The most dangerous and memorable adventure of Richard Ferris, one of the five ordinary Messengers of her majesties Chamber, who departed from Tower Wharfe on Midsummer day last passed, with Andrew Hill and William Thomas, who undertook in a small Wherry Boat, to row by Sea to the City of Bristol, and are now safely returned. Wherein is particularly expressed their perils sustained in the said voyage, and the great entertainment they had at several places upon the coast of England, as they went, but especially at the said City of Bristol.  
Published by the said Richard Ferris.  
LONDON Printed by john Wolf for Edward White, and are to be sold at his shop being at the little north door of Paul's at the sign of the Gun. 1590.   

To the Right Honourable Sir Thomas Heneage knight, one of her majesties Honourable privy counsel, Vice to her Highness, and treasurer of her majesties chamber▪ prosperous health, long life, with much increase of honour.  
RIght honourable the late dangerous attempt rashly by me undertaken to row in a small Boat to the City of Bristol a long the perilous Rocks Breaches, Races, Shelves, Quicke-sandes and very unlikely places for passage with such small Boats, along the Coast of England, is now by the assistance of almighty God truly performed, as appeareth by our several certificates ready to be seen, with our safe return, contrary to the expectation of sundry persons, which being truly and particularly discoursed: I have presumed to dedicate unto your honour: wherein may plainly be seen, how we adventured to pass the force of dangerous Flaws and rough Seas, which we found in our voyage: And proveth the attempt the more strange in respect that I was never trained up on the water: not doubting but the same may be a just occasion to prick forward other of my native countrymen to practise an ordinary passage through the like dangers in such small wherry Boats, especially when necessary occasion shall serve, the better to daunt the enemies of this nation, who in such flaws and frets at Sea, dare not hazard their Galleys to go forth, though they be of far greater force to brook the Seas. Thus humbly desiring your honours favourable acceptance hereof, I end, beseeching God to send health and long life to her Majesty my dread Sovereign and most gracious Mistress, peace to this land, and to your honour even your hearts desire.  
Your honours most humble to command Richard Ferris▪   

Richard Ferris his travails to Bristol.  
AFter that I had rashly determined to pass the seas with a Wherry, and to row myself in the same to the City of Bristol, though with the evil will of sundry my good friends, but especially full sore against my aged father's consent now dwelling in the City of Westminster where I was borne, I thought it convenient to seek out some one expert Pilot to direct me and my companion by his skill, the better to pass the perils and dangers whereof I was foretold. Whereupon I took unto me one W. Thomas, a man of sufficient skill and approved experience, by whom I was still content to be advised even from my first going forth, until my last coming home.  
The Boat wherein I determined to perform my promise, was new built, which I procured to be painted with green, & the Oars & sail of the same colour, with the red Cross for England and her majesties arms with a vane standing fast to the stern of the said Boat, which being in full readiness upon Midsummer day last, myself with my companions Andrew Hill, & William Thomas, with a great many of our friends and well-willers accompanied us to the Tower wharf of London, there we entered our Boat, and so with a great many of our friends in other like boats rowed to the Court at Gréenewitch, where before the Court gate we gave a volley of shot: then we landed and went into the Court, where we had great entertainment at every office, and many of our friends were full sorry for our departing: And having obtained leave before of the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlain, the Lord Admiral, and M. vice, for my departure, I took my leave and so departed, setting up our sails, and taking us to our Oars, we departed toward this our doubtful course: and first we took our way to Grauesende, and from thence to these places hereafter mentioned, namely: 

To Margat.  
To Dover.  
To new Haven in Sussex.  
To Portchmouth.  
To Sandwich in Dorcetshire.  
To Abbot's Berry.  
To lime.  
To Seaton.  
To Tingmouth.  
To Dartmouth.  
To Saucombe.  
To Plymmoth.  
To Low in Cornwall.  
To S. Maws in faumouth.  
To the great bay at Pensans called Mounse bay.  
To S. jews at the further side of the lands end.  
To Gooddrivie.  
To Padstowe.  
To Bottricks' Castle, which is in the race of Hartlande alias Hartey-point.  
To Clevelley.  
To Ilford Co●me.  
To Mynnet high Cliffs.  
And lastly, to the City of Bristol.    
At these places before recited we stayed and refreshed ourselves, sometime we were constrained to put into these places for want of victuals, sometime for to have their certificates to testify of our being there: sometimes we were weather bound, and sundry accidents worth the noting happened unto us in many of these places, and our welcome in all places deserveth due commendations, the particulars whereof hereafter followeth.  
After we had passed Gravesend as is aforesaid, we came to the lands end, than we bent our course to Margat, which place having passed, we won the foreland with some high billows.  
From thence to the south foreland, and soon after we put in at Dover, where we stayed about vi. hours, and where we were greatly entertained.  
From thence we took to the Camber nests, which is between Rye and Dover, and so along the main Sea towards fair Lée. Then we rowed and sailed along the Coast until we came to Beachie and passing by it we harboured at new Haven in Sussex; where we had reasonable good weather fill we came between the isle of Wight and Portchmouth: there we had a great storm, and in such sort overpressed with weather, that we were constrained to make towards a Castle called Hurst Castle, from whence at the fall of wind and tide, we put forth again to sea, and recovered to Sandwich in Dorcetshire. From thence we passed through a race called S. Albon which is a head land, where we were in a great fret by reason of the race and so continued hazarding our lives by means of that fret, to the great and dangerous race of Portland, where by the good direction of our Pilot and master, we sought and strove by great labour to take the advantage of the tide and weather, whereby we passed through it in one hour.  
Here did the billows rise very high, so that we were in great danger, yet God be thanked we escaped them without any damage. From thence we passed to Lime bay, where we stayed but one night and from thence to Seaton, at which place we were compelled to carry and lift up our boat on shore, by extremity of foul weather, for we were there in great danger, by reason of frets, sands, and fowl weather, which greatly troubled us.  
From thence we went to Tingmoth, and so to Dartmoth, there we remained two days, and had good entertainment, and great courtesy offered us by the inhabitants thereof. And upon the next day morning being Sunday, we put to Sea again, there having a fair wind and tide we came to the Start, where the wind rose and hemmed us in round about, into a very dangerous race, (this was on the fifteenth of july) where we were in such an extremity, that we had like to have been drowned, yet it pleased God so far to work for us, that we escaped the danger thereof, which done, we went to the westward of Sawcombe, there we were constrained to hale up our Boat in a cove called S●wer Mill, behind a rock near to Sir William Courtney, a very bountiful knight, at whose house we lay all that night, and would have had us to have staid longer. But from thence having fair weather we came to Plymouth.  
Hear we met with her majesties ships, where master Captain Fenner and master Captain Wilkinson, gave us great entertainment, especially for that they saw we had leave given us from the right Honourable of her majesties counsel, for our quiet and safe passage. And for that I was her majesties messenger, they gave us the greater entertainment, and staid there one night, from thence we went to Lowe, and there staid one night, from thence to saint Maws, with very calm and good weather, until we came to the Lizard, being a place well known to be most dangerous and full of rocks and races, where God be thanked we passed in the currant of the tide, with great swiftness, but with wonderful danger, where had it not been well looked unto of the master we had all been cast away.  
Then we did cut over the Mouse bay to Mouthole which is four miles beyond the mount, where we were constrained for want of necessary victuals to come back again to Pensance, where we lodged all night.  
The next morning, we set out to go for the lands end, where setting from Pensans with our half tide, to recover the first of the tide at the lands end, we being in our Boat a great way from the shore, our master descried a Pirate, having a vessel of four tun, who made towards us amain, meaning doubtless to have rob us, but doubting such a matter, we rowed so near the shore as we might: and by that time as he was almost come at us, we were near to a rock standing in the sea, where this Pirate thought to have taken us at an advantage: for being come close to the out side of the said rock, called Raynalde stones, he was becalmed & could make no way, and so were we. But God who never faileth those that put their trust in him, sent us a comfort unlooked for: for as we rowed to come about by this rock, suddenly we espied a plain and very easy way for us to pass on the inner side of the said rock, where we went through very pleasantly, and by reason thereof he could not follow us: thus we escaped safely, but he was soon after taken and brought in at Bristol. Here we found great breaches, races and rocks, the wind then being Northerly and altogether against us, which was wonderful painful, troublesome, and dangerous to us, nevertheless (God be thanked) we escaped in safety, and recovered to Saint jews, where we were well entertained. The next day we put to sea again, but being within five miles of Saint jews, we were constrained to seek for a Cove, which we found called Saint Dryvey in Cornwall.  
Here, for that we wanted victuals, our master was constrained to go climb the great Cliff at Goodryvey which is at the least forty fathom high, and wonderful steep, which none of us durst venture to do, and (God be blessed for it) he had no harm at all, but surely to all likelihoods, had his foot once slipped, there could have been no recovery to have saved him, but that he would have been bruised in pieces.  
At this place we stayed two days at master Aro●dalles house, where we were greatly welcome, and from thence we went to Bottricks' Castle, where dwelleth a gentleman called master hinder, there we were wether bound, and constrained to stay full seventeen days, where we had great entertainment, he himself offering us, if we would stay a whole year, we should be welcome, and the rather for that I was one of her majesties servants. But upon the eighteenth day, the foul wether seizing we did again put to the sea through the race of Hartland, alias Hartipointe, which is as ill as the race of Portlande, which we escaped and recovered to Clevelley, where we were entertained by a very courteous gentleman called master Carey. And from thence we came to Ilford Coume, which was on Saturday at night the first of August last passed, whereupon for that we were so near Bristol, I desired my company that we might put to sea that night, which they were loath to do, yet at my importunate suit they granted thereto. But being at sea, the wind arose very sore from of the land, which put us all in great fear, whereby I myself was constrained to row four hours alone on the Larboorde side, and my fellow Rower was compelled to lad forth water so fast as it came into the Boat, which did beat upon me and over me, very sore, the wind then being East and by South. Thus I was constrained to labour for life, and yet had almost killed myself through the heat I took in that time, rowing as is aforesaid, until we came to Mynette.  
This done, we went from Mynytte, and so between the two homes came to Bristol in one tide, and arrived at the back of Bristol, about six of the clock at night.  
But it was wonderful to see and hear what rejoicing there was on all sides at our coming: The Mayor of Bristol, with his brethren the Aldermen, came to the water side, and welcomed us most lovingly, and the people came in great multitudes to see us, in so much as by the consent of the Magistrates, they took our Boat from us, not suffering us once to meddle with it, in respect that we were all extreme weary, and carried our said Boat to the high Cross, in the City, from thence it was conveyed to the town house, there locked safe all night. And on the next morning the people of the City gathered themselves together, & had prepared Trumpets, Drums, fifes, & Ensigns to go before the Boat, which was carried upon men's shoulders round about the City, with the Waits of the said City, playing orderly in honour of our rare and dangerous attempt achieved. Afterwards we were had to master Majors, to the Aldermen and Sherifies houses, where we were feasted most royally and spared for no cost all the time that we remained there. Thus having a while refreshed ourselves after our so tedious labours, we came to London on Saturday being the eight of August .1590. where to speak truth without dissembling, our entertainment at our coming was great and honourable, especially at the Court, and in the Cities of London and Westminster, and generally I found that the people greatly rejoiced to see us in all places?  
To conclude, I have given order that the said Boat shall be brought by land from Bristol to London, where the watermen & sundry other have promised to grace the said Boat with great melody, and sundry volleys of shot, which very shortly is intended to be performed.  
Here is to be remembered, that between Hartie-point and Clevelly, the wind being very strong, my companion and oar fellow Andrew Hill in taking down our sail, fell over board into the sea, where by great good hap, and by means that he held fast to a piece of our sail, we recovered him and got him up again (although he were a very weighty man) which if we had not done I could not have gotten any man to have supplied his room: but when we saw that he was amended, we gave God thanks for his recovery.  
Thus to God I with my fellow mates, give most hearty prayers and thanks for our safe deliverance from so imminent dangers as we have been in since our departure from the Court at Gréenewitch, being still defended by the mighty and handy work of Almighty God, to whom we in all obedience and duty daily pray for the prosperous health of her Majesty, and her honourable Council, whose lives and welfare is the strength and maintenance of this land, and whom Almighty God, prosper and preserve now and ever. Amen.  
FINIS.  
Richard Ferres.   

A new Sonnet made upon the arrival and brave entertainment of Richard Ferris with his boat, who arrived at the City of Bristol on the third day of August. 1590.  

COme old and young behold and view,  
A thing most rare is to be seen,  
A seely Wherry it is most true:  
Is come to Town with sail of green.  
With Oars colour of the same,  
To happy Ferris worthy fame.   

From London City this wager sure,  
Was for to bring his Wherry small,  
On surging seas if life endure:  
From Port to Port hap what hap shall.  
To Bristol City of worthy name,  
Where Ferris now hath spread his fame.   

His Boat not bulgd, but at high cross,  
Was seen the third of August sure,  
Whereby the man hath had no loss:  
But did each willing heart procure,  
For to be ready there in haste,  
To see the Boat that there was placed.   

Oh mighty jove thou guide of guides,  
Which brought this Boat from surging seas,  
Clean from the rage of furious tides,  
No doubt Ferris God thou didst please,  
Both thou and thine which were with thee,  
You served God he set you free.   

Good Andrew Hill thy pains was great,  
And William Thomas in this Wherry,  
And honour Ferris sure doth get,  
He doubtless means to make you merry.  
Your fame is such through travails toil,  
You win the spur within our soil.   

Shall I prefer this to your skill,  
No no 'twas God that did you guide,  
For this be sure without his will,  
You could not pass each bitter tide.  
But pray you did no doubt each hour,  
Whereby God blessed you by his power.   

Oh gallant minds and venturors bold,  
That took in hand a thing most rare,  
'twill make the Spaniards hearts wax cold,  
If that this news to them prepare,  
That three men hath this voyage done,  
And thereby wagers great hath won.   

But now we may behold and view,  
That English hearts are not afraid,  
Their Sovereign's foes for to subdue,  
No tempest can make us dismayed.  
Let monstruous Papists spit their fill,  
Their force is full against Gods will.   

Hath seely Wherry done the deed,  
That Galleys great dare not to try,  
And hath she had such happy speed,  
That now in rest on shore she lie,  
Doubtless the Lord her Pilot was,  
It could not else been brought to pass.   

Well Ferris now the game is thine,  
No loss thou hast thank him above,  
From thy two Mates do not decline,  
But still in heart do thou them love.  
So shall thy store increase no doubt,  
Through him that brought thy boat about.   

I end with prayers to the Lord,  
To save and keep our royal Queen,  
Let all true hearts with one accord,  
Say Lord preserve her grace from ten,  
Bless Lord her friends, confound her foes,  
For aye Lord save our Royal Rose.   
FINIS.  
james Sergeant.