Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-08-01
From the Neu-Bedtcrd Mercury Of July24.


From the Bedford Mercury Of July24.
Loss OF THE BRIG MARY.
In our last we briefly noticed the loss of
this vessel on the coast Of Africa. The FOL.
lowing minute narrative Of that lamented
occurrence, has since been handed US for
publication:
Friday, May eo.--We steered south by
compass, wind n. and n. \. E. and mode
rate breezes. At 8 O'Clock A. NJ. the YES
sci struck bottom in ST. AIMS bay, on the
coast of Africa, in latitude of about o9. 80,
n. and l6 OF / 7 west longitude from Green
wich.-Immediately called all hands upon
deck, and tried 10 wear ship, but found all
our endeayors fTuiiless, owing TO heavy
surf beating on shore. At 8 O'Clock A. NJ.
the rudder unshipped. At sun rise Disco
vered the natives upon the high lands TO
the north, and about two or three miles dis.
tant. coming down towards the vessel. At
this time captain Rowland ordered boat
to be dispatched 10 the shore, under the
command Of the mate, with clothing and
stores, with directions to land the same
Before the boat was discharged upon the
shore, the natives, then being ! 5 or twenty
in number, arrived, and in very hostile
manner, with their spears. drove The boats
crew into the sun, and proceeded imme.
diately TO plundering the property which
had been deposited on the shore. The
chief of the tribe, being man OF about so
years of age, and about five feet nine inch
Is in height. having long and straight hair,
black and piercing eyes, and voice the
most terrific, was the foremost and the most
active in expelling the crew from the shore.
He appeared very DESTROYS of seizing upon
the crew of The boat, but finding his people
entirely employed in seizing upon the plum
der, he abandoned the crew to participate
with his subjects in the booty. The boats
crew availing themselves of this opportuni-
ty, ran TO their boat, and fastened TO The
vessel with all possible expedition. The
natives finding themselves in the peace
able possession of their plumber, and dis
appointed of Selling upon the boats crew,
rctreated with their plumber behind some
sand hills, about 80 or 40 rods distant from
The shore. In this situation the men con-
ceaIed themselves, and sent their women
forward to the shore, for the obvious pur-
pose of enticing the crew again to come on
shore. In this exigency Captain Rowland
ordered boats crew TO accompany him in
one Of his boats to the shore, taking with
him some presents of provisions and clio.
thing, calculating Herewith 10 purchase
peace ofthe savages, for the purpose OF Ell
aiding him without molcslation 10 build
shallop upon the shore to return home. He
had no sooner landed and delivered his
presents than the women, not satisfied with
his voluntary gratuities, renewed in more
exemplary manner the scene of plumber be.
fore practised by. the men, by robbing them
of their hats, jackets, handkerchieis, &c.
and in all probability would have stripped
them Of every garment they had on, but for
their resistance. Capt. Rowland having
thus ascertained The disposition Of the ma.
tives, returned without further molestation
10 the vessel. All hands were now employ.
ed in preparing the boats for embarkation:
two of which had already been launched
into the surf. At 8 A. NJ. two camels, each
led by native, came from the highlands,
apparently laden with bushes. bvt conceal.
ing no doubt the muskeis with which the
crew were afterwards attacked. The ca
mels stopped behind the sand bills, where
the sayages were concealed, and were i'm
unladen, and shortly afterwards
the camels were led back again TO the high
lands. About 10 A. M. we cut away the
mainmast. The noise produced by IFS fall
so much inundated the natives, that they
in great confusion fled from their
retreat. Having ascertaincd the cause, they
returned to their place Of concealment-
The women low adopted every stratagcm
TO entice the crew of the vessel to come a.
gain on shore. such as falling upon their
knees, extending their arms towards the
heavens, kissing their hands, and the like.
This farce they Kept up until about2 O'clock
T. M.-At this time, being about low water,
we lowered our last boat into the water
Instantly upon this, the savages rushed from
their conceaImeDt, and dividing themselves
into three sections one body'headed by their
chief, plunged into the surf, so as 10 attack
the vessel at midships; another at the boss.
and the third at the stern. Having go; with
in about ten yards distance from the vessel.
they then threw of their coverings. VIII n
consisted Of skins, and drew out their nus
keis, which had before remained CT ocesl.
ed, and Immediately commenced f ing lr.
on the vessel.
Three muskets only were i,i.chargeI,
and those were from the chief The mus.
keis Of the others, though rer ea,edly snap.
ped missed fire. AT the first ,iiscbatge JOB
Miller, who was upon the. eusrter OF tie