Preface [5-7]
[5] The volume here presented can lay no claim to originality–the author’s object has been to retell in simple and direct style the stories of those early explorers whose deeds have won them an abiding place on the roll of fame. Neither has the subject been treated exhaustively: to have done this would have demanded more space than could be allowed, and although some familiar names may be missing, the author believes that the collection presents a sufficiently comprehensive account of the chief voyages of discovery of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries–those ages of enterprise which still cause us to marvel when we reflect upon the masterful courage and perseverance of the mariners whose work opened up the world to us. The voyages dealt with, and the discoveries chronicled, have in them all the charm and compelling interest of romance. They often read more like scenes from fiction. And, indeed, these voyages are scenes in a drama on the stage of the world’s history. The characters come before us, not with the perfections of the heroes of fiction, but with many, if not all, of the defects that flesh is heir to: a condition of being which links them indissolubly with men of all time, instead of [6] lifting them out of the world of men into airy heights from which they and their works would make little appeal to us of to-day. Our heroes and their works are not forgotten; we have entered into the heritage which their labours have secured to us, and the men themselves live therein. While the world lasts, the story of the exploits of these daring mariners–from Henry of Portugal in his Sagres castle to Raleigh in search of his El Dorado–will be ever welcome to those who can appreciate the great deeds of noble men. Our ships have changed; the same journeys can be made in but a small fraction of the time formerly taken; but the same spirit that prompted these ancient mariners to dare unknown dangers, and brave unsailed seas in frail vessels, is still alive; and although the discoveries of to-day may not yield such glorious results, yet the world is ever agape for knowledge of new lands–whether they lie north or south–and their discoverers will never lack due honour, whether they be a Nansen, a Scott, a Shackleton, or, last, but not least, a Peary. A word as to the method adopted in describing these famous voyages: strict chronological order has not been observed, the adventurers of each nation being kept together; but inasmuch as dates are given, and there are connecting links in the narrative, the historical perspective will not be lost. The sources from which the author has obtained his information are too numerous to mention in detail […] [7] With the wish that his humble attempt to retell these stories may inspire in his young readers a thirst for further knowledge, the author lays his work before them, confident that they will find entertainment as well as instruction herein.
Eric Wood
Contents
Preface 5I. Feeling the Way to New Worlds 13
II. Steps on the Way to Cathay 23
III. How Cathay was Reached 28
IV. Christopher Columbus and his Great Project – Hope Deferred 35
V. Out into the Unknown 41
VI. Landing in the New World 45
VII. The Second Voyage of Columbus 52
VIII. Revisiting Cuba 58
IX. Trouble in Hispaniola 61
X. The Third Voyage of Columbus 63
XI. The Fourth Voyage of Columbus 68
XII. The Voyage of John Cabot 76
XIII. In the Wake of Columbus 79
XIV. Amerigo Vespucci’s Brazilian and Antarctic Voyages 86
XV. Balboa’s Discovery of the Pacific Ocean 93
XVI. The First Circumnavigation of the World 100
XVII. Verazzano and Cartier in North America 110
XVIII. Voyages to the North-East 120
XIX. The Call of the North-West – I. Frobisher 130
XX. The Call of the North-West – II. Davies; III. Hudson 140
XXI. The First Two Voyages of Sir John Hawkins 150
XXII. The Third Voyage of Hawkins 163
XXIII. The Revenge of Francis Drake 174
XXIV. Drake’s Circumnavigation of the World 197
XXV. Gilbert’s and Raleigh’s American Settlements 210
XXVI. Westward Ho! Once More 220
XXVII. The Third Circumnavigation of the World 227
XXVIII. The Story of the Spanish Armada 235
XXIX. The Story of the Revenge 246
XXX. The last Voyage of Hawkins and Drake 253
XXXI. Raleigh in Search of El Dorado 257