The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1817-05-30
ysoM A LATE LIVERPOOL PAPER.
PERILOUS VOYAGE.

A letter received from gentleman
passenger on board the American ship
Minerva. relates most perilous voyag.
OF that ship from hence to New-York.
1t is dated the 27th of February, and
says
We have had long and boisterous
passage, and l more than once gave up
all hopes of reaching tine shore we
sailed from Liverpool on tie 10Th oil
December, with fair wind, but hardly
parted with our pilot, Before it chop.
ped round (; and after fruiiless at
tempt Of three days to beat cut OF the
channel, the captain determined to go
north about-and sure enough norih we
went TO the latitude of 90 80, the wind
being the whole of that time directly in
our teeth, and bio sing so hard, that we
5 could not shew any canvas to il. Of
the Shetland Islands we experienced
very severe weather, the decks were
covered with ice and snow, and not a
rope was manageable for nearly ten
days. Before we reached the Banks o!
Newfoundland, we had to encounter
many severe gale. shall never for
get the 18th OF January. 1t had beer
blowing fresh from the southwark the
night previous, and suddenly chopped
round.to the north vest, which caused
such bubble of sea, as threatened to
bury Us in it. All our bulworks were
stove in, our boat. dashed away, and to
complies all, every sail although hand
ed, was blown from the yards an at
tempt was made to save them, but it
was blowing such hurricane, that the
sailors in endeavouring TO 60 alcf,, were
actually pinioned 10 the main rigging.
and could not stir an inch; ia this situa-
tIon we continued for near IL hours,thc
sea breskirg over US in sill directions.
My fellow passengers predicted the
ampossieilliiy Of our weathering the
gale /; however, fortunately they were
mistaken for deluge of rain, accom-
panied bg thunder and lightning "a phe-
nomenon in that latitude) came 10 our
relief, and made both wind and sea &C
down. A counci! OF war was then held
asto Que future edings, and whcth-
er to run back to Cork, Lisbon, or down
tothe Western Islands. We had three
summer sails below, which were rigged
and the captain decided on the latter
course however, as we advanced, con-
fdence returned, and the wind favour
ing US little, we determined, notwith
standing our slender canvass, TO run
Tor the Banks. l will not tire you with
\ repetition OF the many unpleas ant
nights we subsequently encountered, Tor
whenever the wind freshened up little
we were obliged to take in our sails,and
lay TO, having TO other dependence to
carry US trough our difficulties.
On the 22d. while at dil.ner, we heard
the pleasing sound Of land, from toe
mast heaG, and while drinking to it with
sensation l never yet Inexperienced, our
vine was qualified, by tremendous
sea, which smashed the companion light
S set US all afloat in the cabin. gy 10 o.
clock p. NJ. we came up with the light
house, and no pilots answering cur sig
mai guns, the captain very luckily de
termined TO run in. although the nayjga
ton is rather critical across the bar.
AT midnight we anchored inside of San
dy Hook"
The writer concludes by saying, that
here the ship was four miles distant
from the shore and embarked with ice :
he let him self down upon il by long
rope, and after an hour and a half run
ming and sliding, gained the shore at a
place called Shoal Hatbor, about IS
miles from New York, which he a.,cr~
wards travelled all night to reach.