Life at sea had many dangers associated with it, and long voyages often meant that there were many deaths aboard ships. Woodes Rogers' privateering circumnavigation near the beginning of the eighteenth century is one example of an endeavor with many casualties. By studying the way in which Rogers recorded the deaths of the men who were on the voyage, a better understanding of the different motivations behind the mentions of the sailors’ deaths can be seen to stem from three primary factors, including the captain's familiarity with the man, the captain's writing style, and the events surrounding the deaths. By studying the various types of entries that Rogers wrote in the account of his voyage, a better understanding of why and how deaths were logged at sea can be reached.