Explore "The True Account" by Christopher Langman on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The "Nottingham-Galley" of 120 Tons, 10 Guns, and 14 Men, "John Dean" Commander, took in part of her Lading in the River "Thames", which was Cordage, and the rest in Butter and Cheese, at "Killybags" in "Ireland". But Captain "Dean" in his Narrative has omitted to acquaint the World that 4 of the Guns were useless, and that not above 6 of the Men were capable to Serve in the Ship, in case of bad Weather. She Sail'd from "Gravesend" the 2d Day of "August", 1710. to the "Nore", and from thence on the 7th, with 2 Men of War, and several Merchant-Men under their Convoy, towards "Scotland". When we came off of "Whitby", the Fleet brought to, and several of the Ships were a-stern. We having a fine Gale, the Captain said he would Run it, and make the best of his way for "Ireland", which we did. And when we were on that Coast, the 12th of "August", we saw 2 Ships in a Bay, towards whom the Captain would have bore down, but the Men would not consent to it, because they perceiv'd them to be "French" Men of War. Upon this we stood off to Sea till 12 at Night; when the Captain coming upon Deck, we Sail'd easily in towards the Shore, by the Mate's Advice, till Daylight, and came so near Land that we were forced to stand off. The next Day we saw the two Privateers again, and the Captain propos'd to stand down towards them, or to come to an Anchor; but the Mate and the Men oppos'd it.
The Captain was seconded in this by "Charles Whitworth" the Merchant, who said in the hearing of the Boatswain, and others, "That he had rather be taken than otherwise, tho' he had an Eighth Part of the Ship, because he had Insured" 200 l. And the Captain said, "He had rather run the Ship ashore than perform his Voyage, if he thought he could be safe with the Insurers, because his Brother had insur'd" 300 l. "upon her". Accordingly he put in towards the Shore, to find out a proper Place for that purpose, and ordered the Boatswain to get the Tackle upon the Boat and hoist her overside, that she might be in readiness to go ashore. At the same time the Captain and "Charles Whitworth" went to the Cabbin to get out the best of their Goods in order to carry them with them; and putting them up in a Chest, commanded the Men to carry them into the Boat, which they did. The Captain promis'd that we should want for nothing, and resolv'd to go ashore; so that we all plainly saw he was resolv'd to lose the Ship. But he was opposed by the Mate "Christopher Langman", who wrought the Vessel through between the Main and an Island, and she arriv'd safely at "Killybags" in "Ireland" that same night.