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The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of The English Nation v. 4

R >> Richard Hakluyt >> The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques, and Discoveries of The English Nation v. 4




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The request of an honest merchant to a friend of his, to be aduised and
directed in the course of killing the Whale, as followeth. An. 1575.

I pray you pleasure me in getting me perfect information of the matter
hereunder specified.

For the prouision and furniture for a shippe of 200 tunnes, to catch the
Whale fish in Russia, passing from England. How many men to furnish the
ship.

How many fishermen skilful to catch the Whale, & how many other officers
and Coopers.

How many boats, and what fashion, and how many men in each boate.

What wages of such skilful men and other officers, as we shall neede out of
Biskay.

How many harping irons, speares, cordes, axes, hatchets, kniues, and other
implements for the fishing, and what sort and greatnes of them.

How many kettles, the greatnesse and maner of them, and what mettall, and
whether they bee set on triuets or on furnaces for boiling of the traine
oyle, and others.

What quantitie of caske, and what sort of caske, and what number of hoopes
and twigges, and how much thereof to be staued for the traine.

What quantitie of victuals, and what kinde of victuals for the men in all
the ship for 4 moneths time.

For the common mariners and officers to gouerne the ship, we shall not need
any out of Biskaie, but onely men skilful in the catching of the Whale, and
ordering of the oile, and one Cooper skilful to set vp the staued caske.

Also what other matters are requisite to be knowen, and done for the said
voyage to catch the Whale, not here noted nor remembred.



These requests were thus answered, which may serue as directions for all
such as shall intend the same voyage, or the like for the Whale.

A proportion for the setting forth of a ship of 200 tunne, for the killing
of the Whale.

There must be 55 men who departing for Wardhouse in the moneth of April,
must bee furnished with 4 kintals and a halfe of bread for euery man.

250 hogsheds to put the bread in.

150 hogsheds of Cidar.

6 kintals of oile.

8 kintals of bacon.

6 hogsheds of beefe.

100 quarters of salt.

150 pound of candles.

8 quarters of beanes and pease.

Saltfish & herring, a quantitie conuenient.

4 tunnes of wines.

Half a quarter of mustard seed, and a querne.

A grindstone.

800 empty shaken hogsheds.

350 bundles of hoopes, and 6 quintalines.

800 paire of heds for the hogsheds.

10 Estachas called roxes for harping irons.

10 pieces of Arporieras.

3 pieces of Baibens for the Iauelines small.

2 tackles to turne the Whales.

A halser of 27 fadom long to turne the Whales.

15 great Iauelines.

18 small Iauelins.

50 harping irons.

9 machicos to cut the Whale withal.

2 doozen of machetos to minch the Whale.

2 great hookes to turne the Whale.

3 paire of Can hookes.

6 hookes for staues.

3 dozen of staues for the harping irons.

6 pullies to turne the Whale with.

10 great baskets.

10 lampes of iron to carie light.

5 kettles of 150 li. the piece, and 6 ladles.

1000 of nailes for the pinnases.

560 of nailes of Carabelie for the houses, and the Wharfe.

18 axes and hatchets to cleaue wood.

12 pieces of lines, and 6 dozen of hookes.

2 beetles of Rosemarie.

4 dozen of oares for the pinnases.

6 lanternes.

500 of Tesia.

Item, gunpouder & matches for harquebushes as shalbe needfull.

Item, there must be carried from hence 5 pinnases, fiue men to strike with
harping irons, two cutters of Whale, 5 coopers, & a purser or two.



A note of certaine other necessarie things belonging to the Whalefishing,
receiued of master W. Burrough.

A sufficient number of pullies for tackle for the Whale.

A dozen of great baskets.

4 furnaces to melt the Whale in.

6 ladles of copper.

A thousand of nailes to mend the pinnases.

500 great nailes of spikes to make their house.

3 paire of bootes great and strong, for them that shall cut the Whale.

8 calue skins to make aprons or barbecans.

* * * * *

The deposition of M. William Burrough to certaine Interrogatories ministred
vnto him concerning the Narue, Kegor, &c. to what king or prince they doe
appertaine and are subiect, made the 23 of Iune, 1576.

These articles seeme to haue bene ministred vpon the quarel between
Alderman Bond the elder, and the Moscouie company, for his trade to the
Narue without their consent.

[Sidenote: The first Interrogatorie.] First, whether the villages or townes
vulgarely called the Narue, Kegor, Pechingo and Cola, and the portes of the
same townes, as well at the time of the grant of the letters of priuilege
by the Emperour to our merchants, as also in the yeeres of our Lord, 1566,
1567, 1568, 1569, 1570, 1571, 1572, 1573, 1574, and 1575 respectiuely were
(as presently they be) of the iurisdicition, and subiect to the mightie
prince the Emperour of Russia: and whether the saide Emperour of Russia, by
all the time aforesaide, was chiefe lord and gouernour respectiuely of the
said places, and so vulgarly knowen, had, and reputed: and whether the said
townes and places, and either of them be situated towards the North and
Northeast or Northwest, and between the North and the East point: and be
the same places whereunto by force of the said priuilege, it is forbidden
to any other subiect to haue traffike, sauing to the societie aforesaid.

[Sidenote: The deponents answer.] To this Interrogatorie the deponent
saith, that it is true that the villages, townes and places vulgarly called
the Narue, Kegor, Peshingo and Cola, and the portes thereof, at the time of
the grant of the said priuilege (as he iudgeth) were reputed respectiuely
to be vnder the iurisdiction, and subiect to the Emperour of Russia, and so
from the time of the said grant, vnto the yeere, 1566, and that in the
yeeres of our Lord, 1566, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, and 1575.
respectiuely they were (as presently they be) of the iurisdiction, and
subiect vnto the mighty prince the Emperour of Russia, and the same
Emperour of Russia, by all the time aforesaide, was chiefe gouernour
respectiuely of the said places, and so vulgarly knowen, had and reputed.
And that all the said places are situated from London Northwards, between
the East and the North, and within the grant of the letters patents, and
priuileges of the said companie of merchants for the discouery of new
trades, and the same places whereunto by force of the said letters patents,
it is forbidden to any other subiect to haue traffike sauing to the
societie aforesaid.

Notwithstanding the Deponent saith, that he hath heard it credibly reported
by diuers, that the king of Denmarke of late yeeres, or euery yeere once,
hath had one of his subiects or more by him selfe, or with his guide a
Lappian, that hath at the places Cola, Kegor, and diuers other places in
Lappia, taken of the Lappies certain tribute or head pence, which the said
Lappie haue willingly giuen to winne fauour of the saide prince, and to
liue quietly by his subiects, the people of Finmarke which border vpon
their countrey whereof, Wardhouse is the strongest hold, and bordereth
neere vnto them. Hee hath also hearde that in the time of peace betweene
the saide Emperour of Russia, and the kings of Sweden, there was yeerely
for the king of Sweden one or more that came into Lappia vnto diuers
places, in maner as the king of Denmarkes seruant vseth to doe, and did
demaund of them some tribute or duetie which they willingly paide: but
since the late warres betweene the saide Emperour and king of Sweden, hee
hath not heard of any thing that hath bene paide by them to the king of
Sweden: such is the simplicitie of this people the Lappies, that they would
rather giue tribute to all those that border vpon their countrey, then by
denying it haue their ill willes.

But the trueth is, as this Deponent saith, that the saide mightie prince
the Emperour of Russia is the chiefe lord and gouernour of the saide
countrey of Lappia, his lawes and orders are obserued by them, hee takes
toll and custome &c. of them. They are infidels, but if any of them become
Christians it is after the Russe law. If there happen any controuersie
betweene those people, such as cannot be ended amongst themselues, or by
the Emperours deputies in that countrey, they repaire to the Mosko as their
highest Court, and there haue it ended. [Sidenote: Pechingo abbey.]
Betweene the place specified Kegor, and the confines of Finmarke aforesaide
in Lappia, is the monasterie Pechingo, which are monkes, and vse the Russe
lawe, the chiefe or head of that abbey is alwayes appointed by the cleargie
in Mosko.

Also in the yeere of our Lord 1557, the said Deponent was at the place
Kegor, in the moneth of Iune, the 29 day being S. Peters day, at which time
was a great assembly of people at a mart there, the Russes, Kerils and
Lappians on the one side subiects to the said mighty prince the Emperour of
Russia, and the Norwegians or Norses and people of Finmarke subiects to the
King of Denmarke on the other part, they did barter and exchange fish for
other commodities. The deputie for the Russe had the chief gouernment of
the said Mart, and tooke toll of those people that were subiect to his
master, and the captaine of Wardhouse had then the gouernment of the people
subiect to his master the king of Denmark. He saith also, that betweene the
abbey Pechingo, and the abbey of S. Nicholas in Russia, vpon the border of
the said coast of Lappia, he hath bene vpon the shore at diuers places,
where fresh riuers fall into the Sea, where are commonly taken fresh
salmon, all which places he doth know for certaine, that they were farmed
out to the subiects of the said Emperour, and he the said Emperour receiued
yeerely the rent for them. And further he saith that it hath bene forther
credibly reported vnto him, that there is not any such riuer or creek of
fresh water which falleth out of the said countrey of Lappia into the sea,
between the said abbey Pechingo, and the bay of S. Nicholas, but they are
all and euery of them farmed out, and the Emperour receiueth the rent for
them.

[Sidenote: The second Interrogatorie.] Item, whether as well before, as
also within the memorie of men, till the time of the graunt of the said
letters patents any of the English merchants (sauing the merchants of the
said societie) subiects of this realme of England, haue commonly exercised
or frequented businesse or trade in the said villages or townes called the
Narue, Kegor, Pechingo, and Cola, or in any of them, or in any ports or
territories of the said Emperour of Russia.

[Sidenote: The deponents answer.] To this Interrogatorie the Deponent
answereth, that the subiects of this realme before the graunt of the said
letters patent did not commonly exercise, neither frequent or trade to any
of the said places called the Narue, Kegor, Pechingo or Cola, or to any of
them.

* * * * *

Certaine reasons to disswade the vse of a trade to the Narue aforesaide, by
way through Sweden.

The merchandise of the Narue are gross wares, viz. flaxe, hempe, waxe,
tallow and hides.

The traffique at that place standeth vpon the agreement and liking of the
Emperour of Russia, with the king of Sweden: for all these merchandises
that are brought thither come from Plescoue, Nouogrod, and other parts of
the Emperours dominions.

For transporting those merchandises from Narue to Stockholm, or what other
place shall be thought conuenient in Sweden, it must be in vessels of those
countries, which wilbe of smal force to resist Freebooters, or any other
that shall make quarrel or offer violence against them.

When the goods are brought into Sweden, they must be discharged, and new
laden into smaller vessels, to cary the same by riuer or lake a part of the
way, and againe to be vnladen and transported by land to Newles.

So as the ordinary charges for transporting of goods from Narue to Newles
by way as aforesaid, besides the spoile by so often lading and vnlading,
cariage by land, and the dangers of the seas, pirats, &c. will be such as
when it shalbe so brought to Newles it wil be as deare to the merchants in
that place as it shall be worth to be sold in London, wherefore the trade
that wayes cannot be profitable to our nation.

Moreouer, when the goods shall be in Newles, it may bee thought doubtfull
to bring it thence quietly without disliking or forcible resistance of the
king of Denmarke, forasmuch as he maketh quarrell, and alleageth damage
vnto him in his tolles of the Sound by our trade to S. Nicholas, how much
more will he now doe by this way, and with how much greater aduantage may
he performe it? The danger that may grow in our trade to Russia, by way of
S. Nicholas, through the displeasure that the Emperour may conceiue by our
trade with the Sweden to Narue is also to be considered.

* * * * *

A remembrance of aduise giuen to the merchants, touching a voyage for Cola
abouesaid. 1578.

Whereas you require my counsell after what order the voyage for Cola is to
be set forth, I answere that I know no better way then hath bene heretofore
vsed, which is after this maner. First of all we haue hired the ship by the
great, giuing so much for the wearing of the tackle and the hull of the
shippe, as the ship may be in bignesse: and if shee bee about the burden of
a hundred tunnes, we pay fourescore pound, and so after that rate: and
thereunto we doe vicual the ship our selues, and doe ship all our men our
selues, shipping no more men, nor giuing them more wages then we should doe
if they went of a merchants voyage, for it hath bene a great helpe to our
voiage hitherto, to haue our men to fish with one boate, & costing vs no
more charges then it should do, if our men should lie and doe nothing
sauing the charges of salt, & of lines, which is treble paid for againe.
For this last yere past our men killed with one boat betwixt 9. or 10.
thousand fish, which yeelded to vs in money with the oile that came of it,
about 15. or 16. score pounds, which is a great helpe to a voyage. And
besides all this, our ship did take in so much pile and other commodities
as we bestowed 100. whole clothes in. But because, as I doe suppose, it is
not the vse of London to take ships to fraight after that order before
prescribed, neither I think that the mariners wil take such paines as our
men will: Therefore my counsell is, if you thinke good, to freight some
ship of Hul or Newcastle, for I am sure that you may haue them there better
cheap to freight, then here at London. Besides al this, one may haue such
men as will take paines for their merchants. [Sidenote: Hull the best
market of England for sale of fish.] And furthermore when it shal please
God that the ship shal returne to come to discharge at Hull, which will be
the most for your profit for the sales of all such like commoditie as comes
from that place, as for fish, oyle, and Salmon chiefly, hee that will seeke
a better market for the sales then at Hull, he must seeke it out of
England, for the like is not in England. This is the best way that I can
deuise, and most for your profite, and if you will, I will also set you
downe all the commodities that are necessarie for such a voyage, and which
way also that the Hollanders may within two or three yeeres be forced to
leaue off the trade of Cola which may easily be done. For if my abilitie
were to my will, I would vse the matter so that they should either leaue
off the trade, or els cary light ships with them home againe.

* * * * *

A dedicatorie Epistle vnto the Queenes most excellent Maiestie, written by
Master William Burrough late Comptroller of Her Highnesse nauie, and
annexed vnto his exact and notable mappe of Russia, briefly containing
(amongst other matters) his great trauailes, obseruations, and
experiments both by sea and land, especially in those Northeastern parts.

To the most high and renowmed Princesse ELIZABETH by the grace of God
Queene of England, France and Ireland, &c.

My minde earnestly bent to the knowledge of nauigation and, Hydrographie
from my youth (most excellent my dread Soueraigne) hath eftsoones beene
moued by diligent studie to search out the chiefest points to them
belonging: and not therewith sufficed hath also sought by experience in
diuers discoueries and other voyages and trauailes to practise the same. I
was in the first voyage for discouerie of the partes of Russia, which begun
in anno 1553. (being then sixteene yeeres of age) also in the yeere 1556.
in the voyage when the coastes of Samoed and Noua Zemble, with the
straightes of Vaigatz were found out: and in the yeere 1557, when the coast
of Lappia, and the bay of S. Nicholas were more perfectly discouered. Since
which time, by my continuall practise in the voyages made yeerely to S.
Nicholas in Russia, or to the Narue, and to some other countreys also by
Sea: as likewise in passing from S. Nicholas to Mosco, and from Mosco to
Narue, and from thence backe againe to S. Nicholas by land, in the yeeres
1574. and 1575. (being then Agent in those countries for the companie of
English merchants for discoueries of new trades) setting downe alwayes with
great care and diligence, true obseruations and notes of al those
countreys, Islands, coasts of the sea, and other things requisite to the
arts of Nauigation and Hydrographie; and with like diligence gathering
exact notes and descriptions of the wayes, riuers, cities, townes, &c. as I
passed by Land: I finde my selfe sufficiently furnished to giue report vnto
your Maiesty, and to make description of those North parts of the world in
forme and maner of euery leagues distance that I haue passed and seene in
al those my trauels. The places herein described, which I haue not seene
and tried my selfe, I haue set downe by the best authorities that I could
finde, and therein may erre with the learned Gerardus Mercator, Abraham
Ortelius, and the rest: but for the maine part which is from Rochel in
France hither to London, and from hence Eastward to Narue by sea, and from
thence to Mosco and to S. Nicholas by land: also from hence Northwards and
Northeastwards by Sea to Saint Nicholas, and to the straight of Vaigatz
(first crauing humbly your highnesse pardon) I dare boldly affirme (and
that I trust without suspect of arrogancie, since truely I may say it) I
haue here set it open to the view, with such exactnesse and trueth, and so
placed euery thing aright in true latitude and longitude, (accompting the
longitudes from the Meridian of London, which I place in 21 degrees) as
till this time no man hath done the like: neither is any man able by
learning onely, except he trauaileth as I haue done. For as it may be
truely saide of Nauigation and Hydrographie, that no man can be cunning in
the one which wanteth conuenient knowledge in the other: and as neither of
them can be had without the helpes of Astronomie and Cosmographie, much
lesse without these two grounds of all artes, Arithmetike and Geometrie: so
none of the best learned in those sciences Mathematicall, without
conuenient practise at the sea can make iust proofe of the profite in them:
so necessarily dependeth art and reason vpon practise and experience.
Albeit there are diuers both learned and vnlearned, litle or nothing
experienced, which in talke of nauigation will enter deeply and speake much
of and against errours vsed therein, when they cannot reforme them. Such
also haue written thereof, pretending singular great knowledge therein, and
would so be accompted of, though in very deede not worthy the name of good
and sufficient pilots. To whom I thinke it shall not be amisse in defence
of rules builded vpon reason, and in practise allowed, thus much to say for
answere. It is so, that there are rules vsed in nauigation which are not
perfectly true: among which the streight lines in sea-cardes, representing
the 32. points of the compasse or windes are hot holden to be the least,
but noted of such talkers for principall, to condemne the occupiers thereof
for ignorant: yet hath the famous and learned Gerardus Mercator vsed them
in his uniuersal mappe. But such as condemne them for false, and speake
most against their vse cannot giue other that should serue for nauigation
to better purpose and effect. Experience (one of the keyes of knowledge)
hath taught mee to say it. Wherein with my abilitie, together with some
part of my studie, I am rather moued (in this my plot) to make some triall
vnto your maiestie: for that I perceiue that such attempts of newe
discoueries (whereunto this noble Island is most aptly situated) are by
your royall maintenance so willingly furthered: beseeching your highnesse
so to accept of these my trauailes, as a pledge of my well willing to my
countrey, and of my loyall seruice to your maiestie, whose healthfull
happie life and reigne God continue which is Almightie. Amen.

Your Maiesties most humble subiect

William Burrough.

* * * * *

The Queenes Maiesties letters to Shaugh Thamas the great Sophi of Persia,
sent by Arthur Edwards, William Turnbull, Matthew Tailbois, and Peter
Gerard appointed Agents for the Moscouie companie, in their sixt voyage
to Persia, begun in the yeere 1579.

To the most noble and inuincible Emperour of Persia, King of Shiruan,
Gilan, Grosin, Corassan, and great Gouernour of the Indies.

Elizabeth by the grace of God Queene of England, France and Ireland,
defender of the faith &c. To the most noble and inuincible Emperour of
Persia, King of Shiruan, Gilan, Grosin, Corassan, and great gouernour euen
vnto the Indies, sendeth greeting. Most noble and inuincible Prince, it is
now tenne yeeres since, [Footnote: 1568.] or thereabouts, wherein (after
the honourable ambassade of the noble man Anthony Ienkenson our well
beloued subiect, to your most noble and inuincible father performed) we
laboured to bring to passe by Thomas Bannister and Gefferey Ducket
merchants our subiects, that throughout all the kingdomes subiect to his
empire, free power might be giuen to Will. Garrard, Thomas Ofley, William
Chester, knights, Rowland Haiward, Lionel Ducket, William Allen, Thomas
Bannister, Gefferey Ducket, Lawrence Chapman, Merchants, and vnto their
societie, to enter into his lands and countreys at al times when they would
and could, there to exercise and vse their trade of merchandise, and from
thence likewise after exchange or sale made of those wares, which they
should bring with them with his like good leaue and fauour, to carie from
thence those things wherwith his dominions do abound and with vs be scant.
Which our petition the most noble prince your father took so thankfully and
in such good part, that he not onely graunted franke and commodious leaue,
as was desired: but the same he would to bee unto them most free and
beneficiall, and to haue continuance for many yeeres and times. The
benefite of the which his wonderfull liberality, our subiects did enioy
with such humanitie and freedome as there could be no greater, till the
time that by reason of wars more and more increasing in those parts, by the
which our subiects were to make their iourney into Persia, they were
debarred and shut from that voyage and traffique. The which traffique the
said societie being eftsoones desirous to renew to the weale and commoditie
of both our dominions they haue now sent into Persia their factors and
Agents Arthur Edwards, William Turnbull, Matthew Tailbois, Peter Gerrard
merchants, with their associats, whom we beseech your inuincible maiesty to
entertaine with that fauour wherewith your father did imbrace Tho.
Bannister & Geffrey Ducket, and to enfranchise their whole societie with
that freedome, that neither they through any their misdemeanours towards
your subiects, may thereof seeme vnworthy (as we hope they will not)
neither we our selues otherwise enioy them, then with the perpetuall
remembrance of your good affection towards vs, and with the like fauourable
inclination of our part towards you. The matter itself and tract of time
shall sufficiently proue the foresaid maner of traffike vnprofitable to
neither of vs. For so hath one God the chiefe gouernour of all things
disposed of our affaires on earth, that ech one should need other. And as
for our people and subiects of the English nation, in verie deed your
maiesty shal find them made and fashioned so pliant to the perfourmance of
all dueties of humanity, that it can neuer repent you to haue graunted them
this franke traffic, nor shame vs to haue obteined it for them at your
hands. That therefore it may please your maiesty to yeeld vnto them this at
our request, most earnestly we beseech you. And we (as it wel beseemeth a
prince) if euer hereafter we may, wil show our selfe not to bee vnmindful
of so great a benefit. We wish your maiesty wel and prosperously to fare.
Giuen at our palace of Westminster the 10. day of Iune, in the yere of our
Lord 1579. and of our reigne the 21.

* * * * *

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