144 SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW. 
THE SUFFERINGS OF EPHRAIM HOW, 
Of New-Haven, who set sail for Boston in a small Ketch^ 
which on its return was wrecked near Cape Sable, in tJi^ 
year 1676. 
On the 25th of August, 1676, Mr. Ephraim How, of New- 
Haven, in New-England, with his two eldest sons, one Mr. 
Augur, Caleb Jones, son to Mr. William. Jones, one of th© 
magistrates of New-Haven, and a boy — six persons in all — 
set sail from New-Haven for Boston in a small ketch of about 
seventeen tons. 
Having despatched his business there, he sailed for New- 
Haven on the 10th of September, but was forced back to Bos- 
ton by contrary winds. Flere Mr. How was seized with a 
violent flux, which continued nearly a month ; many being 
sick and some dying of the same. 
Being in some degree restored to health, he again sailed 
from Boston, October 10. They went with a fair wind as far 
as Cape Cod ; but on a sudden the weather became very tem- 
pestuous, so that they could not pass the Cape, but were dri- 
ven off to sea, where they were in great danger, experiencing 
terrible storms with outrageous winds and seas. 
His eldest son fell sick and died about the 21st; soon after 
his other son was taken ill and died also. This was a bitter 
cup to the poor father, for these youths were his only assist- 
ants in worki-ng the vessel. Soon after Caleb Jones died, so 
that half of the company were now no more. 
Mr. How continued in a very sickly and weak state, yet 
was necessitated to stand at the helm twenty-four and thirty- 
six hours together. During this time the sea was so boiste- 
rous as frequently to break over the vessel, and if he had not 
been lashed fast he must have been washed overboard. In this 
extremity he was at a loss whether he should persist in en- 
deavoring to make for the New-England shore, or bear away 
for the Southern Islands. Upon his proposing the question to 
Mr. Augur, they determined, according to the custom of some 
in those times, to decide this difficult case by casting lots. 
They did so, and it fell upon New-England. 
Nearly about the 7th of November they lost their rudder, 
so that now their only dependence was upon Providence. In 
this deplorable state they drove up and down for a fortnight 
longer. During the last six weeks the poor infirm Mr. How 
