The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-11-01 00:00:00

PORTLAND.

Tue Cams, Oct. 26.—A1l day yesterday and
more particularly last night blew one of the must
tremendous gales of wind, accompanied by a terrific
sea, that has ever been experienced on this part of
the coast. The wind commenced blowing strongly
in the early part of the day from the south-south-
east, and gralually increased in violence until two
o'clock this morning, when it veered round to the
westmortlowest, and still continues to blow with
coasiderable force. The &maga caused by the
heavy seas on the great temporary timber support
of the breakwater will entail ve7 serious loss to the
contractor, 31r. Leather, and will also suspend the
quarrying operations in the convict quarrits, where
the material is obtained for the making of the
breakwater. The greatest damage sustained is about
600 yar Is from the shore, in the vicinity of the first
pier-head, and at this point an immense gap of about
200 fait in length has been made in the suppoit, the
timber from which has been thrown on the beach in
all directions. The communication to the outer or
great breakwater thus being cut off, the depositing
of stone must cease until the repairs have been
effected. The granite pier-heads and sea-walls sus-
tained no injury, although the waves broke upon
them with awful fury; and such was the force that
the spray at tunes Hew in immense clouds to an
altitude of at least 150 feet above the masonry. In
the vicinity of the second pier-head, on the other
side of the opening left for the smaller entrance to
the harbour, and which is at present bridged over,
the damage sustained is very great. The huge
timber l,iLs and bearers are many of them dis-
placed and thrown about in all directions. It was
at this point that the lighthouse keeper had a very
nrrrow escape, and had it not been for his presence
of mind lie would probably have been washed
away. A little before dark IL: was proccli:q; on
the breakwater in order to light the lamp in the
lighthouse, which is situated at the extreme end,
for the guidance of vessels entering the harbour,
and finding the six-feet railed footpath carried
away, he essayed to advance by means of the longi-
tudinal bearers which carry the roads for the wag-
gons and locomotives While crawling on one of
these timbers a sea lifted it from the staging, but,
fortunately, it was not carried away, and he managed
with some difficulty to get back again to the &hole.
It was now of great importance in such tempestuous
weather that the light should be displayed at the
end of the breakwater, and immediate measures
were taken, by the aid of a steamer, to get the light.
keeper to his post. This was at last effected, but in
accomplishing the task the boat which conveyed him
from the steamer was stove in and lost; the men
ser.uniding over the rough stones, gained the staging,
and had to remain there all night. The lighting of
the lamp was truly "in the very nick of time," for
a large bark which was seeking shelter in the har-
bour was coming down full upon the breakwater,
and would inevitably have been dashed to pieces
had the lighting of the lamp been delayed but a
few minutes longer. As it was the escape was mar-
vellous; but the crew was at their posts, and as
soon as the first glimmer of the light was seen the
helm was put hard a-port, and the vessel saved.
The sea ruuning at the time was prodigious, and
well it will be if many disasters are not heard of.
A small vessel of 40 tons, the Hope, of Weymouth,
while riding at anchor in the harbour, broke her
ailde and was cast upon the inner side of the break-
water, sustaining considerable damage. The gale
has now somewhat subsided, and the most strenu-
ous means will be adopted to repair damages to ths
works, in order that the progress of operations may
be impeded as little as possible. The convicts
usually employed in the quarrying of stone will be
removed to the great fortress now in progress,
where, fortunately, during the interval necessary for
repairs, their services can be made available.