rength, until by 10 p.m., every vessel in the harbour, to the number
of sixteen, was either sunk or driven ashore. The rain fell in such
torrents that the whole of the barracks on Morne Bruce, where a
company-of the 1st West India Regiment was stationed, and nearly the
whole of those on Morne Cabot, were carried away, and three men of the
1st West India Regiment were killed, and several injured. Every house
from the River Mohaut to Prince Rupert's was overthrown, and the town of
Portsmouth was laid in ruins. In Roseau, 131 persons were killed or
wounded, the greatest mischief being there caused by the overflowing of
the river, which inundated the town in all directions, every house which
obstructed its passage being swept away by the torrent. "No pen," says a
witness of the scene, "can paint the horrors of that dreadful night! The
tremendous noise occasioned by the wind and rain--the roaring of the
waters, together with the shock of an earthquake, which was sensibly
felt about midnight--the shrieks of the poor sufferers crying out for
assistance--the terror of those who in their houses heard them, and
dared not open a door or window to give succour, and who momentarily
expected to share the same fate, formed a scene which can hardly be
conceived, and is still more difficult to be described."

The regiment remained stationed at Dominica until the month of April,
1807, when it was removed to Barbados, with the exception of four
companies which had been detached to Grenada and Tobago, and which soon
after rejoined head-quarters at Barbados.

In this year also, the establishment of West India regiments was
augmented by a second lieutenant-colonel, Major Samuel Huskisson, from
the 8th Foot, being appointed the second lieutenant-colonel of the 1st
West India Regiment by the _Gazette_ of the 2nd of June.

A war having broken out with Denmark, the British Ministers, early in
September, 1807, sent out orders to the Commander of the Forces in the
West Indies, to reduce the Danish islands of St. John, St. Thomas and
Saint Croix, and the 1st West India Regiment, with the other troops
stationed at Barbados, embarked in men-of-war under General Bowyer, on
the 15th of December, to proceed on this duty. On the 19th of December
the expedition reached Sandy Point, Saint Christopher's, and receiving
some troops from that garrison, sailed again the same day; arriving at
St. Thomas, where it was joined by reinforcements from Antigua and
G