Caledonian Mercury is in Newspapers.
27th December 1755. Extract of a Letter from Portsmouth, Dec. 19.
"Yesterday at Four o'Clock a most melancholy Accident happened to the Hon. Capt. Hamilton [deceased], of his Majesty's Ship Lancaster, lying at Spithead; who coming ashore in his Barge, in which were eight Men besides the Captain (the Sea running very high, about two Parts in three of their Way from Spithead, and by the Carelessness, it is said, of some of the People) they were overset, and the Captain unfortunately drowned, with three of the Men; the Weather at that Time being so bad that there was not a Boat of any Sort stirring near them. But as soon as possible Boats put out to their Relief, and took up five of the Men, who it seems supported themselves by holding on some Part of the Barge 'till help came, but too late to save the unhappy Gentleman, tho' he had got twice on the Barge (which lay at that Time Keel uppermost) but the Sea washed him off. When the Barge overset, the Captain had on a large Cloak, from which he with Difficulty disengaged himself, and swam about the Barge above twenty Minutes, exhorting the Men to Resignation in case they could not save themselves, and at the same time encouraging them to exert their Strength to preserve Life. In this Part of the World (and indeed I believe every where else, when the fatal Accident is known) Capt. Hamilton will be greatly lamented by all who had the Pleasure of knowing him, as he was a Gentleman who possessed every Qualification that might render himself, his Friends, and the People he commanded, happy.
P.S. One of the Men have been since cast ashore; but as it was Tide of Ebb when the Accident happened, it is a great Chance if any of the rest are found as yet."
