The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

DOMINICA. August 1.

On Wednesday last a most violent storm of wind and rain, accompanied with a few Claps of Thunder, happened here : The rain began about six o'Clock in the morning, and continued with light breezes of wind; first from the N. and then to the E. and E. by S. till about nine o'Clock, when of a sudden it blew so hard from the S. S. E. that in the space of ten minutes it drove every vessel in the road out to sea. Nothing could resist its impetuosity ; large trees were torn from their roots and the branches twisted in a manner almost incredible. Numbers of People quitted their habitations, and ran to the open fields, fearful of being crushed by the shaking houses. The storm continued till near 12 o'clock, when the wind shifted to the S. S. W. and began to abate, as did likewise the darkness which had attended it ; and then was discovered the melancholy marks of its fury.-- What damage this dreadful storm has occasioned in the country, we have as yet heard no full account of : tho numbers are known to have lost their crops of cocoa, coffee, and provisions, as well as their dwelling and out-houses, &c. what has more immediately come under our inspection is as follows : Four Schooners were drove ashore and lost, and all their Crews, (one Man only excepted) perished. A large New-England Schooner, which had drove from her mooring in the road, over set, and all the people except the master perished. A great many other vessels were drove ashore and lost, but all belonged to the West-Indies. Many Houses and Frames were blown down, but We do not hear of any Lives being lost. And we cannot help remarking, that the interposition of divine Providence was conspicuous in this event, for had the wind at first blown from the S. S. W. the consequences had been still more fatal, as from the situation of Charlotte Town and Roseau, not one house could have been left standing, and perhaps not a few lives lost ; but to Him who rides in the whirl-wind and directs the storm, we owe our preservation, and to Him alone let us return our thanks.

ANTIGUA, Aug. 7.

The storm above mentioned to have happened at Dominica, extended itself to Martinico, where many vessels were drove ashore and lost, but whether it went further to the Southward or not, we have not yet heard. At Gaudaloupe also the storm raged violently: a man of war of 40 guns was lost and several ships and vessels were drove ashore, and many put out to sea.