[Thomas Waters to his parents]
[original: wrapper missing]
Pictou . Aug 31st
(postmarked 1846)
My dear Father and Mother
When I wrote my last letter, the next one I intended for Mary but I suppose Mary does not mind as long as she sees all, I had one all ready for to send her but I lost it as you will know.
I am on the Nova Scotia coast now and it would astonish you to see the quantity of wild berries of all descriptions that grow here. I will just mention a few, recollect they all grow wild: raspberries, straw b., goose b., cran b., huckle b., blue b., black b., partridge b., maidenhair b., bunch b., heath b., bake apple b., withrod b., pear b. and currants black and red, all of which I have pick’d and eaten. In fact I have seen them, raspberries especially, thicker than you would imagine and very fine. I have sat in one spot and eat berries till I was tired and there would he plenty left then. I think you would like this country. if ever I live ashore it will be my choice. I wish I could get a grant of land in case of accidents to any of my limbs. The vessel’s I sail in now are employ’d principally on the American coast and of course are not very large. I want to learn the Pilotage of this coast as it is very useful and so I sail in coasters for that purpose. we touch in small ports and creeks where larger vessels would not venture and in case of bad winds, foggy weather etc, we anchor in some wild unsettled port, get out our boat and go ashore and eat berries until tired and then ramble over mountain and through woods. One foggy morning, by our reckoning off Whitehead rocks, running all sail set, of a sudden we heard the roar of the breakers not apparently far from us. we immediately haul’d our wind and stood off as it was a very thick fog. in about a quarter of an hour it clear’d up and to our surprise we found ourselves not half a mile from the above rocks and a large vessel, the United Kingdom of Liverpool, the longest merchantman of that port, on them. upon seeing us they hoisted a signal of distress (for they had but just struck) for us to come to their assistance. we accordingly luff’d up round a point (my Captain is a splendid pilot) and anchor’d, hoisted out our long boat and went aboard and found her a wreck, having bilged with 10 feet of water in her hold but not in a very dangerous situation. she was the third new wreck we had seen in that week. we ran alongside the masthead of a large brig that had struck and slipt off from a rock, 38 lives were lost. we pass’d two of the bodies, female, they had not time to get into their boat before she went down. I am thinking you will say my letters have nothing but wrecks in them, the reason is other news is scarce with me and this coast is badly lighted and the soundings useless as you will find 30 and 40 fathoms water the minute before you strike, the coast is noted for fogs which last for weeks and in the spring for iceburgs and variable currents. On the 7th August Friday at 2 0 clock in the morning in a heavy storm raining with thunder and lightning, scudding under our foresail, I as mate having charge of the watch on deck happened to go to leeward and look on our lee bow when a vivid flash of lightning shewed me the white foaming breakers and black headed rocks just above water ahead and to leeward not a ships length off. I jump’d to the helm and put it hard down and call’d the Capt and all hands. the Capt sprang up and was standing by me holding the helm down. I thought she would clear them when a heavy sea dash’d her upon the rocks. we cut our long boat loose immediately and with great exertions succeeded in hoisting her over the side of the breakers sweeping over us and throwing live fish on our decks and our poor vessels ribs and timbers crashing at every thump. we were deeply loaded and knew that in a few minutes she would be in pieces. 5 or 6 minutes after we struck we were in our long boat and in 2 minutes more our vessel broke in two and went down the rocks into deep water and sunk I got badly jamb’d and nearly kill’d by a sea striking the boat when we had her hoisted up to get her over the side and sent her to leeward and caught me between the rail and nearly stove my ribs in, if not quite for I am not sure, I spit blood badly and can hardly bend or draw my breath. I have not been to a doctor and dont calculate to go. I shall soon be well though so you need not be uneasy. I lost nearly every thing. I went down the cabin once after she struck as it was my duty to save my log book to secure the insurance in case we got saved and I got my watch and one armfull of cloaths out of my chest which was lash’d and covered with water which was up to my armpits. the things I saved I will mention: dressing case, blue jacket & trousers, pistols, epitome and log book all the rest went to the bottom. The Capt did not even save his watch which was hanging up not far from mine in the cabin. All hands and the Capt were in the long boat when I got from the cabin with my things and I had to jump quick or they would have shoved off. It is rather curious that out of £15 which I had in my chest I only saved 4 shillings which happened to be in my dressing case, they were the same shillings which mama gave me when I was bidding good bye the last time in the front garden to pay the fare up to London that I might not break my gold, but I kept them for keepsake ever since and now they help’d me when most in want. I have lost a great deal by the wreck for I had fitted myself with everything needful and had 15£ to spare in my chest besides 12£ more due to me which I will not get. I am pretty hare now. We arrived in St Mary at daylight and when we told the fishermen where we had struck, they could hardly believe us for they said many vessels had been lost on that rock but no lives were ever known to have been saved, in Halifax we were reported all lost. No blame whatever is attached to me and I am now mate again with the same Capt in a larger vessel called the Gipsy of Halifax. I lost my navigation certificate and register ticket. I went to the Not. Public and he told me what to write in the protest and he and the Capt signed it. if you will take it to Mrs Taylor’s and shew it to Mr Prior he will most likely renew the navigation certificate and you can send it to me as soon as possible.
I had a long letter for Mary but it went with the rest remember me to all friends. I hope Uncle and Aunt, cousins, are quite well, likewise all of you. tell John Harris to fulfill his letter promise. I hope Ann Hindle etc are quite well & Mrs Nickles and family.
I like the sea just as well as ever only not the rocks especially sunken ones.
I remain
Your affectionate son
Thomas Waters
Direct to Captain J. Thorburn
Dartmouth
Halifax
Nova Scotia as quick as you can for I want the certificate and I want nothing else.