The second or third Sea heav'd the Ship along Side of it, running likewise so very high, and the Ship labouring so excessively that we were not able to stand upon Deck, and notwithstanding it was not above thirty or forty Yards, yet the Weather was so thick and dark we cou'd not see the Rock, so that we were justly thrown into a Consternation at the sad Prospect of immediately perishing in the Sea. I presently call'd down all Hands to the Cabin, where we continu'd a few Minutes earnestly supplicating Mercy; but knowing Prayers without Endeavours are vain, I order'd all up again, to cut the Masts by the board, but several sunck so under Racks of Conscience that they were not able to stir. However, we upon deck cut the Weather-most shrouds, and the Ship heeling towards the Rock, the force of the Sea soon broke the Masts, so that they fell right towards the Shore.
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. I went down and open'd the Place in which they were but the Ship bulging, her decks opening, her back broke, and beams giving way, so that the Stern sunk almost under water, I was oblig'd to hasten forward to prevent immediate perishing. And having heard nothing of the men gone before, concluded them lost; yet notwithstanding, I was under a necessity to make the same Adventure upon the Fore Mast, moving gradually forward betwixt every sea, 'till at last quitting it, I cast myself with all the strength I had toward the Rock, and it being dead low water and the Rock exceeding slippery I cou'd get no Hold, but tore my Fingers, Hands and Arms in a most lamentable Manner; every wash of the sea fetching me off again, so that it was with the utmost peril and difficulty that I got safe on shore at last. 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; we then endeavour'd to gain shelter to the Lee-ward of the Rock, but found it so small and inconsiderable that it wou'd afford none (being but about one hundred Yards long, and Fifty broad) and so very craggy, that we cou'd not walk to keep our selves warm, the weather still continuing extream cold, with Snow and Rain.
As soon as day-light appear'd, I went towards the place where we came on shoar, not questioning but we should meet with Provisions enough from the Wreck for our support, but found only some pieces of the Masts and Yards, amongst some old junk and cables conger'd, together, which the Anchors had prevented from being carried away, and kept moving about the Rock at some distance: 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; and the next day the weather a little clearing, and inclining to frost, I went out, and seeing the main Land knew where we was, therefore encouraged my men with hopes of being discover'd by fishing Shallops &c. requiring them to go about, and fetch up what planks they could get, (as also Carpenters' Tools and Stores &c.) in order to build a Tent and a Boat: The cook then complaining he was allmost starved, and his Countenance discovering his illness, I ordered him to remain with two or three more the frost had seiz'd. About noon the Men acquainted me that he was dead, so laid him in a convenient Place for the Sea to carry him away; none mentioning eating of him, tho' several with my self afterwards acknowledged, had Tho'ts of it.
After we had been there two or three Days, the frost being very severe, and the Weather extream cold, it seized most of our hands and feet to such a Degree as to take away the Sence of Feeling, and render them almost useless, so benumbing and discolouring them, as gave us just reason to fear mortifications. We pull'd off our shoes, and cut off our boots, but in getting off our stockings, many whose legs were blister'd, pull'd off Skin and all, and some the nails of their toes; we wrap'd up our legs and feet as warm as we could in Oakum and Canvas.
We now began to build our tent in a triangular Form, each angle about eight Foot, covered with what Sails and old Canvas came on shoar, having just room for all to lie down each on one side, so that none cou'd turn except all turn'd which was about every two hours, upon Notice given: We also fix'd a Staff to the top of our Tent, upon which (as often as weather wou'd permit) we hoisted a piece of cloth in the Form of a Flag, in order to discover ourselves to any vessels that might come near.
We began now to build our Boat of plank and timber belonging to the Wreck; our tools the blade of a cutlass (made into a Saw with our knives) a Hammer and a Caulking Mallet: Some nails we found in the clifts of the Rock, others we got from the sheathing; we laid three Planks flat for the bottom, and two up each Side fix'd to stanchings, and let into the bottom timbers, with two short Pieces at each end, also one breadth of new Holland Duck round the sides, to keep out the Spray of the Sea. We cork'd all we could with oakum drawn from the old junk, and in other places, fill'd up the distances with long pieces of Canvas, all which we secured in the best Manner possible; we found also some Sheet Lead and Pump Leather, which proved of use; we fix'd a short Mast and square sail, with seven Padles to row, and another longer to stear; but our Carpenter who now should have been of most use to us, was (by reason of illness) scarce able to affoard us either assistance or advice; and all the Rest so benumb'd and feeble as not able to stir, except my self and two more, also the weather so extream cold, that we could seldom stay out of the Tent above four hours in the day, and some days do nothing at all.
When we had been there about a week without any manner of provisions, except the cheese before mentioned and some beefe bones, which we eat (first beating them to pieces); we saw three boats about five Leagues from us, which may be easily imagined rejoyced us not a little, believing our deliverance was now come: I made all creep out of the Tent, and hollow together (so well as our strength would allow) making also all the signals we could, but alas all in vain; they neither hearing nor otherwise discovering us: however we receiv'd no small encouragement from the sight of 'em, they coming from S. West, and the Wind at N. E. when we were cast away, gave us reason to conclude our distress might be known, by the wreck driving on shoar, and to presume were come out in search of us, and that they would daily do so when weather would permit; thus we flatter'd our selves in hopes of deliverance tho' in vain.