FISIII;I:.M;:\ > .MI. MORTAL AND RECORD BOOK, 



115 



The Severe Storm of 1839, 



The most distressing event which ever occurred in our harbor was 

 occasioned by the storm of Sunday, December 15th, 1839. From 

 one of our citizens, who witnessed the fury of the storm and watched 

 the doomed vessels as they dashed on the rocks, we glean the follow- 

 ing particulars : 



Saturday, the day previous, was remarkably mild and clear for the 

 season. This induced the masters of many of the Eastern vessels to 

 leave port on their trip to New York, Boston, and further southward. 

 Arriving off Cape Ann, the wind suddenly veered into the south-east, 

 with every indication of a violent storm. Sixty-five of the vessels 

 sought refuge in the harbor, where, in the course of the night and 

 Sunday forenoon, they came to anchor. At noon, the wind blew 

 fearfully, and in the afternoon increased to a terrific gale, with snow 

 and rain, and one of the roughest seas running which had ever been 

 seen on this coast. Its power was indeed terrible ; and the fleet of 

 coasters were watched from the shore by our people with the most 

 intense anxiety, as they knew, if any of the vessels got adrift, there 

 would be need of help to save lives. 



