Page:Surprising adventures of John Roach.pdf/3

 the ship was sinking, we put out the boat, and all hands got into her, wishing to preserve life as long as possible; tho’ we had little idea of anything but being speedily swallowed up in the tempestuous abyss. But the kindness of Divine Providence greatly exceeded our expectations; for we had only been about an hour and a half in the boat, when we arrived late in Dundalk-bay in Ireland; where we were kindly treated and from whence we presently obtained a passage to Whitehaven.

After this disaster I was bound to serve the remainder of my intended apprenticeship, to the Heart of Oak, of Workington, Captain Fawkin. During this latter part of my servitude we traded from Workington to Dublin and Cork, with coals. At the expiration thereof, being weary of trading constantly to those places and anxious to flee various parts of the world, I shipped myself for Petersburg, in the Hawk of Workington, commanded by Michael Fawkin, brother to my late Captain. We completed this voyage in about four months: After which I returned to the coal trade, and continued therein about half a year. I then sailed formfrom [sic] Workington in the Pearl, Captain Fisher, for Norway, and returned in her to the same place after a pleasant voyage of three months.

Tho’ my mind was still anxious for foreign scenes, I now again entered into the coal-trade; but after pursuing the same a few months, I