The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-06
Authentic Particulars OF the Terrific Gale OF
the IIth of October.


KEY Wrsr, October %, ls46.
In my letter Of previous date you will have received
intelligence of the late hurricane which swept with such
fearful effect this island and involved the loss Of
much life and property Every day deveopes new in
formation to the lamenabe consequences Of this WISH
tationund every object which meet speaks of ruin
and distress There is not house uniniured on the
sland-with but few exceptions roof leftand over one
half, level with the ground. On the 10Th the barometer
gave evidences Of change and by comparing with the
sympiesomer wes satisfied that there elements in
motion, which would be earnestly at work. At
three o'clock the morning of the eleventh. was
down at the wharves-a heavy setting in, and
wind blowing heavy from the north and westward.
The barometer during interval of six hours had fallen
cloths; the wind kept increasing and at repaired
home the water in my yard was fast rising when short
y after the kitchen fell It was not until about when
the inhabitants of the south western part OF the town be-
gan to realize their danger. The wind had hauled TO
the southland and westward and the waters of the Gulf
rolling in with fearful rapdity; ths streets
deepening from the fresh accumulaons Of each sue
ceeding momentand then it was that the impulse of
wading in all directions children being carried by
their friends or PARENTS and by general sentiment all
TO understand fully the periIous position in which we
placed is necessary to know that the business
part of the town nearly separated from the other by
pond into which the tide regularly ebbs and flows
Over this pond there bridge 200 feet in length
and which afforded ready communication with the part
the wind veered to the south west the waters rushed in
from beyond Zinaxs sweeping into the pond and rem
ming through the debris of falling houses the govern.
men wharves Sc. sc. TO this the air was filed with
missiles the states driven with deathlike celebrity,
giving .dreadfu wounds-rafters, boards and shingles
flew with the lghness of feathers and bricks and stones
falling in all directions The scene was awful
LIES uncertain tenure seemed fast waning to its close
and amid the crash of falling houses the rolling in OF the
and the messengers born the air. but little hope
could be entertained for safety 1t was decidedly the
tighest place placed in, and like fellow
with every fear alive with keen susceptibility made
some mental resolutions Of amendment in morals II was
consoing too, to and know that some very great
scamps had feelings of sreditable character and pro-
missed reform if they should be spared The churches
edifce for the Methodists is likewise down The u s.
marine hospital suffered much, and if the gale had
| fallen The lighthouse, with its fourteen in.
mates was swept away.not, a brick remaining to
Key" with its Inhabitants have all persisted Even the
graves have given their dead and up to this time,
mother earth Our own loss here is about 40. Some
few have been found and buried Our cisterns
be long time before fresh supply of water be OBJ
tanned The ruinous appearance OF our town truly
sad The brilliant foliage Of our trees is burnt though
the blast OF the desert had passed hem and there
is not green spot upon which the eye may turn for
| Lief from the ruin around US.
| The women behaved nobly-every energy of the fe-
male character this trying event was brought out in
bold relief and wherever the unfortunate could congre.
gate, there they received a welcome. The men were
brave and generous-rescuing, swimming and battling
against every dasger to save all without reference to
some accouut Will the benevolent not come up and
give helping hand strengthen us amid Distress
aud yield to those who in their truly be
pted some of their sympathy and excess of worldly
comfort
write in great haste, pressed by sundry duties. but
hope that you will your journal to bring this
desolation to the hearts Of the humane'
schr Coy Bennett Of and from NY, Capt; WaIheld,
ne, be
Brig Exchange Dyer, Of Portland, lost her LIST mate
during the gale cargo fish and lumber Vessel sold
U s brig Perry, Com. Blake, ashore in Bay Honda
all hands safe masts gone threw guns overheard during
the gale-now being ightened and of, fitting up jury
| masts
Brig Colorado of Boston, Capt shackelford cut away
foremost in harbor; dischargng and awaiting orders
Brig Gen Wilson, Minor, Of New London, foremost
| gone, ashore in harbor cargo being lightened and
shipped to St Marks per schr Wilder Bryant master, in
| good order.
Pilot boat Lafayette, of Key West lost three of her
| crew.
Crew saved themselves by jumping on board schooner
wreckng sloop Globe, lost her mast alongside of the
schr. Warrior, of Key West much injured alongside
ship Ebon Prebe, of Boston, high and dry bank in
French ship Reunion of and for Marseilles Capt. Ard
son, from New Orleans, bilg I'd on reef. Crew safe.
Ship Warsaw, Capt. Crowell from Mobile to France,
cargo spars ship lost saved Cargo sold for $780,
| Brig Napoleon, Libbey, from Havana for Cardenas,
Cuba arrived after gale both masts gone crew saved
Brig Metamora. BuDce, of New York, cut away
during the gale the harbor, afterwards drited
high and dry the bank. Cargo ghtened, and stored
schr. W. W. Stafford, of Philadelphia, with govern
men, stores high and dry in ha.bo to 1 be sold old
may be got of after dischargng.
schr ST. Dennys came in after gale, with masts cut
BY &C.
| u. Revenue schr. Morris, Capt Walden, high and
dry cut away both masts crew all saved
Spanish polacca Vencadoro Bunatado, MASTER oil Bar
celona to Havana. Cargo will be saved in damaged
state. Vessel lost.
| lost in ballast from Havana to Cardenas.
Bark Francis Watts, Perkins, from Havana for New
gs
Schooner Sarah Churchman, Baymore; rode out gale
DIV Orange Keys all we'll Commodore Sloat went pas
senger in her from this place to Balize
Brig Eliza, Brazier, Of Portland bound to Havana lost
| both masts-now at anchor
Bark Iris. Dillingham; Of Boston; rasts all gone, cargo
| being saved crew all safe.
Schooner c. II Bacon, Holt with government store s;
lost both mass got ashore, but along side wharf
| awaits orders.
Schooner Fidela of Bristol r. Ii high and dry among
copper bottomed vessel about 500 tons, bottom up
ashore on sandbar; cutting into her. cargo found to
sd nasn River with cotton
Spanish schooner Wianneva, from Neuvtas bound to
Havana, lost Bay Honda 10 out Of 20 OF her crew
Light ship Key West, driven from her moorngs, but
rode out gale, aud is now at her station in North West
| Pass.
Sand Key Light" and Its six inmates all washed
| away.
key West Light" and its four inmates washed away
Light ship Florida at Caryords Reef remains at her
moorings
Light at Tortugas" uninjured.
Ship Olive Eliza, Weeks, of Portsmouth, N. H., from
New Orleans for France cargo Of slaves went ashore
qucksands the lsth ship and cargo lost crew all
saved
The new lantern for Tortugas Light, lost in schooner
William 10th its way to Tortugas the contractor
and crew all saved
The news from Havana received this morning, Is of
in harbor but four rode out gale number Of lives
churches &C.. destroyed detailed account has been
fol warded by express to the States
From the Charleston Courier, Nov. q
The Isabella Captain Roby, arriv ed at this port
on Saturday last, in days from Havana via Matanzas
HAVANA, Oct 10, 1s48.
a. hova nover thing To eaual The of he