The Webster Saga

THE WEBSTER SAGA

William stood on the upper deck of the ship, gripping the handrails tightly. Passengers were not allowed topside except for a few minutes, already ice had begun forming on his eyebrows. He took a couple of deep breaths. Even though the cold air stung his lungs, it felt good to take in air that wasn’t filled with the stench, disease, and death that lay below. He looked out at the endless sea meeting the sky and wondered if they would ever reach their destination. He longed for the home he had fled; his mother, father, siblings. What was done, was done. It was likely he would never see their faces again. He would have to muster up and hope for the best; not only for himself, but the Quaker Friends and other passengers below who still clung to life.

William turned when a seaman tapped him on the shoulder. “Best get below now, ‘tis nowt fit for man nor beast up here.”

William nodded his head and made his way to the hatch and the ghastly scene below.

Mary, who was administering water to an ill passenger, looked up when she saw William enter the cabin. He looked troubled and anxious, which wasn’t surprising, not at all. What passenger here wouldn’t wish to be back in their homeland, she thought.

Mary had come with her Quaker parents, older sister, a brother-in-law, and two brothers, ten, and twelve. Annie, her older sister, was bedridden. She was 4 months with child and seasickness kept her in the berth. Mary administered to her as best she could.

If only, went through her mind and she stopped the thought. What good would it do now to wish for something that has already passed. Best, be about her business and put those thoughts aside. There was much to do and time was wasting.

An eerie scream was heard throughout the quarters. Heads turned to look, and then bowed in despair as the ship had claimed yet another life. When would it end? Would they all perish?

Quicky William rushed to the side of the now deceased passenger and offered aid to the grief-stricken family. "Come now, there is nothing more thee can do for him, let us make final preparations and we shall talk later. I know how hard it is but we all must stay strong and keep our faith. You will not be alone, the Friends will care for
three and thine children."

Face buried in a kerchief, the wife and four children were rushed to a group of Women Friends where they were comforted as best they could be due to the tragedy. There was almost complete silence in the room, a sense of hopelessness seemed to be affecting all of the passengers.

Captain John Bishop announced he was going topside to speak to the captain of the ship about a burial service. Although now a Quaker, Captain Bishop, at one time had been a member of the military. He had taken William under his wing, encouraging him to make the voyage and join the Friends in the New World.

"Hoy mate, passengers aren't allowed topside, sir," warned a sailor when Captain Bishop appeared on deck.

"I must speak to the captain; we've had another death."

"Come along with me then and be quick about it, the sea is rough tonight, wouldn't want you to wash overboard."

They entered the helm, Captain Hemsworth looked surprised to see them. "Sir, what are you doing up here, it's very rough tonight."

"We've had a death below; I came to see when we can hold a service and need prepare the body tonight."

"I'm sorry to hear that, I'll send some sailors down to take the body to the carpenter shop. Regarding the service, we will see if the sea settles down in the morn. I will send someone down to report."

"Thank you, Captain. Can we assist with the body?"

"I'm sorry, it's best if you stay below tonight."

"Very well then, we will await news in the morn."

The waiting sailor escorted Captain Bishop back to the hatch and then hurried to find sailors to fetch the body below."

When the body was removed from below, more cries were heard from the family who dug through a trunk until they found a suit and gave it to the crew.

The body was laid out on a bench in the carpenter shop, washed and dressed, then sewed up in a heavy piece of canvas. The body was then shackled on deck until the ceremony could be performed.

They waited two more days below. A shriek was heard in the room and all looked as a couple of sailors entered. Captain Bishop met them at the entrance. "You have news for us?"

"Aye, Sir, the Captain says we can hold the service today as the sea is calm now. You must keep it brief and limit the passengers to immediate family and four other."

"Thank you, we will be topside shortly."

Captain Bishop then went to the grieving family and spoke to them. Those watching saw the deceased man's wife nod her head and then turn to the children. Next, the Captain gathered the Friends together and spoke to them. "We are only allowed to have immediate family and four other persons topside, so I want to gather everyone together down here and speak to them."

Once gathered, Captain Bishop began to speak. Friends and other passengers, it is with deep sorrow that we have lost yet another passenger. Our hearts go out to the wife and children of this devoted man, and we will all be here to support them in the future. We thank God for the life of Marvin and now we will have a moment of silence to reflect upon his life. A life lived in devotion and faith. A man who worked hard and was a Friend to anyone in need. If anyone feels the need to speak, they may do so.

There was complete silence as all passengers bowed their head in respect, Friends and those who were not Quaker as well. Then Captain Bishop stood, "if the family and chosen Friends will follow me, we will go topside and complete the burial of this fine man."

The wife, bend in grief, was assisted by one of the women and they ascended the steps to the top. Once on deck they strove to hold in utterance as the deceased had been placed on a plank, ready to be released into the open sea. Captain Hemsworth and several sailors, dressed in uniforms, all stood in line, respectfully waiting.

Captain Bishop began, "We are gathered here to send our beloved brother, father, husband, Marvin to his maker. May the love and understanding of God our Father, bring peace and serenity to those who are still with us. Now a moment of silent prayer."

A few moments went by and then Captain Bishop said, "Now we surrender Marvin back to the earth. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust."

One lone cry was heard as Marvin's wife could not stop the flow of tears. She was once again led down below, followed by the rest of the mourners.

That evening, there was not much talking or activity below. Present in the minds of everyone was the thought that they might be next. Shocked from life at sea they soon realized that it was near impossible to keep clean as there was no fresh water for washing and only two latrines available below for all of the passengers. Because the weather was often poor, gunports and hatches were closed and battened down leaving very little fresh air below dec. Everyone started to smell of sweat and the ship itself smelled damp and moldy. Sometimes the pumps failed to work property and feces built up in layers until they were fixed.

Food existed of meat dunked into cauldrons full of seawater making it extremely salty. This defeated the purpose of saving water as it increased the need for it. Legumes, dried fish beans & hard tack. Unfortunately, in the hot sun, no refrigeration, inadequate ventilation, and unbearable conditions casks burst open, and rats swarmed the food. Sometimes rainwater seeped down, and food became moldy. Weevils laid eggs within the hardtack; passengers soon learned to tap it against the side of something before they ate it to dislodge the insects within. In time, drinking water became slimy and stinking, then infested with worms. It generally was quite warm to drink.

Day after endless day went by and morale was at an all-time low. The voyage would take around seven weeks and they were approaching the sixth month although much depended upon the wind that carried them across the Atlantic. Scurvy was rampant. Bodies were relinquished to the sea, sometimes three or four at a tme. It rotted gums and turned legs gangrenous. Some people, in desperation, resorted to rinsing their mouth with urine.

Captain Bishop once again requested an audience with Captain Hemsworth.

"Captain Bishop, what can I do for you?"

"As you know, we are losing passenger after passenger. I'm asking if we can send a few topside each day to get some benefit from the sunshine. It doesn't have to be for long periods at a time, but the morale is so down, I thought it would be something to look forward to in this dismal voyage."

Captain Hemsworth stroked his beard, "Hummm, it's very unusual. Very unusual indeed. I'll allow four people, no more no less each day but only when the seas are calm. I will send someone down to let you know when that is. We will keep it to no more than one hour. Will that do?"

"Yes, we will make do Captain. I appreciate your generosity."






RE: (Capt. John Bishop-save for later in story).Now he was a carpenter, However, it appears that in Newbury, he was a miller. He had settled there in 1637 and he sold his mill in 1644 and removed to Woodbridge, possibly 1666-7.