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Foreign News
October 18, 1780
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In Bassaterre on August 26, a strong southerly wind caused 22 vessels to run aground during a storm, worsened by Royal Navy impressment that left ships undermanned as sailors fled.
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BASSATERRE, Aug. 26.
On Thursday evening the wind shifting to the southward, and blowing very fresh it was probable the next morning, there being no less than 10 or 12 vessels on shore at 8 o'clock. The wind still continuing in the same violent until about 4 o'clock, P. M. and by that means increasing the swell of the sea, the number of vessels on shore at that time amounted to 22, but since the wind has inclined a little to the westward, from which we have some flattering hopes that the dreadful havoc and devastation it has been to have it in our power to say, that one of his Majesty's ships making, may conclude here. We are truly concerned that ships added greatly to this catastrophe, by being in the road two or three days prior to it, and endeavouring to impress all the sailors they could meet with, some they got, and the rest abandoned their vessels and fled from such oppression, by which means a number were lost through want of hands to get them under way. Such an untimely season for impressing we leave our readers to judge how far the tender feelings for fellow creatures could actuate the minds of those who were the instigation of it.
On Thursday evening the wind shifting to the southward, and blowing very fresh it was probable the next morning, there being no less than 10 or 12 vessels on shore at 8 o'clock. The wind still continuing in the same violent until about 4 o'clock, P. M. and by that means increasing the swell of the sea, the number of vessels on shore at that time amounted to 22, but since the wind has inclined a little to the westward, from which we have some flattering hopes that the dreadful havoc and devastation it has been to have it in our power to say, that one of his Majesty's ships making, may conclude here. We are truly concerned that ships added greatly to this catastrophe, by being in the road two or three days prior to it, and endeavouring to impress all the sailors they could meet with, some they got, and the rest abandoned their vessels and fled from such oppression, by which means a number were lost through want of hands to get them under way. Such an untimely season for impressing we leave our readers to judge how far the tender feelings for fellow creatures could actuate the minds of those who were the instigation of it.
What sub-type of article is it?
Disaster
Naval Affairs
What keywords are associated?
Bassaterre Storm
Shipwrecks
Impressment
Royal Navy
Southerly Wind
Where did it happen?
Bassaterre
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Bassaterre
Event Date
Aug. 26
Outcome
22 vessels on shore; some lost due to lack of hands from impressment
Event Details
A strong southerly wind on Thursday evening shifted and blew fresh, leading to 10-12 vessels ashore by 8 AM next morning; wind continued violent until 4 PM, increasing to 22 vessels; impressment by His Majesty's ships days prior caused sailors to flee, leaving vessels undermanned and contributing to losses.