Part 2

That Night it blew very hard, and the next Day our Carpenter died as abovemention'd, and in the Morning we hawl'd him out of the Tent. That same Day the Captain and _George White_ went out to see what they could find, but return'd empty handed.

Upon this the Captain propos'd the fleying and eating of the Carpenter's dead Body, and told us, _It was no Sin, since God was pleas'd to take him out of the World and that we had not laid violent Hands upon him_. He ask'd the Boatswain to help to skin and cut him up, which he refus'd because of his Weakness; whereupon one _Charles Gray_ help'd the Captain to do it, and brought in several pieces of the Corps into the Tent, where some of our Men eat of it; but the Mate, the Boatswain, and _George White_ would not touch any of it till next Day that they were forced to it by Extremity of Hunger.

Here the Captain is guilty of several Heads, and particularly _pag. 11_, _&c._ for he was so far from offering to go ashore on the Raft, that he said, _Let who will go, 'twas all one to him_. Nor did the _Dutchman_ or _Swede_ ever desire the Captain to go with him or help him to turn the Raft; nor did the Captain assist _George White_ to get ashore when he was overset in the Raft. It is likewise false, that the other Man who went off in the Raft was found dead with a Paddle fastned to his Wrist, for his Corps was found about 300 Yards from the Shore, and no Paddle to his Wrist. 'Tis likewise false, that the Captain went several times out alone to look for Provisions, for _George White_ was always with him. Nor is it true, that the piece of Cow's Hide beforemention'd was brought into the Tent by the Captain's Order, for _George White_ brought it without his Knowledge. It is likewise false, that the Men first requested the Carpenter's dead Body of the Captain to eat, for he himself was the first that propos'd it, and the Three Deponents refus'd to eat any of it until the next Morning that the Captain brought in some of his Liver and intreated 'em to eat of it; so that the Captain's Pretensions of being moved with Horror at the Thoughts of it, are false, for there was no Man that eat more of the Corps than himself. It is likewise false, that any of the Men removed the dead Body from the Place where they laid it at first. It is also untrue, that the Captain order'd his Skin, Head, Hands, _&c._ to be buried in the Sea, for these we left on the Island when we came off. Nor is there any more Truth in the Care which the Captain ascribes to himself, in hindring us to eat too much of the Corps lest it should prejudice our Health, for we all agreed, the Night before we come off, to limit our selves, lest our Deliverers should be detain'd from coming to us. And as to our Tempers being alter'd after the eating of humane Flesh, as the Captain charges us, _p. 16._ we can safely declare, that tho' he says, _There was nothing to be heard among us but brutish Quarrels, with horrid Oaths and Imprecations_, all the Oaths we heard were between the Captain, his Brother, and Mr. _Whitworth_, who often quarrel'd about their Lying and Eating. And whereas the Captain often went to Prayers with us before we had the Corps to eat, he never, to our hearing, pray'd afterwards, but behav'd himself so impiously, that he was many times rebuked by the Mate and others for profane Swearing.

Having agreed with the Men we sent off on the Raft, that they should kindle a Fire if they got safe on Shore, we were rejoic'd upon the sight of a Smoke, hoping that had been the Signal they promis'd, but it was not. Soon after that we perceiv'd a Boat coming towards us, which made our Hearts leap for Joy, and we return'd Thanks to God for the Prospect of a speedy Deliverance. The Boat came to an Anchor along the side of the Rock, but could not get ashore; and we call'd to 'em for Fire, which the Master sent us by one of his Men in a small Canoe, but no Provisions. This was the 22d Day after we had been on this desolate Rock, so that the Man was frighten'd at the sight of so dismal a Spectacle. We all got about him, and cryed for Joy. He told us, that the Reason of their coming to the Rock to see for us, was their finding a Raft on the Shore, with one Man frozen to Death about Two or Three Hundred Yards from it, but they heard nor saw nothing of the other, from whence 'twas supposed that the Man found dead ashore having landed there in the Night Time, and not knowing where to go, he was frozen to Death under a Tree where they found him. After this Discourse, our Captain went to go off in the Boat, but it overset, so that we were forc'd to take up the Canoe, and carry it all over the Rock, to seek for a smooth Place to put her off again, which we did after the Man had staid with us Two or Three Hours. He promised to come with a better Boat to carry us off, but lost his Vessel as he came near the Shore, and narrowly escaped with his own and his Mens Lives; upon which he sent an Express to _Piscataqua_ for Relief to us. This Night we had a prodigious Storm, but kept a great Fire, which was seen on the Shore, and prov'd very comfortable to us, both for its Warmth, and by Broiling Part of the Dead Corps, which made it eat with less Disgust.

The next Day it blowed very fresh, so that no Relief could come to us; but on the 4th of _January_ in the Morning, the Weather being fair, several Sloops came towards us, and one Canoe came ashore with Four Men, Two of which were Captain _Long_ and Captain _Forbe_, Commanders of Ships, and soon carried us all off on board their Vessel; for several of us had our Legs so frozen, and were so weak that we could not walk. These Gentlemen took great Care of us, and would not suffer us to eat or drink but a little at a time, lest it should do us hurt. Night we arrived at _Piscataqua_ in _New England_, where we were all provided for, and had a Doctor appointed to look after us. We were Ten who came ashore. Two of us having died on the Island, and Two being lost that were sent off on the Raft. The Names of those that were sav'd are _John Dean_, Captain; _Christopher Langman_, Mate; _Christopher Gray_, Gunner; _Nicholas Mellan_, Boatswain; _George White_, _Charles Whitworth_, _Henry Dean_, _Charles Graystock_, _William Saver_, and the Captain's Boy, who had Part of his Foot cut off to prevent a Mortification, and several others were lame. Thus we were delivered by the Goodness of God (for which we praise his Name) after we had been Twenty Four Days upon that Desolate Island in the Distress abovementioned, having nothing to shelter us but a sorry Tent that could not keep us from wet, and was once in Danger of being carryed off by the high Tide, which obliged us to remove it to the highest Part of the Rock. We had nothing to lie on but the Stones, and very few Cloathes to cover us; which, together with our Hunger, made our Lives a Burden to us.

Some Days after our Arrival, the Captain drew up a Protest, which was sign'd by the Mate, being then very ill of a Flux and Fever; and also by the Boatswain _Geo. White_, who was also ill, and declared that he did it for fear of being put out of his Lodgings by the Captain, while he was both sick and lame. But as soon as the Deponents recover'd, they declar'd the Captain's Protest to be false, _&c._ as may be seen by the Depositions hereunto annex'd.

The Captain falsly ascribes to himself, _p. 17_, the first Discovery of the Sloop that came to relieve us, whereas it was first discover'd by _Christopher Gray_, the Gunner, he being sent out on purpose by the Mate, who the Night before had dreamt of the Sloop's Arrival. The Captain likewise falsly magnifies his own Danger of being drowned, when the Canoe was overset, since the Water then was scarce half a Yard deep; and instead of being thankful to God for his own and our Deliverance, he returned with the Dog to his Vomit, and behav'd himself so brutishly, that his Friend Captain _Purver_ was obliged to turn him out of his House. He was so little sensible of the Merciful Deliverance from the Danger he had escaped, that he barbarously told the Children in his Lodging, he would have made a Frigasy of them if he had had 'em in _Boon Island_; which frighten'd the People that heard him, and made them esteem him a Brute, as he was. He likewise wrong'd us of what the Good People gave us towards our Relief, and applyed it to his own and his Brother's Use; and particularly when Captain _John Wentworth_ gave several of our Men good Cloaths, Captain _Dean_ came and order'd them the worst that could be had, and was likewise so barbarous as to get us turn'd out of our Lodgings, before we were able to shift for our selves.

All this we avouch to be Truth, and have no other End in publishing it, but to testify our Thankfulness to God for his Great Deliverance, and to give others Warning not to trust their Lives or Estates in the Hands of so wicked and brutish a Man.

For the Truth of what we have deliver'd, we refer to the Affidavits subjoined, which we made concerning this Matter both in _New England_, and since our Arrival at _London_.

_An Account of our intended Voyage, and some Accidents that happen'd therein from the River of_ Thames _to_ Ireland, _in the_ Nottingham-_Galley_, John Dean _Master_.

_August_ the 7th, 1710. we sail'd from the _Nore_ in company with her Majesty's Ship _Sheerness_, she then being appointed a Convoy for the _North Britain_ Fleet, which we parted from off of _Whitby_, and made the best of our Way.

The 21st _ditto_ we saw two Sail, and that they gave chace to us, they being to the Leeward of us about Three Leagues. It being then the Master's Watch on the Deck, he called the Mate, and told him, _That he saw Two Privateers_. As soon as the Mate came on the Deck, he desired the Master to run in Shore to the Windward of the Island of _Arran_, we then being about Two Leagues to the Windward of it. But the said Master would have gone in to Leeward, which we could not have done without speaking with the aforesaid Ships; and he proposed it several times; but the Mate nor none of the Ship's Company would consent to it, but told him, _That if he did, we could not possibly escape the Enemy_. _Charles Whitworth_ then said in the hearing of the Boatswain and some others of the Ship's Company, _That he had rather be taken than not, for he had Two Hundred Pounds Insured_; he having an Eighth Part of the Ship, as he said.

The Master the next Day would have gone ashore and left the Ship, and put a Chest and several other things in the Boat. The Mate told him, _That he would not consent to any such Thing, for he then saw no Danger of being Taken_, and told the said Master, _That it was early in the Morning, and but Seven Leagues from our Port, and a fair Wind to run along the Shore_. The said Master was then heard to say by the Boatswain and several of the Ship's Company, _That if he thought the Insurance would be paid, he would immediately run her ashore_. So that we all plainly saw that he was willing to lose the said Ship. The Mate told him, _That if he would, by God's Assistance he might fetch his Port before Night, if he would make Sail; but he had a Design to give the Ship away, he might_. The said Master found the Mate was not willing to what he proposed, and that he could not obtain his Desire, he made Sail, and about Six or Seven in the Evening we arrived at our desired Port _Killybags_, where we took in 30 Tons of Butter and 300 and odd Cheeses.

_September 25, 1710._ we sail'd from this Port, bound for _Boston_ in _New England_.

_December 11, 1710._ we being then on the Coast of _New England_, and close on Board of _Cape Porpus_, the Mate told him, _That he did not know any business we had so nigh the Shore, and that it was his better way to hawl further to the Southward_. The said Master would not take his Advice if the Ship went to the Bottom.

At or about Eight this Morning the said Master came to the Mate and knock'd him down with a Block, such as Barbers make Wigs on. We all thought that he had kill'd him, for he lay dead some time, and lost a great deal of Blood.

Between Eight and Nine this Night the Ship run ashore, the Wind at E. S. E. and a moderate Gale. The Mate being then in his Cabbin, and hardly done bleeding, got on the Deck, tho' badly able, and ordered the Masts to be cut away, which we did, and by God's Assistance got all ashore, it being a desolate Land, about Three Leagues from the Main. We then steer'd W. and by S. so that if we had miss'd it we should have run ashore on the Main. This Island is called by the Name of _Boon Island_. We remained on it Twenty-four Days, and suffered a great deal of Hardship; at which time we were fetched off by a _Piscataqua_ Boat, and carried ashore.

Some Days after the Master drew up a Protest, which the Mate and Boatswain signed, the Mate being then very ill with a Flux and Fever, and the Boatswain and _George White_ declares, That the Protest was false, and hardly a Word of Truth in it, but for fear of being put out of his Lodging, he then being very Sick and Lame, sign'd it.

As soon as the Mate recover'd, we all and every of us declare, and give our Oath, That this is the real Truth, and the said Master's Protest to be false; which we now before the Worshipful Justice of the Peace disavow and give our Oaths, That this is the Truth and that if the said Master had taken the Mate's Advice, the Ship, with God's Assistance, might have been in _Boston_ Harbour several Days before she was lost.

_Christopher Langman_, Mate. _Nicholas Mellin_, Boatswain. _George White_, Sailor.

Christopher Langman, Nicholas Mellin, _and_ George White, _personally appeared before me the Subscriber, one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace at_ Portsmouth _in the Province of_ New Hampshire _in_ New England, _and Member of Council within the same, this 9th Day of_ February, 1710-11. _and made Oath to the Truth of what is above written, Captain_ Dean _at the time of taking this Oath being present_.

Samuel Penhallow.

_Christopher Langman_, late Mate of the late Ship called the _Nottingham_, of the Burden of about 120 Tons, whereof _John Dean_ was Master, _Nicholas Mellon_ Boatswain, and _George White_ Sailor, all belonging to the said Ship, do severally make Oath as followeth, _viz._ And first, the said _Christopher Langman_ for himself saith, The said Ship being designed on a Voyage from _London_ to _Killybags_, and from thence to _New England_, she departed from the _Nore_, the 7th of _August_, 1710. in company with her Majesty's Ship _Sheerness_, which they left off of _Whitby_. That on the 21st of the same Month they saw Two Sail to the Leeward, which gave chace to the said Ship _Nottingham_ for about the Space of Three Leagues; in which time, (notwithstanding this Deponent told the said _Dean_ they were Enemies) he often would have bore down upon them; that the Day fallowing they saw the Privateers again, when the said _John Dean_ (contrary to the Will of this Deponent) would have brought the said Ship _Nottingham_ to an Anchor; which if done, she would in all probability have been taken. That they then left the said Privateers, and arrived with their said Ship that Night at _Killybags_ aforesaid, where they deliver'd what Goods were thereto consigned. That on the 25th Day of _September_, in the Year aforesaid, they departed with the said Ship _Nottingham_ from the said Port for _Boston_ in _New England_. In Prosecution of which Voyage, being on the Coast of _New England_, the said _John Dean_, without any Provocation, came to this Deponent and knock'd him down after a very barbarous and inhumane manner, and between Eight and Nine of the Clock at Night of the same Day, the said Ship _Nottingham_ was run on Shore on the Coast of _New England_, (contrary to the Advice of this Deponent) where she, with the chiefest Part of her Cargo, was utterly lost. And lastly, This Deponent believeth, that the said _John Dean_, according to his Working of the said Ship in the said Voyage, design'd to lose her.

_Christopher Langman._

And the said _Nicholas Mellin_ for himself saith, That the several Allegations, Matters and Things contained in the aforegoing Deposition of _Christopher Langman_, are just and true in every Particular thereof. And this Deponent saith, That at the Time they were chased by the said Privateers he was present, and did hear Mr. _Charles Whitworth_ (then on board the said Ship, and adjudged Part Owner thereof) say, _That he would rather the said Ship should be lost than obtain her design'd Port in Safety, having made 200 l. Insurance_. And this Deponent saith, _That the said_ John Dean _at the same time declared, That his Brother_ Jasper Dean _had made 300 l. Insurance_; and immediately after said, _If he thought he could secure the Insurance, he would run the Ship on Shore_; and upon the same order'd this Deponent to hoist the Boat over the Side of the Ship, which done, the said _John Dean_ put therein all his valuable Effects, with a Design to run the said Ship on Shore, but was prevented by the Deponent _Christopher Langman_, by whose Assistance the said Ship arrived at her Port of _Killybags_, and having reloaded departed for _Boston_ in _New England_, upon which Coast making the Land, the Deponent being on the Watch, call'd up the said _John Dean_, and told him there was Land just to the Leeward of them, and the Deponent _Christopher Langman_ being call'd up also, desired the said Ship might be put off from the Shore, which the said _John Dean_ refus'd _if she went to the Bottom_; and for the said _Langman's_ Advice threatned to fetch up a Pistol and shoot him, and did go down, and came up behind him and knock'd him down with a Loggerhead, by means whereof he lay dead for several Minutes, and the same Night the said Ship _Nottingham_ run ashore upon a desolate Rock, and was stav'd in Pieces; And this Deponent saith, _That if the Ship had missed that Misfortune, she would have run ashore on the Main Land_, which he believes was the Master's Design: And on the said Rock we should have been lost our selves, had not the Mate _Langman_, who was then bleeding and cutting down the Mast (under God) sav'd our Lives; in which Island the Cook was frozen to Death, and the Carpenter dying next having been reduced to Hunger, the Master skinned him and cut him up, and they eat him, when Two of the Ship's Company went on Shore on a Raft; one of which was never heard of, the other was found dead in the Woods, by which means the Country understanding a Wreck, came off with a Shallop, whereby they had a Fire after the 22d Day, with which they broiled the rest of the Man, until the 24th Day after their being arrived on the Island before they were relieved.

_Nicholas Mellen._

And the said _George White_ for himself saith, That on the _7th_ of _August 1710_, they departed with the said Ship _Nottingham_ from the _Nore_, on the Voyage to _Killybags_ and _New England_, that in Prosecution of the Voyage on the _21st_ Day of _August_, in the Year aforesaid, there appear'd off the Coast of _Ireland_ two Ships to the Leeward, to which the said _John Dean_ would have bore down, but that the Deponent _Langman_ and the Men believ'd they were Privateers, and advis'd to the contrary, and would not consent to his bearing down. And this Deponent saith, That Mr. _Charles Whitworth_, then on board the said Ship, and said to be a Part Owner thereof, declared, That he had rather be taken than not; and the next Day the said Master _John Dean_ would have run the said Ship _Nottingham_ on Shore, provided he thought the Insurance would be paid, and then declared his Brother had 300 _l._ assured, and _Mr. Whitworth_ 200 _l._ assured, and, so put out some Goods into the Boat (which was then in the Tackle) to save, altho the Deponent _Langman_ and the Men declared the said Ship was within so small a way of her Port, and might escape, which she did accordingly. That after her departure from _Killybags_, when she came on the Banks of _Newfoundland_ was chaced by the _Pompey_. Captain _Den_, at which the said _John Dean_ and Mr. _Whitworth_ seem'd to rejoice, believing him a Privateer; but proving otherwise, they appeared disappointed. That when they came on the Coast of _New England_, falling in with Cape _Porpus_, the Mate and the Men declared that it was not convenient to stand in for the Shore, but to bear away to the Southward. That upon some Words arising _John Dean_ with a Perriwig Block struck the Mate _Christopher Langman_ Three Blows on the Head, which made him lie bleeding. That the same Day the said Ship _Nottingham_ was run ashore upon a most desolate Island, call'd _Boon Island_, (which had they miss'd they must have run ashore on the main Land in a few Hours, which makes this Deponent believe in his Conscience the said Ship was designed to be lost) where the Men had been lost had not the Mate, who was then bleeding, came on Deck, and the Mast being cut down, under God saved their Lives. In which Island one of their Company, being the Cook, died, and the Carpenter dying next, they being reduced to Hunger, eat him, when Two of the Ship's Company went on Shore with a small Rafter, one was never heard of, the other was found dead in the Woods, by which the Country understanding a Wreck, came off with a Canoe, whereby they had Fire after the 22d Day, by which they broil'd the rest of the Man until the 24th Day after their being on the Island before relieved.

_George White._

_Predict. Depon._ Christopher Langman, Nicholas Mellen, _and_ Geo. White, _Jurat. fuerunt 1st Die_ Aug. Anno Dom. 1711. _Coram me_,

W. WITHERS.

_FINIS._

Transcriber's notes:

Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold text by =equal signs=

Punctuation and type-setting errors have been corrected without note.

Corrections in the spelling of names were made when those could be verified. Otherwise the variations were left as they were.

Other errors have been corrected as noted below:

page 16, If were ==> If we were

page 17, and the Dutchman upon upon it ==> and the Dutchman upon it

page 34, Ship Nottingham ashore ==> Ship Nottingham run ashore