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Wreck of the Ten Sail is a historic shipwreck event that occurred off the East End of Grand Cayman Island on February 8, 1794. Ten ships that were part of a convoy on its way from Jamaica to the United States and Britain wrecked on the surrounding reef. While local residents braved the stormy waters and successfully rescued the ships' crew and passengers, eight from the convoy did not survive. ==History== Following the British Royal Navy's capture of the French 12-pounder frigate, ''l'Inconstante'', off of St. Domingue, the British took charge of the ship in November 1793, renaming it HMS ''Convert''. The newly christened naval frigate and her seasoned captain, John Lawford, was ordered to escort a 6-vessel merchant convoy from Jamaica to Britain. The convoy was also joined by three other vessels bound for the United States. Along with the ''Convert'', the nine other merchant ships making up the convoy were: RMS ''William and Elizabeth'', RMS ''Moorhall'', RMS ''Ludlow'', RMS ''Britannia'', RMS ''Richard'', RMS ''Nancy'', RMS ''Eagle'', RMS ''Sally'', and RMS ''Fortune''.〔''The Maritime Heritage of the Cayman Islands'', pg. 156; Roger C. Smith, 2000 - University Press of Florida〕 After sailing for nearly 24 hours, Lawford believed they had already passed Grand Cayman Island. Before going to bed the evening of February 7, 1794, the captain gave permission for a change of course several points to the north, heading directly for the western end of Cuba and the Florida Channel. With most of the convoy to the south of the lead ship, six or seven merchantmen ships moved ahead of the leading ship and without notice of the ''Convert's'' watch. At 3 a.m. on February 8, Lawford was called on deck following the discharge of a distress gun. With a ''Convert'' watchman yelling, "Breakers ahead. Close to us!", Lawford gave orders for the rest of the fleet to disperse, hoping to avoid disaster. A merchantman ship on the opposite tack, however, struck the Convert twice and forced it into the windward reef, causing the ship to become severely damaged and eventually swamped.〔(Texas A&M University Department of Archaeology )〕〔 ''Founded Upon the Seas'', pg. 57-58; Michael Crayton, 2003 - Ian Randle Publishers〕 Caymanians living on the East End and in Bodden Town came to the aid of the 10 ships and rescued the crews and passengers. Despite their efforts, eight lives were lost as a result of the wreck.〔("History" - Cayman Islands Government website )〕〔 ''Founded Upon the Seas''; Michael Crayton, 2003 - Ian Randle Publishers〕 Amongst those lost was the master of the ''Britannia'', who went down with his ship.〔 ''Founded Upon the Seas'', pg. 59; Michael Crayton, 2003 - Ian Randle Publishers〕 After rescue, Captain Lawford travelled to George Town, sending a number of distress messages, one of which was to the Governor of Havana, asking for assistance with the remains of the convoy; another was sent to his commander-in-chief, Commadore John Ford. Three days after the wreck, leaders among the inhabitants of Grand Cayman informed Lawford that they were unable to continue to house and feed the numerous merchantmen and sailors. In response to this reality, Lawford shipped off as many of the shipwrecked convoy members. Among those to first leave Grand Cayman following the shipwreck were Lady Emilia Cooke and the naval and military officers who were travelling home.〔 ''Founded Upon the Seas'', pg. 60; Michael Crayton, 2003 - Ian Randle Publishers〕 Within three weeks' time, a number of sloops and schooners arrived from Jamaica with provisions and assistance. Lawford and what was left of his crew proceeded to camp on the beach at Gun Bay. During this time, Lawford's crew attempted to rescue the guns from the submerged ships. While none of the guns were salvaged, the mail carried on the ''Convert'' was saved, along with a large proportion of the cargo from all the wrecked ships. Among the cargo salvaged from the merchant ships were loads of rum, cotton, and wood. After Commodore Ford received Lawford's distress call, a rescue was sent to the shipwrecked remaining on the island. The HMS ''Success'' arrived at Grand Cayman in mid-March 1794, anchored only for a short time before taking Lawford and his crew back to Port Royal where he was court martialled aboard the same ship. Lawford was acquitted of all charges and went on to serve with distinction until his retirement in 1811.〔 ''Founded Upon the Seas'', pg. 60; Michael Crayton, 2003 - Ian Randle Publishers〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Wreck of the Ten Sail」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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