J. Tuning.
Mr. John Wendell, Jun'r,[2] who Translated the several Dutch Papers in the Case, made oath that he had Translated the same according to his best skill and Judgement.
[1] I.e., the register's office at the Texel.
[2] Nephew of Col. Jacob Wendell and, like him, a Boston merchant born of a Dutch family in Albany.
135. Extract from Capt. Mackay’s Journal.[1] November 14, 1739.
At two yesterday afternoon We see Cape Clear and the fastnie[2] bearing of us n.e. about two Leagues, at 4 Do. it bore of us N.E.B.E.[3] about 5 Leagues. Tacked and stood to the Eastward. We lay up S.E.B.E. till 8 in the Evening, from 8 to 12 m.n. E.S.E. We had a very hard Gale at S. with a very great Sea. at half an hour past three this morning a sea broke over us and carry'd away our Boom and Mainsail. We layed the Helm to Lee and kept to w't the Jib but the Gale increasing We Try'd Hull to. at 5 in the morning the Breakers seemed close under our Lee and ahead. We hoisted the Jib to try if possible to clear the Danger, but our Endeavours were fruitless, the Jib gave way so that We had no Sail left but the Fore Sail, and nothing appeared in our View but Unavoidable Death. We had the Breakers on each side and an Opening seemed to be ahead. We bore up for it and drop't an anchor, which did not hold, the Rocks and Breakers being all round us and the Night excessive Dark added Dread to the Terrours of Death, But the Mercifull God opened a Door of Safety for us when We were in the utmost Distress, for as We were going Right in among the Rocks We see a small opening on the Larboard hand. We hoisted the Fore Sail and Cut the Cable and Looft[4] into the Opening and were Immediately aground in a very smooth sandy Cove. at seven in the Morning when it cleared for Day We see some People on the Shore. We got the Boat out and brought two of them on Board. They directed Me to Apply to one Col. Townsend of Castle Haven,[5] which is four Miles from Finis Cove,[6] the Place where We are on Shore, etc.
[1] The heading which the document bears in the admiralty court records.—It is a sign of Captain Mackay's imperfect Dutchness that he keeps his journal by old-style or English dates, not by the new-style dates which had since 1583 been customary in Holland; for (see the next document) Thursday, Nov. 15, 1739, was Nov. 15, O.S.
[2] Cape Clear and the Fastnet Rock form the southernmost extremity of Ireland.
[3] Northeast by east.