Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-09-22
HE1}ORdNDd-

n.
Brig Philip Doddridge, Mckenzie, at Cadiz
Schooner Alexandria, Brtton, hence at New
York 18th.
Memoranaa.-The following extract of let.
ter from Capt Lambert, Of the brig May Dacre
TO the owners, gives particular account Of the
disasters which befel the vessel on her passage
from Boston to Valparaiso:
VALPARAISO June 5th, 1884.
GENrLEMEN-After a long and very unfortu-
nate passage Of l25 days. | have, through Gods
mercy, been permitted to arrive here in safety,
but with the good brig May Dacre very much
shattered, for since last wrote you We have
been torn to pieces by lightning the particulars
of which are as follows:-On the 25th of March,
while in latitude or betwiXt the latitude Of "a
and AZ, S. and lon. between 81 and SO, w. we
had a most gloomy, stormy night, with much
forked lightning. At O'Clock in the morning.
the lightning struck our main top-gallant mast
head, stove that into splinters, descended down
the topmast between the eye of the lower rig
ging and mast to the deck, where it exploded
with most tremendous report-lt ripped up the
deck amdships, the partners and comins of the
mast. and went into the hold, where the electric
fluid separated again, one part flying aft through
the cabin door, staving every thing in pieces in
its course, but the other most fatal passed out
through the briggs side, close to the waters edge
starting on all the bends amidships, and great
quantity of the copper, leaving the brig on fire
inside, and filled with supher smoke. Who can
attempt to describe the appearance of things
upon deck? If was to write forever, could
not give YOU an idea of it-there was a total
wreck over head, the ship on fire below, and
said to be sinking; however, we did not despair,
but used every eXertion, and soon succeeded IN
extnuuishng the fire before it had done much
damage But had it taken the ten barrels OF al
cohol, which it went within three inches OF, we
should all have been launched into eternity be-
fore We had time to make our peace with God
or man. A great quantity Of water went into
the hole before we could get the rent stopped,
for we had to stop the hole outside as well as
as We could, Just to keep her from slnkIng--ln
doing which, we stove our surf boat but you
NAV depend we were not idle during the whole
of that day till We cleared the wreck, and Sc
cured the mainmast so that we could carry
whole maintopsail in light wind. After getting
over the disaster, in measure, and we scratch
ing along as well as We could, (for we could
make but poor Roadway with very lame side,
crippled mainmast, and the copper dragging a
cat by the tail, if may be allowed the expires"
sion. we fell in with on the lst OF April ano-
Their very dangerous impeachment, islands OF Ice,
which we did not get clear of for six days, part
oc the time the wind blowing violent gale, and
and we completetely surrounded by ice; but we
had the good luck not to strike any OF it.
AT length. after encounterng all these Difficult
Ties and many other smaller ones, we entered
the Straits of Magellan, 95 days from Boston,
II being the worst season of the year, we had
very bad weather through the Straits. On the
lst of May, while lying in snug haroor, dur
ing a gale of wind, we were attacked 0y the
Terra del Fuego Indians, but we soon slenceo
them with our cannonades and muskets, for we
were prepared, having been informed by the
captain of u sealing schooner, that they had
tried to take the Avon; he also informed us that
the Avon had lost both Of her cables and amen.
ors, but was fortunate in getting an anchor OUT
| of Baltimore schooner, and succeeded In get
ting through the Straits. | came out OF the
Straits with fine breeze, but it was not long
before we met with our old companions, gales
of wind and heavy seas. While in the Straits
we had almost continued rain and snow, and
taking altogether our brig looks like the picture
of distress. She is not only stove to pieces, but
the paint is washed off. what there is left whole,
and the sea has washed her trail boards off her
head This being the first port where we could
repair, made for il with all might, and arrived
here on the oath. The brignow is in an advanced
state of forwardness as regards her repairs.
shall proceed as fast as possible, and the mo-
ment my cargo is replaced, proceed on my
lvoyage. Next opportunity you shall receive
INV protest and accounts. My carpenter and