Page:Surprising adventures of John Roach.pdf/4

 engaged myself to go with a sloop belonging to France, bound first to Waterford and from thence to Dunkirk. I accordingly sailed in her, but we had not been long at sea before we were attacked by a violent storm of wind from the westward, which rendered it expedient to run, for safety, to any convenient port we could come at. We accordingly made for Bolbrigen in Ireland; but on entering the port, our vessel was unfortunately driven on shore, and greatly damaged; but the crew were happily saved.

After this misfortune I proceeded by land to Dublin, and being yet determined to gratify the anxious desire I had for foreign scenes, I immediately shipped myself for Jamaica on board the Earl of Chatham, of London, Captain Arthur. In seven weeks we arrived safe at the place of our destination. Here we discharged a cargo of provisions which consisted chiefly of sugar rum; and then sailed for London where we arrived after a severe passage of nine weeks.

Soon alter my arrival, I was engaged by Captain Tobias Collins, of Whitehaven, to return home with him, in the Columbine, a new vessel which he had lately purchased in London. We went first to Dublin; and there discharged a cargo of iron, which we had brought from London, and then proceeded to Whitehaven, where we arrived alter a pleasant passage of twenty four hours.