Good News from Sea, BEING A True Relation OF The late Sea-fight, between Captain William Thomas, Captain of the 8th Whelp, now employed for the service of the King and Parliament, against Captain Polhill, Captain of the ship called the May flower Admiral of Falmouth, with the taking of the said ship.  Hen. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com. 
LONDON, Printed for Laurence Blaiklock, and are to be sold at his shop next to Temple-bar, June 26. 1643.   

THE RELATION Of Captain WILLIAM THOMAS, Captain of the eighth Whelp.  
Touching his fight with Captain Polhill, Admiral of Falmouth, near unto Breast, on the Coast of Britain on the fourth of June. 1643.  
BEing commanded by your Lordship, the tenth of May last, to convoy certain Vessels from Hampton, Torbay and Lynne, to Morleaux; I arrived at the Isle of Basse, the third of June, and staying there about twenty four hours, to get some Intelligence from the English Merchants at Morleaux, they sent me word, that Captain Polhill, Captain Jones, and a prize Ship that they had lately taken belonging to Yarmouth, which they had man'd and fitted with ten pieces of Ordnance, were about that Coast near Breast; and withal the said Merchants sent me three Masters of Ships, who had been taken by them, pillaged of all their Goods, and imprisoned till they gained an opportunity to slip away; upon some conference with these Masters, I found there was no more strength of English Shipping in those Parts, but these three men of War; and they told me their accustomed manner was to set out their Scouts in several places, to give them notice when they should descry any English Colours coming in the Trade, which they could do six or seven Leagues off, presently to Ship their Cables, go out, and by craft, and deceit, seize on them.  
I set sail from the Isle of Basse to the Trade, and when I came there, I took down my Foretop-Gallant-Mast, and put English Vanes, in all my top Masts Heads, and took in all other Colours, with a resolution to meet with him, and surprise him, with the Charity, a small Friggate with me, whereof Daux was Commander, having only six small Pieces; and on Sunday the fourth of June, went in like a Merchant man, having covered my painting with old Canvas, took in all my Ordnance, kept close my men. He had his Spies there, which discerned my coming in, Commander Daux coming three hours after me, with a Flag in the main Top: On Monday morning, they sent their Boat full of men, with Muskets, Pikes, etc. to take us, but passed by me, with an intent to Board the Friggat, and viewed us narrowly, and returned, Boarding neither of us; I being more desirous of the Ship then the Boat, let them pass, and never shot at them; Afterwards Polhills Lieutenant came in a small French Boat, and in French habit, and came a Board the Charity Friggat, demanding whence she was, he answered, (as we had concluded before) his Ship was of London, and mine of Bristol, both come from Bilbo, laden with Wool and Iron, and being pursued by Turk's men of War, were fled thither for shelter, and desired to know what English Merchants were there on shore, that were bound for London, enquiring of him further, what English Ships were there of strength, that might accompany us to London, for we were afraid.  
The Lieutenant presently repaired ashore, and acquainted Polhill, who made great haste to come out with his Ship, having in her two and twenty Pieces of Ordnance, and six Murderers, and appears to us about eleven or twelve of the clock, with an intent to have boarded us; But we were provided, with our Sails furred with Rope-Yarns, and the Axe at the Bits, ready to cut the Cable, and to receive them assoon as they came near us; and presently I cut the Cable in the Hause; and in two or three Boards got to windward of him; and when I was drawn near unto him, out went all my Guns, my Colours, and my Wast-clothes, and shot at him, and followed him till they run the Ship on ground; and I Anchored within less than a Musket shot of him when he was aground, with my broad side to his, and then I discharged within one hour and a half, an hundred and twenty Pieces of Ordnance upon him, and he plied his Ordnance all that time very hot at me: I finding some of his Shot very dangerous, was forced again to cut my Cable in the Hause, hoping to do better execution under Sail; and standing off one board, I made in again to him, and gave him a broad side, which took place every Piece; which did so daunt and discourage him, that within one broad side or two after, we perceived the men to forsake the Ship. Polhill and the Master escaped out at the Gun-room Port on shore, half an hour before the Fight was ended. Then they struck down their Flag, and held out a white Cloth; but we being doubtful of their treachery, and having but small Boats, I could not send men enough on board; but I man'd the Fregat with my men, and commanded him to run as near as he could, and to burn and destroy her, if otherwise they could not preserve her: But God be thanked, though she was mightily torn (with great difficulty, and much pains taking) we stopped her leaks, and preserved her, and have safely arrived with her at Stokes Bay.  
During the continuance of this Fight, I discharged an hundred fifty nine Pieces of Ordnance, and came off with the loss of one man, myself and another a little hurt. And two of his were slain outright, if not more, and above twenty hurt.  
There came from Polhils and Jones his Ship near forty of their men, and desired that I would entertain them, which I did, wanting men to manage my own Ship and the Prize, who are likewise all safely arrived with me; for which I hearty acknowledge the goodness and mercy of God.  
This is the truth of our proceed, which I humbly submit to your Lordship.  
From aboard the eighth Whelp, the 20 of June, 1643. William Thomas.  
FINIS.