The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-27 00:00:00

THE EQUINOCTIAL GALES.

The destructive storms known as the equinoctialgales,
which are generally experienced at this period of the
year, have set in with more than usual violence. They
commenced from the south-west early on Sunday fore-
noon, and, by the telegraphic messages which were re-
ceived at Lloyd's in the course of yesterday, it seems
that the storm has visited almost all parts of the coast.
Towards evening the wind veered round to the north-
west, and at midnight raged with the fury nearly of a
hurricane. As may be imagined, great uneasiness was
felt among the underwriters and owners, and, as the
messages were received and entered during the day, the
" books" were surrounded by eager crowds. Although
many disasters were announced, there were none which
involved loss of life. The fearful character of the gale,
however, has led to an anticipation that to-day's mail
will furnish details of some deplorable catastrophe during
the night.

In the vicinity of the Downs, between the North
Foreland and Dungeness, most terrible weather was
encountered. Outward-bound ships, which had sailed
from off Deal on Saturday, were caught by the gale
while making their way down Channel. They made
short work of it in running back. Some, when brought
up, were driven from their anchors, and lost cable and
all, besides being exposed to great peril while drifting.
Several distressed vessels were, after much difficulty,
got into Ramsgate harbour. A ship called the Barnard,
Mr. Delnano, bound to London, from the St. Lawrence,
while endeavouring to ride out the gale, had a narrow
escape of being lost on the Goodwin. While the wind
was raging with its greatest force the Barnard went
from her anchors. Her destruction was almost inevi-
table, and as a last expedient, her main and mizen masts
were cut away. This had the desired effect, and ulti-
mately she was got into Margate roads and securely
brought up. The Margate and other boatmen report
that no fewer than 15 ships were blown away from their
anchors from under the Foreland. Their names could
not be gleaned.
The Channel squadron of the French, which left Cher-
bourg on Wednesday to do honour to the Emperor and
Empress on their arrival at Calais, and brought up in
the Downs on Friday afternoon, has not escaped injury.
The fleet, which consists of three line-of-battle ships—
Jean Bart, Duguesclin, and Hercule—and three steamers
—Pomone, Caffarelli, and Roland—were understood to
be under orders to get under weigh on Sunday, so as to
be in readiness to receive the Emperor at the port. The
sudden springing up of the gale, however, rendered a
delay prudent, and perhaps it is fortunate that they did
not attempt to cross the Channel, for with such a heavy
wind directly upon their own (French) dangerous coast,
it is more than probable that they would have
encountered some sad misfortune had they endeavoured
to make it. As it was, their position in the Downs
was somewhat critical. In order more securely to
ride out the gale, the Admiral signalled to strike
topgallantyards, and to let go a second anchor.
This was quickly accomplished, but in the course of
the night a Dutch schooner, called the Pauline, which
was running back for shelter, came in contact with the
Jean Bart, line-of-battle ship, and both sustained much
damage. The squadron had not left yesterday (Monday)
morning ; nor is it probable that the Admiral will de-
part until more favourable weather sets in.
Lower down the Channel the gale is described to have
been equally, if not more severe. Numerous disasters
are looked for on the French coast. The City of London
steamer, with the Countess de Neuilly and several of
the ex-Royal family of France on board, put into Ply-
mouth, as has already been noticed.
The eastern coast is also reported to have suffered
much from the storm ; and Harwich and neighbouring
ports are filling with vessels which have lost anchors,
cables, spars, &c.
Most of the seagoing steamers which arrived in the
river yesterday were late. They speak of experiencing
very boisterous passages. The gale had a curious effect
upon the midday tide of the Thames. It should not have
ebbed at London-bridge, according to the tables, until
nearly two o'clock. Instead of going over to that time,
the water suddenly began to flow shortly before 12
o'clock, nearly two hours before its time. This remark-
able occurrence is attributed to the circumstance of the
gale driving an immense body of water up Channel, and
so up the numerous rivers.
In the metropolis the storm was most severe between
11 o'clock on Sunday night and 2 o'clock yesterday
morning. The "wind gauge" on the top of the Royal
Exchange indicated the pressure to be 181 b. on the
square foot.

VIOLENT HURRICANE ON THE MERSEY,
AND LOSS OF LIFE.

LIVERPOOL, MONDAY.—This town and port were yes-
terday visited by a fearful gale blowing from the north-
west, accompanied by occasional heavy showers of rain,
which continued to an early hour this morning. In the
town the wreck of chimney-pots, tiles, &c., in nearly
every street, gave evidence of the violence of the storm.
The scaffolding to some new houses in Mersey-street,
was blown down. The time-ball, on the summit of the
Telegraph-office, Castle-street, was much strained, and
would have been torn away had not the danger been
perceived in time to secure the shaft with ropes. The
river throughout the day was in an unusual state
of commotion, but in the evening it lashed itself into
a perfect fury, and all the ferry-boats, with the excep-
tion of those plying to or from Woodside, ceased run-
ning after 7 o'clock. Several ships in the river dragged
their anchors, and were obliged to be taken in tow by
steam-tugs. The bark Intrinsic got ashore near the
Sandon Dock, and sustained considerable damage, being
severely injured in the bows, and having lost rudder,
&c. She still remains ashore. During the height of
the gale two small vessels, names unknown, were seen
to founder off the North-west lightship, and all on board
perished. The ship Neva still remains ashore near the
Huskisson Dock, thumping heavily, but it is not known
how many of her passengers were drowned, Re the sur•