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The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A gentleman's 1758 letter from London describes his ship's 37-day voyage from Rhode Island, capture by French privateer St. Helena off Scilly on January 12, shipwreck off Cape Frehel three days later killing 130 French and 16 crew including Mr. Crab and Mr. Singer, his survival by climbing rocks, civil treatment in St. Maloes and Dinan, and return to England on a cartel ship arriving Dartmouth March 16.
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We had a fatiguing Passage of 37 Days to Scilly; off of which we were taken the 12th of January last, by a French Privateer called the St. Helena, of 22 Guns and 200 Men: who bending their Course towards St. Maloes, with the Prize, there cast away 3 Days after off Cape Frehel, 5 Leagues to the Eastward of St. Maloes, the Vessel being split in Pieces against the Rocks and 130 French Souls perished, as also 16 of our Ship's Company; among whom was Mr. Crab, Mr. Singer and a French Gentleman, Capt. L'Mercier.—I was oblig'd to embrace the Rock, and climb to the Top; which Seem'd almost unaccessible, to save my Life; and was afterwards carried to St. Maloes, and thence to Dinan, being civilly treated by the Governor and other Gentlemen; and had Permission to embark on board the next Cartel for England, which sailed on the 15th of March with 363 Prisoners, and arriv'd at Dartmouth the next Day.
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From Rhode Island To Scilly, Captured Off Scilly, Shipwreck Off Cape Frehel Near St. Maloes, France; Then St. Maloes, Dinan; Return To Dartmouth, England
Event Date
January 12th To March 16th, 1758
Story Details
Ship from Rhode Island captured by French privateer St. Helena off Scilly on January 12, 1758; en route to St. Maloes, wrecked off Cape Frehel three days later, killing 130 French and 16 crew including Mr. Crab, Mr. Singer, and Capt. L'Mercier; narrator survives by climbing inaccessible rock, treated civilly in St. Maloes and Dinan, returns on cartel ship sailing March 15, arriving Dartmouth March 16.