We
weighed again on the 30th, and on the 1st October came to anchor in the
Downs, and on the 14th of that month got safe to Eriff, where we ended
our long and fatiguing voyage.
* * * * *
It appears, by incidental information in Harris, I. 198, That the outfit
of this voyage did not exceed L14,000 or L15,000, and that its gross
profits amounted to L170,000, half of which belonged to the owners; so
that they had L85,000 to divide, or a clear profit of L466 13s. 4d. per
centum, besides the value of the ships and stores. - E.
CHAPTER XI.
VOYAGE ROUND THE WORLD, BY CAPTAIN JOHN CLIPPERTON, IN 1719-1722.[233]
INTRODUCTION.
About the beginning of 1718, some English merchants resolved to fit out
two ships for a cruizing voyage to the South Sea, in hopes of having
equal success with the expedition under Woods Rogers, and provided two
fine ships, the Speedwell and Success, every way fit for the purpose.
But as the war which was expected between Great Britain and Spain did
not take place so soon as was expected, they applied for commissions
from the Emperor Charles VI. who was then at war with Philip V. King of
Spain. Captain George Shelvocke, who had served as a lieutenant in the
royal navy, was accordingly sent with the Speedwell to Ostend, there to
wait for the imperial commissions, and to receive certain Flemish
officers and seamen, together with as much wine and brandy as might
serve both ships during their long voyage, being cheaper there than in
England.
