Letter and enclosure from Josiah Burchett to William Cavendish, 2nd Duke of Devonshire

The author writes concerning a copy he encloses of the account of the incident in which the sons of the 2nd Duke, James and Charles, were overset in a passage boat but saved. The account was written to him by the captain of the Katharine yacht at Ostend [Robert Gregory].

The account is enclosed with the letter and describes how the passage boat overset just under the stern of the captain's yacht at Ostend due to stormy weather. Luckily all were recovered from the sea including the two sons of the Duke and their servants. Charles was dragged underwater by a strong tide but rescued and all stayed on the yacht overnight to dry out. He writes that they intend to travel onwards on the Katharine yacht with Captain Gregory rather than embarking as planned and have sent for baggage from Calais.