Inscriptions left by Early European Navigators. 27 



Stone XI. 



This stone was for a long time in the possession of what is now 

 known as the Dutch Orphanage, at the top of Long Street, hut which 

 was in the early part of 1800 the High School, or Academy "Tot 

 nut van't Algemeen." 



It is not certain whether it was found close to the spot or was 

 brought there to serve as an object-lesson. 



It bears on either face several inscriptions. The oldest in date is 

 that of the Royal James. 



The Fleet of 1624 consisted of the Royal James, Jonas, Eagle, Stnr, 

 Spy, and Scout ; the first-named vessel being commanded by John 

 Weddel ; Richard Swanley was Master ; Henry Wheatley Purser ; 

 and Richard Langford a Purser's Mate. Their names figure in the 

 inscription, and the additional one, Edward Smith, is that of the 

 Purser's Mate of the Jonas. 



Thomas Kerridge, going out to resume his post of President at 

 Surat, and who was on board the Jonas, gives the following account 

 of his stay at the Cape. 



After imputing to the action of the Dutch or Danes the disap- 

 pearance of letters which, from the graved inscriptions left by the 

 Dolphin, he expected to find under the stones, he proceeds : "In this 

 place wee found reasonable store of refreshing, as well flesh from 

 the countrie people as fish taken plentifully in the River, whereby, 

 together with the wholesorneness of the Ayre and hearbes et. ct. for 

 bathes, our sick men for the most part (their sickness being the 

 scurbeck) thanks be to god, recovered within 10 dayes in some 

 reasonable measure to help themselves. The 29 July the whole 

 fleete set sayle togeather from the Cape." (I.O. Records.) 



Monck's account of the same journey (he wa,s on board the Royal 

 James) bears out part of Kerridge's narrative: "July 14. Saw the 

 Sugarloaf Mountain. July 15. Decided to put into Table Bay, owing 

 to want of water, much sickness on board, and a doubt of whether 

 they could reach Madagascar this monsoon. July 29. Set sail 

 again." 



Below the Royal James inscription is another, if not two : 



THOMAS MILLS MAR R S E 



. . . EY. A 12 1635 CAP JOHN W 



COMM OF JONAS ARR FROM DEP 26 



Thomas Mills, a Factor of the Company, was at Masulipatam in 

 March, 1624, and he died there towards the end of 1627. The 



