An exact relation of the late dreadful tempest: or, a faithful account of the most remarkable disasters which hapned on that occasion: The Places where, and Persons Names who suffers by the same, in City and Countrey; the Number of Ships, Men and Guns, that were lost, the miraculous Escapes of several Persons from the Dangers of that CalamityDisaster both by Sea and Land.

By Ingenious Hand, London: Baldwin, 1704

Digital version made available through Google and Stanford University Libraries. The spelling and formatting is original, although the long s has been removed.

On the night of 26 November 1703 (OS), what has been described as the worst storm in the history of the country hit Britain. The Great Storm of 1703 killed thousands of people, and caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage. An exact relation of the late dreadful tempest, written anonymously by an Ingenious Hand, provides an account of it.

p.3SO remarkable and signal a Judgment of GOD on this Nation (as lately befel in the dreadful Tempest, on Saturday Morning the 27th. of November last) no History either forreign or domestick, can parallel. To transmit therefore a distinct and true Account of that unheard of and fatal Accident, and to observe an exact DecorumProper and tasteful behaviour in each particular as much as possible we hope, will nor be unacceptable to the Reader since a Matter of this important Consequence must and will stand as a Monument of the Anger of Heaven, justly pour'd down upon this Kingdom to all, posterity.

I think it convenient, by way of Introduction, to make mention of two or three Instances of this nature, which have made a noise in our English Chronicle; by which we may conceive how this greater Calamity appears as a Goliah to those lesser and dwarfish Disasters, that have happen'd in former times to England.

Before the Reign of Queen Mary nothing occurs worthy of remembrance; but in the fifth Year of her p.4 Reign, 1558, within a mile of the antient Town of Nottingham, so violent a Tempest happened, that all the Houses and Churches within two Miles of that place were beaten down; the Bells were thrown out of the Steeples into the Churchyards thirty foot, and several Rolls of Lead folded up were cast four hundred foot into the fields; all the Trees blown up by the roots with such Impetuosity, that they were cast forty yards off; seven or eight Men killed in the field, and neither their Flesh or Skin torn; a Child, which the careful Father indeavoured to preserve, was by the Violence of the Hurrican driven out of his Arms, and tossed 20 yards high, and perished by the Fall.

In the Year 1571 being the 13th. of Queen Elizabeth on the 17th. day of February, in a Town called Kinnaston, in the County of Hereford, about six a clock in the morning a tempestuous Wind arose; which was followed with a bellowing Noise in the subterraneous Caverns of the Earth; when on a suddain a Hill with a Rock under it, lifted it self on high, and began to travel; bearing along with it the Trees that grew on it, the Sheepfolds, and the Flocks of Sheep that depastured thereon at the same time: In the Place from whence it came, was left a gaping Distance at least forty Foot; and fourscore Ells long; the whole Field was twenty Acres. In its Journey it overthrew a Chappel, removed a Yew-tree, and other Trees in the Church-yard, and all other Oppositions that it met with. This same amazing Hill (the Hurrican of Wind still' continuing) walked from Saturday two a clock in the evening, till Monday noon following.

The other which I would take notice of was the 5th. of September 1659, the Day on which that eminent Usurper, Oliver Cromwel, made his Exit; remarkable for a Storm at Sea, and a Tempest at Land so violentp.5 that the Tops of several Houses were blown down, and particularly a Pinnacle of Somerset-House, where he afterwards lay in state; and as that forerun the Fate of a TyrantA cruel and oppressive ruler unrestrained by law or other people, although the early ancient Greeks used it to refer to anyone with absolute power. of lesler Note, so this (its hoped) attended upon a Tyrant, the greatest and most eminent that ever the World beheld; who has made the Christian Part of Europe the Theatre of War: Each Street, each Field is by his means become an Aceldama, and a bloody Scene of slaughter'd and mangl'd Citizens and Soldiers.

These three foremention'd Tempests were confin'd to particular Places, and the Damage inconsiderable; but this, of which we are now about to speak, both by Sea and Land was universal, destructive, terrible, and amazing. In the first place we will recount all the Accidents and Calamities done within the City of LONDON, the Suburbs, and the adjacent Places; then enumerate the fatal Damages we suffered in the Country; and last of all conclude with our Loss of Ships, and Men at Sea.

THIS so violent a Storm blew from W. S. W. which by its long Continuance, Duration, and Force, gave occasion to the Learned to conjecture that it was long gathering, and came from a far: It was observed by several, that it was mixt with Lightning; and the extraordinary Rumbling, and Noise which was heard in the Air, with the violent Blasts, and Gusts of Wind, resembled the fall and rushing down of Waters with great Impetuosity.

I shall not presume to compute the Particulars of the Damage done by it, in and about the City and Suburbs, both to public Edifices, and private Houses, by the untiling of Roofs, or blowing down of Chimneys.p.6 Part of the Palace of St. James's was blown down, and a Woman killed by the Fall of a Chimney. Her MAJESTY was allarmed, and got up, with his Highness the PRINCE , and all the Maids of Honour, who escaped a signal Danger; For, in the Room where they were, a Stack of Chimneys fell, within few minutes after they had left the same. The Wall of the Garden of the Lord High Treasurer was blown down, and his new built House much damaged. The Garden Wall likewise of St. James's. At Whitehal the Guard-House was damaged, and the Roof thrown down, by which nine Soldiers were much bruised. Part of the Apartment of the Archbishop of York, Lord Almoner, was beat down, and a Footman killed in his bed by a Chimney breaking in upon him. The Duke of Buckingham's House suffered some Damage, and some of his Walls are thrown down in St. James's Park; about 70 Trees were blown down, amongst which the four great Elms, that reared their lofty Heads near the Canal; they were very large, and high, and supposed to be planted by Cardinal Woolsey, when he built Whitehal. The Vanns of the Banquetting-House are blown down, so is a Pinnacle of Northumberland-House, with several Trees in the Garden. The Lead of several Apartments of the NobilityThe highest hereditary stratum of the aristocracy, sitting immediately below the monarch in terms of blood and title; or the quality of being noble (virtuous, honourable, etc.) in character., was folded up; and one Piece, which weighed four hundred Weight, was blown thirty yards from the house which it covered.

Westminster-Abbey, the Repositorium of our Kings, has lost a great deal of Lead, and felt some Damage in so universal a Calamity.

Chelsea-College has likewise suffered in its Roof and Chimneys.

It was observed that a Footman (noted for his Agility of Body, and Swiftness of Motion) being sent by a Noble-man, between two and three of the clock in thep.7 morning, to enquire after the Health of his Relation, was not able to make his way by the Water-side, the Wind blowing so fiercely from thence.

Mr. Mias, an eminent Distiller in Duke Street, Piccadilly, and his Maid-Servant, were killed by the Fall of a Stack of Chimneys; at the same time his Wife was bruised, and knocked down, but being let blood there appears great hopes of her Recovery.

An extraordinary Instance of God's ProvidenceGod or another spiritual entity's protective care and direction. appeared in the Preservation of a Family (7 in number) in Golden-Square, near St. James's, the House being thrown down on them all; they were all taken out from under the Rubbish unhurt, to the Wonder and Amazement of all present; who could not sufficiently admire the Goodness of Heaven, in working so great a Miracle.

A Man was killed in Glashop-Street, near the aforesaid Square.

A Lady that lodged in Suffolk-Street, near the Pall-Mall, run into the street in her Shift, being frightned by the Fall of the Top of the House; but the Chamber-Maid, who lay over her head, was buried in the Ruins; who being afterwards taken cut, and Means used (by blooding, and otherwise) to fetch her to life, she lives to tell the Goodness of GOD toward her in her Preservation.

Most of the Houses as you move from Charing-Cross to the Temple, have (more or less) felt the Effects of the Storm.

The QUEEN's-Bench Walks in the Temple, were wonderfully shattered; particularly that Row of Buildings next White Fryars, were all untile'd, so that it seemed as if it had been done by Hands. The Gentle-men of both Houses were forced to quit their Chambers, for fear of perishing in their Apartments andp.8 walked most of the Night in the Cloysters, or stood on the steps that lead to the Hall, as a Place of Refuge and Security.

The fine Rookery in the Inner-Temple Garden, that had stood there near 300 Years, for the most part is blown down.

Lincolns-Inn and Grays-Inn have suffered in their Buildiugs, and several of their great Trees blown down.

An eminent Divine, in Fleet-street, and his Wife, escaped death very narrowly; for they being terrifyed with the Hurrican, got out of their beds, and went down stairs; they had not been there two Minutes, but they heard a stack of Chimneys fall into the Room where they had reposed all Night.

Mr. Dyer, a Plaisterer, in Dean-Street near Fetter-Lane, being disturbed by the Wind, and getting up, he endeavoured to strike a light, and on a suddain a Stack of Chimneys fell into his Room, and struck him dead immediately: His poor Wife, who stood near him, by the kind Providence of God, only received a small Bruise on her Legs.

The Lead of St. Andrews Holbourn Church is rolled up in folds: Two Boys of that Parish, belonging to Mr. Purefoy, of Cross-Street near Hatton Garden lying together in a Garret, were both unfortunately killed by the Fall of two Chimneys, and covered by the Rubbish; a third was taken up much bruised and hurt, but yet living.

An Old-woman near ninety Years of Age, being willing yet to live, had got out of her Chamber, in Jewen Street, and was killed by a Fall of a Brick-brake,

A Woman and her Child, living near Mr. Peter Saviges, a Distiller in Pye-corner, were killed by the Fall of a Stack of Chimneys.

p.9An Accident, worthy of remembrance, happened to one Mr. Hempson, lying next the Roof in Bell-Savage Inn, near Ludgate-hill; the same being blown down, he was carried to the Ground without any hurt; and, as he declares, knew nothing of the Storm, till he found himself lying on his Bed in the open Street.

How extraordinary an Accident was this! And how ought that Gentleman to contemplate and weigh with himself the eminent Danger the Hand of Heaven has preserved him from, when nothing but Death was to be expected!

All the Leads of Christ-Church Hospital are folded up, and great Damages are done in that antient Foundation.

Several Buildings about Morefields are levied with the Ground, and threescore and eight Trees were blown down in those Fields, (some of which were three Yards in Circumference) and likewise seven of them are broken short off.

In Aldersgate-Street a Man and a Woman were forced into a Cellar by the Fall of a Chimney, and being digged up about eight a clock the next Morning, it was very well worthy of Observation, that the first Question that the Man asked, was, Where were his Breeches? in which were fifty Shillings in Money: And the Woman demanded wrhat was become of her Trunk, in which were some Pieces of Gold; being not at all terrified, and minding their worldly Concerns more than the Danger, out of which they were by a singular Preservation kept alive.

Mr. Simpson, a Person very rich, and a noted Scrivner in Thredneedle-Street, near the Royal-Exchange, was unhappily killed in his Bed by the Fall of a Slack of Chimneys, which forced their way into his Chamber; where the next day he was found with his Body torn inp.10 several Places, and he a miserable Spectacle to all his Neighbours.

A Woman likewise, in Bishopsgate-Street, met with the same Fate by a Stack of Chimneys.

A Child in Lamb's-Alley, without Bishopsgate, being asleep in a Cradle near its Parents bed side, was unhappily killed by die Fall of a Chimney, beating out the Infant's Brains, and mashing the whole Body in its Father's and Mothers Sight; who were kept alive by the pre-ordered Will of God, though the Cradle where the Child lay, was not half a yard distant from their bed side. From hence we may observe, That even Innocency, in a general Calamity, suffers with the Guilty; and the poor Babe is destroyed by the Stroke of Divine Vengeance, whilst the sinful Parents are permitted to stretch out their Lives to a longer Date.

A Pinacle of the Tower was blown down, which had been very remarkable ever since the Days of KING WILLIAM the II.

One Atkins, a Carpenter, in White Cross Street, being desired to get out of his Bed, in a surly maner replied, "He knew not for what Reason"; the Words were scarcely out of his Mouth, when a Chimney fell in upon his Bed, and struck him dead immediately; but his Wife (though close by him) was not at all hurt, having all the Time of the Storm been employed in her Devotion.

A Watchman, near Ratcliff-high-way, in Penitent-Street as he was going his Rounds, was killed by a Fall of Chimneys; being found dead in the middle of the Street, the next Morning, with his Head so crushed, that his Brains lay in the Street.

Two Children were killed in Whitechappel.

And two Women in their Beds, near Hermitage-Bridge; all by the Fall of Chimneys.

p.11Two young Men were wonderfully saved at a Drugsters in Cheapside; the Chamber in which they lodged that Night, was beat down by the Fall of a neighbouring Chimney, which broke through two Floors more, so that (together with the Rubbish) they fell into the Shop without any considerable Hurt; the Fright made them at first insensible, but (being let Blood) they are very well.

A Weaver in Spittle-Fields, happening to come home lrte, had the Misfortune to have a Stack of Chimneys tumble on his Head, just as he was about to have entered in at his own Honse; so that he was found dead the next Morning, overwhelmed with the Bricks and other Rubbish; the unhappy Wife being the first Person (with her poor Children) that saw this ungrateful Object extended at the very Threshold of the Door.

Nor did the River THAMES suffer less than the City: Above a hundred Lighters have been sunk, or staved against London-Bridge.

A Pleasure-boast, that usually lay at anchor before Somerset-House, was blown by the Winds then raging, into a Lighter and sunk the same; where it remained for several Days, as an Object unusual, for the Passengers to wonder at.

Above sixty Lighters and Corn-Barges, were staved between this City and Hammersmith.

A Boat, between Fulham and Cheswick, was overset, with two Men Passengers, a Woman, and a Boy, and a Waterman with all of them perished.

Two Men at Black Fryars, endeavouring to save their Wherry, lost their Lives in the Attempt.

This calamitous Storm swelled the Tide to such a Height, that most of the Cellars in Billingsgate were overflowed; and even Westminster-Hall was full ofp.12 Water on the Sunday following, that the Judges could scarce pass through it on the last Day of the Term.

Between the Bridge and Gravesend abundance of small Vessels were lost.

These East India Ships were driven on Shore.

The Sarah Galley, which was taking in Goods for Leghorn, at Blackwal, broke her Back; and many of her Men, endeavouring to save the Goods, were drowned.

Fourteen Men were drowned in a Wherry, as they were making towards Gravesend.

In the Mint in Surrey, were three Houses blown down, and one Daniel Adds mortally wounded; several Horses and Cows were killed there.

The Spiers of St. Aldermary Church, and St. Mary O-lives are broken down.

A Shooemaker in Barnaby-Street, Southwark, with four of his Family, are said to be almost spoiled with the Fall of Chimneys.

A Man, with his two Childrcn, was destroyed by the Falling of the House, blown down by the Winds, in Bury-Street, betwixt Southwark and Redweighth.

Most of the Inhabitants that live in these Parts by the Water side are mightily damaged by the flowing in of the Tide; for that if you were to compute the Loss they have sustained by the same, It will modestly amount 15000 Pounds.

The Cellars under the Wharfs, where Merchants had placed their Tobacco, Sugar, and other merchandizing Wares, are much damaged by the Inundation.

One Mr. Ball, of Hackney, a rich and eminent Merchant, noted for his singular Piety, was killed by a Fall of Chimneys, at his House in Hackney; and his Maid-p.13Servant likewise dangerously hurt. And one Mr. Ball, a rich Spanish Merchant, living at Turnham-Green, was killed by the like fatal Accident.

My Lady PENELOPE NICHOLAS, Sister to the Right Honorable the late Earl of Northampton, and the present Lord Bishop of London, living at Horsely, in Sussex, with Sir JOHN NICHOLAS, a Learned and Antient GENTLEMAN, was, as it was conceived, killed by the Fall of a Stack of Chimneys; and her Husband (Sir JOHN) was taken out of the Rubbish very dangerously hurt: But the Chirurgeons, who viewed the Body of the Lady PENELOPE, gave in their Opinion, That her Ladyship being between eighty and ninety Years of Age, was killed by the Fright of that most terrible Storm; and though her Leg was broke, yet no Blood nor Matter flowing from it, she was dead before the Fall of the Chimney.

Cambridge, the Nursery of Learning and Education, felt the Effects of this violent Hurrican. St Mary's, the University Church, was battered by the Winds, and the Front fell into the Church, and broke a new, and extraordinary Organ to pieces, which cost near 1500 Pounds.

The Chappel of Kings College, built by the pious King Henry the 6th. has lost many of her Pinnacles; and the Glass Windows, in which were admirably painted the History of the Old and New Testament, the best of that Sort in England, have been much shattered by the Storm, The Trees in Kings College Walks are blown down, and the greatest Flood followed this Hurrican as has been known for many Ages: All the Walks of Kings College, &c. were drowned.

The Town of Lodden, in the County of Norfolk, was for the most part consumed with Fire, during the late violent Tempest.

p.14At another Town in that County, called Rittlesworth, a Lady, (whose Name was Bury) and a young Gentlewoman, her near Kinswoman, being in Bed together, were killed by the Fall of a Stack of Chimneys; while two Maid-servams in the same Room, escaped without any Hurt. A great Barn in the Neighbourhood, is also blown down; yet three Servants who where in it at the same time escaped without Hurt, and a fourth was only bruised. The Letters add, That most of the Churches have suffered much in their Steeples, Roofs, and Windows.

In the County of Monmouth the late Storm has broke down Chepstow-Bridge, and the Severn has done much Damage in the Marshes; the Walls and Fences that were to keep out the Sea arc broken down, and a vast Tract of Land under Water.

We have Information that Thomas Lanier, Esq; near Crenbrook in the Wild of Kent, at his antient Mansion House, called Pump-House, by the signal and particular Care of Heaven escaped Death. The Manner thus; A great Stack of Chimneys fell down, and carried with it Mr. Lanier, his Bed, and the Floor into the Cellar; and yet neither the Master or any Servant, received any Hurt.

It would be an endless Employment to give you an Account of every particular Damage. Bedfordshire, Oxford, and most of the Inland Counties suffered in this so general a Misfortune.

In the Town ot Northampton great Damages have been done, and particularly at Reading in Berkshire , where the great Church is almost beat down, and most of the Houses of the Town are shattered and untiled; and several Persons hurt and wounded.

A Corn-Wind Mill belonging to Francis Cherry, Esq; of the parish of Shotsbrooke, in the said County ofp.15 Berks, was by this impetuous Storm, by the rapid Turning and quick Motion of the Sails set on Fire, and the Mill burnt down: It was not without great Labour and Industry, that the Town was not set on Fire. There is no dispute, but the Lightning which accompanied this Storm, set fire on the Sails.

The greatest Damages appeared in the West of England, the North having suffered but little.

Portsmouth looks like a Town bombarded by the Enemy: There have been two Persons kill'd in this Town by the fall of a House.

At Bristol, the Church of St. Stephen is almost blown down: The Pinnacles of the said Church are blown into the High-way: The Inundation overflowed the Cellars, and the four Tide men were drown'd saving the Effects of the Merchants of this Place, and above a thousand HogsheadsLarge casks, or measures of capacity of about 50 imperial gallons. of Sugar, and Fifteen hundred Hogsheads of Tobacco are damnified in the Cellars; all being flooded by the Tide. The Losses of this City amount to at least 20000 l. besides the Damage at Sea. The Damages done in the Marsh, are very deplorable; several Families, and above Eighty Souls, are drowned by the Inundation upon this Place in the late Storm.

The Right Reverend Dr. Kidder, Bishop of Bath and Wells, and his Lady, were killed at Wells by a fall of a Stack of Chimnies. We see that even the Mitre can't preserve this Ancient Learned Bishop from the Accidents of Fate: Destiny has no regard to Learning in a general Loss: He was a Person Eminent for his Knowledge in Hebrew and Arabick, a Grave and Excellentp.16 Divine, who has for 15 Years presided over that Diocess with great Honour, ClemencyShowing forgiveness and mercy in the act of judging punishment., and Piety.

The Inhabitants of Bridport in Dorsetshire were alarm'd and frightened, they being as much damaged as most places in the West. The Houses as well Tiled as Thatched, were most of them uncovered, and very many in the adjacent Villages quite blown down, two Men in their Houses being kill'd, besides divers Cattle: Trees of all sorts, of the greatest Size, torn up by the Roots as well Oaks, whose Roots are large and spreading, as Elms, &c. Corn and Hay-ricks blown away beyond recovery. The Damage appears incredible, and so will the Narration of this Calamity to all but who are Eye-witnesses. The Inhabitants have but small Prospect of Cyder the next year, all the Orchards being in a great measure plowed.

In some Parishes adjacent to this Town there is scarce a House, but what is very considerably damaged.

This Tempest reached even to Blandford and the Lead of several Parish Churches was rolled up. like a Scrole of Parchment.

The Town of Plimouth received much Damage, several of the Houses being blown down, and the Harbour almost ruined. It will cost 1060 l. to repair it.

Nor has the Town of Falmouth met with better Usage; the Houses there are shattered down, and the Castle of Pendennis, a famous piece of Antiquity, received great Damage.

The Light House at Plimouth on the Eddeston, which was so beneficial to the Mariners, and erected by the Ingenious Mr. Winstanely is blown down, and Mr. Winstanely, the Inventer, with two more is thrown into the Sea.

p.17The loss of Mr. Winstanley is very considerable to this Kingdom, he being the most extraordinary Person in this Nation, for Inventions of that Nature, might have lived to have done great Good; besides, he was upon several Projects of great Consequence; one of which was the Fishery, in which he proposed to employ 200000 Men. When he was taken by a Privateer, and carried to France, from Eddey-stone, he was conveyed to the Presence of the French King, who had heard of him, and commended him for several of his Ingenious Inventions, and particularly that of the Light-House, and offered him 2000 Loui-d'ores per An. if he wonld serve him, which Mr. Winstanely generously refused... Most of the Counties of South Wales have suffered extreamly by the Storm, and the Inundadation there, in several Marshes, have drowned above 150 Families, with their small Houses and Cottages....,The loss at Sea is that which more particularly concerns us; the Ships being the Walls of the Kingdom; and till they are beaten down, no Foreign Power will be able to let footing on this Shore. These floating Castles are the Bulworks which make our Island so terrible abroad; and since the Conquest, when we have had a great Fleet, neither France or Spain have presumed to invade our Coasts, but they have been beaten back with Shame and Infamy on their Part, and Renown and Terror of our Arms on our Side. The Spanish Invasion in 1588, when his Holiness had Christened the Fleet Invincible, was baffled by a small number of Ships; the best part of them being sunk, and the rest scattered by a Tempest on the Coast of Scotland, so that sew or none returned to Spain. France In the lare War felt the Force of our Marine Power, when in the Sea-Fight, between the Earl of Oxford and Marshal Tourvil; they lost 21 of their Capital Shipsp.18 amongst which was the Royal-Sun, a first Rate of 110 Guns, the Paintings and Decorations of which Man of War, cost 50000 /. which valuable Loss, and considerable Damage, has incapacitated the French Tyrant from domineering on the Brittish Seas; nor seems it probable that he will ever be able again to Man a Fleet capable of facing us in the Ocean -------. Tho', upon the first view, our Loss at Sea seemed terrible and destructive, yet we found by the daily coming in of the Fleet and Men of War, and the numbers of Seamen, who were supposed drowned, to arrive safe, that we have not suffered near so much as our fears suggested to us at first. Our Harbour at Deal has been witness of our greatest Sufferings, and Goodwin-Sands, notorioully known in all Ages for swallowing up our Naval Forces, has in his devouring Gulph suckt in our choicest Ships and Men, which we have lost on this tremendous Occasion: Upon the rising of the Storm, the Ships in the Downs hoped to weather it by Anchoring, but most of them, maugre all their Industry, were born down by the Impetuosity of the Storm, and among the rest, these Men of War, the Northumberland, the Restoration, the Sterling-Castle, the Mary, and the Mortar-Bomb. The Northumberland and Restoration were cast away in the Back of the Sands, Captain Greenway the Commander of the Northumberland, a Ship of 70 guns, and all the Men perished, which were 220, including 24 Mariners. The Restoration a third RateA British navy ship of the line, carrying between 64 and 80 guns, usually with two gun decks., at 70 Guns likewise, Captain Emmes Commander; all her Company was lost to a Man, that were on board, with the Captain, being 391 Men. The Mortar Bomb, a 5th Rate, Captain Raymond Commander, lost, and all the Company, on the said Goodwin-Sands, being in number 65. The Sterlingp.19 Castle, a third Rate, of 70 Guns, Captain Johnson Commander, lost on the Goodwin-Sands; the Captain, the third Lieutenant, the Chaplain and the Cook were saved by Deal-Hookers, who ventured in their Boats, with about 70 Men, of which, four were Marine Officers, the rest were drowned, being 206. A very remarkable Preservation attended a Person belonging to the Mary, who floating upon a Wreck, from Saturday about till Sunday Morning, about was by a Wave washt off, and expecting nothing else but immediate Death, was conveyed by another Wave, on a large Wreck of the Sterling-Castle, where 70 Men were struggling with the Waves, where he remained with them till 3 in the Afternoon, about which time they all sensibly perceived, that the Wreck could not bear them any longer, and when they expected nothing but Ruin, it pleased Providence to bring Mr. Marsham, a Son of Sir F. Marsham, with the Deal-Hookers, who saved them all. The Mary, a 4th Rate, 64 Guns, Captain Edward Hopson Commander, in which was the Worthy Admiral Basil Beaumont, Esq; a Gentleman of a very antient House in Yorkshire; Captain Hopson, and his Purser, by good Fortune happned to be a-shore, the rest, with the Noble Admiral, who meritted a better Fate, which were in number 269, perished, except the Person who was miraculously thrown by a Wave on the Wreck, where 70 Men were floating of the Sterling-Castle. The Admiral used all means possible to save his Life: He stood on the Deck, and to encourage the People to venture to save him, he shewed Plate and Money, by holding it on high: when he saw that no hope of Safety appeared from Shore, and that the Deal-Hookers, nor any other Person dare presume to venture to the Place, where hisp.20 Ship was lowed by the Sands; the Admiral, with his Chaplain, (a Man of better Morals than generally Sea-Chaplains are of) and the Chyrurgion, (after that the Chaplain had recommended himseif and his two Companions to the Mercy of God, in a short Ejaculation) quitted the Mary, on a Piece of the Quarter-Deck, but the People, who viewed this ungrateful Sight from the Land, saw, after a short time, first the Chaplain, then the Chyrurgion, and last the Admiral, washt off, and so, without any dispute, Drowned. This Admiral was a Man entirely in the Interest of his Queen, a true English-man, one that scorned Flattery or Bribery, capable of performing great things, having tor two Years past performed his Duty with admirable Conduct; having blockt up Ponti, and all his Squadron, for a whole Season, in the Harbour of Dunkirk; and he, that Year, prevented the great Designs which were to be performed by Ponti, and machinated at Versailes; he scoured and cleared the Northern Seas of Privateers and French-men of War; Convoyed our Russia Merchant-men, and others, safely into our Harbours; performed all the Parts of a complete Admiral: Always Invincible against the common Enemy, and only to be conquered by the Hand of Fate-----.The Fleet under Sir Cloudesly Shovel, to-wit, the Triumph, St. George, Royal-Oak, and Cambridge, rid-out the Storm, since which, they got in near the Gunfleet; and the Association in which is Admiral Fairborne, with the Russel, Revenge, and Dorsetshire, are come into Ousley-Bay-----. The loss of the Ships at Falmouth, at first appeared dreadful, it being given out, that 400 or 500 Colliers perished there: It's true, most of them, and the other Ships, were forced from their Anchors, but the Colliers are most of them safe.p.21The Reserve, a 4th Rate, of 70 Guns, Captain John Anderson Commander, having lost all her Malt, foundered, and sunk in the Road, having 190 Men on board, who all miserably perished with her, but 20 who were saved; the Captain, Surgeon, and Clerk, were on Shore with their two Boats, and 25 Men, to buy Provisions; Captain Sauderson of the Marines and his 2 Lieutenants, and 20 Men, are saved: Several Corn- Vessels are lost, as Samuel Spicer Mr. John Mason Mr. and also James Tompson missing——. The Line and Margat rode out of the Storm, but are greatly damaged. The Bonadventure of London, Andrew Painter Master, from Russia, falling foul on a laden Collier, is lost, but most of the Men were saved——. At Portsmouth, above 30 Sail were missing, but several of them are since come in. The Newcastle, a 4th Rate, Captain Carter Commander, was lost at Spithead, the Carpenter, and 39 Men were saved, the rest, being 193, drowned. The Vesuvius Fireship, a 5th Rate, Captain Paddon Commander, all her Company were saved, being 48, and there are hopes to get her off . On the Coast of Sussex, were lost the Eagle Advice-Boat, a 6th Rate, Captain Bullock Commander, all her Company, being 45, saved. The Resolution, a 3d Cate, Captain Lisle Commander, was lost, but all her Company, being 221, saved. The Litchfield Prize, a 5th Rate, Captain Chamberlaine Commander, on the Coast of Sussex, was lost, all her Company, being 108, saved; and it's hoped to get her off—. The Vanguard, a 2d Rate, which was brought in to be rebuilt, was sunk in Chatham Harbour, with neither Men nor Guns in her. The loss in Bristol Harbour, consists most in Merchant-men, some of them being drove into Kingsroad and Hungroad, and lost. The Richard andp.22 John are lost, but most of their Men are preserved; six Lighters, laden with Goods, sunk in Hungroad. The George and Grace sunk. The Canterbury Store-ship, which was supposed to be lost, is safe. The Sherain rid out the Storm, but the Arundel is very much shattered, and still in great danger, but there is hopes still to get her off: 16 Saylers, with the Captain of the Canterbury, are drowned. The Effects of the Merchant-men which were lost here, are mostly computed to be worth 100000 /. besides, the Ships and Boats At Plymouth, the Winchelsea of London, Captain Road Commander from Virginia, was cast away on the Eddey-stone, and only the Captain, and six of his Men were saved. The Hopeful and Aim of London were cast away. The Walker-Galley of London, laden with Corn, sunk.... At Falmouth, the Wind was so high and violent, that all the Ships in this Harbour were driven on Shore from their Anchors, but all are got off again, except the Mansbridge Packet-Boat, which with all the Men in it are lost. A Danish Ship, is in great danger of being lost ...At Dartmouth, a Merchant-ship, a Sweed of considerable Burthen from Bourdeaux, was cast away upon the Bolt-Land or Point, and all her Men were drowned, and her lading of Wines, except only two Casks, lost.

p.23 A Postscript

SO great was the Damage thro' the Western Parts of this Kingdom, that in so short a time it's impossible to be informed of all the Losses that have happened to the several Counties. We hear from the County of Gloucester that part of the Cathedral Church, and part of the Tower, together with part of the Buildings called Babylon, belonging to the College, are blown down, the Damage in this City is computed at 12000 l. In the Country, at a Place called HighBridge, the Tide broke into a small Tenement, where upon the Man and his Wife made to the Top of the House, thinking to preserve their Lives, but in the interim, the House fell down and killed them, but a Child in a Cradle was miraculously preserved, and found alive the next Day, floating in the Cradle. Above 15000 Sheep have been drowned in the Villages near this City, by the impetuous Inundation of the Severn; the Waters appeared above the Severn Banks above 3 Foot, for some Miles together: To repair the Sea-walls will cost 5000 /. at least. The Duke of Beaufort's Lossin this County, and at Pagland Castle, is supposed to be 5 or 6000 /. . The Dutchess Dowager, his Mother, has likewise suffered very considerably. The Lord Firthardius, Earl of Berkley, has lost all the Ground which his Ancestors formerly regained from the Severn, which is 3 or 400 per Annum. Several Families at Hyll, near Berkley, in this County, are confined to their Housce,and their Husbands and Servants, in Boats, are employed in carrying Provision to support them, till the Watersp.24 abate. The Church of Berkley is almost destroy'd, several Tuns of Lead being, carried off with great violence, at least 30 Foot, to the amazement of the Spectators. At Firford, in the same County, a Thunderbolt fell on a Stack of Chimneys which falling down, divided the Roof of the House, so that the Lightning entred, and singed a Gentlewoman as she lay in her Bed; she is speechless, and no hopes of her Life remain.... From the Isle of Ely we hear, That the Cathedral Church is so damaged, that 4000 /. will not repair it, it being of very great Antiquity; The Steeple of the Church of St. Ives is blown down in the said Island ----. From Cowes, in the Isle of Wight, we have an Account of a Virginia Ship, lost in the late Storm, off of Hurst Castle, with 500 Hogsheads of Tobacco on board; the Master and Mate, and all the Men lost, except 4, who died after they had got on Shore. A Tyn-Vessell was seen to perish near this Coast, with all the Persons that were in it. This so unexpected a Loss, as it invaded us on the sudden, so it made us the more sensible of the Damage: Tho' we find daily, that our Loss at Sea is not so great, (as some Enemies to the Government would make it) yet it must be acknowledged, that the Fire of London, whose uncontrolled and flaming Rage laid in Ashes our Metropolis, was not so considerable a Misfortune, as this never to be forgotten Disaster.