The New Hampshire Gazette

Extract of a Letter from an Officer on board the Prince Man of War, one of Admiral Broderick's Fleet, to his Friend in this Town, dated Cadiz Bay, Dec. 23, 1759.

"By these lines you will find the sad misfortune that has happened to our Fleet: On the 4th Instant we had a very hard Gale of Wind at S. W. and being likely to continue we having found by our Reckoning to be nigh the Shore, from which we could not possibly claw off, by reason of a prodigious Sea, put us in terrible apprehension for our Fate. About 4 o'Clock the next Day it cleared away a little, and the Main Mast Head discovered the Town of Cadiz, which we immediately bore away for before Dark; but it being too thick and hazy as Night came on, we were obliged to come too at the mouth of the Bay, open to the Sea: We immediately struck our Yards and Topmasts as did the whole Fleet; Between twelve and one next Morning the Storm increased, and a terrible Sea, which broke our Tiller, and shivered our Rudder in such a manner that we expected every moment it would fall from the Stern Post. -- The Newark of 80 Guns being a bad Ship to ride at Anchor in a Gale of Wind, parted all her Cables but one, and cut away her Mainmast: -- The Culloden of 74 Guns was obliged to cut away her Main and Mizen Mast: .... The Jersey of 60 Guns Sprung her Main Mast. About 4 o'Clock the next Day after we anchored, the Wind came more to the Northward, when the whole Squadron cut their Cables and made the best of their Way to Cadiz Harbour.

The Spaniards immediately came to our Assistance, and behaved exceeding kind, and still continue so, which galls the French prodigiously, there being five Sail of the Line and three Frigates in the Harbour. .... We now, (blessed be God) have got in safe.

We have heard of several Ships being on Shore, among which are several Englishmen by their Papers, there not being a soul saved. Our Admiral is determined to go out and see the French, notwithstanding three of our largest Ships are so disabled. --

Three Days ago the Jersey of 50 Guns join'd us, and now I think we are able to cope with our French Neighbours. They made an Attempt this Morning to put out, but the Wind came too far to the Westward. Our Admiral has hoisted his Flag on board the Conqueror of 70 Guns: There is the St. Albans of 60 Guns, the Jersey of 60, the Guernsey of 50, the Thetis of 40, the Rainbow of 40, the Lyme of 28, and the Sheerness of 24, all ready to put to Sea."