Volcano Seasons
Weather reports from northern Britain, 1783
Presented here are reports relating to weather in 1783 from two northern English newspapers, the east-coast Newcastle Courant, and the west-coast Cumberland Pacquet (published in Whitehaven). [My own occasional comments appear in square brackets.]
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 4 Jan 1783: On Monday and Tuesday, the 23d and 24th of Dec. a Farmer near Lanchester, about twelve miles south west from this town, was employed in leading his crop of oats from off about 200 acres of land: A circumstance not in memory; yet, what is more remarkable, this crop was in better condition than what the same Farmer had earlier, owing to the late favourable weather.
According to the hint in our last, we learn that the Farmers seem determined to bring their Wheat to Market as fast as possible, as the act for allowing the importation of Corn, will, it is evident, considerably lower the prices.*
From the fineness of the weather, the farmers in this county have been remarkably busy in preparing their ground for feed; and we learn, that a great quantity has been sown in the course of last week.
[*The hint, published in the Courant on 28 Dec 1782, was:] "The Bill for allowing the importation of wheat, wheat flour, rye, rye flour, and all other kinds of grain, having on the 23d instant received the Royal Assent, and passed into a law, it is extremely material for the farmer, and to all those who have corn to dispose of, to bring it to market as quickly as possible, now while the prices are so very high, as the importation, which will of course take place without delay, must inevitably operate in bringing down the price of all kinds of grain in a little time."
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 11 Jan 1783: We learn from Stokesley, that a farmer in Bilsdale, near that place, cut down a part of his crop of corn on Christmas-Eve, and gathered it in on the day after New-year's day.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 11 Jan 1783: It is with much satisfaction we hear, that the Duke of Northumberland, considering the great distress to which the poor in general are at present reduced by the scarcity and very high price of corn, has ordered one hundred pounds to be laid out at Alnwick, in purchasing that commodity, to supply those of the neighbourhood who are in necessitous circumstances, at a reasonable and moderate price.— An example of that generous and benevolent disposition, we hope, will raise a spirit of philanthropic emulation in the breast of every independent gentleman in the county.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 14 Jan 1783: The greatest part of Thursday and Friday last it blew a smart gale of wind here: and early on Saturday morning the Benson, Capt. Wood, which left Liverpool the 3d inst. (bound for the West Indies) was put in here. She came on at ebb tide, took the ground near the end of the bulwark, and has received some damage.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 18 Jan 1783: Saturday last, at Edinburgh, between one and two o'clock, there was a most remarkable shower of hail, accompanied with wind, that had been known in the memory of man. There was, at the same time, though not perceptible, undoubtedly a great deal of lightning, as a number of chimneys were set on fire. The violence of the wind, likewise, was so very great as to unroof a number of houses in the city and suburbs. Several other blasts, though not so tremendous, took place during the afternoon and evening.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 15 Feb 1783: Wednesday se'nnight, at night, there was the most lightning that has been observed at Whitehaven for many years, and the flashes of the longest continuance.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 15 Feb 1783: For the NEWCASTLE COURANT.
If you think the following account of the extraordinary fall of the Barometer on Sunday last, will be of any use or entertainment to your readers, you are at full liberty to publish it, from Your humble servant, J.R.
Westgate-street, Newcastle, Feb. 12th, 1783.
On Saturday night last the 8th inst. and early on Sunday morning, we had some gentle showers, with moderate gales of wind from the south west quarter. On Sunday afternoon the barometer situated at about 120 feet above the level of the sea, stood at exactly 28 inches and 2-10ths: Farenheit's thermometer in the open air, and a northern aspect, was then at 45. About ten o'clock the same evening, the wind shifted towards the S.E. and the barometer sunk 1-10th of an inch lower. The next morning the wind was again S.W. and the barometer rose about 2-10ths, and kept gradually rising until Tuesday, when it was at 29½ inches.
The weather on Sunday was moderate, but hazy, with some slight showers and gentle gales of wind; but on Monday and Tuesday it was remarkably fine. To what cause then shall we attribute so remarkable a fall of the mercury in the barometer? The atmosphere has frequently been affected by great storms at a considerable distance, and probably we may hear of something of this kind from the Bay of Biscay, or from our own southern coasts.
Very accurate registers of the weather were kept by the Medical Society at Edinburgh, for five years, from the first of June 1731; and by the late Dr Huxham at Plymouth, for 20 years, from January 1728. Upon comparing these registers, kept at about 450 miles distance, several observations occur to justify the above conjecture; particularly upon the 14th of December 1734, the barometer at Edinburgh stood at 28 inches with a moderate south wind, the weather cloudy and hazy, but little or no rain (Medical Essays, Vol. 4th, p14). At Plymouth the barometer stood, the same day, at 28 2-10ths, but the Edinburgh barometer was elevated 240 feet higher above the level of the sea than the Plymouth one; therefore allowing, according to Dr Halley, 1-10th of an inch fall of the mercury for every 90 feet elevation, the two barometers did not differ above 1-20th of an inch. But the appearances in the weather were very different; for Huxham records the weather about Plymouth at that time to have been most horribly tempestuous, with a vehemently raging south wind and heavy rain, from which the barometer was so wonderfully depressed, and the country round was overflowed with great inundations (Pluvia, procellosa, horrida, tempestas, &c. Libs vehemens persurebat sapissime, gravi subinde cum pluvia: inde barometrum erat frequenter mire depressum. Jam magna sunt inundationes undique.— Huxham, observationes de aera. Vol. 1. p. 100).
These, and many similar observations, shew the great utility of accurate registers of this kind; and I apprehend it would contribute much to the advancement of natural knowledge, and to the comforts and conveniences of life, if observations of this sort in distant places were properly authorized, and made a constant part of periodical publications. Perhaps they might be as beneficial to the public, as the register of the political barometer kept at Lloyd's.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 1 Mar 1783: To the PRINTER of the NEWCASTLE COURANT.
You find from the various accounts of storms, and inundations in the south about the ninth inst. that my conjecture relative to the extraordinary depression of the barometer on Sunday se'nnight was pretty near the truth. I have now to trouble you with an account of almost as extraordinary a rise of the Mercury of the barometer, for during the space of one week, viz. from the 9th to the 16th inst. it rose from 28.15 to 30.6. The variation was therefore 2.45 inches.
I have carefully examined all the authentic registers in my possession, but do not find any thing near so great a variation, within so small a compass of time, and shall be glad if any of your correspondents can produce a similar instance. Dr Huxham's barometer at Plymouth was situated about 90 feet lower than mine; the Mercury, therefore, caeteris partibus ought to be 1-10th of an inch higher. Now in 20 years his barometer rose but twice to 30.7, and nine times to 30.6; and all these observations were in the winter months, viz. between the 14th of November, and the 27th of February; in all of them the wind was between the No. and E.N.E. points, and commonly very gentle.
At Edinburgh, upon the 28th of August, 1732, the barometer is recorded to have stood at 31.1 : and at Nurembergh, upon the 14th of December 1734, the day I mentioned in my last, at 27.8, which is the lowest that I have yet been informed of; but so sudden and large a rise as that last week, I no where meet with.
If we consider the effect of these different pressures of the atmosphere upon animal bodies and constitutions, they must be of consequence. The whole surface of the body of a middle-sized man is generally computed at about fifteen square-feet, or 2160 square inches, and a cubic inch of Mercury, is found to weigh 8.101 oz. avoirdupoise, therefore on the 9th inst. when the Mercury stood at 28.15, the whole pressure of the atmosphere upon a man's body must have been 30785 lib. or 274 cwt. 3 qrs. 13 lb. and on the 16th inst. when it rose to 30.6, it must have been 33465 lib. or 298 cwt. 3 qrs. 5lb. the difference of pressure then in one week was 2680 lib. or 23 cwt. 3 qrs. 20 lb. which must have a considerable effect not only upon the organs of respiration, and the circulation of the blood, but as it amounts to above 1-12th of the whole, from the greater density of air, a proportionably greater quantity of those vivifying particles so necessary to animal life and health, are received at every inspiration, so that both from reason and observation, those seasons are generally reputed the healthiest in which the barometer is high.
I am, Sir, Your's, &c. J.R.
Westgate-Street, Feb. 20, 1783.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 4 Mar 1783: Since our last a great deal of snow has fallen in this part, and the weather has been more severe than at any time this winter.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 8 Mar 1783: Accounts of the crops in England the last season, sent us by a gentleman who has been over the greatest part of the kingdom; viz. Kent, Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, wheat much mildewed; a good middling crop for three quarters an acre; this year, but two: barley worth but little. Northamptonshire, Leicester, Nottingham, Bucks, &c. wheat good, about three quarters; barley very bad. The counties upon the south coast, wheat about two quarters, and very indifferent barley. In the North, wheat middling, but spring corn of all sorts very bad. It is generally calculated throughout the kingdom, that the wheat crop fell short upon an average between a third and a fourth of the common produce; and that the barley and oat crops fell short full half. It is expected to prove the most fatal winter to farmers that has been known these 30 years.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 8 Mar 1783: The uncommonly wet seasons of last year having had an unusual effect on barley, and in particular on that which was got in black, not above half sprouting on the malting-floor, though it had not grown or sprouted in the field, it is earnestly requested that the farmers will not sow black barley without first trying it in their gardens, to prevent disappointment in the present year's crop. [Repeated without credit in the Cumberland Pacquet, 11 Mar]
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 8 Mar 1783: This week, the weather has been very severe, with heavy winds from the S.E. and strong frosts, with falls of snow; the barometer as low as 28 5-10ths.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 11 Mar 1783: A correspondent expresses his astonishment that so little notice has been taken of the great variation of the weather for some time past. On the 9th ult. the barometer was at twenty eight inches, which is the lowest it has been seen at; on the 16th of the same month it was at thirty inches and a half. Thirty one is the highest in the memory of any person living, and this the greatest variation perhaps ever known, in so short a space as six days. [This sounds suspiciously like disguised plagiarism of the Courant's piece on 1 March]
Tuesday evening and Wednesday it blew a violent gale of wind here from the East and S.E. and a great deal of snow fell; the latter day was by much the severest that has been felt here this winter.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 11 Mar 1783: It is to be feared that much mischief has been done in the channel by the late gale of wind. A vessel was lost near the Water of Ore, and it is supposed that all on board perished; on Sunday the quarter-deck, two masts, other materials belonging to the ship, and two women's hats came on shore. Another vessel is reported to be lost on Robin Rig Sands; and Capt. Gurley of the Hussar cruizer, who arrived here yesterday, says he fell in with a great deal of wreck at sea.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 15 Mar 1783: Extract of a letter from Whitby, March 3.
"Last Friday night the weather being very thick, and a great fall of snow, the Whitbourn, in ballast, drove on the rocks at Robinhood's Bay, and it is feared will be entirely lost: The crew were saved."
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 22 Mar 1783: The sloop Industry, belonging to York, burthen 50 tons, Joshua Ashton, master, bound to Whitby with timber, on the 4th instant, off Hornsea, met with a violent gale of wind, which continued till the 6th, when the master, for the preservation of the sloop, crew, and cargo, put her on shore to the northward of Whitby harbour, not being able to make the port, the vessel being then very leaky.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 22 Mar 1783: Extract of a letter from Aberdeen, March 10.
"On Thursday [sic, but presumably meaning Tuesday] last in the evening came on a violent gale of wind at S.E. which increased to a hurricane all Wednesday and Thursday. The following are such particulars of the damage as we have been able to learn. The Lady Grant, Malkam, from Berwick with oatmeal; and the Janet, MacFarlane, from Alemouth with oats, were run ashore. At low water the crews got on shore; but one woman passenger died shortly after she was brought out. By the spirited exertion of the magistrates, and the North Fencibles, great part of the cargoes have been saved."
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 29 Mar 1783: A remarkable incident has just happened here, a pair of crows have built their nest upon the spire above the vane on the Exchange; and they are still exceeding busy in compleating it, they have met with great obstructions from other crows repeatedly by force taking away their materials, notwithstanding the courageous resistance of the owners: and what is still more remarkable, the iron rod whereto the vane is fixed goes through the centre of the nest, and turns it with every change of wind.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 5 Apr 1783: This week we have had the mildest weather ever remembered at this season, and the atmosphere fine, clear, and so warm, that a Farnheit's thermometer under a shade in a northern aspect, has been at sun-rise about 48 degrees; and at noon at about 60, for these last four days.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 12 Apr 1783: This week we have had a continuance of fine mild warm weather, and Thursday was more of a summer's day than any one in the course of last year.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 12 Apr 1783: For the NEWCASTLE COURANT.
In the account of the remarkable fall and rise of the mercury in the barometer, upon the ninth and sixteenth of February last, it was observed that we had no considerable variation of the weather in these parts; from which I conjectured that there might probably have been some great hurricane at a distance from us, which might produce this alteration in the pressure of the atmosphere, beyond the places where its other effects were more sensibly felt. And accordingly we did hear of a considerable storm at that time in the southern parts of our island, and still more violent ones in the south of France, and several parts of the Mediterranean; all which might very probably originate from the unexampled train of dreadful earthquakes which began at Messina, and successively extended over a great part of Italy, from the 5th to the 12th of February.
A very curious and worthy Gentleman of my acquaintance remembers that the barometer, in this town, fell very low about the time of the great earthquake at Lisbon; and when we consider the violent agitation into which all natural bodies must be thrown by these shocks, we may rationally suppose that an elastic atmosphere may vibrate for some thousand miles, especially to the windward; which, in the present case, favours our hypothesis.
We have not yet indeed received any accurate philosophical account of the late appearances in Sicily and Italy; the consternation of the inhabitants, during this sudden and dreadful calamity, would naturally engage the attention to something else than philosophising. But as that country abounds with men of learning, especially in this curious branch of science, we may hope for some observations which may tend to explain these phoenomena still farther, and probably confirm what Drs Stukely, Franklin, Seignor Beccaria, and others, have gone far to demonstrate, viz. that the appearances in earthquakes, lightning, and electricity all arise from the same, or at least very similar efficient cause. But of this I shall probably speak more fully upon some future occasion; and am, Sir,
Your humble servant,
J.R.
Westgate Street,
April 10th, 1783.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 19 Apr 1783: A further continuance of mild weather this week, after a fine rain on Friday night, gives great hopes of a favourable spring.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 26 Apr 1783: The crops of wheat are very promising, and the price of wheat has fallen, and still continues to fall at the Markets in London, so that the price is falling daily in the North.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 26 Apr 1783: The philosophers begin to predict that the ensuing summer will be one of the hottest and driest known in England for 20 years past. The planets are said to be now in a position which favour this prophetic diction to all Europe, the North parts in particular.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 10 May 1783: For several days past the weather has been very cold and unfavourable for the spring, from a continuance of East and North East winds. On Tuesday and Wednesday last we had several showers of hail and snow, which laid on Tuesday night full three inches deep in the country.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 10 May 1783: This week young crows have appeared in the Nest on the spire above the vane on the Exchange, (mentioned in this paper of March 29) and continue to be much noticed by the public as a very particular circumstance.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 13 May 1783: The complaint which was general through this part of the country, of the want of rain, has been happily removed by the continued shower which fell through the whole of the day, on Friday last; and the mild and gentle weather which has succeeded it has spread the most pleasing prospect of a fine and plentiful season.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 17 May 1783: This week the weather has been very mild, with a favourable rain on Tuesday night; and by accounts from the country, it has been general, and given a fine verdure.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 17 May 1783: Edinburgh, May 12. There is now in bloom, in the garden of the Hon. Baron Stewart of Moredun, a plant of the Amarillis Vittata. The flowers are exceedingly beautiful, and the first of that species which have been seen in this country. The plant is worthy a place in every capital collection.— Ripe peaches were gathered at Moredun on the 20th of last month; odds of a fortnight sooner than they have been known fully ripe in Britain.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 24 May 1783: The spring promised a very plentiful fruit season. The bloom on the plumbs, apples, cherries and pears (particularly the three last) was prodigious; but the cold winds, and the severe frosts, have sadly changed the pleasing prospect. The crops on the standard trees are cut beyond description; clusters of fine fruit, apparently set, are entirely destroyed, and appear as if scorched by fire. The early peas, kidney beans, asparagus, &c. are also much injured or demolished. Our correspondent adduces an instance of the action of frost, not unworthy notice:— A vine, trained against a wall, was also continued on a frame over the tiles of the house: The young shoots upon the tiles entirely destroyed, and those against the wall remained uninjured. A convincing proof that the frost acts perpendicularly, and furnishes matter of enquiry, whether a ledge or covering over walls, &c. would not tend to preserve young fruit from the destructive effects of frost.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 27 May 1783: We hear from different parts of the country, that notwithstanding the rain that has lately fallen, there is evidently a want of more on the ground, which in some places is considerably parched.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 31 May 1783: Last week the young crows took flight from the nest on the spire of the Exchange.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 31 May 1783: For some time past we have had very cold parching wind from the N. and N.E. which greatly affected the meadows and pastures; but during the night of Thursday we had a very heavy rain, which has greatly altered the face of the country, and it is hoped will not be too late for any of the grounds in this quarter.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 31 May 1783: On the 19th instant, the Mary, Sloop, Henry Shepherd, Master, belonging to this port, was, by the violence of the weather, drove ashore at Flamborough Head, when all on board suffered, except two boys, who were saved on the wreck ...
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 7 Jun 1783: Wednesday night we had a heavy and long rain, and fine warm weather since, which has added greatly to the improvement made in the country by the rain of last week, and gives a pleasing prospect of the ensuing harvest.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 14 Jun 1783: This week we have had several more fine showers of rain, with warm weather, which has been of great service to the country.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 14 Jun 1783: The crops of wheat are so promising, and the import of wheat and other grain so very great, that the price of corn has fallen in many places considerably.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 14 Jun 1783: As the turnips have, in most gardens, failed this season, a correspondent recommends a method of preserving a second crop from the Fly, which he tried with success during the late dry season.
...
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 28 Jun 1783: Tuesday a meadow was cut near this town, is a great crop, and the hay made without a drop of rain; and from the present fine weather it is expected the harvest will be general in this neighbourhood next week.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 5 Jul 1783: We hear from Hartlepool, that there are a great many genteel families there at present, for the benefit of sea bathing; and as the accommodations are much better at that place than formerly, and the weather very favourable, several more families are expected to arrive in a few days.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 8 Jul 1783: On Wednesday evening, we had frequent showers of rain, attended with thunder and lightening. The flashes were in general very large and of long continuance.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 8 Jul 1783: The weather has been hotter for several days past, and the thermometer higher than for many years preceding.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 12 Jul 1783: We hear from Dumfries that on Wednesday se'ennight from two in the afternoon till twelve at night, they were alarmed with unusual flashes of lightening, and tremendous peals of thunder, accompanied with an amazing quantity of rain. The farm house of Stakeford, in that neighbourhood, belonging to Mr Moffat of Calside, was struck by the lightning, and the whole roof consumed to ashes. Luckily no lives were lost, & the principal part of the furniture saved.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 12 Jul 1783: Yesterday se'ennight being the Midsummer Stagshaw Bank fair, there was a large shew of cattle, which sold in the forenoon at tolerable prices, but dropt towards the close of the market, owing to the scarcity of grass, from the great drought and heat of the weather, which has much scorched the hilly parts of the country.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 19 Jul 1783: We hear from Kelso, that the barley harvest in that neighbourhood was begun in the last week in June, and that it has now become general in that country, and the crop proves remarkably great. A field particularly was sown in February last, by way of experiment how far that grain would stand the inclemency of the season, and was shorn about the 23d of June, and proved an excellent crop.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 19 Jul 1783: On the unusual heat of the weather, the thick fogs which have prevailed for many mornings past, and the uncommon redness of the sun at its rising, we take the following remarks from the Journal de Paris, which may not now be improperly introduced:
For some days past people have been incessantly enquiring what is the occasion of the thick dry fog which almost continually covers the heavens? And as this question is particularly put to Astronomers, I think myself obliged to say a few words on the subject, more especially since a kind of terror begins to spread in society. It is said by some that the disasters in Calabria [earthquakes earlier in the year] were preceded by similar weather, and by others that a dangerous comet reigns at present. In 1773 I experienced how fast these kind of conjectures, which begin among the ignorant even in the most enlightened ages, proceeds from mouth to mouth, till they reach the best society, and find their way even to the public prints. The multitude therefore may easily be supposed to draw strange conclusions, when they see the sun of a blood colour, shed a melancholy light, and cause a most sultry heat.
This however is nothing more than a very natural effect from a hot sun after a long succession of heavy rain. The first impression of heat has necessarily and suddenly rarified a superabundance of watry particles with which the earth was deeply impregnated, and given them, as they rose, a dimness and rarefaction not usual to common fogs.
This effect, which seems to me very natural, is not so very new; it is at most not above 19 years since there was a like example, which period too brings the moon in the same position on the same days, and which appears to have some influence on the seasons.
Among the meteorological observations of the academy for the month of July 1674 [recte 1764] I find the following: "The beginning of the month was wet, and the latter part dry; and, from the second to the ninth the wind continued in the north. The mornings were foggy, and the atmosphere in a smoke during the day."— This you perceive bears a great resemblance to the latter end of our June, so that it is not an unheard of or forgotten thing. In 1764, they had afterwards storms and hail, and nothing worse need be feared in 1783. I have the honour to be, &c.
De la Lande l'Acad. des Sciences
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 19 Jul 1783: We hear from Appleby that on Thursday and Friday se'ennight at night they had a very great storm of thunder and lightning, attended with a heavy rain, but happily did no damage.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 19 Jul 1783: Saturday morning about one o'clock there was a storm of thunder and lightning, attended with a heavy rain, which lasted about an hour in this neighbourhood, but fortunately no damage was done by it.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 19 Jul 1783: Leeds, July 15. Thursday evening, there was a dreadful storm of thunder and lightning, in this town and neighbourhood, which continued from ten o'clock until one in the morning; the peals of thunder were very loud and awful, and the flashes of lightning uncommonly vivid. The lightning struck the spire of Methley church, and considerably damaged it.— A horse was struck dead by the lightning at Lazencroft, two others at Birstal, and a cow at Bierley, near Bradford.— At Shire Green, near Sheffield, a laith was set on fire and entirely consumed.— A horse in Dytch-lane, and another in Sheffield Park were killed; and much other mischief done in various parts of this country.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 19 Jul 1783: Manchester, July 15. Thursday night we had the most terrible and tremendous flashes of lightning, for upwards of five hours, ever remembered; but no damage ensued.
Wednesday in the afternoon, they had a storm of thunder and lightning in Liverpool and neighbourhood. Between six and seven there were three of the loudest, successive claps of thunder, they scarcely remember to have heard; the east end of St. Thomas's church was struck with the lightning, and some stones forced to a considerable distance into Cleveland-square. Happily no persons were hurt.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 19 Jul 1783: Extract of a letter from Fyfe, July 12, 1783.
"On Thursday morning last, we had a most tremendous storm of thunder, accompanied with dreadful flashes of lightning, that lasted for several hours. At Lindifferent, in the parish of Monnymeal, a shepherd, lost a son and a daughter by one flash. They were collected together, when the catastrophe happened, in this manner: the daughter was holding the crook till the maid should put on the pot, when the flash of lightning entered the South corner of the chimney had, and the daughter, with her brother at her side, were stuck dead: the servant was knocked down. The servant soon recovered, and went to some house in the neighbourhood for assistance— the boy became stiff in three minutes:— the girl's whole body remained soft for four hours, though none of her bones were broken. A young dog at the fire side lay dead for a long time, but is since perfectly recovered. A gardener attempted to bleed the boy, but without effect; some hours afterwards the wound poured forth blood, and a considerable quantity came from his nose. Their whole bodies soon grew black.
It is very remarkable, though the chimney head was externally covered with loose straw, yet none of it was consumed or displaced; whereas internally the tract of the lightning was very visible, having torn the clay, stones, &c. &c. from the top down a considerable way.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 26 Jul 1783: We hear from the Isle of Mann, that the harvest there has been begun two weeks since; great quantities of grain have already been got in, and the crops in general wear a very favourable appearance.
We hear from great numbers of places in the counties of Durham and York, that the crops of wheat are exceedingly promising; and if the weather continues favourable, the harvest will be very early.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 26 Jul 1783: As many Vermin have now got among the Turnips, it is seriously recommended to all Farmers, to put a proportional number of Ducks into the infected fields according to their size, as the only radical cure against these destructive Worms ...
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 26 Jul 1783: Monday morning at one o'clock, we had a violent storm of thunder and lightning, attended with a remarkable heavy shower of rain from the E.N.E. and that afternoon about two, it began with fresh violence from the same quarter, with heavy showers of rain, accompanied with hail, happily no damage ensued in town, but on Gateshead Fell, and the adjoining fields, three cows were killed. From Shields we hear that it was the most tremendous day ever remembered in that part; and that at Barkworth, near that town, there fell the most remarkable hail stones for hardness and transparency ever known there; they were much in shape like a pear, being nearly the size of almonds, as clear, cold, and hard as ice, and in falling broke many of the panes in the windows:— the lightning struck the scythes of some mowers, in an adjoining field, which ran from scythe to scythe almost instantaneously, and then darted [?] into the grain, [?] leaving a strong sulphurous smell behind; fortunately none of the men received the least hurt. The chimney of a smith's shop at Hatton, near South Shields, was struck down; and a man striking with the fore-hammer, was struck backwards to the Ground, but unhurt; all the works of a clock in a house adjoining were melted, and the furniture much damaged. At Ryal, near Stamfordham, a poor man was struck dead sitting under a hedge, as was his dog; and a person sitting near him had his watch chain melted, and one side of his leg burnt quite down.
We hear from Stockton, that on Monday they had a most dreadful storm of thunder and lightning, which continued for about two hours; when the lightning struck upon the roof of a house belonging to Mrs Hobson, in Rutter's Square, broke down the chimney, and unroofed a part of the house; the persons that were in Mrs Hobson's house at that time, and in the adjoining houses, were greatly terrified; several of them were thrown down by the effects of the lightning, and some of them were in danger of being suffocated by a strong sulphurous odour emitted by it. The several persons are now all likely to do well.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 26 Jul 1783: The Active's Increase, Macknaughton, and the Middleton, ____, are arrived at Shields, in ballast, from London, the former yesterday se'ennight lost her main and mizen masts; and the later her topmast on Sunday night about eleven o'clock, both by lightning. Another ship's yards were set on fire by it, but a boy being aloft, and it raining heavily, he fortunately got it extinguished.
The Four Friends, Sibbald, of this port, light, from London is also arrived, with the loss of a mast by lightning.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 2 Aug 1783: We hear from Hexham, that the barley harvest has begun in that neighbourhood this week; and from Morpeth, that the barley and rye harvest has also begun there, and that the crops proves remarkably fine.
...
We hear from several places in Cleveland, in the county of York, that the harvest will begin there in a few days, and that some fields of oats have been cut this week. The crops of wheat are very great, and the price of wheat has fallen considerably; the crops of potatoes exceed any former years, and are now selling for 6d and 7d a peck.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 9 Aug 1783: On Wednesday afternoon as a gentleman of Manchester, with two or three others, were taking an airing on the Town Moor, the were surprised by a very heavy shower of rain, and immediately turned towards town, clapping spurs to their horses; but this gentleman in endeavouring to pass a cow, which was lying on the road, was thrown from his horse by the cow's starting up in his way. [The story does not end well for the horse]
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 9 Aug 1783: Saturday evening we had another storm of thunder and lightning, attended with heavy rain; a stack of hay standing in a field on the east side of the Town Moor was set on fire by the lightning and entirely consumed; and a horse was killed in a field at Heatton.
We hear from Stockton, that on Saturday last, about five o'clock in the evening, there was a violent storm of thunder and lightning, accompanied with rain, and the largest hail, or rather pieces of ice in various forms, ever remembered by the oldest inhabitants there; the hail in general measured about three inches round, though there were several pieces that were found to measure, near five inches in circumference. The damage done to the windows is very considerable, scarce a house fronting the west that had not from 20 to 40 panes broke, in some houses near 50; and it is easier to conceive than describe the great consternation of the inhabitants during the storm. As it is often remarked, seemingly with surprise, why there frequently happens hail of an uncommon size in summer, it may not be amiss, for the information of our readers to observe, that greater quantities of nitre are exhaled from the earth in summer, than in any other season; the assemblage of aqueous particles into drops of rain, in their passage thro' the interior air, meeting with nitrous mater (which is well known to contribute greatly to freezing) are congealed into ice, and the magnitude increases by fresh accession of matter (that floats in the air) as they descend.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 23 Aug 1783: On Monday the 18th inst. at fifteen minutes after nine o'clock in the evening, a meteor appeared at Alnwick in Northumberland, and was seen by many in that place; its course was nearly from north to south and in its passage over the town (when at its greatest height) did not seem to exceed an angle of 50 degrees; its projectile motion resembled that of a sky rocket in an oblique direction, but more slow and uniform, and marking its passage thro' the air by a long curved tail, illuminated with a deep red colour. Its diameter seemed to the eye to be about six inches, and its illumination so exceedingly vivid and brilliant, that the light it cast upon the earth was sufficiently clear and bright to distinguish minute objects; its velocity was so moderate, that the observer had time to make these remarks from its first appearance above the houses in the north part of the town, until it was obscured by those on the south part, it being (he believes) ten or twelve seconds in its passage.— The same was seen in this town; and we hear from London, Hartlepool, Guisbrough, Stockton, Morpeth, and several other parts, of the same appearance, of which the above is the most perfect description.
By a letter from Sunderland, we learn, that on Monday night at ten o'clock, the inhabitants of that town were much alarmed on seeing a fiery meteor, which seemed to cross the town: it enlightened the streets as though at mid-day; and by a ship arrived in that port on Wednesday, which was a little off Scarbrough about eleven o'clock on Monday night, we hear, that the captain and some of the men being on the ship's deck, was not a little alarmed to see a ball of fire with a long tail; on its approach they expected their ship to be set on fire, and son after it passed them it seemed to burst or fall, and they heard two loud reports like two great cannons, after which they had much lightning all the night without rain or thunder.
It appears from Mr Ferguson, who gave an account in what years the harvest moon is most and leas beneficial, that the present year is one of those in which that luminary will be in its greatest splendour.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 23 Aug 1783: Extract of a letter from Kelso, Aug 15.
"Yesterday, about mid-day, a most uncommon phaenomenon was seen here. As some people were spreading out clothes near the side of the Tweed, the air being very calm and still, they were suddenly alarmed by a noise resembling the burling of carriages; this was instantly succeeded by a whirlwind, which directed its force to the place where the clothes lay, collected together all of them that lay within a space of about ten yards in diameter, and carried them, with a number of small stones, to a most amazing height in the air; and, we are sorry to add, that, by their falling into a very deep place of the water, the greater part of the clothes were unfortunately lost."
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 23 Aug 1783: So favourable a harvest, and such a plentiful crop of all sorts of grain as the present, were scarce ever known in the memory of the oldest person living; the prices of all sorts of grain are much reduced, especially the price of wheat, which it is thought will not in a short time sell for more than one half the price it lately sold for, owing to the immense crop, and the great quantities which will continue to be imported into almost every port in England & Scotland.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 26 Aug 1783: We hear from Brough in Westmorland, that on Thursday last, about two o'clock in the afternoon, the river Swindale (which runs through Market Brough) was suddenly swoln to an unusual height, and in a few minutes increased to such a flood as had never been seen there, in the memory of the oldest person living. This uncommon rise (which was an absolute phoenomenon) was supposed to have been occasioned by a heavy shower of rain, and hail-stones of a prodigious large size, which fell amongst the mountains about a mile above Brough, and which, soon collecting, forced a passage, through some mosses, into the river.— On receiving this inundation, the river became quite black, had a most nauseous and offensive smell, and rolling down a vast body of water, with great rapidity, in its course tore up by the roots vast numbers of large trees. All the battlements and troughs which conveyed water to two corn-mills, were entirely destroyed, and the mills rendered useless. All the stone walls and fences adjoining the river were carried away by the torrent, and great apprehensions were formed for the safety of the houses which stood near it. The road leading to Church Brough is greatly injured, and other considerable damage done.— Our correspondent informs us that there were several gentlemen (strangers) in the town, who declared it was the most tremendous scene they had ever beheld.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 26 Aug 1783: Wednesday evening last there was a violent storm of thunder and lightning at Kendal, and the neighbourhood, but we do not hear of any material damage being done by it. The succession of this storm, so close upon the meteor [seen about 9.15 on the evening of Monday 18 August, and described in this week's paper, with further details on 2 Sep], has however almost distracted the common people, who had been previously alarmed with a prophecy, from a flying stationer, from which they are led to believe that the final dissolution of the world is rapidly approaching.— The magistrates of that place (we are told) are determined in future to enforce the statute against the hawkers of sham predictions and prognostications, whose example, it is hoped, will be followed in other places.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 30 Aug 1783: The fiery meteor which passed over this town, as inserted in our last, on Monday se'nnight in the evening, was also seen at Canterbury, Salisbury, Oxford, York, Whitby, and sundry other places. They write from Canterbury, that it burst near the village of Cheltham with an amazing explosion, and divided into upwards of 20 small balls.— And at Hull the ball was seen to burst a little lower than the Spurn Point, with a great explosion, something like the discharging of great guns at a distance. It also burst at York with an explosion like the discharging of a cannon, and emitted a great many small balls, like stars of rockets.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 30 Aug 1783: Tuesday se'ennight, a storm of thunder and lightning fell in the town and neighbourhood of Liverpool, which was very alarming; the flashes were for several hours uncommonly vivid, the intervals very short, and the peals of thunder tremendous. A young woman in a cottage on Warbrick Moor, and a cow near Walton, were killed; a hattock of corn in Bootle, and a rick of hay in Ford were destroyed.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 6 Sep 1783: The height of the late luminous appearance in the atmosphere is conjectured (by the best astronomers) to have been more than 60 miles; but the great refraction, through the thick haze we have had in the air for some months past, caused its apparent height to be about 50 yards in most places. Had the angle of vision been only from the height of a mile or two, it could not have had the same appearance in London as it had here, and in many other parts of the kingdom, at an equal or greater distance.— The hissing noise which accompanied it, and the report like the discharging of two cannons, immediately after it disappeared, were heard in almost every place from whence any particular account has been transmitted.
A gentleman says, that to judge of the heat of the late meteor, from the vivid blaze of its train, it must have exceeded iron in its fusion at least 10 degrees. It seems to have crossed this island; and a correspondent, who has been used to astronomical observations, conjectures that this meteor, in its passage, was distant from the earth about four miles.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 6 Sep 1783: The oldest person living does not remember a year that has produced so much thunder and lightning as the present.
We hear from different parts in the northern counties that the weather has been very favourable for the harvest, and that the wheat is in general all got in, which has reduced the prices considerably.
The best oatmeal has fallen in the Edinburgh market to 15d. the peck, and meal of an inferior kind is selling at 14d. and at 1s. the peck.
A letter from Aberdeen says, that the herring fishery had tuned out to such advantage this season, that many families, who were in a starving condition, now live in affluence; and having a plentiful harvest of all sorts of corn has given fresh life and spirits to the people in general, especially to the lower class.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 9 Sep 1783: Wednesday last [3 Sep], about nine o'clock in the morning, came on here the most violent storm of wind and rain that has been known for many years past, at this season.— In the country it was very severely felt, though it is thought the damage will not be so great as was at first apprehended, especially if there should now come a few days of dry weather; for what corn was remaining uncut, being almost ready for reaping, though it may be laid, will receive little injury, if there is a favourable opportunity for cutting and housing it. Had the rain not fallen in such quantities, the worst consequences might have been expected from the extraordinary high wind, amongst the corn so heavy loaden, and in such a mature state.
On Wednesday night, and Thursday morning there were several flashes of lightening, more rapid in their succession, and more tremendous in their appearance than have been observed so late in the year by the oldest person living. Happily no mischief of any consequence attended the storm.
And on Saturday another violent gale of wind came on, from the South to North West, which at tide time had increased to a mere hurricane. The sea ran prodigious high, and the spray flew in such quantities as to make the appearance of the whole truly awful. In the midst of the storm a vessel was seen standing for the port, and, on her nearer approach, it was discovered that her foresail (the only sail she had been able to set) was shivered in pieces, and she was of course left without any assistance but the helm, on a most tempestuous element, uncommonly agitated by a wind which was tearing the slates off the houses in a manner which rendered it dangerous to be in the streets.— She proved to be the Mary, Bell, of Maryport, which came in without receiving any damage. The Truelove, Littledale, afterwards appeared, and in passing the Old Quay struck the end of it with such violence as stove in her starboard bow from the gunwale to the keel, and shook several yards of the new work on that pier, from the parapet to the inside, displaced several of the strong iron-cramps, forced out a large stone from the upper part, and snapped in two a large piece of timber which was walled in with the work; after this, to the astonishment of numbers of spectators, she floated to the end of Marlborough-street (the opposite side of the harbour) where she now lies wrecked.— A smack belonging to Mr. Bacon of Douglas also got in, with the loss of her sails; several ships in the harbour broke loose from their moorings, and some boats were set adrift. On Sunday morning the Lowther, Lawrence, got safe in, after laving an anchor and cable in Belfast Lough. During the whole of this tremendous scene, we are happy to add that no accident happened to the persons of any, except a seaman belonging to the Good Intent, Wynn, who fell from the foreyard of the vessel to the forecastle, but was not much hurt. Great apprehensions were formed for the safety of three or four vessels which sailed in the morning's tide of Saturday, but accounts have been received of their arriving at the neighbouring ports.
The effects of the storm, on land, are also very obvious, great numbers of houses being in a great measure unroofed, and several trees torn up by the roots, in different parts of the adjoining country. One of the trees in the Old Church yard is rooted up, notwithstanding the sheltered situation it had, compared with others.
The Fanny, Clementson, which sailed from hence on Saturday morning, loaden with lime, took fire, and was put on shore near Maryport.
The Mary, Maxwell, with the same cargo, which also sailed the same tide, was obliged to cut her cable at the buoy, and run under bare poles.— She got into Maryport.
Sunday evening, about seven o'clock, the James and Ann, Peele, was almost ashore on her beam ends near Ravenglass, after having been in the greatest distress for several hours.— At four o'clock in the afternoon she canted her ballast, and as obliged to cut away her mainmast.— Immediately on her appearance off Ravenglass, Mr. Pennington of Muncaster House, being informed that a vessel was approaching the shore in distress, dispatched his servants to raise the country people, to join them in affording her all the assistance in their power, which proved effectual in getting her into the harbour, where she now lays in safety. By that gentleman's humane exertions, every article that escaped the ravage of the sea is also secured, and this act of benevolence was crowned by his ordering all the people belonging to her to be conducted to Muncaster House, where they were most liberally refreshed and accommodated, while numbers of people were employed in preserving the property for the ownery.
The Chatham, Armstrong, was put on shore near Harrington, but go off again without receiving much damage, and is now safe in that harbour.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 13 Sep 1783: In a hard gale of wind on Saturday afternoon, a keel loaden with coals run foul of a Dutch vessel in the harbour at Shields, and sunk directly, the keelmen narrowly escaped.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 16 Sep 1783: It is to be lamented that the late storms will prove really detrimental to many individuals in this part of the country; but it must be observed, that the evil will by no means be general, nor can it in the least affect the price of grain through the kingdom, in all the most material parts of which, the crops have been well got in, and yield more abundantly than have been known for some years past.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 20 Sep 1783: York, Sept. 16. The storm on Saturday se'ennight was severely felt in many parts of this county. A sloop (supposed to have seven hands on board) was wrecked in the Humber, and all the crew perished.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 23 Sep 1783: The damage done at the Old Quay in the late storm, is now almost repaired.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 11 Oct 1783: On Tuesday the 7th instant, a quantity of remarkable large peaches were gathered in the garden of Jonathan Davison, Esq. at Norton; and it is very extraordinary, that there was a great number of them (the produce of one tree) nearly of an equal size, which weighed 7¼ ounces a piece, and measured ten inches and a quarter in circumference; they were extremely beautiful and fine flavoured.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 14 Oct 1783: Sunday se'ennight there was the greatest flood in the river Ehen, that has been known for many years; the paper-mill belonging to Messrs. Jacob Dixon & Co. of this town, was overflowed, but little or no damage done.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 18 Oct 1783: The Rotterdam Trader, bound from thence to this port, was lost in the late blowing weather, and all on board perished; and two light colliers belonging to Sunderland shared the same fate.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 25 Oct 1783: After all the storms which have shaken us, a plentiful harvest holds out a reward and blessing for the farmer's toil— Curses await those, who, by perverting this, or any blessing of nature, would introduce an artificial scarcity!
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 4 Nov 1783: There were some of the smartest showers of hail in this neighbourhood, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, that were ever known to fall in these parts. Some of the hailstones measured nine tenths of an inch in circumference, and their congelation astonishingly close.
There were several peals of thunder heard on Tuesday afternoon, but seemingly at a great distance. And a Rainbow appeared the most beautiful and perfect that can be conceived; its colours more distinct and striking than are generally observed, and its duration considerably longer than is usual in this class of meteors. The refraction of its colours, during several minutes of its continuance, formed three fainter bows in the concave, and ornamented that part of the atmosphere in a wonderful and delightful manner.
The weather during the last week was uncommonly severe and cold, and a great deal of rain fell. Far as the season is advanced there was grass cut last week (the only crop) in some parts of this county, and some stooks of corn are yet in the fields.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 8 Nov 1783: The weather continues uncommonly mild for the season, and has been very favourable to the farmers for sowing their wheat.— The price of wheat falls in all the markets, and so soon as the farmers begin to thresh their wheat to provide straw for their cattle, the prices must fall still lower.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 18 Nov 1783: A great deal of snow fell in this county, towards Penrith, &c. on Thursday night, which in some parts of the road was laying next day near two feet deep.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 22 Nov 1783: Monday the Post, which usually arrives about 11 o'clock, did not come in till nine that evening; and the Flys, which generally come in between seven and eight, did not arrive till the next day at two o'clock in the afternoon, owing to the swell of the rivers from the late heavy rains, by which a bridge across the Browney, near Durham, was swept away.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 22 Nov 1783: Last Monday morning early, on a sudden dissolution of the snow in the high lands, which had fallen in a very great quantity the latter end of the preceding week, the river Wear arose very suddenly, overflowed its banks, and covered all the low grounds in the vale between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland, and in different laces has made great ravage in the lands bordering upon the river: In that distance many acres have been entirely washed away, and many more greatly injured by the gravel and sand lodged upon them.— Except the dreadful inundation in 1771, on the same day of the month, the oldest person living does not remember so high a flood as the present, which, from its long continuance, has done more damage to the adjacent lands than that of 1771. The breast work on the south side of the river adjoining Witton bridge has fallen down since the waters subsided, and it is feared the bridge has received some damage, as a large part of the wooden frame, put down for the security of the middle pillar, has given way, and was found among the wreck in a neighbouring field.
The Wear overflowed the west end of Chester new bridge, so as to render the road impassable. Two men on horseback coming that way in the dark, not being sensible of the danger, were unfortunately drowned; and a two horse cart was carried away by the current, and the horses drowned.
The River Tees was also swelled to a very uncommon height. It overflowed the grounds adjacent to Bernard Castle, and swept away a great number of sheep, some cattle and horses. Ch. Hill, Esq. of Blackwell in particular sustained a very heavy loss; and, amongst other sheep, a remarkable fine tup, which cost above twenty guineas.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 25 Nov 1783: The road from Penrith to Shap is rendered impassable by the bridges being destroyed by the great flood yesterday se'ennight.
Great damage was done the 17th and 18th inst. in the counties of Durham and Northumberland, by a sudden dissolution of the snow; several bridges have been swept away, sheep and cattle destroyed; in short, except the dreadful inundation in 1771, nothing like it was ever seen in these parts.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 25 Nov 1783: Thursday last, by a sudden shift of wind, the following light colliers were put on shore a little to the Southward of Ravenglass, viz. the Fox, Salkeld; Hartley, Fannin; Jenny, McNamara; and ____, Stitt, belonging to this port— The Pleasant, Dickinson, belonging to Parton, and a vessel belonging to Workington.— We have since heard that five of them were got off on Saturday, with little damage, and the other is also supposed to be got off by this time.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 29 Nov 1783: A Gentleman says, that in returning from Barnsley on Tuesday se'nnight, about half past six o'clock in the evening, upon the road betwixt Sandal and Wakefield, it became so very dark instantaneously, that he could not distinguish his hand when brought near his eyes, attended with a remarkable heavy shower of rain and hail from the N.W. when a meteor, to appearance half the diameter of the moon, when in the meridian, seemed to fall a little more than a mile from him, of a very bright colour; but the most extraordinary circumstance was, his horse's ears, head and mane, were beautifully illuminated with rays of electric light, and the Gentleman's hair, which was a good deal blown upon his shoulders, was so light, that he believes it was possible to distinguish the hour by a watch. Holding up his hand, upon each finger there was a brush of light, and a stick which was under his left arm, had a light at each end; the whole continued about five minutes, and then disappeared. The day had been very warm, and the heighth of the Barometer 29½.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 29 Nov 1783: Monday the Teese was swelled so high, that there were two feet of water on the first floors of the houses in Yarm. Many walls were washed away, and much damage done.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 2 Dec 1783: All the ships on shore near Ravenglass, as mentioned in our last, are now got off.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 6 Dec 1783: Monday, at noon, though the air was chill and cold, and the sun obscured, two persons, on the road betwixt Hexham and High Shield, felt on a sudden a most intense heat, which lasted the space of a minute: They were at above the distance of 50 yards from each other, and, when they met, could not forbear expressing their mutual astonishment.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 13 Dec 1783: By a judicious alteration, which has been made since the year 1771 in the arches of Yarm Bridge, the town did not receive any damage in the late floods. A few miles farther up the Tees the water was within three feet of the highest mark; but at Yarm it did not reach the mark of 1771 by two yards.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 20 Dec 1783: Whitehaven, Dec. 16. For several days past great quantities of haddocks have been caught near Peeltown, in the Isle of Mann, a fish not oft found on that coast.
CUMBERLAND PACQUET (Whitehaven), 23 Dec 1783: In the late floods (occasioned by the sudden melting of the snow) the bridge at Sedbergh, in Yorkshire, is thrown down; as are also two bridges at Borough-bridge, one of which was only lately finished.
Notwithstanding the great losses sustained last month by the undertakers of the County Bridge over the river Loyne at Lancaster, owing to the uncommon land floods, yet we can assure the public, that the work is now carrying forward again with promising success.
NEWCASTLE COURANT, 27 Dec 1783: Thursday morning, about six o'clock, we had a fall of snow; and about nine, a violent gale of wind sprung up from the east, which drove a large light bark from her anchors, under Tynemouth Castle; she stood to the north but could not weather Newbiggen Point, under which she brought up again, where, notwithstanding every effort of the crew to save her, it is feared she has suffered in the night: but no certain account has yet transpired. The storm still continues; and, from every appearance of the barometer, is likely to be of some duration.
