[PATTERSON] SIR HUMPHREY GILBERT'S EXPEDITION US 



this harbor of S. lohns vpon Tuesday the twentieth of August, which we 

 found by exact obseruation to be in 47 degrees 40 minutes. And the 

 next day by night we were at Cape Hace, 25 leagues from the same har- 

 borough. 



'•' This Cape Ij-eth Southsouthwest from S. lohn's ; it is a low land, 

 being otf from the Cape about halfe a league ; within the sea riseth vp a 

 rocke against the point of the Cape, which thereby is easily knowen. It 

 is in latitude 46 degrees 25 minutes.' 



" Vnder this cape we were becalmed a small time, during which we 

 Layde our hookesand lines to take codde. and dreAV in lefse than two hours 

 fishe so large and in such abundance, that many dayes after we fedde 

 upon no other prouision. 



" From hence we shaped our course vnto the Island of Sabla, if 

 conueniently it would so fall out, also directly to Cape Britton. 



" Sabla lieth to the seaward of Cape Britton about 25 leagues, whither 

 we were determined to goe vpon intelligence we had of a Portingall (during 

 our abode in S. lohns), who was himself present, when the Portingals 

 (aboue 30 yeares past) did put into the same island both neat and swine to 

 breede, which were since exceedingly multiplied. This seemed vnto vs 

 very hapj)y tidings to have in an Island lying so neere vnto the maine 

 which we intended to plant vpon, such store of cattell, whereby we might 

 at all times conueniently be relieued of victuall, and serued of store for 

 breed. 



" In this course wee trended along the coast which from Cape Eace 

 stretcheth into the North West making a baye, which some call Trepafsa. 

 Then goeth out againe towarde the west, and maketh a point which with 

 CajJe Eace lie in maner east and west. But this point inclineth to the 

 north, to the west of which goeth in the bay of Placentia. We sent men 

 on land to take a view of the soyle along this coast, whereof they made 

 good report, and some of them had will to be planted there. 



" The distance between Cape Race and Cape Britton is 87 leagues. 

 In icliich naviijation we spent eight dayes ; hauing many times the wind 

 indiiferent good, yet could we neuer attaine sight of any land all that 

 time, seeing we were hindered by the currant. At last we fel into such 

 flats and dangers, that hardly any of us escaped ; where neuerthelefse we 

 lost our Admiral with all the men and prouLsion, not knowing certainl}' 

 the place. Yet for inducing men of skill to make coniecture, by our 

 course and way we held from Cape Eace thither, and thereby the flats and 

 dangers may be inserted in sea Cards, for warning to others, that may 

 follow the same course hereafter, I have set downe the best I'eckonings 

 that were kept by expert men, William Coxe. master of the Hind, and 

 John Paul his mate, both of Limehouse. 



1 To show how near they were able to come to accuracy in their observations at 

 that time, I may mention that St. .John's is now found to be in 47' 33' 33 N.L. , and 

 Cape Race in 46' 40'. 



