The first of the four Vessels was a Man of War, call’d _le Joly_, of about thirty six or forty Guns, commanded by Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, on which Monsieur _de la Sale_, his Brother the Priest, two Recolet Fryars, Messieurs _Dainmaville_ and _Chedeville_, Priests, and I imbark’d. The next was a little Frigate, carrying six Guns, which the King had given to Monsieur _de la Sale_, commanded by two Masters; a Flyboat of about three hundred Tuns Burden, belonging to the Sieur _Massiot_, Merchant at _Rochel_, commanded by the Sieur _Aigron_, and laden with all the Effects Monsieur _de la Sale_ had thought necessary for his Settlement, and a small Ketch, on which Monsieur _de la Sale_ had imbark’d thirty Tuns of Ammunition, and some Commodities design’d for _Santo Domingo_.[31]
All the Fleet, being under the Command of Monsieur _de Beaujeu_, was order’d to keep together as far as _Cape Finisterre_, whence each was to follow his own Course; but this was prevented by an unexpected Accident. We were come into 45 Degrees 23 Minutes of North Latitude, and about 50 Leagues from _Rochel_, when the Boltsprit of our Ship, the _Joly_, on a sudden, broke short, which oblig’d us to strike all our other Sails, and cut all the Rigging the broken Boltsprit hung by.
Every man reflected on this Accident according to his Inclination. Some were of Opinion it was a Contrivance; and it was debated in Council, Whether we should proceed to _Portugal_, or return to _Rochel_, or _Rochfort_; but the latter Resolution prevail’d. The other Ships design’d for the Islands and _Canada_, parted from us, and held on their Course. We made back for the River of _Rochfort_, whither the other three Vessels follow’d us, and a Boat was sent in, to acquaint the Intendant with this Accident. The Boat returned some Hours after, towing along a Boltsprit, which was soon set in its Place, and after Monsieur _de la Sale_ had confer’d with the Intendant, he left that Place on the first of _August, 1684_.
We sail’d again, steering _W._ and by _S._ and on the 8th of the same Month weather’d _Cape Finisterre_, which is in 43 Degrees of North Latitude, without meeting any Thing remarkable. The 12th, we were in the Latitude of _Lisbon_, or about 39 Degrees North. The 16th, we were in 36 Degrees, the Latitude of the _Streights_, and the 20th, discover’d the Island _Madera_, which is in 32 Degrees, and where Monsieur _de Beaujeu_ propos’d to Monsieur _de la Sale_ to anchor, and take in Water and some Refreshments.