the toppe of
the hill lay their great Ordinance (such as they had) wherewith they shot
leaden bullets, whereof one pierced through our Prizes side, and lay still
in the shippe without doing any more harme.

The next day we went againe for water to the same Iland, but not knowing
before the inconuenience and disuaduantage of the place where we attempted
to land, we returned frustrate.

The same night the 25 of October we departed for S. Georges Iland for fresh
water, whither we came on Munday following October 27, and hauing espied
where a spout of water came running downe: the pinnesse and long boate were
presently manned and sent vnder the conduct of Captaine Preston, and
Captaine Munson, by whom my Lord sent a letter to the Ilanders as before,
to grant vs leaue to water onely, and we would no further trouble them:
notwithstanding our men comming on shoare found some of the poore Ilanders,
which for feare of vs hid themselues amongst the rockes.

And on Wednesday following our boats returned with fresh water, whereof
they brought only sixe tunnes for the Victorie, alleaging they could get no
more, thinking (as it was supposed) that my Lord hauing no more prouision
of water and wine, but onely 12 tunnes, would not goe for the coast of
Spaine, but straight for the coast of England, as many of our men greatly
desired: notwithstanding my Lord was vnwilling so to doe, and was minded
the next day to haue taken in more water: but through roughnesse of the
seas and winde, and vnwillingnesse of his men it was not done. Yet his Hon.
purposed not to returne with so much prouision vnspent, and his voyage (as
he thought) not yet performed in such sort as mought giue some reasonable
contentment or satisfaction to himselfe and others.

Therefore because no more water could now conueniently be gotten, and being
vncertaine when it could be gotten, and the time of our staying aboord also
vncertaine, the matter being referred to the choyse of the whole companie,
whither they would tarrie longer, till wee might be more sufficiently
prouided of fresh water, or goe by the coast of Spaine for England, with
halfe so much allowance of drinke as before, they willingly agreed that
euery mease should bee allowed at one meale but halfe so much drinke as
they were accustomed (except them that were sicke or wounded) and so to goe
for England, taking the coast of Spaine in our way, to see if we could that
way make vp our voyage.

Vpon Saturday Octob. 31 we sent the Margaret (because she leaked much)
directly for England, together with the Prize of Brasile which we tooke at
S. Marie, and in them some of our hurt and wounded men or otherwise sicke
were sent home as they desired for England: but Captaine Monson was taken
out of the Megge into the Victorie.

So we held on our course for the coast of Spaine with a faire winde and a
large which before we seldome had. And vpon Twesday following being the 4
of Nouemb. we espied a saile right before vs, which we chased till about
three a clocke in the afternoone, at which time we ouertaking her, she
stroke sayle, and being demaunded who was her owner and from whence she
was, they answered, a Portugall, and from Pernanbucke in Brasile. She was a
ship of some 110 tuns burden, fraighted with 410 chestes of Sugar, and 50
Kintals, of Brasill-wood, euery Kintall contayning one hundred pound
weight: we tooke her in latitude nine and twentie degrees, about two
hundred leagues from Lisbone westwards: Captaine Preston was presently sent
vnto her, who brought the principall of her men aboord the Victorie, and
certaine of our men, mariners and souldiers were sent aboord her. The
Portugals of this Prize told vs that they saw another ship before them that
day about noone. Hauing therefore dispatched all things about the Prize
aforesaid and left our long boat with Captaine Dauis, taking his lesser
boat with vs, we made way after this other ship with all the sayles we
could beare, holding on our course due East, and giuing order to Captaine
Dauis his ship and the Prize that they should follow vs due East, and that
if they had sight of vs the morning following they should follow vs still:
if not they should goe for England.

The next morning we espied not the sayle which we chased,
and Captaine Dauis his ship and the Prize were behinde vs out of
sight: but the next Thursday the sixt of Nouember (being in
latitude 38 degrees 30 minutes, and about sixtie leagues from
Lisbone westwards) early in the morning Captaine Preston
descried a sayle some two or three leagues a head of vs, after
which we presently hastened our chase, and ouertooke her about
eight or nine of the clocke before noone. She came lately from
Saint Michaels roade, hauing beene before at Brasill loden with
Sugar and Brasile. Hauing sent our boat to them to bring some
of the chiefe of their men aboord the Victorie, in the meane time
whilest they were in comming to vs one out of the maine toppe
espied another saile a head some three or foure leagues from vs.
So immediately vpon the returne of our boate, hauing sent her
backe againe with some of our men aboord the prize, we pursued
speedily this new chase, with all the sayles we could packe on, and
about two a clocke in the afternoone ouertooke her: she had made
prouision to fight with vs, hauing hanged the sides of the shippe so
thicke with hides (wherewith especially she was loden) that musket
shot could not haue pearced them: but yer we had discharged
two great peeces of our Ordinance at her, she stroke sayle, and
approching neerer, we asking of whence they were, they answered
from the West-Indies, from Mexico, and Saint Iohn de Lowe
(truely called Vlhua.) This ship was of some three or foure
hundred tunnes, and had in her seuen hundred hides worth tenne
shillings a peece: sixe chests of Cochinell, euery chest houlding
one hundred pound weight, and euery pound worth sixe and
twenty shillings and eight pence, and certaine chests of Sugar
and China dishes, with some plate and siluer.

The Captaine of her was an Italian, and by his behauiour seemed to be a
graue, wise, and ciuill man: he had put an aduenture in this shippe fiue
and twentie thousand Duckats, Wee tooke him with certaine other of her
chiefest men (which were Spaniards) into the Victorie: and Captaine Lister
with so manie other of the chiefest of our Mariners, souldiers, and saylers
as were thought sufficient, to the number of 20. or thereabouts, were sent
into her. In the meane time (we staying) our other prizes which followed
after, came vp to vs. And nowe wee had our hands full and with ioy shaped
our course for England, for so it was thought meetest, hauing now so many
Portugals, Spaniards and Frenchmen amongst vs, that if we should haue taken
any more prizes afterwards, wee had not bene well able to haue manned them
without endangering our selues. So about six of the clocke in the
afternoone (when our other prize had ouertaken vs) wee set saile for
England. But our prizes not being able to beare vs company without sparing
them many of our sailes, which caused our ship to route and wallow, in such
sort that it was not onely very troublesome to vs, but, as it was thought,
would also haue put the maine Maste in danger of falling ouerboord: hauing
acquainted them with these inconueniences, we gaue them direction to keepe
their courses together, folowing vs, and so to come to Portsmouth. We tooke
this last prize in the latitude of 39. degrees, and about 46. leagues to
the Westwards from the Rocke.

She was one of those 16. ships which we saw going into the hauen at Angra
in Tercera, October 8. Some of the men that we tooke out of her tolde vs,
that whilest wee were plying vp and downe before that hauen, as before was
shewed, expecting the comming foorth of those shippes, three of the
greatest and best of them, at the appointment of the Gouernour of Tercera
were vnloden of their treasure and marchandize. And in euery of them were
put three hundred Souldiers, which were appointed to haue come to lay the
Victory aboord in the night, and take her: but when this should haue bene
done the Victory was gone out of their sight (...)"
Interesting, started making a translation, but took too long since Google translate only takes smaller portions of text.
 

Top Member Reactions

Users who are viewing this thread

Top