all, cried up with loud acclamations, and then signed by all
the Captains and their Officers in their respective Ships.
This Paper was transmitted by General Montague.
The Phenix and our Frigots chased a Spanish Man of War
into Legorne Mould, she and the Bristol are gone to Sea. I
am left here in the Road to keep her in the Port from going
out, and doing mischeif: The Admired is at Toulon, our Frigots
are dispersed to secure Trade. Papachini's great ship
called (by the English) the Eastland Merchant, taken from
Mr. Paynes of London, is at Trapany, wanting Masts and Other
materials, where the must lye and rot; his fellow Rovers
are sad, but the Merchants every where are very
glad.
I cannot forget to relate unto you one remarkable passage
(whereof I was an eye witness) of the power and providence
of God over me, and those under my command, in relation
to our preservation.
The 27 October last (riding at Anchor under the Isles of
Eres, a little to the Eastward of Toulon, in company with
the Phenix and Bristol Frigots (having had much foul weather
the night before) early in the morning there fell much
Rain, with terrible lightning and Thunder; and about ten
of the clock in the forenoon, a flash of Lightning (like unto
fire) was ken by the other two Frigots, to be at the head of
our main Mast. In our main top is a great chain wherewith
we fling our main Yard when we fight, it melted some, part
of those Links into small things like unto birding shot; the
Thunder-bolt very narrowly mist our main Mast, and main
Yard, but went through several folds of the [unr] and
so, to[unr] it, that it required twelve yands of Can was to mend it.
The said Bolt passed through the ship side upon the upper
Deck, and did tear in peeces a Planck within board, which
required seven foot of Planck in length to repair it, and it set
off another Planck from the Timber.
Without board it drew several Tronels and great Spikes.
two or three in this out, of their places, struck down the
B[unr]twains Mate and others to the Deck dead for the time,