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 Bonaventure, 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 Durfcrlh 
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 juramentutn 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, and 
advertisements, of and for the direction of the intended 
voyage for Cathay, compiled, made, and delivered by the' 
Right Worshipful M. Sebastian Cabota Esquier, gover- 
nour of the mysterie,” &c. d^ted the 9th day of May, in 
the yere of our Lord God, 1553, and in the 7th yere of 
