It went by the Cape of Good Hope to the East Indies, under the command of Captain James Lancaster.
It took no less than sixteen months to reach the Indian Archipelago.
The little fleet reached Acheen in June, 1602.

The king of the territory received the visitors with courtesy, and exchanged spices with them freely.

The four vessels sailed homeward, taking possession of the island of St.Helena on their way back; having been absent exactly thirty-one months.

The profits of the first voyage proved to be about one hundred per cent.

Such was the origin of the great East India Company--now expanded into an empire, and containing about two hundred millions of people.
To return to the shipping and the mercantile marine of the time of Queen Elizabeth.