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The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
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The Boston ship President Adams was totally wrecked in a violent gale on September 29, 1812, two leagues west of Macoa, with all cargo lost; crew safely reached shore but faced plundering by locals before being transported to Macoa.
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Loss of Ship President Adams of Boston
Extract of a letter from an Officer of said ship, dated Canton, Nov. 2, 1812.
"SIR--I am extremely sorry to inform you of the total loss of the President Adams and all her cargo on this coast the 29th Sept. at 10 P. M. 2 leagues westward of Macoa, in as violent a gale of wind as I ever experienced. We were at anchor in a fine harbor with a pilot on board and had rode there 48 hours before she drifted--could she have held on four hours longer we should now have had her safe in Canton: but it was not so to be. The second time she struck, she bilged and filled instantly, her stern on the rocks, so that her quarter deck was out of water, main deck at the mercy of the sea, which constantly broke over us. At this time I should liked very well to have been in Boston. At day light a man who was a good swimmer, took a line and with it reached the shore, but with the utmost difficulty.--With his line he handed the hawser on shore and made it fast to rocks by means of which we all reached the shore with safety, saving a few clothes and provisions. Next day was pleasant. At day-light, saw a number of boats making for the wreck. At 7 A. M. they came along side and began their plunder. At 10 A. M. there was not less than 200 boats, & from 12 to 1500 men--about the ship, the tide had left her so that they got at the specie and began killing each other for it. We on shore surrounded by 200 men all armed with knives and cleavers, plundering us of every single article saved from the wreck. Thinking they would kill us if we remained there, came to a resolution to trust our-selves in one of their boats, and by giving them an order on Macoa for 800 dollars, they agreed to carry us there; which they did in three days, and received their 800 dollars."
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Macoa
Event Date
29th Sept. 1812
Outcome
total loss of ship and cargo; crew reached shore safely, saving a few clothes and provisions; locals plundered the wreck and survivors' items; crew transported to macoa after paying 800 dollars.
Event Details
The President Adams, at anchor in a harbor two leagues westward of Macoa with a pilot on board, drifted during a violent gale on the 29th Sept. at 10 P.M. after 48 hours. She struck rocks twice, bilged, and filled with water. A swimmer secured a line to shore, allowing all crew to escape safely. The next day, numerous boats plundered the wreck, including specie, with violence among plunderers; armed locals robbed the survivors on shore. The crew then paid locals 800 dollars to transport them to Macoa in three days.