The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

LONDON, March 28.

Extract of a Letter from Gibraltar, Feb. 11.

After returning God Thanks that I am yet in the Land of the Living. I shall give you a concise Account of the dreadful Calamity the Garrison has been lately threatened with. On the 30th ult. at half past Seven at Night came on a most dreadful Storm of Hail, Rain, Thunder and Lightning, which continued near two Hours; in which Time it brought down such immense Quantities of Stone and Gravel from the Hill, that was level with the Tiles of the Houses in the greatest Part of the Town: many Houses tumbled down, and the Inhabitants buried in the Ruins, those who were endeavouring to escape, were carried away by the Torrent: never was such a dreadful Scene seen in this Part of the World; to hear the Shrieks and Cries of the distressed, and none able to give them Relief, was most shocking: The Snow or Hail, all over the Garrison, was from 7 to 14 Feet deep; the damage it has done cannot be yet ascertained though Numbers perished; even of whole Families none escaped.

'Tis said there are already to the amount of 150 Persons, that perished in their Houses dug out of the Snow. The works have suffered greatly, and the Aqueduct is damaged; and it may suffice, when I tell you that 18 and 24 Pounders were washed out of the Carriages, at Prince of Wales's Lines, and the Platforms set a Floating. The trading People have suffered greatly; and had the Hail, &c. continued one Hour longer, the Place must have been utterly ruined. By the Confusion we were in, in Town, we did not perceive it, but the Ships in the Bay felt the Shock of an Earthquake, and imagined they were all aground, some of them having struck on the new Mole; and by a Flash of Lightning, one Ship lost her Foremast. There are upwards of 600 Men clearing the Streets: but it will be a long Time before it can be effected.