On the 3d Inst. arrived here the Rose, of London, Capt. Croak Commander, from whom we have the following Relation, viz.
That on the 17th of June last, being on his Voyage from Newfoundland to this Port, and in the Latitude of 41 Deg. N. and 48 Deg. of Longitude, he espied a Sail that made Signals of Distress; whereupon he came up to her, and found her so near Sinking, that he had only just Time to save the Persons belonging to her, (who were to the Number of 61) for he had no sooner taken them on board his own Vessel, but the other foundered in the Sea. The Persons thus providentially saved, informed him:
That they were for the most part indented Servants and set Sail from Cork for Boston, the 29th of March last, on board the said Vessel, which was called the Speedwell, of which William Stockdale had been Master. That about the 7th of May, their Water and Bread beginning to fall short, they were obliged to touch at the Island of St. Michael‘s, and having lain there at Anchor, about 5 Days, a boisterous and violent Wind, blowing S W (while the Captain and Super-Cargo, and several others belonging to the Vessel were on Shore) forced her out to Sea, leaving her Anchor and Cable behind. That it was 21 Days before she could recover the Island, and being arrived there, which was on a Friday, those on board were informed, that the Master and those before mentioned, to have been left ashore, had set Sail for Lisbon the Friday before, on Board one Capt. Gillegan. That thereupon the Persons, who had then the Care of the Vessel, put to Sea in order to proceed on their Voyage to Boston. That having met with a hard Gale of Wind, which caused the Vessel’s Larboard Quarter to give way, they were obliged to keep two Pumps a going without Intermission, during the Space of three Days, when they most providentially met with the Rose, that saved their Lives, which otherwise were inevitably lost. As it was running a Risque, which few others have cared to do, it was therefore a more remarkable Act of Humanity, in the Commander of the Rose, to take so many additional Mouths on Board, when he had only Provisions for his own Company. This is such an Instance of a laudable Compassion, that it is to be wished it may not be more admired than imitated on the like Occasions.
The Pennsylvania Gazette, August 10, 1738