From _The Recorder_ (I. A. H. S.), February, 1902.
The sloop _Seaflower_ left Belfast, Ireland, July 10, 1741, bound for
Philadelphia, in the province of Pennsylvania. She had 106 persons
aboard, mainly emigrants.
The _Seaflower_ was owned by Joseph Thompson of New Haven, Conn., and
Capt. Ebenezer Clark, master of the sloop. Thompson owned three fourths
and Clark the remainder. When about two weeks out, Captain Clark, the
master, sickened and died and the mate was also taken ill.
Thus began a reign of suffering, wretchedness and misery that has seldom
been surpassed in the annals of ocean voyages. Some time after the
master’s death the sloop sprung her mast and to add to the horrors of
the voyage the supply of water and provisions began to run low.
The accident to the mast, the sickness and other troubles greatly
extended the voyage so that long before the American coast was sighted
many of the ship’s company and passengers had perished of hunger.
In order to sustain life the living were driven to feed on the dead. Six
bodies had been thus consumed and the seventh was being cut up when the
_Success_, man-of-war, came alongside and her captain supplied the
well-nigh crazed survivors of the _Seaflower_ with provisions sufficient
to bring them into port.
Now to account for this fearful voyage: It is possible that the sloop
was overcrowded on leaving Belfast; also that a miscalculation had been
made as to the probable length of time that would be required for the
voyage, this leading to an inadequate supply of water and provisions.
The death of the master and the illness of the mate likewise had a
decided tendency to complicate matters. When the food supply was at
length exhausted, and the last drop of water gone, thirst was added to
the horrors of hunger. With the vessel still many leagues from land, the
awful sufferings of passengers and crew can be imagined, not described.
Forty-six died on the passage.
The _Seaflower_ cast anchor in Boston Harbor, October 31, sixteen weeks
having elapsed since she sailed from Ireland. On the date mentioned,
October 31, 1741, the selectmen of Boston convened in session, there
being present: Captain Forsyth, Caleb Lyman, Jonas Clark, Mr. Hancock,
Mr. Cook and Captain Steel. At this meeting was considered “The sloop
_Seaflower_ this day arrived from Belfast, Ebenezer Clark, late master,
with 65 passengrs on board....” The following minute was recorded, viz.,
that
“Whereas a Sloop from Ireland with a number of Passengers on board being
arrived in this Harbour & apprehending danger may acrue to the
Inhabitants by reason of the Hardships the People have Suffered in their
Passage being obliged to eat some of their People to Sustain Life, Voted
That the Select Men View the State of the Persons on board with Doct^r
Clark & Report what Circumstances they are in....”
The selectmen accordingly visited the afflicted survivors of the
_Seaflower_ and found the facts as here outlined. So serious was the
case, that the Selectmen again met on November 2 and decided to wait on
the governor and council to acquaint them with the conditions and see
what could be done. The same day, November 2, a meeting of the governor
and council was held in the council chamber in Boston, the selectmen
appeared, stated their case and sought advice.
They declared that about thirty of the passengers were in “very low
circumstances & not able of taking care of themselves, but require the
speediest care to preserve life.” The selectmen prayed “that suitable
provision may be made for them or else they must perish.” The governor
and council accordingly
Ordered that the selectmen secure the papers belonging to the owners and
last master, with the goods aboard and dispose of the servants and
passengers in hospital on Rainsford’s island, where they were to be
supported and nursed. It was also ordered that the “owners of the said
Sloop” be speedily advised of existing conditions and requested to come
to Boston, “pay the Charges herein expended & take all further Care in
the Premisses as shall be necessary.”
The selectmen thereupon sent an express to Joseph Thompson, of New
Haven, asking him to repair to Boston and take charge of the _Seaflower_
and servants. They likewise directed the town clerk of Boston to write
to Mr. Thompson. The selectmen also voted that Captain Forsyth and
Captain Steel of their number be a committee to go aboard the sloop and
take an account of the papers, etc., and secure them, Mr. Savell to see
that the unfortunate people were supplied with all things necessary to
their comfort until the vessel was taken to Rainsford’s island. Mr. Ball
was directed to take the sloop there as soon as possible.
On Tuesday morning, the vessel and passengers were taken over to the
island “with the help of Capt. Tyng & his People who came in the long
boat & other persons.” The passengers were all carried ashore and lodged
in the hospital. Doctor Clark gave directions for the treatment of the
patients, and men were put in charge of the vessel and the goods aboard.
The selectmen met again on November 16. Mr. Thompson of New Haven
appeared and stated that he owned three fourths of the sloop and that
Ebenezer Clark, the deceased master, owned the rest. He asked that the
vessel’s papers he delivered to him and this was done. Thompson and
Captain Steel, the latter one of the selectmen, assumed all the charges
incurred.
The facts briefly stated herein have been obtained from the minutes of
the selectmen of Boston as reproduced in printed form by the record
commissioners of that city.