[Sunderland harbour, Ships grounded]

On Sunday night last, one of the most tremendous events happened in Sunderland harbour that ever occurred there. About a quarter-past eight o'clock, the Durham packet, which was lying loaded ready for sea, broke from her moorings in consequence of the heavy fresh which was running rapidly down the harbour. The ship was hurried with dreadful impetuosity against the next tier of ships, which were at once driven from their moorings; and in a few minutes every ship which was afloat on the south side of the Wear, before the ferry boat landing tier, was drifting towards the sea. The vessels, however, stopped near Hardcastle's slip, and formed a complete dam across the river for nearly half an hour, during which time the water rose several feet. At last a sloop, situated about the centre of the fleet was forced out by the extreme violence of the flood, and immediately the whole of the ships drifted to the entrance of the harbour, where they grounded and stopped, the tide being out. The damage done was immense. It is calculated that at least from 65 to 75 ships have suffered more or less.—Tyne Mercury.