The republic., 1851-01-04
Minors Rock LIGHTHOUSE,
Sunday ninhi LII n,clnc L

Mr.. EDITOR These last forty eight hours have
been the most terrific that have witnessed for
many year would fain withhold my pen, but
the promise made you .compels me TO send you
this statement Since last evening, at p. M, we
have been accompanied by n friend of mine Gan
attorney of your city, TO whom will privately, II
he reaches Boston, refer you or any one who
wishes To know what this place is) whoCamcdown
with little expectation of witnessing such gale as
this IL commenced as soon as he placed his foot
our deck have watched him during the terrific
violence of the gale, and, when my own courage
almost failed me, with astonishment no man
ifestations of fear ON his brow The raging vio-
lence of the no man can appreciate unless he Is
a eye witness INCREASINGLY we had been lashed
with its fury, and, should the wind back again to
the northeast, fear all will be up with us.
When engaged to keep this lighthouse, little
did | think that my heart which had never for
twenty five years, the most boiserous regions,
failed me, would treinble at any thing here But
here things perceive, still in the back ground,
To shake stouter heart than mine and so preca-
rious is present situation, that there Is pros
pect that this may never reach you The rods put
into the lower section bent up in fantastic
shapes; some are torn asunder from their fasten-
ings the ice is massive that there is appear
ance of the ladder; the is running at least
twenty. five feet above the level, and each roars
like a heavy peal of thunder; the northern part OF
the foundation is split, and the light house shakes
| at least two feet each way. | feel sick as
| ever did on board ship
! Think not that / will ever finch from post,
| thOuBn the waves gam Hlastcty WHiSn
they are 80 necessarily striving. When accepted
the post closed my cars against the reports OF the
| former keeper, treating them (as now hnd) too
| lightly, and here shall remain 30 long as WIS.,
tige of the lighthouse remains but the truth must
be told. My report to the collector contains more
minute account of the effect the gale has had upon
us. At intervals an appalling stiffness prevails
| creating inconceivable dread, each gazing with
| brcathless emotion at one another; but the next
moment the deep roar of another roller Is heard
seeming as if it would tear up the very rocks be-
meath as il bursts upon us-the lighthouse, quiver
ing and trembling to its very centre, RECEIVERS ise
| lust in time to breast the fury OF another anc
| another as they roll in upon with resistlest
| force
Our lanthorn windows are all iced up outside al
| inch thick, although we have fire continually
burning; and il is not without imminent peril tina
| we can climb up outside to scrape il of, which
have done several times already. i have a drcao
of some striking against us, although we have
| kept the bell constantly ringing all night. Ou
water is a solid of ice in the casks, which W.
| have been obliged to cut TO pieces with an axe err
| we could obtain any TO drink Our situation L
perilous. If any thing happens ere day dawn upoI
| US again we have no hope of escape. But shall
il it be Gods WILL die in the performance of IN,
duty.
p. 5. have put copy of this in bottle, will
the hope IT may be picked up in case of any accden
to us.
JOHN w. BENNETT, Keeper.
NAVAL $. ship Albany, hence ith ult. 70
Gulf of Mexico, spoken 18th ult., latitude %
Ia, longitude 60o 81.
u. ;. frigate Constitution, and storeship Erie. 10
New York, which had been wind bound at Gibral
tar, sailed thence December ,, with strong east
crly wind, which continued the 5th blowin
almost a gale. Old Ironsides distanced the Who'll
fleet of about one hundred sail of many nations.
| Boston DatlU .fdperfiser. 2d