Chapter IV (4)

These Glasses, with the Water I had thus collected on them, I placed
at about half a Foot distance from the Candle, I view'd them by my
Microscope, reck'ning, that by the warmth of the Candle, and my Face
together, the Particles of the said Water would be put into such a
motion, that they would exhale for the most part, and the Salts that
were in 'em would be expos'd naked to the sight, and so it happened;
for in a little time a great many Salt Particles did, as it were,
come out of the Water, having the Figure of our common Salt, but
very small, because the Water was little, from whence those small
Particles proceeded; and where the Water had lain very thin upon the
Glass, there were indeed a great number of Salt Particles, but so
exceeding fine, that they almost escaped the Sight through a very
good Microscope.

From whence I concluded, that these Glass windows could not be
brought to their former Lustre, but by washing them with a great
deal of Water; for if the Air were very clear, and the Weather dry,
the watry Particles would soon exhale, but the Salts would cleave
fast to the Glass, which said Salts would be again dissolv'd in
moist Weather, and sit like a Dew or Mist upon the Windows.

And accordingly my People found it when they came to wash the
afore-mentioned lower Windows of my House: but as to the upper
Windows, where the Rain had beat against them, there was little or
no Salt to be found sticking upon that Glass.

Now, if we consider, what a quantity of Sea-water is spread all over
the Country by such a terrible Storm, and consequently, how greatly
impregnated the Air is with the same; we ought not to wonder, that
such a quantity of Water, being moved with so great a force, should
do so much mischief to Chimneys, tops of Houses, _&c._ not to
mention the Damages at Sea.

During the said Storm, and about 8-a-Clock in the Morning, I cast my
Eye upon my Barometer, and observ'd, that I had never seen the
Quick-silver so low; but half an hour after the Quick-silver began
to rise, tho' the Storm was not at all abated, at least to any
appearance; from whence I concluded, and said it to those that were
about me, that the Storm would not last long; and so it happened.

There are some that affirm, that the scattering of this Salt-water
by the Storm will do a great deal of harm to the Fruits of the
Earth; but for my part I am of a quite different Opinion, for I
believe that a little Salt spread over the surface of the Earth,
especially where it is heavy Clay-ground, does render it exceeding
Fruitful; and so it would be, if the Sand out of the Sea were made
use of to the same purpose.

These Letters are too well, and too judiciously Written to need any comment of mine; 'tis plain, the watry Particles taken up from the Sprye of the Sea into the Air, might by the impetuosity of the Winds be carried a great way, and if it had been much farther, it would have been no Miracle in my account; and this is the reason, why I have not related these Things, among the extraordinary Articles of the Storm.

That the Air was full of Meteors, and fiery Vapours, and that the extraordinary Motion occasion'd the firing more of them than usual, a small stock of Philosophy will make very rational; and of these we have various Accounts, more in some places than in others, and I am apt to believe these were the Lightnings we have been told of; for I am of Opinion, that there was really no Lightning, such as we call so in the common Acceptation of it; for the Clouds that flew with so much Violence through the Air, were not, as to my Observation, such as usually are fraighted with Thunder and Lightning, the Hurries nature was then in, do not consist with the System of Thunder, which is Air pent in between the Clouds; and as for the Clouds that were seen here flying in the Air, they were by the fury of the Winds so seperated, and in such small Bodies, that there was no room for a Collection suitable, and necessary to the Case we speak of.

These Cautions I thought necessary to set down here, for the satisfaction of the Curious; and as they are only my Opinions, I submit them to the judgment of the Reader.

_Of the Damages on the Water_

As this might consist of several Parts, I was inclin'd to have divided it into Sections or Chapters, relating particularly to the publick Loss, and the private; to the Merchant, or the Navy, to Floods by the Tides, to the River Damage, and that of the Sea; but for brevity, I shall confine it to the following particulars.

First, _The Damage to Trade_.
Secondly, _The Damage to the Royal Navy_.
Thirdly, _The Damage by High Tides_.

First, _of the Damage to Trade_.

I might call it a Damage to Trade, that this Season was both for some time before and after the Tempest, so exceeding, and so continually Stormy, that the Seas were in a manner Unnavigable and Negoce, at a kind of a general Stop, and when the Storm was over, and the Weather began to be tolerable; almost all the Shipping in _England_ was more or less out of Repair, for there was very little Shipping in the Nation, but what had receiv'd some Damage or other.

It is impossible, but a Nation so full of Shipping as this, must be exceeding Sufferers in such a general Disaster, and who ever considers the Violence of this Storm by its other dreadful Effects will rather wonder, and be thankful that we receiv'd no farther Damage, than we shall be able to give an Account of by Sea.

I have already observ'd what Fleets were in the several Ports of this Nation, and from whence they came: As to Ships lost of whom we have no other Account than that they were never heard of. I am not able to give any Perticulars, other than that about three and forty Sail of all Sorts are reckon'd to have perished in that manner. I mean of such Ships as were at Sea, when the Storm began, and had no Shelter or Port to make for their Safety: Of these, some were of the _Russia_ Fleet, of whom we had an Account of 20 Sail lost the Week before the great Storm, but most of them reach'd the Ports of _Newcastle_, _Humber_ and _Yarmouth_, and some of the Men suffered in the general Distress afterwards.

But to proceed to the most general Disasters, by the same Method, as in the former Articles of Damages by Land. Several Persons having given themselves the Trouble to further this Design with Authentick Particulars from the respective Ports. I conceive we cannot give the World a clearer and more Satisfactory Relation than from their own Words.

_The first Account, and plac'd so, because 'tis very Authentick and Particular, and the furthest Port_ Westward, _and therefore proper to begin our Relation, is from on Board her Majesty's Ship the_ Dolphin _in_ Milford Haven, _and sent to us by Capt_. Soanes, _the Commodore of a Squadron of Men of War then in that Harbour, to whom the Public is very much oblig'd for the Relation, and which we thought our selves bound there to acknowledge. The Account is as follows_,

_SIR_,

Reading the Advertisement in the _Gazette_, of your intending to
Print the many sad Accidents in the late dreadful Storm, induced me
to let you know what this place felt, tho a very good Harbour. Her
Majesty's Ships the _Cumberland_, _Coventry_, _Loo_, _Hastings_ and
_Hector_, being under my Command, with the _Rye_ a Cruizer on this
Station, and under our Convoy about 130 Merchant Ships bound about
Land; the 26th of _November_ at one in the Afternoon the Wind came
at S. by E. a hard Gale, between which and N.W. by W. it came to a
dreadful Storm, at three the next Morning was the Violentest of the
Weather, when the _Cumberland_ broak her Sheet Anchor, the Ship
driving near _this_, and the _Rye_, both narrowly escap'd carrying
away; she drove very near the Rocks, having but one Anchor left,
but in a little time they slung a Gun, with the broken Anchor fast
to it, which they let go, and wonderfully preserv'd the Ship from
the Shoar. Guns firing from one Ship or other all the Night for
help, tho' 'twas impossible to assist each other, the Sea was so
high, and the Darkness of the Night such, that we could not see
where any one was, but by the Flashes of the Guns; when day light
appear'd, it was a dismal sight to behold the Ships driving up and
down one foul of another, without Masts, some sunk, and others upon
the Rocks, the Wind blowing so hard, with Thunder, Lightning and
Rain, that on the Deck a Man could not stand without holding. Some
drove from _Dale_, where they were shelter'd under the Land, and
split in pieces, the Men all drowned; two others drove out of a
Creek, one on the Shoar so high up was saved, the other on the Rocks
in another Creek, and Bulg'd; an _Irish_ Ship that lay with a Rock
thro' her, was lifted by the Sea clear away to the other side of the
Creek on a safe place; one Ship forc'd 10 Miles up the River before
she could be stop'd, and several strangely blown into holes, and on
Banks; a Ketch of _Pembroke_ was drove on the Rocks, the two Men and
a Boy in her had no Boat to save their Lives; but in this great
distress a Boat which broke from another Ship drove by them, without
any in her, the two Men leap into her, and were sav'd, but the Boy
drown'd; a Prize at _Pembroke_ was lifted on the Bridge, whereon is
a Mill, which the Water blew up, but the Vessel got off again;
another Vessel carried almost into the Gateway which leads to the
Bridge, and is a Road, the Tide flowing several Foot above its
common Course. The Storm continu'd till the 27th about 3 in the
Afternoon; that by Computation nigh 30 Merchant Ships and Vessels
without Masts are lost, and what Men are lost is not known; 3 Ships
are missing, that we suppose Men and all lost. None of her Majesty's
Ships came to any harm; but the _Cumberland_ breaking her Anchor in
a Storm which happen'd the 18th at Night, lost another, which
renders her uncapable of proceeding with us till supply'd. I saw
several Trees and Houses which are blown down.

_Your Humble Servant_,
Jos. Soanes.

_The next Account we have from the Reverend Mr._ Tho. Chest, _Minister of_ Chepstow, _whose Ingenious account being given in his own Words, gives the best Acknowledgement for his forwarding and approving this design._

_SIR_,

Upon the Evening of _Friday, Nov._ 26. 1703, the Wind was very high;
but about midnight it broke out with a more than wonted Violence,
and so continued till near break of day. It ended a N.W. Wind, tho'
about 3 in the Morning it was at S.W. The loudest cracks I observed
of it, were somewhat before 4 of the Clock; we had here the common
Calamity of Houses shatter'd and Trees thrown down.

But the Wind throwing the Tyde very strongly into the _Severn_, and
so into the _Wye_, on which _Chepstow_ is situated. And the Fresh in
_Wye_ meeting with a Rampant Tyde, overflowed the lower part of our
Town. It came into several Houses about 4 foot high, rather more;
the greatest damage sustained in Houses, was by the makers of Salt,
perhaps their loss might amount to near 200 _l._

But the Bridge was a strange sight; it stands partly in
_Monmouthshire_, and partly in _Gloucestershire_, and is built
mostly of Wood, with a Stone Peer in the midst, the Center of which
divides the two Counties; there are also Stone Platforms in the
bottom of the River to bear the Wood-work. I doubt not but those
Stone Platforms were covered then by the great Fresh that came down
the River. But over these there are Wooden Standards fram'd into
Peers 42 Foot high; besides Groundsils, Cap-heads, Sleepers, Planks,
and (on each side of the Bridge) Rails which may make about 6 foot
more, the Tyde came over them all: The length of the Wooden part of
the Bridge in _Monmouthshire_ is 60 yards exactly, and thereabout in
_Gloucestershire_; the _Gloucestershire_ side suffered but little,
but in _Monmouthshire_ side the Planks were most of them carried
away, the Sleepers (about a Tun by measure each) were many of them
carried away, and several removed, and 'tis not doubted but the
great Wooden Peers would have gone too; but it was so, that the
outward Sleepers on each side the Bridge were Pinn'd or Bolted to
the Cap-heads, and so kept them in their places.

All the level Land on the South part of _Monmouthshire_, called the
_Moors_, was overflow'd; it is a tract of Land about 20 miles long,
all Level, save 2 little points of High-land, or 3; the Breadth of
it is not all of one size, the broadest part is about 2 miles and ½.
This Tyde came 5 Tydes before the top of the Spring, according to
the usual run, which surprized the People very much. Many of their
Cattle got to shore, and some dy'd after they were landed. It is
thought by a _Moderate Computation_, they might lose in Hay and
Cattle between 3 and 4000 _l._ I cannot hear of any Person drowned,
save only one Servant Man, that ventur'd in quest of his Master's
Cattle. The People were carried off, some by Boats, some otherways,
the days following; the last that came off (that I can hear of) were
on _Tuesday_ Evening, to be sure they were uneasy and astonished in
that Interval. There are various reports about the height of this
Tyde in the _Moors_, comparing it with that in _Jan._ 1606. But the
account that seems likeliest to me, is, that the former Tyde ran
somewhat higher than this. 'Tis thought most of their Land will be
worth but little these 2 or 3 years, and 'tis known, that the
repairing the Sea Walls will be very chargeable.

_Gloucestershire_ too, that borders upon _Severne_ hath suffered
deeply on the Forrest of _Deane_ side, but nothing in comparison of
the other shore, from about _Harlingham_ down to the mouth of
_Bristol_ River _Avon_, particularly from _Aust Cliffe_ to the
Rivers Mouth (about 8 miles) all that Flat, called the _Marsh_ was
drowned. They lost many Sheep and Cattle. About 70 Seamen were
drown'd out of the _Canterbury_ Storeship, and other Ships that were
Stranded or Wreck'd. The _Arundel_ Man of War, _Suffolk_ and
_Canterbury_ Storeships, a _French_ Prize, and a _Dane_, were driven
ashore and damnified; but the _Arundel_ and the _Danish_ Ship are
got off, the rest remain on Ground. The _Richard and John_ of about
500 Tun, newly come into _King-road_ from _Virginia_, was Staved.
The _Shoram_ rode it out in _King-road_; but I suppose you may have
a perfecter account of these things from _Bristol_. But one thing
yet is to be remembred, one _Nelms_ of that Country, as I hear his
Name, was carried away with his Wife and 4 Children, and House and
all, and were all lost, save only one Girl, who caught hold of a
Bough, and was preserved.

There was another unfortunate Accident yet in these parts, one Mr.
_Churchman_, that keeps the Inns at _Betesley_, a passage over the
_Severn_, and had a share in the passing Boats, seeing a single Man
tossed in a Wood-buss off in the River, prevailed with some
belonging to the Customs, to carry himself and one of his Sons, and
2 Servants aboard the Boat, which they did, and the Officers desired
Mr. _Churchman_ to take out the Man, and come ashore with them in
their Pinnace. But he, willing to save the Boat as well as the Man,
tarried aboard, and sometime after hoisting Sail, the Boat overset,
and they were all drowned, _viz._ the Man in the Boat, Mr.
_Churchman_, his Son and 2 Servants, and much lamented, especially
Mr. _Churchman_, and his Son, who were Persons very useful in their
Neighbourhood. This happened on _Saturday_ about 11 of the Clock.

_Your Humble Servant_,
Tho. Chest

_Mr._ Tho. Little _Minister of_ ---- Church _in_ Lyn, _in the County of_ Norfolk, _being requested to give in the particulars of what happen'd thereabouts, gave the following, short but very pertinent Account_.

_SIR_,

I had answer'd yours sooner, but that I was willing to get the best
Information I could of the effect of the late dismal Storm amongst
us. I have advis'd with our Merchants, and Ship Masters, and find
that we have lost from this Port 7 Ships, the damage whereof, at a
modest Computation, amounts to 3000 _l._ the Men that perish'd in
them are reckon'd about 20 in number. There is another Ship missing,
tho we are not without hopes that she is gone Northward, the value
of Ship and Cargo about 1500 _l._

The Damage sustain'd in the Buildings of the Town is computed at
1000 _l._ at least.

_I am your faithful Friend and Servant._
Lyn, _Jan._ 17. 1703. Tho. Little.

_We have had various Accounts from_ Bristol, _but as they all contain something of the Same in general, only differently Exprest, the following, as the most positively asserted, and best Exprest, is recorded for the publick Information._

_SIR_,

Observing your desire (lately signify'd in the _Gazette_) to be
further inform'd concerning the Effects of the late dreadful
Tempest, in order to make a Collection thereof. I have presum'd to
present you with the following particulars concerning _Bristol_, and
the parts near Adjacent, being an Eye-witness of the same, or the
Majority of it. On _Saturday_ the 27th of _Novemb._ last, between
the hours of one and two in the Morning, arose a most prodigious
Storm of Wind, which continued with very little intermission for the
space of 6 hours, in which time it very much shattered the
Buildings, both publick and private, by uncovering the Houses,
throwing down the Chimneys, breaking the Glass Windows, overthrowing
the Pinnacles and Battlements of the Churches, and blowing off the
Leads: The Churches in particular felt the fury of the Storm. St.
_Stephen_'s Tower had three Pinnacles blown off, which beat down the
greatest part of the Church. The Cathedral is likewise very much
defac'd, two of its Windows, and several Battlements being blown
away; and, indeed, most Churches in the City felt its force more or
less; it also blew down abundance of great Trees in the Marsh,
_College-Green_, St. _James_'s Church-yard, and other places in the
City. And in the Country it blew down and scattered abundance of Hay
and Corn Mows, besides almost Levelling many Orchards and Groves of
stout Trees. But the greatest damage done to the City was, the
violent over-flowing of the Tide, occasion'd by the force of the
Wind, which flowed an extraordinary height, and did abundance of
damage to the Merchants Cellers. It broke in with great fury over
the Marsh Country, forcing down the Banks or Sea Walls, drowning
abundance of Sheep, and other Cattle, washing some houses clear
away, and breaking down part of others, in which many Persons lost
their Lives. It likewise drove most of the Ships in _Kingroad_ a
considerable way upon the Land, some being much shatter'd, and one
large Vessel broke all in pieces, and near all the Men lost,
besides several lost out of other Vessels. To conclude, the Damage
sustein'd by this City alone in Merchandise, Houses, &c. is Computed
to an Hundred Thousand Pounds, besides the great Loss in the
Country, of Cattel, Corn, &c. which has utterly ruined many Farmers,
whose substance consisted in their Stock aforesaid. So having given
you the most material Circumstances, and fatal Effects of this great
Tempest in these Parts. I conclude

_Your (unknown) Friend and Servant_,
Danial James

_From_ Huntspill _in_ Somersetshire, _we have the following Account from, as we suppose, the Minister of the place, tho' unknown to the Collector of this Work._

_SIR_,

The Parish of _Huntspill_ hath receiv'd great Damage by the late
Inundation of the Salt Water, particularly the West part thereof
suffered most: For on the 27th Day of _November_ last, about four of
the Clock in the Morning, a mighty Southwest Wind blew so strong, as
(in a little time) strangely tore our Sea Walls; insomuch, that a
considerable part of the said Walls were laid smooth, after which
the Sea coming in with great Violence, drove in five Vessels
belonging to _Bridgewater Key_ out of the Channel, upon a Wharf in
our Parish, which lay some distance off from the Channel, and there
they were all grounded; it is said, that the Seamen there fathom'd
the depth and found it about nine Foot, which is taken notice to be
four Foot above our Walls when standing; the Salt Water soon
overflow'd all the West end of the Parish, forcing many of the
Inhabitants from their Dwellings, and to shift for their Lives: The
Water threw down several Houses, and in one an antient Woman was
drown'd, being about fourscore Years old: Some Families shelter'd
themselves in the Church, and there staid till the Waters were
abated: Three Window Leaves of the Tower were blown down, and the
Ruff-cast scal'd off in many places: Much of the Lead of the Church
was damnify'd; the Windows of the Church and Chancel much broken,
and the Chancel a great part of it untiled: The Parsonage House,
Barn and Walls received great Damage; as also, did some of the
Neighbours in their Houses: At the West end of the Parsonage House
stood a very large Elm, which was four Yards a quarter and half a
quarter in the Circumference, it was broken off near the Ground by
the Wind, without forcing any one of the Moars above the Surface,
but remain'd as they were before: The Inhabitants (many of them)
have receiv'd great Losses in their Sheep, and their other Cattle;
in their Corn and Hay there is great spoil made. This is what
Information I can give of the Damage this Parish hath sustain'd by
the late dreadful Tempest.

_I am, Sir,_

_Huntspill_, _Your humble Servant_,
_January_ 6, 1703/4. Sam. Wooddeson

_From_ Minehead _in_ Somersetshire, _and_ Swanzy _in_ Wales, _the following Accounts are to be depended upon._

_SIR_,

I received yours, and in answer to it these are to acquaint you,
that all the Ships in our Harbour except two (which were 23 or 24 in
Number, besides Fishing Boats) were, through the Violence of the
Storm, and the mooring Posts giving way, drove from their Anchors,
one of them was stav'd to pieces, nine drove Ashoar; but 'tis hoped
will be all got off again, though some of them are very much
damnified: Several of the Fishing Boats likewise, with their Nets,
and other Necessaries were destroy'd. Three Seamen were drowned in
the Storm, and one Man was squeez'd to Death last _Wednesday_, by
one of the Ships that was forc'd Ashoar, suddenly coming upon him,
as they were digging round her, endeavouring to get her off.

Our Peer also was somewhat damaged, and 'tis thought, if the Storm
had continued till another Tide, it would have been quite washed
away, even level to the Ground; which if so, would infallibly have
ruined our Harbour: Our Church likewise was almost all untiled, the
neighbouring Churches also received much Damage: The Houses of our
Town, and all the Country round about, were most of them damaged;
some (as I am credibly informed) blown down, and several in a great
Measure uncovered: Trees also of a very great Bigness were broken
off in the middle, and vast Numbers blown down; one Gentleman, as he
told me himself, having 2500 Trees blown down: I wish you good
Success in these your Undertakings, and I pray God that this late
great Calamity which was sent upon us as a punishment for our Sins,
may be a warning to the whole Nation in general, and engage every
one of us to a hearty and sincere Repentance; otherwise, I'm afraid
we must expect greater Evils than this was to fall upon us.

_From your unknown Friend and Servant_,
Frist. Chave.

_Swanzy, January_ 24, 1703/4.

_SIR_,

I receiv'd yours and accordingly have made an enquiry in our
Neighbourhood what damage might be done in the late Storm, thro
Mercy we escap'd indifferently, but you will find underwritten as
much as I can learn to be certainly true.

The Storm began here about 12 at Night, but the most violent part of
it was about 4 the next Morning, about which time the greatest part
of the Houses in the Town were uncovered more or less, and one House
clearly blown down; the damage sustain'd to the Houses is modestly
computed at 200 _l._ the South Isle of the Church was wholly
uncovered, and considerable damage done to the other Isles, and 4
large Stones weighing about One Hundred and Fifty or Two Hundred
Pound each, was blown down from the end of the Church, three of the
four Iron Spears, that stood with Vanes on the corners of the Tower,
were broke short off in the middle, and the Vanes not to be found,
and the Tail of the Weather Cock, which stood in the middle of the
Tower was blown off, and found in a Court near 400 yards distant
from the Tower. In _Cline_ Wood belonging to the Duke of _Beaufort_
near this Town, there is about 100 large Trees blown down; as also
in a Wood on our River belonging to Mr. _Thomas Mansell_ of
_Brittonferry_ about 80 large Oakes. The Tydes did not much damage,
but two Ships were blown off our Bar, and by Providence one came
aground on the Salt House point near our Harbour, else the Ship and
Men had perished; the other came on shore, but was saved. I hear
further, that there are several Stacks of Corn over-turn'd by the
violence of the Wind, in the Parishes of _Roysily_ and _Largenny_ in
_Gower_; most of the Thatcht Houses in this Neighbourhood was
uncovered. Sir, this you may rely on to be true,

_Yours, &c._
William Jones

_From_ Grimsby _in_ Lincolnshire, _the following Account is taken for favourable_.

_SIR_,

The late dreadful Tempest did not (Blessed be God) much affect us on
shore, so far was it from having any events more than common, that
the usual marks of ordinary Storms are not to be met with in these
parts upon the Land. I wish I could give as good an Account of the
Ships then at Anchor in our Road, the whole Fleet consisted of about
an hundred Sail, fifty whereof were wanting after the Storm. The
Wrecks of four are to be seen in the Road at low Water their Men all
lost, three more were sunk near the _Spurn_, all the Men but one
saved, six or seven were driven ashoar, and got off again with
little or no damage. A small Hoy, not having a Man on Board, was
taken at Sea, by a Merchant Ship, what became of the rest, we are
yet to learn. This is all the Account I am able to give of the
effects of the late Storm, which was so favourable to us. I am

_Sir, Your most Humble Servant_,
Tho. Fairweather

_From_ Newport _and_ Hastings _the following Accounts are chiefly mentioned to confirm what we have from other Inland parts, and particularly in the Letter Printed in the Philosophical Transactions, concerning the Salt being found on the Grass and Trees, at great distance from the Sea, of which there are very Authentick Relations._

_SIR_,

I received yours, and do hereby give you the best account of what
hapned by the late Storm in our Island; we have had several Trees
blown down, and many Houses in our Town, and all parts of the Island
partly uncovered, but Blessed be God not one Person perisht that I
know or have heard of; nor one Ship or Vessel stranded on our shores
in that dreadful Storm, but only one Vessel laden with Tin, which
was driven from her Anchors in _Cornwal_, but was not stranded here
till the _Tuesday_ after, having spent her Main-mast and all her
Sails. On _Sunday_ night last we had several Ships and Vessels
stranded on the South and South West parts of our Island; but
reports are so various, that I cannot tell you how many, some say 7,
others 8, 12, and some say 15; one or two laden with Cork, and two
or three with _Portugal_ Wine, Oranges and Lemons, one with Hides
and Butter, one with Sugar, one with Pork, Beef and Oatmeal, and one
with Slates. _Monday_ night, _Tuesday_ and _Wednesday_ came on the
back of our Island, and some in at the _Needles_, the Fleet that
went out with the King of _Spain_, but it has been here such a
dreadful Storm, and such dark weather till this Afternoon, that we
can give no true account of them; some say that have been at the
Wrecks this Afternoon, that there were several great Ships coming in
then: There is one thing I had almost forgotten, and I think is very
remarkable, that there was found on the Hedges and Twigs of Trees,
knobs of Salt Congeal'd, which must come from the South and South
West parts of our Sea Coast, and was seen and tasted at the distance
of 6 and 10 miles from those Seas, and this account I had my self
from the mouths of several Gentlemen of undeniable Reputation,

_Yours_,
Tho. Reade.

_Hastings_ in Sussex, _Jan._ 25. 1703.

_SIR_,

You desire to know what effect the late dreadful Storm of Wind had
upon this Town; in answer to your desire, take the following
Account. This Town consists of at least 600 Houses, besides two
great Churches, some Publick Buildings, and many Shops standing upon
the Beach near the Sea, and yet by the special Blessing and
Providence of God, the whole Town suffered not above 30 or 40 _l._
damage in their Houses, Churches, Publick Building and Shops, and
neither Man, Woman or Child suffered the least hurt by the said
Terrible Storm. The Town stands upon the Sea shore, but God be
thanked the Sea did us no damage; and the Tydes were not so great as
we have seen upon far less Storms. The Wind was exceeding
Boisterous, which might drive the Froth and Sea moisture six or
seven miles up the Country, for at that distances from the Sea, the
Leaves of the Trees and Bushes, were as Salt as if they had been
dipped in the Sea, which can be imputed to nothing else, but the
Violent Winds carrying the Froth and Moisture so far. I believe it
may be esteemed almost Miraculous that our Town escaped so well in
the late terrible Storm, and therefore I have given you this
Account. I am

_Sir, your Friend_,
Stephen Gawen.

_The following melancholy Account from the Town of_ Brighthemstone _in_ Sussex _is sent us._

_SIR_,

The late dreadful Tempest in _Novemb._ 27. 1703. last, had very
terrible Effects in this Town. It began here much about One of the
Clock in the Morning, the violence of the Wind stript a great many
Houses, turn'd up the Leads off the Church, over-threw two
Windmills, and laid them flat on the ground, the Town in general
(upon the approach of Day-light) looking as if it had been
Bombarded. Several Vessels belonging to this Town were lost, others
stranded, and driven ashoar, others forced over to _Holland_ and
_Hamborough_, to the great Impoverishment of the Place. _Derick
Pain_, Junior, Master of the _Elizabeth_ Ketch of this Town lost,
with all his Company. _George Taylor_, Master of the Ketch call'd
the _Happy Entrance_, lost, and his Company, excepting _Walter
Street_, who swiming three days on a Mast between the _Downs_ and
_North Yarmouth_, was at last taken up. _Richard Webb_, Master of
the Ketch call'd the _Richard and Rose_ of _Brighthelmston_, lost,
and all his Company near St. _Hellens_. _Edward Friend_, Master of
the Ketch call'd _Thomas and Francis_, stranded near _Portsmouth_.
_Edward Glover_, Master of the Pink call'd _Richard and Benjamin_,
stranded near _Chichester_, lost one of his Men, and he, and the
rest of his Company, forced to hang in the Shrouds several hours.
_George Beach_, Junior, Master of the Pink call'd _Mary_, driven
over to _Hamborough_ from the _Downes_, having lost his Anchor,
Cables and Sails. _Robert Kichener_, Master of the _Cholmley_ Pink
of _Brighton_, lost near the _Roseant_ with nine Men, five Men and a
Boy saved by another Vessel. This is all out of this Town, besides
the loss of several other able Seamen belonging to this Place,
aboard of her Majesty's Ships, Transports and Tenders.

_From_ Lymington _and_ Lyme _we have the following Letters_:

_SIR_,

I receiv'd your Letter, and have made Enquiry concerning what
Disasters happen'd during the late Storm; what I can learn at
present, and that may be credited, are these. That a _Guernsey_
Privateer lost his Fore-top-mast, and cut his main Mast by the
Board, had 12 Men wash'd over board, and by the toss of another
immediate Sea three of them was put on board again, and did very
well; this was coming within the _Needles_. That six Stacks of
Chimnies were, by the violence of the Wind, blown from a great House
call'd _New Park_ in the _Forrest_, some that stood directly to
Windward, were blown clear off the House without injuring the Roof,
or damaging the House, or any mischief to the Inhabitants, and fell
some Yards from the House. Almost 4000 Trees were torn up by the
roots within her Majesty's Forrest call'd _New Forrest_, some of
them of very great bulk, others small, _&c._ A Ship of about 200
Tun, from _Maryland_, laden with Tobacco, call'd the _Assistance_,
was Cast away upon _Hurst Beach_, one of the Mates, and 4 Sailors,
were lost. By the flowing of the Sea over _Hurst Beach_, two
Salt-terns were almost ruin'd belonging to one Mr. _Perkins_. A new
Barn, nigh this Town, was blown quite down. The Town receiv'd not
much damage, only some Houses being stript of the Healing, Windows
broke, and a Chimney or two blown down. Considerable damages amongst
the Farmers in the adjacent Places, by over-turning Barns,
Out-houses, Stacks of Corn and Hay, and also amongst poor Families,
and small Houses, and likewise abundance of Trees of all sorts,
especially Elms and Apple-Trees, has been destroy'd upon the several
Gentlemen's, and others Estates hereabouts. These are the most
remarkable Accidents that I can Collect at present; if any thing
occur, it shall be sent you by

_Your humble Servant,
Lymington, _Feb._ 1704. James Baker._

_A True and exact Account of the Damages done by the late great Wind in the Town of_ Lyme Regis, _and parts adjacent in the County of_ Dorset, _as followeth_,

_SIR_

_Impri_. Five Boats drove out of the Cob and one Vessel lost, broke
loose all but one Cabel, and swung out of the Cob, but was got in
again with little Damage; and had that Hurricane happened here at
High Water, the Cob must without doubt have been destroyed, and all
the Vessels in it been lost, most of the Houses had some Damage: But
a great many Trees blown up by the Roots in our Neighbourhood, and
four Miles to the Eastward of this Town: A _Guernsey_ Privateer of
eight Guns, and 43 Men drove Ashoar, and but three Men saved of the
43; the place where the said Privateer run Ashoar, is call'd _Sea
Town_, half a Mile from _Chidock_, where most of there Houses were
uncovered, and one Man killed as he lay in Bed: This is the true
Account here, but all Villages suffered extreamly in Houses, Trees,
both Elm and Apples without Number.

_Sir, I am your humble Servant_,
Stephen Bowdidge.

_From_ Margate, _and the Island of_ Thanet _in_ Kent, _the following is an honest Account_.

_SIR_,

The following Account is what I can give you, of what Damage is done
in this Island in the late great Storm; in this Town hardly a House
escaped without Damage, and for the most part of them the Tiles
blown totally off from the Roof, and several Chimneys blown down,
that broke through part of the Houses to the Ground; and several
Families very narrowly escaped being kill'd in their Beds, being by
Providence just got up, so that they escaped, and none was kill'd;
the like Damages being done in most little Towns and Villages upon
this Island, as likewise Barns, Stables and Out-housing blown down
to the Ground in a great many Farm-houses and Villages within the
Island, part of the Leads of our Church blown clear off, and a great
deal of Damage to the Church it self; likewise a great deal of
Damage to the Churches of St. _Lawrance Minster_, _Mounton_ and St.
_Nichola_: In this Road was blown out one _Latchford_ of _Sandwich_
bound home from _London_, with divers Men and Women passengers all
totally lost: And another little Pink that is not heard of blown
away at the same time, but where it belonged is not known; here rid
out the Storm the Princess _Anne_, Captain _Charles Gye_, and the
_Swan_, both Hospital Ships, had no Damage, only Captain _Gye_ was
parted from one of his Anchors, and part of a Cable which was
weigh'd and carry'd after him to the River, by one of our Hookers.
All from

_Yours to Command_,
P.H.

_From_ Malden _in_ Essex, _and from_ Southampton, _the following Accounts_.

_SIR_,

By the late great Storm our Damages were considerable. A Spire of a
Steeple blown down: Several Vessels in this Harbour were much
shatter'd, particularly one Corn Vessel laden for _London_,
stranded, and the Corn lost to the Value of about 500 _l._ and the
Persons narrowly escaped by a small Boat that relieved them next
Day: Many Houses ript up, and some blown down: The Churches
shatter'd, and the principal Inn of this Town thirty or forty pound
Damage in Tiling: At a Gentleman's House (one Mr. _Moses Bourton_)
near us, a Stack of Chimneys blown down, fell through the Roof upon
a Bed, where his Children was, who were drag'd out, and they
narrowly escaped; many other Chimney's blown down here, and much
Mischief done.

_Southampton, February the_ 7_th_ 1703/4.

_SIR_,

Yours I have receiv'd, in which you desire me to give you an Account
of what remarkable Damage the late violent Storm hath done at this
place; in answer, We had most of the Ships in our River, and those
that laid off from our Keys blown Ashoar, some partly torn to
Wrecks, and three or four blown so far on Shoar with the Violence of
the Wind, that the Owners have been at the Charges of unlading them,
and dig large Channels for the Spring Tides to float them off, and
with much a do have got them off, it being on a soft Sand or Mud,
had but little Damage; we had, God be prais'd no body drowned, tho'
some narrowly Escape't: As to our Town it being most part old
Building, we have suffer'd much, few or no Houses have escape't:
Several Stacks of Chimneys blown down, other Houses most part
untiled: Several People bruis'd, but none kill'd: Abundance of Trees
round about us, especially in the New Forest blown down; others with
their Limbs of a great bigness torn; it being what we had most
Material. I rest.

_Sir, your humble Servant_,
Geo. Powell.

_We have abundance of strange Accounts from other Parts, and particularly the following Letter from the_ Downs, _and tho' every Circumstance in this Letter is not litterally True, as to the Number of Ships, or Lives lost, and the stile Coarse, and Sailor like; yet I have inserted this Letter, because it seems to describe the Horror and Consternation the poor Sailors were in at that time. And because this is Written from one, who was as near an Eye Witness as any could possible be, and be safe,_

_SIR_,

These Lines I hope in God will find you in good Health, we are all
left here in a dismal Condition, expecting every moment to be all
drowned: For here is a great Storm, and is very likely to continue;
we have here the Rear Admiral of the Blew in the Ship, call'd the
_Mary_, a third Rate, the very next Ship to ours, sunk, with Admiral
_Beaumont_, and above 500 Men drowned: The Ship call'd the
_Northumberland_, a third Rate, about 500 Men all sunk and drowned:
The Ship call'd the _Sterling Castle_, a third Rate, all sunk and
drowned above 500 Souls: And the Ship call'd the _Restoration_, a
third Rate, all sunk and drowned: These Ships were all close by us
which I saw; these Ships fired their Guns all Night and Day long,
poor Souls, for help, but the Storm being so fierce and raging,
could have none to save them: The Ship call'd the _Shrewsberry_ that
we are in, broke two Anchors, and did run mighty fierce backwards,
within 60 or 80 Yards of the Sands, and as God Almighty would have
it, we flung our sheet Anchor down, which is the biggest, and so
stopt: Here we all pray'd to God to forgive us our Sins, and to save
us, or else to receive us into his Heavenly Kingdom. If our sheet
Anchor had given way, we had been all drown'd: But I humbly thank
God, it was his gracious Mercy that saved us. There's one Captain
_Fanel_'s Ship, three Hospital Ships, all split, some sunk, and most
of the Men drown'd.

* * * * *

There are above 40 Merchant Ships cast away and sunk: To see Admiral
_Beaumont_, that was next us, and all the rest of his Men, how they
climed up the main Mast, hundreds at a time crying out for help,
and thinking to save their Lives, and in the twinkling of an Eye
were drown'd: I can give you no Account, but of these four Men of
War aforesaid, which I saw with my own Eyes, and those Hospital
Ships, at present, by reason the Storm hath drove us far distant
from one another: Captain _Crow_, of our Ship, believes we have lost
several more Ships of War, by reason we see so few; we lye here in
great danger, and waiting for a North Easterly Wind to bring us to
_Portsmouth_, and it is our Prayers to God for it; for we know not
how soon this Storm may arise, and cut us all off, for it is a
dismal Place to Anchor in. I have not had my Cloaths off, nor a wink
of Sleep these four Nights, and have got my Death with cold almost.

_Yours to Command_,
Miles Norcliffe.

I send this, having opportunity by our Botes, that went Ashoar to
carry some poor Men off, that were almost dead, and were taken up
Swimming.

_The following Letter is yet more Particular and Authentick, and being better exprest, may further describe the Terror of the Night in this place._

_SIR_,

I understand you are a Person concerned in making up a Collection of
some remarkable accidents that happened by the Violence of the late
dreadful Storm. I here present you with one of the like. I presume
you never heard before, nor hope may never hear again of a Ship that
was blown from her Anchors out of _Helford Haven_ to the _Isle of
Wight_, in less than eight hours, _viz._ The Ship lay in _Helford
Haven_ about two Leagues and a half Westward of _Falmouth_, being
laden with Tin, which was taken on Board from _Guague_ Wharf, about
five or six miles up _Helford_ River, the Commanders name was
_Anthony Jenkins_, who lives at _Falmouth_. About eight Clock in the
Evening before the Storm begun, the said Commander and Mate came on
Board and ordered the Crew that he left on Board, which was but one
Man and 2 Boys; that if the Wind should chance to blow hard (which
he had some apprehension of) to carry out the small Bower Anchor,
and moor the Ship by 2 Anchors, and gave them some other orders, and
his Mate and he went ashoar, and left the Crew aforesaid on Board;
about nine a Clock the Wind began to blow, then they carried out the
small Bower (as directed) it continued blowing harder and harder at
West North West, at last the Ship began to drive, then they were
forced to let go the best Bower Anchor which brought the Ship up.
The Storm increasing more, they let go the Kedge Anchor, which was
all they had to let go, so that the Ship rid with four Anchors a
head: Between eleven and twelve a Clock the Wind came about West and
by South in a most Terrible and Violent manner, that notwithstanding
a very high Hill just to Windward of the Ship, and four Anchors
ahead, she was drove from all her Anchors; and about twelve a Clock
drove out of the Harbour without Anchor or Cable, nor so much as a
Boat left in case they could put into any Harbour. In dreadful
condition the Ship drove out clear of the Rocks to Sea, where the
Man with the two Boys consulted what to do, at last resolved to keep
her far enough to Sea, for fear of _Deadman's Head_, being a point
of Land between _Falmouth_ and _Plimouth_, the latter of which
places they designed to run her in, if possible, to save their
Lives; the next morning in this frighted condition they steer'd her
clear of the Land (to the best of their skill) sometimes almost
under Water, and sometimes a top, with only the bonet of her
Foresail out, and the Fore yard almost lower'd to the Deck; but
instead of getting into _Plymouth_ next day as intended, they were
far enough off that Port, for the next morning they saw Land, which
proved to be _Peverel_ Point, a little to the Westward of the _Isle
of Wight_; so that they were in a worse Consternation then before,
for over-running their designed Port by seven a Clock, they found
themselves off the _Isle of Wight_; where they consulted again what
to do to save their Lives, one of the Boys was for running her into
the _Downs_, but that was objected against, by reason they had no
Anchors nor Boat, and the Storm blowing off shore in the _Downs_,
they should be blown on the unfortunate _Goodwin Sands_ and lost.
Now comes the last consultation for their lives, there was one of
the Boys said he had been in a certain Creek in the _Isle of
Wight_, where between the Rocks he believed there was room enough to
run the Ship in and save their Lives, and desired to have the Helm
from the Man, and he would venture to steer the Ship into the said
place, which he according did, where there was only just room
between Rock and Rock for the Ship to come in, where she gave one
blow or two against the Rocks, and sunk immediately, but the Man and
two Boys jumpt ashore, and all the Lading being Tin was saved, (and
for their Conduct and Risk they run) they were all very well
gratified, and the Merchants well satisfied.

_Your Friend and Servant_,
_May_ 28. 1704. R.P.

And here I cannot omit that great Notice has been taken of the Towns-people of _Deal_ who are blam'd, and I doubt not with too much Reason for their great Barbarity in neglecting to save the Lives of abundance of poor Wretches; who having hung upon the Masts and Rigging of the Ships, or floated upon the broken Pieces of Wrecks, had gotten a Shore upon the _Goodwin Sands_ when the Tide was out.

It was, without doubt, a sad Spectacle to behold the poor Seamen walking too and fro upon the Sands, to view their Postures, and the Signals they made for help, which, by the Assistance of Glasses was easily seen from the Shore.

Here they had a few Hours Reprieve, but had neither present Refreshment, nor any hopes of Life, for they were sure to be all wash'd into another World at the Reflux of the Tide. Some Boats are said to come very near them in quest of Booty, and in search of Plunder, and to carry off what they could get, but no Body concern'd themselves for the Lives of these miserable Creatures.

And yet I cannot but incert what I have receiv'd from very good Hands in behalf of one Person in that Town, whose Humanity deserves this remembrance, and I am glad of the Opportunity of doing some Justice in this Case to a Man of so much Charity in a Town of so little.

Mr. _Thomas Powell_, of _Deal_, a Slop-Seller by Trade, and at that time Mayor of the Town. The Character of his Person I need not dwell upon here, other than the ensuing Accounts will describe, for when I have said he is a Man of Charity and Courage, there is little I need to add to it, to move the Reader to value both his Person, and his Memory; and tho' I am otherwise a perfect Stranger to him, I am very well pleased to transmit to Posterity the Account of his Behaviour, as an Example to all good Christians to imitate on the like Occasions.

He found himself mov'd with Compasion at the Distresses of the poor Creatures, whom he saw as aforesaid in that miserable Condition upon the Sands, and the first Thing he did, he made Application to the Custom-House Officers for the Assistance of their Boats and Men, to save the Lives of as many as they could come at, the Custom House Men rudely refus'd, either to send their Men, or to part with their Boats.

Provoked with the unnatural Carriage of the Custom House Officers, he calls the People about him; and finding some of the Common People began to be more than ordinarily affected with the Distresses of their Countrymen, and as he thought a little enclin'd to venture; he made a general Offer to all that would venture out, that he would pay them out of his own Pocket _5s. per head_ for all the Men whose Lives they could save, upon this Proposal several offered themselves to go, if he would furnish 'em with Boats.

Finding the main Point clear, and that he had brought the Men to be willing, he with their Assistance took away the Custom House Boats by Force; and tho' he knew he could not justify it, and might be brought into Trouble for it, and particularly if it were lost, might be oblig'd to pay for it, yet he resolv'd to venture that, rather than hazard the loss of his Design, for the saving so many poor Men's Lives, and having Mann'd their Boat with a Crew of stout honest Fellows, he with them took away several other Boats from other Persons, who made use of them only to Plunder and Rob, not regarding the Distresses of the poor Men.

Being thus provided both with Men and Boats he sent them off, and by this means brought on Shore above 200 Men, whose Lives a few Minutes after, must infallibly ha' been lost.

Nor was this the End of his Care, for when the Tide came in, and 'twas too late to go off again, for that all that were left were swallow'd up with the Raging of the Sea, his Care was then to relieve the poor Creatures, who he had sav'd, and who almost dead with Hunger and Cold, were naked and starving.

And first he applied himself to the Queen's Agent _for Sick and Wounded Seamen_, but he would not relieve them with One Penny, whereupon, at his own Charge, he furnish'd them with Meat, Drink and Lodging.

The next Day several of them died, the Extremities they had suffer'd, having too much Master'd their Spirits, these he was forc'd to bury also at his own Charge, the Agent still refusing to Disburse one Penny.

After their Refreshment the poor Men assisted by the Mayor, made a fresh Application to the Agent for Conduct Money to help them up to _London_, but he answer'd he had no Order, and would Disburse nothing, whereupon the Mayor gave them all Money in their Pockets, and Passes to _Graves-End_.