Azores - Canary Islands - Cape Verde Islands - Equatorial African Islands - Ascension Islands - St. Helena
[008] Columbus crossing the Atlantic
Columbus is seen here on the foredeck of his ship, with a quadrant for navigation in one hand and a sword for danger in the other. Guiding him across the mysteries of the sea towards the Americas are Hercules, carrying a lily as the symbol of peace and Mars, the god of war on a turtle, drawn by four lions. Neptune and other symbolic figures decorate the sea area.
(In the engraving published in 1585 by Stradanus and Collaert (ref.56), from which this was derived, the figure on the ship was not originally Columbus but Amerigo Vespucci.)
Introductory plate (14.2x19.8), ‘Ad
Lectorem’, from Part IV(g), first published in 1594 with German or Latin text:
[004] Flying fish and dolphins
Flying fish rose out of the sea and flew above the water for a hundred yards or so at about the height of a long spear. Sometimes they hit the ship’s mast and, when they fell on deck were easily caught. They were like herrings but longer and rounder, with small feathers under their throats and wings. Nowhere were they safe; under the water they were pursued by albacore and above, they were caught by seabirds. There were other strange fish too; one had a beak like a goose and another had a hole on top of its head for breathing and taking in water. When the sea was rough they came to the surface and the sailors knew a storm was brewing.
Page 151
(16.6x19.9) from Part III(g), first published in 1592, with Latin text, and on
page 103 in 1593 with German text; also Plate 2, from Part IV(g), first published
in 1594 with German or Latin text:
http://bell.lib.umn.edu/encounters/home.html
[005] Flying fish
Sailors encountered flying fish while voyaging between the Cape Verde Islands and St. Vincent in the West Indies. They were said to be similar to herrings but somewhat longer and rounder and had wings like a bat. They could fly between 100 and 200 paces until their wings dried out, then they would drop back into the sea. Nowhere were they safe: in the air they were easy prey to birds and, in the water they were pursued by larger fish.
Page 60
(16.4x19.7), from Part XIV(g) first published in 1627 with German text and from
Part XIII(g) with Latin text:
[517] View of Angra on the Island of Terceira in the Açores
A large and detailed bird’s-eye view of the natural harbour of Angra, showing various sailing ships and boats off the coast in the foreground, with a plan of the Portuguese town on the southern side of the island of Terceira, also land cultivations and mountains beyond. Several streets are marked and numerous dwellings and other buildings line the streets of the town. Three ornate panels of text and the title panel are set within ornate strapwork frames, as are two coats of arms.
Folding plan (40.0x55.0) from Part
III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in 1601 with Latin text:
[461] A great storm in the island of Tercera
While van Linschoten was on the island of Tercera a great storm blew up. There were about one hundred and forty ships gathered together in the harbour, some of which belonged to the Spanish armada. They were all waiting to set sail from India. Before the tide had turned the greatest tempest in human history hit the island, with seas so great it made one dizzy as it was feared they would swallow the whole island. The storm raged for five days and twelve of the ships were wrecked. We could hear cries for help and let down ropes from the cliff-top but no one took them and many lives were lost at sea.
Plate 6
(13.4x17.5), from Part III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in
1601 with Latin text:
[316] The strange tree that rained in the Canary Islands
There was a legend that, in times of drought, a large tree at the top of a mountain on Hierro in the Canaries, rained water. Because it so rarely rained on this island, water was in short supply so the natives used to climb up the mountain to catch water from the tree in earthenware pots. In fact, the clouds probably caused precipitation on the leaves and the water that dripped from them gave the impression that the tree itself was actually raining.
Plate 28 (15.9x19.0), from Part VI(g),
first published in 1596 with Latin text, and in 1597 with German text. ‘This same illustration also appeared in the
‘Petits Voyages’ as Plate 1 from Part IX(p), first published in 1612 with both
German and Latin text.:
[319] A picture of the Grand Canary Island
This shows the Island of Grand Canary and how it was occupied by the Dutch. A: is the town Allagona, B: its two fortresses, C: the great fortress Gratiosa, D: Spanish ships, E: the Dutch armada, F: the Dutch boats bringing their men to shore, G: seven groups of flag bearing Spanish soldiers with whom the Dutch fought, H: the Spanish with their cannon behind the hill, who fought bravely, I: the siege of the town, K: the mountain from where the Spanish did much harm to the Dutch with their firing, L: the mountains into which the Spanish fled, and finally, M: a ship in which the ‘Gravine’ of Lanzerotte fled.
Ad. Plate 13 (12.3x22.0), from Part
VIII(g), first published in 1600 with German text.
[320] How the Dutch seized the island of Grand Canary
As soon as the Dutch armada had anchored near the island, their soldiers rowed ashore ready to attack. The Spanish, with their seven groups of soldiers, each carrying a flag, fought bravely to defend themselves with muskets. The Dutch were forced to leave their boats and wade towards them, fighting fiercely. The Spanish were defeated at last and fled towards the town, carrying their leader, who had been badly shot in the leg, with them. The Dutch then besieged the town with ease, also taking over the great fortress Gratiosa, from whom the Spanish had previously fired cannons, causing damage to the Dutch ships.
Ad. Plate 14
(14.1x21.0), from Part VIII(g), first published in 1600 with German text.
http://bell.lib.umn.edu/encounters/home.html
[321] The Dutch withdraw from the island of Grand Canary
After the Dutch had taken the town of Allagona, with its fortress, into their power and made use of everything they found there, they retreated to their ships with all their booty and the most distinguished citizens as captives. Before they left, they set fire to the churches and monasteries, while the fortresses and the great Gratiosa were simply blown up.
Ad. Plate 15
(14.3x20.4), from Part VIII(g), first published in 1600 with German text.
[015] The English attack Praia in the Cape Verde Islands
On 16 November, 1585, during Francis Drake’s round-the-world voyage, his fleet anchored off Santiago (here called St. Jacob), near Praia in the Cape Verde Islands. A thousand men landed further along the coast and, under the command of Lieutenant-General Carleill, marched over mountain and through dale to attack Santiago. They easily took the town and the Spanish garrison fled. Since they found little of value, they burnt the town before continuing their voyage to the West Indies.
Plate 6 with
Latin text, or Ad. Plate 6 with German text (15.3x21.2), from Part VIII(g),
first published in 1599:
http://international.loc.gov/intldl/fiahtml/fiatheme1d1.html
http://memory.loc.gov/intldl/drakehtml/rbdkactors.html
http://www.loc.gov/rr/rarebook/catalog/drake/drake-6-caribraid.html
[018] The Dutch attack the fortress at Praia
On 27th June 1589, Simon de Cordes left Holland with five ships, bound for the Magellan Straits. On reaching Santiago, one of the Cape Verde Islands, they decided to loot the fortress at Praia. This stood on top of a high rock, whose only approach was by a narrow stairway with 175 steps. At the time the fortress was occupied by the Portuguese under a Spanish commander. On landing, however, the Dutch were entertained by some of the Portuguese on the beach, while the others hid all the valuables. Later, when the Dutch took over the fortress, they found nothing of value.
Plate 15
(14.8x18.8), from Part IX(g), first published in 1601 with German text, and in
1602 with Latin text:
[019] The Dutch are invited to visit the harbour at Santiago
While at Paria the Dutch were invited to visit the harbour about two miles along the coast. On arrival, they found it fortified with ramparts along the sea front and the Portuguese soldiers clad in armour, well armed with cannons, waiting for them at the water’s edge. However, on seeing how well guarded the harbour was, the Dutch decided it would be prudent to avoid serious loss at such an early stage of their voyage, and continued on their way without confrontation.
Plate 16 (14.0x17.9),
from Part IX(g), first published in 1601 with German text, and in 1602 with
Latin text:
[622] The Admiral Spilbergen’s experiences at Port Daele and Refrisco
After reaching the Cape Verde islands, the Admiral sailed in the smallest of his vessels to Port Daele but three Portuguese caravels anchored in the harbour started firing at him and he had to defend himself by shooting back. Spilbergen hit one of the Portuguese ships and the other two came to it’s assistance, then all three attacked the Dutch, so they were forced to flee. When they arrived at Refrisco they were attacked by several Negroes in canoes and driven towards Port Daele. There the Admiral was wounded in both hands, captured and, before being let free, robbed of all his clothes and belongings.
Plate 2
(13.6x17.2), from Part VII(p), first published in 1605 with German text and in
1606 with Latin text:
After leaving Santiago, the Dutch sailed to the island of Brava in the southwest of the Cape Verde Archipelago. On arrival, the Dutch shouted to the Portuguese on shore that they had come to buy provisions. But the Portuguese said they had none and disappeared. When they went ashore the Dutch found all the huts empty but one, where they found a store of corn which they loaded aboard their ships.
Plate 17
(14.7x18.6), from Part IX(g), first published in 1601 with German text, and in
1602 with Latin text:
http://bell.lib.umn.edu/encounters/home.html
[025] Oliver van Noort sets out to circle the Earth
On 2nd July, 1598, two of Noort’s ships left Rotterdam. On 13th September they were joined by two more ships off the coast of England. After some repairs in Plymouth, they followed a difficult course round West Africa, eventually reaching the island of Príncipe on 10th December. Four of the men carried a white flag of truce ashore. A Moor, also with a white flag, invited them to the Portuguese fortress, where they were entertained in the hope that the rest of the Dutch crew would join them. When they realised their trick had failed, they killed three of the Dutchmen, while the fourth escaped to tell the tale.
Ad. Plate 1 (13.7x17.2),
from Part IX(g), first published in 1602 with German and Latin text:
[026] Noort fights the Portuguese at Príncipe
When Captain Noort heard about the murders he sent one hundred and fifty well-armed men ashore (B). They built a simple protection on the beach (C), near a river where they collected fresh water. The Portuguese (A) fought hard to stop them until eventually the Dutch were forced back to their ships. The indigenous people of the island wore simple clothes (D). The men carried spears and shields, the women, curved swords. The Portuguese encouraged them to also wear necklaces with crosses in the name of Christianity.
Ad. Plate 2
(13.6x18.5), from Part IX(g), first published in 1602 with German and Latin
text:
[022] Weert wines and dines with the chief
Captain Weert and the chief ate modestly on roast plantain, smoked fish and wine fermented from palm, bought by a local woman. However, when Weert ordered Spanish wine to be brought from his ship, the chief forgot his temperance and drank so much he had to be carried to rest. Weert had to stay the night but returned to his ship in the morning. On the way back he was confronted by an ugly, naked woman carrying ashes in a box. After circling him three times and muttering incoherently, while tapping the box, she sprinkled the ash on him and left. On 8th December, 1598, the Dutch fleet departed.
Plate 19
(14.7x18.8), from Part IX(g), first published in 1601 with German text and in
1602 with Latin text:
[605] The Island of St. Thomé
In 1433, in the reign of Don Henrico Infante, the Portuguese began to explore the coast of Africa. In 1450 they discovered this island on their way to Africa, therefore, there was already a sketch of the whole island. It has a circumference of 26 miles and lies just south of the Equator. The capital town is called Pottoasan, after the original name of the island. It has about 1,200 houses, however, when St. Thomé was first discovered, it consisted only of jungle. In 1450, the island of del Principe was also discovered and taken over by the Portuguese.
Plate 25
(14.2x18.5), from Part VI(p), first published in 1603 with German text and in
1604 with Latin text:
[515] View of Ascension Island
A decorative little bird’s-eye view of the mountainous island of Ascension, off the coast of Angola, with flying fish and other aquatic creatures in the foreground and sailing ships beyond. Two panels of text appear above and below, with strapwork surrounds and an ornate compass rose is to the right.
Plate 60
(15.0x22.0) from Part III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in
1601 with Latin text:
http://www.philographikon.com/sthelenaisland.html
http://www.bweaver.nom.sh/maps/debry_ai.htm
[514] View of St. Helena Island
A decorative bird’s-eye view of the island of St. Helena, to the west of Angola, showing six large sailing ships moored off the coast in the foreground, with the mountainous island beyond. On the island itself is marked a church and sparse trees, where the sailors have landed. A large coat of arms and title panel with text, are shown above and a compass rose in the sea area below.
Plate 59
(21.0x28.0) from Part III(p), first published in 1599 with German text and in
1601 with Latin text:
The End of this Geographical Category