Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1825-08-18

SALEM. MASS. AUG. VIOLENT
Storm The hurricane aud bail storm
IN Newburyport, West Newbury, &c.
on Sunday last was very violent; the
thunder was tremendous; the hail was
driven in sheets against the houses;
several trees were torn up by the roots;
ears of corn cut off from the stalks;
fruit stripped from the trees. and most
of the garden vegetables entirely de
stroyed. The hail stones were as large
as pigeons'eggs, and Of all conceivable
shapes. In West Newbury 2lS9
panes of glass were broken The hail
was not so destructive 10 other places,
though the tornado was furious.
The Newburyport Herald, from
which we learn the above facts, states
that the violence OF this storm exceed
ed any thing of the kind within their
recollection. About the first OF An
gust, l773, the most violent tornado
or hurricane that was ever known in
this part OF the country, and tie most
destructive which had occurred from
the first settlement ofthe country, took
place nearly on the same spot. Pie
tornado took its course from the east,
first struck Saiist ury point, and fol
lowing the COURSE OF the Merrlmack
river, spread havoc before it for the
space oil a mile in width, extending 10
Haverhill. We have seen an account
OF this dreadful hurricane, with list
OF the sufferers, which was drawn I'D
at the time BY the Rev Mr. Webster,
then minister at Salisbury. The do
vastation was almost beyond coucep
ton Or description. Almost every house
and building FROM Salisbury point to
a quarter of a mile above Amcsbury
ferry, was levelled with the ground,
unrcoled, or otherwise damaged A
Capt Smith, who belonged 10 Bsv,
erly, was sitting in saiinaker's loft,
ut Amesbury, when the storm com
menced, and ia a moment he and life
whole building were carried away
together, the building tent to pieces,
aud dispersed; Capt Smith was found
lying senseless, 81 feet from the sill
OF the loft from which he had been
carried: one of his legs was broken,
and ne was otherwise bruised. A
large white oak post, Il feet 10 length,
and i2 by 10 inches, was transported
1873 feet Two vessels, OF 90 tons.
building in Amesbury, were lifted
from the blocks, and carried sidewise.
through the air 20 feet. A large bun.
die OF shingles was taken from the
ground and thrown three hundred g.
thirty fett, In an opposite direction 10
that OF the post above mentioned, aud
al right angles 10 the coui Sc the vessels
were carried. Large trees were torn
up by the roofs & cast into the river.
Large oak planks were hurled with
the velocity of cannon balls through
the roofs OF houses; aud in fine, du
ring the hurricane, which lasted few
mlnutes only, the air was flied with
every thing that could be moved,
whirIing with the most surprising ia
pidity through the air, 8. surrounding
the affughsed inhabitants, some ol
whom - ere taken up by the winds,
Carried a considerable way, and let
down safe; others were burie d in their
cellar, but were dug out without re-
celving any hurt. About $50 build
ings fell.
In Haverhill, the inhabitants fledm
CONSERVATION from one large dwelling
house, which was blown down, and
thought to save ,hemselveg in barn
which, was almost new, aud filed
with about 80 tons of hay; bu. the
barn was entirely blown TO pieces, in
another moment, and some parts of Il
carried to the distance of 8 miles
This tempest was preceded by
heavy rain, and gross darkness; and
then it appeared first on the Merrimac
river, which was in the utmost tumult,
rolling upon the banks, and threaten.
ing to swallow up the affrighted inhab.
itants.
Newspapers are growing barren.
since The world has become tame.
Where there is little Of change, there
must be as litlle of novelty; aud same.
ness and repetition excite no interest.
Peace achieves her labour in silence
prosperity pursues her noiscless march
happiness heeds not time while rev
elling on howers-and the tranquil
pursuits Of virtue seek no clamorous