The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-30 00:00:00

THE RECENT. EQUINOCTIAL GALES.

LOSS OF THE CAMERTON, HULL AND ROT-
TERDAM STEAMER. -GREAT SACRIFICE OF
LIFE.

As was predicted in the details whichwehave given
of the havoc occasioned by the late fearful gales, a
lamentable destruction of life and property has taken
place on the Dutch and neighbouring district of
coast. By the General Steam Navigation Com-
pany's steam-ship Moselle, Captain Frost, which
arrived in the river yesterday from Rotterdam, in-
telligence has been received of not only the inun-
dation of that town, arising from the vast influx of
water which had been blown up the river, but the
loss of the Camerton screw steam-ship, Captain
Cross, with many of the passengers and crew, it is
believed, including the unfortunate commander,
during the storm of Sundaynight, while on a voyage
from Hull to Rotterdam. Another catastrophe is
also reported by a passenger, who came by the
Moselle, to the effect that a steamer which
left Amsterdam on Sunday for some island in
the Zuider Zee was lost in the gale which
set in that evening, and that out of the large num-
ber of 110 passengers who were on board, only
eight were saved. The weather is described to
have been of a most terrific character. Like on the
English coast, it commenced early on Sunday,
gradually increased in violence, and seemed not
to have moderated until Monday night. The wind
drove up the waters of the North Sea, swelled the
rivers, and inundated all towns upon their banks.
The streets of Rotterdam were covered with water
on Monday, and a passage from one point of the
place to another could only be accomplished by
means of boats. The catastrophe which befel the
Camerton was made known at Rotterdam by the
Natal steamer, from London, which picked up a
boat containing thirteen of the crew and passen-
gers of the ill-fated steamer, in the course of Mon-
day morning, near the island of Goeree, at the
mouth of the river leading up to the port, bearing
S.W., about 30 miles distant. The Camerton was
an iron ship, of between 300 and 400 tons burden,
worked by a screw, and was commanded by an old
and skilful navigator, who had had considerable
experience in the trade. She `left Hull on
Saturday with a full cargo and a fair average num-
ber of passengers. As yet no authentic details
have been received, but it would appear that on
approaching the coast of her destination, she en-
countered the terrific gale, which has committed
so much havoc upon our shores. The sea swept
over her with tremendous force, and at length be-
coming perfectly uncontrollable, as is suppoEed,
she was left to the mercy of the elements. It is
reported that she had a quantity of wool in bales
on board, which, absorbing the water, tended much
to hasten her destruction. At length, after being
buffetted about for many hours in the storm, she
suddenly began to settle down, and in a compara-
tively brief period foundered in deep water. Of
the number of souls who are thought to have
perished with her, no accurate return has as yet
been communicated. The accounts vary. Some
give 20 and others 30 and 40. There is little
doubt, however, but that the sacrifice of life is
very considerable, as is inferred from the known
number of her crew and her probable list of pas-
sengers. Of the thirteen who managed to get
away in the boat, four only, it is said, were pas.