A True Relation of a most worthy and notable Fight, performed the nineteenth day of june now last passed, by two small Ships of the City of London: the Vineyard of a hundred and twenty Tons; and the Unicorn of a hundred and forty Tons, against Six great Galleys of Tunes, having in them a thousand and eight hundred men, of the I'll of Way-yorcke in the straits: Our Ships having in all Mariners. Merchants, and Passengers▪ fifty six men.  
Written by H. R  
Imprinted at London for I White, and are to be sold by, T. Langley.   

To my esteemed good Friend Mr. GYLBERT ROBARTES, all well wishes of true love and contival happiness.  
YOur remote living from this famous City, old acquaintance, and many loving friends, cannot choose but increase a longing desire to hear such News as may beguile some time with contemplating on them; but the uncertainty of report for homebred occasions are such, as makes me silent; yet to give you some cause of admiration, and a good liking of men worthy, and most skilful in their profession, I have made bold to commend unto you, the hardy and most dangerous Adventure of two worthy Ships of London, and their Companies in their last Voyage for the straits, made this passed Summer, against Six great Galleys of the Turks: wherein they showed true valour, and gallant resolution, gaining fame to themselves, been a terror to the enemy, and given a most worthy example for all of their coats: A pattorne worth recording for others to follow, a comfort to Owners, and Merchants, that commit their Ships and goods to such men's government, and a joy to all those that hear their deserved commendations; to the further view whereof I leave you, & pray God never to give worse success than they have had, nor worseminds, than they have showed to be in them, but ever increase, for our Country's honour the number of such, and keep you and all others your good friends, for evermore under his holy protection.  
London this 2. of February 1616. Your loving friend ever yours, Hen. robart's   

A True Relation of a most worthy Fight made the 23. of june 1615 by two Ships of London, the Vineyard, and the Unicorn: near the I'll of May-yorcke within the straits, having but 56. Men and Boys aboard, against six Galleys of the Turks, being of Tunes, in Barbary, and had in them of Soldiers, sailors, & Slaves, 1800. men.  
Loving Countrymen, that we should give honour to them that doth truly deserve it, is no more than Christian charity doth ensite us unto; and the holy Scriptures in many examples doth prove unto us: as David that kingly Prophet and man of God, was met and entertained of the people with dancing and singing his worthy Victories, obtained against the enemies of GOD, and his King. jephat that worthy Captain, and sundry others which I omit, were honoured for their Victories with triumphs by the people, as holy Writ doth testify.  
The Romans so honoured their Nation, and held honour in such heigh esteem, that were his birth never so mean, or reputation so base; yet if he deserved any honour in their Wars, they duly gave it him, with all the honours they could devise.  
The Greatians, and sundry other nations had the like, so that thereby they gave such encouragement to all such as followed them in their long Wars, that every man enforced both Courage and strength in hope of Fame.  
Whole volumes are filled with the Honours of these nationes, as we which now live, by true records can testify, the sundry Famous victories by them achieved, and their excellent admired prows. These were the times of true love and honour. This made the Coward hardy, and the fainthearted Swain, to advance themselves, in hope to gain, unto their posterities everlasting fame. Oh that our Nation would imitate these true types of honour, to nourish such as adventure their lives and estates, for welfare of their Country: then there is no doubt, but in time of troubles, when valour should be shown, we should find many worthy persons, under simple habits, that would purchase to their country honour, & fame to themselves. But our Country's charity is too too cold, to give Virtue her due in such people, the more it is to be pitied, that such men as merit either by valour, or other industorous means, should not be▪ fostered and well rewarded. But such is the hardness of heart▪ in most, now a days, that Let a man adventure their lives and liberty, in never so hardy an actions for saveguard doth of Ship and good, when they look for cheerful countenance at their return, and some reward for their pains, they hardly get either good word, or good deed, (nay scarcely) their wages which God knoweth was never so hardly gotten, but with some Brawls, and discontent: these doings, is often the cause of much loss to owners and Merchants, where if they nourished the true Labouring by e●ling with some small reward, (yea) but sometimes with a good word, it would give encouragement to men, rather to lose their lives, than part with that is committed to their charge, in my sleight manner. judge you that read and know what you read, how many Ships and men of our Nation, hath been taken by these Pirates, those homecides that lurk about the South Cape, Barbary, & the straits, to surprise such as trade in honest Merchant's affairs, the Owners and Merchants to their cost, can best tell: of which no doubt, some have been cowardly surprised, and others overflowed; whereby the Companies falling into their hands, are imprisoned, and often times made slaves to those Heathen nations that triumph over them, to the utter ruin of them & their for ever.  
These are things to be pitied, & truly of all Christians to be lamented: and I could wish that such men that adventure to the seas, may with true compassion consider of such as do deserve well; so shall they be sure to have their service truly performed, and their Goods in better security than often times they have. But leaving that to God, who guideth men's hearts, let me recoune unto you a most worthy and valiant exploit performed not long since by two small Ships of the City of London, against six Galleys of Tunes in Barbary, near unto the I'll of May-yorcke within the straits; to the great commendations of the Masters and Company of them, as you shall further understand.  
IN the beginning of this last Summer, a Voyage by sundry merchants of London was pretended to certain Ports within the straits of jeboraltarre; who for the Voyage had appointed two small Ships, the one called the Vineyard, of the burden of a hundred and twenty Tons, or thereabouts, whose Master for the voyage, was Master Richard Harrice of Lee in Essex; a very honest and religious man, and as valiant and full of courage, as otherwise of good government: The other, the Unicorn of London, of the burden of a hundred and forty Tons, or thereabouts; whose Master for the Voyage, was Master Gardner of Wapping near London; a man endowed with honesty, religion, and valour.  
These two good Ships, being victualled for the visage, and manned both Ships with fifty six men and boys, Merchants, and Passengers, in all, having taken in their Lading, and all sitting for their use in the Voyage, after their solemn farewell taken of the Owners and Adventurers, as the Merchants accustom to do, set Sail from London, and arrived at Lee, where they made some small stay expecting a fair Wind to proceed, whose hopes it pleased God to further, and on the twenty three day of May now last passed, to send them their wished desires; which they neglected not, but taking opportunity, set Sail the same twenty three of May▪ And was so favoured of him that ruleth by his Power both Winds, and Seas, that they were ever in the way of the Wind, until they came to the South Cape, where they had sight of three tall Ships, men of War, which were of Algeers, in Barbary▪ full of Ordinance and men.  
These Ships gave us chase, which did in some small manner dismay us; yet putting our trust in God, whose pleasure is to lay our fears and care upon him, we resolved, if they were Friends, to bid them welcome; if Enemies, to defend ourselves.  
These Ships wyning upon us, one of them came up and hailed us, bidding us amain: To whom ou● Master said; Do you your worst, we fear you not. Then demanded they of whence we were? Our Master Harrice, M. of the Vineyard answered, of London, and bound for Turkey; and asked of whence they were? Of Argeor●, said they.  
While they had this shorr parley with us, they took good notice of our Ships, and saw the readiness we were in to defend ourselves: and imagining by our masters rough answer, that we cared little for them, they made no longer stay, but sprung their loof, and bore room again into the Sea.  
Their departure so suddenly, gave us some comfort, although we feared them not: yet considering we come for Traffic and not for Wars, we rather desired Peace, (if it pleased God) than broils; from which at that time, it pleased him to deliver us: Unto whom for his preservation, we acknowledged such hearty thanks and praises, as became us.  
This Danger (by God's permission) being overpast, as Wind served for us, we put into the straits. keeping our course for Leagehorne, which was the first Port of our discharge.  
When coming near unto May-yorcke, an Island in the Sea, we had sight of six great Gallpes men of War, all of Tunes, and one other Port under▪ the Turk. These companions came with us, applying their best strength of Oars and Sails, to come to us, we seeing the speed they made, began to conjecture we should have more to do with them, than we willingly would: whereupon our Master M. Harrice, caused the Vineyards Boat to be hoisted out, the Unicorn being far from us, and the Seas beéing calm and no Wind stirring, so we cowed our Ship to the Unicorn, and furlde our main Sail, providing ourselves as well as we could: which done, we went to prayer, humbly entreating his divine aid, that never leaveth his people, to help us, and to be our comfort in this distress.  
By this time, the Galleys were all in fair sight, so that we might well descry their numbers of men. Then five of them left to row, and the sixth Galley came towards us; and hailing our Ships after the manner of the Sea, asked of whence we were? Our Master answered, of London, and bound for Turkey. Then cried the Turks, All friends, all friends. Then did they inquire what Men of War we had met withal, or seen without the straits, or lately? Whom we simply told of the three Ships we spoke with: so away they went from us, making speed to their five comforts, that stayed for them.  
The sudden and friendly parting with this Galley, gave us hope we should have no further trouble with them, nor his fellows; yet durst not trust them, but made ready to defend ourselves, as suddenly as we could, getting as near unto the Unicorn our consort, as we might, that being near, we might fight with more advantage to ourselves, and do our enemies the more harm, if it should so happen.  
This time the Galleys held counsel together what they should do: At length, having concluded our final overthrow as it▪ seemed, they all came upon us with all the violent force they could: and coming up first with the Unicorn, they powered into her their small Shot, as Hail in comparison. They lying so close aboard, the Vineyard made their Shot so hot upon them, that four of them came aboard her, and left the Unicorn but two.  
In this conflict, we poor men were not idle, but so applied our Ordinance, which we laded with Crosse-barres, Case-Shoote, and Round Billets, as greatly annoyed them.  
In the first encounter, we had our Boatson slain and one other man, and three hurt▪ And the Unicorn two men slain, and two hurt.  
The Galleys lying still by us, maintained the fight very hotly, and plied their Shot upon us, that our turn Sides, and battered Stern can yet witness it: besides our Sails so shot, that forty pounds cannot make good that harm only.  
Deadly and full of resolution on both parties two full bowers by the Glass, continued this fight; in which all our Companies, were fain to prove Gunners, not only the Master and his Mates, but all the rest: Amongst which, I may not forget the pains and industry of one of Master Harrices Mates, M. Wotton; whose skill and readiness was such, in applying the most part of our Ordinance in our quarter, which lay to do the Enemy most spoil, that he did them great harm, and made them have small hope of our conquest, which they expected.  
Blessed be the all powerful God, who after two hours of very dangerous fight, one shot from the Vineyard did them such spoil, as with a great and most dreadful shriek they fell all from us, and went their ways. And in good time for them; for I think if they had stayed longer, they had some of them sunk by our sides; as should seem by their sudden bringing four of them upon the Career to stop their leaks.  
Thus by the mercy and power of our God, were we freed from this great and dangerous peril wherein we had like to have falled, past hope of man, only his Mercy that giveth victory at his will, preserved us: To whose blessed name, all praise and honour be rendered, who not only set us free from our Foes, but at that instant, sent us a fair leading gale of Wind: so we cut our Main sail, and kept our course for Leaghorne, which was the first Port of our discharge; giving GOD most humble thanks for our deliverance.  
While we made stay at Leaghorne, the Duke of Florence's Galleys, who are most times abroad in service, came into the Road: in one of them was a jew, who spoke with the Captain of the Admiral galley, and was with them when they set their mained & hurt men a shore.  
This Captain reported to the jew being of his acquaintance, that there▪ were in these six Galleys one thousand eight hundred men of all sorts: and in the fight with us, had slain a hundred and fifty, and three hundred more hurt and mained very dangerously.  
GOD have the praise for our happy delivery, and make us mindful of his great mercy showed unto his poor servants, that while we have any being in this world, we may with all due praises, acknowledge his mercy towards us.  
Thus have you heard (to the glory of God, and the deserved commendations, of those valorous and undaunced sprights) The most resolute and worthy Conquest of the six Galleys; who being not a handful in regard of their multitudes, which were near ten for one, and so well appointed with Men and Munition, that they thought themselves sufficient, to encounter greater forces.  
But we have ever heard and known, that victory consisteth not in strength of Horse or Man, though they ve never so mighty: but in the all Powerful hand of God, who in the midst of greatest dangers, comforteth them, that with faithful hearts call upon him.  
And most truly, by those worthy men Master Harrice, and Master Gardner, and there companies it appeareth, who doubtless are gracious men in the presence of God; such is their government, their zeal to God and his true Religion: such doth God in all distresses comfort, for so is his promise, that never faileth his servants: It is his holy hand, that hath done this for them against all expectation of men. For which his blessed name be ever praised.  
And I wish most heartily, that such Owners and Merchants, which have such faithful people to deal for them, would not shut their Purses from reward, but open their hands with Bounty unto them, that others may be encouraged to do them the like service: If such men would use this charity, no doubt but their bounty and good countenances to men adventuring for them would make their service to be better performed, And this Kingdom be more better replenished with able and sufficient men to fight in their defence, if occasion should be.  
You have heard the true discourse of this dangerous voyage, their happy deliverance, and diligent cares in performing the same; Who making four Ports, viz. Maliga▪ Leagehorne, Naples, and Zant, as by Chartie-Partie they were bound, taking their Lading at Zant, was by the mercy of God, with Winds so favoured, that in good safety the Ship and goods arrived the twelf● day of December, in the Road of Limehouse in the River of Thames.  
To the eternal glory of God, the juice of our hearts, and comfort of all our friends, where we were by those worthy, Merchants our Owners of the vineyard Master Freeman, and Master Dunkcombe, with their Partners, levingly welcomed, as well as by our adventures and Merchant's, which were these: Master Freeman, Master Fishborne, and Master Barlymarke▪ God have the honour, and let all our prayers us, that never English men, have worse success in their affairs, than we have had.  
GOD of his mercy grant us all true, loving, and faithful hearts, that God may have his true ●ond●●, and our King▪ and Country faithful service: to whose divine, and all Powerful name be all true praises ●●●●●ed for ●●er, ●nd ever,  
Amen.   
FINIS.