Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-02-20

Severe Gak.-On Saturday night last we
experienced. q. severe gale of wind and rain
Several vessels at Smithville. we understand
were started from their mornings. No serions
damage however, we are glad to hear hap
pened to any of them. The Gale farther
south. was most terrific. At Charleston. S. c.,
the damage was tremendous. we annex the
following extract from the Courier.
VIOLENT AND DEsTRu CTfVE GALE.
On Friday afternoon last, it commenced raining
and continued Throughout the night, with little
cessation, thevind in the meantime blowing toe
tFaby, fresh. The appearance OF the weather was
unfayorable IN the afternoon of Friday and the
sea running So high on the Bar, that the VIII
mington mail boat returned. thus fortunately es-
Gaping an encounter with the storm which followed
About eight O'Clock on Saturday morning, the
wind increased in violence, and in about half an
hour thereafter it blew with force truly terrific
There were in the harhor about 10 sail of square
rugged vessels, in all possible positions, taking in
and discharglng cargoes, ready Tor sea, &c. and
not especially prepared for outstanding gale as
such a warning of the elements is quite unusual
open daylight, and with the promptness and fear
essness characteristic of the hardy sons Of the O.
cean every precauton that could be taken to with
stand the violence of the blow was immediately
resorted to. Had it taken place In the course OF
the night, crowded as the wharves We're with craft
of every description, the destruction, would have
been tremendous.
AS it was, the scene was truly awful at about
10 o'clock, when the gale was at its height. the
crashing and grinding of the vessels against each
other, and the ripping up of the wharyes in many
nstances-the dashing of the waves, which, break.
ing against whatever obstruction they encountered
sent the salt spray, in massey volumes, high IN the
air, and in many instances carrying up boards and
pieces of wreck, spectacle grand but fearful
to look upon '@
At the Battery, particularly, the force and pow
er of the wind was exhibited in striking manner.
The waves rolling up in vast volume, beat with
tremendous violence againt the barrcade of stone,
and breaking, threw cateracts of water into the
street, and flooded not only the street itself some
three or four feet deep, but also inundated the
yards and gardens Of the residents on the west side
of the Battery, completely cutting off all commu-
nication with the inmates of some of the houses.
! A thrilling incident occurred at the Battery at
the very commencement of the gale. A canal
boat owned by Mrs. Swluton, and having three
negroes on board, broke adrft, and came down
with much force against the stone work, dashng
her to pieces in very short time. Two of the ne
groes succeeded in saving themselves but the 9th.
er, aged and paralyzed with fear, was unable tc
help himself Several gentlemen, among them we
heard named the Rev. w. B. Y ates, who resided
Immediately opposite, and Mr. j. G. Lynch, has
tened to his assistance with rope, which they In
structed him to fasten around his body. and at q
favorable moment drew him up, and relieved him
from his perlous position, The boat Itself was
beat into strips and sent the Battery into the
street by the force of the waves ,..:
Towards the close of the gale, raft Of timber
was seen floating out. having become detached
from mass which some ne groes had been en-.
deavoring to secure on the western side OF the
city, and on it negro, who was making signals fol
assistance. A boat was sent out, and the mai
saved after he had drifted about half mile down
the channel. '.-.- g.: -.. .
We learn that some go or 10 RATS of boards anc
timber, were detached from their fa<tenings ii
Ashley River, and blown off, soma up and some
down the river, and many of them, probably will
never be recovered. ..,..t* 4. ,
The caaseway leading to Chisolms Mill is
, much injured, i'll consequence Of the quantity o
lumber and wood which was driven against 1t.
The yards and gardens attached to the residences
through nearly to Church street were covered
about foot deep with salt water
MANY of the Wharves have been seriously dam
aged, the posts torn up, heads stove in and dispac
ed, &c The roofs of many houses were also in
jared by the states and tile being blown of-and
in many sections of the city the fences have been
Frustrated.
The Wilmington steamer Vanderbilt arrived
2 here early, on Saturday morning, and succeeded
in sending her boat ashore with the Western mail
in time for it to go on the Rail Road. but the WING
Increasing, it found impracticable to bring he
along side the wharf, or, indeed to have any fur
Their communication with the shore. until the gal,
should abate and therefore proceeded up Coope
River, and anchored off Princes Poit where sh.
rode out the storm in safety. The mail was bro
to the post office about r. M. ,h!rH
considerable dana ge was done to the ship
ping in port. The Schooner Elizabeth lying
Rice, sunk, cargo total loss, and the vesse
. probably the same-no insurance. The slooI
Susan MCPHERSON also sunk. The Schoone
Stranger, from Swansboro' N. G., had he
0 bends badly chafed. The steam packet Gov
Dudley. one Of the line boats from Whining
ton to Charleston, received considerable in
t jury in guards &c. A number Of other vessel
u received more or less injury.
o The gale fortunately was of a short duration
continuing only about three hours but during thu
: period have seldom seen it more violent. Gre,
fears entertained for vessels on the coast al
" had it continued many hours longer, there is b.
little doubt that the consequences would have bee
: very serious. az
Capt Wood ofthe schr. Zephyr, arrived ycste
IL day from HAVANA, reports that he enceuntere
n the gale, but that at no time it violent b
:. that he was able to carry his foresail., ,r..li
y + Jo,tor, ~for, cxoorroto,,, e.,to A.l a. r