This inhumane monster had been concerned with others, in insuring ships to a great value, and then destroying them; by which means, and other rogueries, he had got a little money; and being mate of a ship, was diligent enough in trading for himself between Ireland and France, so that he was in a way of getting himself a comfortable livelihood: but, as he resolved to be rich, and finding fair dealing brought in wealth but slowly, he contriv’d to put other things in execution, and certainly had murdered several innocent persons in the prosecution of his abominable schemes; but as I have now forgot the particular circumstances of those relations, I shall confine myself at present to the fact for which he suffer’d.
Roche getting acquainted with one Neal, a fisherman at Cork, whom he found ready for any villainous attempt, he imparted his design to him, who being pleas’d with the project, brings one Pierce Cullen and his brother into the confederacy, together with one Wise, who at first was very unwilling to come into their measures, and, indeed, had the least hand in the perpetration of what follows.
They pitch’d upon a vessel in the harbour, belonging to Peter Tartoue, a Frenchman, to execute their cruel intentions upon, because it was a small one, and had not a great number of hands on board, and ’twas easy afterwards to exchange it for one more fit for piracy; and therefore they apply’d themselves to the master of her, for a passage to Nantes, whereto the ship was bound; and accordingly, the beginning of , they went aboard; and when at sea, Philip Roche being an experienced sailor, the master of the vessel readily trusted him with the care of her, at times, while he and the mate went to rest.
The , at night, was the time designed for the tragedy; but Francis Wise relented, and appear’d desirous to divert them from their bloody purposes. Roche (sometimes called Captain) told him, that as Cullen and he had sustained great losses at sea, unless every Irishman present would assist in repairing their losses, by murdering all the French rogues, and running away with the ship, he should suffer the same fate with the Frenchmen; but if all would assist, all should have a share in the booty. Upon this, they all resolved alike, and Captain Roche ordered three Frenchmen and a boy up to hand the topsails, the master and mate being then asleep in their cabins, The two first that came down, they beat out their brains and threw them overboard: the other two seeing what was done, ran up to the topmast head, but Cullen followed them, and taking the boy by the arm, tossed him into the sea; then driving down the man, those below knocked him on the head, and threw him overboard.
Those who were asleep, being awakened by the dismal shrieks and groans of dying men, ran upon deck in confusion, to enquire into the cause of such unusual noises; but the same cruelty was immediately acted towards them, e’er they could be sensible of the danger that threat’ned them.
They were now (as Roche himself afterwards confess’d) all over as wet with the blood that had been spilt, as if they had been dipp’d in water, or stood in a shower of rain, nor did they regard it anymore. Roche said, Captain Tartoue used many words for mercy, and asked them, if he had not used them with civility and kindness? If they were not of the same Christian religion, and owned the same blessed Jesus, and the like? But they, not regarding what he said, took cords and bound the poor master and his mate back to back, and while that was doing, both of them begged with the utmost earnestness, and used the most solemn entreaties, that they would at least allow them a few minutes to say their prayers, and beg mercy of God for the various sins and offences of their lives: but it did not move them, (though all the rest were dead, and no danger could be apprehended from them two alone) for the bound persons were hurry’d up and thrown into the sea.
The massacre being finished, they washed themselves a little from the blood, and searched the chests and lockers, and all places about the ship, and then set down in the captain’s cabin, and refreshed themselves with some rum they found there, and (as Roche confessed) were never merrier in their lives. They invested Roche with the command of the ship, and calling him Captain, talked over their liquor, what rare actions they would perform about Cape Briton, Sable Isle, and the banks of Newfoundland, whither they designed to go as soon as they had recruited their company, and got a better ship, which they proposed speedily to do.
Roche taking upon himself the command of the vessel, Andrew Cullen was to pass for a merchant or supercargo; but when they bethought themselves, that they were in danger of being discovered by the papers of the ship, relating to the cargo, as bills of lading, etc. therefore they erase and take out the name of the French Master, and instead thereof, inserted the name of Roche, so that it stood in the ship’s papers, Peter Roche Master; that then having so few hands on board, they contrived if they met any ships, to give out, that they had lost some hands by their being washed overboard in a storm, and by that means screen themselves from being suspected of having committed some such wicked act, by reason of the fewness of their hands on board; and also might prevail with some ship to spare them some, on consideration of their pretended disaster.
In going to Cales they were in distress by the weather, and
