That done, we split the Yard, and with the two parts made side pieces, fixing others, and adding some of the lightest Plank we cou'd get, first spiking and afterwards seizing them firm, in breadth four Foot: We likewise fix'd a Mast, and of two hammocks that were drove on shoar we made a Sail, with a Paddle for each Man and a spare one in case of necessity. This difficulty thus surmounted and brought to a period, he wou'd frequently ask me whether I design'd to accompany him, giving me also to understand that if I declin'd, there was another ready to embrace the offer.
About this Time we saw a Sail come out of Piscataqua River, about 7 Leagues to the Westward, we again made all the signal we cou'd, but the Wind being at N. West, and the ship standing to the Eastward, was presently out of sight, without ever coming near us, which prov'd a very great Mortification to our hopes; but the next day being moderate, and in the afternoon a small Breeze right on shoar, also the Raft wholy finished, the two men were very solicitous to have it launch'd, and the Mate as strenuously oppos'd it, on account 'twas so late (being 2 in the afternoon) but they urging the light nights, beg'd of me to have it done, to which at last I agreed, first commiting the enterprize to God's blessing; they both got upon it, and the Swell rowling very high soon overset them as it did our boat; the Sweed not minding it swam on shoar, but the other (being no swimmer) contin'd
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some Time under Water and as soon as appear'd, I caught hold of him and sav'd him, but was so discourag'd, that he was afraid to make a second attempt.
I desir'd the Sweed to wait a more favourable oportunity, but he continuing resolute, beg'd of me to go with him, or help him to turn the Raft, and would go himself alone.
By this time another man came down and offer'd to adventure, so getting upon the Raft I launch'd 'em off, they desiring us to go to Prayers, also to watch what became of them; I did so, and by Sunset judg'd them half way to the Main, and that they might reach the shoar by 2 in the morning; but I suppose they fell in with some breakers, or the violence of the sea overset them and they perish'd; for two Days after, the Raft was found on shoar, and one man dead about a Mile from it, with a Paddle fastened to his wrist; but the Sweed who was so very forward to adventure, was never heard of more.
We upon the desolate Island not knowing what had befallen them, waited daily for deliverance, and our expectations was the more heightened by a smoak we saw in the woods, two days after (the Signal appointed if arriv'd safe) which continuing every day, and being willing to believe it made on our Account, tho' saw no appearance of any thing towards our relief, yet suppos'd the delay was occasion'd, by their not being able to procure a vessel so soon as we desir'd; and this hope under God, serv'd to bear our spirits and support us much.
But still our great want was Provisions; having nothing to eat but Rockweed and a very few Muscles, and the Spring-Tide being (thank God) safely over we cou'd scarce get any at all. I have gone my self (no other Person being able) several days at low water, and cou'd get no more than two or three at Piece, and have frequently been in danger of losing my hands and arms by putting them so often in the water, which when got, my stomach refus'd, and rather chose Rockweed.
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At our first coming we saw several Seals upon the Rock, and supposing they might harbour there in the night, I walked round at midnight, but cou'd never get any thing: We also saw a great many fowls, but they perceiving us daily there, wou'd never come on the Rock to lodge, so that we caught none.
Which disappointment was very greivous and still serv'd to irritate our miseries, but it was more especially afflicting to a brother I had with me, and another young Gentleman, who had never (either of 'em) been at sea, or endur'd any severities before; but were now reduc'd to the last extreamities, having no assistance but what they receiv'd from me.
Part of a green hide being thrown up by the sea, (fasten'd to a peice of the Main-Yard) the men importun'd me to bring it to the Tent, which being done we minc'd it small and swallow'd it down.
About this time, I set the men to open junck, and with the Rope-Yarn (when weather wou'd permit) I thatcht the Tent in the best Manner my strength wou'd allow; that it might the better shelter us from extreamities of weather: And it prov'd of so much service as to turn two or three Hours' rain, and preserve us from the cold pinching winds which were always very severe upon us.
About the latter end of this month (viz. December) our Carpenter (a fat Man, and naturally of a dull, heavy, Phlegmatick Constitution and Disposition, aged about forty-seven) who from our first coming on shore, had been always very ill, and lost the use of his feet, complained of an excessive Pain in his Back, and stiffness in his Neck: being likewise almost choakt with phlegm (for want of strength to discharge it) so that to our aprehension he drew near his End. We prayed over him, and us'd our utmost endeavours to be serviceable to him in his last moments; he shew'd himself sensible tho' speechless, and that night died: We suffered the Body to remain with us 'till morning, when I desir'd
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them who were best able, to remove it; creeping out my self, to see if Providence had yet sent us any thing, to satisfie our extreamly craving appetites: Before noon returning and not seeing the dead Body without, I ask'd why they had not remov'd it? And receiv'd for answer, they were not all of them able: Whereupon fastening a rope to the Body, I gave the utmost of my assistance, and with some difficulty we got it out of the Tent. But the fategue and consideration of our Misery together, so overcame my spirits, that being ready to faint, I crept into the Tent, and was no sooner got in there, but (as the highest Addition of trouble) the Men began to request of me the dead Body to eat, the better to support their Lives.
This, of all I had met with, was the most greivous and shocking to me, to see my self and Company, who came thither laded with provisions but three weeks before, now reduc'd to such a deplorable circumstance, as to have two of us absolutely starv'd to death, other two we knew not what was become of, and the rest of us at the last Extreamity and (tho' still living, yet) requiring to eat the Dead for support.
After abundance of mature thought and consultation about the lawfullness or sinfullness on the one Hand, and absolute Necessity on the other; Judgment, Conscience, &c. were oblig'd to submit to the more prevailing arguments of our craving appetites; so that at last we determined to satisfie our hunger and support our feeble Bodies with the Carkass in Possession: first ordering his skin, head, hands, Feet and bowels to be buried in the Sea, and the Body to be quarter'd for Conveniency of drying and carriage, to which I again receiv'd for Answer, that they were not all of them able, but entreated I wou'd perform it for them: A task very greivous, and not readily comply'd with, but their incessant Prayers and Intreaties at last prevail'd, and by night I had perform'd my labour.
I then cut part of the flesh in thin Slices, and washing it in
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saltwater, brought it to the Tent, and oblig'd the men to eat Rockweed along with it, to serve instead of bread.
My Mate and two others, refus'd to eat any that night, but next morning complied, and earnestly desir'd to partake with the rest.
I found they all eat abundance and with the utmost greediness, so that I was constrain'd to carry the quarters farther from the Tent, (quite out of their Reach) least they shou'd prejudice themselves by overmuch eating, as also expend our small stock too soon.
I also limited each Man to an equal Proportion, that none might quarrel, or entertain hard thoughts of my self, or one another, and I was the more oblig'd to this method, because I found (in a few days) their very natural dispositions chang'd, and that affectionate, peacable temper they had all along hitherto discover'd totally lost; their eyes staring and looking wild, their Countenances fierce and barbarous, and instead of obeying my Commands (as they had universally and readily done before) I found all I cou'd say (even prayers and entreaties vain and fruitless) nothing now being to be heard but brutish quarrels, with horrid Oaths and Imprecations, instead of that quiet submissi
ve spirit of Prayer and supplication we had before enjoy'd.
This, together with the dismal prospect of future want, oblig'd me to keep a strict watch over the rest of the Body, least any of 'em shou'd (if able) get to it, and this being spent, we be forc'd to feed upon the living: which we must certainly have done, had we staid a few days longer.
But now the goodness of God began to appear, and make provision for our deliverance, by putting it in the hearts of the good people on Shore, where our Raft drove, to come out in search of us; which they did the 2d of January in the morning.
Just as I was creeping out of the Tent, I saw a shallop half way from shore, standing directly towards us, which may be
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easily imagin'd was Life from the Dead; how great our Joys and Satisfaction were, at the prospect of so speedy and unexpected deliverance, no tongue is able to express, nor thoughts to conceive.
Our good and welcome friends came to an Anchor to the South West, at about 100 Yards distance, (the Swell not suffering them to come nearer) but their anchor coming home, oblig'd them to stand off 'till about noon, waiting for smoother water upon the Flood: Mean Time our passions were differently mov'd, our Expectations of Deliverance, and fears of miscarriage, hurry'd our weak and disorder'd spirits strangely.
I give them account of our miseries in every respect, except the want of Provisions (which I did not mention, least I shou'd not get them on shore for fear of being constrain'd by the Weather to tarry with us): Earnestly entreating them to attempt our immediate deliverance; or at least (if possible) to furnish us with fire, which with the utmost hazard and difficulty they at last accomplished, by sending a small Cannoe with one Man, who with abundance of labour got on shore.
After helping him up with his Canoe, and seeing nothing to eat, I ask'd him if he cou'd give us Fire, he answer'd in the affirmative, but was so affrighted, (seeing me look so thin and meagre) that could hardly at first return me an answer: But recollecting himself, after several questions asked on both sides, he went with me to the Tent, where was surpriz'd to see so many of us in so deplorable condition.
Our flesh so wasted, and our looks so ghastly and frightful, that it was really a very dismal Prospect.
With some difficulty we made a fire, determined to go my self with the man on board, and after to send for the rest one or two at a time, and accordingly got both into the Canoe, but the Sea immediately drove it with such violence against the Rock, that overset us into the water; and I being very weak, 'twas a great
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while before cou'd recover my self, so that I had a very narrow excape from drowning.
The good man with very great difficulty, got on board himself without me, designing to return the next day with better conveniences if weather wou'd permit.
'Twas a very uncomfortable sight to see our worthy friends in the Shallop stand away for the shore without us: But God who orders all our affairs (by unseen movements) for the best, had doubtless designs of preservation towards us, in denying us that appearance of present deliverance: For that night the wind coming about to South-East, blowing hard and being dark weather, our good friends lost their Shallop, and with extream difficulty sav'd their lives: But, in all probability, had we been with them, we must have perish'd, not having strength sufficient to help ourselves.
Immediately after their getting on shore, they sent an express to Portsmouth in Piscataqua, where the good people made no delay in hastening to our deliverance, as soon as weather wou'd allow: But to our great sorrow, and for further trial of our Patience, the next day continu'd very stormy, so that, tho' we doubted not but the people on shore knew our condition, and wou'd assist us as soon as possible, yet our flesh near spent, no fresh water, nor any certainty how long the weather might continue thus, render'd our circumstance still miserable, tho' much advantag'd by the fire, for now we cou'd both warm our selves, and broil our meat.
The next day our Men urging me vehemently for flesh, I gave them a little more than usual, but not to their satisfaction, for they wou'd certainly have eat up the whole at once, had I not carefully watch'd 'em, designing to share the rest next morning if the weather continu'd bad: But it pleased God that night the wind abated and early next morning a Shallop came for us, with my much esteemed friends Captain Long and Captain Purver
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and three more who brought a large Canoe, and in two hours time got us all on Board to their Satisfaction and our great comfort: being forc'd to carry almost all the men on their backs, from the Tent to the Canoe, and fetch us off by two or three at a time.
When we first came on board the Shallop, each of us eat a bit of bread and drank a dram of Rum, and most of us were extreamly Sea Sick; but after we had cleans'd our stomachs, and tasted warm nourishing food, we became so exceeding hungry and ravenous, that had not our worthy friends dieted us (and limited the quantity for about two or three days) we shou'd certainly have destroy'd our selves with eating.
We had also two other vessels came off for our assistance, if there had been any necessity (so generous and charitable were the good People of New England, in our distress) but seeing us all on board the shallop made the best of their way home again.
At eight at night we came on shore, where we were kindly entertain'd, myself and another at a private house (having Credit sufficient to help us) all the rest at the charge of the Government who took such care that the poor men knew not the least want of any thing their necessitys call'd for or the kind and generous gentlemen cou'd furnish them with (the care, industry and generosity of my much honoured Friends John Plaisted, Esq., and Captain John Wentworth, in serving both my self and these poor men being particularly eminent) providing them a good Surgeon and Nurses till well, bearing the charge, and afterwards allowing each man sufficient cloathing; having themselves in the whole with so much Freedom, Generosity and Christian Temper, that was no small addition to their other services, and render'd the whole worthy both of admiration and Imitation; and likewise was of the last consequence to the poor men in their distress.
Two days after we came on shore my apprentice lost a great part of one foot, the rest all recover'd their limbs, but not their perfect use. Very few (beside my self) escaping without losing
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the benefit of Fingers or Toes, &c. tho' thank God all otherwise in perfect Health; some sailing one way and some another; my Mate and two or three more now in England at the Publication hereof.
Postscript
Having two or three spare Pages, we think it our duty to the truth, and our selves, to obviate a barbarous and scandalous Reflection, industriously spread abroad and level'd at our ruine, by some unworthy, malicious Persons (viz.) That we having ensur'd more than our Interest in the Ship Nottingham, agreed and willfully lost her, first designing it in Ireland, and afterwards effecting it at Boon Island.
Such a base and villainous Reflection scarce merits the Trouble of an Answer, were not Truth and Reputation so much concern'd: Therefore, as to the Business of Ireland, 'tis really preposterous (the Commander not knowing there was one Penny ensur'd) but being chac'd by two large Privateers, in their Passage North-about to Killibegs, and standing in betwixt the Islands of Arran and the Main, to prevent being taken; the Commander and Mr. Whitworth agreed (if it came to the last Extremity) to run the Ship on Shore and burn her (first escaping themselves and Men, with what else they cou'd carry in the Boat) rather than be carry'd into France and lose all. But being near, they recover'd their Port, and proceeded on their Voyage.
And as for the other Part of the Charge, of willfully losing her at Boon Island, one wou'd wonder Malice itself cou'd invent or suggest any thing so ridiculous, and which wou'd certainly be credited by nobody, that considers the extream Hazards and Difficulties suffer'd by the Commander himself, as well as his Men, where 'twas more than Ten Thousand to one, but every
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Man had perish'd: And wou'd certainly have chose another Place to have effected it, if w
e had such a Design: But alas, what will not vain impotent Malice say, when it intends Injury? Were the Persons reflecting, but to suffer the like Extreamities (we can't but think) they'd be feelingly convinc't. But this Matter speaking so plainly for it self, we think it needless to add more, therefore proceed to the last part of the Charge (viz.) Ensurance.
Boon Island: including Contemporary Accounts of the Wreck of the Nottingham Galley Page 5