Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-10-08
FULL PARTICULARS OF TIE
Storm at Sea-Peril of the Great
Western.

western.
On Saturday afternoon, Sept 10, lat. AZ "a
Ion 81 AZ, The Great Western felt the begin
ming Of storm which became terrific, and last
cd Ill noon on Monday, the ship all the time
in imminent danger, and all on board believing
their hour had come. The New York pOper'
pubIish narrative made up Of the log of Capt
Mathews aud remarks Of passengers, from
which wo make the following oxtraet:
SATURDAY, Sept, l2ih, 1916.
The Steamship Great Western, b. r.
Mathews, Esq, Commander, left Liverpool al
4 O'Clock, Z NJ having on board one hundred
and twenty-sx passengers, Captain, five OH
GERS, five engineers. aud seventy -four crew, IN
all two hundred and eleven persons.
SuSDAy, Goth, at 40 minutes past 2 A. NJ
split the fore stay sal took IN the remains oi
Il aud lay to under bare poles.
The rising frightinlly, and breaking over
tnnd against the ship. AT the wind increased
lo u heavy storm, and the sea running most
iurlonsly a, the ship. The wind veerlug to the
n ". at the same time, aud the ship breaking
off into the trough of the sea, rendered our
situation more critical \ great quantity oi
breaking over the ship, which was umped out
by the lee blge pump.
SunIa, morning most OF the passengers as
sembIcd in the cabin and saloon. Their bag.
gard faces told too surely of The sleeplcss aud
anxious night which had passed. Even those
most ignorant of nautical affairs could not fail
To discover that we were IN the midst Of great
peril. Few could dress with their accustomed ID
care owing TO the violent pitching aud con-
stant rolling Of the vessel. The stewards
abandoned any attempt 10 prepare the break
fast table, aud both then aud throughout the
day, were obliged To content Themselves with
bringing such articles Of food us were most con-
vcnieni, to those who felt any disposition to
sat.
II o'clock, 4. NJ A heavy sea broke over
tie fore part of the starboard wheel house, or
paddle box, which started the ice house, and Il
large iron life boat, from their iastenings and
washed them to leoward, aud with much diili-
Guilty they were temporarily secured.
II: 30 \ N. The lee quarter boats were
lOrn from the davts by heavy lee lurch OF the
ship, bending the da,ls, tearing out tho ring
bolts from their stems and serns.
Word was passed among the passengers that
two of our boats were gone, and the others
were likely To follow, the davis aud bolts be-
ginning to give-But not II remark was made ;
each spoke 10 the other only through the oye
And the omInous silence which pervaded the
whole company, told how sensIDly all felt
themselves IN the very presence of the King
Of Terrors, uncertain of their doom.
II was wonderful TO see how n few short
hours changed the condition and feelings oi all
On board. The grades and distinctions Incl.
dent to so large a company, varying in social
position, citizens of almost all countries, and
protesting uillUrcnl crecds, yet IN the presence
Of so imminent danger, all Distinctions seemed
merged into one common emotion of awe, rs
we stood together IN the court of the great
Ievollcr, Death. Wnh this intense feeling
which bound Us together as one, came also
another of an opposite and rspGlling character.
Every heart was deeply occupied with its in
divIdua greis aud memories, as If no; another
shared the peril. Home, with lis loved oncs,
aud Thousand cherished hopes and joys, rose
fresh to the view, aud w,h power like the
storm, swept over the mind and left II like the
ocean tempest.iost aud troubled
Sec, said gentleman 10 me-, mo one con-
verses, no one reads-aIi are engaged, each
with bis own thoughts # nv wife and chill
dren were here, ! confess, my feelings would
be of tho most distressing character, But,
said l. 'lhsy suiirr IN your loss very true :
vet it IS only question Of time, and, whether
sooner or later, Gods viii be done
AT noon, storm and sea raging in all lis fury
sea still breaking over the ship, Il heavy sea
struck the larboard paddle box and smashed
Il To atoms spruug the sprlug beam breakng
the under half: shattered the parts of the ship
attached thereto. splinter struck the cup.
tam on The head while standing on the poop,
and the iorre of the blow, together with the
sea, carried him over the Ice quarter, aud he
was only saved by the MEETINGS
AFTER this sea had passed over, we found
he water had gained Oh the pumps the wind
appeared TO lull Il lito and the ship n little
.asIer. but still blowing u storm Al the
iatches, except those made use OF for passing
nto the engine room, were battened down, and
he skyIights partially covered. The weather
the SAME until midnight, at which
line il lrled for halt an hour
The log conveys to the reader some idea Of
hc state OF the ship aud effects Of the storm on
SUNDAY, at noon. LIS effects on those below
IAN beet be gwen IN the words Of a gentleman
, ho remained the greater part Of The time in
he cabin.
"To convey an idea oftho appearance of all
Iround IS out ot my power. In the words nf
sheridan, 'the tempest roamed in all the terror
II It's glory The atmosphere was surohnrS"d
With a thick spray, rendering look FAR out to
raward, impossiblo The wind howlrd,
cared aud bclowrd, like the constant muitrr.
ms Of the thunder cloud Huge waves Of
remrndous height and volume, rose IN mad
rspay around the ship, threatening every mo.
nent 10 break over us amldshlp aud crush the
cssel. Sea after sea striking US with terrific
oise caused the gallant ship To stop for an in
tant, trcn,ble aud shake in every timber from
or stem to her stern post; rceling aud lurehlug. /
pssed tu aud fro, again would she gather fresh |
trength, and with her wheels halt hid ia The
Wild uators again aud again receive the lhun.
ering blows Of an element that seemed armed
pr our destruction.
The sails on the yards, strongly secured hy .
npes and gaskeis, were blown from their iurl. .
nd s,rcamed out to leUward ~ ribbons. Bur
u this was nothing. About T. NJ, whilst \
most OF ~ were seated IN agonizng suspense
n The lower cabin, holding fast to the tables
nj setiees, a sea struck the vessel, aud ire.
icndous crash was heard on docl, Instantly /
bc cabin wus darkcnrd, aud torrents Of water
ame pouring down upon us through the sky. \
ghls.
S,arcely had the waters reached the floor,
ghon all in the cabins and state rooms spraug
. their feet, aud simultaneously, ~ il bl con.
,.,t ,I, ladios utter,d "A srr,utu nf ouput sn