CrazyHOrse
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ความคิดเห็นที่ 11 เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 14, 18:33
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ขอชวนไปอ่านบันทึดการเดินทางของแกมป์เฟอร์กันก่อนนะครับ การเดินทางช่วงนี้อยู่ในบทที่ 3 ของบันทึก (การพิมพ์หนังสือเล่มนี้บางครั้งแยกพิมพ์เป็นหลายเล่มย่อย กรณีนี้ บทนี้จะเป็นบทที่ 3 ในเล่ม 1) บันทึกของแกมป์ฟอร์นี้อ่านสนุก มีอะไรดีๆ เรียได้ว่าแทบจะทุกบรรทัด แต่เพื่อไม่ให้ยืดยาวเกินไป ผมจะขอตัดตอนมาเท่าที่เห็นว่าเกี่ยวข้องนะครับ
On the fourth of July 1690 towards Evening, I went with the Captain of the Ship and others of the Company in a boat, in Meinam, in order to fall down the River Meinam to the Ship, which lay at anchor two days Journey from hence, and four Leagues from the mouth of the River.
On the sixth of July we arrived at Bankok in the morning, having advanced but little all night, by reason of the difficulties we had to struggle with. We found the old Fort, which lies on an Island, in good condition; but the new Fort, that had been built by the French on the East shore, was quite demolish'd. Before evening we reached the Dutch Habitation and Store-house called Amsterdam. Amsterdam, which is but two Leagues distant from the Sea.
On the Seventh of July, being Friday, at break of day Return on we left the River and the Land, and with a favourable North-wind arrived at eight of the clock on board our Ship, which lay at anchor four Leagues from the mouth of the River in six fathom of water. This harbour, or road, is the end of a bay between the Countries of Cambodia and Siam: It hath a soft clay at the bottom, and its depth is about five or six fathoms more or less. Yonks and Ships unladen may by the help of the tide come up as far as Bankok.
On the 8th of July, when we were busy with lading the last part of our Cargo of Hides, there came two Officers of the Dutch Factory at Judia on board to review our Ships Company according to Custom. The wind blowing at South West from Shore, they left us on the 11th, and return'd to the Shore in their boat, being saluted by us, with a treble discharge of five Guns. With the said Wind we steer'd South East, in order to get upon the Main, and to make use there of the Southern Trade-wind, with which we were to steer North North-East along the Coasts of Cambodia, Cotsijnsina, and China towards the Harbours of Japan. The Reader will observe, that in these Eastern Parts from Malacca to Japan, there are Winds constantly blowing South and South West for four months together, which time is call'd the South or West Season, or Monsoon, then again North and North East for four other months, which is call'd the North or East Season, or Monsoon. Between these two Seasons there are two months, during which the wind is always variable, shifting from one of the said quarters, till at length it settles in that, which is opposite. It happens however in some years, that, to the great disappointment of sea-faring people, these trade-winds fix sooner or later than ordinary, by some weeks. These Seasons obtain also in other parts of the Indies, with this difference only, that according to the situation of the Countries, the Shores and the Seas, the winds blow more or less constant from East or West, for which reason those months are call'd the East or West Monsoons. By these Monsoons all navigation in the Indies and Asia must be directed. At this time the South West Season held on, under favour of which we reckoned to steer our course, as soon as we should have got out of this Gulf or Bay. And so we weigh'd both our anchors full of good hopes, in which however we soon found ourselves disappointed, the wind coming about South, and contrary to our course, so that with tacking about, lying still, weighing and casting anchor, the weather being variable, and sometimes very rough, we lost many days, advancing but little all the while.
On the 23rd of July, being Sunday, we left the coasts of Siam, and the mountains of Kui, and sail'd over this Gulf, steering South East.
On the 26th we saw a long and low Island Pulipanjang, bearing E. N. E. at some few leagues distance, along which we steer'd our course.
On the 27th we made the Island Puli ubi, which appeared to be compos'd of high mountains, and several small Islands. We left it on our Larboard-side about four Leagues off.
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