The Virginia Gazette

Extract of a Letter, dated Feb. 7, giving an Account of the Loss of the Anne Brigantine, Capt. Steele, from Berwick upon Tweed, laden with Corn, Salmon and Eggs.

On Sunday Morning last we sprung a Leak; on the Discovery whereof we came to an Anchor, with two Cables out, off the Black Tail Beacon, and pump'd all Hands for eight Hours, when we were quite spent; then we slipped our Cables, in hopes she would drive a-shore, and we might thereby save our Lives; but she making but little Way, and a Light being discovered at a Distance, the Master and 8 more of us (as many as she could carry) took to the Boat, leaving 5 Persons on board the Anne, driving with a Light before them, whom we promised to return to relieve; but unhappily, just as we had reached the Ship, which proved a Hamburgher, our Boat sunk; and we could by no Means prevail on the Skipper to lend us his, alleging, that as it was Night, he did not know what Shift he might be drove to himself: We begg'd and pray'd, but he obstinately denied: the Anne for 5 Hours together in our View, driving in the utmost Despair, when she struck on the Winterton Sand in the Swatchway, and by the Force of the Sea was carried over. During this Extremity, two of the unhappy Persons left on board, being no longer able to bear the perpetual beating of the Waves over them, lashed themselves fast to the Shrouds, where they were found perished with the Wet and Cold on Monday Morning about Nine o'Clock, by a fishing Vessel, that by good Providence came just Time enough to save the Lives of the other three, who were at the Point of Death.