Cape Good Hope 1652-1702

41 William Pearse

Transcribed from photographs of Sloane MS 3669, British Museum: also partially transcribed in QB, December 1952. From Gravesend May 13, 1679 in Caesar, for Bantam: all his dates are of course Old Style*.

September the 29th ... through the Blessing of the Almighty we had a faire view of the Land ... as we stood in we kept our lead working & Gradually shoaled our water to 25 fath ouze, at which tyme we had sight of Pinguin Island, which is a loe Isle & hath 2 flagg staues to spread their Colours if they discry more then one saile.... Then we kept directly with the Peaked hill that makes like a Sugar loafe, & from thence hath its name deriued, upon whose top is likewise a flagg staff & a peece of Ordnance ... after we anchored [dr 9/10] saluted the Fort with 5 guns. When mored we were Employed the remaining pte of the day in sending on shoare our sick men, 20 of which ware hoysted out in Cradles, one dyed per the way in going ashoare ... most of the rest ready to Expire, but per the strength of Cordialls reviued....

[p. 222]

The 30. We careened our ship & scrubd her. Got on Board 7 tunns water. The weathr faire till night & then the S.Ey winds forced downe our Maine & Fore Yards.... But oftentymes the S.Ey proues soe Impetuous it puts there ships from there Anchors & forces them out the roade.

The first. This day we filled 15 Tun water. Weather faire. Sight of a saile in the offin. Our Capt made a presant to the Comodore [Crudop, acting as Administrator] Consisting of a Butt Beere, a Firkin Red herrings, 2 Gam[mons] Bacon, a Large Cheese, A pot of Caveare, some Wine & Ale &c he return'd 3 sheep.

The 2nd Filled 6 Tuns which ware all our Empty Caske* ... about noon the Ship Came into the roade her name the Freesea [Vrye Zee] of Amsterdam Burden neare 3000: she hath been five months out. She brought hither a New Govr named Senior [blank in MS. Simon van der Stel]. We saluted him with 5 guns [dr 12/10].

The 3rd. This day pte of the men Went to recreate & refresh themselues with the delightfull Fragrancy of their Mothr earth....

The 4th. This day the remaining pte of our men went on shoare, toward Noone the Heavens were much Obnubilated but after 2 hours became cleare againe.... About 7 at night the Poleroon of Holland arrived [dr 15/10].

The 5th. Got off all our sicke men, the worst able to come up the side with out assistance....

The 6th the morng unmored our Ship per 11 had her under saile the wind at W.S.Wt....