I LEFT the Senegal for Havre on the 24th July, 1786, on board the
brigantine _l’Aimable Marthe_; the crew consisted of the captain,
whose name was Doré, a lieutenant, a carpenter, a mate, and three
sailors. The passengers were Messrs. Gourg, naval commissioners
at Senegal, Longer, captain of a frigate, Bernard my cook, a young
Negro and myself.
After an uncommonly long and dangerous passage, we were of opinion,
on the 12th September, in the morning, that we should arrive in the
course of the night at Havre; and we in consequence gave ourselves
up to that pleasure which travellers always experience at the end
of a long voyage; when I perceived that the captain was out in his
reckoning, and that we were in the Bristol channel. I informed him
of this circumstance, and his surprise was equal to my own. The
weather was stormy, the sea ran high, and the rapid gusts of wind
indicated an approaching tempest.
At three o’clock we were in sight of Lundy island, and attempted
to take refuge at it; but our efforts were unavailing; and we
then directed our course for the bay of Tumby, which we entered,
though here our hopes of finding a shelter also proved abortive;
and we could not withstand the violence of the wind and tide. We
were, however, near enough to the shore to observe the inhabitants
collecting upon it, and expressing their regret that they could not
afford us any assistance. We had dropped our bower anchor, but we
were under the necessity of cutting the cable, and then our loss
seemed inevitable. We nevertheless attempted to reach the isle of
Caldy; and for this purpose we kept tacking the whole night, during
which the weather was dreadful. The wind was W. S. W. and blew so
strong, that we could only let out the main and mizen-sail. We were
then in three fathoms water; but after tacking on different points,
we found ourselves at two o’clock in Laugharn Bay, in only two
fathoms water: the sea was furious, and every instant covered the
vessel, while the rain was violent in the extreme, so that it soon
became impossible to work the ship: she therefore ran aground, with
three violent shocks, which laid her open, unshipped the rudder,
and decided our fate.
We now found ourselves completely wrecked; and, in order to lighten
the vessel, we cut away the masts, when we found that she remained
fixed in six feet water, but was every instant covered with waves
of an enormous size, which seemed ready to swallow her up. In this
dreadful crisis some fell to making rafts, others seized on pieces
of wood, and all endeavoured to avoid that death which seemed to
be prepared for them. At this period it was remarkable that some
of our little crew were concerned about futurity; and one of them
being very anxious respecting the fate of the Negro boy, who had
never been christened, baptized him in my presence with some fresh
water, and then held him fast in his arms, with a view that they
might die and arrive together in the other world.
About three o’clock the storm began to subside, and the waves
broke with less violence against our vessel. We then perceived
that it was low water; but the darkness of the night prevented
us from distinguishing where we were, or ascertaining the place
of our shipwreck; nevertheless, without knowing what distance we
were from land, we thought it probable that we might get to it,
and resolved to make the attempt. A small canoe was therefore let
down, and I was the first who got into it: Longer and the lieutenant
followed me, but we did not find sufficient water to work the boat;
we therefore got out of it, and walked for about an hour in the sea,
preceded by two sailors, who sounded at every step, and served as
guides. After passing through different depths of water, but not
sufficient to stop us, we at length landed, and sent back the two
sailors to inform our companions that we were safe, and invite them
to follow the route we had taken.
On quitting the vessel we left all our clothes, which might have
prevented us from swimming, if necessary: I had nothing on but
a pair of trowsers, in one of the pockets of which I had put a
letter with my address, in order that my family might be informed
of my fate, if I should be drowned, and cast on shore. This was the
only precaution which I thought it necessary to take. We therefore
found ourselves on an unknown spot, four in number, almost naked,
and without the means of subsistence.
The night continued to be very dark, and the rain poured down in
torrents. We, however, continued to walk for two hours, without
knowing whither we were proceeding: at length we reached a mansion,
which we walked round several times, but could not find any door
open, or a place in which we could obtain shelter, though we made
noise enough to be heard, if the inhabitants had not all been in a
sound sleep. At length, after much trouble, I discovered a little
gate, which led into the park. I raised the latch, the gate opened,
and we found ourselves, with inexpressible pleasure, in a large
walk, which led to the vestibule of the mansion. I knocked at the
door with all my strength, and we heard the barking of dogs inside;
we also soon found that the domestics were stirring: they appeared
to be running to the chamber of the master, doubtless to inform
him that the house was infested by banditti; as they only spoke
to us through a garret window. They asked us first in English,
and then in bad French, for what reason we had entered the park at
such an hour? I answered in a feeble voice, and lamentable accent,
that we were unfortunate Frenchmen, whose ship had been wrecked,
and that we requested an asylum.
If that is the case, answered the person who first spoke, you may
be easy; I will order my doors to be open, and you shall receive
all the assistance that you may be in want of.
Soon afterwards the doors were thrown open, and we saw in the hall
all the servants of the chateau, armed with muskets and sabres:
it seems they had taken this precaution, lest we had deceived
them by our story; but when they saw us naked, almost frozen,
and objects of pity rather than fear, they put down their arms,
and paid us every attention.
We were at first conducted into the kitchen, where, before a large
fire, we warmed our frost-bitten limbs. Soon afterwards the mistress
of the house, and all her female domestics, came and brought us
linen, and other apparel, which we divided amongst each other as well
as we could. A table was then laid out, and we were supplied with
victuals and drink; which we devoured with the greatest eagerness,
being almost famished.
After the repast, I was shewn to a chamber; while my companions
and the master of the house went down to the shore, to endeavour
to save something from the wreck. On their return, I learnt that
the vessel had gone entirely to pieces at three o’clock.
All the crew were saved; but most of them had taken another
direction: my cook and boy lost themselves, and three days elapsed
before they found me.
About noon the lady of the mansion sent to know if I would take some
tea: I begged to be served with it in my apartment, but she insisted
that I should come down stairs, and take it with her. I had much
difficulty to bring myself to accept this compliment, as I was still
in a most deplorable condition, and not fit to be seen. About five in
the afternoon the gentleman returned, with several of his neighbours,
and some of the crew. They had saved very few things from the wreck;
but they restored to me a bag with about 500 dollars, and a box
containing my papers, which I got dried in the oven. My boy John
also saved a sack with nearly 1200 livres; a packet of virgin gold,
from Senegal, which I sold in London for about 100 guineas; an ape,
a yellow parroquet, and some ostriches’ eggs. The loss, however,
which I sustained by this wreck I shall ever regret, on account of
the useful knowledge which it has prevented me from communicating
to my country. I lost a choice assortment of plants, unknown in
Europe; several bottles of distilled palm wine; some water taken
from the Senegal, at Isle St. Louis and Podor; several tons of the
earth from the gold mines at Galam and Bambouk; a collection of the
scarcest reptiles, birds, and fishes; and drawings of the costumes,
arms, equipages, &c. of all the hordes in this part of Africa.
At six o’clock we sat down to an excellent dinner, and remained
a long time at table. The repast terminated in the English manner;
that is, we swallowed bumpers of wine till we were all drunk. The
next day our host conducted me to Carmarthen, where I purchased a
new wardrobe, and equipped myself from head to foot.
This day we received an express from the merchants of London; who,
having heard of our shipwreck, sent to offer us their services. We
were grateful for their attention; but situated as we were, we
could only thank them, and answer that we wanted for nothing. I
shall always regret that I lost the letter from those obliging
merchants, whom we afterwards saw at London, where they treated us
in a magnificent style. I should have had the greatest pleasure in
making known to my countrymen the names of those liberal gentlemen,
so respectable for their humanity, and the nobleness of their
sentiments; but being deprived of the means, I must content myself
with speaking of their countryman, whose care saved me from misery
and death.
The name of this generous Englishman was Henry Trollope; he was a
native of Norwich; was then 36 years of age, and was a captain in
the navy. His lady, who was handsome, modest, and of the gentlest
disposition, was a native of London, whose maiden name was Fanny
Best. She was then about 22 years old. They had no children; a
circumstance which they felt severely, as they were both very anxious
to have a young family. I hope, for the happiness of themselves and
the human race, that their wishes have been fulfilled. Mrs. Trollope,
when a girl, had been educated at Brussels, so that she, as well
as her husband, spoke French sufficiently well to be understood. I
must here add, that the attachment of this amiable woman towards
her husband, had induced her to accompany him in all his voyages.
They inhabited Westmead castle, about three miles from Laugharn,
in Wales, the place of our shipwreck. It stands in a delightful
situation, is well built, and its architecture possesses a noble
simplicity. Its internal arrangements are well adapted; the park
is large and well planted, and the gardens are judiciously laid
out. At the time I was wrecked Captain Trollope had taken a lease
of it from Lord Montalt, of which three years had expired.
During my stay at the castle, the liberal inhabitants incessantly
endeavoured to dispel from our minds the remembrance of our
misfortune; and every day was distinguished by some new festivity:
hunting, fishing, gaming, and feasting, succeeded each other without
interruption; and the only care seemed to be how fresh pleasure
could be procured. O! Mrs. Trollope, worthy and affectionate wife
of the most humane of men, I feel the most lively emotion in thus
bearing testimony to the gratitude which I owe you, and which will
never be effaced from my heart.
On the 24th of September, in the afternoon, Captain Trollope proposed
to me a hunting party; but I preferred keeping company with his wife,
and he left me alone with her. We were walking in the park, when we
observed at a distance a huntsman riding at full gallop; he passed
by us without saying any thing, and without stopping at the castle.
Mrs. Trollope was alarmed, and said to me, “some accident has
happened to my husband.” We soon learned that his horse had
fallen and rolled on him, by which he was dangerously hurt; and
the messenger who passed us, was riding to fetch a surgeon. It is
impossible to describe the distraction of the lady, and our own
consternation, when we saw Captain Trollope brought home upon a
litter: he was taken to his chamber, followed by his wife, who made
the most pitiable lamentations; he, however, turned towards her,
and said, with much unconcern, “Fanny, be quiet, wipe away your
tears, and cease crying.”
On the arrival of the surgeon, our fears were dispelled, as he
assured us that the accident would not be attended with any bad
consequences. In short, by proper medical attention, the captain was
in a few days restored, and we were enabled to resume our ordinary
exercises and amusements.
After passing eighteen days in this delightful abode, without being
suffered to incur the least expence, we embarked for Bristol, at
the very place of our shipwreck. Our separation cost tears on both
sides. I left my ape with Mrs. Trollope, together with whatever
I had saved from the wreck, that was worth her acceptance. My
parroquet was unique of its kind; it spoke well, and was the only
one of a yellow colour that I ever saw even at Senegal, where I
obtained it. It came to a miserable end, having been caught and
devoured by the cats. Mrs. Trollope was inconsolable at the event,
and spoke of it every day.
The generous Captain was not satisfied with the kind reception
that he had given us in his mansion, but wished to serve us after
our separation. He therefore gave us letters of recommendation to
Bristol, Bath, and London; in consequence of which we were every
where received with the highest respect.