The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

N E W - Y O R K. October 10:

On Saturday last, the first instant, arrived at the Hook, the Snow George, now under the Command of Capt. Patrick Savage, from whose Protest made before a Notary in this City, it appears that the said Snow sailed from Dublin, about the 6th of July last, under the Command of Capt. John Bowen, bound to New-Castle on Delaware River, in Pennsylvania, with Passengers (supposed to be upwards of 200 but the Number not mentioned in the Protest) among whom the said Patrick Savage was one. That on the 17th of August, they spoke with the Snow George, Capt. Crannel, Master; (The Protest mentions not from whence, but we hear from New-York, bound to Dublin, but know not in what Latitude) that about six o'Clock in the Evening, Capt. Bowen, Charles Armitrong, his Mate, who was also Supercargo, two other Seamen, and a Boy, went in the Yawl on Board the Snow of which Capt. Crannel was Master, which, about eight o'Clock being then to windward, bore down under the Lee of the other, which hailed her, and asked if they were coming on Board? The Mate, Armitrong, answered that they were, and order'd the Tackles to be got ready to hoist in the Yawl; which was accordingly done, and the Top-sails laid to the Mast, in which Posture they remained half an Hour, close to Capt. Crannel's Snow, which then made Sail.

The People on Board Captain Bowen's Snow, seeing nothing of the Boat, imagined he was not put off from the other Snow, and by general Consent of the Crew and Passengers, stood after her, steering E. by N. the Wind being West. all Night. In the Morning, seeing nothing of the other Snow, they hauled their Wind, and made the best of their Way to their desired Port: the said Patrick Savage, being, by general Consent of the Crew and Passengers, chosen Captain. That being scant of Water, when they made the Land, the Wind at S. W. and having so many Passengers; it was judged they could not reach their designed Port without Danger of Distress, and concluded to go to the first Port; accordingly they bore away for the Hook, where they arrived on Saturday as before mentioned:

This odd Affair has occasioned various Conjectures: It was improbable that the Captain and Mate of a Vessel should both leave her together, at Sea, especially at Night, and having so many Passengers on Board; that there was a shrewd Suspicion of Piracy in the Case;--But on the other Hand, their putting into the first Port, and that so near their intended one; the nature of the Cargo; of which they could make no Profit, and the Impossibility of escaping Detection, when there was so many Witnesses on board, seems to clear them from that Suspicion, and make it more probable that it was only an Act of uncommon Imprudence in the Captain and Mate, and that perhaps in the Night the Boat might be overset; or might not be seen by the People on board the Snow--The Protest mentions nothing of the Weather, nor at what Time they lost Sight of the Snow: The Moon was then eight Days old.