Purch. Pilgr. I. 247. Astl. I. 360.]
From the title given by Purchas to the narrative, it appears that there
were three ships employed in this voyage: The Trades-increase of 1000
tons, admiral, commanded by Sir Henry Middleton, general of the
expedition; the Pepper-corn of 250 tons, vice-admiral, commanded by
Captain Nicholas Downton; and the Darling of 90 tons. Besides these,
the bark Samuel of 180 tons accompanied as a victualler to Cape
Verd. - E.
Sec. 1. Incidents of the Voyage till the Arrival of the Squadron at
Mokha.
We came to anchor in the roads of Cape Verd on the 1st May, 1610, under
an island, where we found a Frenchman of Dieppe, who was setting up a
pinnace. Next day, I set all the carpenters of the fleet to work on my
mainmast; and having taken off the fishes, they found it so sore wrung
about three feet above the upper-deck, that it was half through, so that
it must have gone by the board if we had met with any foul weather. I
sent one of my carpenters a-land on the main to search for trees, who
returned that night, saying he had seen some that would answer. The
third we began to unload the Samuel, and sent the carpenters on shore to
cut down trees, having leave of the alcaide, who came on board to dine
with me, and to whom I gave a piece of Rouen cloth which I bought of the
Frenchman, and some other trifles.
