The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 07: England's Naval Exploits Against SpainHakluyt, Richard
History
The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 07: England's Naval Exploits Against Spain
Hakluyt, Richard
Discoveries in geography -- English; Voyages and travels
of the Lordes, and others, affirmed that hee was neuer so wounded as that
hee forsooke the vpper decke, till an houre before midnight; and then being
shot into the bodie with a Musket as hee was a dressing, was againe shot
into the head, and withall his Chirurgion wounded to death. This agreeth
also with an examination taken by sir Francis Godolphin, of foure other
mariners of the same shippe being returned, which examination, the said sir
Francis sent vnto master William Killegrue, of her Maiesties priuy Chamber.
But to returne to the fight, the Spanish ships which attempted to bord the
Reuenge, as they were wounded and beaten off, so alwayes others came in
their places, she hauing neuer lesse then two mighty Gallions by her sides,
and aboard her: So that ere the morning, from three of the clocke the day
before, there had fifteene seuerall Armadas assayled her; and all so ill
approued their entertainment, as they were by the breake of day, far more
willing to harken to a composition, then hastily to make any more assaults
or entries. But as the day encreased, so our men decreased: and as the
light grew more and more, by so much more grewe our discomforts. For none
appeared in sight but enemies, sauing one small ship called the Pilgrim,
commaunded by Iacob Whiddon, who houered all night to see the successe: but
in the morning bearing with the Reuenge, was hunted like a hare amongst
many rauenous houndes, but escaped.
All the powder of the Reuenge to the last barrell was now spent, all her
pikes broken, fortie of her best men slaine, and the most part of the rest
hurt. In the beginning of the fight shee had but one hundreth free from
sicknes, and fourescore and ten sicke, laid in hold vpon the Ballast. A
small troup to man such a ship, and a weake garrison to resist so mighty an
army. By those hundred al was susteined, the voleis, boordings, and
entrings of fifteen ships of warre, besides those which beat her at large.
On the contrary, the Spanish were always supplied with souldiers brought
from euery squadron: all maner of Armes and powder at will. Vnto ours there
remained no comfort at all, no hope, no supply either of ships, men, or
weapons; the Mastes all beaten ouer board, all her tackle cut asunder, her
vpper worke altogether rased, and in effect euened shee was with the water,
but the very foundation or bottome of a ship, nothing being left ouer head
either for flight or defence. [Sidenote: The Spanish 53 saile.] Sir Richard
finding himselfe in this distress, and vnable any longer to make
resistance, hauing endured in this fifteene houres fight, the assault of
fifteene seuerall Armadas, all by turnes aboord him, and by estimation
eight hundred shotte of great Artillerie, besides many assaults and
entries; and that himselfe and the shippe must needes be possessed by the
enemy, who were now all cast in a ring round about him (The Reuenge not
able to moue one way or the other, but as she was moued with the waues and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account