Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1841-10-15
From The Clepe7Gnd Herald,
WATER SPOUT ON LAKE ERIE.

WATER SPOUT ON LAKE ERIE.
On Friday evening last, between S and
six o'clock our citizens enjoyed the
sight OF most rare and imposing exhib.
tion in the natural world, commonly
known as a ''water spout" which pas
sed IN front ofthe town, within one mile
II seems that what we call a "whrl-
wind" upon the land, causes a water
spout at sea, when the aerIe forces are
sufficiently powerful 10 raise the water
ofthe Beacon light.
These whirls or whirlpools in The at
mosphere result from the meeting of diff
ferent currents Of air, and form vor-
tex in the same manner as eddies ore
made in running water by distractions or
counter currents. Ga Friday, the wind,
blew strongly from the N, E until about
8 P. M. when it suddenly changed to
west, still blowing gale and bringiug
Onward dark and threatening storm. -
A few minutes before the change of wind
the whIrI that caused The spout came off
the land two miles west of the Pier,
producing great agitation Of the water,
rising and driving about the spray with
great fury: the sea running high at The
time ln short time portion Of the
low black cloud which lay directly over
the troubled portion Of the water, des.
cended in the form OF large sack, half
way to The surface of the Lake. 1t was
apparently of the size Of large hay
stack, hollow, and the spray or vapor of
which it was composed had spiral and
upward motion, around The cavity Of tue
column. 1t proceeded from shore IN
northeasterIy direction, not IN a regular
track but with canstant and sudden de-
ViatIons, perh"ps Two miles; The portion
decending from the clouds, at times al
most dispersed by the strength of the
gale. If the sun had no. been obscured,
and the air darkened by the storm 10 the
west, Immediately behind } the whole Of
the spout would, without doubt, have
been very distinctly seen
When opposite the harbor its direction
became more southerIy, lie color changed
from the dark cast Off heavy C loud to
the wh'eness Of spray or falling water,
and it took The form of an inverted cone
with regular clements, its vortex resting
on the water, not larger than hogsbead,
its base surrounded by moving clouds -
Very little rain fell while it was in sight,
aud whether this proceeded from the wa.
ter elevated by The cloud could not be as.
cerlained As it travelled eastward be :
fore the wind It approached the shore a
mile east of The city, changing shape
continually, and causing as il passed a
great commotlOn in the already agitated
waters. Here fresh gust seemed to
break up the cgIumn, and it vanished -
Fortunately n5 boats or vessels were in
its route, or much damage might have
ensued.
Among the numourous displays of the
grandeur Of storms which our waters af.
ford, we have witnessed none more vari-
ed or sublime than this. 1t was not
considered large spout when compared
with those which occur on the broad
ocean, to the wonder and alarm of the
mariner. but seems to have been perfect
ly formed though upon limited scale.
We are informed that three of them
occurred al the same moment about 25
miles west oI this place leWvears since,
and passed among some vessels without
coming IN contact with any Of them
1t may be very long before another
makes its appearance here.