ships and smiling fish scene   

A TRUE AND MOST Exact Relation of the taking of the goodly Ship called the Saint Esprit, belonging unto the French King, which was built in Holland, and furnished with 54. Pieces of great Ordnance was surprised on the 28. day of September, by Sir Sackevill Trever Knight, and since brought over by him unto Harwich in ESSEX.  
Likewise, The Proceed of the Duke of Buckingham his Grace, in the Isle of Ree.  
The kill of the Base Brother of the French King, at the new Fort before Rochel with a Shott from one of our Ships.  
And also, The appointed place of Rendezvous of the great Fleet Threatened from Foreign parts to raise the Siege at the Isle of Ree.  
With many other particulars.  
Published by Authority.  
LONDON: Printed by A. M. for Thomas Walkley, and are to be sold at his Shop at the Sign of the Eagle and Child in Britain's Burse, 1627.   

A true and most exact relation of the taking of the goodly Ship called the Saint Esprit, belonging unto the French King, by Sir SACVILE TREVER Knight, the 28. of September 1627.  
THe French resolving to build some Ships for the strengthening of their Navy, and wanting materials, and Shippewrights in the Kingdom, they determined to build them in Holland, at Amsterdame and Enchusen, a thing which the States of the United Provinces could not deny them, (it being at their proper cost) in respect of those obligements which bind them to that Nation.  
The notice whereof, together with their supposed time of Launching, being advertised into England, His Majesty to crush this Crocodile in the Shell, and to prevent the storm of the danger before it fell, sent out Sir Sacville Trever, after his return from the River of Elve, where he made the Haumburgers come to reason, and searched their Ships in despite of all opposition.  
He had with him in this last expedition a Fleet of eight Sail, whereof four were of the King's Navy Royal, the rest were Merchants.  
His Commission enjoined him to ply up and down upon the Coast of Holland, and to take all French Ships which he could meet withal.  
He observing carefully these Orders, used all possible speed, and on Friday the eight and twentieth of September, he arrived at the Texell (a great Road in North-Holland) about 8. of the Clock at night, with all his Fleet in safety.  
The names of his Ships were these.  
The King's good Ship called the Assurance, carrying 38. Pieces of Brass Ordnance, wherein Sir Sackuille himself went as Admiral.  
The King's good Ship called the Adventure, carrying 26. Brass Pieces, wherein Captain George Allen commanded as Advise Admiral.  
The good Ship called the Ambrose, carrying 18. Pieces of Iron Ordnance, wherein Captain john Pette the Rear Admiral of the Fleet commanded.  
The King's good Ship called the St. Marry of Roan, carrying sixteen great Pieces, besides murderers, the Captain whereof was Captain Thomas Bardesey.  
Captain Cheineyes' Ship called the May flower of London.  
Captain Hooks Ship called the Lion of Ipswich.  
Captain Morgan's Ship called the jacob.  
Captain Neadham a Pinnace belonging to the King, called the Maria, carrying six Pieces of Brass Ordnance.  
These four latter Ships were of no great burden, but were well manned, and of quick Steerage, and carried in all, besides the Murderers which they had upon their upper decks, twenty pieces of Brass and Iron Ordnance.  
Sir Sackuille Trever got a Dutch Pilot upon the Coast, who being demanded concerning the Ships that lay in the Texell, told him, that besides sixteen Hollandish men of War and divers other Vessels of good burden, their lay one goodly French Ship called the Saint Esprit, which was of the burden of 800 Tons, the upper works whereof are richly guilt with double Angel Gold in the inside and outside of her, in those places which were fittest to express pomp and stateliness, as also the very Portholes were curiously carved with Lion's heads gaping that were richly double guilt.  
The Pilot after he had been fully questioned by Sir Sackuile Trever concerning all particulars which might tend to the Service, told him, that if he would give him him Gold, he would bring him to the side of her: whereupon Sir Sackuile gave him a double Portugue in gold, valuing four pounds sterling.  
We coming near unto their French Ship presently she sent out her long Boat being manned with French and Dutch to hale us, and to see what we were: But our Admiral commanding the men to come aboard us, we surprised the Longboat, and pinioned the men and put them in the Hold.  
Afterwards the Esprit discovering us to be Enemies, began to fight, and discharged (but without any effects of hurt) three great Shot and one hundred small shot. Then sir Sackuille Trever being willing to take occasion by the foretop, and to slack no time for fear of losing advantage, came up close to her, and gave her a whole broad side: so likewise did our Advise Admiral and Rear Admiral, and the St. Marry, where Captain Thomas Bardesey commanded: which Shot was discharged with that quick motion, and working advantage, that their main Mast and Bowe-sprit being pierced through, they cried out for Quarter, which for good considerations was granted them: so that by ten of the clock at night, which was two hours after our coming into the Texel, we became Masters of this great and warlike Ship.  
Before we came up close to her, but after they had discovered us to be Enemies, those of the St. Esprit, made a train in a Chest filled with Gunpowder and other combustible materials, to blow up the Ship and our men that should enter it. But this resolution was again altered, because their long Boat being taken by our Admiral, they saw no other means of escape, but only by submitting themselves unto our mercy.  
That night we disposed of her men severally in our Ships, being one hundred French and fifty Dutch. We gave all fair quarter to the Dutch, but the French were kept Prisoners until the day before we came out of the Texel, and then they were all set on land in North Holland.  
After we had taken this Ship, there came unto us Captain Dupper in the true Love of Ipswich, and Captain Wall in the Susan of Alborough, on the Sunday following, whom we welcomed after the manner of the sea.  
There was another goodly French Ship, which was newly come over Wearing Flatts distant eight miles from the Texel, who receiving intelligence of our strength, and of what we had done, got Hoys, Lighters, and other small Vessels of transportation; in which having lighted herself of her Ordnance, she got over the Flats to Enchusen, before our men could come up to her.  
We came up with eight sail of Ships to take her, but losing our labour, by means that she was safely harboured in Enchuisen, we returned back again unto our Admiral, who expected our coming in the Texel road.  
Some of the States of the neighbour towns, came aboard us, and demanded peremptorily, by virtue of what commission we came to fetch that Ship out of their Rode. Our Admiral told them, that he had commission to take all French Ships, which he could meet withal, and he was assured that this was a French Ship, and therefore he adventured to take her without any further commission.  
Cap. George Allen our Advise Admiral & some others of this Fleet, stays upon the coast of Holland, for the intercepting of this and other French Ships: the rest under the conduct of Sir Sackuill Trever brought home the surprised Ship to Harwich.  
This goodly Ship taken on the 28. of September, as is aforesaid, had 42. Pieces of Ordnance mounted, twelve Pieces unmounted in her hold, 2006. Armours, one hundred and fifty Muskets, and 60. barrels of Gunpowder.  
The specification of her Ordnance 〈…〉  


ITem, upon her lower Tier 20. whole Culnerings of Brass of full size, being in height five inches and a quarter. 20  
In her stearage two demie Culuerings of Brass, in height four inches, one quarter, and better. 2  
Item, two Drakes upon the half decko, being brass of Sacker bore. 2  
24. Brass.  
Item, upon her upper Tyer 12. Dema-Culuerings of Iron in height, four inches and a quarter: 12  
Item, four Sackers of Iron upon the half deck. 2  
18. Iron.    
Summe total mounted is 42.  


ITem, it is reported there is in hold twelve Pieces of Iron, all whole Culuerings, we took the height of two, being five inches, the rest we could not come to. 12  
The length of the Ship by the keel, is 105. foot: 105  
The breadth by her beam is 35. foot. 35  
From the Kilchin to the Deck in depth twelve foot. 12  
Item, 2006. Armours.  
Item, 150. Muskets:  
Item, 60: Barrels of Gunpowder:    
COncerning the proceed of our Army and Navy in the Island of Ree (commonly called Saint Martin's) there hath happened no memorable accident, as fare as we can understand, since the Wednesday seven-night after Sir john Burrowes was slain, upon the night of which day our men surprised diverse Boats as they were passing to the Fort with Victuals: the particulars of which exploit were related in our last journal: but concerning the occurrences happening in the Main, we have received their advertisements by Letters out of France on Wednesday last being the third of October.  
That the French King being fully bend to follow his Designs against Rochel, and to pluck out that thorn, which (as the Cardinal intimated unto him) had so long stuck in the sides of his Sovereignty, continues the building of his new Fort, of purpose to debar the Townsmen from all ingress and egress by water. He follows this work with great charge and greater labour, as well knowing how important the finishing thereof will be for his farther ends and intentions. He hath caused twelve whole Cannons to be mounted before the breast of this Fort, with which his Canoniers make diverse random shot into the Town, but with more terror than danger. Some Ships of our Fleet riding not fare from the Fort, have bestowed diverse shot upon the French, though without point blank distance. One of which fell so fortunately for us, and so unfortunately for them, that it killed a base son of that great Henry the fourth, which he had by a sister of the Duke of Orleans. The same shot did likewise kill another Duke, of whose name we are not as yet certain. And the wind of that bullet struck down the Monsieur (the legitimate Brother of the French King) as he was conferring with the other two.  
It is further confirmed that two principal men of the French Nobility were slain by the late Ambush of the Rochellers. Which two Noblemen with diverse other brave Chevaliers, were drawn within danger by a stolen made by twenty common Soldiers in the habit of Gentlemen, who sallied forth of the Town of Rochel.  
The Rochellers are very careful to furnish our Fleet and Army, with all necessary Provisions, which their store or procuration can afford: and these they transport in twenty long Boats, which in token of the service that they own unto the King of England, carry red crosses for the device of their colours. divers English who have been either sick or wounded are in the Town, amongst whom is that honourable Knight Sir Charles Rich, who is cured of his wound, but hath not as yet recovered the perfect use of his arm. His presence is much desired of my Lord Duke, and is expected in the Army every day.  
His Excellency to avoid the extortion of Victuallers, who like the milt in man's body grow fat by the leanness of others, hath out of his Noble disposition published a Proclamation for the price of Bread, Wine, and other necessaries, according to the rates of which Proclamation, the Islanders and others from the Continent do bring in Victuals.  
There is a confident report in all those parts of France, that there are appointed forty Ships of War to come from Spain, and twenty from Dunkirk, who are to join with the French Fleet for the succours of the Island, and the beating off of the English. The Rendezvous of all these Ships was appointed at Blawet, a famous Port Town in Brittany, on the tenth of this present month.  
FINIS.