When was it published?

June 11, 1805 in Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Story June 11, 1805

Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

Q: What sub-type of article is it?

Curiosity, Extraordinary Event, Naval Engagement

Q: What keywords are associated?

Message In Bottle, British Prisoner, Spanish Specie Ship, Havana Departure, Naval Prize, French Ship Silence

Norfolk, Virginia

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What is this article about?

A message in a bottle, found southward of the Vineyard on May 9, 1805, from a British prisoner on the French ship Silence. Dated April 10, 1805, it tips off about a valuable Spanish ship with specie leaving Havana around early April, armed with only 16 guns, as a potential prize for British vessels.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

From Nantucket, May 20, 1805.—The following article was found in a junk bottle, taken up at the southward of the Vineyard, by one of the pilot-boats, on the 9th inst. The bottle in which it was found was ballasted with six ounces of lead balls, and had a staff made fast to it, with a piece of a silk handkerchief served through as a flag: —

"French National ship Silence,

April 10th, 1805.

"One of his Britannick majesty's subjects, confined as a prisoner on board this ship, embraces this mode of communicating information to his countrymen, [being the only means left in his power] hoping that it may prove successful; if it should even fall into the hands of any of our American well-wishers, they no doubt will make it publick—that a valuable Spanish ship, with an immense quantity of specie, bound to Cadiz, would leave the Havanna about the first of this month. Such a prize is certainly worthy the attention of any of his majesty's ships on this station—the Spanish vessel's force is only 16 guns, and but indifferently equipped.

Tho's Burk."

What sub-type of article is it?

Curiosity Extraordinary Event Naval Engagement

What themes does it cover?

Deception Fortune Reversal

What keywords are associated?

Message In Bottle British Prisoner Spanish Specie Ship Havana Departure Naval Prize French Ship Silence

What entities or persons were involved?

Tho's Burk

Where did it happen?

Southward Of The Vineyard; French National Ship Silence; Havanna; Cadiz

Story Details

Key Persons

Tho's Burk

Location

Southward Of The Vineyard; French National Ship Silence; Havanna; Cadiz

Event Date

April 10th, 1805; May 9th, 1805; May 20, 1805

Story Details

British prisoner Tho's Burk on French ship Silence sends message in bottle detailing a valuable Spanish ship with specie leaving Havanna early April 1805 for Cadiz, lightly armed with 16 guns, urging British ships to capture it as a prize.