CAPTAIN JAMES

Summary

This navigator, already named in connexion with the voyage of Captain Luke Fox, having been selected by the merchants of Bristol, to search for a passage by the North-west, was placed in command of a vessel named the Maria, of seventy tons burden, which had been expressly built for the service, victualled for eighteen months, and manned with twenty-two hands.

Captain James sailed from the Severn in the same year, in the same month, and on the same day of the week, that Captain Luke Fox sailed from the Thames, namely, on the 3rd of May 1631.

On the 4th of June an immense quantity of ice was fallen in with off Cape Farewell. The ship was struck repeatedly and violently. Strenuous efforts were made to stave off the driving masses, but in vain. The poles used for the purpose were shivered, and the Maria became more and more enclosed until the 6th, when, fearing to be crushed astern by some “extraordinary” pieces of ice, the commander ordered some sail to be “let fall”; and the ship was driven stem on against an iceberg ahead. It was thought the vessel was rent in twain; but a trial of the pumps proving the contrary, all hands went to prayers, to return thanks for their merciful deliverance. Soon afterwards the shallop was crushed, and taken on board to be repaired, the long-boat being hoisted out and towed astern; but the long-boat got adrift, and was not recovered without great difficulty, being “much bruised”, and two men in her being “much hurt”. At length, on the 17th, the Island of Resolution was made.