Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-05
ITEMS OF NEWS.

ITEMS OF NEWS.
Particulars OF THE LATE GALE IN TRxAs--By
the arrival Of the steamship Louisiana the New
Orleans papers have been furnished with further
particulars Of the late destructive storm in Texas
II commenced on the coast on Sunday the 18th
ult, and continued until Thursday, the 22d.
"At Indianola the schooners Atlas and Fanny
Mott, owned by H. E. Bochner, We're both driven
through the wharves, and subsequently went on
the beach, where they now lie. The Mott will be
total loss, but the Atlas will probably be gotten
off Both of them had full cargoes of assorted
merchandise, from the Charles Morgan, which
were saved in damaged condition, and were be.
ing sold for account of those concerned The
sloop Louisa, with freight from the steamship
Charles Morgan, was also a total wreck the
cargo was promptly saved on the beach. A few
buildings were taken of the blocks, but none ma
terially damaged" tr
AT Saluria and Deckroes Point many houses
were entirely washed away, and not single
house escaped some damage. The new wharf
said to be the finest in the State, was totally do
moshed. 4aA
"The schooners Aida aud Belden, which had
arrived on Sunday from Mobile, were lying at an
Choir opposite Decker's dragged into the reef
crews. Schooner Mustang, just arrived from
New York, dragged her anchors and barely es-
capped the fate Of the others; she lost both masts
which probably saved her. The United States
steamer Fashion iowed her up under Sand Point
on Sunday the Oath, where she would discharge
her cargo. The w. s. Fairy, belonging TO the
lighthouse department, was beached, and Is a total
oss-crew saved. Schooner Emma de Russy.
owned in Pensacola, is supposed 10 have drifted
TO sea, and as she was good vessel, strong hopes
are entertained for her safety.n
"The gale visited Matagorda with almost in
comparable fury, destroying nearly all the build
ings in the place, those Of Colonel Williams, Mr..
Sarwel, and one or two small ones, being all that
escaped prosiration or unroofing. The stocks OF
goods Of the merchants have been mostly ruined,
with one exception.
"The schooner Paine, Capt. F. Hulseman, own
ed in Matagorda, was totally lost, with the captain
and crew. vessel from Sabine, with Lumber,
was lost on the Peninsula-crew saved. The
new steamer Colorado built at Matagorda, and
nearly finished, lies high and dry in the prairie,
three hundred yards from the bayou.
The crops of corn and cotton are blown down
and nearly ruined. In fact, il is said, not bale
Of cotton is left in the country. Quite number
Of small crafts are reported lost, with all their
crews.
An eyewitness to the devastation of Maiagorda
says that he never could have conceived such
sight as he witnessed between A and o'clock on
Monday morning. Houses crashing and breaking
up-their materials flying through the air--women
and children screaming and running, whittier they
knew not, seeking protection, and, when found,
only TO be driven forth again in short time, 10
find security anew; and, in many instances, in
nearly deserted state.
NEW War STEAMER.-Mr. George Steers
has entered upon his duties as naval constructor
At the Brooklyn navy yard and has commenced
laying down his lines for the new war-steamer
Niagara, which is to be the largest chip ever built
in this country. The extreme length Of the Nj
agars will be 345 feet depth Of hold, 81 feet
breadth Of beam, IS feet; draught when loaded,
% feet inches; displacement, $500 ions. Mr..
Steers has contracted TO give her aspeed Of sew
enteea nautical miles per hour under sail alone, and
a velocity ofsixteen nautical miles per hour under
steam alone, IN case the engines are constructed
by Messrs. T. II. a. E. Fsron. The Secretary Of the
Navy and the Executive at Washington have
given every opportunity requisite TO enable the
constructor ofihe Niagara 10 make fair trial OF
his system and skill. The Niagara is to be pro.
peller, and carry guns Of ll-inch bore, or of the
largest calibrc used in our navy.
The Eve remaining frigates are oil 10 be much
smaller than the Niagara, having displacement
Of only about 1850 iOns.-Nsv York Times
CoUsrRRrKrr Corse-The New York Journal of
Commerce calls the attention Of the public to a
counterfeit quarter Of dollar, which is the closest
imitation in appearance Of the genuine coin, which
ever fell under sotice. Il was taken At the post
Office, and paid into the snb-lreasury where Il was
detected by Mr.. Edward II. Birdsal, The weigher
and tester OF coin This counterfeit appears TO
be made OF zinc, or other bright metal Is cast 10
resemble exactly the genuine coin, and is sflsr-
wards galvanized with pure silver. II lie dated
1882 is about 10 grains lighter than the genu.
inc, and is very Jrnl. BY the latter chsracteris-
tic Il may easily be detected, ms il will readily
break by blow from hammer; the specimen
referred TO was broken BY Mr.. Birdssll between
his thumb and fingers. There are probably but
few now in circulation, and receivers Of money
WIN do well 70 be on their guard against them.
~ f,segrs ~ tg Bait hmeriorp.
TRxDK WITH rHK BRIrIsH PRovIscrs-The
trade between New England and the British Pro
vihces IL steadily increasing, and under the inAu-
unce Of the new treaty, viii soon. grow to great
importance. The arrivals from the provinces at
this port only, for the past two days, numbers
fJfy-sepes vessels, all Of which bring csrgoes Of
coal, lumber, wood, FISH, plaster, &c, and in re-
turn, they will take more or less Of our produc-
lions The trade Is one OF profit 10 both parties,
and is yearly extending TO new points Of inter
course along the coast Of New England.
A gentleman just from Canada informs ne that
the ratification Of the Reciprocity treaty has al
ready given an impulse TO business, although ithss
not yet gone into operation. An exoelens feeling
everywhere prevails towards the United States
Boston Jonrsidi
To MsRnrRs--Professor Bache, Of the Coast
Survey, announces the discovery Of a very dan
gerous sunken ledge, in the neishborhood Of the
" Minot lodges" IN the approaches 20 Boston bay
which has only ten feet Of water on il A. low
water, spring tides The rule for avoiding Il, is
not 70 pas 20 the sOpfhpard Of the "iiehs-5oaf, {"
where strangers have no excuse for going al any
time
THE SrraNKR ARcTio, which was 10 have lef