ANSON'S RETURN FROM VOYAGES ROUND THE WORLD.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 201, 18 August 1916, Page 4 (Supplement)

ANSON'S RETURN FROM VOYAGES ROUND THE WORLD.

On .lune 15, 1744, Commodore Anson returned from o rcumnavigating the gloke, and from a voyage in other respects ono of iuo most extraordinary tvjr made. Having been stint out to harass the coasts of Clrli and Peru, and to cooperate with Vernon for more complete mischief to the Spaniard.-, across the isthmus of Panama, he found his squadron in the worst of conditions, not only very unseasonably delayed, hut villainously stored. In doubling Cape Horn in' March 1741—a .sdison when he had no business in so stormy a region—his store ship, the "Wager,' was wrecked, and the rest of his fleet scattered. Anson, however, hardily pursued his way with his only ship, the "Centurian,'' and in June reached Juan Fernandez, so celebrated as the imaginary scene of Robinson Crusoe's solitary sojourn. At that island he was overtaken by the •'Gloucester," a sloop, and a junk laden with provisions. With tins small remains of his fleet, and altogether 330 men, he pursued his commission and plundered the coasts of the Pac : lic. burning towns and seizing treasure. As the disasters of Vernon put an end to any operations across Panama, he determined to seize the Manilla galloon, which annually conveyed spue and silver from the Philippine islands to Acapulco, 'n Mexico. For tlrs purpose he had to traverse the whole Pacific, and on the way, finding the ••r.uiturian" and two other vessels too much for his reduced crew, he dc- . rov-tl l.l:e;n. and continued his voya«'o'in the "Centurinn" alone. After niiinv hardships and adventures he readied China, and anchored at Macao. in Canton Hay, n November 1742. He ib-re new-coppered the "Oenturian. and at the puopsr time sailing thence with some Iresh seamen, he fell in with tlu l Manilla galleon, and, after a short I,ut s'narp contest,' took it, though mounting 40 guns and carrying 60(1 men The treasure found on hoard was valued at £313.00. He sold the ship m Ch'tia. pursued his way home by the Cape of Good Hope, and after incredible hardsh : ])S and passing through the French fleet without seem;: it, ho at last reached Spuhcnd... There were great rejnuings on the announcement of Irs arrival with s'lvor and gold to the amount of a million and a cpiarter kteMin" Anson was made Roar-Admir-al of the Fleel, and to shew the nat on that at Ungth there was n deeded triumph over Urn Spaniards the whole if this wealth was' drawn in procession from Poitsmoiith to London in tlurlv wagons, escorted by the ship's crow preceded hv their officers with drawn swords and w'th bands playing sml (lags fly mar, anion est th°m those taken from the Spairards. and consnicuouslv that of the greit galleon itself.