I was born of a good family in the city of York, where my father--a
foreigner, of Bremen--settled after having retired from business. My
father had given me a competent share of learning and designed me for
the law; but I would be satisfied in nothing but going to sea. My mind
was filled with thoughts of seeing the world, and nothing could persuade
me to give up my desire.

At length, on September 1, 1651, I left home, and went on board a ship
bound for London. The ship was no sooner out of the Humber than the wind
began to blow and the sea to rise in a most frightful manner; and as I
had never been at sea before, I was most inexpressibly sick in body and
terrified in mind. The next day, however, the wind abated, and for
several days the weather continued calm. My fears being forgotten, and
the current of my desires returned, I entirely forgot the vows to return
home that I made in my distress.

The sixth day of our being at sea we came into Yarmouth Roads and cast
anchor. Our troubles were not yet over, however, for a few days later
the wind increased till it blew a terrible storm indeed. I began to see
terror in the faces even of the seamen themselves; and as the captain
passed me, I could hear him softly to himself say, several times, "We
shall be all lost!"

My horror of mind put me into such a condition that I can by no words
describe it. The storm increased, and the seamen every now and then
cried out the ship would founder. One of the men cried out that we had
sprung a leak, and all hands were called to the pumps; but the water
increasing in the hold, it was apparent that the ship would founder. We