Abstract: Journal of the voyages of the East India Company ships
Roebuckand
Hartkept by Richard Swan, in a fleet commanded by Admiral Andrew Shilling.Folios 6-19 cover the voyage of the
Roebuck, accompanied by East India Company ships
Hart,
Eagleand
London, from England to Surratt [Surat, India], February 1619 [New Style date, 1620]-November 1620. Folio 17 contains a sketch map of the Mariala Isles or Laccadives [Lakshadweep].Folios 19-24 cover the voyage of the
Roebuck, accompanied by the
London, from Surratt to Jasques [Bander-e Jask, Iran], November-December 1620. At Jasques they were reunited with the
Hartas part of the Anglo-Dutch Fleet of Defence. Folios 21-23 include descriptions of pitched battles against Portuguese ships on the 16-17 and 28 December. Folio 24 describes the death of Admiral Shilling from wounds received in the second battle, the appointment of Captain William Baffin as commander, and the transfer of Richard Swan from the
Roebuckto the
Hart.Folios 24-28 cover the voyage of the
Hart, accompanied by the
Roebuckand the
London, from Jasques to Surratt, January-February 1620 [New Style date, 1621], and from Surratt to the Island of Mazera [Masirah, Oman], March-June 1621.Folios 29-30 cover the voyage of the
Hart, accompanied by the
London, from Mazera to Surratt, August-September 1621, calling at Soor [Sur, Oman]. At some point after Mazera the
Roebuckparted company with the other ships.Folios 30-40 cover the voyage of the
Hart, accompanied by the
London, from Surratt to England, November 1621-June 1622.The journal consists of daily entries of information on navigation, winds, weather, contact with other ships, and general observations.The margins contain several pencil annotations, presumed to have been added by someone within the India Office during the twentieth century.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 49; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.