Sad News from the Seas.  
Being a true relation of the loss of that good Ship called the Merchant Royal, which was cast away ten leagues from the Lands end, on Thursday night, being the 23. of Septemb. last, 1641. having in her a world of treasure, as this story following doth truly relate.   depiction of ship 
Printed in the year 1641.   

Sad news from the Seas.  
THat Sailing is an art that is not to be undervalved by any, is confessed; that Kingdoms and Countries are enriched thereby; that what other lands yield, this hath i● by this art as well as they; that by this art gold and silver is conveyed unto us from the Indies, fine Silks and Satins from another climate, spices and fragrant smells from another climate, and this by interchange, which this art benefits both Kingdoms, Nations, and Countries, and this by that famous admired art of Sailing, and brought to pass, now let us leave this art so worthy of praise, and look a while on an object of sorrow, and wail our brother's losses as our own.  
The Royal Merchant (or Merchant Royal) some four years since sailed out of this land as a ship hired here for the King of Spain's employment in the West India, she sailed out in company with other ships, but when come into Cales the Captain was by some opposition like to be put by, and was a while dismissed, so that giving over his hopes of the West India employment, received fraught, and from Cales sailed into the Mediterranean unto the Island of Majorcke, one of the King of Spain's Islands: in the mean, or about the time, S. Galleons being bound for the West India, one of the●● 〈◊〉 a small fire was whole burned down with the water, and loosed from her cables, did herself discharge all her brass Ordnance, and burned 3. days and 3. nights under Pountal, most part of the goods were ashore, not yet loaden aboard; in place of which Galleon this Royal Merchant was thought (as being a ship they might command, and of great burden) to be a fit vessel to take aboard the first Galleons goods or loading; a Mandate from the King of Spain commanded this Royal Merchant from her Majorck voyage to make sail for Cales with all expedition, and to stand in place of the burned Galleon, took aboard her goods, and sailed with the other 7. Galleons in company into the West or Spanish Indies: the Kings commands obeyed, they proceed, and this English ship carried most of the best Spanish governor's, commanders, and gentry, whereby it redounded great benefit unto the very meanest of the English, both in sailing thither, traffiquing there, and fraughted richly home with great numbers of rich passengers, which with rich fraught made the English a great voyage. Some dangers they passed, but safely arrived in Cales, where they continued afore they could prepare themselves for England at least 7. or 8. months, at end of which they disimbogued for England in company of Captain Legend of Dover, in the Dover Merchant, a lusty stout ship of 400. tons, and 28. cast pieces of Ordnance; they sailed together, the Royal Merchant in stress of foul weather sprung a leak in the bottom of the ship, to that the sailors were forced to tend the pump day and night: Captain Legend not liking Captain Limbryes course, with joint consent shaped another course some pount in variation, so that they did not absolutely part suddenly, but glide sidingly from each other night came on, and foul weather, they plied their two chain pumps, in midst of which labour both the pump chains broke at once, and fell into the Wells, so that before they could any way recover and mend the chains, they bade got 4. foot water in the hold. They labour at their pumps with great strength, but could not prevail over what was got in, but did keep her in that estate, nor more nor less diminishing.  
They being overlaboured could hardly pump more to any purpose; some of the Seamen to the number of 30. got into the long boat, cut her off, and called to the Captain to save himself, he refused it, and would have a Merchant, his passenger, to save himself, he answered he had lived long in Spain, and with great trouble got up 10000 pound, and now would stay by it, for his life he valued not, the Captain answered him it was all one whether he went in the boat or no, for they were in no better estate than those left aboard, having in the boat no oars, masts, sails, or any thing to keep the boat afar the Sea, and must needs perish undoubtedly: being thus in despair they espied a light at which they shot off 30. piece of ordnance, it proved to be Captain Legend who on consideration of the Royal Merchant's distress returned to help them; they observing their danger and the ship sinking, sent forth then long boat, which at divers times saved the men, but durst not come near the ship, so that the men to save their lives were feign to sling themselves in tackles, and so swing from the sinking ship into the boat, who caught hold of their  with their boat hooks; the Captain was the last, who would not forsake her until she was sunk even unto her Cookroom ports, and then got into the boat: 7. men that went down on the lower deck, (or orlope) to break up a chest of gold, never came up the ship sunk so fast on them. This ship was 700. tuns, 36. cast pieces of ordnance, 80. seamen, besides passengers, she had in her 300000. pound in ready boloigne, 100000. pound in gold, and as much value in jewels, besides each man's adventure, and the whole Cargason, or rich lading of the ship, all which was sunk in the sea, nothing saved. The Captain on his landing repaired to his house and family, with a handkerchief about his neck, and will not be seen or spoken with (as yet) by any his grief is so great: his name is Captain john Limbry living near Ratcliff Cross.   
FINIS.