The Virginia Gazette Domestic News November 14, 1745

BOSTON, September 9.

Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in Mansfield, in the Colony of Connecticut, dated August 12, 1745.

"Yesterday was Se'ennight, viz. the 4th Instant, we had a most terrible Hurricane here, the like never known to have been in New-England by the oldest Persons among us; many of whom have lived in different Parts of the Land, and seen most of the Hurricanes that have happened in this Country for 50 Years past. It began about 50 Minutes after 12 at Noon; it had been a cloudy Morning, and a Thunder Storm came up, which was as violent as any one I have known here this Summer; but it ceased thundering as soon as the Hurricane began, and thundered no more, though the Clouds were as thick to Appearance as before, for several Hours. The Course of the Hurricane was from the S. W. to the N. E. the Extent of it in Width about 20 Rods, though there was a very strong Wind double that Width and more; the Continuance of it from Beginning to End was about a quarter of an Hour, but in its Height and Extremity not above 4 Minutes; and had it continued in its Extremity but one Minute longer, I question whether a Tree or Fence or Bush, not to say a Building, would have stood it, for it moved in its Course forward, as I apprehend, at least 32 Feet a Second. It was not a steady Wind but came in the Form of a Whirlwind, and in two Veins I think by the best Observation I have been able to make; and wherever it took, it carried all before it, whether Trees or Buildings or Fences or Corn: Part of one Side of our Meeting House from the S. W. Corner of the Pulpit was taken off clear and broke in Pieces, and the opposite Side burst off 8 or 9 Inches from the Place; a Barn standing just below it, which was reckoned one of the strongest built in the Town, was dashed all to Pieces. Part of the Roof of our Barn, and a considerable Part of the Roof of the House was taken off, and the Rafters disjointed; The N. and E. Ends both burst off from the Plates, and a small Building belonging to the House taken up from its Place, and carried about a Rod and dashed to Pieces, besides a vast deal of Fence blown down. Another Barn about a Mile and a half off, N. W. from us, was taken up and carried away to some Distance, and broke after the same Manner. It also damaged several other Buildings, and tore up 60 Trees in one Orchard; and in our little Orchard by the House, about half our Trees were torn up by the Roots, besides the Damage others received by having Limbs broke off, &c. It is surprising to go into the Woods, and see what Havock it made there among the Timber; I suppose some Thousands of Trees are blown up by the Roots, or otherwise destroyed by the Force thereof. Its Course seemed to be towards Boston from us; but whether it reached so far, or turned its Course, I have not learnt: But what is exceeding remarkable is, that there was no Life lost, nor any Person hurt; and this, though there were several Scores of People in our Meeting-House when the Side blew off, and many others about in the neighbouring Houses, it being the Time of Intermission of divine Service: And but just before the Barn first mentioned, by the Meeting House, was blown down, there was a considerable Number of young Persons in it, so that at first it was supposed that several were killed thereby; but being afraid to continue there when they heard the Wind roar at a Distance, and began to blow hard there, they moved out and went to a neighbouring House, which had like to have been blown down too. During this Time it rained exceeding hard, &c."