Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-04-23

after we babe America fareweh, we "e,
observation. almost up with the meridian o. '"S
Western Islands, and in the 47th dfg. o. -
latitude. Early in the morning OF mar eay:
shoal Of perpoises, the sure ioreru"aers y. w.
ferrous winds, were seen leaplng ana ga"oon"s
in their course towards the east. "e eo"
rose with its usual spendouf, anu pipm a 'hns
continuance Of the lovely "eaiher We "a y, ,he
far enjoyed, but about nine ciosH, a. h,zs
a.,.rr horizon became obscured by haze'
which gradually advancing over the race OF 'he
h..rsns at length enyeloped the whole In ms
~ veil. through which the sun could scarcely
emit pale and slckly light. So uhfaVouraole
a change having taken place, the seamen wes.
busily engaged in making preparations 70 '''ee'
any sudden emergency. The lighter SANS were
an furle,i, and the larboard, fore, and main .oP'
and ,op-gallan, studding sail booms rigseo III,
Her canvas being thus greatly reduced: ou'
shin appeared deprived Of much OF her maJesS'
and under her topsails and fore-conrse oh'!'
continued to advance on her way ne oiee1e
abou, noon began to freshen and ra Pldiy increas-
ed our spced; the atmosphere continued 10 DARK
en-. and the scud few swiftly along. lhe niue
waves that had hitherto been our companions,
assumed loftier height and more DISTURBED
anne arance, as the increasing gale hurried them
on and crested Them with toam. \ further re-
duction Of the canvas became necessary, ana or
ders were given to double reef the icpsaiis'-
The ship bowed beneath the pressure Oh inc
gale, and driven along at the rate OF zen OF
twelve miles an hour, dashed away the swe''i"e
seas, and enveloped her bows in cloud OF roam
viewed with establishment The altered appear
anee Of the ocean, and the rapidlty OIL the yes
sells course through the waves, spreading vac
wrea,hs OF foam wide on either hand, and marx
th RI
line Of snowy Wilderness. The sun had long
since diappeared behind the thicken'ng amps nos
phere, and night began TO close AROUND. INC
scene was by no means calculated 10 create
disposi,ion TO sumher, but the rain beginning
IN de,ccnd. Obliged those whom duty did not re-
ouire non deck to seek shelter below. feeling
no inclination to sleep, threw myself into my
birth, determining on visiting the deck, 10 wit
ness the raging Of the ocean, when night enve:-
Ioped all around in darkness. The roaring oil The
waves; the no wiling OF the wind thro' the shrouds,
and the shocks which the vessel every now and
then received, as she was impelled against some
biilow loftier than its fellows, were quite sutl-
cient to Danish sleep from Landmarks eyelids.
The voice OF the officer Of the watch, heard
warning the helmsman, or giving orders 10 the
seameu to perform some necessary duty; feet
hurryine over the deck, and the hoise oil the
ropes, when they were thrown down and hauled
across the planks Immediately above US, tend
ed in no inconsiderable degree 10 increase the
interest which our situation excited. The pitch
| ing Of the ship became in the course OF two or
| three hours, excessive; and / was induced to
ascend TO the deck. Ihad heard of the appear
ance Of the ocean at night in storm, but my
| fancy had not conceived 1.-THE OF the. awful
grandeur. Of the reality II was not dark, al
though the heavens were wrapt in the most IN.
tense blac kness, for every billow seemed crest
ed with wreath Of hre, and the bows Of the
vessel appeared as if deluged with shower
Of boiling silver. The foam caused by the
ships rapid way, rolled around TO eonsidera-
BILE distance, and, eircling and sparkling as it
rose and fell with the receding pillows, marked
our luminous course through the ocean. The
gales came not in filful gusts, but with stea-
| dy roar which formed q suitable accompani-
ment to the deep-toned music Of the raging
sea. Perhaps the word music may not be
though, appropriate to such scene, but my
heart told me it ,cas music far more touch.
ing than any to which had ever listened.
Eel, it as the ocean rejoicing in its might, and
hymning ITS praises to the God Of nature, and
felt it as the dirge that had sounded over
many sailors parting soul, as he sunk be.
nealn the STRIFE CT WlnuS anu waves Jar oistdnt
from his home.
The storm continued to increase in violence,
and al length without an inch Of canvas spread,
we were driven before il al a prodgious rate.
Long before the return Of day the pillows had
grown TO an enormous size; and our ship, that
had SO lately dashed them in her pride from
before her path, now few as up the side of a
lofty hill, and then, trembling for an instant on
the Summit, shot with therapidity Of an arrow s
flight into the dark abyss which yawned as il
to engulf her in oblivion.
Day at length appeared, and opened new
scene Of wonders to my astonished view. On
every side the giant seas crowned with a wreath
Of the purest white, rushed on before the nigh
ty fury Of the winds, and the spray flying from
their snowy eres,s, spread thin veil Of mist
over :he surface Of the ocean. At eight o'clock,
A. NJ. the attention Of all on deck was sttract-
ed by a vessel three or four miles distant, off
the larboard bow. When first deserted, she ap.
peared dark, shapeless object, through the
gloomy atmosphere, but as We few along, and
the distance lessened, we discovered her 10 be
| line Of battle ship, lying to under storm stay.
| sail. Her huge bulk was tossed like feather
| on the mountainous seas, which ever and anon