Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-10-15
THE GREAT wEsTERN-sToRM AT SEA.

The Great Western encountered a most perilous
New York. The following particulars of her vow
age are related in the New York Courier:
The Great Western sailed on the 10Th Of Sep
TENDER, at o'clock, p. M, with l26 passengers,
and Fl hands in all on board. The weather was
pleasant Tor the season. and her progress GOOD
On Saturday, the 18th, the wind began to fresh
en-, and in the evening had increased to gale On
Sunday the fore stay sail was split and the vessel
lay to under bare poles.--At p NJ. the wind had
Increased TO heavy storm and great quantity OF
water got into the engine room. The passengers
In the morning assembled in the cabin seriously a.
larmed at the dangers that encompassed them At
/ heavy sea broke the starboard wheel house
and started the ice house and iron life boat from their
fastenings
The wind was veerng northward, and they at
tempted TO wear ship-but were obliged to desist ;
meantime the square sails blew away. The lee
quarter boats were torn away from the davts by a
heavy lee lurch and the others seemed likely 10 fol-
low. AT noon the storm still ragged in all It's fury
and heavy sea striking the larboard paddle box,
smashed ii to atoms, sprung the spring beam and
shattered the parts OF the ship attached thereto A
splinter struck the Captain on the head, and would
have knocked him overheard, but he was caught in
the nettings
The water was gaining on the pumps all the
matches were battoned down except those used in
pumping into the engine room, and the weather
continued the same until midnight when there was
lull Of half an hour.
The sails were blown from their furIs and stream
ed out to leeSvard in ribbons But about O'Clock
sea struck the vessel and tremendous crash fol-
lowed ;-torrents of water deugcd the cabin through
the sky-light The passengers, in total darkness,
sprang TO their feet, and of agony told the
terrible apprehensons that prevailed. The crash
was caused by the wave which swept the quarter
deck of all the woodwork upon it.
Night closed ln,-the wind increasing i'm fury
| The whole ocean was covered with foam. In the
evening the Rev. Mr.. Balch administered the sacra-
ment to about 60 persons. The scene was most
solemn and impressive.
On Monday the storm still ragged with terrific fury
TIL 8 in The morning, when the clouds began to
break and the squalls were less severe. The ships
head got to the N w. and the Yards hauled
around. At noon the storm ceased. and at 9 p. NJ
the sea abated-the storm having lasted So hours
AT 81 on Monday morning the vessel was in the
greatest danger, from tornado which buried the
gunwales OF the ship in the sea at this critical mo-
ment the engine was true to IFS duty. and brought
the ship up to her cause.-the wind had yeered
20 points in Sc hours
On tuesday morning all assembled in the cabin
when religious services were performed by Rev
Drs. Schumacher, Beecher, Balch and other clergy
men on board. a meeting of the passengers was
also held, Archibald Oracle. Esq., being called &c
the chair, and resolutions were adopted suited If
the circumstances of the case
letter OF thanks TO the Captain and other off
GERS of the ship was also drawn up and the sum oil
G2OO was raised to present TO the officers and crew
| of which the Captain was asked to accept ESQ
fund was also started for the support of the widows
and children of those who perish at sea- to be called
| The Gredt Western Fund