Overrake

1648, Oct. A shallop, which had been a fishing with others all summer, was attempting to make a harbour at "Damaril's Cove, was overraked by the surf , and all drowned , being four Englishmen , and one Indian , and the goods all perished ."

After they had cut downe their mast, ye storme beat of their round house and all their uper works; 3. men had worke enough at ye helme, and he that cund ye ship before ye sea, was faine to be found fast for washing away; the seas did so overrake them, as many times those upon ye decke knew not whether they were within bord or withoute; and so foundered in ye sea as they all thought she would never rise againe.

The big water overraked her waist like a mighty river running over, and with the extremity of evil weather, she was like to be shaken asunder.

This made our ship to hull very broad, so that the sea continually overraked us; yet we endured it in hopes of recovering our shallop.

Being thus refreshed, in crossing over from the main to other isles we discovered, the wind and waters so much increased, with thunder, lightning, and rain, that our mast and sail blew overboard, and such mighty waves over-racked us in that small barge, that with great labour we kept her from sinking by freeing out the water.

[…] raging waves and foming surges of the sea came rowling like mountaines one after another, and overraked the waste of the shippe like a mightie river running over it ; whereas , in faire weather , it was neere 20 foote above the water , that nowe wee might cry out with the princely Prophet, Paslme 107, vers. 26.

At Mevis we intended to refresh ourselves, having been eleven weeks pestered in this unwholesome ship; but there we found two tall ships with the Hollanders' colours, but necessity forcing us on shore, we anchored fair' by them, and in friendly manner sent to hail them; but seeing they were Spaniards, retiring to our ship, they sent such a volley of shot after us, that shot the boat, split the oars, and some through the cloaths, yet not a man hurt; and then followed with their great ordnance, that many times overraked our ship, which being so cumbered with the passengers' provisions, our ordnance was not well fitted, nor any thing as it should have been;

The fire was now becoming intense, the right flank of my company being the most hotly attacked: Believing that a change of position was really necessary, and that in a few moments more we should be swept with an overraking fire, I threw the right wing of company to the rear, in order to diminish its front.