Part 29
The first Voyage he made was to _Carolina_, where some Merchants finding him every Way capable, and that he was a sober intelligent Man, gave him the Command of a Ship, and sent him to the _West-Indies_. He continued in this Employ for several Years, but one Voyage, in his Return, he had the Misfortune to fall in with, and be taken, by a _French_ Pyrate, who having no Artist on board, detain'd Captain _Bowen_ to navigate their Vessel; and after cruizing some Time in the _West-Indies_, shap'd their Course for the _Guiney_ Coast, where they made several Prizes, and took several good Artists; but having Experience of Captain _Bowen_, he could by no Means prevail on them for a Discharge; tho' notwithstanding the Service he was to them, they treated him as roughly as they did their other Prisoners, of which I have already taken Notice in Captain _White_'s Life.
They (the Pyrates) doubled the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, steer'd for, refresh'd at _Johanna_, and having made their Voyage to the _East-Indies_, lost their Ship, as is already shewn in the above Life, (and need not be here repeated) on _Madagascar_: The other Particularities which are not set down in _Bowen_'s own Life, will be found in those of his Companions; as his going with Captain _Read_; the taking the _Grabb_; the coming to _Mayotta_, and from thence in the _Grabb_ to _Madagascar_; the joining of that Vessel and _Fourgette_'s; the taking the _Speaker_; his succeeding _Booth_ in the Command, and his Death at _Mascarenas_.
OF Capt. _Nathaniel North_, And his CREW.
We have placed this Life in the Appendix, which will not perhaps be thought a proper Place; but we could not gather the Particulars, which were collected out of several different Journals, Time enough to insert it in the Body of the Book, and therefore, thought of reserving this Life for Part of another Volume; but when we had compiled it, and found it was a Sort of Recapitulation of the Adventures of the _Madagascar_ Pyrates which went before, we judged it more proper to give it in the Appendix than to separate this Gentleman from his Companions; and we were the rather induc'd to this, as the Reader will here find an Account of _Bowen_'s Death, which we had not learn'd at the Time we wrote his Life; the Papers which we got after a long Search, and which has furnish'd us with some other Particulars of that Rover's Life, not being at that Time to be found.
* * * * *
Captain _North_ was born at _Bermudas_, and was the Son of a Sawyer, which Business he himself was bred up to, but took, at last, to the Seas, at the Age of 17 or 18, shipping himself Cook on board a Sloop, built at _Bermudas_, for some Gentlemen of _Barbadoes_, with Design to fit her out for a Privateer. She was bound to her Owners, but the Master took _Santa Vdas_ in the Way, and loaded with Salt. When they came to _Barbadoes_ all the Crew was press'd, and _North_ with his Companions were put on board the _Reserve_.
The Master applied himself to the Governor, and got all his Men clear'd, _North_ excepted, who, as he was a Lad, was neglected, and left on board the Man of War, which soon after sail'd for _Jamaica_; some Time before the _Reserve_ was relieved from this Station, he laid Hold of an Opportunity to run away, and shipp'd himself on board a Sugar Drover, in which Way of Life he continued about two Years, and being an able Sailor, tho' no Artist, he was offer'd to go Master of one of these Coasters, which he refus'd, and went on board a Privateer.
The first Voyage he made, as a Privateer, they took a couple of good Prizes, which made every Man's Share very considerable; but _North_, as he had got his Money lightly, so he spent it, making the Companions of his Dangers the Companions of his Diversions, or rather joining himself with them, and following their Example; which all (who are acquainted with the Way of Life of a successful _Jamaica_ Privateer) know is not an Example of the greatest Sobriety and Oeconomy.
His Money being all spent, he took the same Method for a Recruit, that is, he went a second Time a Privateering, and met with such Success, that he engag'd very heartily in this Course of Life, and made several lucky Cruizes.
Some Time after he grew tir'd, thought of trading, and shipp'd himself on board a Brigantine, bound for the _Spanish_ Coast, commanded by one Captain _Reesby_: This Vessel went both on the Trading and Privateer Account, so that the Men shipp'd for half Wages, and equal Shares of what Prizes they should make, in the same Manner, as to the Shares, as on board a Privateer; their trading answer'd very poorly, and their privateering Business still worse, for they return'd without making any Prize.
They were forced to leave the _Spanish_ Coast, on Account of a _Spanish Guarda la Costa_, of 40 Guns and Three hundred and fifty _Frenchmen_, commanded by a Captain of the same Nation. When they made the Island of _Jamaica_, they fell in with _Bluefields_, off which Place two _French_ Privateer Sloops were cruizing, one of which was formerly a Privateer of _Jamaica_, called the _Paradox_; they immediately clapp'd Capt. _Reesby_ on board, taking him for a Trader, come from the _Spanish_ Coast, and weakly mann'd; however, they were soon made sensible of the Mistake, for they came to fetch Wool, and one of them went away shorn; I mean _Reesby_ took one of them, and the other was obliged to a good Pair of Heels for his Safety. _Reesby_ lost ten Men, killed outright in the Engagement, and had seven wounded; the latter, tho' he had made but a broken Voyage, he put ashore at _Bluefields_, and ordered great Care to be taken of them, at the Owners Expence: Here he took in fresh Provision, and then beat up to _Port Royal_, where _Reesby_ paid them very honourably, gave them a handsome Entertainment, and begg'd they would not leave him, as he had a very great Value for them all; but for _North_ particularly, who was a good Swimmer, manag'd a Canoe, with great Dexterity, and fear'd nothing.
Upon this Desire of the Captain's, _North_ and the greater Part staid ashore till Captain _Reesby_ was refitted, and went a second Voyage with him to the Coast, at seventeen Dollars a Month, and no Share; they carried 300 Negroes, beside Bale Goods; they staid four Months on the Coast, and dispos'd of all the Slaves and Goods to great Advantage. Upon their Return to _Jamaica_, after some Stay on the Island, Captain _Reesby_ not going out again, _North_ went once more a Privateering, and made a considerable Booty. While _North_ was ashore after a Cruize, he was press'd on board the _Mary_ Man of War: He made a Cruize in her to the _Spanish_ Coast, and return'd to _Jamaica_; but hearing the _Mary_ was soon to go to _England_, he, and three more, resolv'd to swim ashore from the Keys, where the Men of War lie, but he was taken as he was going off the Head, and whipp'd; he, however, found Means to make his Escape, before the Ship left the Island, and went on board the _Neptune_ Sloop, a Privateer, commanded by Captain _Lycence_, then Lieutenant of the _Reserve_, who, while the Ship was in the Carpenter's Hands, got a Commission of the Governor to take a Cruize. Captain _Moses_, who commanded the _Reserve_, went on board their Sloop, under the Command of his Lieutenant, for Diversion only: They cruized off _Hispaniola_, where they met with a _French_ Letter of Mart Merchant Man, of 18 Guns, and 118 Men, who had the Day before engaged the _Swan_ Man of War, and shook her off.
The _Neptune_ attack'd her, and Captain _Moses_ was wounded one of the first, and carried down; _Lycense_ order'd to board, but the Quarter-Master, who steer'd, mistook the Helm, the Sloop fell off, and the _French_ pouring in a Volley of small Shot, Captain _Lycence_ was kill'd, which being told to _Moses_, as the Surgeon dress'd him, he order'd _North_ to the Helm, bid them not be discouraged, and he would be upon Deck immediately. Accordingly he came up as soon as dress'd, laid the Ship on board, where they made a very obstinate Resistance; but the _French_ Captain being kill'd, who received eleven Shot before he dropp'd, they, at length, became Masters.
The Privateer lost ten Men, and twenty were wounded: The _French_ had fifty Men killed and wounded, among whom was the Captain, who had received two Shot, as he was going down to the Surgeon to get his Blood staunch'd, and came upon Deck just as he was boarded, where, encouraging his Men, he was distinguished and aimed at.
When they had brought the Prize into _Jamaica_, as she was an _English_ Bottom, built at _Bristol_, and called the _Crown_, the former Owners sued to have half the Ship and Cargo, and recovered one third.
_North_ went again a Privateering, Captain _Moses_ his Ship being not fitted, he would take a second Cruize, and _North_ with him. Some Time after their Return, Captain _Moses_ being a cruizing in the _Reserve_, _North_, who was ashore, was press'd on board the _Assistance_ Man of War; and on the _Reserve_'s coming, being recommended by Captain _Moses_ to his own Captain, he was handsomely treated, and made one of the Barge's Crew: He was very easy till the _Assistance_ was order'd to _England_, and then, as he was apprehensive of going into a cold Climate, he took his Leave of the Man of War, and said nothing. He then went on board a Privateer again, and made several Prizes, two of which were _English_ Bottoms, and sued for by former Owners; _North_ thinking it hard to venture his Life, and have Part of his Prize Money taken away, and the Press being hot in _Jamaica_, he resolved to sail no more with the _English_; but went to _Curasoe_ into the _Dutch_ Service, and sail'd with a _Spanish_ Trader to the Coast of _New Spain_ several Voyages. In the last he made, they were chased ashore by a couple of _French_ Sloops, one of which was commanded by a _Dutchman_, named _Lawrence_, who, with his Comrade, took Possession of their Vessel, and rifled her; the Crew of the Prize called to them, and asked, if they would give them good Quarters? which they promis'd; took them all on board, and used 'em very handsomely.
The _French_ gave the Prisoners a small Sloop they took a while after, and they returned to _Curaso_.
He having now forgot his Resentment, he return'd to _Jamaica_, and went on board and cruiz'd in a _Spanish Barca Longa_, of 10 Guns, commanded by Captain _Lovering_, born at _Jamaica_; they cruiz'd three Months in the _West Indies_, and making but a small Hand of it, they put for _Newfoundland_, to try their Fortune on the Banks: Here they met a Man of War, who renew'd their Commission for six Months longer. The first Prize they made was a _French_ Ketch, with a _Spanish_ Pass, and would have pass'd for a _Spaniard_, but by strict Search, and threatning of the Men, they discovered her to be what she really was, tho' she had, as a _Spaniard_, slipp'd thro' the Fingers of a Man of War before.
They carried their Prize into Harbour, went again upon the Cruize, met with a _French_ Letter of Mart Merchant Man, a _Bristol_ built Ship, called the _Pelican_, of 18 Guns, and Seventy five Men, half laden with Fish: This Ship stood them a long Argument; they clapp'd her on board, and two of their Men enter'd, but missing lashing, the _Barca Longa_ fell a-stern, and the two Men were made Prisoners; however, they came up with her again, clapp'd her on board a second Time, and carried her into the same Port where they had left the Ketch.
They after this put to Sea again, and being discovered by the _French_ Settlement ashore, they went into St. _Mary_'s Bay, where they fell in with a large _French_ Fly-Boat, of 800 Tons, eighty Men, and 18 Guns, and laden with Fish: They chased and came up with her, under _French_ Colours; when they were pretty near the _Frenchman_ they haled, and ask'd, whence they came? a _Guernsey_ Man, at the Bowsprit End, answer'd, from _Petit Guavers_; that they had been cruizing on the Banks, and were going into the Bay for Refreshment. The _Frenchman_ bid them come no nearer, but send their Boat on board; they keeping on the Chase he fired at them, they did not mind this, but run up a long Side and boarded him; the _French_ ran to their close Quarters, and disputed the Ship three Quarters of an Hour, when they all call'd for Quarters except one Man, who wou'd take none, but ran like a Madman into the Thick of the _English_, and wounded several, tho' he was soon dispatch'd by their Pistols.
They carried this Prize to join the others, and turning all the Prisoners ashore, except what were necessary to condemn their Prizes; they stood, with a Fleet of four Sail, for _Rhode Island_.
Here they condemn'd the Fly-Boat and Ketch, but found a great Difficulty in getting the _Pelican_ condemn'd, the _English_ Owners putting in their Claim; but, at length, a _Scotch_ Lawyer did their Business, upon leaving 300 l. in his Hands to bear the Charge of any future Suit. Captain _Lovering_ dying here, the Ship's Company bought the _Pelican_, broke up the _Barca Longa_, sent her Owners their Shares, and got a Commission for the Master to cruize Southward as far as the Line, and to be valid for eighteen Months certain, two Years allowing for Accidents.
They fitted this Ship for a long Voyage, out of the Joint Stock of the Company; but Iron Hoops being scarce in _New England_, they were obliged to take Casks hoop'd with Wood, which I mention, because it proved the Ruin of their Voyage to the _East Indies_ for a whole Year.
They being fitted for the Sea, they set Sail and steer'd for the _Cape_ of _Good Hope_, which they doubled in the Month of _June_, made the best of their Way to _Madagascar_, and went into _Augustine_ Bay, where they victualled and watered, but before this was done it was _August_, which was too late to go to the _East-Indies_; which they propos'd to do with Design, to cruize on the _Moors_, not intending to Pyrate among the _Europeans_, but honestly and quietly to rob what _Moors_ fell in their Way, and return home with clean Consciences, and clean, but full Hands, within the limited Time of their Commission.
From _Augustine_ they went to _Johanna_, and the Provisions they had salted up at _Madagascar_ not being well done, it began to spoil; this and their Cloaths wanting Repair, made them desperately resolve to take the King of _Johanna_ and make him ransome himself, but the Master wou'd not take Charge of the Ship, being unacquainted with the Coast: They cruiz'd among the Islands, landed at _Comaro_, and took the Town, but found no Booty, excepting some Silver Chains, and check'd Linnen. From hence they went to _Mayotta_, where they took in a _Frenchman_ who had been morooned there, and maintain'd by the King; they consulted with him about the surprizing and taking his Town. The _Frenchman_ was averse to it, as he owed him the Obligation of being preserved; however, he was in their Hands, and must do as they would have him: They surrounded the King's House after they had been three Days in his Town, and took him and all the Inhabitants; but the King's Son made his Way thro' the thickest of them with his Cutlash, tho' he was shot afterward. The Pretence they made use of for this inhospitable Manner, was, that the King had poison'd the Crew of a Ship, which was their Consort; he denied it, as well he might, for they themselves never heard of a Ship of the Name they gave this fictitious one. The King they carried on board, the other Prisoners they put into a Sort of a Temple, with a Guard over them of 36 Men.
The Alarm being given in the Country, the Natives came down in a Body of some Thousands, and attack'd the Guard; but the Ship hearing the Fire, and seeing the Hills covered with Blacks, discharged several great Guns, loaded with Patridge, which making a very great Slaughter, obliged them to retire.
The King ransom'd himself for some Silver Chains to the Value of a thousand Dollars, and for what Provision they demanded; and at the setting him ashore, swore Allegiance to them as Masters of the Country, and took an Oath besides, never to poison any more white Men.
After this notable Expedition, they staid here a Fortnight, tho' always on their Guard, and then went back for _Augustine_ with about 20 Slaves, they carried away with them for Servants.
Here a Sickness coming among them, they built Huts ashore; they lost, notwithstanding all their Care and Precaution, their Captain and thirty Men, by the Distemper which they contracted; but it abating, they thought of going to Sea again, but on examining their Water Casks, they found the Hoops all worm eaten and rotten, so that there was no Proceeding, but this Defect was repaired by their Cooper, who was an ingenious Fellow; he went into the Woods with the _Mayotta_ Slaves, and with Withies and other Stuff he gathered, fitted them up, and made them tight, in acknowledging of which Service, they chose him Captain, and _North_ was made Quarter-Master.
At _Augustine_ they pick'd up some Straglers, among whom was _David Williams_, and on a Muster, they found they had a hundred and five Men. They then made their Vessel a free Ship, that is, they agreed every Man should have an equal Share in all Prizes; and proceeded for the Mouth of the _Red Seas_.
In the Night, after they had reach'd their Station, they made two Ships, one was the _Mocha_ Frigate, of 40 Guns, commanded by _Culliford_: she had been an _East India_ Man, and under the Command of one Captain _Stout_; the other Ship was called the _Soldada_, a Ship of 16 Guns, the Captain's Name _Shivers_; they haled one another, and on both Sides gave the same Answers, _from the Seas_, and upon Agreement, they all lay by that Night: In the Morning they consorted, and agreed to make an equal Division of all Prizes, which any of the three should take from that Time for two Months to come.
The _Pelican_ spared Wood, Water, and some of her Hands to Captain _Culliford_, and here _Williams_ shifted on board him. About ten Days after, these three had join'd Company a large _Moor_'s Ship, on which they afterwards mounted 70 Guns, hove in Sight.
They all gave Chase, but the small Ship came first up with the _Moor_, who exchang'd several Shot with the _Soldada_ and _Pelican_; but the _Soldada_ clapp'd her on board, and before the _Pelican_ could enter a Man, the _Moors_ call'd for Quarters: In boarding the _Moor_, she fired a Broadside upon the _Soldada_, but only two Shot hull'd her, and kill'd two Men, which was the only Loss they had in taking a thousand Prisoners, Passengers, and Sailors.
All the Money was carried on board the _Mocha_ Frigate, and divided between her Crew and the _Soldada_, excluding without other Reason than _sic volumus_, the _Pelican_ from any Share.
The Crew of the _Pelican_ expostulated with them, and bid them remember they had spared both Wood and Water, or the _Mocha_ could not have kept the Station; instead of any Answer, they receiv'd a Command to be gone, or they would sink them; they answering, they could not go by themselves, wanting the Water and Wood they had spared. The two Consorts gave them a thousand Dollars, and some Water out of the _Moor_, bidding them buy Wood, where they could purchase it, and so left the _Pelican_ to her self, going away for the Coast of _Malabar_, where they put the Prisoners and Horses they had taken ashore, sunk the _Soldada_, and thence went to the Isle of _St. Mary_'s on _Madagascar_, where the _Moor_'s Ship now lies sunk. They shared out of this Prize a thousand Pounds a Man in Silver and Gold besides other Goods; and the two Pyrates amounted to the Number of 350 Men.
The _Pelican_ kept the same Station for some Days, when a large _Moor_ Ship hove in Sight, they gave Chase, and the _Moor_, not suspecting her for an Enemy, did not endeavour to get away; when the _Pelican_ came up, she fired for the _Moor_ to bring to, which made him set his small Sails, tho' with the Loss of several Men; for the _Pelican_ being close up, brought them down with the small Arms. When the _Moor_ had, at length, hove out his small Sails, the _Pelican_ could not gain upon him enough to board, tho' she was not a Pistol Shot a-stern; whenever she came upon his Lee Quarter, the _Moor_ being a tall Ship, took away the Wind from the _Pelican_, and she could never get to Windward of him. She ply'd her fore Chase all this while, and drove the _Moors_ from their stern Chase, but could not, as they endeavour'd to do, strike the _Moors_ Rudder, or any other Way disable him. At length, by the Fear and bad Steerage of the _Moor_, the _Pelican_ ran up along Side of them, but as she miss'd lashing, she was obliged to shoot a head; in the mean while the _Moor_ Wore round, the _Pelican_ put to Stays after him but not Staying, and they being all in Confusion, they Wore also; but in this Time the _Moor_ had got the Start, and setting all the Canvas he could pack on his Ship's Back, wrong'd the _Pelican_, and got off.
The Loss of this Ship made the Crew almost distracted, and made, for some Time, a great Division among them, some cursing the Ship for a heavy Sailor, and proposing to return home, others cursing themselves, and the ill Management by which they miss'd lashing, and propos'd going to _Madagascar_, and the breaking her up, since as she was a single Bottom, she must be worm-eaten; but Time, which mollifies the greatest Rage, abated these Contentions, and put an End to the Animosities which sprung from their Disappointment.
They being cool, resolved for the _Malabar_ Coast, on which they took three _Moor_ Ships in a little Time; the first they discharged, after taking out 6000 Dollars; the second they took for their own Use, mounted her with 26 Guns, and called her the _Dolphin_; the third they sold on the same Coast for 18000 Dollars. Their own Ship they set adrift. From this Coast they made for _Madagascar_, and near the Island _Mascarenas_ lost all their Masts in a Hurricane. They put up Jury-Masts, came to St. _Mary_'s and new masted. Here they found Captain _Culliford_, Captain _Shivers_, and their Prize, with three Merchant Men from _America_, which were come to trade with them, one of which was the _Pembrook_, commanded by _Samuel Burges_, belonging to _Frederick Phillips_, Merchant at _New-York_. The Captain of the _Dolphin_, and some of the Men being weary of this Life, went home in these Merchant Ships, and the Crew chose one _Samuel Inless_, who lived on the Island, for their Captain; they fitted out for the _Streights_ of _Malacca_, where they made several Prizes of _Moor_ Ships, but of little value to them.
_North_ on board one of the Prizes, was separated from the rest by bad Weather, and drove to great Straights for Water. The _Moor_ Merchant, who was on board with him, and whom he had treated very humanely, shewed him a Draught, by which he came to a small Island not far from the _Dutch_ Settlement, and watered. The _Moor_ told him, that he ran the Risque of his Life should it be known that he had given him a Sight of this Draught. In return for this Service, when he met with his Companions, he got the _Moor_'s Ship discharged.
They, after this, made for _Nicobar_, near _Achen_, and, in the Way, met a large _Dane_ Ship, which they plunder'd, and hove down by, clean'd, and return'd to _Madagascar_, where they shar'd their Booty, which was, besides Goods, between 3 and 400 l. a Man. A Month after their Arrival three _English_ Men of War appear'd in Sight, the _Anglesea_, Captain _Littleton_, the _Hastings_, Captain _White_, and the _Lizard_, Captain _Rumsey_. These Ships occasioned their hawling up the _Dolphin_, which, as they could not get her as high as they design'd, they set Fire to.