The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-06-27
NEwBURYPoRT, JUNE 19.
WATER SPOUTS.

WATER SPOUTS.
Capt. Wilson, who lately arrived here
from the West-Indies, has furnished us
from his Journal with the following ac-
count of very dangerous water spout
On the god of May, in lat. SO, 35,
long SO, 80, fresh gales from S. S. w.
and squally; at P. M. heavy cloud
appeared on our weather quarter about
west, which approached us very fast
prepared the vessel for heavy squat,
when the rain began to descend in tor
rents An at once we saw FIVE large
Water Spouts forming under the cloud,
upon the sea, about one and half miles
from us, going with the cloud nearly in a
line N. f. by E. with astonishing swift
ness. They appeared about half mile
from each other, at about equal distan-
ces, and connecting themselves with the
cloud
The sea for considerable space where
the base of the spoats appeared, exhib-
tied the most tremendous connection
they appeared in the cloud above to be
as large as a fierce. AT this time num-
Der more were forming, and appeared to
approach us very fast. We now thought
ourselves in the utmost danger, for all
our efforts to dissipate them in the usual
way. were unavailing; but the wind haul
ing north-westerly, and blowing fresh,
we let out some of our reefs, trimmed
sharp by the wind, and fortunately gain
ed to windward of them. They passed
us little astern, so that we had fair
view of them, and they presented one of
the most awfully sublime scenes in ma
ture. We had seamen on board the brig
who had followed the sea from ten to
thirty years, and none of them had ever
before witnessed SO dangerous. a water
spout, or any of such magnitude. Had
we been 80 minutes sail astern, | con-
ceive there would have been no posi-
bility of escape from utter destruction
The water was in continual agitation for
fifty or sixty minutes, and am free to
confess | never before had an adequate
idea of the horours of one of these phe-
nomena. @%e-
BRATTLEBoRoUGH, W.T. JUNE H..
.4ccident-On the 9th inst. during kind
of sham action between the infantry and
artillery companies of this town, the
Capt and one of the privates belonging
to the latter, were very seriously injur-
ed by the accidental discharge of one of
the pieces. Capt. Goodenough's' left
arm was so much shattered as to require
amputation. One of the private's arms
and one side of his face were very badly
burnt. Two other men, were thrown
down by the discharge, but not materi-
ally injured. This ought to serve as a
caution to be particular on such occasions
not to act with too much precipitation,
nor to allow the use Of ammunition bad
ly prepared, aswe understand these were
the principal causes of the recent calam-
ity. Sponge zceL, stop close, and sound
cartridge, are undertaking principles. of
experienced artillerymen-Neglect of
these, exposes the lives of those manag-
ing the cannon, next to going into battle.
The Board of Trustees Of Amherst
Academy have elected the Rev.
Zephaniah Swift Moore, d. D.. to be
President of the Collegiate Charity In
stitution in that town, and that he has
accepted the trust.
The Rev. Gamaliel S. Odds has been
elected Professor of Mathematics and
Natural Philosophy; and Joseph Esta-
brooks, A. M. has been elected Profess
sor Of the Greek and Latin languages,
in the same Institution.
Hon. VIM. Writ has been requested
to deliver an GRAFTON, and Hon. John
Quincy Adams to read the declaration of
independence, on the ensuing anniversa-
ry of our independence, at Washington,
Cd. CO. $40
Blythe arrival at Boston, of the U. S.
frigate Macedonian, we learn that the
King of Portugal, with his suite, sailed
from Rio de Janeiro on the 25th of
| April for Lisbon.