THe Islands of Feroe in themselves , are only some high rocks , arising out of the wild Sea , and covered with a portion of thin Earth . For Feroe doth consist of many Islands that are high Hills , of hard stone , strangely divided from each other , by deep and rapid streams of water . And that the said Hills or Mountains might be useful to mankind , and the Lords holy Name , in this latter age of the world , be prais'd by true Christians , in the midst of the storming Sea ; it hath pleased the Divine Providence to cover the valley between the Mountains , and the sides of the Hills , almost every where , with two foot thick of Earth ; somewhere thicker or thinner , according to the nature of the place ; whence doth grow , not only abundance of Grass for Cattel , but also Corn for the maintenance of man . Wherefore if the land , as other even Countreys , could be cultivated and inhabited ; many thousands of men , proportionably to the greatness and number of the Islands , might there live and subsist . But the people dwell only by the Sea-side ; where it is lowest and most convenient for them to get to Sea with their Boats , and ply their Fishing ; there being almost every where high promontories , whence no body can come down , nor get up ; though there be some dangerous and terrible places , whence they also launch out their Boats to Sea , to go a Fishing ; where they must have strong Ropes in the Boat , that those on Land may sometimes help the people out , if they are in any danger ; some also , who are the most , live in creeks , inletts , and havens , that are many , convenient , and good for Seamen to lay in their Ships in time of danger . And where they live they have inclosed a small piece of ground , which they Till to get Grass and Corn ; calling such Closes , Boe ; The other part without the inclosure , consisting in Valleys and Hills , and sometimes in hills only , is a thousand times larger , and is called Hawe , where their Sheep feed both Winter and Summer , and their Kine only in Summer ; This part is never Tilled , neither can it be so , because the Inhabitants live along the Sea side for their Fishing sake , and other conveniency , having nevertheless the full profit thereof , for they keep there as many Sheep as ever the place can feed .

A part of the islands of Feroe is Inhabited , and a part furnished with Cattel ; they are in their greatness Havens , Creeks , Inletts , and other circumstances as followeth . Fugloe or Fowle-Island , which is the most North East , is pretty high and something flat on the top , with high Clifts almost round about , three English miles long , and two broad , where it is broadest ; having a little Creek on the East side , called Hatterviig ; though it be unfit for Ships to Anchor in . Suinoe lyeth two miles southward of Fugloe , consisting in two long and high Hills on the North and South side ; The South Mountain is about a Leage in length : the North but about half a League , there is a valley in the midst ; on the East side whereof the people do inhabit ; and by this reason , the Island being seen something far off at Sea , seems to be divided in two Islands . The said valley is about a mile long from East to West , and therefore the Inhabitants have Boats lying on the East and on the West sides , that they , according to the Wind , may ply their Fishing on either side such Valleys ( as also other places , where the passage over land from one water to another is but short ) are called in the Language of Feroe , Eide , whereof there are many , to the great benefit of the Country .

Videcoe or Vidoe , lyes three miles west of Fugloe , and hath a mile from Suinoe , being crooked , and having also a Valley where the people dwell , it is in length about six miles , and where it is broadest about three miles ; The south end of it stretcheth it self down between Suinoe and Bondoe , being full of high Hills , at the North of the Valley there is a high promontory , at the East there is a little Creek , though not very good for Ships to Anchor in .

Bordoe a strange Island , being in its Figure like a Crab , having many points like claws ; it lyeth South West and West of Videroe and Suinoe , being separated from them by a small Sinus in some places half a mile broad , there being a place near Qnandesund only of Musket shot distant , on the North East and East side , it embraceth Videroe as with two arms , and thereby makes a safe harbour every where between both Lands , against all manner of weather and current , having three entrances , one at North between Mulen and Videroe ; another at South between Suinoe , and the most easterly east point of Bordoe , and the third at east between Suinoe . But since towards the South East , or South outlet , as also about the North East , or East , three points of Land streatch out themselves , the one from Videroe , the other from Bordoe , and the third from Suinoe ; and the ground under water being uneven , it makes an indifferent Whirle-pool , that turns the Boats that pass over it round about ; but Ships are in no danger of it . Towards the South East , Bordoe stretcheth it self out into three branches or points , so that they seem at Sea as several Islands , and constitute too long Inletts , whereof that which is most Eastward is called Arnefiord , the other Baardevijgs , from Baardevijg's Inlet , there runs a little valley , half a mile long to the North west side , where there is a safe harbour called Klack . From hence the Land stretcheth it self again to the North along Videroe a matter of six miles or less ; all these branches and arms are for the most part streightning on both sides , into long and sharp points , on the North West Bordoe embraceth again with two arms or branches , another little Island called Kunoe .

Kunoe is a long and narrow Island about six miles in length , and a good mile in breadth , growing sharp on both sides , consisting in a long sharp hill separated from Bordoe by a narrow straight , in some places half a mile broad , and in some others less ; stretching it self most to the South and North , from Mule on Bordoe , till the Harbour of Klack , which it shuts up with its southerly end , and renders it safe against all Currents of the Sea .

Kalsoe lyeth Westward o● Kunoe , separated from it by an inlet called Calseefiord which is two miles broad , and this Inlet is open from South to North , so that all Ships may safely run through it , especially when the Stream is with them ; Kalsoe is a little longer then Kunoe , and a little broader , stretching it self to the South and North , without Haven or Creek ; on the West side , it is a very steep promontory , on the East side the hill is edged and runs sloping to the Sea side , all coloured withgreen .

Osteroe lyeth West of Kalsoe and Bordoe , stretching it self most Northward towards East , it is almost twenty miles long , but inequally broad , for some places are two miles broad , others four or six miles broad , according as the points stretch themselves far out ; the Land consisting in many long branches or arms ; on the East side towards Kalsoe , Bordoe , and the main Sea , it hath six long branches or arms , that constitute five Inlets or Creeks , namely , Funding fiord , And●fiord , an indifferent Harbour , Englefiord a good Harbour , Joteviig and Lammehauf viig , afterward the Land stretcheth it self to the South East , in a long point called Ostness , from which neck three miles Northward , begins again another inlet far in the Land , two miles long , called Skaalefiord , at the beginning of the Inlet there is a good harbour called Kings haven , because formerly when his Majesties Ships did Cruise here under the Land , after Pirats , they took Harbour there ; on the West side from South to North , the Land is almost even without any Inlet or Creek , and the inlet between C●lsoe , and Osteroe is in some places but a mile and half broad , and safe for Ships to sail through ; the North end of Osteroe is very notable for Senmen , for it stretcheth out it self with a little round point to the North west , with a round hill upon it .

Nolsoe lyeth two miles Southward of Osteroe or Ostres , extending it self most N. W. to N. and S. E to S. it is 4 miles long , and a mile and half broad , where broadest , having on its west side Stromoe , at the distance of two miles and half ▪ There is almost on the midst of the Island a high Hill sloaping by little and little to the South side , where the Island is even on the top , and not very high ; North of the Hill there is a little plain , and West of it towards Stromoe a little Harbour called Nolsoeviig , an indifferent good Summer Harbour .

Stromoe is the largest Island in Feroe , and 24 miles long , and where it is broadest eight miles in breadth , it lyeth West of Osteroe and Nelsoe , stretching it self North west to North , and South West to South , being full of many high Hills , amongst which Skelingsfels over goeth all the rest in height , standing like a high house above the others ; it is very notable for Seamen that are bound for Thorshaven , for when they get sight of it , and sail there unto , they fall before the Northern entrance of Thorshaven . That Island hath also several Creeks and Harbours on the East side , from the South end , is first of all Thors-haven , where the general Commerce is established , it is a little , but a good harbour ; whereunto there are two entrances over against North Nolsoe , between Stang and Ostness , and over against South Nolsoe ▪ between Baarn and Skadlehoffoed ; afterwards there is Kalbacksfford , then Kollefiord ; next thereunto Thorsviig , and Qualviig , one cannot come further with Ships , for on the North of Qualviig , Stromoe and Osteroe , are as it were bound together by a ground that is between the Islands , over which runs a very rapid stream , and there is no Current on either side of the ground . From this stream it is that Stromoe is so called ; at North of Stromoe is Haldersviig , an indifferent Harbour , into which one enters on the North side ; on the north side there is a very fair Harbour called Westmans Haven , which is sheltered by Waagoe lying over against it .

Waagoe lyeth West of Stromoe , being divided from it by a straight called Westmans ▪ haven seund , a mile and a half broad , thorough which there is a safe passage . The Land of Waagoe is almost of a Triangular or Quadrangular Figure , being eight miles in Diameter , it is cut in by two long Creeks , first by one on the South East side , called Midvaage a good Summer Harbour , then at West there is another Creek called Sorvaage . The Land it self is all full of Hills ; hard by the South point of Sorvaage , there lyes two little Islands with high clifts on them , called Tineholm and Gaaseholm .

Myggeness lyeth out at the West of Sorvaage two miles from the Land , it is three miles long , and one and a half broad , having a high territory with high promontories round about it , there being but one place to come on Land , it stretcheth it self most to the North East and South West . Towards the South West end of it lyeth Myggeness Isle , having a high clift round about , it is flat above , though sloaping like the roof of a house on the North East side ; it is separated by a little Riff three or four furlongs broad .

Kolter lyeth three miles to the South-East of Waagoe , and above two miles to the West of Stromoe , it is a little Island a mile long , and about half a mile broad , stretching it self most to the South and North , having a high Mountain at the North end , but at the South end it is low and narrow , having a high Promontory on the West side .

Eighteen years since in the middest of Summer , there was found on the highest top of the Mountain of Kolter , the quantity of many tomies of Herrings spread along ; The Mountain where the Herrings were found is above two hundred fathoms high .

The vulgar sort will perhaps ask how these Herrings could come there ? whereunto is answered , that they are carried thither by a whirlewind for the Sea it self when it is most boisterous , seldome casts any Fish on Land , but rather Seaward from the bottom ; for as little as strong wind can hinder the flight of Birds , as little can the strongest motion of the Sea hinder the swimming of Fishes ; but if either wind or water grow too strong for their inhabitants , as Birds hide themselves in trees , holes , and nests ; so the small Fishes that lie under the Land float on the deep to save themselves there , as long as the storm lasts , as is frequently seen in Feroe . Wherefore those Herrings were carryed there on Land by a kind of Whirle wind called Typhon , which in the Danish Tongue is named Oes . That sort of Whirlewind is formed amongst the Clouds , and strikes from thence on the Sea and Earth with such a sudden and mighty whirle , that if it falleth on Land it takes up Trees , Bushes , Stones , Flesh , and what else it meets with ; and where buildings are too great , it strikes them down and breaks them to pieces . If it falleth on the Sea it takes up an incredible quantity of water , so that one may see deep Cavities in the Sea till the water runs together again , and what Fishes are then in that water are drawn up by such a whirlewind . Marriners that have tryed the dangers of the deep , can speak enough of this whirlewind , and have first given it the name of Oes , because it draws up the water of the Sea ; Expert Seamen , when they are aware of it , let presently fall all their Sails , or else they would lose them , and sometimes come in great danger of their lives . What this Oes takes and draws up from one place it lets it fall on another , when it hath wrought out and left its strength ; whence it comes that one seeth in some places rain down Stones , Flesh , Mice , and particularly the Lemmings or Cats of Norway ; and in this manner are also these Herrings rained down on Kolter . The Hurricane of the West Indies , which is sufficiently known , is doubtless of this sort of Wind.

Sandoe lyeth two miles south of Stromoe and Hestoe , stretching it self most to East and West , it is eight miles long , and four miles broad ; having but one Creek on the South side , neer Sand , neither is it a very good Haven : At West towards the North point there is a little Isle called Troldhoffret edging off from the North East side to the South West , with a high Promentory , thereon feed wild Oxen and Sheep .

Skuoe lyeth two miles to the south of Sandoe , stretching it self to the East and West , being three miles long and one broad ; it is a high Land with high Clifts .

Store Diemen , or great Dam , liethhalf a mile at the Southeast of Skuoe , it is almost round ▪ a good mile in Diameter , it is a high Territory , for the most part flat and green above , with great Clifts round about . If this Island were garrison'd with thirty warlike men , it would not be easie for any Potentate to take it in , there being no way to get up , except in one place at East , and that difficulty for one man at a time ; and therefore could easily be so strengthned by art , that none at all could come up . Neither could Ships lye on the Sea about the Island , because of the strong current , nor could they be taken by Famine , there being Cattel , Sheep , and Fowle enough on the Island .

It hapned some years ago , that the Countrymans Wife on that Island kept secret love with the serving man , and they both murthered the Master ; Wherefore , that they might avoid the punishment of the Magistrate , they held out the Island a long time ; but the innocent being unwilling to keep such continual watch with the guilty , and they at last being grown secure , some nimble men of Feroe , by the Bailiff of the Countrys order , came on the Island by the East side , and took the Delinquents Prisoners , who afterwards received their just punishment .

Lille Diemen lyeth two miles from Store Diemen , at South South East ; it is inhabited , and to be accounted for an Isle , it ariseth from the Sea as a round and sharp Clift , thereon feed wild Sheep .

Suderoe is the last and Southest Island lying two miles south of Lille Diemen . It is almost twenty miles long and eight miles broad where it is broadest , bowing with one end to the South , the other end stretching it self to the Northwest ; it is full of Hills , having on the West side many Clifts ; neither can one land on it , but in four places , and yet with difficulty . At East it hath four long Creeks , namely , on the North end Q●ailviig , neer the close ; second Qualboe , whence a Valley stretcheth it self on the West side a mile long ; then Trungesvaag , within which Inlet is a very good little harbour called Punthaven , besides which , between a little Isle and the Land , one may fasten Ships with a Rope , and go from Shipboard to Land on a Planck . There is besides every where in the Inlet good Harbouring in Summer .

Finally , here is also Vaagesfiord , whence there runneth also a Valley a mile long on the Southside . In that Inlet there is a bowed Creek , where there is one of the best Havens in Feroe called Lebroe .

It appeareth by the premises , that Feroe doth consist of seventeen inhabited and Cultivated Islands , namely , Fugloe , Suinoe , Wideroe , Bordoe , Kunoe , Kalsoe , Osteroe , Nolsoe , Stromoe , Waagoe , Myggeness , Kolter , Hestoe , Sandoe , Skuoe , Store Diemen , and Suderoe , and four little Isles or Holms , to wit , Tintholm , Myggenessholm , Trolehofred , and Lille Diemen , whereon only Pasture , Wild-Sheep . Besides , here are several other Holmes , whereof the most notable and necessary to be known of Marriners are these , Hossvigsholm , Kirckboeholm , and Comboeholm .

There are also under the Land several Rocks arising out of the Sea , whereof two are considerable for Marriners to know the Land by , the one at North of Fugloe , called the Bishop , which is a round and pretty high Rock , it doth not lye so far from the Land as it is set in the Map , but only a stone cast or a Musquet shot off . The other is at the South of the Land , a pretty way at South East of Sumboe ; it is also a round high Rock called the Monck . Neer this Monck is a dangerous whirlepoole , which in still weather draweth Ships to it self , and brings them in great peril ; for the waves strike every where into the Ship , nay in the very Mast ; and the Ship cannot be steered , but one must let it drive as the stream will have it , till it be appeased . It is most dangerous in still weather , for then one cannot easily get from thence ▪ with a Gale of Wind one may take a care not to come into it .

Jautoe , which Mr , Peter Claason speaketh of in his book called , a Description of Norway , is not extant , but is only an inclosure called Gote , and is twofold , namely , North Gote and South Gote . Neither is he to be blamed for it , since he hath written with others pen , and seen with others eyes .

It is related by a part of the Inhabitants , that North of the Land , there hath at several times appeared a Floating Island ; not only by the relation of our Predecessours , but also by that of those that yet live , who verily relate that they have seen it during some hours , discerning hills and dales on it , and running Rivers flowing through the Valleys , and could perspicuously fee that it was green in the Valleys below .

Last year the 28 of April , 1671 , came to Feroe , a Skipper , Paul Badsted , with his Ship , and both he and two young Priests which he brought over with him to Feroe , namely , Mr. Gregory Peterson , and Mr. Peter Clementson , relate , that they on their voyage to Feroe , being by storm driven out of their course to the south thereof , perceived an Island , and being come neer to it , saw it perfectly , with the Hills , Promontories , and Rivers thereof running down the Island , green with Grass towards the sea side , with Rocks and Clifts neer the Land , not unlike in all Circumstances to the Islands of Feroe , but perceiving no other Islands by it , they found themselves to be deceived , and therefore made to the North , and after some sailing , found the Islands of Feroe , and the Master related , that , according to his conjecture they had found that Land eleven Leagues from Feroe , at south east . If there had been any steady Island in that place , it would have been found longago , those that sail to this Island often sailing by that place , and all Ships that come from the South , and will go to the North of He●land , directing always their Course to Feroe , and therefore do necessarily pass by it , so that if that Island had been fast , it would long since have been discovered .

The Island of Enckhupson found , and so named by the Hollanders , which lay under the 65 degree of Northern Latitude , 45 Leagues North West of Feroe , seems to confirm that opinion , since it is no more to be found , I leave herein every one in his own opinion , whether such a mass of hard Rocks could Float , and now again sink : If it were of the nature of a Pumill Stone , it might very well do so , but then it would ever Float ; as Floating Islands in fresh water , that are grown together with roots , and covered with a little loose Eearth , deckt with grass .

The Inhabitants besides , rehearse a Fable of Suinoe , that it was at first a Floating Island , and believe that if one could come to the Island so often seen , and cast Steel thereon , it would remain fast , which agreeth with the superstition of Duckers or Divers , that lay Steel upon what they find at the bottom of the Sea , that Spirits may not remove it when they are hoysed up , which otherwise they find to be removed . Many also tell much of these Floating Islands , and believe there are such in Nature ; but I cannot give faith to any of them , nor to any ones superstition . If this were not described by the proprieties of many Islands ▪ I would say it were a Mountain of see , that came Floating from Greenland , which if it be not , I believe stedfastly it is some deception or illusion of the Devil , who is in himself a thousand fold Artisicer ; for he hath often before deluded them in many other manners , it being almost every mans talk in the Land , how formerly Satan in the dark , when they were risen early in the morning in Winter , as they yet always do , to go a Fishing , did appear to them in the Figure of a Boat , with Fishermen and all instruments belonging to Fishing ; did speak with them , gave them Fish baits , and told them where there was good Fishing to be found , and many can yet relate Satans words , when he discover'd them where there was good ground for Fishing . If Satan could then in the Figure of a Boat delude the Inhabitants , he may also do it now in the Figure of an Island , possibly to allure the Children of the unbelievers to him , and bring them into mischief .

This Province of Feroe ; with the Islands belonging to it above named , stretcheth it self in its greatest length , from North to South 60 miles , and in breadth 40 miles , or a little above , having at East Stat in Norway , at South East Orkeney and Scotland , at South Ireland , at West the South end of Greenland , at North West Island .

The height of the Pole or Latitude of Feroe , according to the supputation of all , is at the South end 61 degrees 15 m. and at the North end 62 degrees 10 m. though I have found the Land ( according to the height of Thors Haven at 62 degrees 2 m. which I have several times taken ) to lye something more Northwards ; I have as much as possible , sought the Longitude , and have found the length from the Meridian of Euraniburgh 20 degrees 20 min. which makes one hour 21 min. so that the Longitude of Thors Haven is 16 degrees 20 min. reckoning from the Pico of Teneriffe in the Canary Islands , if I can discover it better in time , I shall notifie it where it will be convenient . And since the Land lyeth under 62 degrees , there is but little night in Summer , not fully 5 hours ; When the Sun is in the Sign of Cancer there is no night perceived for a whole month , because the Sun doth not go 18 degrees under the Horizon , whence it comes , that in the middest of Winter they have but little day , though the Crepusculum and Diluculum are something more longer here then elsewhere , especially when the Sun is in the South or Northerly Signs , for when it is at highest and makes the longest day after 62 degrees Latitude , it riseth at 2 of the Clock and 7 minutes , and goeth down at 9 of the clock and 53 m. and then the day is 19 hours and 46 min. long , and the night from Sun-setting untill it riseth 4 hours and 14 minutes , during which time there is no difference to be perceived between day and night , the Sun being then but 4 degrees 29 min. under the Horizon , and cannot therefore make any difference for a whole month , there being then also but little difference in the Suns declination , whence it comes that we have no considerable might untill the 17th . of August , when the Sun first comes 18 degrees under the Horizon , which is its right depth , so that one can perceive nothing of its splendour . Now the Sun rising in the mid'st of Winter at 9 of the Clock 53 min. and setting at 2 a Clock and 7 m. and there being therefore but 4 hours and 14 minutes of day . The Crepusculum and Diluculum add much to its length , since one can perceive something of the day in the mid'st of Winter at 8 a clock in the morning , and at 4 a clock at night , whence it comes that they have not in Feroe such tedious long nights , as one might well imagine .

These Islands of Feroe consisting of a hard Stone , there is found here and there a Loadstone therein , on which if one setteth a Compass it will vary very much in some places to the East , and in some other to the West . At the South of Suderoe there is a whirle pool in the midst whereof stands a high Rock called Sumboe Munk neer that Rock there are six others that rise a little above the water ; on which when one setteth the Compass , it turneth round , and is so spoiled , that it is afterwards of no use , for some years ago , there came a Ship too near this Sumboe Munk whereupon all the Compasses , that were in the Ship ( as the Master related afterwards to the Inhabitants of Suderoe ) were spoiled , and his Voyage had been so too , had not a Seaman of the Ship by chance had a Loadstone , wherewith he touched the Compasses anew . The ordinary declination of the Loadstone on Feroe is otherwise , 13 degrees 19 minutes , to the North West , which Severin Lawson , formerly chief Marchant on Feroe , a Burger of Copenhagen very expert in the Art of Navigation , did mark and reckon out in the year 1659 the 26 of December , at Thors Haven , on Ferce .

Since we have described the Land of Feroe , especially so , that honest Marriners may the better know the Land Marks ; we will also here comprehend something of the Streams . Between these several divided Islands there runneth many strong Currents in several manners , according as the necks or points of Land meet against the streams , and according to the scituation of the said land , which causeth specially in Winter when there is a storm , and the wind bloweth against Tide , a terrible and turbulent Sea , principally where there is ground neer the surface of the water ; for where those grounds stretch themselves towards the Land , the Sea raiseth it self and tumbleth about against it , so that it is terrible to consider , yea it breaketh so strengly against the Land that scarce any Ship where it is sufficiently deep , can get over them , which grounds with breaking waves are called in the Language of Feroe , Boffves . If there comes any Boats on these Boffves , when they break , it is presently sunk , with men and all .

It happened for 16 years ago , that Mr. John Hanson Hardy , Curate of Suderoe , on his Voyage to Thors Haven ( in a Sex●ing , that is a great Boat rowed by twelve men ) came on such a Boffve in pretty good weather , yet both he and his wife , and all his Children , with other of his Folks , to the number of 21 souls , were all drowned , And the Boat sunk by the Boffve ; It happened in that sad accident that amongst these drowned Folks , the Curates Wife floated up again eight days after , and was found driving in the Current , whereof doubtless the cause is , that she had greater veins then ordinary , as is usual for women to have , by the blowing up of which her Corps was brought a Float .

It is very observable , that when the said Boffve breaketh in bad weather , it doth so three or seven times together , without ceasing , and then resteth some time , therefore when the Inhabitants come to such a Boffve , and must needs over it , they lye still untill the Boffve hath broken , and then get over it speedily with their Boat .

Besides , the Boffve breaks also in still weather , when it is very warm , and when there will be Frost or Snow . Thirdly , when some Boat goeth something near the land over the Boffve that breaks not then , but lyeth still , it breaketh up unawares of it self , and often bringeth people in danger . I have been told by an old honest man yet living , very expert from his youth both in Currents and Boffves , who knew all the Boffves round about the Countrey where he lived , that it happened some years since , he went with a Boat from the Land , whereon he dwelt , namely , Kol●er ▪ over to Stromoe , to set there a man on land , and went into a little Creek of the length of a Boat , and half so broad , where he set the man on shoar , it being then quiet and still all about , when against all expectation , a Boffve broke upon him , so that he and all his folks were in very great danger of their lives ; having never from his youth , nor since that time perceived any Boffve to be there .