A SHORT DISCOURSE 
OF A 
VOYAGE MADE IN THE YEARE OF OUR LORD 1613 TO THE LATE- 
DISCOVERED COUNTRYE OF GREENLAND;i 
AND A 
BREIFE DISCRIPTION OF THE SAME COUNTRIE, AND THE COMODITIES 
THER RAISED TO THE ADUENTURERS. 
In the moneth of May, 1613, seauen good ships, bound for 
Greenland, 1 were sett forth from the port of London; being 
furnished w th vitualls and other prouision necessarie for the 
killing of the whale, and 24 Basks, 2 who are men best expe¬ 
rienced in that facultie, at the chardge and aduenture of the 
right worshipfull S r Thomas Smyth, knight, and the rest of 
the companie of merchaunts tradeing into Moscouia, called the 
Merchants of Newe Trades and Discoueries. 
In this fleet, Mr. Beniamin Joseph, of London, was cheife 
captaine and coihissioner, — a man very sufficient, and worthy 
of his place. 3 A shippe called the Tiger, of burthen 260 
tonnes, was admirall; the Mathew, of 250 tonnes, vice-admi- 
rall; and the Gamaliell, of 200 tonnes, rere-admirall; the 
fourth, the John and Francis, of 180 tonnes; the 5 th , the 
Desire, of 180 tonnes; the 6 th , the Anula, of 140 tonnes; and 
1 Spitzbergen. 
2 The Basks, or Biscayans, had long been accustomed to capture a species of whale 
in the Bay of Biscay; and, as these became less abundant there, they gradually fol¬ 
lowed them into more Northern seas. They were among the earliest to pursue the 
fishery on the coasts of Newfoundland and New England. They were regarded as most 
expert in the use of the harpoon, and were also skilful coopers. 
3 Capt. Joseph commanded in two subsequent voyages. Purchas says he was slain 
in a fight with a Carrick (vol. iii. p. 716). 
