The Ascension, of which Captain Alexander Sharpeigh was general, and the Union, sailed from Woolwich on the 14th of March (1607–8), and having on the passage touched at Teneriffe and Maio, arrived on the 14th of July at Saldanha Bay, where they remained till the 18th of September. During that time the pinnace was enlarged, and named the Hope; sheep and cattle were purchased, and oil for light was obtained from seals killed on Penguin Island.

Having sailed from Saldanha Bay, the vessels were separated during a storm.

The Ascension having passed the Island of St. Lawrence, anchored on the 25th of November off the Island of Comoro, the natives of which place were found to be faithful and courteous.

The Island of Pemba was nest touched at. At first the people seemed friendly, but afterwards they made a treacherous attack on a party engaged in filling the water-casks, when one man was killed, another wounded, and a third was missing, of whom no tidings could be obtained, when a force landed on the following day to seek for him. On the return of this party the Ascension put to sea. During the night the vessel touched ground, but fortunately floated off without having suffered any damage.

Next day three small ships, “Pangaes”, were captured. Some of their company were brought on board, and kindly treated, but suddenly they with their knives attacked the crew: “upon this occasyon wee made with them shorte worke, and brought most part of them by sundry wayes to their last home; giving thankes to God for this last deliverye, wherein the owld proverbe was verrefyed, That one Myscheife comes syldome alone.”