Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-05-13
tco'rsspoadenee Of the New York Express.

U Sur Lsxiseros,
Valparaiso Harbor,t CAili.) lyopembu %. 1886.
! we arrived a, this place to day. and, agree
able to promise, will give you brief account
oil our voyage thus far. We left Rio Janero
on the moining OF the 2lst Of September, aud
had pleasant voyage I'LL we arrived of the
Rio de la Plata, when we encountered sue
cesslon OF heavy gales, called the Pamperos.
+. We passed the Falkland Islands ON the l2,h
Of October, and on the 9Th rounded Cape ST.
John, the most eastern point OF Staten Land.
Thus far our voyage has beena prosperous
one; we were then within less than one hun
bred and fifty miles OF Cape Horn, and, If the
wind continued favorable, would in another
day have been round that dreaded promon,o-
~ but, to our disappointment. the wind came
out from the southwest, blowing the most ire
mendous gale ever Witnessed The waves
rolled up like mountains; the ship staggered
and plunged and rolled, while the nasis and
bulkheads creaked fearfully, and the heavy
timbers cracked and groaned, as If tasked 10
the utmost other strength. Occasionally Inc
seas broke heavily on the ships bows, sound.
ing like great sledge hammers, and making
her tremble from stem 10 stern. The gale in
creased IN violence with the advance oil night;
the sea was dashed into tremendous coniu-
sion, and covered all over with foam while
the roar Of the winds over the wide waste OF
waters made the darkness douby terrible
! The gale we experienced In the Iowa was
mere circumstance TO this.
The next morning the storm had slightly
abated, but before noon il came on again with
violence, and continued all dav and the fol-
lowing night. At length, however, i, modera-
ted sail was made, and we were again on
our course; but ii soon returned with redoub-
| led fury the ship was stripped OF her canvass
and again lying like log on the water Thus
gale succeeded gale, and storm followed storm.
with but slight intervals, and for twenty-six
| DAYS we were in the latitude OF Cape Horn,
buffeied about by the winds and the waves.
| During nearly all this time the thermometer
was below the freezing point, and frequently
as low as 22o. Snow fell almost every day,
and the ship was continually covered with
sleet and ice, making every thing cold, damp,
and uncomfortable. We had no fires BY
which 10 warm ourselves, and consequently
suffered very much from cold. From the
large amount Of powder we had on board. 1t
was deemed objectionable TO allow stoves TO
be used in any part OF the ship. Many OF our
officers and men had their hands and fee! ter
rib,y swollen from frost and chIlblalns. My
own feet We're so swollen that could not wear
my boots Tor some three weeks, aud my hands
are now peeling from the effects OF the fIost.--
| have seen more cases OF this kind in one
week of the Cape Than during my whole life
before in our northern climate, although have
travelled in the north OF New YORK with the
thermometer $50 below zero. This was pro.
baby attributable in part 10 the dampness Of
the atmosphere, and in part TO our sudden
transition from tropical climate 10 these re
gions OF eternal frost.
But all these difficulties and diogremens were
soon forgotten under the gladdening influence
of fine weather and tranquil seas After We
fairly got round into Inc great Southern Ocean.
and turned our head to the north, few days
of favorable wind bioush, US into a warmer
climate, where we could again bask in the &C.
NAL rays ola summers sun. Ion can scarce.
" imagine how agreeable this change was
How delightful, 100, to watch the motion OF
the ship as she moved majestlcay along. RI
sing and sinking with the great undulstlng
swells Of the Pacific How beautifully she
rides over these vast rolling billowsl How
1 gracefully she bows in courteous recognition
as they pass, leaving wave after wave behind
her, as she moves onward in her destined
| course