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The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A devastating fire erupted in Barbados on the evening of December 27, 1766, starting in a wooden store at the east end of town. High winds spread the flames, destroying 40-50 dwelling houses, numerous stores, and vast quantities of provisions, lumber, and goods despite efforts to blow up houses to contain it. The total loss was immense, ruining much of the town following a previous fire.
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Full Text
Extract of a Letter from a Gentleman in Barbados, to his Friend in Boston, dated 8th January 1767, viz.
We had on the Evening of the 27th ult. at Nine o'Clock a Fire, it broke out in a large Old wooden Store at the East End of our Town, the Wind being very high at N. E. and many Wooden Houses, and Lumber Yards, and Cooper Shops adjoining, and near thereto (and our Town being in no Preparations to extinguish the Flames) it spread every Way by six o'Clock the next Morning; notwithstanding we blew up ten or fifteen Houses, it consumed Forty or Fifty dwelling Houses, and twice as many Stores, with a considerable Quantity of Provisions, and many hundred thousand Feet of Lumber. Boards, Plank and Joists, Hoops, Staves, Heading, Shingles, and many hundred Rum and Sugar Casks, and Goods: The Loss on the Whole is very great; some single Persons lost from 4000 l. to 7000 l. our Currency, a piece; and the Loss fell on many that suffered in the last Fire in May; and indeed the whole Town is nearly ruined by these two Fires.--
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Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Barbados
Event Date
Evening Of The 27th Ult.
Outcome
consumed forty or fifty dwelling houses, and twice as many stores, with a considerable quantity of provisions, and many hundred thousand feet of lumber. boards, plank and joists, hoops, staves, heading, shingles, and many hundred rum and sugar casks, and goods; some single persons lost from 4000 l. to 7000 l. our currency; the whole town is nearly ruined by these two fires.
Event Details
Fire broke out in a large Old wooden Store at the East End of our Town at Nine o'Clock, the Wind being very high at N. E. and many Wooden Houses, and Lumber Yards, and Cooper Shops adjoining, and near thereto (and our Town being in no Preparations to extinguish the Flames) it spread every Way by six o'Clock the next Morning; notwithstanding we blew up ten or fifteen Houses.