UNCLE THOMAS TELLS OF THE LOSS OF THE DODDINGTON EAST INDIAMAN.
This evening, boys, I am going to tell you of the loss of the
Doddington, which was wrecked on a barren, uninhabited rock, when
nearly two hundred persons lost their lives.
The Doddington sailed from the Downs, April 23d, 1755, in company with
four others of the East India Company's ships. On the 20th of May, they
made Bonavista, one of the Cape de Verd Islands, and on the 21st got
into Port Prior Bay, for the purpose of taking in a supply of fresh
water. On the 27th, she proceeded on her voyage, in company with three
of the vessels with which she had at first set out, leaving the other,
which had not yet completed her refitment, in the roads. They continued
together until the following day, when the Captain, thinking that their
course was too easterly, ordered the Doddington to be kept south; and
after a fine run of seven weeks, she made the land of the Cape of Good
Hope.
On the 5th of July, they took their departure from Cape Needles, and
the vessel having steered eastward about twenty-four hours, the Captain
ordered her to be kept E. N. E. In this course she continued till about
a quarter before one on the morning of Thursday the 17th of July, when
she struck.
The officer whose journal furnishes materials for the following
narrative, was, at the time of the accident, asleep in his cabin; but
being suddenly awakened by the shock, he started up in the utmost
consternation, and hurried upon deck. He found the sea rolling over the
ship with the utmost violence, and sweeping the men overboard, while
the beating of the surge upon the vessel threatened, every instant, to
dash her in pieces. On reaching the larboard side of the deck, which
lay highest out of the water, he encountered the Captain, who told
him in a very little time they must all perish; in a few minutes a
sea parted them, and he saw him no more. He managed, by dint of great
exertion, to get back to the quarter-deck, though he was much bruised
and had the small bone of his left arm broken; the other portion of
the ship was, in the meantime, overwhelmed by the waves and completely
shattered in pieces.
In this dreadful situation, when every minute he expected would be the
last of all who still clung to the wreck, he heard the welcome cry
of "Land!" and looked eagerly about him; but though he saw something
which he supposed had been taken for land, he believed that it was
only the bursting of the surge on the other side of the breakers. At
this instant, the sea broke over him with such fury, that it not only
forced him from his hold, but such was the violence of the blow, that
he was stunned, and lay insensible till after daylight. On recovering,
he found himself fixed to a plank by a nail that had been forced into
his shoulder. Besides the pain of his wound, and the many bruises which
he had sustained, he was so benumbed with cold that he could scarcely
move. He now observed that several of the crew had got on the rocks
which were near, and called out to them as loud as he could; but they
were not able to give him any assistance, so that a considerable time
elapsed before he was able to disengage himself from the wreck and get
on shore.
On reaching the rock, he found twenty-three of his companions, which
were all that had been able to save themselves out of two hundred and
twenty individuals that were on board when the ship struck. Their
first care was to search among the things that had been thrown on the
rocks from the wreck, for something to cover them from the weather,
and in this they succeeded almost beyond their expectations; but the
attainment of fire was not so easily accomplished. Some of them made
an unsuccessful attempt to kindle two pieces of wood by rubbing
them together, while others diligently searched the rocks in anxious
endeavors to find a substitute for flint and steel. After some time
they found a box containing a couple of gun-flints and a broken file,
which was a most joyful acquisition, though they still wanted tinder.
After a further search, they discovered a cask of gunpowder, which, to
their great disappointment, proved to be wet; but, on a more narrow
inspection, they found a small quantity at the bottom that had suffered
no damage. Some of this bruised on a linen rag, served their purpose
very well.
Having at length succeeded in lighting a fire, the bruised and wounded
collected round it, while the others went in search of further
necessaries. A box of wax candles and a case of brandy were the first
brought in, and soon afterwards another party returned, stating that
they had discovered a cask almost full of fresh water, which was of
greater consequence than the spirits, as there was no fresh water to be
found on the island. They could also see at some distance several casks
of water, flour, and beer; but it was not possible to get at them over
the rocks.
It now became necessary to provide some shelter for the approaching
night; all hands were therefore employed in making a tent of some
canvass that had been cast ashore; but the quantity was so small that
the tent would not hold them all, and for fear of being overflowed,
they were obliged to erect it on the highest part of the island. Here
they were so much exposed to the storm that their frail encampment was
in danger of being blown away; their fire was scattered, and before
they could collect the embers the rain extinguished them. On renewing
their search in the morning, they found, to their great mortification,
that all the casks which they had seen the preceding night, with the
exception of one of flour and another of beer, had been staved against
the rocks. These, however, they secured; but the tide flowing up
soon after, interrupted their proceedings. As, in their desolate and
forlorn situation, their thoughts naturally hurried from one subject
to another in quest of some source of comfort, it was suggested by
one of them that, as the carpenter was among them, he might build a
vessel to carry them to a port of safety, provided they could obtain
some tools and materials. The attention of every one was immediately
directed towards the carpenter, who declared his belief that if tools
and materials could be found, he should be able to build a bark; and
though at that time there was no prospect of procuring either, yet no
sooner had they thought their deliverance but one remove beyond total
impossibility, than they seemed to think it neither impossible nor
difficult. The boat engrossed their whole conversation, and they not
only debated on her size and rigging, but to what port they should
steer when she was fairly afloat. Some of them immediately dispersed
in search of materials for their projected vessel, but they did not
succeed in finding any. On the following day, however, they secured
four butts of water, one cask of flour, one hogshead of brandy, and
a small boat, which had been thrown up by the tide in a shattered
condition; but no tools were found, with the exception of a scraper.
Next day they had the good fortune to discover a box containing files,
gimlets, sail-needles, and an azimuth compass-card; they also found
two quadrants, a carpenter's adze, a chisel, three sword-blades, and a
chest of treasure.
On Monday, the 20th of July, they recovered some more provisions, and
also some timber-plank, canvass, and cordage, which they joyfully
secured for their projected vessel, though still in want of many
implements indispensable for the carpenter to proceed with his work. It
happened, however, that one of the seamen, Hendrick Scanty, a native of
Sweden, who had originally been a smith by profession, having picked
up an old pair of bellows, told his companions that, by the aid of
a forge, which they could build by his directions, he could furnish
the carpenter with all necessary tools as well as nails, as plenty
of iron could be obtained by burning it out of pieces of the wreck
driven ashore. He began immediately to mend the bellows, and the three
following days were occupied in building a tent and forge, and in
collecting timber for the use of the carpenter, who was also employed
in preparing the few tools already in his possession, that the boat
might be begun as soon as possible.
In a few days the carpenter began to work on the keel of the vessel,
which, it was determined, should be a sloop, thirty feet in length
by twelve in width. The smith also finished his forge, and he and
the carpenter continued thenceforward to work with indefatigable
diligence, except when prevented by the weather. The smith, having
fortunately found the ring and nut of a bower-anchor, which served him
for an anvil, supplied chisels, axes, hammers and nails, as they were
required, and the carpenter used them with great dexterity and despatch.
After having been nearly seven weeks upon the rock, during which
time they had frequently seen a great smoke upon the main land,
they determined to send the boat which had been recovered from the
wreck, which the carpenter had so patched up as to fit it for sea, to
ascertain what assistance could be obtained. For this purpose, three
men set out on a voyage of discovery, the people making a great fire at
night on the highest part of the rock, as a signal to them.
After waiting three days, the return of the boat was impatiently
expected; but nothing being seen of it by noon they became very uneasy.
At length, however, they discovered it approaching, but it was rowed by
only one man, who plied both oars, and they consequently concluded that
the other two had been lost or detained. Presently, however, another
was seen to rise from the bottom of the boat, and their speed was a
little increased.
Their interest and curiosity were wound up to the highest pitch, when
the two men, jumping from the boat, threw themselves on the ground,
and returned thanks to the Almighty for their deliverance. They were,
however, so exhausted by the exertions which they had made, that they
now sank on the ground and could not rise without assistance. When
sufficiently recovered, they related their adventures since they left
the island.
On the day of their departure, after sailing about six leagues to the
eastward, they got round a point of land, and ventured to pull for
the shore; but the moment they got into the surf, the boat was upset,
by which their companion was unfortunately drowned. They managed,
however, to reach the land, though in a very exhausted condition. On
recovering a little, they crawled along the shore in search of the
boat, as they had no other shelter from wild beasts, which might be
expected to come abroad in the night, and after some search found her;
but they were too weak to get her up, and were obliged to lie down on
the sand, with no other covering than the branches of a tree. In the
morning they again searched for the boat, which the surf had driven
from the place where they left her, and in walking along the coast saw
a man, who, on their approach, ran away into the woods. Soon afterwards
they discovered the body of their unfortunate companion, which had
been dragged some distance from the shore, and mangled by some wild
beast, which so terrified them, that rather than undergo the dread of
passing another night on shore, they resolved to return immediately.
Encountering a gale from the west, the boat was once more upset, but
after much struggling and swimming, they got safe to land, exhausted by
their exertions and faint with hunger. Having managed to get the boat
on shore, they turned it keel upwards and crept under it to sleep.
Wearied by their late exertions, they slept till the dawn of day,
when, peeping out from under the edge of the boat, they saw the feet of
several animals, which they supposed to be tigers, which induced them
to remain under the boat till the day had well broke, when once more
looking out they saw the feet of a man. On this discovery, they crept
out, to the great amazement of a poor savage and two other men and a
boy, who were at some distance. When they were a little recovered from
their surprise, the savages made signs for them to go away, which they
endeavored to do, though they began to move very slowly: but they had
not got far when a considerable number of the natives ran down upon
them with their lances, and took them prisoners.
They then rifled the boat, and took away all the rope they could find,
and began to knock the boat in pieces, for the iron which they saw
about it. With the exception of absolute destruction to these hapless
mariners, this was the greatest calamity they could sustain; and,
rough as they were, they burst into tears, and entreated the savages
to desist, with such agony and distress, that they suffered the boat
to remain without further injury. On the following morning, taking an
opportunity of eluding the vigilance of the savages, they launched the
boat for the third time, and returned to their companions on the rock.
This narrative was far from encouraging; nevertheless the carpenter
continued his work with the greatest assiduity, and with such success,
that, imperfect as were the tools with which he worked, on the 17th
February 1756, they launched their little vessel, and bade adieu to
the rock on which they had lived seven months. They weighed anchor at
one in the afternoon, and set sail, with a light breeze from the west,
for the river St. Lucia, on the coast of Natal; but misfortune still
seemed to attend them. For twenty-five days they met with nothing
but adversity; their provisions were almost exhausted, and the rapid
currents carried them so far out of their course, that a favorable wind
was of but little service to them. Despairing at last of being able to
make the river St. Lucia, they resolved to change their course for the
Cape of Good Hope, and accordingly, on the 2d of March, bore away for
the west.
The three following days the wind increased to such prodigious violence
that it blew a furious storm, and their frail bark shipped such heavy
seas, that they expected each wave, as it rolled over, to dash her in
pieces. On the morning of the 5th, however, fine weather ensued, and
on the 7th it was a perfect calm, when they cast anchor about three
quarters of a mile from the shore, where they observed several natives
coming down from the mountains towards them.
Encouraged by this sight, they attempted to land, and Arnold, the black
servant, was sent on shore, accompanied by two seamen, with a string
of amber beads as a present to the Indians. After a mutual interchange
of civilities, he obtained some Indian corn, fruit, and water, in a
calabash, with a promise of sheep, oxen, and other necessaries; but
the wind continuing westerly, the boat returned with a supply only
sufficient for four days.
They continued to coast along, occasionally landing to barter with the
natives, who everywhere thronged to the shore and received them with
kindness. At length, on the 6th April, they arrived at St. Lucia.
Having landed, they signified to the natives their wish to trade with
them; but the Indians intimated that they wanted nothing but small
beads: however, on being shown some copper buttons, they brought
bullocks, fowls, potatoes, gourds, and other provisions. No bullocks
could be purchased; for the natives wanted copper rings large enough
for collars, in exchange. Of the fowls, they gave five or six for a
small piece of linen, and the other things in proportion.
They remained here three weeks, being engaged in traversing the
country, and endeavoring to obtain such articles as they wanted. The
Indians set a great value on copper, and on being shown the handle
of an old box, offered two bullocks for it, which were immediately
accepted and driven on board the vessel.
On the 18th of May, a favorable breeze springing up from the west,
attended with good weather, they weighed anchor at seven in the morning
and set sail. Two days afterwards they arrived in Lagoa Bay, where they
found the Rose, a trading vessel, in which some of them requested a
passage to Bombay.
On the 25th of May, the Rose sailed for Madagascar, where, happening to
fall in with one of the East India Company's ships, bound for Madras,
the packets of treasure were transferred to it, and in about a month
arrived in safety at their destination.
I must now bid you good bye, boys--not that I have exhausted my "Tales
of Shipwrecks," but my space being filled up, I must stop for the
present. I hope we shall soon meet again. Our present meetings have
not, I trust, been without profit as well as amusement. The various
narratives of suffering have awakened our sympathies, and taught us
to feel how much we owe to the intrepidity of the adventurous seamen,
who, bidding defiance to the perils of the deep, bear the blessings of
commerce and civilization to the farthest corners of the earth. Nor
ought our conversations to have been void of instruction--opening up
to us, as they have done, the mighty works of God and his mysterious
dealings with mankind. "They that go down to the sea in ships," says
the Psalmist, "that do business in great waters--these see the works
of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth and raiseth
the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to
the heavens, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted
because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken
man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their
trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the
storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad
because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven. O,
that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful
works to the children of men!"
Good bye, Uncle Thomas!