Page 40 - Early English Adventurers in the Middle East_Neat

ill
I

40 EARLY ENGLISH ADVENTURERS IN THE EAST

being in fact a miscellaneous collection of vessels acquired J
L si from various quarters. The largest ship—the admiral’s—
);
was the Mare Scourge of 600 tons, which was built by the
Earl of Cumberland for the special purpose of cruising
against the Spaniards, and which was bought from him
by the adventurers for £3,700. Re-christened the Red
Dragon it took its place at the head of the line, a taut and
seaworthy craft enough, but one which was perhaps better
adapted by its construction for work in the colder latitudes
j
of the north than for tropical navigation. A picture of
t this vessel has come down to us. Its outlines are familiar l
;
|( from the reproductions of the famous Armada tapestries,
which were not the least of the treasures which perished
in the fire which destroyed the old Houses of Parliament. |
! The enormously high stern, with its ornate poop suggestive
of quite spacious cabin accommodation, the low waist and
the narrow jutting prow, with its elaborate figure-head, are
features which we recognize as characteristic of the Eliza­
bethan “ sea scourge.” Next in point of size to the Red
Dragon was the Hector, of 300 tons, then the Ascension, of
260 tons, followed by the Susan, of 240 tons, with the little
Guest, of 130 tons, in the wake, discharging the role of a
victualling ship.
The lading of the ships was a matter of careful forethought.
A mixed cargo of iron, wrought and unwrought, lead,
Devonshire kersies of all cotton and Norwich woollen
goods, was embarked with a variety of articles which were
thought to be suitable for presentation to native poten­ I
tates. Merchants were allotted to each vessel to take f
charge of the goods on the voyage and superintend their
sale at the Eastern ports. The better to promote the enter­
prise Lancaster was entrusted with six letters from Queen

!:
'