1812, right at the outbreak of the war. On her first cruise she captured 18 vessels in six weeks off Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Of these, five were burned and two sunk while the rest were sailed to American ports and sold to the highest bidder. And Rossie was just one of many privateers sponsored by both sides during the war years.

Britain had the most powerful navy in the world, but most of the fleet was tied up by the Napoleonic wars raging in Europe. Only a few ships could be spared for the conflict in North America. In an effort to protect merchant vessels, the British set up compulsory convoys for shipping moving in and out of Halifax. The convoys would sail with warships providing protection from marauders.

John Cambridge’s ships =— sailed out of the port of Bris- tol, and occasionally from London. The first sailings of the season usually took place in early April, and the cross- ings took four to five weeks with the new settlers coming ashore about mid-May. There were many hardships to be endured with the passengers = jammed into tight quarters. Brig: a type c f ship used by john Cambridge The ships were tossed about by storms in the North Atlantic and sea- sickness was one of the constant problems. Caring for two tiny tod- dlers would add to the difficulties facing the Becks.

Despite these hazards, their ship made the crossing safely. But you have to wonder if Vere would have subjected his young family to such danger if he had been aware of the threat from privateers.

When the ship dropped anchor in Guernsey Cove, there was not a sign of habitation - nothing but unbroken forest as far as the eye could see. It did not look inviting to the other passengers and they refused to go ashore. John Beck of Crayford heard stories of these set- tlers sailing back to England, but that is doubtful. It’s more likely that they went on to other Cambridge properties elsewhere on the Island.

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