THE SEAMAN'S Triumph.  
Declaring the honourable actions of such gentlemen Captains and Sailors, as were at the taking of the great Carrick, lately brought to Dartmouth, with her burden and commodities, with the manner of their fight, and names of men of account.  
With the burning of an other Carack at the Island of Flowers, of the burden of 900. Tons and upward, written for truth to a gentleman of great worship in London.  
LONDON Printed by R. B. for William Barley and are to be sold at his shop in Gracious street. 1592.   

RIght-woorshipfull, for that at my being at London divers and sundry reports passed, touching the taking of the great Carrack called the Mother of God lately arriving at Dartmouth in the West, where I now remain, about your affairs, I have thought it good: under your worship's favour, to advertise your worship of the truth thereof, as I have credibly gathered by such as bare office and are principal officers in the same: beseeching you to acquaint master E. H. with others my good friends, & your worship's favourites with the same, for that I know the gentleman to be well disposed, and so well given, as he will not be the reporter of any novelties, but such as shall bear credit, myself unworthy to be joined with one of so high esteem, am loath to give myself that credit, to be a reporter of any other as your worship knoweth, to whom in all humbleness I refer myself: yet such is the desire I have, to have the well deserving, reap their reward, and be had in exteeme according to their worthiness. As I have herein done my best to signify the same unto you and others, and could well wish it were published, to the view of the world, to the end, their names who have hardly adventured for it: may reap the honour they have deserved, to the encouragement of others. To the like, haughty and full of courage hath been those resolute Gentlemen and their followers, and thereby deserved more reputation than I can with my base report yield them: yet imitating those which have lived in elder years, that wished their country's honour, unworthy though I be to write their deserved praises, I have adventured the same, and hope it shall be as acceptable as I desire, wherein if your worship be satisfied, I have my wish in some sort: and that I may not be tedious unto you, nor such as by you shall have view of this my unworthy writings, I will with frivolous matter no longer detain you, but proceed to the matter which was this.  
Her majesties Ships and others, having spent the most part of this last Summer about the Islands, as well for the safety of our countrymen that way adventuring, as also to annoy our professed enemies the spaniards, whom reports gave out, were in great Fleets at Sea, this Fleet aforesaid spending their time with little profit to any of them, with consent of their Admirals dispersed themselves divers ways: some taking their course for one Island, and some for another, to descry if they might: what shipping our enemies had at Sea, amongst the which dispersed Fleet, Sir john Burrowes knight, a most resolute and politic gentleman, thirsting to show his valour at Sea: there, in his countries service to gain fame, to the enemies disgrace, as against them on land, both in the Low-countries and France, he had most nobly adventured, to the great commendations not only of himself, but his whole posterity, and countries great good, This worthy knight being Commander of the good Ship called the Row-Bucke, and having in his company, an other fortunate and brave Ship named the Dainty, whose owner is that worthy knight Sir john Hawkins, the Captain a brave Mariner, and a most forward man, called master Thomson of Harwiche, and one other Ship of London called the Dragon, whose Captain is master Newporte of Limehouse a most hardy and forward man and resolute in performing any thing to his charge committed, the owner of which Ship, is master Becket of Limehouse, late master of the Trinytie house, these ships above named, commanded by that brave knight, being best of accounpt at that time the Queen's Ships being absent and one that the rest being desirous to be governed by, called to Captain Thomson, being in the Dainty, and him desired as God would permit them that he would keep him company, offering him many large profferes, Captain Tomson accepted and promised what help he could do if occasion served he would be ready with his best power and all his company to accomplish, this concluded, they kept company all that night, and the next day. These other Ships being far to windward of them, (viz) the Foresight, the Teager of my Lord of Cumberlandes, the Samson, his Lordships also, and a black Ship of M. Newton's of London merchant called the Prudence, whose Captain and Master was Hugh Merricke of London, a man well reputed for his valour and skill in marine causes, and oftentimes as a man of choice for his virtues, hath taken charge in her majesties Navy, with one small Bark of Porchmouth, called the Phoenix, which served for a Pinnace: her Master and owner was Edward Grant, a man fortunate and happy. These Ships, last named, being as I said, and it is credibly reported to Windewarde of Sir john Borowes and the Dainty, They first descried the one Carrycke, of the burden of nine hundred tuns or there about with whom, the Roebuck and the Dainty bore all the night & gave them chase long before the rest (descried her) as they supposed, who, immediately upon the view thereof, seeing Sir john and Captain Thomson had her in chase, bare with her all the night, in hope to have that they wished, the Dainty being headmost, for that she is good of sail followed sharpest, which the Carrack perceived, and fearing to be taken bare with the Isle Flowers, being not far from the shore, and between the shore and Sir john Burrowes, which do they what they might, that advantage could not be gotten from them, albeit many occasions was ministered: the worse was the good knights fortune and the rest. Well sir, this Carrack being thus closely pursued, recovered the Island, and letting fall four Anchors, run all a shore, Sir john Burrowes and the rest anchored by them, and night being upon them, determined the next morning to have boarded her: But God that disposeth of all things, how forward soever man is in adventuring, and giveth victories, at his good pleasure. That night when all the Fleet had greatest hope to have had their desire, and to have enjoyed that Carrack whom they had guarded with great policy. It pleased God to send a marvelous great storm, the wind coming off the Sea, which troubled them very much, so that they were enforced by the extremity of the weather, the place well known to be very dangerous, to weigh Anchor, and put again to Sea, committing themselves to the harshenesse of the waves, and the mercy of God, yet took such order, that they should all keep as close as they might and if God sent fair weather, they might not so lose her. This night past, and the storm by his grace, that giveth all grace, seized. The whole Fleet bore again with Floweres and coming near the Illand might perceive the Spaniards, how they laboured, to save the best they had aboard, having not ceased all that night from hard travail and carrying a shore what they might. These envious villains, seeing no remidye but to fall into their hands, that would have taken great care of her, Fired the Caricke before any of our Fleet could lay her aboard, and almost all forsook her. In such sort increased the fire, that do what men might, albeit great pains was therein taken, they could not quench the marcilesse flame until all her upper work was consumed, when with much ado, they quenched the same, where they found of Pyliage such as contented poor men. This over past, they chanced to take one of the company, who being a Spaniard, on certain Articles, he confessed much matter touching that Caricke, and gave also notice of the coming of the other, the which was afterward met withal and taken, and it is called the Mother of God. The Fleet stored with resolute minds, when as they heard this news, were all frolic: their joyful hearts presaged good success to follow: and having taken what they could of the first Carack, they determined to disperse their Ships again, to the end some of their fortunes, by God's good favour might be to light upon her, and with this resolution, they put to Sea again, the Row-Bucke and the Dainty, keeping still together, as near as they might. Night coming on, they hulled almost the whole night, or carried very little sail: continuing in this manner two nights and two days, the second day in the morning, the dainty being headmost again, as for her sail she exceedeth many, descried the great Carrack all a high: seeming to them in their top, to be some huge thing, as indeed she is, this sight pleased them so well: as he that had the best stommacke to his victuals, was so joyful, that they forgot their Breakfast: hoping before dinner, to have an host that should make them right merry, and hoisting their sails, bare with her all the day. The Row-bucke, seeing her make such sail, caused one to look out, who likewise presently descried her, to their no little joys and rejoicing, and fitting their sails likewise, lived in great hope of God's good favour therein, and so hoaped to be better sharers, then with the first. The Foresight and the rest of the Fleet, being far off, had likewise descried her, and bare with the rest. By noon or one of the clock of that day, being the third of August, the Dainty came near her, so that the Gunner, whose name was Thomas Bedome, being a proper tall man, and had very good aim at any thing, and good luck withal: desired the Captain, he might give them a shoot, to let them understand, that they were Englishmen, and under her Highness, Commander of the Seas. The Captain having great care, and not willing to have any shoot shot in vain: commanded him to forbear till they should come nearer her, which was not long, when the Captain himself commanded him to do his best, and carowsinge a kanne of Wine to his company, encouraged them to begin the fight, and coming up, haled them after the manner of the Sea, and commanded them to strike for the Queen of England, which they no sooner refused, but the Gonner being ready, gave fire to two whole culverins in her chase, and racked and toare her pittifullye: Bearing up with them, gave them the whole side, and boarded them presently, who resisted most courageously, and put us off again: Thus continued the dainty in fight, a pretty while, before any other could come to help her, in which time she laid her aboard three several times, toare her Ancient from her poop, and slew her Captain, and more harm had done them, but that by chance a shot, bore their foremaste by the Board, which they were compelled to splice again, to their great trouble. The next that came to her rescue was the valiant Sir john Burrow, who attempting with great valour to board her, was put off again, and received a shot which had like to have endangered himself. The third was the golden Dragon of London, whereof was Captain Master Newport, who most bravely gave the attempt, but was likewise put off, the Carrack being so huge, that those Ships did but little good. In boarding they slew many of their men, and spoiled them marvelously. The next was her majesties good Ship the foresight, whose commander for that service was Captain crass, a man well approved in marine causes, and far hath adventured, who with his Ship laid her a board, and very valiantly assailed them, and was most stoutly by the spaniards also repulsed: in so much, that the brave Captain, of whose men, many were weak, and yet being loath her majesties Ship should be shaken off without victory, fired the Carrack, rather wishing her to be burnt, than the enemies to enjoy her. But the proud and lofty-minded spaniards, standing on their resolute points, returned the fire again, or some other, which three times was kindled: to the great cumber of Captain Cross and his Company, that would not so leave them. This dangerous conflict between these Ships endured long time, which the Phoenix of Portchmouth perceiving, and being able to yield her little other comfort, by reason of the hugeness of the Carrack, she being but of threescore tuns or there about: albeit the Master would gladly have done his best, and was willing to board her also: yet left he her for a time standing with their Admiral and Uiceadmirall, which was the Teager and Samson, who coming up with them, declared unto them the hardy fight of the foresight, who presently bore up with them all the night: the Samson being the first, coming up with the Carrack, gave her the whole broadside, and shutting up into the Foresightes quarter, entered his men into her, Captain Norton, that brave and worthy gentleman, laid her also a board having the Teager with him, and so entered together being a hundred men at the least, all resolutely minded: at whose entrance, they yielded so great a cry, as the dismayed Portingalls and spaniards, could not beethincke themselves what course to take to help themselves, in such a maze were they stricken, although they were eight hundred strong, all well appointed and able men, and of ours but one hundred. But standing thus as men amazed, at length yielded themselves vanquished: and so perforce gave possession, to them that challenged it for their own, as won with their swords and hazard of their lives: as the pitiful slaughter of the dead carcases, which they found a board witnessed, the sight whereof was able to mollify the hardest heart in the world. To see the slain men, here and there lie weltering in their own blood, and the grievous lamentation of the wounded, amongst which some lacking their legs, some their arms, and other members of their bodies, whose misery, our countreymennes (though they were our hateful enemies) greatly bewailed: yet acknowledged it to be but the chance of Wars, which was and is, as it pleaseth God. They gave God hearty thanks for their own safety: and did their best endeavour in procuring remedy for as many as was possible, whereby they have acquisted unto themselves and their country, exceeding great commendations: such is the good conditions of Englishmen, in favouring their conquered enemies: be their fury never so great. The conflict ended, it were a world of wonder to recount unto you, the true reports, how our men be stirred themselves, in searching and prying into every corner of her, as far as they might, as they might well do having with so great danger overcomen her. The sight of the ricches within the same contained, did so a maze the companies that were within board of her, and that still came from every Ship, being desirous to see what God had sent them, after so long and hot a fight: that many of them could not tell what to take, such was the store and the goodness thereof: yea, he that had known, what things had been worth, in a little room might have contrived great wealth, for it is credibly reported, that some younkers happened to find many jars of Cevitt, which is of great worth, and being of some long time closely kept, when they opened the same, was cause it yielded no savour: and they ignorant and not knowing what it should be, thinking it but trash as it came to their hands, heaved it overboard: much other things was so spoiled for want of knowledge, when every man had sufficient, and that not one had cause to complain: Sir john Burrowes and other the Principals of the Fleet, calling a Counsel, in the same determined to take some course for the goods, valued according to the spaniards own reports, to be above seventeen hundredth tons, and in value as they thought, many thousand pounds, besides the other great treasure that was in her. Thus a view being taken, they 'gan to consult, what were best to do with the Prisoners, which were many, and finding their great scarcity of victuals, and not knowing what weather they might have, nor how it might please God with good wind to prosper them, it was concluded, to Ship as many of them as they might, and to send them for Lisbona, this they fully determined, and provision was made of a Bark of Dover, which they met, the Fleet taking in, her men, and such provision as they had in her, and the rest embarked the spaniards and Portugal's with their Negroes, whereof were many, and gave them with them store of victuals, and so gave them leave to depart, detayninge none but the principallest of them. It was supposed that the Uiceroy for the Indies was amongst them: but it is not so good, for he upon some special cause, (as it was reported) resteth behind until the next year: whose fortune, if it be by the providence of him that disposeth of all men's joys, to send them for England, no doubt he should be welcome to a great many.  
Thus Sir with favour, have I boldly troubled you, with such good tidings as here is, as duty willeth I should, knowing your joy to be great for our brave countrymen's good success, who after a long and perilous fight, which endured almost twelve hours about eleven or twelve a clock in the night, they became masters of this huge Carrack, to their great joy, and comfort of all faithful and true hearted Englishmen. A matter worth the hearing and strange, of whose wealth your worship shall better understand hereafter, when it may with leisure and discretion be valued and esteemed: besides which she had in her good store of Ordinance, fit for to serve for the realms defence, both of Brass and Iron, whole Cannons, Cannon Periall, culverins, Demi culverins and Sakers, to the number of threescore, amongst which, this is not the worst, and I wish heartily, that all the rest in the kings dominions, that hath been conveyed out of our own country by such greedy cormorantes, as rather seek the filling of their own bags, than their countries benefit and safety, were here with these: And they whose minds have been such as to convey them away, were known to her Majesty and her honourable Counsel, to the end they might receive, what they have worthily deserved. But God in time will lay them open, and make them taste the sour, as well as they have done the sweet. Wherhfore we had not need to be slack in praying to the God of all power, wisdom, and strength, that it will please him to increase the number of faithful and obedient subjects, continue the reign of our most Sovereign Lady, and consounde all her foes.  
Other news there is none, but general good tidings of all our men of war, that spent the Summer abroad, who have prospered well: whose actions deserving commendations, when I shall certainly know, I will further advertise you: Till when I humbly recommend myself unto your worship's service. Dartmouth this last of September 1592.