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London September 7 1727 These are to certify whom it may concern, that we whose names are underwritten, being at Sea in, and belonging to the Ship called the Luxborough, Wiliam Kellaway Commander, bound from Jamaica to London, in the Latitude of 41 and 45, and Longitude from Crooked island by Account 30 Degrees, 30 Minutes East, on the 25th Day of June 1727 took fire in the Lazaretto, which in half an hour′s time, notwithstanding all the diligent endeavours of Men under such unhappy circumstances, without hopes of saving any of our Lives, could use, increased to that dreadful degree, that we had not the least hope of quenching it. We then endeavoured to get out our boats, but too late, save only the Yawl, into which the Captain and 21 more got, and put off, leaving the rest 14 in number, in the Ship; we lay in sight of her till we saw her masts burnt and fall overboard, and her hull all in flames, until she blew up and disappeared. We had not one drop of drink, or morsel of victuals, no compass, mast or sails, and but 3 oars, therefore could not expect long to survive our unhappy Ship Mates. But it pleased the Almighty God, of his great Mercy, on 7th of July, to bring us, whose Names are underwritten, and our Captain, (who died next morning) in safety into Great St Lawrence Harbour, in Newfoundland; where we do make Oath, upon the Holy Evangelists, that the above–written is the Truth, and nothing but the Truth. In Witness whereof we hereto set our hands, in the Presence of Capt. Edward Le Crass, Admiral of the Harbour, Captain Tho. Vesconte, and Capt. Thomas Snow. William Boys, William Gibbs, Tho. Schrimshaw, George Moulder, William Ballen, Robert Kellaway. |
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Daily Post London 28 September 1727 The following Account appearing Authentick, and containing some remarkable particulars not mentioned before, we think it proper to be here inserted. Ludlow–Castle, (in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland) July 24.1727. This morning came in here from St Lawrence, (a harbour on the Western side of this Bay, distant about 25 leagues) a Sloop with six unhappy people, viz. the Mate, Surgeon, Boatswain, Carpenter, a Sailor and a Boy, formerly belonging to the Luxburgh Galley of London, William Kellaway, Master, bound for London from Jamaica; The 25th of June last, in Latitude 41, about 120 Leagues from land, the said ship took fire, (by the carelessness of drawing off rum between the decks) and the Master with 21 of his crew had just time to hoist out there Yawl to make their Escape, leaving on board fourteen hands, who were consumed in the flames: These poor wretches having committed themselves to the Mercy of the Almighty, had no manner of sustenance with them, nor even a Compass, to direct their Course, having a continual Fog, and with their shirts patched up a sail, and so steering away before the wind, on the 7th Instant providentially reached harbour of St Lawrence; they were twelve days under these miserable circumstances: The Master died a few hours after he got ashore, and out of twenty-two here are only six now surviving. I have strictly examined how it was possible they could support themselves; they told me they were obliged to suck the Blood and eat the Flesh of the dead Carcasses, which were fifteen in number, but the Blood was their chief support; and if it had not been for a little rain which they saved in their hats the day before they made the land, they had certainly perished; and as they neared the land they had thick fog, and on a sudden they found themselves in the abovesaid Harbour. I have put them ashore for their recovery, till they are capable of proceeding home. Dated on Board his Majesty′s said Ship (Ludlow–Castle) the 24th of July, 1727. John St. Lo |
With thanks to Bill Piper for these articles