[Thomas Waters to his brother Benjamin]
Digby. April 26th/52
Dear Ben
I have just returned from my first trip this season having been froze in all Winter, much to my loss and dissatisfaction, but perhaps it was for the best as most all the vessels that went to sea were much damaged and a great many lost. We have had a very severe winter, snow is still on the ground but I think after this we will have fine weather. I find Mrs Waters and child quite well. Lizzy was baptized in the church we were married in, she has not cut any teeth yet and I think is rather backward. I should have written before but did not like to write bad news. Perhaps you might have seen in the newspapers last fall the account of a dreadful gale on the American coast whereby several hundred vessels and men were lost. I never told you or any one home that I suffered considerable loss by it though nothing in comparison with others.
When the gale commenced I was on my road to Boston deep laden and a heavy deckload of wood (which I had purchased to sell again in Boston). With the gale came a thick fog such as I daresay is only seen on this coast. Knowing my near proximity to a lee shore I hove to hoping the gale would either subside or the fog clear up, but the gale increased and the fog continued and I found by an increasing sea and a cast of the lead that I could not be far from land, my deckload soon began to wash overboard but I heeded it little as I expected to lose all for there was little chance for life with such a gale on a lee shore. My only hope and it was only like a straw to a drowning man was my good anchors and cables which I cleared away and when the roar of the breakers (plainly heard above the tempest though still unseen) I found my last chance must be tried. I drop’d my anchors and paid out the cables to the bitter end and stopped them to the mast, they held for a short time and but for a short time, the sea in the meantime making a clear breach over us and endangering us foundering. The anchors now came home and I was preparing to cut away the masts when the fog as we call it glinned, that is partially cleared up, and shew’d us within three ship lengths the mast heads of a sunken vessell which had like us tried her last but to her unavailing chance and all with her had perished. It likewise shewed us that by quick action we might yet be saved. I slipped my chains, hoisted the head of my jib and in ten minutes vessel and all hands were safe. After the gale was over the coast was found strew’d with wrecks and dead bodies. Had the fog continued I should never have had to trouble you with these lines. By the loss of a deckload and chains and anchors I was obliged to run in debt or sacrifice what I had. Had I not been froze in this Winter, I might have paid up but as it was I cannot. It comes against my grain to borrow but necessity compells me to try. I was doing well and still am if I could get time to pay but unfortunately the person with whom the debt was contracted has since been drowned and his affairs are settled by a lawyer from whom I expect but little favour. If you without any detriment to yourself (for I would sooner lose all than be a drawback to my youngest and only brother) can let me have thirty pounds and if my father could let me have twenty pounds more for a short time, I would gladly pay the lawfull interest here which is six per cent. I know you will if you can, therefore if you do not I shall put it down not that you are unwilling but that you are unable. It comes hard for me after all my industry and perseverance to be again a poor man for the want of a little time and money. The vessel was and is partly insured but they pay nothing without it is a total loss. Money here is very scarce. The Scotia arrived here today, all on board well, they are bound to Liverpool. If you send me any money you can get a bill of exchange payable in St.John N.B., you must get two or three bills all of the same tenor and date, one of which being cash’d the others to stand void. Send one at a time and if I receive it I will let you know and you can keep the others. I want it if possible early in June. Tell me if you are going to set up for yourself and how soon. Send this letter home and you can write me whether my Father can help me or not. I hope it will lay in my power to help you some of these days for I assure you I am saving, but accident will happen and as I had pinched and screw’d my last penny to pay for my vessel, it left me nothing to veer and hant upon. Capt Dakin and all of them are very kind to me and would help me but money is very scarce and they have another vessel on the stocks which keeps them low in purse. I send you enclosed a receipt in case you can accomodate me, they do not require stamp’d receipts here, you can put in the amount and if you cannot lend me you can burn it or send it back. Hoping all are well at home
I remain
Your affectionate brother
Thomas
answer as soon as possible