H.M.S. deBraak

The HMS deBraak has a prominent place in the Maritime history and lore off the Delaware Coast. It is the most talked about and most written about shipwreck in our area.

The prize treasures of tales of millions of dollars in gold, silver and diamonds, the apparitions that ghosts guarding of her location at sea, and a witch who protected her from discovery are just a few of the many legends, myths, and traditions that abound the ship when it was loss on May 25, 1798.

Through the 1800's and into the early 19th century there have been many attempts to locate the HMS deBraak. In 1984 the exact location was discovered and the recovery work began.

The 84 foot by 26 foot breadth with 16 guns, 2-6 pound guns and 24- 16 carronades plus the crew lead by Captain James Drew set sail from Cork, Ireland where she received her orders on February 8, 1798. She sailed with and escort convoy and St. Albans to America.

The HMS deBraak with a convoy of 44 ships stared across the Atlantic. The HMS deBraak lost site of the convoy so she continue on her own bearing through many storms. Some believe it wasn't the storms that lead her astray from the convoy but the site of other Spanish ships on the horizon.

The convoy of 43 ships arrived on the morning of May 25 without the HMS deBraak.

There are many stories that tell of ruthless piracy of Captain Drew and his men after siting the Spanish ships. There are stories of sixteen foreign vessels seized by Captain Drew and his crew sending fifteen to the bottom of the sea, in piracy.

It has been said the HMS deBraak arrived May 25 in the later afternoon after the convoy, while others say it arrived June 10. That would account for the piracy stories. June 10, is the official date on Captain Drews grave in the Lewes at St. Peters church graveyard.

The HMS deBraak is believed to have overtaken the Xavier, which was sailing to Cadiz, Spain. The Spanish ship was carrying tons of copper which some has been found in the wreck of the deBraak.

It is known the ship sank with Captain Drew and his crew during its arrival right outside the entrance to Lewes during a storm as many saw her. There were survivors of the wreck. Among two dozen survivors were Spanish prisoners from the Xavier and crew men. Captain Drew was not as fortunate. Because of the conflicting death dates of Captain Drew the wreck date has never been established though authorities feel it was May 25.. 

The difference in the dates would account for the many unexplained artifacts recently presumed from the site of the HMS deBraak. This included bottles from the West Indies, a bell from France, earthenware from South America and Spanish doubloons minted in Mexico. Only Captain drew and the ghosts of the HMS deBraak know if these artifacts substantiate the stories of the alleged ventures.

In July ,1984 the wreck was found by Sub-Sal's, a group of commercial fisherman, divers and investors. In September a gold ring was found engraved with in loving memory of my brother. This was official proof that this was indeed the HMS deBraak. Captain Drew did indeed have a twin brother. Captain Drew had the mourning ring made after the drowning of his twin brother just before he set sail.

Over twenty three thousand artifacts have been recovered. Who owns them was in the hands of the courts for years. But there was no big treasure as yet to be found. Does it still exist? The recovered artifacts were eventually bought by the State of Delaware to preserve the entire collection.

Some of the artifacts are currently on display at the Zwaanendael Museum in Lewes, Delaware.

Information courtesy of David Seibold "Shipwrecks, Sea Stories and Legends of the Delaware Coast" available in our store

Zwaanendael Museum
http://www.dcet.k12.de.us/dpi/museum/zwaanendael.html

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