Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-09-06
TIE MAELsTROM WHIRLPOOL.
Letter from gentleman IN Washington
10 The Hon. Il. II. Woodrard, Judge
Of N;d,iIe EIJ,.iIo

II LeHer from gentleman ~ VdStH2to"
10 The Hon. a. B. Woodrard, Judge
Of .Midde Florida.
This wonderful phenomenon, that has
excited the wonder and astonishmcnt oi
The world, ] have seen. There are few
of my counirymcn who have had the op-
portunity in consequence Of the situation
Of it being remote from any port of com
morce. Its latitude and longitude do
not exactly recollect. 1t is situated be-
tween two islands, belonging to group
oiI the coast OF Norway called the Low
IN staff Islands, between Drontheim (be-
ing the most northern port OF commerce }
and the North Cape. suppose the
latitude to be about 90 north, but will
not be certain.
! had occasion some years since, 10
navigate n ship from North Cape to
DrontheiT, nearly all the way between
the islands or rocks and the main. On
enquiring ofmy Norway pilot, about the
pra,iicnblily OF running near tho whirI-
pool he told inc that with good breeze
it could be approached near enough for
examination without danger. ] ut once
determined to satisfy myself. We be-
gan to near it about 10 A. Nj. in the
month of September with fine leading
wind North West. Two good seamen
were placed at the helm, and the mate
on the quarter deck, all hands at their
stations for working ship, and the pilot
standing on the bowsprit, between the
night heads. wen; on the maintopsail
yard with good glass. had been
seated but few moments wien my ship
entered the dish of the whirlpool the
velocity of the water altered her course
three points towards the centre, although
she was going eight knots through the
water. This alarmed me exceedingly
for moment thought that destruction
was inevitable. She, however, answer
cd her helm sweetly and We run along
the edge, the waves loaming around us
in every form, while she was dancing
gaily over them. The sensations OK
pericnccd ME difficult 10 describe
Imagine TO yourself an immense circle,
running round, of diameter Of one and
II half miles, the velocity increasing as
it approximaied towards centre, and
gradually changing its dalk blue color
to wh:,e--foaming, tumblins, rushing to
The vortex very much concave, rs
much so as the water in tunnel when
half run out the noise too, Missing,
roaring, dashing-all pressing on the
mind, at once present the most awful,
grand, solemn sight l ever experien-
ced.
We were near j, about eighteen min
u,es, and IL sight of it about two hours
II Is evidently n subicrranean passage,
that leads-the Lord knows where
From its magnitude ! should not doubt
that instant destruction would be the
fate OF a dozen Of our largest ships, we're
they drawn IN at the same moment
The pilot says that several vessels have
been sucked down, and that whales
have also been destroyed The first
think probable enough, but l rather
doubt the latter.
] have thus, sir, given you lame,
but true account. II hereafter ] can
occupy leisure hour in detailing scenes
and circumstances within my own kM,w
edge, in the course of twenty two years
voyaging, ! shall he happy, and will be
amply repaid by the consciousness that
have contributed to add one moment )
pleasure to gentleman 81 highly re-
spcct aud es,ecm.-IMich. Herald.