Page 138
An.1684
Cape Blanco.
and in Bars: This was saved for Ballast.
The third day after our Bark was sent to cruize, she brought in a Prize of 400 Tuns, laden with Timber: They took her in the Bay of Guiaquil; she came from a Town of that name, and was bound to Lima. The Commander of this Prize said that it was generally reported and believed at Guiaquil, that the Vice-Roy was fitting out 10 sail of Frigots to drive us out of the Seas. This news made our unsettled Crew wish, that they had been perswaded to accept of Captain Eaton's company on reasonable terms. Captain Davis and Captain Swan had some discourse concerning Captain Eaton; they at last concluded to send our small Bark towards the Coast of Lima, as far as the Island Lobos, to seek Captain Eaton. This being approved by all hands, she was cleaned the next day, and sent away, mann'd with 20 men, 10 of Captain Davis, and 10 of Swan's men: and Captain Swan writ a Letter directed to Captain Ea- ton, desiring his company, and the Isle of Plata was appointed for the general Rendezvous. When this Bark was gone, we turn'd another Bark which we had into a Fire-ship; having 6 or 7 Carpenters, who soon fixt her: and while the Carpenters were at work about the Fire-ship, we scrubb'd and clean'd our Men of War, as well as time and place would permit.
The 19th day of October we finish'd our business, and the 20th day we fail'd toward the Island Lobos, where our Bark was order'd to stay for us, or meet us again at Plata. We had but little Wind; there- fore it was the 23d day before we passed by Point St. Hellena. The 25th day we crossed over the Bay of Guiaquil. The 30th day we doubled Cape Blanco. This Cape is in lat. 3 d. 45 m. It is counted the worst Cape in all the South Seas to double, passing to the Southward; for in all other places Ships may stand off to Sea 20 or 30 leagues off, if they find they cannot