The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-10-10

AZ
frequently to take advantage OF persons
passing at nightso attack them, s. large
stones have frequently been rolled down
by these marauiers from the hill, above.
which is aboutS0 feet high. Midshipman
Smith was attacked at this place by three,
soldiers, who hid him stop or they would
cut him down, upon which he very
coo,ly answered the summons by blowing
out the br,ins Of one, wounding another
mortally, while the third took to his
heels Mr.. Smith belonged to the
Macedonian f:igate. During the day
saw several ships go ashore at this place,
which we're in few moments dashed to
atoms, While the spectators on the street,
we're Unable to lend them the least
assistance whatever, owing to the violence
OF the surf, which dashed even over the
houses in most furious manner.
never saw a more sublime sight or
more awful one, than was presented to
myview when the Msry, fine ship OF
500 tons, struck the rocks. She instantly
eapsized towards the sea, and the next
wave that came rushing in, drove her
between two rocks, and moment
afterwards she parted with loud crash
abait her main mast, and was instaD-
,aneously dashed into atoms! Witnessed
the melancholy sight of two large ships,
schooner, and two briggs which went
ashore in the same place, and like the
others went to pieces ins,antaneousIy.
Many a poor fellow persisted in my view,
and but tw escaped from a watery grave.
Great damage was done TO the houses or,
shore. Several were thrown down. and
others had their foundations undermined,
and were only kept from falling by
placing large pieces of timber against
them as support. The loss of property
is immense, and The poor Americans have
had their share of it. To add to the
| general horror, the torrents poured down
the mountains and overwhelmed many Of
the houses, several of which were left
! entirely covered with sand and gravel.
indeed the destruction was complete, and
the gale finished what the earthquake
had spared. The houses are all composed
OF unbaked bricks, and the situation Of
Valparaiso being in valley is the cause
ofits suffering so much from the torrents,
and it is absolutely dangerous TO live in
'bO9S 'ihi tOi thSJ lS UO mug
else, although some of them, belonging
to the more opulent merchants here,
make a splendid appearance when
painted and ornamented with a'tri colored
balcony of Yersnda. Amongst other
vessels lost is an American whale shin,
three years out, and which merely put
| in here for refreshments, sc. preparatory
10 passing cape Horn, The ship i.
ashore at the Alsendrsl, a, the bot
tom OF the bay-has bilned, and il
going fast 10 pieces. der cargo
consisted of l7,0oo barrels of oil, which
| they have succeeded in saving eight
hundred barrels. The remainder of lie,
| cargo will be lost. In the afternoons
(~hen the gale subsidized in grea.
measure) the beach, from the custom
mouse to the Almendrcl, presented one
OF the most singular sights ever before
witnessed In Valparaiso Good fruits. &c,
! the product o. almost every cline. mas,s,
rigging, sails, trunks, clothes, ladies'
"ork boxes, toys, boxes raisins, several
IONS OF ship head wafer casks, slaves. SC.
liDed the shore the distance of mile
and half; and nothing was to be seen on
every side but confusion and dismay in
The iaces OF those who we're OH shore
One bold fellow quilted his shin n,sE
before she struck the rock, and being a
good swimmer soon reached the shore in
safety with bag of ounces, which he
mad brought with him. Another. Less :.
fortunxe, was thrown amongst the rocks,
and the people in their anxiety 10 save
him handled him SO roughly that his Ter.
T0as torn cF and he expired shortly after
reaching the shore
The commodore was Obliged tn Az
precipitstely from his state room. tn a.
void being crushed amongst the timbers
which were flying off in all directions a.
round him. All the after cabin was car
red away, and the ship was cut down IN
the waters edge almost as neat q, ie
Gone with an axe.
Annexed is list of The liFeren, ves-
sells wrecked and stranded, which vo,
VIII publish for the notice of all concern.
co, IN case you do NOT receive earlier IN.
'eHigeDee OF this most disastrous affair :.
American ship Lion of Providence
4. L. stranded on'the Almendral beach.
ard going TO pieces.
ohIP Charles, American whaIer. strand
60 ana ollged-cargo whale oil.
ohiP Mary, OF London, capt. Ford
10000 dollars in cash were lost in this
vessel crew saved, having abandoned
ier previous to her going on shore