The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1851-08-15

the Disaster. 5---
!. We are indebted TO the attentions of
friend for the following particulars Of ter
rible and destructive storm that visited Pad
ucah on Saturda: afternoon last:
PADUoAH, Sunday morning, Aug. 10, 81.
Mr.. w. N. HaLDEMAN-Dear Sir:-Yes-
terday afternoon about O'Clock, the most Sc
we're and destructive storm passed oyer our
city that has ever been experienced in this
vicinity OF country.
Early in the afternoon, the weather was
exceedingly warm, the sky broken by light
lying clouds, and a slight but very sultry
breeze was blowing; but about one hour pre-
vious 10 the discovery of the approach of the
storm, the breeze ceased. and deathy still
ness prevailed in the atmosphere The heat
was Intense, and it was subject of almost
general remark. that the afternoon was
warmer than any we had experienced this
summer. When the storm was discovered
approaching, ii came in Northwest direc-
lon; the clouds were arranged in different
lines Of black and grey; vivid and long flashes
oil lightning were OF momentary occurrence
accompanied only occasionally with low and
indisnnct thunder. A few minutes after. the
storm struck our city, The rain pouring a de-
huge and the wind blowing perfect hurrl-
cane and whirlwind. Steamboats,. hatboats
and wood boats were blown from their moor
lngs. some sunk, and others more OF less
damaged; trees were torn up. chimneys,
awnings and signs blown down, and the ga
bic ends OF several buildings badly injured.
The extent OF damage am unable at pres
ent TO state, but probably it is not less than
$4,000. The amount of ram that fell could
J M bay haap ebnr
The storm did no, extend over three 10 Fl e
miles in width, according 10 Information re-
celved; how far in length / am unable 10
say. The iull force of the storm lasted
about forty minutes. AT this place its d.
: rection changed, and passed TO the South
Southeast tile whirl exering Its extreme
force on our river landing. The particulars
OF damages are as follows:
The steamers Dover and Caledonia are
sunk.
The Elk, Mustang, Globe and Cherokee
are very badly damaged, the former three
presenting the appearance of total wrecks;
the latter having large log driven through
her hull
The America and Huntsville lost their
chimneys, aud had their cabins badly sprung
The Nashville, Harry Hill, Consignee,
Senator and Julia are more or less injured.
The &. E. Watkins, Mohican, Embassy and
Saxon but slightly damaged. Other boats
, not damaged.
The whole Of the upper portion Of Smed-
, ley u McConnel!s wharf boat was blown
away; the hull uninured
Several deck hands on some OF the boats
are missing and supposed TO be lost. Many
persons on board the boats barely escaped
with their lives.
The gable ends Of the Marshall House.
and National Hotel are badly injured
Watts, Given & Co.'s new wharf boat
stood lnc s!nrm without any apparent diff
culiy, nobly receiving the full force Of the
momentum OF three or four OF the largest
steamboats, as they were driven up the river.
Messrs. Smedley e. Mcconnell with their
accustomed energy, have Immediately COM
menced rebuilding The upper works of their
wharl-boat.
Much freight for the Tennessee and Cum
berlhDd rivers, which was on board the Elk
and Caledonia is totally lost
The bowling winds, the sheets of rain, the
flashing lightning, and the moaning thunder,
the parting Of cables, the totterrng and crash
of boats chimneys, the collision OF boats and
the wrecks, the heart rending screams OF per-
sons escaping from the danger presented a
combined scene OF chaos unable 10 separate
or describe. And as the storm cleared away
The spectacle that lined the shore, and the
wrecks lying out in the river in one huge
: miss, Of desolation, distressing and
melancholy 10 behold.
All the steamboats, were insured, mostly at
Paducah, Nashville. and Louisville.
The steamer Republic that our port about
three quarters OF an hour previous TO the
storm, and bound Tor Nashville. sustained
some slight injury few miles below Smith
Hand.
The clerk of the steamer Fashion, which
arrived here from Louisville, two hours after
The storm, states the Fashion experienced no
effects of the storm.
Yours, in haste, E. l. w.