A JOURNALL, And Relation of the action, which by his Majesty's commandment Edward Lord Cecyl, Baron of Putney, and Viscount of Wimbledon, Admiral, and Lieutenant General of his Majesties' forces, did undertake upon the Coast of Spain, 1625.  
Veritas premitur sed non opprimitur.  
Printed in the year, 1626.   

THe 8. of Octob. being Saturday we set sail about 3 of the clock in the afternoon with a wind at north north east.  
Upon Sunday the 9 about 6 of the clock in the morning, we fell with my Lord of Essex my Vice-admiral and those ships that were put into Falmouth with him, and about 9 in the same morning, we discovered 7 sail that were Dutch ships loaden with salt, the wind continued fair enough for us all that day, to lie our course and till 12 at night. This day instructions were sent to all the Admirals, and to other Officers, and to diverse other ships.  
The 10 being Monday we were becalmed.  
On Tuesday the 11 in the morning I called a council for the settling of instructions for a Sea fight, as by the 7. and 10. Artikle contained in them may plainly appear viz:  
7. Art. If the Enemies approach be in such sort as the Admiral of the Dutch & his squadron or my Vice-admiral of the fleet and his squadron may have opportunity to begin the fight it shall be lawful for them so to do until I come using the form method and care foresaid.  
10. Art. If any ship or ships of the Enemies do break out or fly, the Admiral of any squadron that shall happen to be on the next, and most convenient place for that purpose shall send out a competent number of the fittest ships of his squadron to chase, assault, and take such ship or ships breaking out, but no ship shall undertake such a chase without the Command of the Admiral or at least the Admiral of his squadron.  
Likewise it was ordered that 5 men should be put to a mess with the allowance formerly given for 4 and warrant directed to all the fleet to that end.  
Wednesday the 12 about 7 in the morning the wind came to north north west with fair weather, it served well till 6 in the evening, the wind increasing so much that it was not sayle-worthy, yet being large we bore our foresail and spritsail. The Sea grew so high that we towed our long boat in pieces, and lost her, and the loss of long boats was general, I think all within 2 hours one of another, so that there was not one saved throughout the whole fleet, and one Catch was sunk, another by misfortune coming fowl of a ship was likewise cast away with 3 of her men, the rest were saved, many ships were in danger almost to despair, the long Robert of Ipshwich was drowned with 138 Land-men, 37 Seamen, the Land-captains lost in the wrack were Fisher, & Hackett a Scotch Captain, and Gurling the Captain of the ship.  
Besides these general losses there was no ship in her own particular that did not suffer more or less in this storm by leaks, loss of masts, and by casualties, and the like.  
In this Tempest we had experience of the Anne Royal herself, her masts grew loose, the main mast was in danger of rolling over board, two of her greatest pieces of 5000 weight a piece broke loose in the Gunner's room, the danger was partly by the negligence of the Officers, that did not see carefully to the fitting of these things while we lay in Harbour, she would not Hul at all.  
The separation caused by this tempest was so great that on Friday the 14 at noon, we saw but one ship of the whole fleet, this day the storm began to cease. Then we made observations, and found we were in the latitude of 44 and 8 minutes, and after recovered 20 sail of ships. The wind continued fair, and large with a gaile running some 7. leagues a watch, we steared away with a short course staying for the rest of the fleet.  
On Saturday the 15. about 9 in the morning, we discovered more that made 33. at noon we were in the height of 42 and 6 minutes.  
On Sunday the 16 bearing to the north east, we steared away southeast and by east to gain the shore, at noon we found our latitude 39 and 54 minutes. The southern Cape then being by computation south east, I gave order to some ships, to go and look out for prizes, and discovery, and to return in the afternoon. Now we began to make ready for extraordinary fight, and gave the same order to those that were with me, and the rest, as by my general instructions under my hand may appear.  
The wind still continued north east, and the 17 on Monday we were in 38 and 48 minutes, from the top was discovered land, which was the Rock of from Lisbon bearing east and by north some 14 leagues from us, I sent now forth again to discover the Cape, with order not to discover themselves, and to come back again with intelligence, this day we had a chase, but miss it.  
Tuesday the 18 at noon our height was 37 and 36 minutes. This day I called a council for the better resolving what course to hold for reuniting the fleet much separated by the late storm.  
This day the Captains brought in the several complaints of their defects, as Sir Beverley Newcombe Captain of the Dreadnaught that the upper beams had been broken, and did in fowl weather give way, and the sides of the ship opening received in so much water, that she was not able to subsist, Sir William Saint Leger writ a letter that he suspected the plague in his ship, but it pleased God it proved not to be so.  
This day I gave especial order to all the Captains, and Masters present to keep more near together, and to hail their Admiral every morning reproving their former negligence, and misorder in that kind, delivering them their orders, which should have been given according to the date, but we were hindered by the storm, writing thus.  
The small time we have been at Sea hath made me take notice of your disorderly sailing from your Admirals of the several squadrons you may perceive how the Dutch squadron keep themselves entire, and apart. This is therefore to require you to fall into your own squadron to attend such directions as shall come from your Admiral and not to depart without licence from him, or his Officers to make one entire body, to sail in the day time in fair and clear weather a league or more from another's squadron, and towards night to draw near, to follow lights in your several places, and to take an especial care that you do not chase, but upon a great possibility for hindering our speed or losing of time while the wind is fair, and that you in the day time bear all the sail you can to bring us to the place desired, and if any chase, it shallbe 2 or 3 of the best sailors in your squadron. Dated the 11 of Octob. Commanding them to peruse their other Articles every day that they might be expert in them.  
Wednesday the 19 in the morning we were in the height of the Cape, and discovered 11 sail of ships, which we chased thinking they had been enemy, but they proved to be of our own, being the Vice-admiral my Lord of Essex, also this day we discovered about 40 sail more which had lost us in the storm, being my Lord Denbigh, my Lord de la Ware, and others.  
At the same time my Lord of Denbigh met with a small Carvel a Portugal that came from Terceras we took him to have been our discoverer for the Enemy. but he was only driven by the storm from the Terceras going to an Island not far distant called Gratiosa he told us the plate fleet was not come, but that 5 Carracks passed by that way bound for Lisbon some 14 days before that time, but that one of them was sunk, if we had come sooner out, they could not have escaped us.  
We understood by those that came with my Lord of Essex that they made fires along the Coasts, and up the Country which when we drew nigher we discovered.  
Thursday the 20 I called a Counsel and lay all day by the lee to gather our ships together that were missing. The business of the Counsel was how to put into Saint Lucas according to the intent of a Counsel held at Plymouth where his Majesty was present who upon the doubtfulness there of the resolution thought good to refer it to our consideration upon the place when we should be arrived upon better inquiry of the conveniencies & disadvantages both for going into the Harbour & landing our Army. It was delivered by the opinion of most of the Masters that the Haven of S. Lucas is so barred as it is hard and dangerous both for the going in and coming out especially for ships of burden as his Majesties are that they could not pass in nor out, but only in spring tides, in calms seasons, and with favouring winds nor ride safe all weathers without the Bay. And it was observed by others: that the most part of the Masters of the fleet will hardly adventure to carry their ships in or out at Saint Lucas in the best tides and weather for want of perfect knowledge of the sands and shoals that are there, and the right use of the landmarks whereby that Pot is to be gained and quitted in safety. Besides it was feared that if we should put the whole fleet into such a strait, we should be more apt to be blocked up by our Enemies then to annoy them, neither could any ship come speedily out to have encountered with the plate fleet our chief design. Then I demanded both of the Sea Captains & Masters why they could not speak of this difficulties before his Majesty. Their answer was, it is now in the depth of winter & stormy, and that they did tell his Majesty that it was a Barred Haven and dangerous to all men, especially to those that had not often passed it, and that being upon the place they could consider more particularly upon the difficulties than discourse of it when they were far of. So that I could say no more to them, being I was no great Seaman, and that I was strictly tied to their advice that did profess the Sea. Where upon it being propounded by Sir Sam: Argall that Saint Mary Porte near the Bay of Cadiz, and not far distant from Saint Lucas was a low shore and more fit for the landing of our men then any place about Saint Lucas (for we could find none there) and that our ships might have good riding there out of the danger of Cadiz, and that from thence we might march to Saint Lucas by land, which was not 12 miles distant.  
There upon it was resolved and ordered by the advice of the Council of War that the whole fleet should forthwith bear into the Bay of Cadiz & that the whole fleet should anchor before Saint Mary Porte, as the fittest place to land in, and the Earl of Essex Vice-admiral is assigned with his squadron to anchor first, and to leave birth sufficiently for the rest of the fleet, and that myself, and the Dutch Admiral should anchor next, that I might the better give directions both to the Vice-admiral and Rear-admiral who anckored some what short of me by order, to guard the whole fleet and to give warning upon all occasions if any Enemy should approach.  
Friday the 21 we stood according to directions, the wind scanted upon us all that day, about 8 or 9 of the clock at night the wind shifted westerly, we struck a hull (for that we could not put to leeward) till towards day, which appearing we set sail, and had a sight of Granado over Cadiz, and bore in accordingly with a good sail the wind being between the west south west and the north west.  
Saturday the 22 after this, resolution was taken, I gave order as before when we discovered the Rock, that every ship should break down their Cabins and clear their ship of all impediments and to be ready to fight upon all occasions according to their general instructions given them to that purpose, for that we were to enter in at the Bay of Cadiz and knew not what ships might be there, and because of the tide that served us to go into the Bay, I wrote to my Lord of Essex to make all the hast he could, and to hoist up all his sails that we might save as much of the tide as we could, and that I would again command his squadron to follow him, which I did but I must confess they went the most untowardly that ever I did see men, for they did not hoist up all their sails as they were commanded. Seeing the Vice-admiral pack on all his, I followed as fast as I could, and cried out to them to hoist their sails & advance, some of them increased their sails, but not much. But I could never learn by all the Seamen in my ship to know those ships that were so backward and when I did inquire, every man excused himself saying it was not he, and our business grew so hit that I could not immediately inquire after it any further not knowing the ships one from another.  
This day we took 3 ships that came from Saint Lucas which Captain Raymond brought in loaden with salt, wines, wool, figs, raisins & some cutchaneal etc. who said they belonged to Hamburgh and to Calis, but were conceived by much probability to be Dunkirks goods.  
In our approach into the Bay we discovered 18 or 20 sail of great and small ships at anchor in the Road which proved to be the Admiral of Naples and 5 or 6 more that brought men and munition into Cadiz, 6 other of the ships came from Brazeile & 5 or 6 more men of war and Merchant's ships, we made ready and prepared our ship for fight, but such was the smallness of the Jail that it was 2 or 3 of the clock before we could get within the Porcas, also there came out of Saint Mary Port 15 sail of Galleys whereof the Duke of Hermandina was commander; 5 of the Galleys were by our ships that came in forced to retire again to Saint Mary Port, the other 10 recovered Puntall amongst their ships and presently towed them up toward Port Royal. And I was not so far of, but I could see the Spanish ships that did cut their Cables by the haulse, shoot first at my Lord of Essex and he at them, so likewise did my Lord of Valentia and Sir john Chudeleigh.  
Now when all the fleet came to anchor according to the orders that were given them, & that we did see these ships fled from us. I immediately called a general counsel to lose no time for it was late, and the opinion of the Seamen was, that if I could but clear the 2 forts to secure the fleet to pass in safety, I might have a ready way to undertake the shipping. Then I demanded of them what kind of forts they were, they told me that 20 Colliers with some of the Dutch would beat them to dust before the morning, where upon I & the Counsel being called did presently resolve that the ships warned and commanded should go up to the forts, and that they should receive directions from my Lord of Essex that had order from me, and because of that I sent Sir Michael Gear for the better dispatch to warn 20 of the next ships that he could meet with all, and to bring me their names in writing, and Sir Thomas Love offered him a man to go with him to write them down to be the more sure of them, because I meant, if they had failed in a service of that importance to have punished them severely. But he never came back to me nor sent me any names, and when I sent to him to know the reason, he told the messenger, he had warned them, but he knew not their names.  
After this I sent Sir Thomas Love to advance the other ships and to see whether the Rear-admiral had anckored in a convenient place for the security of the fleet, & to have an eye upon the Galleys that they should do no harm in the night, although there are some that are of opinion that they might have been stopped, but it seems they are no great Seamen, or else that few of the Seamen did understand how to stop them, for when Galleys can row against the wind I would fain know how ships can do them any harm, or intercept them, and when they have the wind with their oars what ship can fetch them up, so that he that saith this aught first to learn thus much before he give his opinion, he likewise had order from me to frustrate all stratagems of the Enemy which might happen by sending fire amongst our ships, and to command and admonish the rest of the commanders to repair to their several places.  
At the same time I sent Sir Francis Carew (who was ready upon all occasions) to the Dutch Admiral to desire that 5 of his ships might go up for the battering of Puntall, and that I would send twenty of the fleet to assist them, which he granted willingly, and sent them forthwith, it was by this time dark night and we could hear the Report of the Ordnance, and see the fire given on both sides and knew no other but that the twenty ships warned by Sir Michael Gear were all there at this, but sending to see what was done, word was brought to us that there was none there but the 5 Dutch ships which shows the difference of men practised at Sea, and of them that are not, I was much troubled here at.  
Now upon this neglect of Sir Michael Gear I did instantly give order that 40 sail of ships should be listed by name and commanded to use all diligence to get up to the fort betimes in the morning as by the list may appear and by this warrant to that purpose viz:  
The Admiral doth straightly charge & command all the commanders of these ships upon sight of this or billets of it, that they be ready with their ships in the morning betimes to assail the fort of Puntall to land men according to directions and to pursue the ships of the Enemy with all diligence, and to follow such directions therein as shallbe given to such as shallbe appointed in that kind. Aboard the Anne Royal at 10 of the clock at night 22 of Octob. 1625.  
More over I made choice & appointed 8 commanders out of the rest, that if any of the King's ships fall of, they might take their place to lead up the other ships as well against the fort as the Spanish ships & Galleys.  
Afterwards Sir Thomas Love and I did the same night advice with certain Captains and Masters best experienced in that place, to persuade them to conduct up the ships, which they would not undertake neither had any of them been at Port Royal or were perfect in the Channel which was somewhat difficult for want of water.  
On Sunday the 23 I was up by 3 of the clock in the morning & after we had all received the communion aboard the Anne Royal which was a week before ordained by the chaplains, I was unwiling to differ so good a motion being that it hindered no time and as soon as day came on, I commanded my Master to carry up the ship to Puntall, his answer was that there was not water enough to carry her up. Where upon to lose no time I took Barge with Sir Thomas Love and those Gentlemen that were with me in my ship, and went from ship to ship crying out to them to advance to Puntall for shame, and upon pain of their lives, and those I could not speak with all, I sent Sir Thomas Love to, with as strict a command as I could devose, and finding some of them not very hasty. I saw no other way to bring them up but by example, it made me go to my Lord of Essex his ship, and gave directions to his Lordship for his ship to go up, & to bring her as nigh Puntall as possibly we could, telling my Lord that if we did not advance, the rest would come at leisure, for that I did not see many make haste. Where upon my Lord commanded Captain Argall to hoist sail and as soon as we came nigh the fort they shot our ship twice together thorough and through the very midst of her within a foot at least of the water and mist no ship they shot at, and killed as many commanders of ours besides soldiers as we killed in all of theirs.  
The fort of Puntall that I was told would be beaten to dust in a night did receive 1700 shot and not one stone removed out of his place, and we endeavoured to get up all the ships we could, that we might make the more hast to fire the Spanish ships, that were retired to Port Royal according to my instructions that I gave the night before to batter Puntall and to fire the ships at once as I have shown before.  
But I could not get the ships to come up, and most of the King's ships were on ground, and it was almost night before the fort would yield, at length it was not to the ships that it yielded but to the Landmen, and if the Captain had no more reason than I could perceive he deserved to have been hanged for yielding that which we could never have gorten without cannon, and we had no means to land Ordnance (wanting our long boats. And I dare say it before the best Soldier, that for the bigness of 100 foot square, I did never see a stronger nor better built, nor such a kind of stone, that no bullet did it much harm. We played upon it with all the ships excepting the Rear-admiral's squadron till about 2 or 3 of the clock in the afternoon. I finding that it would not batter and our honours were much engaged, I told my Lord of Essex, and some other Officers that were there in the ship that we should lose our labours and never get the fort if some men were not landed to take it in by a Scallado and with Granades. I could find no man to contradict it. And Sir john Burgh being next to me, I desired him that he would undertake the service, he told me very willingly, and desired his own Regiment, I told him that would spend to much time, and that it were better to take some of the Companies next him to make the more haste with which he was contented so, I sent to get some 10 or 11 Companies, he asked me what directions I would give. I directed him to land them as free from the canon as he could he made answer that directly to the Sconce (as he thought) was best. I than replied that I left it to his discretion for that I knew him to be discreet enough, & that he must act it. But he sending some Officers to land which were lost by that direction it was found the way that I had spoken of was the better. When he had landed his men very well, and had advanced towards the land there did advance some horse and foot with whom he skirmished and put them to retreat and afterwards advanced towards the fort, when the soldiers in the fort whereof Don Francisco de Bustiament was Captain saw our men advance and their men retire they hung out a white flag or hand kercher, there upon we parleyed, and so the fort was yielded upon ordinary conditions and we Masters of it. Wherein was, only 8 pieces of ordinance whereof the Dutch had two, and we 6, and 10 or 15 Barrels of powder. This day was wholly spent in bringing up the ships, landing our men and taking the fort, so that nothing could be done against the Enemy's ships which was their advantage. It was about 9 of the clock before the fort was ours at which time I took my leave of my Lord of Essex, and went home assuring ourselves that the ships were our own being Masters of the fort.  
Upon Monday the 24 I went early in the morning about 6 of the clock to my Lord of Denbigh, and spoke thus to him: you are no old Seaman, and therefore I would desire you to make all the haste you can, and to gather all the Seamen together that are of the counsel & others, and to desire them to think of the best way how they might fire, or destroy those ships of the Enemy, that fled from us. There upon he came back with me, and promised to go about that business without any delay, which he did very carefully, and punctually, that was according to my instructions, to give pre-eminence to Seamen in Sea business, and unto Landmen in land affairs.  
Now I made no account but as they said the ships were our own, and that because they made so sleight of it, they knew more than I did, how to set upon them.  
Then I thought it not amiss to land some companies to secure Sir john Burgh, to prevent that neither the Enemy from the Town, nor from the continent might engage them unwares. As also that the ships might be the more empty, and free to assault the Spanish ships and to refresh the Soldiers, and for taking in of fresh water; but with no design of Cadiz, for that it was delivered to his Majesty before we went, that it was extraordinary fortified, (as we found it when we came to view it) & I hastened this preparation the rather that our ships might speedily put in execution what course soever the Seamen should resolve upon. So order was given presently that all the troops in my Lord of Essex his squadron, & in mine, were immediately landed but few of the Landmen of the Rear-admirals squadron were landed at all; for they were kept (that if we could have found any means to be had for undertaking of Cadiz) to be landed. After this most of the Land Officers of the field met at the fort, and I took order for victuals for the Soldiers on land, to be brought to Puntall but I was much troubled at some of the Officers, that the Soldiers with Sir john Burgh had not carried biscuit in their knapsacks, being that I gave a general order to the Sergeant Major General, that when any Soldier should land they should bring victuals with them, for that the knapsacks were ordained for nothing else, as I did keep mine own order myself, for that all my voluntary Gentlemen, and servants did carry their victuals in knapsacks, yea not so much as my chaplin, but carried his knapsack.  
The Officers of the field, and all considering what was to be done, and taking care for the provision of the soldiers, Sir Michael Gere comes in, and told the counsel; the Enemy with many troops were marching towards us, upon this I told the rest of the counsel, if it were true, it would be more advantage for us to meet them far off from the town, then to stay till the town and they should fall upon us both ways, where upon every one made himself ready, and I gave order that the troops should be ready to march, for that we had news by one that did see them march. There upon we marched, but when we had marched some 6 miles or there about, I called to some of the Counsel of war, & told them; it seems that this alarm is false, and as the Counsel of war was gathering together, came in my Lord of Valentia who rid before to discover, and told us, that the Enemy was marching, than I commanded the troops to advance, but no complaint made of any want of victual, but by those that landed with Sir john Burgh, who in regard of that want had order to go back. For they that would have carried any, might have had enough, there being store at the fort, besides the general order I gave, that no Soldier should land without victuals. Within 2 miles of the Bridge, the Soldiers began to cry, they had neither meat, nor drink, and the day they marched was a very hit day, here I road before to quarter the Army, and to discover the avenues, and passages, and as I came back one came to me and told me, there was some wine in a seller, and that if it were delivered out in order, it would serve to refresh the Soldiers that wanted both bred, and drink. But little did I think that all the Country was full of wine, & knowing of no more than of one seller, I gave order, that every Regiment should have a proportion of wine, which I did see delivered with mine own eyes. If every Officer had seen it as well distributed as they were directed, it would have done them good, not harm. But when other Magazines were discovered (for the provision for the West-Indies was there) there was no keeping of the Soldiers from it, but the best way we could devose, was to stave it, and let the wine run out, which Sir William Saint Leger the Sergeant Major General bestowed some time about; But when this was done, the Soldiers nevertheless would drink it in the sand, & dirty places.  
Now this disorder, made us of the Counsel of war to consider that since the going to the Bridge was no great design, but to meet with the Enemy, & to spoil the Country, neither could we victual any men, that should be left there, and that the Galleys might land as many men as they would to cut them off, & that when my Lord of Essex taken Cadis, Coniers Clissord, was taxed by Sir Francis Vere (which is yet to be seen in his discourse written by himself) to mistake his directions, that were given him, to go no farther than the troate of the land from the Town, which was not above 2 miles, where he might be seconded and relieved & be ready to relieve others, but he went to the Bridge 12 miles off, so in regard there was no necessity, this disorder happening and want of victuals, we resolved to turn back again, as we did, and when the troops were within 3 or 4 miles of the Town; I road before to see if that which the slaves told (which rendered themselves to me) were true; that the Bulwarks were high, the town walls flankerd, and the dich was 20 foot deep, cut out of the Rock, but that I could not see, the Bulwarks, and walls I did, which when Cadiz before was taken there was no such thing. And I have been so long at the wars, that I dare undertake, that they whoe think that Cadiz was to be taken cannot tell how to come to it, without canon, if there were none but women in it.  
For in our profession, there are but 3 ways to take any Town, the first by surprise, the second by assault, & the third by approaches, & we were no ways able to attempt it by any of these means. Now after I had visited as much as I could, the troops being quartered (which I did myself) I desired the Colonels to come together, to confer what was best to be done, and to let them know that now the troops were quartered in a fit place, if any out of his experience could think there were any way for us to undertake the Town of Cadiz, it would be a great honour to us, and a service acceptable to our King, & State. When I propounded this, we were all on horseback standing round in a Ring, but I found not one man of that opinion, that it was feasible, so we quartered that night.  
On Tuesday the 25 in the morning there was a motion sent from Sir Tho: Love, that if we would march some 4 or 5 miles distant we might recover some boats, that would serve our turn in steed of long boats, which we condescended unto for our commodity, & that the Enemy should see, that we did not march back again to shun them, so we marched forthwards again, & brought those boats to the water side, and made as much spoil as it was possible for us to do, of masts, nets, and other provisions for fishing and shipping for the West-Indies fleet to a good value, especially the masts that would have served the greatest ship the King hath. Then we returned to our old quarter.  
Wednesday the 26 in the morning, the Colonels met at Puntall to consider what we were best to do; but before we did any thing, I sent to Sir Samuel Argall, to know what he had done touching the firing of the Enemy's ships, and that it seemed very strange to me that the exploit which was so easy, was not done, he sent me word that the reason why he went no sooner was because of the wind and tide, and that he thought he was not able to do much, understanding by a Dutch boy that swum away from the Enemy, that they had sunk diverse ships, that it was not possible to do any thing, which afterwards he discovered to be true, and if they had not been blocked, I think it is a question amongst Seamen, whether they could have been assaulted, for that the place was so strait that no more than two of our ships could come in breast to them, and was the reason that the late Lord of Essex who took Cadiz, could send no ships there to do the Enemy harm, but what they did themselves.  
This being delivered to me in the Company of the Colonels, made us all much grieved. Where upon it was thought fit he should retire with the squadron, having resolved to embark our Landmen, and to stay no longer in regard the time was now come, that the plate fleet was expected. So order was given that every Regiment should embark accordingly, as they did quarter, and that the farthest Regiment should make their retreat, fight and retiring. But (I know not how it happened) some of the troops were engaged farther than they had order or reason, yet at length they came off without any great loss.  
I sent also Master jelf the Master Gunner of the field to Sir Thomas Love, that some men might be sent to the fort to dismount the ordinance, and the 6 pieces were put a board the Conuertive of his Majesty, I sent to him likewise for all the boats to reship our men.  
After I had seen all the troops embarked, I found some horses left behind, I made the horseboats ship them that night, though it were late, and gave order that the fort should be kept all night till we were ready, and likewise commanded the boats should be brought to receive all the Landmen, that had the watch in the fort that night.  
Friday the 28 about 2 in the afternoon all the fleet fell down from the fort, and came to anchor without the Diamond, a little below Cadiz: One of the Dutch men of war being defective was burnt, the Enemy sent a ship full of wildfire and combustible matters but we prevented it, took the ship, and sunk it. There came 3 of the fleet unto us here, who were left behind in England and had not been with us before.  
After this, we took 2 things into our consideration, especially one, not to omit the meeting with the plate fleet, if it were possible for us to be so happy. The other was to have landed at Saint Mary Port, if the wind should not serve the fleet to go out of the Bay of Cadiz, because we would lose no time but do somewhat. But (as ill luck was) the wind came good even as we were in counsel, and before we could fully conclude, although all was resolved to stand for the plate fleet. And if we had not taken the wind at that instant, it might have been, we had not come out in a long time, & being embayed & in a great deal of danger, if a storm had taken us, we had been likely to have been driven upon a liegh shore.  
The resolution in the Bay of Cadiz aboard the Anne Royal the 29 of Octob. was. That the whole fleet shall presently set sail, and ply to the southward Cape, and stand off to the westward 60 leagues from the land where I purpose to spend as much time as may be to look for the Spanish fleet, that comes from the West-Indies, and to keep yourselves as near as you can, in the latitudes of 37 and 37½ and in the latitude of 36 and 26½, farther to the southward I intent not to go.  
What other instructions shallbe thought fitting you shall receive as occasion presents, in the mean time charging all commanders to observe this directions, & to keep company with me, and the fleet, and to look out and seize upon the subjects, and goods of the King of Spain, or other Enemy.  
This afternoon a general Counsel was called, for the resolving to send some the most defective ships, with the horse ships, and the prizes, with some land sick-men, whereof there was great store.  
Sunday the 30. we set sail again though with a contrary wind, this day we had 4 ships in chase but could not fetch them up.  
Monday the last, the wind came westerly, yet could we not come forth of the Bay.  
A general Counsel was called touching the diverse complaints of the defects of ships as the Rainbow, the golden Cock, and others, wherefore it was resolved, that we should ply towards the Isles of Bayon, to take in fresh water, and repair our defects as well as we could. This day Tuesday the first of November & Wednesday the 2 the wind was at north west fair wether.  
Thursday the 3 the wind was at north east and by east, in the night we had a calm which continued all Friday, & by a General consent (though we were in great want of water nor having much beer, which was our only defect) to stay till the 20 of November. But it pleased God so to lay his heavy hand upon us, that it made us all astonished, for I could here of nothing, but that every day there fell down so many, and so suddenly, that they had not men enough to handle their sails, and it is always to be accounted 6 weeks to be allowed to any ship that is homewards bound.  
This day in the morning we discovered 3 sail of ships to windward the Dreadnaught, being next unto them, and being calm our barge was manned, and sent after them, who coming near one of the ships had spent her masts, and was towed by the others until the barge came up, than the other 2 ships forsook her, having pillaged, and cut holes in her, but immediately after our men came a board she sunk, being laden with Sugar and Tobacco, and the like, being therefore supposed to come from Brasiele, and the other 2 Turkish men of war, that had formerly taken her, our barge came back to the Dreadnaught & stayed there all night, and in the morning came up to us.  
Notwithstanding I had sundry times before strictly commanded the Captains and Masters to stay better by the fleet, which they observed not, I did again charge them once more to observe their directions, that were prescribed them.  
Again diverse complaints were made of the wants, & defects of the ships, and increase of sickness.  
Saturday the 5. the wind continued at north & north north east fair weather.  
Sunday the 6 we took a Turkishman of war of Argeere, who had taken 2 prizes one from Braziele joaden with Sugar, with a jury mast the other a Scotchman one john Isaac dwelling at Dover, who was fraughted with wood and Iron from Biskey for Saint Lucas by the King of Spain's subjects, and had an extraordinary fraught promised for his voyage, which shows the great want, that the King hath of Timber or shipping to carry it. The Turk had not offered him any violence, but only made prize of his goods, and promised the Master his fraught at Argeere; so I discharged him again, taking out some English Renegadoes that were willing to leave him.  
The night following, the Turk went away from us with the Braziele prize, the Scotchman stayed with us still.  
Monday the 7 we discovered 9 or 10 sail of ships to the leeward, we bore up, and found them to be of our own fleet, who had carelessly lost Company, which as now so diverse times before had occasioned us to chase our own men, whereby our course was much hindered.  
Tuesday the 8 a general Counsel was held, whereby it was ordered, that 6 of the Coalships should presently go for England, with 3 of the Dutch prizes, & the horse-ships, whereof Captain Pokinhorne being appointed Admiral, had warrant, and instructions accordingly, but before their departure, the Rainbow being found very defective, and the Captain Sir john Chiduleigh being very sick, went home Admiral of these ships.  
One of the prizes called the Readhart whereof Hugh Bullock took charge, was wanting this 2 days, and went for England without any order from me like an unworthy person.  
Likewise one of the hoy-ships called the True Love was not seen in the fleet since we came forth.  
This day and wednesday the 9 we being in the latitude of 37, lay these 2 days at hull.  
Thursday the 10 Sir Michael Gear who had been wanting 5 days came to us who went wilfully from us, without leave, and when his master told him of it, he beat him with a Cudgel, which is against all discipline, and reason, his Master having had better command before, then ever he had.  
This day I gave the Captains their instructions, if we met with the West-India fleet, how to dispose and order themselves.  
This day I sent aboard the Dreadnaught for 10 tuns of beer that were put into her for the use of the Anne Royal, but the company aboard mutined, and would not deliver it, neither would the Captain and Master acknowledge who were the Mutineers, so that we wanted this jorny 50 tuns of beer which were carried for us, which made us live many days upon beveradge.  
Friday the 11 of November I called a general Counsel, where it was ordered, that the Saint George of the Kings, who had 150 sick men in her, for the safety of his Majesty's ship, and of those that were yet well, that every ship should spare them 2 men and take 2 sick men in their steed, which they did.  
This day the ships that were to go for England were dismissed, and set sail a little before night.  
A Soldier that belonged to the Antony, of Captain Blague was ducked at the main yard arm of the Anne Royal for being mutinous against the Seamen.  
Saturday the 12 and Sunday the 13 fair wether, the wind north east.  
Monday the 14 I called a Counsel occasioned by the several complaints made of many ships, especially the Convertive of his Majesties commanded by Captain Porter, having but 20 sound men to handle their sails, wherefore it was ordered that the Reformation should send 6 men aboard her, & one of the worst Catches (being by survey found unable to continue the voyage, & valued at 55 pound) was sunk & the men put into the Conuertive.  
Likewise there were 6 men taken out of other ships & put aboard the Talbot. Captain Burden which ship was in great want of men, and generally all the ships complained of the like defects.  
Tuesday the 15 and Wednesday the 16 the wind northerly, & much wind. Thursday the 17 the wind north west fair wether. We gave chase to some ships that were far a head of us, whom we found to be my Lord of Essex and some of his squadron whom we had not seen in many days before. Notwithstanding the often & great complaints before generally throughout, amongst the rest came Sir Sam: Argall from my Lord of Essex to let me know in what bad estate his ship was having but 15 in a watch to handle their sails, desiring me that I would call a Counsel, for that he imagined other ships were in as bad estate as he, what we resolved he would agree unto. Where upon a Counsel was called, at which Counsel I forbore to make known the defects of the An Royal, that were as much as any ship in the fleet, & made me the rather believe the General complaints, as you shall understand when I speak of my coming into Ireland, & I desired to know how every one's case stood, & whether it were not possible for us to have gone for the Isles of Bayon. Then Sir Samuel Argall, & the rest of the best Seamen that were present (by whom we were to be guided) gave their opinion, that if we went for the Islands of Bayon in this miserable estate we were now in, we might as well perish there as at Sea, by reason we should find no relief there for our sick men, nor should we get on shore there for water in any stormy wether; and that wind which would carry us for England, would not serve to come out of the Islands of Bayon, & that if the wind should shorten going for England, we might at the worst return for Bayon, & that all men of experience did certainly affirm, that the Plate fleet, did never come after Novemb. The Counsel of war upon this necessity of sickness, want of men & sundry complaints of want of beer & water & many leaks discovered, resolved upon the 17 of November, to bend the course directly homeward, & put into Faimouth, Plymouth or Porthmouth, which could be first and most conveniently obtained, which resolution if we had not taken, we had endangered the greatest part of the whole fleet. Friday the 18. Saturday the 19 Sunday the 20. and Monday the 21 many violent gusts of wind, and rain. Tuesday the 22 in regard of the contrary wind, and fearing a necessity, we came to a shorter allowance a board the Anne Royal.  
Wednesday the 23. Thursday the 24. Friday the 25. and Saturday the 26 continual vehement gusts of wind & rain, and Saturday night the wether began to be more moderate. Ever since our first setting forward for England, the fleet hath been scattered more and more, so that this day we had but 4 ships in Company with us, which disorder would have been advantageous for the Enemy if they had set upon us.  
Sunday the 27 in the afternoon it began to blow hard, and about 2 of the clock in the afternoon, our foreyard broke in four pieces and our foresail rend.  
Monday the 28 we took down our main mizzen mast and fitted it for a foreyard.  
Tuesday the 29 our spritsail rend, we were forced to take it down, this day we had only 2 ships & one Catch in our company.  
Wednesday the 30 the wind west-south-west fair wether.  
Thursday the first of December and Friday the 2 the wind being contrary we lay at leigh and fished our foremast which we feared the breaking off.  
Saturday the 3 the wind Northerly, fowl wether.  
Sunday the 4 the wind south-west towards night more westerly, the Sea ran exceeding high.  
Monday the 5 the wind westerly, little wind.  
Tuesday the 6 the wind at east, at night more southerly this night we sounded and had 80 fathom water.  
Wednesday the 7 Thursday the 8 and Friday the 9 the wind easterly about 4 of the clock in the afternoon we discovered Silly which did bear south east, than we stood about to the southward.  
Saturday the 19 the wound continued at east: The Master and the Company were very earnest to go for Ireland, by reason the ship was very leaky, the men weak, and we being to the leeward of Silly, and the wound still contrary, and violent, and if we should have been driven to the westward of Ireland, we might endanger the loss of the ship, and ourselves.  
Upon this necessity I condescended there unto, for that we could not have endured 4 days, such was her leak, and about 10 of the clock before noon we bore up.  
The 11 being Sunday, the wind at east at 9 in the morning we discovered land at the going into Cork, so we stood to the westward, and at 3 in the afternoon came to an anchor at Kinsall, where we found his Majesty's ships the Antelope, & the Phoenix who assisted us with their boats to bring us into the harbour. And this my ill fortune turned to good fortune both for the relief of his Majesty's ships, and the troops and although I had but small store of money (not having with me at the first but 2000 pounds which was to victual the ships, and to relieve all necessities) which if I had not had, we had been all in a miserable case, yet I made shift to relieve the Soldiers, and the Officers (save only a ship of Captain Butlers, who fell upon the North-coast of Ireland) without bringing the King into debt, until my Lord Precedent Villers of Munster by order from your Lordships received them into his charge, where we received news that Captain Burleyes' ship was foundered in the Sea, but most of the Officers were saved, as they were here I came, coming for the Coasts of Ireland.  
Here I came with 160 sick men in my ship 130 cast over board, with a leak of above 6 foot water in the hold, and her leak was not in one place alone, but in many, for when she was in harbour she was not so leaky, but when she was at Sea, she took in 3 foot of water in 24 hours, she was so old and so decayed a ship.  
Monday the 12 the sick men were carried a shore for their recovery and billetted.  
Wednesday the 14 having landed our sick men, we carined our ship, stopped her leaks, and mended her as well as time and place would permit, we took in ballast, wood, water, beer, and other provisions, and fitted our ship for the first fair wind to be ready to set sail.  
On Sunday the 18 about 3 in the afternoon his Majesty's ship the Constant Reformation, came into this Harbour, having spent both their foremast, and mainmast, and constrained to cut away their broken masts, yards, sails and ropes, to prevent farther danger.  
The Reformation being so defective, that she could not go home till she were furnished with masts, and other necessaries, from England, for the ease of his Majesty's charge we took out her men, and put them into the Aune Royal, leaving her only 120 men, whereof many were such sick men, as of our ship must otherwise be left behind, not able to do service, and victualled her out of the other ships for 4 months from the first of january.  
The Globe of London, whereof Captain Stokes was Commander, being at an anchor in the harbour at Baltemore, was by extremity of fowl wether driven a shore, and cast away. I directed a commission to Sir William Hull, and others for the safe custody, of what could be saved in the behalf of the King, and the propriators.  
Sir john Chidly being with his Majesty's ship at Crooke-haven, (who departed the 8 of November from us, and was driven into Ireland) there came in a small barque laden with Iron from Bilbo, wherein also were 4 Jesuits, he made stay of the barque and priests, and by my order brought them into England.  
The 19 of january there came into Kinsall a ship from Lisbon, loaden with salt 3 chests of Sugar, & some Tobacco, and suspecting them to be Dunkirkers goods, brought them for England.  
The Dutch men aboard this ship who came from Lisbon, and had served the Spaniard, did certainly affirm, that they saw diverse letters from Cadiz, that the fleet came in 4 days after our coming out of Cadiz Bay, and that there were 100 Carvels sent to have stopped them, but that none of them could meet with the Plate fleet, for they came by the coast of Barbary. So that if any of 3 accidents had happined that follow, we had been Masters of the Spanish fleet. The first is if the Counsel had condescended to me to have kept Puntall for 14 days; the second if the wind had not changed, as it did. The last, if the Plate-fleet had kept the course they ever have done these 40 years, for they had no manner of news of us, and had then come amongst us, and if we had stayed in the Bay, they had done the like, but man proposeth and God determines.  
The same men affirm that in july last, there were not 4 barrels of powder in all Lisbon.  
I remained in Kingsall on shipboard (save only that it pleased my Lord Precedent of Munster, and the Earl of Cork to do me the honour to fetch me to Pohall, where I remained the holidays whilst my ship was making ready) till the 28 of january wind bound.  
Saturday the 28 I set sail about 12 of the clock from Kinsall, there come out with us six more of our fleet, the prize called the Greyhound, and the ship from Lisbon.  
Sunday the 29 about 3 of the clock in the morning being a great storm, and the wind contrary at south south east we bore up again for Ireland, the wether was so foggy and dark, that we durst not come near the shore, but stood to the westward.  
Monday the 30 about in the morning, the wether clearing up we stood in for the shore, but about 10 in the fore noon it was rain and foggy wether, so we could not mark the land until we were to the Leeward of Crooke-haven, which we could not recover, but about 3 in the afternoon we came into Beere-haven, with foul wether, and much wind, all the ships lost us, but the next day (only the 2 prizes) came in.  
I put to Sea three times against all Seamens opinion, that desired to see a wind settled before we should go out. But my desire was such not to lose any time, that I did not hearken to any.  
From the 3 of February till the 19 we lay in Beere-haven, having the wind still contrary, and stormy wether.  
The 19 of February, the wind being at north fair wether we weighed anchor, and set sail about noon, but so soon as we came out of the harbour, we found the wind north east, and the night following was very much wind, rain, hail, snow, and the wind variable.  
Monday the 20 about 1 in the morning we stood in again for the shore, and about two in the afternoon came to an anchor at Crooke-haven, with the wind at east, where we found the Rainbow of the Kings, the Dragon, and the Prudence.  
Finding the ship very leaky, we mended her here the second time, the harbour being fitter than any other, for the carining her.  
Here I stayed till the 24 of February and then put to Sea again, intending to have come for Porthmouth, but when we came upon the Coast there arose a great storm, and the wether grew very dark and foggy, that we could not mark the Isle of Weight, so we stood for the downs, where we arrived the last of February, and after our long stay came in 5 days 500 miles.