Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-03
THE SEA SERPENT.

THE SEA SERPENT.
The Gazette de France containsan extract
ola letter from Dutch Merchant, who re-
Gently went to America, giving some ac-
count of the famous Sea-Serpent which has
appeared on the shores of the United States.
He says
We were sailing with light wind, the
land being about six miles distant, when all
al once we felt shock which made US think
we had struck upon rock. We, however,
were soon undeceived by seeing above the
waves, the head Of the greatest monster !
ever beheId. He raised himself about hieen
feet over the surface the water. and com
ing towards US, he glided across the stern OF
the vessel in such manner as almost TO up
set US. A cabin boy who was near the bow
sprit, was overwhelmed by the enormous
mass. A sailor then advanced courageously
and fred at the Serpent with carbine, but
the ball rebounded from bis scales, and APP
pesred not to make the least impression up
on him. The animal turning quickly, seized
the sailor round the middle, and plunged
with him under water. Our tackle was bro
ken, and our bowsprit almost unshipped.--
While we were occupied in repairing the
damage we had sustained, we again saw ne
monster lying on the surface OF the water,
but we saw our unfortunate sailor no more"
AN AWFUL ADmoNlTIoN TO CARELESS SER
WANTS.
On Wednesday morning last, about Sc
ven o'clock, a negro girl, between II and
l4years of age, belonging to Mr. Bontord,
of Norfolk, in climbing upon fender to
reach something lroln the mantle-piece, had
her clothes caught by the fire, and running
70 the chamber OF her mistress tor ssistanCe,
communicated thehames to the bed curtains,
which Mrs. B. succeeded In exungulshlng,
after having her hands much injured but
before assistance could be had tor the girl,
she was so severely burnt that she died the
next morning This girl was the nurse OF
Mrs. B's child, and had only moansnt be.
fore. put the child out of her arms.
Extract of letter from gentleman at Mack
iaaw (MichilimackmaCk) TO his trend III
Providence, Rhsde Island, dated Oct H.
When last wrote you, little thought
my next would be on subject which is cal
culsted to excite the CONSERVATION VI the ma
ny, and CRAFTY the curiosity OF the few. The
sixth inst. may emphatically BE- called, by
the inhabitants of this island, the dark day.
The following is transcript otthe notes made
al the time.
Oct. 6.-8 o'clock. a. m. wind fresh from
S. E. thick misty atmosphere and some
rain.-Half past 10, wind in the same direc-
ton, and beginning to grow unusually dark
I2 o'clock, the darkness has increased SO
considerably as TO attract The attention OF
every person. Half past IL o'clock, man
cannot be recognized at fifty yards, though
objects are obscurely visible at much fur
Their distance II o'clock, the darkness ia.
increased so much that objects cannot be dis
cemed two feet from the eye, in large room
with three windows candles are lighted in
every house the fowls have gone to roosl,
and all nature has assumed the appearance
night--Half past |, p. m. the darkness sti
continues the atmosphere is loaded with
rolling dense vapor, threatening an approach
ing storm al this period The wind changed to
s. ~. and few moments after the darkness
began to diminish, so that objects are OBJ
scurely seen two or three hundred yards the
suns rays appear feebly to penetrate the
thick yapor With which we are surrounded,
aud the whole sky, from the zenith to the no
rizon, is beautiful pale orange color, which,
contrasted with the dark scenery below, pre-
sents one of the most interesting spectaCles
that the imagination can conceive.-2 o clock
D. m. sky and darkness same as at half past
1; wind continuing in the same direction
A few minutes alters it began TO rain and
darkness to increase, so that within doors ii
was almost as dark as nigbt.--Half past 2 !;
since two o'clock the darkness has increased
and diminished al intervals, but at no time
could one see to write without candle
Halt past 2, it has grown quite light. wind
flesh from S. w. and some rain.-34 past 2;
so dark that had to light candle to make
this note.--Halt past s, p. m. clear at S. ".
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