Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-11-30
Cue 6 INSTITUTIONAL gglbte.

ced at Liverpool on the 9Th and Sh October, which
we published On Friday, will not diminish tho in
tcrsst of the following detailed statement OF that
event copied from the Liverpool Albion:
AWFUL AND DESTRUCTIVE STORM.
Ga Monday last Il storm suddenly swept over
this town and port, which injured several buildings
wrecked several ships, aud destroyed u number of
valuable lives.
The morning extremely fine. At davligh,
the wind was S. E. but it afterwards veered round
to the ~ n. w. accompanied by IL Sudden fall of
tho barometer But the weather appearing pro pitt.
Gus, the outward bound prepared to proceed to
sea. We were on the Princes Pierhead at the top
OF high-water. Nothing could exceed the beauty
of the day. The river crowded with vessels
several OF which towed out by steamers while
the majority were swept along by the wind and
the tide. AT eleven O'clock the outward bound i'm
Bootic Bay were observed 10 Yield to the brccz, as
caught Their sails on coming in line with the
Rock Emanuel The carry was also observed to he
slrong trom N. NJ w. while dense clouds were
chrcerihg swiftly over Cheshire from the SCI,
These indications Of u coming squaI were obser
we'd ny the persons on the Picrhead, one of whom
Remarked, IN our hearing, that the afternoon would
DO wet and dirty The same indications were also
observed oy the persons in charge of some of the
vessels under way, several of which actually came
10 anchor, rather than run any risk by proceeding
10 sea wi'h an increasing gale from the N. NJ W.
he ship William Nelson, Captain Platt bound
Tor New Orleans, which had been lying at anchor
IN Bottle Bay, proceeded to shortly after eight
O'Clock, and, consequently, reached the floating
light ship by the time of hiyh.wn,er The Init -,
the outward hound did not reach the Rock .I;oht
INV that time, while the packet ship Alronuun onl v
loft the Princes Basin the tide began to ebb /,
was now eleven o'clock, and, though the wind
blew fresh from the n. n w. the vessels parti,.
cu1riy those towed out by steamers, proceeded on
wards the persons in charge of them never for a
moment dreaming that swift destruction would so
suddenly overtake the gallant fleet.
About twelve O'clock heavy shower of rain fell
ihs luled for a short time the wind. The calm
was however, but momentary. n fresh breeze was
succeeded by stiff gale, which, by O'clock in.
plptr hur,;, 1
mound were now III most per lous situation With
the exception of the William Nelson which was far
tre westward of the Flo ting light they were all
within the Banks, the channels between
which leave vessels little room to work; Tho Al
gonquln, which was in tow of a steamer was dri
ven on the main, near the Red Noses. The brig Vip
ltn', tor III wanna, was about the same time driven
on ne main, near the same pl ,ce. The shin Gre
cah Tor Boston, put about, and attempted return
Tor the RIVER. Unfortunately, however, she struck
O" the edge ut the Burbo Bank, where she stuck
FAST. ihe packet ship Virginian, which was in
Tow OF large steamer, was rapidly approaching
tne Floating light when the pilot observing the fate
vi the other vessels wisely I~.i about ship, and ran
INTO port, with the loss merely of an anchor and
caoe'-'oeVer"l other vessels, which ere in ir,m,
hcnt peril, were enabled, by letting go their an
chors, which, they glad to slim 10 pnu =, q;
Ee''t time to set sail to carry them out OF danger
Inc i'ecti, the famous discovery shin, which ac
coinpanied Parry on his Arctic VOYAGES returned
win the loss OF her topnass; and several other YES
scis sustained more or less dana &C in their masts
Tar nor
,heir voyage ere the storm commenced, or had tn.
hurricane beguR all hour later than it did, every
one OF thon must have been inevitably wrecked.
The only vessel that did not return 10 mort was
the William Nelson. She had got a good ofing
before 'he hurricane on, and was hoped that
sne"oni Keeping to the northNGr wealth he
Storm It's violence was, however, too great for her
TO contend against She driven back towards
the banks, on which she struck during the after
noon. She was observed in a state of great peril
wnh s'gn'd ct distress ,ing, by oftLcGlasgow
steam packets which was prevented from rendering
assistance ny the imnnency of the peril IN which
sue lerfel was involved. The unfortunate shin
struck on the edge OF the Bank near to Formby
channel. How long she struck together will
never DE known, all hands on board having perish
ed. 1t is probable, however, that she did not re-
man together long, and that she broke up before
n'S't set H. Next morning, at lay-brcak, part of
her was washed up the North shore Her
iruerbag was found the strand near Bootle
When opened, the bag was found to have leen
stnifed with chaH which Captain Platt who knew
contained letters OF Importance belonging to his
owners is supposed TO have put in to render buo
ant. 80 much presence of mind had the uniortu-
male man when certain and instant death stared him
III Inc lace! fragments o.: wreck and packages of
goods covered the shore, while several artcl were
PICKED up iioatiug in the river and in the basins
lho southermost corner of the Princes Dock ba
sin besides several large spars belonging to the I'M
fortunate ship, was filled with inmuneralle frap
ments OF wreck, which, by he action of the wind
ana the waves, had been rendered so minute that
thcy seemed TO have been made so by the skill Of he
'"Pchicr' ne Sight was truly melancholy. The
owner den'itied several panels as those which had
belonged TO the i'll -fited ship. Besides the CAPTAIN
and crew, all cfwhom have persisted there wore on
board the VIM. Nelson three passengers viz: Mr.
oo'nmcrvic and his daughters. Mr.. S. was ar
r'ngilsiinan by birth, but had, for many year been
attached to the theatrical profession in the United
States His daughters, who were both under %
years OF age, had been educated in England and Inc
lad come bither for the purpose of conveying them
TO New Orleans. Alas! the hapless father aud his
poor chiIdrcn were doomed to perish in few hours
amer leaving port which they had left in Tie
inhess OF hope and confidence! 1t is worthy Of
remark, that Mr.. Sommcrviile, after putling his
luggage and theatrical dresses on board the DAVID
cannon, Tor New Orleans, was left behind bv that
vessel, which started twelve days ago The WIN
Nelson was the first ship destined for the same
Por'' aho III hcr he and his children unfortunately
embarked Not less than twcntvsix pnr
sons, 1T is estimated, persisted by the wreck oC ,bs
vessel IL is supposed, that there was on board =
young boy who had taken II fancy for the sea and
ran away from his parents in the neipbl,orbood NJ
oGha'i street. From the inquiries OF lis friends
and from some hints which he threw out TO one or
his playmatcs before he Disappeared il is bcIicvoJ
tila lie must have concealed himsclfin th4yeeseI
WIN the intention Of not discovering himself q, 49,
Captain until out nj sea. Wv
he storm continued to rage during the after
noon It's violence aLatcd some " hat towards even
ing and continued comparatively moderate nu,
ten o'clock. From that hour mill u,l,ioL, ill.,
hurricane ragged furiously as it had do, dnr;my
the Day Inc vessels on shore felt its eE.cta .
The GrecIan, which had remained on BurIo R,,k
tii The return of the tide tn zen beat over the B,nk
AN attempt was made to navigate her into The ri
Vor, but size had received much damape in bs,
bottom, 1T was found she made water fast NVLon
erdangcr became imminent, the ca plain Cant NJ
drldge) ordered the boats to be i'm readiness q,
hearing this order, two Of thu crow oot int , |
OF me boat under the lee bow without being per
VnI .aIg ,ftgfl F.T