A letter from John Clarke from Plymouth to Joseph Williamson, 9 September 1666. Catalogue ref: SP 29/171 f5.
In law, the prize was a ship, cargo or other property captured during a conflict at sea. These covered the rights of the captor and the distribution of the goods to the crew of a ship belonging to the state, either a naval warship or a privateer vessel, commissioned by the government.
- Why do you think John Clarke wrote his letter? [Clue: location is Plymouth]
- What does the letter reveal about naval ‘prize’ ships?
- What is Clarke’s attitude towards news of the fire in London?
Transcript
Honoured Sir,
This day the Constant Warwick & Victory came in here with eight merchant ships of ours from Lisbon loaden with oil, two from Scanderoon, viz the Dispatch & Virgin they also brought in 4 prizes, 3 Greenland men & one Dane with wine and brandy. Our hearts are almost broken with the sad disaster that has befallen the once famous city of London. Pardon happenstance.
Your faithful servant.
John Clarke
Simplified Transcript
Honoured Sir,
Today the ships named ‘Constant Warwick’ and ‘Victory’ came in here with eight merchant ships from Lisbon carrying oil, two from Scanderoon, [Iskenderun, a city on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey] named the ‘Dispatch’ and ‘Virgin’. They also brought in four prizes, three men from Greenland and one Dane, and wine and brandy. Our hearts are almost broken with the sad disaster that has befallen the once famous city of London. I am your faithful servant.
John Clarke