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A tale of piracy, dramatic escape, and survival on a deserted island may sound like something straight out of a classic adventure film, but for one young man in 1722, it was a harsh reality. Philip Ashton, a fisherman from Marblehead, Massachusetts, found himself entangled in an extraordinary struggle for freedom when he was captured by pirates and subsequently spent 16 months as a castaway in the Caribbean.
Pirate Capture
Philip Ashton, born on August 12, 1702, was just 19 years old during the summer of 1722. He had spent his life at sea, serving as the captain of the Milton, a small fishing schooner, alongside his childhood friend Joseph Libbey.
While on their way to fish off the coast of Cape Sable, the Milton docked in Port Roseway, where several other fishing boats were moored. Nearby was a larger brigantine, which didn’t initially raise any alarms among the fishermen. However, when a boat from the brigantine came alongside, the crew of the Milton was caught completely off guard. Armed men boarded their vessel, and without resistance, Philip and his crew surrendered. Other fishing boats succumbed to similar fates.
Upon boarding the brigantine, the captives were shocked to realize they were now under the command of the notorious pirate Ned Low, a figure infamous for his cruel brutality.
Ned Low: The Infamous Pirate
Edward Low, a man with a difficult past, started his journey on the seas as a child. Ultimately, he settled in Boston, working in ship rigging, but after personal tragedy, he abandoned his land life. Low became a pirate after leading a mutiny in 1721, which resulted in the death of his captain.
By the time he captured Philip, Low commanded a crew of nearly 50 men and was equipped with six cannons. Known for his ferocity, Low’s reputation for violence and torture preceded him, with accounts of him inflicting severe punishments on his captives.
As piracy often involved contracts outlining acceptable behavior among crew members, Low’s articles notably omitted protections for prisoners. For example, after failing to find treasure on a captured Portuguese ship, Low was said to have tortured its captain, a testament to the ruthless environment on his ship.
Pressured Into Piracy
Throughout maritime history, many sailors found themselves ‘pressed’ into service—forcefully taken from their homes or other vessels to join pirate crews or navies. Low’s crew selectively captured several young and healthy men, including Philip and his friends.
Faced with threats and promises of wealth, Philip remained resolute against joining the pirate crew. Yet, despite their refusal to sign Low’s articles, they were still added to the pirate roster, marking the beginning of their harrowing journey on the high seas.
Life Among Pirates
Philip, ill-suited for the pirate lifestyle, spent much of his time hidden away from the raucous crew. He navigated a terrifying existence aboard the ship, often moved against his will and threatened by the quartermaster, John Russell, who relished in his power over the unwilling young man.
While sailing near Maryland, Low seized a Portuguese ship and renamed it the Rose Pink. Philip was transferred to this vessel, which allowed them to capture additional ships before the crew’s fortunes began to dwindle. After several confrontations, Low’s ship sank during a repair mishap, leaving Philip to navigate the waters alone.
The Escape
In a daring act of bravery, Philip used the chaos of a resupply mission to attempt his escape. Disguised as a cooper, he took the opportunity to flee into the jungle once ashore, hiding until the pirates gave up their search for him.
Stranded on an Island
Now a castaway on Roatán Island, Philip faced unfamiliar challenges. Initially unprepared for survival, he scavenged for food and shelter while battling the elements and constant harassment from insects and wildlife. Despite his precarious situation, Philip showed resilience in the face of adversity.
The island’s rich history included Indigenous inhabitants long gone. Philip’s diet of fruit was insufficient, leading to severe physical challenges over his months in isolation, during which time he battled starvation and diseases stemming from nutrient deficiencies.
The Fate of His Friends
While Philip fought for survival, his friends faced dire consequences following their capture. In June 1723, British naval forces pursued Low, resulting in a confrontation that left many pirates, including Philip’s friend, Joseph Libbey, in peril. Accused and tried for piracy, Libbey was ultimately executed, illustrating the grim fate awaiting many of those caught up in piracy.
A Ray of Hope
As Philip’s condition worsened, hope arrived in the form of an unknown Englishman who had also found refuge on the island. This stranger tended to Philip and shared hunting resources for a brief period until disappearing, leaving Philip with critical tools for survival. This turn of fortune marked a pivotal moment for him.
New Alliances
After gaining essential tools, Philip’s situation improved, allowing him to explore and utilize the island’s resources more effectively. His luck continued to shift when he encountered a group of English woodcutters, with whom he formed temporary alliances, though he remained wary of their intentions.
Yet, the threat of piracy loomed large as Low’s former crew appeared on the island, forcing Philip to evade capture once again.
Return to Civilization
After nearly three years of hardship, fortune smiled upon Philip once again as he encountered a British merchant convoy. Old connections led him to safety, and he was welcomed aboard as he made his way home. On May 1, 1725, Philip Ashton finally returned to Marblehead, much to the relief of his family.
Returning to the sea as a fisherman, Philip’s adventurous days faded into his past. He married, faced the loss of a spouse, remarried, and had seven children over the years. His story remained a poignant chapter of resilience and faith, concluding with his burial at Old Burial Hill in Marblehead.
Literary Legacy
Philip’s extraordinary tale did not fade into obscurity. His experiences inspired his pastor, John Barnard, to pen Ashton’s Memorial, accounting for Philip’s trials, intended as a testament to divine deliverance but eventually embraced as an adventure narrative. Notably, this tale caught the attention of Daniel Defoe, a prominent writer whose own works explored themes of survival and escape. Defoe’s later fictional narratives included elements inspired by Philip’s memoir, thus securing his legacy within the broader literary tradition of maritime adventure.
Source
explorersweb.com