Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1846-08-27
A storm on the "CanawI."

il has been The fortune of many TO travel on
a canal, when It's calm waters slept in undis.
turbed tranquility, and the soft breath Of the
summer air scarcely excited a ripple upon its
peaceful bosom. But when old Boreas has
awakened from his slumbers, and is stalking
furously over its dangerous depths, lashing its
waters TO madness, throwing up huge pillows
/ high upon its banks, and engulphing every thing
/ in its boiling whrlpools with threatening water.
spnuIs and roaring tornadoes; at such time
we question whether many have dared the dan
gers and perils of the Raging Canawl"
Il was calm nigh, in June. when it was my
fortune 10 be lrSvelng with goodIy number
of passengers, upon that staunch and thorough
sea-boar, the Dolly Maria" Naught was
heard 10 break the silence, save The sleeping
passengers in The cabin, who seemed combined
to roll the deep eternal bass of Natures An
them" in one general snore, which shook the
boa, from stem TO stern, and reverbera,ed along
The wooded banks like muIiering thunder.
The grim sons OF Neptune who navigated
the boa, were dispersed about The deck in yari-
Gus attitudes, and The skipper was pacing by
the weather gangway, quietly smoking his ci-
gar. Suddenly he stopped short in his walk,
and his eye rested upon a small black cloud
which had appeared in the western horizon,
and was growing larger and blacker every mo-
ment. He gazed but moment, and then his
voice rung with clear aud startling tones " Ev-
cry man 10 his post" Aye, aye, growled the
old waterdogs, who were soon ready for The
approaching storm.
! Shortly it burst upon US in all its violence.
Hard up your helm :" shouted The captain.
AYE, aye" growed the old Muskrat in the
stern, and she rode the gale nobly bu, sudden
/ ly heavy sea gave her side winder," car
rying away the wash dish and ducking the
cook, aud the gallan. craft began TO settle away
to The leeward.
Haul tau, The tow Iine--Box haul the main
setting pole and square away The wood box y
Numbered The captain, whose spirit seemed ,o
rise superior 10 the emergency.
The Storm was now terrific, the waves run.
ming mountains high, often rising TO the very
summit of the ,ow-path and it was soon seer
'hat the Dolly Maria was no match for such +;
tempest, aud was gradually drifting before tn,
wind
Breakers ahead I" shouted the boot-black.
Where away?"
"Over The off row lock !" was answered.
The decisive moment had now come. ant
the captain saw that decisive measures alon,
would avail, and through the canal horn shou,
ed, =" sieersman, take another tack in your un
menionahles. Cook, double reeflhe stove-pip
and get up more steam on the tea-keue. Gu
: away the gangway. Furl the mizzen jb-boom
Unship the taf'raiI, and lie, 90 The boat hook !!
but The anchor srll dragged, the danger wa
every moment becoming more minent, the roa
of breakers was distinctly heard, and order
were given 10 light the ship.
discharge overheard your tobacco quid.
every man Of you. Steward, throw overboar
he bool-jack and cof,eepo,, upon which sh
! was very perceptibly lighrened, the ancho
caught. and faint gleam Of hope broke upo
our despairing souls.
But soon came the appalling cry, "the be,
bows has parted, and we are all adrif!" The
all hope was gone, and wild shrek rose hg
above The raging storm, but anon was heard lh
calm voice Of The captain, exhorlng US to b
quiet. for we might yet be saved. The tow
line had been secured 10 stout post and RAJ
fence on shore, running bow-ine was got up
a on The cut-warer, double turn was taken upo
). iae caooose, the helm jammed 7" hard a-por,,
d and The Dolly Maria once more brought upo
9 The wind. and rode GU, lha, gale in safety.
Ar UncnIightened Candidate.