Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

Philadelphia, March 11.

Extract of a letter from an officer on board the United States Brig Spark, dated.
FORT ALHON. Jan, 12. 1817

I embrace this opportunity of writing to you by the United States frigate Java, which sails in a day or two.

Since my leaving the United States we have experienced nothing but continued gales of wind in the Bay of Algiers particularly, where we rode out a most tremendous gale with four anchors ahead and expected every moment to go ashore. An English brig was wrecked within gun shot of us, and every soul perished. The gale came on about eight o'clock in the evening and lasted till eight the next morning. After the gale subsided, the wreck of the above brig passed us in pieces not above 8 or nine feet long. we saw her about two hours before the gale commenced standing in for the harbor. The damage sustained at Algiers was considerable--almost every thing of vegetation kind was laid level with the ground--the batteries were considerably injured, they required the Bey's attention for two days. This gale was one of the many we have experienced--our vessel on her arrival in this port, was a complete wreck our main mast gone, fore yard and main gaff likewise, and stern sprung. At one time we had but five men to work the vessel, and was obliged to get assistance from the commodore; every officer on board without distinction worked the same as one of the sailors. It is impossible for me to give you a description of this gale every moment expecting to founder at our anchors--the sea was tremendous; all hands were vigorously employed the whole of the night; we rode with a scope of 150 160 fathoms of cable. as for repose it has almost been a stranger--twenty hours at a time have been on this vessels deck. but now our hard perils are over, and we are once more to enjoy good weather. On our arrival at this port, we found the Washington, repairing the damage sustained in the gale. we are undergoing a thorough repair & expect to sail in a short time for Gibraltar, to get provisions by the U. States, Ship Alert, from N. York.