46 MEMOIR OF 



Eresby, by the eldest daughter and co-heiress of 

 Sir Francis Willughby, Knight, of Wollaton, and 

 inherited' part of the great possessions of his 

 maternal grandfather, including the stately 



deemed necessary for the safety of vessels having to 

 navigate Indian seas, causing them to be sheathed with 

 lead, in order to defend them frrom the worms that are 

 found so destructive in warm climates, and which is the 

 first recorded instance in English history of a precaution 

 which had often been previously adopted by the 

 Spaniards. 



The following particulars respecting the expedition are 

 taken from Hakluyt's Collection of Voyages, vol. i. page 

 226, &c. printed 1559. 



The names of the ships were, 



1. The Bona Esperenza, admiral of the fleet, " of 120 

 tunnes burden, having with her a pinnesse and a boate ; " 

 William Gifferson, master. 



2. " The Edward Bona venture, of 160 tunnes, with her 

 pinnesse and a boate. Richard Chancelor captain, and 

 pilot-major of the fleete." 



3. " The Bona Confidentia, of 90 tunnes, having 

 with her a pinnisse and a boate." Cornelius Durforth 

 master of the ship. 



These several descriptions of the ships are followed by 

 a list of the names both of officers and men belonging to 

 each. 



Then comes, "the juramentura or othe ministered 

 unto the captaine, and the othe to be ministered unto the 

 master of the ship." 



Then, a copy of "the ordinances, instructions, anv, 

 advertisements, of and for the direction of the intended 

 voyage for Cathay, compiled, made, and delivered by tht 

 Right Worshipful M. Sebastian Cabota Esquier, gover- 

 nour of the mysterie," &c. dated the 9th day of May, in 

 the y ere of our Lord God, 1553, and in the 7th yere of; 



