The Virginia Gazette Domestic News July 4, 1745

Friday last arrived here a small Whaling Vessel belonging to Cape Cod, Edmund Freeman Master, with 83 English Prisoners, who had been taken in several Vessels a few Days before by a Spanish Privateer Snow of 14 Carriage Guns, and 105 Men, off the Coast of Virginia. Freeman was the first taken; the next Day they took a Snow from Glasgow, Capt. Brown, within 2 Miles of the Cape; then a Ship from the same Place, Capt. M Mullen, about 10 Leagues off the Cape; both bound into Virginia; one of them with a Number of Servants of both Sexes; the other with a Cargo of Goods that cost 2200l. Sterling; and then another Whaling Sloop from Nantucket, Joseph Coleman Master. They put all the Prisoners into the smallest Vessel, with a Compass, and a small Quantity of Provisions, and dismissed 'em. The Spaniards were continually looking for a Ship they call'd their Comrade which they said was of 36 Guns and 400 Men. The second Day after the Prisoners were discharged, they arrived at Cape Hinlopen, and gave an Account of the Enemy to 2 of our Privateers, the Pandour and George, then lying there, who went in Quest of him as soon as the Wind permitted. Among the Prisoners came in Capt. Gordon, late of the Bilander Warren, bound from this Port to Barbados, which left our Capes on Thursday the 6th Instant, and on the Sunday Evening following, about 9 o'Clock, being to the Eastward of Bermudas, a sudden Gust of Wind overset her; whereby 3 Seamen and 3 Passengers, two of them Women, that were below Deck, were immediately drowned. The Captain, Mate, 3 Seamen, and a Negroe, got on her Side, where they continued, without any Food, 'til Wednesday Morning there being such a Sea, that they were not able to save their Boat, nor get any Thing out of the Vessel, and were obliged to lash themselves to the main Chains. A Dog which they had saved 'til Tuesday Night, and designed to kill the next Day for their Support, was that Night carried away by a Sea, together with a Cag of Beer; but on Wednesday, when they were quite without Hope, the abovementioned Scotch Ship, Capt. M'Mullen, came in Sight, which having seen some of the floating Chests and Goods, and discover'd the Wreck, bore down directly towards it, to the inexpressible Joy of the distressed People, and with great Difficulty, the Sea running high, took them all off, except one Man, who being grown delirious, left the Side a few Minutes before, and was drowned. Four Days after the Scotch Ship was taken as aforesaid.