Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-07-11
From the United Service Journal.
PHENOMENON AT HELENA.


In the year 1921 was midshipman in HIS
Maiesty's ship vlgo. guardship at st. Hele-
ma, bearing the flag of Rear Admiral Lambert,
and commanded BY Capt Thomas Brown. during
the latter part Of Napoleon's exile. had charge
of an excellent establishment on shore, called the
stock-yard, for keeping supply Of fat cattle for
the squadron after the arrival of the animals from
the Cape, lank and lean. My party of men al.
ways slept on board, landing the next morning
at daylight
1t was in the early part Of May, month rem
dered remarkable by The death of the Great Chief
tain, which took place on the 5th day, tina: we
were pulling in as usual in the launch, with seve-
raj working. parties on board, but observing that
the surf was too violent for the large boat filled
with men to attempt landing, we tried to ac-
complish it by few at time in the jolly boat.
A small number, including myself, got ON shore
in this manner. Shortly after, was engaged in
a conversation with an officer Of the Honourable
Company's ship Gauges, surrounded by native
women, some children, and Lsscars, when felt
myself forcibly pulled by the arm, aud heard a
person exclaim,-"L Look at the horizon, run, save
yourself, we shall be all lost!!''
| did look, and the sight shall never cease to
remember, it was so frishtfulIy grand. On the
horizon. from the northwest, appeared all i'm
mense undulaton. or swell, resembling a bank of
water rolling majesticaly, directly In the winds
eve. Whether it was my anxiety for the boats,
or that astonishment had paraly2ed me. l cannot
tell, but felt riveted to The spot alone, and be-
fore could attempt to save myself. as others did
BY climbing the rocks, | was whrled along with
the rapdity of lightning in the midst of this dark
wave. Almost in an instant | experienced vio-
lent shock, which stunned me for few moments
-ou recovering the perfect use OF my senses,
found myself in the almourer's cave, with the
forge lying across my thigh. To this circum.
stance must draw attention, "a, by its weight
keeping me from going into the sea as the water
receded, and from being dashed against tue rocks,
to it owe my preservation. Near me were "
ing two Lascars. one was split up the middle, the
others skull was beat to pieces-both were dead.
Fearing a return Of the surf. as the sch usually
rocks in quickly twice, and then comes with re-
doubled violence, | made the best use of my
lungs; the carpenter fortunately heard my cries
and rescued me- My clothes were torn 20 shreds,
my ears. eyes, and nose filled with ashes and
blood but, with the exception of a few contusions,
aud lacerated hands, was otherwise uuhurt.-
One woman was drowned, and several men and
children were picked up by the boats. This first
swell that have mentioned was the prelude to a
gigantic surf, which lasted three days.
This phenomenon (as nothing like it had ever
taken place in the memory of the Oldest inhabit-
ants) was attributed TO an earthquake. We had
only telegraphic communication with the ship
while il lasted. The Notifications were much
injured in front of James Town; huge rocks were
torn up and tossed into our little bathing place
to the left of the landing; the guard house was
abandoned, the sea reaching the upper window;
the ships rode with sails aback to keep them
astetn of their anchors; and, while it lasted, to
See the mass of water burst upon the cliffs. as if
to shake the island from its foundation, was the
grandest sight ever beheld.
There may be some who would connect such a
singular occurrence with the last days Of the ex-
plring Emperor. Croly, if | rccollect right, in
his fioely written history OF George the Fourth,
speaks of his soul taking flight amidst the noise
OF the tempest and the roar of the surf compar-
ing it to the crash Of battle and armies meeting
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