The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

By a written Account from Richmond County on Staten Island, & by a Gentleman who brought it, and was himself a Sufferer in the Calamity, we are acquainted with the following Scene of Distress, viz.

On Thursday Night, the 28th January, between 7 and 8 o'Clock, the Weather extremely cold, and the Ground cover'd with Snow,--the following Persons went from the Blazing Star, in New Jersey, to cross the Ferry to Staten Island, (the Wind being moderate and fair, and the Passage judged to be very safe) viz. William Cornelius George, supposed to belong to Rhode Island: and Col. Kalb, a German Gentleman; both lately arrived at Philadelphia from London. Mr. Robert French, lately arrived at Philadelphia from St. Kitts. Mr. John Kidd, of Philadelphia, Merchant. John Thomson, (who has a Wooden Leg) Stage Driver. William Bury, and a Lad, belonging to the Ferry, the Lad was lately Cabin Boy to a Ship from London to New York, where he left the Ship, alleging that the Captain had misused him. A Negro Man, belonging to Mr. Newry of the Jerseys, and a Negro Man, belonging to Mr. Provost of this City, in all nine Persons and 4 Horses. As they were crossing the Ferry in a Scow, a violent Wind suddenly arose at N. W. whereby they were driven a considerable Way down the River, and ashore on a Mud Bank, where the Scow was half fill'd with Water; but as it was impracticable to land at that Place, they were obliged to put off again, and in their Efforts to gain the Land, broke two of their Oars, and were soon driven ashore upon a small Marsh Island, in the Mouth of the Fish Kill Creek, about half a Mile distant from the Ferry House, where the Scow immediately fill'd, and the People and Horses were obliged to get out. The Mud was so soft, that the Men sunk in it to near the upper Part of the Thigh, and were not able to pull out their Feet, without lying down on the Water and Mud, and assisting with their Hands; but with great Difficulty they at last all got to the highest Part of the Marsh: The poor lame man was rendered more helpless, by breaking his Wooden Leg. Three Horses not being able to disengage themselves from the Mud, stuck there and perish'd. The People on their small Portion of Marsh, deep cover'd with Snow, had not the least Shelter from the freezing Blasts of Wind nor could they make themselves be heard by the People on Shore, the Wind being against them. They had no other Recourse than to huddle as close together and give themselves as much Motion as possible. It was then about 9 o'Clock. the Boy soon gave out and sunk down, but the Man took him up, shook him, and did all they could to exercise and heat him; but at about Eleven he expired. At one O'Clock, Mr. George, who had till then seem'd to bear up as well as any of them, began to falter, and notwithstanding the best Assistance his Fellow Sufferers could give him, he expired at about three o'Clock'--the Rest lived out the dreadful Night, and at last, almost quite spent and hopeless, at about 6 o'Clock in the Morning were discover'd. and with proper Help, for remaining so long in such dreadful situation, they almost lost the Use of their Limbs, they were soon carried to Mr. Mersereau's, and all possible Care taken of them. Col. Kalb, after taking off his Boots immediately put his Feet in cold Water, where he held them near half an Hour, during which he took some Refreshment, & then went to Bed and slept soundly till the Afternoon: And he was the only Person that escaped without Hurt. The Rest sat up, round the Fire, and are terribly frost bitten; it is feared they will all lose their Toes, and that the Feet and Legs of some are in Danger; an Ear of one of the Negroes seems entirely perished. Mr. French, Mr. Kidd, John Thomson, Wm. Bury, and the two Negroes, when this Account came away, were at Mr. Mersereau's Ferry-House, opposite to the Blazing Star, unable to travel. The two dead Bodies were carried to the same Place for interment; the Coroner's Inquest having sat on them, Mr. George, said to be a Man of good Family and Fortune) was buried on Sunday last, with proper Solemnity. His Effects are in the Hands of the Coroner, till claimed by his Friends. Col. Kalb. proceeded on his Journey, and arrived here on Monday last.--The Horses belonged to Mr. Mersereau.