Page 405
An.1687
Shoals of Pracel. Isles and Rocks of Prata
Pulo Condore, with the Wind at S. W. fair weather at a brisk gale. The Pepper Jonk bound to Siam remained there, waiting for an Easterly wind; but one of his men, a kind of a bastard Portuguese, came aboard our Ship, and was entertained for the sake of his knowledge in the several Languages of these Countries. The Wind continued in the S. W. but 24 hours, or a little more, and then came about to the North, and then to the N. E.; and the Sky became exceeding clear. Then the Wind came at East, and lasted betwixt E. and S. E. for 8 or 10 days. Yet we continued plying to Windward, ex- pecting every day a shift of Wind, because these Winds were not according to the season of the year.
We were now afraid left the Currents might de- ceive us, and carry us on the shoals of Pracel, which were near us, a little to the N. W. but we passed on to the Eastward, without seeing any sign of them; yet we were kept much to the Northward of our intended course: and the Easterly Winds still continuing, we despaired of getting to Manila; and therefore began to project some new design; and the result was, to visit the Island Prata, about the Lat. of 20 deg. 40 min. North; and not far from us at this time.
It is a small low Island, environed with Rocks clear round it, by report. It lyeth so in the way between Manila and Canton, the head of a Province, and a Town of great trade in China, that the Chi- nese do dread the Rocks about it, more than the Spaniards did formerly dread Bermudas: for many of their Jonks coming from Manila have been lost there, and with abundance of Treasure in them; as we were informed by all the Spaniards that ever we conversit with in these parts. They told us al- fo, that in these wrecks most of the men were drowned, and that the Chinese did never go thi- ther