Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-09-29

Immediately formed the resolution of board
ing and cutting her out; in attempting
which am sorry to state, lieut.. owen, Mr.
H,vmer. midshipman and fifteen seamen,
we're either killed or drowned and lieut..
foreman, and seven seamen badly wound
cd. one of whom is since dead; one seaman
missing. / am informed that the battery
under which the vessel lay mounted SO
vuos, the enemy having since the recent oc-
currences in Basque Roads, considerably
strencthened their works; added to which
,hev were perfectly prepared on board
,he brig TO receive our people. Lieute-
n.nt Ovens boat it seems, approached
r,ose under the enemy's bow, and were
inst ON the eve of boarding, when the enc
NV let go their anchor, which fell into the
boat. and Immediately dashed her under
water, precipitating our brave fellows to
an untimely gravel!
A British officer writes from Messina, OF
date the 18th April last 81 returned a,
few days ago from trip to Mount Etna,
where had been to see the effects OF an
eruption which took place the 20th ult
The preceding day, we were all much
surprised ct seeing the streets OF Messina
covered with quantity of FIRE ashes some
thing ike gun powder, which were driven
by strong south wind, from the top of the
mountain, a distance of sixty miles. 1t APP
pears. that these ashes are throwu up be-.
fore an eruption of FIRE; they come to Mes
sina in such quA ntities, that 1t was unplea-
srnt to walk the streets, especially against
the wind. On tile 2Sth ult. volumes OF
smoke and FIRE, burst out from several era
tiers, with the volcanic matter made OF
itself about SIX miles above the village of
Lingu Glassa it is impossible for words to
convey, or colours to pant, the awful gran
deur of this at once grand terrific scene.
Figure tc Yourself the highest mountain
in Arran vomiting FIRE from dozen of
different places, aud throwing up immense
heaps of red hot stones to the height OF one
thousand feet, attended with a terrific
noise, like the roaring OF many cannon.
Conceive quantities OF melted lava issuing
from each crater like metal from fur
mace, and sweeping along with 1t, forests,
houses, and every obstacle that presents It
self to impede its progress, anu you may
have some faint idea of an eruption OF
Mount Elna. In three days the lava pro-
ceeded six miles, but very fortunately did
not overwhelm any village; 1t has however
destroyed quantity OF timber, many v'ne-
wards, and su,ne corn fields 1t was la =
mentable TO witness the distress of the in
habitants that were unfortunately situated
in the neighbonrhood they cried tore
their hair, prayed to all their saints and
carried them IN procession to the lava; In
hspes that their presence W. uld stop the
devouriug element, hut to no purpose fne
wooden st. Joseph * all the rest OF them
were deaf 10 their prayers, and the lava
continued TO roll on for more than ten days,
when, the volcanic matter being exhausted,
the fire became extinct. Had it continued
few days longer, several villages must
have been burnt down. l was not more
than 500 yards from one of the craters, bu
some of the stones flying over my head,
was obliged to scamper off. The eftec
at night is beyond all description magnih.
cent"