John Dean

“ A Few Months past, I little expected to appear in Print (especially on such Occasion) but the frequent Enquiries of many curious Persons (as also the Design of others, to publish the Account without us) seem to lay me under an absolute Necessity, least others less acquainted, prejudice the Truth with an imperfect Relation. ”

“ I give them account of our miseries in every respect, except the want of Provisions (which I did not mention, least I shou'd not get them on shore for fear of being constrain'd by the Weather to tarry with us) : Earnestly entreating them to attempt our immediate deliverance; or at least (if possible) to furnish us with fire, which with the utmost hazard and difficulty they at last accomplished, by sending a small Cannoe with one Man, who with abundance of labour got on shore. ”

“ But it pleased God that night the wind abated and early next morning a Shallop came for us, with my much esteemed friends Captain Long and Captain Purver and three more who brought a large Canoe, and in two hours time got us all on Board to their Satisfaction and our great comfort: being forc'd to carry almost all the men on their backs, from the Tent to the Canoe, and fetch us off by two or three at a time. ”

“ Part of the ship's stores with some pieces of Plank and Timber, old Sails and Canvas &c. drove on shoar but nothing to eat, except some small pieces of cheese we pick'd up from among the Rock-Weed (in the whole, to the Quantity of three small Cheeses.)
We used our utmost endeavour to get Fire, (having a Steel and Flint with us, also by a Drill with a very swift motion) but having nothing but what had been long watersoak'd, we could not effect it.
At night we stow'd one upon another (under our Canvas) in the best Manner possible, to keep each other warm ”

“ The rest of the men running the same hazard yet thro' mercy we all escap'd with our lives.
After endeavouring to discharge the salt-water, and creeping a little way up the Rock, I heard the three men mentioned before and by ten all met together; where with joyfull hearts we return'd humble thanks to Providence for our Deliverance from so eminent a Danger ”

“ By this time another man came down and offer'd to adventure, so getting upon the Raft I launch'd 'em off, they desiring us to go to Prayers, also to watch what became of them; I did so, and by Sunset judg'd them half way to the Main, and that they might reach the shoar by 2 in the morning; but I suppose they fell in with some breakers, or the violence of the sea overset them and they perish'd; for two Days after, the Raft was found on shoar, and one man dead about a Mile from it, with a Paddle fastened to his wrist; but the Sweed who was so very forward to adventure, was never heard of more. ”

“ But to our great sorrow, and for further trial of our Patience, the next day continu'd very stormy, so that, tho' we doubted not but the people on shore knew our condition, and wou'd assist us as soon as possible, yet our flesh being near spent, no fresh water, nor any certainty how long the weather might continue thus, render'd our circumstance still miserable, tho' much advantag'd by the fire, for now we you'd both warm our selves, and broil our meat. ”

“ And as that which still heighten'd our afflictions, and serv'd to aggravate our miserable prospects, and render our deliverance less practicable: We lost with our boat, both our Ax and Hammer, which wou'd have been of great use to us if we should hereafter attempt to build a Raft, yet had we reason to admire the goodness of God, in over-ruling our disappointment, for our safety ”

“ Having two or three spare Pages, we think it our duty to the truth, and our selves, to obviate a barbarous and scandalous Reflection, industriously spread abroad and level'd at our ruine, by some unworthy, malicious Persons (viz.) ”

“ One of the men went out on the Boltspright, and returning, told me he saw something black ahead, and wou'd adventure to get on shore, accompanied with any other Person; upon which I desir'd some of the best swimmers (my Mate and one more) to go with him, and if they recover'd the Rock, to give notice by their Calls, and direct us to the most secure Place; and remembring some money and papers that might be of use, also Ammunition, Brandy, &c. ”

“ That done, we split the Yard, and with the two parts made side pieces, fixing others, and adding some of the lightest Plank we cou'd get, first spiking and afterwards seizing them firm, in breadth four Foot: We likewise fix'd a Mast, and of two hammocks that were drove on shoar we made a Sail, with a Paddle for each Man and a spare one in case of necessity. This difficulty thus surmounted and brought to a period, he wou'd frequently ask me whether I design'd to accompany him, giving me also to understand that if I declin'd, there was another ready to embrace the offer. ”