Aaron Thomas:
The Caribbean Journal of a Royal Navy Seaman
| June 1798 - July 1798
Journal pages 1 - 56 |
August 1798 - September 1798
Journal pages 56 - 123 |
October 1798 - November 1798
Journal pages 127 - 186 |
December 1798 - January 1799
Journal pages 190 - 227 |
| February 1799 - March 1799
Journal pages 228 - 266 |
April 1799 - May 1799
Journal pages 267 - 310 |
June 1799 - July 1799
Journal pages 310 - 347 |
August 1799 - October 1799
Journal pages 348 - 366 |
[Date: April 1799 - May 1799. Pages: 267-310]
267
Journal from page Two Hundred & Sixty Six
Monday the 1 of April 1799 At 5 P M anchored in the road before Tortola.
Tuesday 2 April. was ashore in Tortola with Mr McNorton spoke to General Bowyer, who said he well knew my Brother John. said he was told I was making my fortune, and that I had plenty of money in the Stocks. Was aboard the Southampton frigate Capt John Harvey.
Wednesday 3rd. Left Tortola. came out between St. Thomas’s and Dykes Island. intending to beat up to St. Kitts, to the N of Batholomews.
Thursday 4th April Dressed and eat a Turtle. fine moderate weather. All the Gunroom Gentlemen dined in the Cabin
Friday 5th April. fine calm moderate weather. after it was dark spoke and American Schooner laden with Sugar and Cotton, from Surinam bound to Philadelphia. left Surinam this day week, & the day before she left it, there sailed a Dutch fleet, under Convoy of two frigates; supposed to be bound for Europe.
carryed to page Two Hundred & Seventy Two.
268
Basseterre 30 March 1799
Mio Figlio,
Your letter dated Daehtips 31 Dec’r came into my hand at this place this morning. Et
Io graz voi per it. Io should not a wrote cosi early, but shall in my Letter a voi dated
10 January ultimo Io said, quello Io wo’d not write a voi untill Io had received una
Lettera dela voi, et agora having received una dela voi, Io thus early responsa it, as a
packet leaves questa place for Europe to morrow. The general tenor of vostro Lettera io
approve; continue to datimi una circa every 6 Setemani, et voi shall loose in the end
niente by it. It gives me sorrow quella voi had not got vostro denario della Mrs Snells.
Io expected there would be difficulties in getting it. Io therefore desired she to guarda
it, in Suo Caza: by her doing so, Io knew quella voi wo’d get it sometime. Io
esperanza voi got l’due G et l’Dollore Io mandato voi by L’ Remat, before
voi releived L’Ardyh off Havre de Grace in January last. -- Voi et Io seem now to be
understanding one another. Io have not tempo to write a long Letter, but quella de mio to
voi dated 10 January last, is so full, and explains my Ideas cosi gradissimio. quella Io
can add but very poco agora. -- Io will certimento act up to those professions. -- There
will a Convoy leave these Islands for Europe on the 15 of May next. A second goes on the
25 June and a third Convoy sails on the first of August, with one of these Convoys La
Gniwpal will certainly go home, if she does Io esperanza L Notsob well not be sent up the
Straits, or on a foreign station, but quella Io shall find voi at home, quella Io may put
mio gniloohcs nalp inanzi noitucexe. Yet however Io am sorry to remark quella H is gniyrt
ot teg na egnahcxe, et gngyrt stceffe una. Io suppose Io tsum remain con him. -- I have a
bad pen, and no knife to mend it. turn over. But Io pensee lui will not get an egnahcxe.
Sa La Larimda si gniog emoh ni Enuj ew tcepxe eh lliw ekat sih nos htiw mih, ni hcihw esac
Enol ew og Rehtaf, nos. et tutti togather, ni eht elyts Io hsiw rof. If H goes into
another Bastimento, in tutti probability Io shall remain con lui, in which case I shall
have to stop along time in this hot Country, my mode de serving voi then will be yb gnivig
a rewop yenrota dna gringissa voi a niatrec ecnawolla a raey ot eb diap ta eht yap Elbat.
but questi Io sho’d not do untill Io was really gone into una otre bastimento. One
thing allures one to stop in this Country, which is prize money, yet I heartily wish to
come home, and shall be backward to any proposal to stop here, wither nostro bastimento
comes home con la Yam Yovnoc or not, by that first Io will mandato voi a Lettera et
something to fazem la Elttek belonging to vostro ssem boil. -- a wolb out now et then is
necessary, with something other than Knuj, Esaep, gnidup, et Llams reeb.
carryed to page 269
269
Your description of winter is very impressive. A Look tuo ni eht Spot in frost & snow, would be a good dose for an Admiral, particularly if he sat there 4 hours, without a Crows Nest for his feet, your sufferings, and many Thousands more in the Channel, I know to be very great, wo’d to God Io could surprized you some yggof ytsorf gninrom, during vostro kool tuo ni ssal Rebmeced, if Io could; Io would a droped voi a Hctaw Taoc, and a few Sdray fo Lennalf. -- Voi have suffered much with cold, -- So have I, but it is with heat but for all your suffering you have hope before you. Nine months more may turn something up per vostro release. I figure to myself, standing at L’Porto de una Passado in Birmingham, London or Bristol, and seing voi alight from a Coach. Vostro business at one of these Citta, will be to be settled in quelque business. Dopo voi have tasted the pleasures of a town life, eaten of its fruits, & drank of the juice of the Barley Corn, you then at tempo, will have as much satisfaction, in speaking of your frosty and Snowy Scenes, which you have experienced off Cape La Heve, Cape Barfluer, Cape La Hogue, The Caskets, The Calvadoes & Granville Rocks, & Isles Marcou, as you really had pain, hunger, & cold, when you were off those places a short period will end you unpleasant situation; therefore be contented with it, -- your prospects are bright before you. For my own part Io am growing vieux, Et Io will certimento secure voi something. But there is a great point to be remembered by you. voi yourself must be moderately square inanzi vostro conduct. for it wo’d be a most vexsatious robi to me, to be told, quella voi were a grandissimo negro guarda. Io mena a confirmed one. Inanzi present situation, Io conosco voi must sometimes get Yespit. have a gnixob hctam now & then, Et heave fora a few Shtao occasionally, these things cannot be avoided. I put great confidence in you discression, and hope I shall be told, quella voi are not a common Rexob, Draknurd, ou squander vostro tempo et denario amongst W et reputed Sremehpsalb. Questi is L’ultimato tempo Io shall touch on these subjects, trusting voi will conduct conduct yourself as moderate as the company you are in, will let you. Io expect then is a Letter from you to me, now on its way to the W I and quella it will contain an account of after having received l’ora et l’argento from Mrs Snells. by the May Convoy Io hope to give voi piu pleasing news. continue to write. keep to vostro navio. Et remain faithfull to your O. Preserve as much of vostro morals as uno uomo de Guerra will allow. -- I am no Prophet yet I can peep deep enough into futurity, to see that some happy giorni will attend voi yet. What is become of Mr Huish. Rem’ber me to Mr William Rue. -- I am afraid Humby will not find me mistaken. For I think in 20 months time the English will be at War with the Americans. Io hope you and I shall be quiet spectators of it ashore.
carryed to page Two Hundred & Seventy
270
fm page 269
Pay some poco attention to this advice voi receive dela mio. et depend upon it. Voi
shal trova la part de la padre, acted towards voi by [blank]
NB Set by the Penelope Brig Packet in which went General Bowyer. She Left Tortola 6th
April 1799
Colligio B Daehtips in Carolina 31 December 1798
Io toma quisti opportunity of escrivando a vos these few lines Esperanza they will find voi in bouna saluta, as they leave me at present gran a Dio for it, we arrived here on the 29th instant from a Cruize off Havre degrace, when I received your Two Letters, one dated the 6th of September, and the other the 29 October, which gave me much pleasure, to here of your welfare in the L. I receivd also you Letter which you sent me to Guernsey, The reason of my not answering it directly, was because I stoped to see if we should got to Portobocca, and then I would be able to send you a true account of it, but when we left Gurnsey, we went to Plybocca; so I took the liberty to write a few lines to Mrs Snell to mandao mio L’ Due G round to Plybocca, as Io was really in the want of them; for Io received niente by Rapaz pay as yet. I cant tell wither she got the Letter or not, but I never received no answer. Dopo l’a next Cruize we came to Daehtips, but there was no ytrebil to go in terreno, for we were only a few days in, Io went to the prima tueil et mostro him La Lettera, he told me could not let me go ashore, but that he was going ashore, and if Io would give him the Letter, he would get it for me. He called at Mrs P, but she was out in the Country paying a visit, he told me when we came in again Io should go ashore, and get it myself. Nostro Bastimentos Rudder is reported bad, and we expect to go into Dock. La Centurion told us, duque conosco quella was to be done con l’Bastimento, he wo’d give us ytrebil to go ashore. When Io go to Mrs P I will send you another, as you desire me to send you a lettera once every mesi, I shall not fail in so doing. Io esperanza voi vill excuse me for not performing my duty, in not writing to you oftener that quella Io have. As you mention to me about andare a Mare, for my part, Io would sooner beg from door to door, then think about the Sea, for this winter has sickened me properly of it, as Io belong to L’erof pot. Io must do, as the rest of L’persona a boarda nostro Bastimento.
carryed to the Bottom of page 271
271
[top]
An unexpected opportunity having occured of putting some of my hand writing, into your hands. I have availed myself of the opportunity; as it will I believe come cost free. -- as I judge it to be you intentions never to write to me, the reason of my writing this to you is, that the Bearer Mr Macnorton, Majordomo to General Bowyer, is coming home &c &c &c-"said this was an introductory Letter which might be of service to both parties with about 10 more lines of &c &c -- dated St. Kitts 31 March 1799. Sent by the Penelope Brig Packet -- for WT
[middle -- continuation of letter p. 270]
Questi is the hardest for frost & gales of wind, as has been known for many years, we certainly must have had our share of it in the Channel, for my part I have stood in the pot many a time crying with the severity of the weather. The Last cruize we had out Commodore, who is the Hydra, very near being lost on the rocks. When we came in, it was in the papers, that we were lost, and all hands perished, but it was not so. As voi mention to me, about me considering voi as mio Padre, quella Io certainly do, for you are the only friend I have in the world, I wish I could express myself on paper, as well as I could wish. There is only 3 of the Officers in the Ship, that was in her when you was here, which is the Purser, Boatswain & Gunner. The Purser is gone to London, to get the Head money for a french Privateer which we took off the Cape. I forgot wither I mentioned to you, the Prizes we took off the Cape we took Eight or nine. two of them are pretty valuable, the rest are no worth talking about, we hear the two valuable ones are condemed; we expect to get about 30 pounds for the two, but when we shall get it I cannot tell. I am sorry I cannot give you a better account of Lieutenant Carlew, he went to Lisbon Hospital, and was Invalided he went home in a Transport, and we here that he died on his Passage. Mr Humby our Master desires to be remembered to you, but he hopes you will tell a Lye for once about the War, for there is great talke of its being over. Peircy, Lloyd, Cash & Eastlake went with Minto the L. When the L was lost Cash & Lloyd went aboard some other Ship. Peircy & Eastlake are now in London with Morris, waiting for another Ship. Eastlake wrote to nostro pattroni de Arms, he desired to be remembered to me W’m Rue desires to be remembered to you, The Ships Company in General are very glad to here of your welfare. As you told me to mention if Letters cost any anything, the one you sent me to Guernsey cost nothing, but the 2 last cost 1/10 for one, and 10 d for the other. Cosi nient pise at present from vostro humble Servant. ou otherwise vostro Figlio WW.
272
Journal from page Two Hundred & Sixty Seven
Saturday 6th April 1799 Mr Pascoe the Midshipman and a five share man, had his head Shaved, for being Lousy, the back part of his Head being intirely a mass of Scabs.
Sunday the 7th April. At 4 P M. a Sudden alarm given in the Ship, that there was a Vessel upset in sight, and men clanging to her bottom. -- about Ship, and passed to Leeward of the Wreck, which appeared to be the stern part of a Brig, her Quarter boards painted red. It was only the after part. She having parted in Midships. There was no living soul on the wreck. The stump of her Mast appeared at a distance like a man. near the wreck were a number of Dolphins, and also pieces of boards, planks &c
Monday 8th. At Midday Barbuda I, distant 49 Leagues. At 5 P M. spoke a french Cartel Brig, from Charlestown in America, bound to Guadulupe. The french Captain came aboard us, had no particular news, except a report he had heard, that the English had sent an Ambassodoor, to meet a french Envoy at Amsterdam, to treat concerning a general peace.
Tuesday 9th April. Complaint & enquiry concerning the short allowance of Pease. all hands called up. and John Ingelstone, a Captain of the Forcastle floged for saying that that he was of no use in standing at the Cask of Pork when it was cut up
273
Journal from page Two Hundred & Seventy Two
Wednesday 10th April 1799. at Daylight saw a strange sail. gave Chace. at 10 A M. an
American Schooner came under our Stern which we hailed but continued in Chace of the Sail
which we first saw. as Gun Carriages Quakers &c which she threw overboard & passed
us
At M D. Lat 100.32. Long. 61-48. Barbuda I SW
distant 14 Leagues
Continued the Chace untill night, and then lost
sight of the Chace. at a ¼ past 10 P M. saw the Chace about a mile distant, on our Lee
Bow. Set all Sail and at 11 P M found ourselves alongside the Chace. hailed her, said she
was a french Letter of Marque Schooner from St Batholomews, bound to Guadulupe, out Boats,
and got the Prisonors on bound. Sent Mr Tildersley and Ten men into the Prize, which is
Laden with flour, Rice, Hams, Hatts. Ten Tons of Salt fish. dry Goods. Ladies Shoes.
Beefe. Pork, and sundry other articles. The name of the Schooner is La Amiable, and had 30
men in her, when wee took her.
Thurdsday 11th. Made St. Martins & Saw St. Batholomews. took our prize in tow. Our Gunner was so drunk last night, during the business of the Chace; that he was speechless. Captain sent for him this day, stoped his Grog, and threatened to put him in Irons: however he was drunk again this evening. Craer pised under the halfdeck against the Capstan. he being stupyfyed drunk
carryed to page Two Hundred & Eighty
274
Bill of the Lapwing 1 April 1799
Watch
Starboard:
Forecastle
Samuel Andrews
John Swansonberry
Allogus Barry 34
John Harris 23
Samuel Winslow 36
Thomas Clarke 4[4]
Thomas Brown 26
Luke Johnsone [30]
John Neal
Fore Top
James Petterson 20
Henry Griffin 21
Jonathon Sheilds
William Lemon 23
Edward Ganning 19
William Jones (2)
John Hugman
Francis Antone 17
Main Top
William Waller 22
George Griffin
Stephen Hildar 25
Thomas Howard 25
Robert Nickhols 22
Thomas Hughson 29
Joseph Cope 23
William Douglas 18
John Reeves
William Thomson (2) 26
Afterguard
Antoni Cattine 27
Richard Thatcher
William Harris - 24
Patrick Roach 32
Robert Farthing 28
John Robinson 30
John Webb 26
John Chapple 21
Larboard:
Forecastle
John Ingersel 36
Thomas Martin 40
James Sheils
Henry Simpson
Andrew Brown
Thomas Fisher 24
George Hill 36
John Jacobson 40
Foretop
Thomas Thomson
John Lewis 21
David Butcher
Peter Hand
William Lewington
John Rowens
John Wilson (2)
Charles Anno
Main Top
Charles Johnstone 27
James Jolliffe 37
Michael Griffen 29
Robert Northcote 22
Thomas Morred 21
Thomas Williams 19
Henry Smith 23
James Harvey 26
Lawrence Traynor 34
Thomas Reece 18
Afterward
Daniel McAllister
John Stiles 30
Frances Bran[]
Dennis Denny
Joseph Edgecomb
Andrew Mathers
Edward Kennet
275
Watch Bill continued from page 274
Starboard
Mizen Top
Robert Jogo 19
Christopher Daniel 20+
James Whittick 20
Michael Day 18+
Joseph Hilliar 21
Marines
Joseph Irwin 22
Frederick Hassel 30
William Gater 35
Thomas Perry 40
Waisters
John Michen 29
Mathew Surr 32
Robert Fosdyke 28
John Reece
James Harvey
Antone Farrara 27
Manuel DeSilvia
Waisters
James Dunn
Duncan Chison 42
Gunners
William Woodcock
William Dun
John Jarrat, Irish
James Turner
Carpenters
Edward Sterling 27
Michael Burn 38
Boatswains Mates
William Hilliard (1) 52
Joseph Snody (2) 40
Thomas Watkins (3) 36
Quartermasters
John Nickold (1) 30
John Furgerson (2) 38
Richard Manuel (3)} 48
Francis Taylor 29
Larboard
Mizen Top
Andrew Cox 25
Rich Viccary 22
Andrew Murray 19+
William Brotherton 20
Marines
Corporal Cantwell 47
Thomas Sadler 20
Thomas Donalds 40
Miles Meal 36
Waisters
Henry Jackson 28
George Hairbottle 40
James Millar 30
William Thomson
Bryan Todley 20+
William Boulton 24
Waisters
Robert Cox 49
Josea Ferrara
William Warwood 23
Symon Wood 37
Richard Nickals 24
Gunners
Christopher Stocker 26
Charles Blake 26
William Sullivan 44
Phillip Ryan
Carpenters
James Boggie 30
William Beale 31
Mathew Stroud 27
276
Quarter Bill H M Ship Lapwing 1 April
To Command Thomas Harvey Esquire. Mr Dyce, Master. Mr. Whiting Purser
Tripe & Mr Fitz to note down signals & remarks
First Gun - Quarter Deck
William Woodcock C. Gunners Mate. a Scot 32
Richard Liverton
John Jacks Captains Cook
Andrew Mathers. +18
William Brotherton Ships Barber
Second Gun Quarter Deck
Joseph Snoddy C Boatswain Mate 40
Richard Thatcher
George Griffin
Antoni Farrara
Charles Anno +15 of Dartmouth
Third Gunn Quarter Deck
Daniel Macallister C 40
Joames Jolliffe 37
Thomas Hughson
John Wilson (2)
James Whittick
Fourth Gun Quarter Deck
William Thomson (2) C
William Boulter
Patrick Roach 32
Lawrence Traynor 34
Richard Skipper
Forecastle Gun
William Hilliard
Samuel Andrews
Josea Farrara
Thomas Williams
John Shels
John Ingersel
James Shels
Manuel DeSilvia
William Lemond
277
Quarter Bill of H M Ship Lapwing from page 276
Main Deck Guns. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. & 6th. Guns to be commanded by Lieutenant Sheppard & Mr Tildersley. The 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. & 12 Guns to be commanded by Lieutenant Spence, and Mr Taylor
First Gun
Thomas Clarke 0
Edward Llyn, of Dorking, Armourer
Edward Ganning, Irish +
William Thomason
Peter Litchfield
Michael Day +17
Second Gun
John Harris
John Micken
Duncan Chison
James Peterson +
William Beale
Joseph Payne
Third Gun
Francis Tayleor
Joseph Edgecombe
Stephen Hildar
Cornelius Kelly
Robert Farthing
John Jacobson
Joseph Hilliar +
Fourth Gun
John Reeves
James Harris
William Jones (1)
John Swansonberrry
John Neal
Mathew Sur
William Douglas + of London
Fifth Gun
John Williams
John Crumby
Henry Griffen
Luke Johnstone
Peter Hand
Joseph Millington 15
Sixth Gun
Henry Simpson
William King
John Lucus
Michial Griffin
John Webb
John Chapple
John Robinson
Christopher Daniels of Hull +
Seventh Gun
Francis Brannock
William Jones (2)
Samuel Winslow
David Butcher
William Harris
John Owens
Francis Antoni
Eights Gun
George Hill
Thomas Howard
John Stiles
Thomas Morrid
James Millar
Bryan Todley
Thomas Reese P [H] M
Ninth Gun
[Aulogus] Barry
Robert Fosdyke
Henry Smith
Chille[] Byland
William John Alias Jack Barbadoes
Edward Kennet
Andrew Murray
Tenth Gun
John Furgerson
Dennis Denny
Charles Johnsone
Samuel Catton
Michael Fagan
Mathew Stroud
Charles Black the Drummer
Eleventh Gun
Thomas Brown
James Dunn
A T
Joseph Cope
John Alderton
James Harvey
John Hugman
Twelfe Gun
Thomas Fisher
John Reese
Joseph Carmichael
Andrew Brown
Antoni Cattini
Charles Macnally
Samuel Batt
carryed to page 278
Quarter Bill of His Majestys Ship Lapwing
from page Two Hundred & Seventy Seven
After magazine
Chistopher Stocker
John McKnight
John Robinson
James Tarney
William Sullivan
John Jarrat
Wings & Well
Mr Patterson
James Boggie
Edward Sterling
Cockpit
Mr. Ridgeway
Mr Craer
Luke Langham
Fore Magazine
William Dien
Thomas Gunby
Richard Manuel
To hand Powder up
John Moorcroft
Richard Viccary
Releaving Tackle
Charles Blake
Richard Nickols
Fore Light room
George Hairbottle
Fore Top
Thomas Thompson
William Lewington
John Lewis
Main Top
William Waller
Robert Nickols
Robert Northcote
Mizen Top
Andrew Cox
Robert Jago
Fore Riging
William Hilliard
Main Riging
Thomas Watkins
Marines at Small A[]
Serjeant Lush
Corporal Cantwell
John Parrrymore
William Gaiter
Michael Byrne
Thomas Sadler
Joseph Irwin
William Foster
Miles Meal
Thomas Donalds
William Low
Sheet
Thomas Martin
Henry Jackson
[Cun]
John Nickolds
Fore Light Room
George Hairbottle
After Light room
William Bevan
at Sick Quarters
Emanuel Barret + 18. Antiguas Hospital
William Richards at Do
Robert Cox. St Kitts Hospital
280
Journal from page Two Hundred and Seventy Three
Friday 12th April 1799 The Fore part of the day very squally. The Schooner our prize bore up in it. -- Continued to work to Windward, unusally close to the side of St. Kitts & Nevis
Saturday 13th At 10 A M. anchored at Basseterre, our Prize got in, in the night. at 2 P M. had the Six oared Cutter given me to go ashore. -- Went alongside L’Amiable Schooner our Prize. Was ashore.
Sunday 14th Was ashore. -- Was in the American Coffee House as I was coming off in the Boat. Captain John Harvey of the Southampton was coming ashore.
Monday 15th. Was ashore before Breakfast. and returned aboard to Breakfast. At 11 A M got under weigh Captain John Harvey & Doctor Hart Dined aboard. at 6 P M Us & the Southampton anchored in Motons Bay Isle of Nevis. -- Doctor Hart Came up with us. Rec’d Miss WW Letter date Feb 7 at Basseterre
Tuesday 16th Went ashore. Saw Mr Washington, who is manager. to the Estate of Sir Gillias Payne of Tempsford in Berkshire. He gave me the large Key. went to the grinding House, his Son gave me a Keg of Treacle. went up to the Dwelling House, saw the Three Miss Washingtons. bought a Lamb there for 5 Dollars. came down to Mrs Browns, saw the Cabbage Trees before her door. Walked to Charlestoun. saw our Grun Cutters there -- great surf. Walked back to Mortons Bay. Saw the French Prisonors going away in a Boat, who waved their Hatts to me. Came aboard.
carryed to page Two Hundred and Eighty One
281
Journal from page Two Hundred & Eighty
Wednesday 17th April. writing aboard all day. -- passed by several Vessels for St. Kitts.
18th. Left Nevis. Mr President Brown aboard. Lay too off Basseterre; Us and the Southampton passed Brimstone Hill, St. Eustatius & Saba. -- Captain John Harvey dined aboard.
Friday 19th At 3 P M. Hauled our wind to the S. Virgin Gorda & the round rock
distant about 8 mile. -- The Southampton in Company. At 4 P.M. Catched a Shark. measured 7
feet, cut her open and found 7 young Sharks all alive, each measuring 10 Inches. our
people eat the mother & all the Young ones; except one which was thrown overboard,
which swam off: a Pilot fish guiding it. -- NB Could Sailors eat more, if it was allowed
them
At 7 P M Was hailed by the Southampton. at 9 we spoke an English Brig, bound from
Martinico to
Saturday 20th. Saw Santa Cruz. The Gunroom killed a Pig to save its life. -- It being a sickley looking Pig. -- Mr Tildersley with Chalke wrote on the skin of the Pig -- "This Pig died in a Ditch. Mr Spence saw it, and found out who wrote it, & threatened to turn Tildersley off the Quarter Deck. -- NB Lush got a Leg. & Symon Wood a quarter: each said it was given them, in consequence of Tildersley remark.
Sunday 21 April 1799 The President & Captain Dined in the Gunroom tutti mani got Tipsey.
Monday 22 Anchored at Anguilla, between Long & Marys Bay. The Doctor Got Tipsey in the Caben & fell asleep then,
Tuesday 23rd at 10 A M. Took Anno & Fagan in the 8 Oared Cutter, went from the Ship with an intent to go ashore, got near the shore, found the Surf so high, & strong, that I desisted from going ashore, and returned to the Ship
carryed to page Two Hundred & Eighty Two
282
Journal from page Two Hundred & Eighty one
Tuesday 23 April 1799 Continued
At 5 P M, went ashore to Mr Connors House, drank some Bubb there, and brought some off for
the Captain. This Bubb is made of Milke, Syrup from the Sugar Copper & Spices, and is
what we call in England, nothing more than Rum & milke. Our party stoped aboard very
late, singing &c
24th After Breakfast left Anguilla, stood to the N, Chaced a Brig -- Spoke her, I went on board, she proved to be the Clarissa of, and from Philadelphia bound to Santa Cruz, her Captains name Thomas, she was laden with Corn meal, flour & India Wheat. I got out her two Geese, for 2 Dollars the two, & a Bag of Corn. -- Stood to the S passed Dog Island, leaving it on the Larboard hand, at 4 P M gave Chace to a Schooner to Windward, and lost sight of her at night.
Thursday 25th April 1799. At daylight saw a Schooner, coming before the wind for Statia, cleared Ship for action, but the Schooner had the temerity to run between us, & the Shore on old mans point, she had french. Colours up, -- fired 3 broadsides at the Old Mans fort, she returned the fire, one of her shot, was near raking us, another lighted within a yard of midships. -- At 7 A M a french Sloop came down before the wind, intending to push by us, as the Schooner had done, but after different maunuerving, she found it impractable, she hauled her wind, and ran into Great Bay where she anchored, under the protection of the Battereys. -- Spoke a Sweedish Schooner from St Batholomews, bound to Statia. -- At 5 P M was off Brimstone Hill
26th at 9 A M. Anchored in Nevis Roads. The President went ashore
Saturday 27th Left Nevis, at 4 P M. Spoke His Majestys Ship Matilda about 3 Leagues to the S of Redondo. At 7 Tacked Ship and stood to the Northward.
carryed to page Two Hundred & Eighty Three
283
Journal from page Two Hundred & Eighty Two
Sunday 28th April 1799. At 7 A M. Spoke His Majesty Brig Requiem Captain Senhouse came & Breakfasted aboard. At 10 A M spoke H Majesty Ship Matilda Captain Midford. At 2 P M anchored in Mortons Bay Nevis.
Monday 29th April. Was ashore, was up at Nesbits & the Miss Washingtons called at Paynes Wind Mill. Mr Washington the Elder said he was of the same family as General Washington. came aboard to Diner. At 3 P M went ashore again at Cades Bay, went up to Mr. Frasiers Estate, came aboard at 5 P M. -- Sent fagan & Anno, ashore to get Molasses & Tops of Sugar Canes -- How hot the Sands were this day; so hot, as one of our people said, they would boil an Egg in 3 minutes, Mrs Brown made a Dance asked our people, The officers; said there would be plenty Music, weomen & [blank] At 6 P M went ashore with Mr Tripe in search of Anno & Fagan, found them. and came aboard. The affair of Fitz collaring the Captain, when Milington & Skipper were fighting.
Tuesday 30th April. At 30 m past 12 M.D. Left Mortons Bay in Nevis. At 2 P M anchored in Basseterre Roads. at 5 P M anchored here His Majesty Ship Santa Margaretta, with a Convoy of about 20 sail from Demarara.
Wednesday 1st May 1799 Was ashore. Admiral Harvey in the Prince of Wales anchored here, Andrew Cox, the Coxwain & Fosdyke floged for bringing Rum into the Ship, The Coxwain was broke, and Emanuel the Quartermaster made in his room
Thursday 2nd Writing aboard all day, a great Number of Vessels came in, the Boy Andrew Murray floged for putting Rum into the Cork Bag, & bringing it aboard.
Friday 3rd. Went ashore in a shore. Boat, fair on theBeach, the Admiral came ashore, Sailed the Cataret Packet for Europe. At Anchor here. Prince of Wales. Vengence, Lapwing. Santa Margaretta. Daphe. Cyana. Requim. Pearl. Perdrix. Charlotte Sloop. & 2 American Frigates.
carryed to page Two Hundred & Ninety Six.
284
This little Box will exhibite to you, how strongly I have your welfare at heart, et
quilla profission Io hold to voi in Terre Nouva befor voi came to me in Wadham, are
certainly to be realized upon voi. Io shall allow voi Deci (10) G per ans, reckoning from
the 1 January 1799. Et while I stop in Canterbury, Io shall send it voi home twice a year.
Questi denario quelque is in questi Box, is for L’ mezzo armo, finito on la ultimo
Giorna de June 1799, if I remain at Canterbury untill next October by the Mail Coach
of quella mesi. Io shall send vostro secondo merro amo allowance. Io pensei a donne voi
una power of atorney to questi amount, but on enquiry Io trova it was impractible, it
wo’d a been very handy for voi to a got it, at La paga Tavola de vostro College. Io
mean to leave you the next at Mr Turners, his House being more convenient. Voi have now
had a long spell dans Ingelterre. Io begin to think you will change Colledge soon. if you
go up la Stairts or off Lisboa, some pris denario will be sturing in la casa de vostro
andare abroad, et nada sicurata moda can be hit upon, to madata vostro danario: depend
upon it Voi shall have it mettre Banco Ingelterre, dans vostro noma, et finally quella voi
shall have both principal et interest at vostro tornare. ou quella it shall resto la
untill peace. if voi are mandato into la mare Nord, it will be a dangerous concern to send
voi una packet to Yarbocca. questa remark applys to the supposition of my being in
Canterbury: for should Io venei to Ingelterre, et trova voi andare abroad. when Io was in
Canterbury, Io wo’d appoint an agent, et dati voi una Lettera de Credit, by quelque
voi might draw upon me by a Bill of Exchange, to the amount of the sum named by me, Then
desired her not to write for the danario &c from Turners nor Snells To establish Watch
words -- one the Lemons & the man laughing at Missina; the other about loosing the
Letter in walking from Bristol to Pill. -- Voi can bring to your remembrance many little
circumstances, somewhat simillar to the above, and by mention’g one, it will prove to
me, quella voi have got quella Io mandato voi.
NB Then on Lieutenant Johnstone & how the parcel was directed write to J perhaps his
Boy never put it in the Coach Office at [Dear]. Guarda una Giornalmente. Merely the
Collidge motions. I do not expect much from you dans questi journal dunque Io recollect
the difficulty voi must encounter. Viz; nada Tavolio. Vostri Mesmates sempre on the Tsehc;
and a constant clang of clatter round your ear. However you may on a Dominica steal abasse
et fazem apoco entries but Io shall not be particular about quantity or quality. -- As the
writing of your Letters will take up much of your Ladyships time.
There is a scrap of Carte dans la Xob marka No 1. it is loose. Questi serah will show voi,
quella kind of a Giornament Io mean
carryed to page Two Hundred & Eight five
285
from page 284
Io do not mean that mio Lettera should be read by vostri mother (Setamssem) -- note
down quella voi pensee is interesting in them, et dunque nrub them. I have given you a
scrap of paper marked No 3. which will show you what kind of notices Io mean. -- This
paper number 3. will show voi, how to draw out memorandoms when writing to me. Dans vostro
next speak if voi have una Tsehc. Also tell me chi were vostre Setamassem dans Avril 1799.
Io have donne voi a scrap de Carte marked Number 2. which contains a poco marci on Sliat.
On mio parola Retlaw. Io will not allow voi, to wear vostro riah deyt.
dans looking rotunda vostro Coleige, Io conosco
not, chi to fashion voi like, I wish you were now, what Mr Humby of Coxheath was when I
resided at Maidstone, H appeared to me to be a kind of Saveal, a ploding sensible Officer,
who wished the War over, that he might with honour apprendere the Law, before he was to
old. -- call to vostri remembrances tutti Io said a voi dans La B. -- Be quella Io desired
you to be: -- do some poco de quella Io tell voi to do now, et per La erutuf od ton llac
em dneirf ni ruoy Srettel, tub llac em yb eht noitalleppa fo Padre, & non otre nome,
when Io venei home it will give me pleasure to hear, quella Io have got a figlio chi has
followed some of my advice
I have rec’d your Letteri dated 31 Dec’r & 2 Feb’r 1799. As to the
Froty wither you have had in England last winter; I am sure you have had your share of
great hardships. Ill robi; ill food, and wet Linen, is what you have met with; co’d,
Io a forcen. vostro sufferings, Io wo’d a provided, as good a paliation for you as Io
could; it is well you have escaped without being frostbitten, and with your life, for by
the Newspapers, I see many a poor Mariner has been sent to his long home, --I am sorry to
see you complain, but the disipline in all collidges are alike. Morris has suffered more
in his mind then you, when a man looseth a Navio, they do not sempre got one the next day.
as to the Glorys shaving business, it made me laugh. A Short quantity of hair on the head
requires few Combs, and a small quantity of hair powder. Io am heartily aligne voi did not
andare com Sirrom. If voi had quelque fellow dans Le Canoni Camera wo’d a laid hold
de voi, dans la Navio which voi escaped from fora la ylevil. -- Io am a mill tempi better
pleased quella voi should be dans La Spot, dunque voi had been con Slarimda to attend them
dans there camerato. To mostro voi how nearly alike tutti amo de Guerra are, Et la usage
dans them, Io have written & enclosed a Carti maria numeri Quartro, they are chiefly
anecdotes which occured dans Ingelterro Ports. Io copy tutti quelque Io mandato voi.
Studdy 5 & 6.
Questa Lettera dated West Indias 27th April 1799
carryed to page 286
286
Lettera de Avirle 27th from page 285
dans vostro Letter Secondo Giorna Feb, there was tropa vacant space. Mio bounamissio
rapar. do not grudge la tempo which it may take up, to full una sheet of carti of la mesmo
[lire] as quelque voi agora hold dans vostre mani. Io copy every Lettera which Io
escrivando, & have them tutti by me agora, core quella Io doth not mind trouble. La
Carte numeri Cinquo & Setti, studdio dans la dentro parti de la rouge Libro, Io
excrivando la nomi de mio doti tutti de them
If poco Langley La [Lignajula] is a vita et con voi. memento a mio ato lui dopa voi get
questi paketa dans vostre mani. voi cannot complain circa la want de sujet per vostro
Lettera per mio. -- They are really a heavy pennyworth; et Io suspect voi will dati mio
ally dura parola, before you understand them tutti
via per La Vengence which left St Kitts 5th May 1799
287
Paper No 2. Being a few remarks on Sailors who wear their hair Tyed.
A Sailor who wears his hair Tyed, appears to me, to be a very accomodating man, the Que
which falls from his head down his back, being. well adapted to answer the purpose of a
Bridge, over which large bodys of Lice, may decamp from Head Quarters, when the Napper is
over stocked, and spread themselves in more commodious pasturage about the Jacket Shirt
& fork of the Trowsers. -- The Tail also well answers the use of a Backstay for it not
only assists in keeping the head steady but it affords the means of giving to every part
of the body, the same quantity of scrat, for when the Lice are all in the head, the
general scrat is there also, but when they crawl down the tail, and disperse themselves,
there then exists a general Scrat from head to Toe.
The Curls of Sailors too, are often plaited
into small Tails, and they are as convenient to the head, as the Railings are to the
Masts; those who wear these Locks not plaited, are very friendly to the accomodion of
their Stock of Lice, as the hair is generally Long, every shake of the head will displace
a few Dozen of Lice; by which the Hankercheif and Waiscoate does increase its stock.
A good thick long head of hair, which would
weigh 3 ounces were it cut off; was it to be washed, and all the Lice put by themselves,
they would be found to weigh one, & a half ounce.
There is a Sailor aboard our Ship, who Eats a
fat Hen every month; He has a thick long head of hair, and the Lice breed so fast in it,
that he scraps a Tea Cup full out every day, which the Hen eats with such avidity &
relish, that she is fitt for the pott in nine days after eating this food.
A Sailors head is also very friendly to Tape
Makers: as he often has, as many yards of Tape Laped round his hair, as would reach from
England to Newfoundland, So that when the Tape & hair are bundled up togather behind,
so fare from its looking like a Tail, it appears as if half the Main Top Gallant Mast had
been cut off, then rolled up in course slips of Canvas, and in this state stuck to the
hind part of the head.
I have heard of a Sailor, whose tail catched in
the Block, as the fall was going, and had his head pulled out, from between his Shoulders.
-- So also of a sailor, whose hair was long & loose: it blew in his Eyes as he was
going up the Shrouds, he put his hands to his face, to clear it, when he missed his hold,
fell into the Chains, & broke his neck.
When I lived in Panton Street London, I had a Servant, who persisted in wearing his hair
Tyed, I was forced to turn him away, and soon after I heard he was gone for a Soldier
There is an old saying, Birds of a feather will
flock together. When when I lived ashore, I never remember to have had a companion who
wore his hair Tyed: concerning them, who wore their hair Tyed, I had only 2 ways of
thinking, I took them to be either fools or Rogues.
carryed to page Two hundred & Eighty Eight
288
All men wear their hair, as best suits their fancy, except some professions, Soldiers, and persons who are not free. The origin of Tails I know not, True it is that we are not born with Tails. In the next war I suppose it will be the fashion, for sailors never shave but wear Long Beards; which they will tye into Tails, These Chin Tails will have its use, for when a man is ordered on the Quarter, deck to be started, The Boatswains Mate instead of laying hold of the Collar of your Shirt, will lay hold of the Chin tail, to keep you too, while the thrashing performed.
Portobocca Ruobrah 2 Feb 1799
Caro amigo. Io toma quista opportunity of writing a few Line To voi hoping quella they will trova voi beni, as they leave mio at quista tempo, graz a Dio per it. I received vostro ultimo due Lettera the prima Giorna de January, when I sent voi an answer the next day. Io rec’d La Due G quelque voi mandato me off Gurnsey. as per la Quartadeci corona de Espagna Et la otto argentum Inglise, and the 2 Jars of Ginger Mrs P has heard nothing of them, She went to Mrs H thinking they might be sent there, but they was not. Mrs. H told her that the Tamer arrived at Plymouth, and she was sent to the Downs with a Convoy, she told her that she was expected round to Portsmouth every day. Mrs P told me to leave the Letter with her, and when the Tamer came in she would get the parcel. La Due G which Io got at Mrs P was de grandissimo uso to mio. Era Io was dans want de a poco robi such as Scarpa Calzoletti, per la weather has been grandissimo freddo. dans a poco Giorna dopo Io rec’d vostro due G we rec’d Trenta Shilling per omo pris denario, cosi con quella & Vostro Io was very will off. As per l’favours et affections which voi have shown to mio, since voi left la B it is certainly pi[s]e then Io deserved de voi., There was a Letter, which the postman brought aboard for you, directed to questi Bastimento, Io told him quella Navio voi were in, and on what station, Et quella he might direct it for you. Mrs S desires her kind respects to you, and thank voi for the Gingibre, and although she has not got them yet, there is no fear but she will get them in a short time. Morris is in London waiting for a Ship, & Eastlake along with him. I have seen Mr Whimper, he asked about you, and I told him where you was, he was very glad to hear of your doing well, he has got no Ship at present. I have seen Lieut Green he was very glad to here of your being well also. For my part Io bramare Io was clear of the Colledge, for their is very poor usuage in her, La Captano is a very hard man for gnigolf, & La prima Lieut is worse than ever Car was the time of the meeting his head was shaved by the Glorys people & turned ashore
carryed to 289
289
From page 288
ashore, so that he said, he would be revenged for it. The first 8 months quella la Capitano was aboard he gnigolf more that Morris did while he belonged to her, so I leave it to you to Judge what sort of a man he is, our Ship is in -- Portsmouth Harbor, waiting for a fair wind to come out to Spithead, I cannot tell where we are going to yet, but I shall not fail in in writing to you, and leting you know how I come on, as it is my duty so to do. So no more &c &c (Rec’d 15th April 1799)
Carte No 4. Anecdotes inanzi Ingelleterre Porto
toma dans terreno Six Servetore. about a fortnight after we had been on shore. the
Cabin man for he was not a Rapaz, got very drunk before breakfast, the Captain saw him,
and sent him into the Capstan House, put him in Irons, and the next day gave him a Dozen
& broke him. He then brought another cabin man into the House, but before a month had
expired he also was broke for Drunkenness
The Cooks mate was broke also for Drunkenness,
but he acted a little out of the common path, he got drunk, and in the middle of the night
went in the Stable, Saddled the Captain Horse, and rode him to a Grog Shop at Falmouth, a
place about 2 miles distant from the house which was in the Dock Yard.
The Groom, called the Duke of Dorset, from his
being Groom to his Grace while Ambassador at Paris. This Duke of a Groom often got a
little Tipsey, at Last it was found out that he made a Grog Shop of his Stable, and got
Rum into the Yard, where the Stable was situated: by taping Bottles of Rum inside the
Bundles of Hay and Straw, which he was oblidged to have for his Horse. he really got Rum
into the Dock Yard, by cuting a slice out of a large Pumpkin & then putting in a
Bladder of Spirits. these Spirits he sold to the people, who belonged to the Requim Brig
& Spencer Sloop of War, who were then refiting there: his Stable was certainly a very
convenient place, for this sort of business, as his Loaft above, made a good Magazine. For
the stowage of his little matters; but owing to his having to much business, it was
found out, the Grog Shop was broke up, and the Duke floged, and no longer remained Groom
The Gunroom Steward got drunk, and in his
Pantry place he eased himself into a Diaper Table Cloath belonging to the first
Lieutenant, and absolutely cleaned his Bum with the corners of it the next morning when he
got sober.
carryed to page Two hundred & Ninety
290
Carte No 4 from page Two Hundred & Eighty Nine
We had a Middy, who in a Tipsey fit, jumped
off the wharfe, and had a narrow Escape from being drowned. We had also a Gentleman
Masters Mate, who was guilty of so many drunken & scandalous actions, that he was
turned adrift for them, and he is now before the Mast, upon the Southamptons Forecastle.
One of our Surgeons Mates, eased himself in a
Tank: where the man got fresh water from, and as a punishment for the crime, he had one of
the Studing Sails riged into a Tent, one half of the Tent, was upon the Wharf, and
the other half was over the water. -- here he was oblidged to Mess for fourteen
days.
Capi de robe inanzi Carte numeri Cinquo. Io
call questi paper mio final instructions a voi, Io shall fullfill mio promise dans dati
voi 10 G per ans. besides Io shall mettre vo a Loohcs to apprise de navigazione. La 10 G
per ans Io mean while voi continue dans Bastimento de Rey. La Loohcs et Trading plan
cannot be mettre dans execution untill Io see voi. io have to say what is it that leads me
to receive favours from voi. Mio Consience responsa quella it is mio duty to do cosi, et
Io told voi cosi dans Terranouva when you were a child. as to the Secondo plan about
residing in Lisbon (Torto) before Io sho’d attempt to put quella plan in execution,
Io sho’d enquire as to vostro general conduct. Sick & Hurt office Inspect the
Dottore Journals la. On Gring, if like that Captain Io wo’d do nothing. Et words
& advice in reality are worth nothing, and no attention is ever paid to them if they
come empty handed. Like Captains Lloyd, Prince. Green or Maxfeild of Havard College
Massachusetts Bay. Io dunque wo’d pensee it was mio duty to place voi la, dans questa
case I will fullfill tutti of my promises, The tutors at Stroughton Hall will thrash, the
good & bad get it. Where Salt flesh is eaten, you must drink to make it digest. Hit
your Fellow Collegean 6 times in the year in his Bread Basket. -- voi cannot be moral,
when surrounded by vice. Shall not be over particular. Shall Judge with a partial
Eye, et determine con la libral core’ de a Padre. Mrs P a good overlooker, shall take
vostro character as she give it. Nada Puttani aboarda, questi wo’d be fatal to vostro
interest con Io. Journey to London, living there. 30 G spent in 50 days. Old Bailey 21
&19 suffered. 37000 Rapaz in the Fleet, all lost a Trade where will they go.
Nota Bene. Io called Questa mio final Instructioni
291
Carti numero six. The Box not fazem. Io firmly credo voi will fazem una bouna
uomo, voi was an obstinate stubborn rapaz, but it will grow off. Should you be paga off 3
mesi before Io come home. Io will leave something dans a Caza inanzi Portobocca, for
vostri support. get good & fine paper. if H gets a larger Bastimento he will remain
ici, if he does not Suo padre will toma La Vanneau con suo figlio to Ingelterre in June
next. Mrs H will go to Walmar as soon as the A arrives cosi Io wo’d not ask them to
pago voi la 5 G.
NB La Sopra dated veneti down to Santa Christophi 28 April 1799
2 May 1799
I have been guilty of a piece of presumption in taking the Liberty of directing the parcel which accompanys this Letter to your House but my nonacquaintance in your town, will plead an Apology Will you be kind enough Sir, to let this small parcel lye at your House untill Mr Alexander Saunderson call in, the parcel contains 5 Letters, (torto) hcihw si yenom ot eht tnuoma fo Cinquo G hcihw si per Miss Carter a Matelot dans B, who stands dans want et has a mialc nopu ym ecnatsissa. If Miss Carter should be gone to Jersey, be pleased to keep the parcel in your House, & do not send it after her also when it is called for, Io esperanza voi will not deliver it to no otre persona soto una Tnanetueil, unless dunque she comes in voi were to mandato them off, by some safe mano. I am Sir &c A T. To Mr T point. NB dunque mentioned La Suffolk. La B. La Concord. & La Vanneau
St Kitts 4th May 1799
mio figlio
Io evah enclosed due & merro dans Ingellaterra oro, Una eoj eulav Trenta xis gnillihs
gnilrets. Et quatro Dollore per voi, dnas tuti 5Lb/6. It is wraped up in some German
papers et madato per Sigr Renrut de Portobocca. It goes from Cuxhaven by Mr Girdley suo
matre Le Vengence, he has taken charge of the parcel, & promised me to deliver it to
Mr Renrut himself if La Vengence goes to Portobocca, if Suo stops at Plybocca, or goes on
to the downs, he will send it to Portobocca by land carriage, the parcel is about the size
of a small family Bible, as Io fazem it bulkey, to avoid the feel de there being
danario dans it
carryed to page 292
292
From page 291
dunque Sig’r Renrut toma la prima gnirevoc off, he will trova la parcel directed
per voi, et questa is the exacts directions as quelque Io have escrivando on the Label
& written fully for R R matelot dans Notsob. -- I will give it voi on vostro dati him
a token, would not dati la order to Mrs H as Admral was coming home &c--. The
french at Guadulupe have lately exhibited some little spirited symptoms of trade. some
English Merchants at Liverpool & Lancaster imported into the Sweedish Island of St
Batholomews, several Cargoes of English Goods, and these the Goods the french carry to
Guadulupe in fast sailing Schooners of 70 or 80 tons burthen. we have captured 3 of these
Schooners. one of them brings into mio tash about 132 Dollars.
per via la V. sailed 5th May 1799
Notsob. Daehips 20 March 1799
Caro Amigo/ I avail myself of this opportunity of writing to you, hoping you are well,
as Io am graz a Dio per it. Io received the 14 Srallod et otto Shilling argentum, quella
voi madato home dans La Tamer. Et likewise La due G which voi mandato me at Gurnsey, which
Io mentioned in the last Letter Io sent voi.
Nostro Bastimento came fora of Portobocca porto
the 28th of Febuary et was paja la prima dia de mars. Io received Lands omo
paja. As for quella voi told me in vostro last Letter, which I received this 7th
of March, concerning getting me fora de la Bastimento, when you did come home. Io am sorry
to tell voi, quella nostro Bastimento is going out of the Land, We are going to Xafilah
con a Convoy, which adds more to my sorrow. -- Io believe I was born to bad fortune.
Mrs Snell received one of the Jars of Ginger, and the other was broke, which she was sorry
for, but as to the portable [Puos], which voi mentioned in
carryed to page 293
from page 292
in your last letter, I heard nothing of them Mrs S desires to be remembered to you, and
she is very much oblidged to you. I read the Letter which you sent her.
I have seen Mr Whimper in the Harbor. he has no
Ship, He told me that Boyd & Huish are made Lieutenants.
I often though of gninur yawa, before that I received your last Letter, because that the
usage is very bad. it is worse now than when [Her] was with us.
When we arrive at Xafilah I will send you a
line, to let you know how I come on. So no more at present from your most Humble Servant
and well wisher WW.
296
Journal from page Two Hundred & Eight Three
Friday 3rd May 1799 continued
At 7 A M the Vengence fired a Gun, & made a Signal for a Court Martial. At 8 all our
Officers & several men, went on board the Vengence as Witnesses for & against
Dixon the Boatswain of the Lapwing. -- He was tryed by a Court Martial & sentenced to
be broke, for Drunkenness & Neglect of duty, he was left on board the Vengence, and in
her I suppose he will go to England.
Saturday 4th May 1799 Was aboard Vengence of 74 guns. saw Leiutenant Bunhill, hunted after the Ship Fortitude of London, could not find her, went aboard the Prince of Wales, was ashore, called aboard the Ship Rose Captain Young for London, Left there a Box of Sweetmeats and Preserves for Mrs Harvey, the wife of Admiral Harvey, was aboard the Pearl Frigate, Left there a Box of Preserves for Captain Boys of the Marines called aboard the Ship Britania Captain Bell, drank some Taunton Ale, bought on board 2 Jars Oysters, 1 Cask fine Buiscuits, and 2 Kegs of Tripe.
Sunday 5th May 1799. At daylight went ashore in the Jolly Boat at the same time the Vengence made the Signal for the fleet, to get under weigh. came back and breakfasted aboard. The Pearls Boat got us some Plantain Stalkes for me. staved a plank of her boat in puting them in. at 3 P M The Prince of Wales fired several Guns. at 5 P M The Matilda, got under weigh & made a Signal to recall the Daphe, at Sunset the Daphne anchored. --The Body of the fleet off Brimstone Hill, They sail for Europe under Convoy of the Vengence Capt. Russell the Commodore, The Pearl of 32 Guns Captain Ballard, & the Pedrix of 24 Guns Captain Fahie. at night Captains Richard Matson of the Daphne and Captain Wisbeach of the Favourite Sloop of War, eat some oysters aboard of us.
(carryed to page 297)
Journal from page 296
Monday the 6th of May 1799. Left Basseterre in company with the Prince of Wales, Hawke, Daphne, and Favourite Sloop of War. The fort at Nevis saluted the Admiral, which he returned, at Sunset hove to, when one Captain came aboard from the Admirals ship
Tuesday the 7th. Saw the Admirals Ship, passed Redondo, in the evening saw Barbuda and was close to it,
Wednesday 8th Floged the Boy John Hugman, because he would not beat the drum: it being said he was Drummer in a Regiment belonging to the United States in America. Gave William Waller the Captain of the Main Top, one dozen lashes for having something wrong in the Main Top, when the Top Sails were reefing. Stood close to Barbuda, at 6 P M Tacked and stood to the N.
Thursday 9th. At daylight fell in with the Scourge Privateer of Antigua kept sight of her all day, at night saw St. Batholomews astern.
Friday 10th May. Since yesterday, often tacked; standing, to the S and Northword, under Antigua & to the north of Barbuda. At 5 P M Spotted an American Schooner from Salem bound to St. Batholomews. was aboard her, - bought nothing. Her Laden was flour, fish, & lumber, out 21 days, The Wages of the Foremast men aboard her is 19 Dollars a month, or 268 hard Dollars the year, which Sixty pounds Six Shilling per ann Sterling. The Captain of the Schooner was doubtfull wither our Frigate was English or an American, and said if you are an American Frigate you ought to run down with me to St. Batholomews, as I have been taxed, and have paid my wack towards their building and fiting them out &c.
carryed to page Three Hundred & Six
299
Nautical &c Marca Dela pago 295
Sopra La Lettera dati 27 Juli 1799. A Sig Maude. Inanzi la harvest de Amisanti H. -- Suo figlio ditto dans Sua Reponsa in a Tsevah indeed sa voi say.
On Croucher our Midshipman runing away. when Rated as such: on his coming aboard after an absence of 10 days, & his getting disrated. -- in Basseterre on Sunday the 7th July 1799, Miss Gash, the girl with home he cohabited with, came; & after some other remarks, asked me if he was disrated &c -- on the curiosity of the question &c. -- This Girl Miss Gash as they call her, has been the ruin of Three Petty Officers in this Ship. –Viz Mr Tripe the Midshipman, --Mr Joseph Canes the Masters mate. –and this Croucher our late Middy.
H carrys sail; being lovesick for a Stone. --+ Explanation of a Naval stone.
Captain Gosilin saw a rough stone, lying upon the corner of a piece of canvas, which the weoman selling the Pines put there to keep it from blowing off -- bought it; thinking it was a valuable stone, and exposed there for Sale &c
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305
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Emanuel Barratt floged for putting the Red Hot Urn Iron, into the Pocket of little Irish Fitzgerald, who came out of the Luni Guinea man. Burnt his Jacket &c.
Richard Lowe the marine, says. that at the conclusion of the American war, he sold five Red Soldiers Jackets for one Shilling to make Rag Mops of.
On Brown the Boatswain, put 50th of Prize Salt fish up in the fore Top, men threw Case & all overboard. reward &c.
Names of Dutch Ships of War, Captured by us in Surinam River, which surrendered to us,
on the 21 August 1799.
Fertrouwnen of 36 Guns, lying at Paramaribo, built at Amsterdam in Holland. Formerly
called the Prince of Brunsewick
Triton frigate of 24 Guns, lying at fort Amsterdam. built at []
Hemphaan Brig, alias the Game Cock of 18 Guns, lying at D, built at Roterdam
Hawrhs, Schooner of 12 Guns. lying at D. Bought of the Americans
Le Hussar, french Corvette of 20 Guns, now The Surinam, built at Bayonne in old France
a Dutch Schooner of 12 Guns. lying in the river Paramaribo, bought of the Americans
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Journal from page Two Hundred & Ninety Seven
Sunday the 12th of May 1799. Us & a Frigate Chaced a Schooner round Barbuda. at Sunset the Frigate gave her a broadside. at 7 P M lost sight of both
Monday 13th at day light saw a strange Sail, made all Sail & bore up, the Chace crouded all her Canvas. At 10 A M. were ahead within Pistol shot of the East end of St Batholomews, The Chace about 2 miles with french colours up, gave her 2 Guns, she fired 4 Guns. -- hauled our wind to the S, as we found it impossible to cut the Schooner off, from going into St. Batholomews, had we had one hour more chace; we should a captured her.
Tuesday 14th. At daylight discovered a Sloop to Leeward, gave Chace,
supposed her to be a frenchman, & runing for St Eustatius, gave her 2 Guns, at 7 A M
she hove too, & proved to be an American Sloop from New London, bound for St. Kitts,
with Stock & live Cattle on board, -- About this time saw a strange sail off Sandy
point; runing in for Statia, & strongly Judged to be a frenchman from Guadulupe, she
had come down & huged the N side of St. Kitts close aboard. --
Punished John Swansonberry with 1 Dozen lashes for impertinancy to Mr Tildersley. Put John
Jarrat the Gunner in Irons being Tipsey. At Sunset saw a strange Sail, to Leeward off
Saba, standing in for St. Martins, but we could not afford a Lee Chace
15th. Spoke an English Schooner from St. Pierres Martinico, bound to St. Batholomews, said the news at fort Royal was, that the Russians & Austrians had declared War against the french. At 3 P M off Dedondo spoke a Sweedish Sloop from St Batholomew bound to Martinico.
16th Tacking about Montserrat, Nevis & Redondo, The squal off Montserrat. at 2 A M spoke an American Sloop. floged the Boy Joseph Hilliar on his bare Bum, for having scaby & Lousy head, --Cut all his hair off, and shaved his head
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Journal from page Three Hundred & Seven
Sunday 19th May 1799 Took charge of money for Robert McCann, and also for Edward Williams. people who entered on board us out of the Lune Guinea Ship. Remarks on these people in page [blank] There being 19 lads is all from the Lune -- and most of them were apprentices at Manchester &c and run away from their Masters, and entered at Liverpool for the Sea.
Monday 20th May. Anchored here the Alexander Schooner, in her came down my friend the
Hon'ble Cochrane Johnsone Governor of Dominica, who is going home in the Packet, which is
expected here from Antigua to morrow.
At 11 A M hove up anchor, and left Basseterre in company with the Surprize Guinea Ship,
for Antigua
21 & 22 May, strong Gales of & Squally, Endeavouring to work to Windward, off
Redondo, which we effected this day the 22nd at 2 P M. -- The Surprize in Company, and in
her are Mr. and Mrs. Thibou, and some other Ladies.
William Jones the 2. had one Dozen Lashes for Drunkenness
Lash the Carpenter, had one Dozen lashes for the D,O and attempting to desert John Lewis
the Jolly Boat Boy, one Dozen lashes for bringing liquior on board.
Thursday 23rd May 1799 At 7 a.m. being in sight of St. Johns Harbor, Antigua Tacked
& stood to the S. having left the surprize Guineaman with her Larboard tacks aboard,
with a flag up for a Pilot, working for St. Johns Road, At 11 a.m. being near Redondo, saw
a strange Sail, to the E. made all sail in Chace. at 2 P M fired a shot at the Chace,
which went over her, when she hove to, with Sweedish Colours up, sent a boat aboard, and
found she was full of frenchman, and had french property aboard, --got the french people
out, and put Mr. Tildersley and 8 of our men on board, bore away for St. Kitts. at 5 P M
anchored in Basseterre Roads.
His Majestys Brig Requin fired a salute of Guns
for Governor Johnstone, who embarked on board the Packet at 6 P M The Brig & Packet,
got under weigh for Tortola, when a fort ashore fired
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Journal from page Three Hundred, and Eight
Thursday 23rd May 1799 continued
fired a Salute also. At 7 P M Anchored under our Stern, the Schooner our prize.
Friday 24th March. At 7 A M our prize run closer in shore. at 2 P M went ashore, --Rec'd a Letter from W W dated 20 March last
25th Left Basseterre, anchored in Nevis. was ashore in Charles Town.
Sunday 26 May 1799. was at Mr William Bennet Frost, bought some Sheep there, dined at Mrs. Broadbelt: sent Bevan to Mr Mills. -- Anno et la Rapaz
Monday 27 Went ashore in search of Anno my Boy; who deserted yesterday. Spoke to Mrs. Jones. saw the Majordomo of the San Margaranta & the Majordomo of the Preserverence ashore. walked with Mr. Lush over ascot heath, was in Charles fort. stoped John Shareman who intiered Anno to desert came aboard in the Deal Boat belonging to Ship Preserverence of London
Tuesday 28th May. Mr. Peterson came aboard after the Lad John Shareman who belonged to his Lugger. got under weigh at 11 A M Captain came aboard. at 2 P M lay too off Basseterre. I went ashore the Jolly Boat, saw Mr. Colin Thompson on the Beach. was aboard the Mary Anne our prize, on the condeming of which the Court was then setting, brought the Rev'd Mr Herman on board. at 3 P M made sail, at 5 P M had a very close view of Brimstone Hill. At 8 P M spoke the Lydia Privateer Schooner of Antigua & another Schooner in her company.
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Journal from page three Hundred & Nine
Wednesday 29th May 1799 at daylight passed by St. Batholomews. at 9 AM was close in with the forts, which commands the entrance into St. Martins Bay. Seven Schooners were standing out. at 1 PM anchored in Crockens Bay, Anguilla. Capt Boys &c dined aboard. All hands Bathed. A black man belonging to ashore boat started, for impertinence alongside. Douglas Frank Tone & Day Started also.
Thursday 30th Writing Letters all day aboard. sent Fagan, Bevan & Sam Catton ashore to cut grass, who all got drunk, by drinking new Rum. All hands bathed
Friday 31 May. Fagan has got a fever in consiquence of his drinking new Rum yesterday. At 1 PM Left Anguilla. at 5 pm stood into the part of the Channel between St. Martin's and Anguilla, at 6 tacked & stood to the S.
The Rev'd Mr. S Harman of Nevis, was busy yesterday in Christening Children. He Christened Ten infants belonging to Col Gom, & yesterday & this day he Christened 200 Children, which brought him in about 90 Joes. -- On his Black Servant last night asking Mr Harman for money, when his Master gave him a York Shilling, for a nights Lodging and support ashore &c &c