Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1846-10-08
sroRM ATsEA---rne Great western.

The gale which the steamer Great Western
encountered on the 18th and goth uIt. while on
her recent passagezto New York, was both vfo-
lent and fearful in its character The New
York Courier has received long statement, Of
its effects on The steamer, the following abstract
Of which will convey to the reader The picmi-
nent facts:
The Grea, Western sailed from Liver.
pool on lhe l2,t OF September, al 4 o'clock,
P. NJ, with l26 passengers. and inclQ-
ding hands. 2ll in all or 5oard.s The
weather. was pleasant for the season. and
her progress good.
On Saturday,, the 10Th. the sindbegan
to freshsn, ana In the evening had increas-
ed 10 gsle. On Sunday the fore stay
Sail was spiit, and the vessel lay 100 On
der bare poles. At4 P. VI. the wind had
increasep 10 a heavy storm, and j great
quantity okwater got into the engine
room. The passengers in the morning
assent led 10 the cabin. seriously alarmed
At the dangers that eaco9passed them Wy
AT III alheayy sea broke over the star.
board wheel house. and started the ice
house and iron life boat from their fasten-
ings. Az
The windtwasaveering nor,hward, aud
they attempted 10 wear ship, but .wersso.
|blisad I'd desis:; meaniine the suuafe
sail blew away. The lee quarter boats
were tori away from the davils BY hes.
Ivy lee lutch. and the others seemed likely
to follow A.neon the storm still ragged
in all lis Fury. and heavy sea striking the
larbosrd paddle box. smashed il 10 atoms,
sprung the spring beam. aud shattered the
parts of The ship attached gthereto. A
splinter struck the Captain on the head,
and would have Knocked hin overheard,
but be was caught in The MEETINGS.
The wafer was gaining on the pumps;
all iheshalehets were battoned down ex
cept those used in pumping into the en-
CINE room and The wesrher continued the
same until midnight. when .here was
lull Of hall an hour
The'sai ware blown from their furls
and slrea1ed ou, 10 feeward in ribbons.
But sboatl clock sea struck the yes.
sci ard Tremendous crash followed
rents Of wafer deluged the cabin through
the skylisbtl The passengers, in tidal
darkness, sptang 10 their feet, and scream
Of agony told The terrible apprehe n2ious
That prevailed. The crash was caused hy
The wave which swept The quarter deck
Of all the wood work upon it.
Night closed in--ihe wind increasing
IL fury. The whole ocean was covered
with foam, In The evening Rev. Mr.. |
Balch administered The sacrement 10 4.
bout go persons. The scene was most
solemn and|impressive.
On Monday !heslorm sill ragged with |
terrific fury till 8 in The morning, when |
me clouds began iothreak and The squall |
were less severe. The ships head was |
got TO The NJ W. AID the yards hauled a.
round At!nopn the storm ceased, and al
. P. M. the sea abated-the STERN having /
lasted 36 hours.
AT 81 on Monday morning the vessel
vas in the creates, danger. from lorna
do which bufiedihe gunwales Of the ship
ID the sea; Il this critical moment ihe en-
cine was true 10 lis duty and brought The
hip up 10 her course. The wiad bad |
veeied 20 points ia 36 hours.
On Tuesday morning al asse 70 blsd il
he cabin. when religious services were /
performed by Rev. Drs. Snueker, Beech
er. Balch. and other elergymen on'board.
A mesiiog pf the passengers was slso
held. Archibsld Oracle. Esq being callad
oShe chair, and resolutions were addn,-
81 sqiled ics he circumstances Of lie i
case.
~ ~ II -
a letter OF thanks 10 the Captain and
oiher oliieers.of he ship vas si,o drawn
ap nod The spm Of G20D "a. rsissa Is
pFesenl TO ihd ORleers AID crew. Of which /
hf captain Was asked 70 accept R50. Al I
Iupd was Alp started ior lie .upporl Of
he widows Ind children Of those Who
wished A ses, 10 be called ihe Great i