ABSTRACT
The first of February [1612], having received in all provisions for so long a voyage, we set saile from Gravesend, and the same day at ten of the clocke we anchored in the Hope.
Aprill the thirteenth, wee had the generall [i.e. trade] wind. Note that you shall seldome meete with the generall wind till you come in two or three degrees to the southward of the L in e ; and then, when you come to meete with the Ternadoes2 (as you shall be sure to meete them in two or three, and sometimes in foure degrees, to the northward of the Line), you must be very diligent to ply to the southward, for therein lyeth the mayne of your good or bad passage. And likewise for the health of your men, or they are very unhealthfull. And for passing the Line, order it so, by your course from Maio, that you may passe the Line betwixt seven and ten degrees of longitude from the Lizard. But covet not to come within sixe degrees, for feare of the calmes upon the coast of Guinea3 ; and not without ten degrees of longitude from the Lizard (if it be possible), for feare of meeting with the westnorth-west streame that sets alongst the coast of Brasil, and so into the West Indies. And so passing the Line in seven, eight, or nine degrees to the westward of the meridian of the Lizard, you shall not feare the flats of Brasil4. For the generall wind will blow at the east-south-east and at south-east; so that you shall make a south-south-west way commonly, and so keepe the ship good full, that she may goe through; for there is losse of time in
hawking1 of the ship crosse by the wind; therefore give her a fathome of the sheete.
