The New Hampshire Gazette

The following is a true Account of the Misfortune which befell the Letter of Marque Brig. Tyrrel Arthur Coghill Commander. [as formerly mentioned] given by Mr. Thomas Purnell, Chief Mate of said Vessel, and the only Person that was spared out of all the Crew, which consisted of Seventeen.

THE 28th of June we sailed from Sandy hook, and that Afternoon found the Vessel made a small Quantity of Water more than what she usually had, which caused a small spell at the Pump every half Hour, so that we thought there was not any Danger, until Wednesday 2d of July, a little before Eight o'Clock in the Forenoon: The 2d Mate who had then the Charge of the Watch came and surprized Mr. Purnell as he was sleeping in the Cabin, by telling him the vessel was sinking, &c. Mr. Purnell and the Captain going instantly upon Deck, and by looking down into the Steerage saw she was almost full. Some of the People inform'd Mr. Purnell they heard the Water run in, but before they had Time to examine the Leak, a Squall of Wind came on which overset her, the Boat being loose on the Chocks she floated, though Bottom upwards, but two of the People jumping into the Water from off the Vessel's side righted her, and with a Bucket soon bail'd her, but the Vessel by this Time was all under Water as far as her fore Chains: So that from the Time the second Mate acquainted Mr. Purnell of the Affair, till they were all obliged to get into the Boat was but a few Minutes, having no Provisions, Instrument or Compass of any kind, and then by our Reckoning were 157 Leagues S E by E. from the Place we took our Departure. The first Night they got in the Boat they had a great deal of Rain, with a heavy Gale at N. W. the next Morning it being Calm, they made a Sail of Frocks and Trousers, which did pretty well for nine Days; when the second Mate and Carpenter died. A few Hours after we saw a Sloop becalmed, which greatly encourag'd us, and we immediately got out our Oars, and we came up with her very fast, that in about three Hours we got within half a Mile of her; but at this Instant the Wind blew a small Breeze, the Sloop made all the Sail he could and stood from us. After this the People died one or more every Day, 'till the 19th Day, when the Captain and a Boy dying left Mr. Purnell alone, who was taken up on the 21st Day following, by John Castle, Master of a Fishing Schooner, having lived upon no other Sustenance than the Barnacles he got from off the bottom of the Boat, and the Rockweed he catch'd alongside.