Composite Volumes 8:75-76 (Bermuda Archives)

Bermuda alias Somer Islands:

By his Excell:y William Popple Esq'r, Governor, Commander in Chief, & Vice Admiral of these Islands.

To all to whom this present writing or instrument of protest shall come or may concern Greeting.
Know ye that this 23:d day of February 1762 before me personally appeared Thomas Joell Master of a certain sloop called the Ready Money who solemnly made oath on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God, that he sailed with said sloop from South Carolina on the 12:th instant bound for St Christopher and continued on his voyage until the 15:th following at which time he had a very hard gale of wind at W.N.W. on the Latt: of 32..41 & Long:t of 77..25 West, which split his said sloop's rudder coat whereby his said sloop received abundance of water in her hold, and the said gale continuing for three days successively his water casks were staved by the violence thereof; all which obliged this appear to endeavor for these Islands, in order to repair the damage sustained as aforesaid, as well as to get a supply pf water without which he could not have proceeded his intended voyage. And in like manner also appeared Lewis Johnston Mate, and Francis Vessey Sailor of and belonging to the said sloop who likewise solemnly declared that all what the above Thomas Joell -- for himself his mariners owners ffreighters and all others whom it doth or may concern does solemnly protest against the matter aforesaid and all damages occasioned or sustained thereby as also against all costs delays disappointments expences and other matters and things which can or may lawfully be protested against in a large and ample manner as the same can or may be done by law or form and persevering in the said protest the said appearers have hereunto set their hands the day and year first above written.

Thomas Joell
Lewis Johnston
Francis Vessey

This done and protested before me the Governor and Vice Admiral aforesaid. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused public seal of these Islands to be affixed the day and year above written.
W:m Popple