By which reasons we were the rather induced to follow this northerly
course, obeying unto necessity, which must be supplied. Otherwise, we
doubted that sudden approach of winter, bringing with it continual fog
and thick mists, tempest and rage of weather, also contrariety of
currents descending from the Cape of Florida unto Cape Breton and Cape
Race, would fall out to be great and irresistible impediments unto our
further proceeding for that year, and compel us to winter in those
north and cold regions. Wherefore, suppressing all objections to the
contrary, we resolved to begin our course northward, and to follow,
directly as we might, the trade way unto Newfoundland; from whence,
after our refreshing and reparation of wants, we intended without
delay, by God's permission, to proceed into the south, not omitting
any river or bay which in all that large tract of land appeared to our
view worthy of search. Immediately we agreed upon the manner of our
course and orders to be observed in our voyage; which were delivered
in writing, unto the captains and masters of every ship a copy, in
manner following.
Every ship had delivered two bullets or scrolls, the one sealed up in
wax, the other left open; in both which were included several
watchwords. That open, serving upon our own coast or the coast of
Ireland; the other sealed, was promised on all hands not to be broken
up until we should be clear of the Irish coast; which from thenceforth
did serve until we arrived and met all together in such harbours of
the Newfoundland as were agreed for our rendezvous. The said
watchwords being requisite to know our consorts whensoever by night,
either by fortune of weather, our fleet dispersed should come together
again; or one should hail another; or if by ill watch and steerage one
ship should chance to fall aboard of another in the dark.
The reason of the bullet sealed was to keep secret that watchword
while we were upon our own coast, lest any of the company stealing
from the fleet might bewray the same; which known to an enemy, he
might board us by night without mistrust, having our own watchword.
Orders agreed upon by the Captains and Masters to be observed by the
fleet of Sir Humfrey Gilbert.
First, The Admiral to carry his flag by day, and his light by
night.
2. Item, if the Admiral shall shorten his sail by night, then to
shew two lights until he be answered again by every ship shewing
one light for a short time.
3. Item, if the Admiral after his shortening of sail, as
aforesaid, shall make more sail again; then he to shew three
lights one above another.
4. Item, if the Admiral shall happen to hull in the night, then to
make a wavering light over his other light, wavering the light
upon a pole.
5. Item, if the fleet should happen to be scattered by weather, or
other mishap, then so soon as one shall descry another, to hoise
both topsails twice, if the weather will serve, and to strike them
twice again; but if the weather serve not, then to hoise the
maintopsail twice, and forthwith to strike it twice again.
6. Item, if it shall happen a great fog to fall, then presently
every ship to bear up with the Admiral, if there be wind; but if
it be a calm, then every ship to hull, and so to lie at hull till
it clear. And if the fog do continue long, then the Admiral to
shoot off two pieces every evening, and every ship to answer it
with one shot; and every man bearing to the ship that is to
leeward so near as he may.
7. Item, every master to give charge unto the watch to look out
well, for laying aboard one of another in the night, and in fogs.
8. Item, every evening every ship to hail the Admiral, and so to
fall astern him, sailing through the ocean; and being on the
coast, every ship to hail him both morning and evening.
9. Item, if any ship be in danger in any way, by leak or
otherwise, then she to shoot off a piece, and presently to bring
out one light; whereupon every man to bear towards her, answering
her with one light for a short time, and so to put it out again;
thereby to give knowledge that they have seen her token.
10. Item, whensoever the Admiral shall hang out her ensign in the
main shrouds, then every man to come aboard her as a token of
counsel.
11. Item, if there happen any storm or contrary wind to the fleet
after the discovery, whereby they are separated; then every ship
to repair unto their last good port, there to meet again.
OUR COURSE /agreed upon/.
The course first to be taken for the discovery is to bear directly
to Cape Race, the most southerly cape of Newfoundland; and there
to harbour ourselves either in Rogneux or Fermous, being the first
places appointed for our rendezvous, and the next harbours unto
the northward of Cape Race: and therefore every ship separated
from the fleet to repair to that place so fast as God shall
permit, whether you shall fall to the southward or to the
northward of it, and there to stay for the meeting of the whole
fleet the space of ten days; and when you shall depart, to leave
marks.
Beginning our course from Scilly, the nearest is by west-south-
west (if the wind serve) until such time as we have brought
ourselves in the latitude of 43 or 44 degrees, because the ocean
is subject much to southerly winds in June and July.
