Weymouth

Posted by Jon Miller on Saturday 23rd of May 2026 15:31

Port Royal, Jamaica, 5 September: The dreadful hurricane we had here the 28th of the last month, we were under apprehensions of the day before, from the weather appearing very unsettled, and the wind often shifting. But the most surprizing circumstance, which put us under the greatest consternation, was the prodigious swell of the sea… Near 400 persons lost their lives, and above half the town is destroyed. His Majesty’s ships the Faulkland, Commodore Harris, Swallow, Capt Ogle, Weymouth, Capt Herdman, and Happy, Capt Lawes, lost all heir masts. The Duke of York, of London, Capt Sanders, cast away near Green Bay, the Master and men, except 3, drowned. The Christabella of London, Capt Griffin drove ashore and broke her back, the men and part of her cargo saved. The Frederick of Bristol, Capt Good, stranded, the men saved. The Kingston, Capt Masters, in the service of the South Sea Company, with 200 negroes on board, the Master and most of the men and negroes drowned. The Onslow, and other of the prizes taken by the Swallow on the coast of Guinea from the pyrates, are lost; the other called the Ranger, rid out the storm, after cutting away her masts. Fourteen sloops, most of them belonging to the Island, are lost. [Stamford Mercury, 13 December 1722]

Posted by Angus Graham on Tuesday 30th of September 2025 18:02

Alexander Selkirk, master's mate/lieutenant, died on this vessel off the coast of Guinea in 1721 of illness. He was the model for Defoe's Crusoe.