The New York Packet

The following is another instance of the terrible effects of the late snow-storm—from a late Boston paper:

Between one and two o'clock, Saturday morning, Dec. 9, Capt. Samuel Robbins sailed from the Long-wharf in Boston, in a coasting sloop, bound for Plymouth, with a number of passengers on board, among whom was the Rev. Mr. Robbins, of Plymouth, with 13 others. The wind then about N. by E. We had passed the light, about 2 leagues, when the wind veering round to E. N. E. the Heavens grew suddenly black, and a squall of snow setting in, we endeavoured to get back again; but the compass being at this time a little out of order, and the snow very thick, prevented our finding the light, and after running about half an hour, it was thought unsafe to proceed further towards so dangerous a shore; and we put about again towards Plymouth. The storm increasing with great violence, split the main-sail in such manner, that it was with great difficulty we could keep off shore till morning, hoping that day-light would afford us some help; but our hopes were vain, as we could discover nothing of the land. About eight in the morning, it was agreed, as the only probable means of saving any of the lives of the people, to run the vessel ashore, though totally at a loss where we should fall.—Heaven appeared for us! The reader may endeavour to paint to his imagination, the solemn interval of about ten minutes, after the order given to run her ashore, before she struck; each person contemplating an immediate entrance into eternity, and appearing before his Maker.—We now saw the breakers on shore—dread harbingers of our approaching destiny—when the man at helm, (though mistaken) cried out, "nothing but rocks! the Lord have mercy on us, not a single life to be saved!" Happily, his fears, and the violence of the surf, deceived him—and in less than a minute, she struck upon a bar of sand, but was carried over it to within about 60 yards of the shore; when she stopped, the boom suddenly broke, and fell with violence on the deck among the people, but providentially did no other damage than slightly wounding one person. The boat was instantly got out, imagining the vessel might soon beat to pieces, and by means of a long warp, fastened to the boat, and veered out from the vessel, every person, at three freights, got safe to shore; not without great hazard of their lives, from the amazing surf and undertow. The land proved to be a beach between Marshfield and the Gurnet, some miles from any habitation. Here, wet and cold, we travelled to keep from freezing, but perfectly ignorant where we were, our conjectures being exceedingly various. The storm now increased to greater severity—when, after travelling about a mile northward, we found a small hut, put up by some gunners, as a temporary residence, while pursuing their diversion on the beach. Here, by means of a gun, which we found loaded, we procured a fire; but for which, some of us, at least, must, without any doubt, have perished. In this hut, five of our companions, (among whom was a woman, Mrs. Blodgett, from Boston, who with surprising fortitude endured every fatigue) spent the succeeding night. It was now about 11 o'clock, A. M. Two of our company, upon our first landing, bent their course southward, in quest of shelter, and having arrived at the Gurnet-house, dispatched a fresh hand to seek the remainder; he came to the hut, informed us what land we were upon, and offered to pilot those who would accompany him to the house. All but the five abovementioned set out with him.—Thus, after being wrecked on the shore, and having travelled, in the whole, near 7 miles, in a most violent snow-storm, for five hours, on a desolate beach, through inexpressible fatigue, from wet, cold and hunger, some of us having eat nothing for more than 20 hours, we arrived at the friendly house of Mr. Burgess, on the Gurnet, where we received every attention and kindness that compassion and hospitality could afford, until means were obtained for our safe arriving at our own homes. The subjects of so remarkable a preservation think themselves bound, in duty, to publish this account, in grateful testimony to that kind power and Almighty Providence which appeared for them in the hour of their danger, and rescued sixteen souls from immediate death.