Beknopte aantekeningen van een Oost-Indische reys, gedaan uyt Engeland, met 3 scheepen de Samaritaan, de ...

1615

See another island.

On the 3rd, we saw a small island that was 5 miles wide and 8 long, lying 40 miles South of Great Java.

Warning of the variation.

On the 4th, we had 3 degrees, 10 minutes of variation toward the West. It is an infallible rule that the variation from the Cape of Good Hope grows greater and greater the further one sails Eastward, until one reaches 17 degrees, for then, sailing further Eastward, it decreases repeatedly until one comes to the Strait of Sunda, where it is 3 degrees, 30 minutes. This is considered the best guide for the East and West, although it does not maintain a neat equilibrium.

On the 5th, we had 9 degrees, 16 minutes [latitude], and 3 degrees, 48 minutes of variation toward the West.

Finally arrive in the Strait of Sunda.

On the 13th, we were in the Strait of Sunda and had Sumatra on one side and Great Java on the other, at a distance of 3 miles.

And subsequently to Bantam.

On the 14th toward evening, we came to anchor about 3 miles from Bantam Banten, Java.

The Trades-Increase where and how it perished.

On the 15th, the merchant Mr. Baily came on board with Mr. Samon, the skipper of the Globe, which, as they recounted, was loaded to go to England. They reported to us that the ship the Trades-Increase had run aground near Pulo Panian, and all her men, working to get it afloat, had died. It had subsequently cost them 500 Reaals Spanish pieces of eight a day to hire Javanese, of whom 100 died before they could even get one side covered, so that they could no longer get men to do the work and were forced to abandon it, whereupon it sank and was later set on fire by the Javanese.

Devil's demand denied.

The Chinese had said that the Devil had appeared on the island of Pulo Panian and said he was displeased that the Chinese were undertaking such work on his ground (for they were the workmen) without giving him anything, and there...