Privateering and Piracy in the Colonial Period. Various
captain's journal or log; the second, "Captain Sharp's Journal of his Expedition, written by Himself," published as part II. of Capt. William Hacke's A Collection of Original Voyages (London, 1699), is more literary in form. Neither describes the period covered by the present document; both begin, like document 45, with Apr. 5, 1680.
[4] Port Morant, near the southeastern point of Jamaica.
[5] The wind being on the larboard quarter.
[6] Fain.
[7] Hawsers.
[8] I.e., was compelled to sail before the wind.
[9] Isla de Pinos, on the north coast of the republic of Panama, some 130 miles east of Portobello. "Samblowes" is a corruption of San Blas (Islands), in the gulf of San Blas.
[10] Woolded, wound around with cables, "undergirded" like St. Paul's ship, Acts xxvii. 27.
[11] Cartagena. Forta is the present Isla Fuerte, southwestward from Cartagena along the coast of Colombia. The "Friends Islands" are the islands of San Bernardo, lying between the two.
[12] Sloops.
[13] Periaguas or pirogues, like large canoes but with a square stern.
[14] Isla de Pinos, just west of the gulf of Darien; see note 9, above.
[15] Isla de Oro and its companions, a few miles south of Isla de Pinos.
[16] 9° 4´, more nearly.
[17] A small galley, with both sails and oars.
[18] Darien.
[19] One of the San Blas Islands, perhaps Cayo Holandés. The buccaneers were proceeding westward.
[20] Sp. ladrones, robbers.
[21] For "forlorn hope," which is from the Dutch verloren hoop, lost troop.
[22] Puerto de Bastimentos is a harbor about twelve miles northeast of Portobello. Columbus in his fourth voyage (1502) gave the place its name, "Port of Provisions."
[23] Tissue.
[24] Panama.
[25] Barca longa, a large Spanish fishing-boat, with lug-sails.
[26] Shared.
[27] The Boca del Toro and Boca del Drago ("bull's mouth" and "dragon's mouth") are entrances on either side of the Isla de Colón, at the western extremity of the republic of Panama.
[28] On Isla Solarte, near the Boca del Toro.
[29] Westward, here.
[30] 1680.
45. The Buccaneers on the Isthmus and in the South Sea. 1680–1682. [1]
The Journall of our Intended Voyage by the assistance of God over land into the South seas leaveing our ships att the goulden Islands, and landing on Munday Apr'll the fift, Annoque 1682.
Capt. Jno. Coxon, commander in chief. Eight gunns.
capt. Peter Harriss. 26 gunns.
capt. Richard Sawlkins, in a Barkque.
capt. Edmond Cooke, a Barkque.
capt. Bathol'w Sharpe, a Barkque.
capt. Robert Allisson, a Sloope.
capt. Thomas Maggott, a Sloope.
All these above mencion'd captaines landed att the Golden Islands, which lieth about 15 leagues to the westerd of the westmost Point of Durian[2] bay. this golden Island lyeth in North lattitude nearest in 9° 12´. capt. Allisson and capt. Maggott being sickly weare unable to march, butt all the aforsd captaines landed with their men, leaveing onely a sayleing crew on bord Each vessell; their Orders being that if any should come to oppose them, all hands to repair on Borde Harriss and Coxon, thay being shipps of force. Being on Shoare wee had about Halfe an Howers discource with the Indians. thay amounge Each other chose out two men to goe before the forloorne, to shew us the way. first of all wee marched through a small skert of a wood, downe to sandy bay by the sea side, about 2 miles; the marching over the sandy bay was tiersom, haveing our gunns Amunition and knapsacks of provant[3] to carry with us, but after wee past this sandy Bay wee Enters into a wood againe, which lead us into a valley which in time of raines is full of water. by three of the clocke this day wee Had martched from the shipps 3 leauges, and takes upp our seate, wheir wee intended that night to sleepe. their came downe to us one capt. Andreas,[4] an Indian, with some others with him. he spake a little Spannish, and gave us the bien venitdo.[5] thay brought Plantins downe with them, which they distributed to the company, thinking theirby Had done us a greate Kindness; their garments are made of cotton, they weare longe Black Hair, the men weare a peice of thinn gould in their Noses, which is made like a Half moone (like unto the Marg't)[6] kivering their lipps. some few of them hath itt made of silver. their women goes bear headed, with longe black Hair hanging downe, wearing a kinde of white cotton Blanckett over their Sholders, which comes downe about their bodyes. thay weare in the grissell of their nose a round ring, some of Silver, some of golde. capt. Andreas tolde us he would have borne us company to have martched next day, butt that he had a childe sicke and fear'd would soone die; and when dead, would follow us with a comepany of Indians with him; and soe tooke his leave of us. The next day being tuesday, in the morning about 4 of the clock word was gave to Martch, and that no man, on the loss of life, should fier a gunn in the woodes, least some Indian Rogues or other should betray us, by runing afore to acquaint the Spaniards. yesterday two men tier'd, so went back againe. this tuesday wee Martched upp a very high Hill. twas neare 10 of the clock before wee gott the topp of itt. one