GO 
THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 
[chap. 
1. The Bona Esperanza, admiral of the fleet, of 120 tons 
burden, on board of which was Sir Hugh Willoughby, himself, 
as captain general of the fleet. The number of persons in this 
ship, including Willoughby, the master of the vessel, William 
Gefferson, and six merchants, was thirty-five. 
2. The Edward Bonaventure, of 160 tons burden, the command 
of which was given to Kichard Chancelor, captain and pilot 
major of the fleet. There were on board this vessel fifty men, 
including two merchants. Among the crew whose names are 
given in Hakluyt we find the name of Stephen Burrough, 
afterwards renowned in the history of the north-east passage, 
and that of Arthur Pet. 
8. The Bona Confidentia, of ninety tons, under command of 
Cornelius Durfoorth, with twenty-eight men, including three 
merchants. 
The expense of fitting out the vessels amounted to a sum 
of £6,000, divided into shares of £25. Sir Hugh Willoughby 
was chosen commander “ both by reason of his goodly personage 
(for he was of tall stature) as also for his singular skill in the 
services of warre.” ^ In order to ascertain the nature of the 
lands of the east, two ‘‘ Tartars ” who were employed at the 
royal stables were consulted, but without any information 
being obtained from them. The ships left Batcliffe the fsth 
May 1553.^ They were towed down by the boats, ‘'-the 
mariners being apparelled in watchet or skie coloured cloth,^’ 
with a favourable wind to Greenwich, where the court then was. 
The King being unwell could not be present, but “the courtiers 
came running out, and the common people flockt together, 
1 “Cum ob corporis formam (erat enim procerse staturae) turn ob singu- 
larein in re bellica industriain.” Clement Adams’ account.— Haldiiyt, 
p. 271. 
^ Ten days earlier or later are of very great importance with respect to 
the state of the ice in summer in the Polar seas. I have, therefore, in 
quoting from the travels of my predecessors, reduced the old style to 
the new. 
