The Capture of "Rose Emelie" of Nantes

The Capture of *Rose Emelie* of Nantes

Dated the 1st of October, 1718

Appearing before us:

Pierre Boyer, Second Captain on the ship named *La Rose Emelye* of Nantes—of approximately 80 tons’ burden, armed with four cannons, and crewed by 17 men—owned by Mr. Jay, Captain of Gelle, and Mr. du Genyon, burghers and shipowners of the said vessel. The said Boyer, having sworn an oath by touching the Holy Gospels, promised and swore to tell the truth; and he stated and declared to us that the said ship, having been loaded with lawful merchandise for a voyage down this river, departed on the 18th of March last under the command of Jan Goupil, Master, Captain, and Chief Officer thereof. Having completed all necessary preparations for such a voyage, they departed—as stated—on the 18th of March to pursue their route, and arrived safely at Fort Royal on the 28th of April last, where they discharged and fully disposed of the cargo of their said ship. This was done in accordance with their aforementioned instructions, on behalf of their said owners, comprising approximately one hundred and eighty barrels of white sugar (more or less), about thirty thousand pounds of cocoa, and three bales of cotton. Of the said quantity of sugar and cocoa, a portion belonged to the said owners—specifically one hundred and five barrels of sugar and 13,000 pounds of cocoa—while the remainder belonged to others. ...received the account from various senior officers—specifically the aforementioned Bauhier—stating that the entire proceeds from the return cargo of the said ship had been fully realized. Following these proceedings, they departed from the said location on the 26th of last August to make their return voyage. They sailed in company with a ship named *La Toison d'Or* (The Golden Fleece)—a vessel hailing from Dunkirk, of approximately 130 tons burden, commanded by Esley Jans Babel of Dunkirk, and bound for Norway. These vessels maintained their course together until the 5th of last September. The deponent further states that, during the night of the 3rd leading into the 4th of September—while situated at approximately 32 degrees latitude and 373 degrees longitude, some 8 to 10 leagues south-southeast of Bermuda—between six and seven o'clock in the evening, they sighted a small vessel of about 35 tons, armed with six cannons (though the size of its crew was unknown). This vessel appeared on their south-southeast quarter, to leeward of the deponent's ship, at a distance of two and a half to three leagues; it appeared to them to be sailing out from the direction of Bermuda. Around ten o'clock that evening, having closed the distance to the deponent's ship, the vessel demanded to know the origin of the deponent's craft, ordering it to heave to; failing which, it threatened to open fire with its cannons. Receiving no reply, the vessel tacked about and bore down upon *La Toison d'Or*—which was sailing one league astern of the deponent's ship. *La Toison d'Or* was taken by surprise by the said pirate vessel, which ordered the crew to come aboard its own deck—a command executed at the behest of the said Captain. The pirate vessel then opened fire with its cannons, discharging several shots, while its commander ordered the said Captain to come aboard his own ship, bringing with him a party of his crew. They complied with this order, and the Captain-in-Chief, accompanied by five members of his crew, went aboard the said pirate vessel; the pirates detained the said five crewmen, but released the Captain. Subsequently, the pirates dispatched a longboat filled with men armed with muskets. ...pistols and sabers in hand, who boarded the said declarant’s vessel; they searched him and stripped him completely naked. Having examined the cargo of the said ship—and finding it heavily laden—they drove them off their vessel with orders to board *La Toison d'Or* and to make arrangements with the Captain of that ship. The said pirates then disarmed the said declarant, seizing his vessel to compensate for the damages and losses that the said ship—along with its cargo—had frequently caused them; they then ordered them to continue their course toward France, having placed both crews aboard the said ship *La Toison d'Or*, and warned them that if they attempted to take any other route, they would set fire to the said ship. One hour after having departed from the pirates' vessel, the declarant recognized the coast of Bermuda. As there were now two crews aboard the said ship and provisions were running low, they were obliged to put in at Cape Breton, where they took on supplies and fresh water. There, the declarant—seizing the opportunity to depart promptly from that port—embarked aboard the ship *Saint Jean*, commanded by Captain Georges Gofford, and arrived at Paimbœuf on the 17th of the current month. This constitutes his declaration, which was read back to him; he affirms that it is true and accurate, acknowledging that the pirates had indeed seized his ship—along with its cargo—and had utilized the said ship *La Toison d'Or* to send them back to France, having warned the declarants that they would leave them adrift at sea.

P. Bouyer