The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-07-03
PHENOMENON AT ST. HELENA

PHENOMENON AT ST. HELENA.
In the year 1921, | was a Midshipman in.
His Ma1esty's ship yigo, guard-ship at ST.
Helena, bearing the flag of Rear-Admlral
Lambert, and commanded by Capt. Thorn
as Brown, during the latter portion OF Napo-
Icons exile. | had charge of an excellent
establishment on shore called the stockyard,
for keeping a supply of fat cattle for the
squadFonafler its arrival from the Cape, lank
and lean. My patty ofmen always slept on
lAvzT ssEE4azp the nextEnaarnirq at d~avffght.
1t was in the early part OF May, a month rem
dered remarkable by the death of the Great
Chieftain, which took place on the 9Th day,
that we were pulling in as usual the launch,
with several working parties on board, but
observing that the surf was too violent for
the large boat filed with men to attempt a
landing, we tried to accomplish it by a few
at a time in the jolly boat. A small number
including myself got on shore in this manner
Shortly after | was engaged in conversation
with an officer Of the Hon. Company's ship
Gauges, surrounded by native women, some
children, and Lascars, when | felt myself
forcibly pulled by the arm, and heard a per-
son exclaim-"Look at the horizon, run, save
yourself, we shall all be lost!" l did look,
and the sight shall never cease TO remem-
Der, it was so frightfully grand. On the hor-
lion, from the northwest, appeared an inn
mense undulation, or swell, resembling a
bank Of water rolling majestically in, direct
Iy in the winds eye. Whether it was my
anxiety for the boats, or that establishment
paralysed me, and before | could attempt to
save myself, as others did, by climbing the
rocks, | was whirled along with the rapidity
of lightning in the midst of this dark wave.
Almost in an instant | experienced a vio-
lent shock which stunned me for a few mo-
ments; OIL recovering the perfect use of my
senses, | found myself in the armorer's cave,
with the forge lying across my thigh. To
this circumstance | must draw attention, as,
by its weight keeping me from going into
the sea as the water receded. Near me
were lying 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 sea usual runs in quickly
twice, and then comes with redoubled VIC
lence, | made the best use Of my lungs; the
carpenter fortunately heard my cries and
rescued me. My cloths were torn TO shreds;
my eyes, ears, and nose filed with ashes and
blood; but with the exception of a few con-
%tusions, and lacerated hands, was otherwise
unhurt. One woman was drowned, and sew
eral men and children were picked up by the
boats. This phenomenon was attributed TO
an earthquake. We had only telegraph COM
munication with the ship while it lasted. The
ratification was much injured in front of
ST. James Town; huge rocks were torn up
tossed into our little bathing place 10 the
left of the landing; the guard-house was
abandoned, the sea reaching the upper win
dows the ship rode with sails aback to keep
them astern of their anchors; and whilst il
lasted, to see the mass Of water burst upon
the cliffs, as if to shake the island from its
foundation, was the graLdest sight ever be
held. There may be some who would con
meet such a singular occurrence with the last
days of the expiring Emperor. Croly, if
r~ecollect right, in his finely written history
of George ". speaks of his soul taking its
flight amidst the noise of the tempest and
the roar of the surf, comparing it to the crash
of a battle and armies meeting.
Fasion makes people visit when they had rath
er stay at home, eat when they are not hungry
and drink when they are not dry. She ruin
health and makes fools Of all her followers