The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

S. A L E M, October 23.

Last Friday Night came on a N. E. Storm of Wind and Rain; which the ensuing Day increased to a Degree of Violence scarcely known before by the oldest Persons. A minute or particular Description of the general Devastation among the Shipping, Stores, Wharves, Lumber, &c. on both Rivers, is not easily given.

On the South Shore of the North River, for a Mile or more in Length, we had presented to our View, Fire Wood, Timber, Boards, Shingles, Plank, Staves, Barrels, Hogsheads, Canoes, Boats, &c. &c. the Property of great Numbers of Persons, so promiscuously thrown together as not to be easily distinguished by the respective Owners.

About 50 Cords of Wood, and 15 or 1600 Bushels of Floor Sand, were carried off Mr. Barr's Wharf at the North Bridge. A Schooner of considerable Burthen, having broke her Fast, was thrown so high as successively to beat against the Edge of the Bridge, and it was with Difficulty she was kept off the Top of it. The Bridge itself was considerably damaged. Another Schooner, just below it, broke her Fasts, drove away from the Wharf on to in Beach, and at length quite over it on to the Grass: A third Schooner, not far from this last, and near 80 Tons Burthen, late from the West-Indies, was drove up in much the same Manner, and now lies so high as that her Keel is considerably above common High-Water Mark.

On the South Side of the Town, being the principal Seat of Business, the Confusion and Destruction was much greater than that above related. Great Quantities of Boards, Shingles, Timber, &c. &c. with many Boats, were drove, with the utmost Violence and Disorder, to the Shore opposite the Town. The Wharves all overflowed; and the perishable Articles, such as Salt, Sugar, &c. in Stores to a great Amount, destroyed by the Tide's rising to a most extraordinary Height, so high, 'tis said, as not to have been equalled within the Memory of the oldest Persons among us. Nine Vessels, among which were a Ship, a Snow and a Brig, were drove from their Anchors, and forced up the River towards Capt. Gardner's Mills; several of them laden for the Streights and the West-Indies. The Brig commanded by Capt. Warren, was considerably damaged. A Schooner, Capt. Mouldey's, was thrown an incredible Way on to the Land, and much injured. Capt. Waters's Schooner was also much damaged. Capt. Samuel Webb's Schooner was forced from a Wharf on to the Land the opposite Side; and it was with Difficulty the other Vessels were prevented driving from the Wharves.

The Ship Antelope, Capt. Putnam, was the only Vessel at Anchor in this Harbour, that rode out the Storm.

Twenty one Sail of Brigs, Sloops and Schooners, were drove ashore in Marblehead Harbour, but happily not any of them very materially injured.

Great Numbers of Fences were blown down, and Trees tore up by the Roots, in this and the adjacent Towns.

The Bridges between this Place and Marblehead, are so much damaged as to be rendered impassable.

A considerable large Bridge, near the New Mills in Danvers, we hear is totally ruined.

Yesterday Morning was towed in here by a Sloop from the Eastward, a small Schooner with 4 Men on board, belonging to the Isle of Shoals, Richard Randall, Skipper who informs, that on Friday Night last he was Fishing off that Island, in Company with 13 other small Schooners, three of them belonging Piscataqua, and the other to the Isle of Shoals; That the next Day he came to in Anchor, and cut away his Mainmast; But losing his Anchor, was drove at the Mercy of the Seas, till meeting with the Sloop aforementioned he was brought in here. He informs, that two of the Schooners in Company with him were drove ashore at Cape-Ann, and the Men saved: But there is no Account of the others.