American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-10-03
OYAGE OF TEE GREATWEsTERN.

1 II .
A THRILLING ACCOUNT OF THE STORM,
3 We gave yesterday a brief account Of the
Hassage Of the steamship Great Western from
iverpool to New York, during which she en-
Duutered terrific gale. The New York pa
ers contain detailed and graphic narrative
the voyage and of the violence of the storm,
lrnished by the Rev. DR.. Balch, from which
he make some extracts.
After stating that on Sunday, the Goth, at
| o'clock, A. M, a heavy sea broke over the
zDrepart of the starboard wheel house, struck
he ice house, Containing seven or eight tons
d ice, J and the iron life boat above it, twisted
Zhem from their fastenings, breaking the ice
ouse into two parts, ripping off the planks,
rushing the starboard companion way, and
My prevented from making a clear breach in
he side of the ship, by sudden lurch to port
ne narrative proceeds:
Word was passed among the passengers that
wo of our boats were gone, and the others
we're likely to follow, the aavits and bolts be-
Itinning to give. But not a remark was made;
BACH spoke to the other only through the eye.
And the omnous silence which pervaded the
whole company, told how se1sby all felt them
selves in the presence of the King Of Terrors,
uncertain of their doom.
1t was wonderful to see how 4 few short
hours changed the condition and feelings Of all
|on board The grades and distinctions Incl
dent to 50 large a company, varying in social
position, citizens of almost all countries, and
protesting different creeds, yet in the presence
|of so imminent danger, all distinctions seemed
merged into one common emotion of awe, as
we stood together in the Court of the great le-
weller, Death. With this intense feeling which
bound US together as one, came also another
|of an opposite and repelling character. Every
heart was occupied with its individual griefs
land memories, as if not another shared the
peril. Home, with its loved ones, and thou
sand cherished hopes and joys, rose fresh to
the view, and with power like storm, swept
over the mind and left it like the ocean tenn
pest, tost and troubled.
''See," said a gentleman to me, emo one
converses, no one reads-all are engaged, each
with his own thoughts; and if my wife and
children were here, | confess, my feelings
would be Of the most distressing character. y
'But," said |, "they suffer in your loss. p
every true; yet it is only question Of time,
and, whether sooner or later, Gods will be
done"
"At noon, storm and sea raging in all its fl-
ry, sea still bringing over the ship, heavy sea
struck the larboard paddle box, and smashed il
to atoms, sprung the spring beam and shattered
the parts of the ship attached thereto, A splin-
ter struck the Captain on the head, and would
have knocked him overheard, but he was caught
in the nettings.
"After the sea had passed over, we found
the water had gained on the pumps; the wind
appeared to lull little and the ship little
easier, but still blowing a storm. All the
hatches except those made use of for passing
into the engine room, were buttoned down, and
the skylights partially covered. The weather
continued the same until midnight, at which
time it lulled for half an hour.
The log conveys the reader some idea of the
state of the ship and effects of the storm on
Sunday at noon. Its effects on those below
can best be given in the words of gentleman
who remained the greater part of the time in
the cabin.
) ''To convey an idea of the appearance Of al
around, is out of my power. In the words o
Sheridan, 'the tempest roamed in all the terIo
Of its glory The atmosphere was surcharget
with thick spray, rendering look far out tt
seward impossible. The wind howled, roar
ed and beloved, like the constant muttering
of the thunder cloud. Huge waves of tire
mendous height and volume, rose in mad dis
play around the ship, threatening every mo
Inent 10 break over US amidships and crush tn