Posted by colin harper on 10:26:09
In Reply to: The wreck of East-Indiaman "Hartwell" (1787) posted by Pawel Tomas Nowak on 16:21:0402/27/2001:
: If anyone is interested in the original (dated 1787) archival document related to the wreck of Hartwell feel free to contact me: : From the start the Hartwell ran into trouble. Gales put the ship behind schedule and, on May 20, a mutiny broke out. The immediate cause of the rebellion was a refusal to put lights out. Knives were drawn, abusive language used and, after a struggle, three men were secured and clapped in irons. Disorder, however, continued to spread and before long 50 of the crew were involved and defying all orders from the officers. After three days, the mutiny broke down and the captain changed course for the Cape Verde islands, to hand the mutineers to the Governor. : After three successive nights without sleep, owing to the disturbances, the ship's officers accidently ran the ship onto a reef northeast of the island of Boa Vista, in the Cape Verde islands off west Africa. It rapidly broke up and the entire cargo was lost, although all the crew were saved. : Over the following two centuries, slightly less than half of the silver coins have been recovered, which suggests there could still be $3,750,000 of treasure waiting to be recovered.
10/18/2001:
: Pawel Tomas Nowak
: Xers@hotmail.com
: The Hartwell was, according to its proud owner, John Fiott, the biggest ship of its kind in the service of the English East India Company. Launched amid much celebration, the Hartwell began its ambitious maiden voyage to China in February 1787. It set out from England with an immensely rich cargo, which included 209,280 oz of fine silver carried on the Company's account. John Fiott's brother was the captain, and other family members were shareholders.