30 
SIR HUMPHREY GILBERT. 
achievement. In 1578, he obtained a patent authorising him to 
undertake western discoveries, and to possess lands unsettled by 
Christian princes or their subjects. In compliance with these 
conditions, Sir Humphrey prepared in 1583 to take possession of 
the northern parts of America, and Newfoundland. In the same 
year, Queen Elizabeth conferred on his younger brother Adrian 
Gilbert, the privilege of making discoveries of a passage to 
China, and the Moluccas, by the north westward, north eastward, 
or northward, directing the company of which he was the head, 
to be incorporated by the name of “ The Colleagues of the 
Fellowship for the discovery of the north west passage.” 
The fleet of Sir Humphrey consisted of five ships of different 
burthens, from 10 to 200 tons, on which were embarked about 
260 men, including shipwrights, masons, smiths, and carpenters, 
besides “ mineral men and refiners ; and for the amusement of the 
crew, and allurement of the savages, they were provided of music 
in good variety, not omitting the least toyes, as morrice dancers, 
hobbyhorses, and maylike concerts, to delight the savage people, 
whom they intended to win by all fair means possible.” The 
little fleet reached Newfoundland on the 30th July. It is noticed, 
that at this early period, “ The Portugals and French chiefly have 
a notable trade of fishing, on the Newfoundland bank, where 
there are sometimes more than a hundred sail of ships.” 
On entering St. John’s, possession was taken in the queen's 
name, of the Harbour and 200 leagues every way; parcels of 
land were granted out, but the attention of the admiral was 
chiefly directed to the discovery of the precious metals. 
The colony being thus apparently established, Sir Humphrey 
embarked in his small frigate, the Squirrel, which was in fact, 
a miserable barque of ten tons, and taking with him two other 
ships, proceeded on a voyage of discovery to the southward. 
One of these, the Delight, was soon after wrecked among the 
shoals, near Sable Island, and of above a hundred men on board, 
only twelve escaped. Amongst those who perished, were the 
Historian and Mineralogist of the expedition ; a circumstance 
which preyed upon the mind of Sir Humphrey, whose ardent 
temper, fondly cherished the hope of fame, and inestimable 
