The Life and Death of Sir Francis Drake, Part 5 – Encomium
The Last Voyage of Sir Francis Drake into the West-Indies.
His last Voyage into the West-Indies.ANno Christi, One thousand five hundred ninety five, He undertook another Voyage to the West-Indies, wherein himself, and Sir John Hawkins were Generals, Sir Thomas Baskervile Collonel General: Sir Nicholas Clifford Lieutenant General: Arnold Baskervile Sergeant Major: And Nicholas Baskervile, Barkley, Grimston, Rush, Boswel, Plat, Chichester, Stanton, and Fenton were Captains.
August the eight and twentieth, Anno Christi, One thousand five hundred ninety five, They embarked at Plimouth, and sailed towards the Grand Canados, meeting with nothing in the way worth mentioning: And September the six and twentieth, They arrived at the Port of Canados, otherwise called Saint John de Cruz, where, in Boats, and Pinnaces they attempted to Land: But the Enemy, who waited for their coming, had so intrenched themselves in the very place where they should have put ashore, so plied them both with their small and great shot, from the Castle Town, and this intrenchment, that with the loss of some of their men, they were forced again to their Ships.
From thence they departed to a place where they watered, in which place, some of their men, straying into the Country from their friends, were met with and slain by those Barbarous People, and torn with dogs they keep on purpose, to destroy men that come to water there. This Island yields store of Wine Wheat, and other Grain; Conies, Partridges &c. From thence, passing towards the West Indies, they saild by the Island called Martinino, inhabited by Barbarous People called Canibals: From thence to Dominica where they had store of Tobacco for Hatchets and Knives, &c. November the twelvth, they cast anchor against a great Fort, within three or four miles of Porte-Richo, from whence they were plyed with great shot. Here died that brave Sea Captain, Sir John Hawkins, to the great grief of all the rest.
The same day also Sir Nicholas Clifford, Captain Stratford, and Captain Brown were wounded with a great piece of Ordinance, as they sat at Supper with Sir Francis Drake whose stool also was struck from under him, as he was drinking a Cup of Beer; yet, by Gods Providence he, and all the rest escaped. And that night Sir Nicholas Clifford died of that wound: and Captain Brute Brown, a day or two after. The Spaniards had barred up the Harbor by sinking a great Ship therein, from which they had drawn long masts on both sides to the Forts, which defended the Passage: within which were there five Spanish Ships, filled with Muskitiers, and stored with Ordnance; yet Captain Baskerville, putting his men into boats, & Pinnaces, attempted to enter by force, & fir'd one or two of those Ships, but with a shower of small shot was beaten back, with the loss of many of his men.
From hence sailing to the Continent they burnt Rio de la Haak, the inhabitants wherof offered thirty four thousand Ducats to redeem the same, but over prising the Pearls they brought, it was refused; they also burnt down some other Villages thereabout. Here in a religious House they found some treasure, Pearl and Marchandize, which they carried away. In this Country was great store of Beeves, Goats, Sheep, Horses, Asses &c, and also Store of Fowl, as Pellicans, Red Sea Fowls, like unto Crane.
December the nineteenth, They came to Santa Martha, out of which all the inhabitants were fled: But the English following them into the Woods, found some treasure, and other things of some value; when they departed they set the Town on fire. December the five and twentieth,Nombre de Dios taken. They came to Nombre de Dios, and the same Day Captain Arnold Baskervile died. They landed about a mile from the Town, and when they came to it the enemy gave them a bravado of shot and then ran away. Having before conveighed away all their treasure and goods. Yet something they found in the woods, as Oyl, Wine, Vinegar, Meal, and Linnen-cloth.
On Munday after Sir Thomas Baskervile with six hundred men began their journey by Land towards Panama, hoping there to furnish themselves with the Spanish Treasure:They march toward Panama. But when they had laboured a day or two, and encountred with many difficulties, thorow narrow, dirty, and most cumbersomways, being assailed on both sides with many Volleys of shot out of the Woods, they came to a Fort in a very narrow passage where only one man could pass a breast, where the enemy slew their men as fast as they came, and hearing that there were two more such Forts betwixt that and Panama, Are forced to return.they were constrained with the loss of many of their best men, and much grief, to return to their ships, and set fire upon Nombre de Dios.
January the tenth they came to Scoday, and took a Spanish Frigate that was sent to give Intelligence of their being upon the Coast, but found nothing of worth in her. Then the General caused his sick men to be carried a shoar and to have the best comfort they were able to give them: Also there they built four Pinnaces, and took in fresh water. Here were great store of Wild-beasts in this Island but no Inhabitants.
January the eight and twentienth, Anno Christi, His death and burialOne thousand five hundred ninety five, Died this famous, and renowned Captain Sir Francis Drake, of a Flux, and grief for his bad successes in this Voyage. His Death was exceedingly lamented by all the Company. His Corps being put into a Coffin of Lead was let down into the Sea, the Trumpets in a doleful manner Ecchoing out their lamentations for so great a loss, and all the Cannons in the Fleet were discharged according to the Customes of Sea-Funeral Obsequies.
The rest of the Fleet came safe to their desired haven in their Native Country of England. April One thousand five hundred and ninety six.
Sir Francis Drakes father when he fled into Kent (as you read in the beginning of this Life) was fain to shelter himself in the Hull of a ship, where many of his younger sons were born. He had twelve in all, & as it pleased God to give to most of them their first being upon the Water, so the greatest part of them died at Sea; only the youngest, though he was as far as any of the other, yet died at home, whose Posterity yet inherits that which by himself and this Noble Sir Francis, the Eldest Brother, was hardly, yet worthily gotten.
Soli Deo Triuni Gloria.
Among other Verses made in his Commendation, I have long since Read these,
GReat God of Prowess, Thunderbolt of War:
Bellona's darling: Mars of Chivalry:
Bloody Enyo's Champion, Foe-mens fear.
Fames stately Pharos, Mapp of Dignity:
Joves Pearl, Pearls pride, Prides foe, Foes enemy:
Spains shaking Fever, Regent of Wars Thunder:
Vndaunted Drake, a name importing Wonder.