On December 11, 1710, the English ship Nottingham Galley came ashore on Boon Island, off Cape Neddick, Maine, stranding its 14 man crew, of whom four would subsequently die. It became one of the best known shipwrecks in New England history. The Maine State Museum marks the 300th anniversary with a new exhibit of objects recovered from the underwater wreck site of the Nottingham Galley recovered from the sea floor by archaeologists in 1995. The exhibit will run through March 2011. What actually transpired on the Nottingham Galley and on the rocky ledge that is Boon Island remains controversial three hundred years later.
300th anniversary of Nottingham Galley’s wreck sparks interest in Boon Island
Three centuries later, the harrowing tale of the 10 men who survived the shipwreck sparks intrigue and controversy. The story includes cannibalism and conflicting accounts published soon after the 10 survivors were rescued — still being examined and discussed today.
“I’m going to make the case that this is the most important shipwreck in all of maritime history,” said Stephen Erickson, who has extensively researched the Nottingham Galley and published an article on the subject in New England Quarterly. “The circumstances of survival make this interesting and horrifying.”
Before taking off for Boston from Ireland, the Nottingham Galley took on cheese and butter, which the crew relied on after the wreck. Ultimately, they turned to a fellow crew member who had died.
The conflicting accounts add a bit of intrigue as well.
If it were up to Capt. John Deane, he’d be portrayed as a hero, Erickson said. But his crew mates accused him of committing insurance fraud and crashing the boat on purpose. And Erickson said he has caught Deane in more than one lie in researching the shipwreck.
Erickson makes the case that the Nottingham Galley consisted of smugglers interested in trading with the French, but there was a mutiny on the way to Ireland, he said, as Deane’s plan to commit treason was something his crew couldn’t accept.
“The cause of the wreck is rooted in this mutiny,” he said. “Common sailors took on their captain in the court of public opinion in England. Nowhere else in maritime history does this happen.”
Thanks to Irwin Bryan for passing along the article.
In the late 1600’s, when an English ship name had “Galley” appended to it, it meant something very specific (not that it was equipped with auxiliary oars). I can’t quite remember what it was but it should be part of this story.
If my memory serves, and it often doesn’t, the term galley was used during the period to suggest swiftness or speed, without necessarily having ports for sweeps.
That could be it. I’ll look it up if I can remember where I saw it. If true, of course, it fits in with the theory that the ship was intended for a smuggling operation.
Is there a list of the 14 men on this voyage and does anyone know where they came from and what happened to the survivors (excluding Deane)?
Cheers
Dave Cook
Nottinghamshire
yes I would like a list of the men also
Hi,
Our book is now out out, “Boon Island” which can be found online at Amazon (including in the UK) and Barnes and Noble.
My understanding of a Galley is that it could be rowed. If you have some evidence to the contrary, I’d appreciate you sending it along.
Most of the names of the ships’ company are known: John Deane, Jasper Deane, Miles Whitworth, Christopher Langman, Nicolas Mellen, George White, Christopher Grey, Charles Gretstock, and William Savor. All of these men survived to be evacuated off the island, as did the ships boy, whose name we don’t know. In the captain’s first account, he names the cook who died, Martin Downs.
Whitworth, a wealth gentleman, was from Burton Lazars in Leicestershire. The Deane’s are from Wilford, next to Nottingham. I found a Christopher Langman from Cornwall born about the right time, but who knows. I suspect that Mellen might have been a colonist or had family in New England. It is claimed that he spoke the native Indian language and Mellens are found in York Maine later in the century.
Hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Stephen Erickson
Ericjks
I am trying to remember the reference source, but I believe that while a galley was originally a vessel primarily propelled by oars, by the early eighteenth century the term galley was also used in naming ships that were judged to be light and fast, but were primarily sailing vessels. I’ll see if I can find the reference.
Miles Wentworth of Burton Lazars, died 1711 has a stone memorial slab under the altar of St Swithun’s church, Great Dalby, Leicestershire.
I must apologise for my mistake. My comment should of course refer to MILES WHITWORTH of Burton Lazars.