The true Democrat., 1854-09-27
From the Charleston Standard, of Saturda, Terrific Gale in Charleston.

vesterdayS paper, we had no expectation of be- ing to-day called upon to furnish partial de- scription of one of the most protracted, violent and destructive gales ever experienced in this section of the country. After high easterly winds, accompanied by heavy seas, had pre- vailed for several days, gale commenced blow inc on Thursday night, soon increased to a tenn nest and contlnued to rage throughout yester- day and last night with the most frightful furv On Thursday night and yesterday fore noon the wind was from the east by E. N. E., but about o'clock yesterday afternoon it shift ed to the southeast.
 Owing to the danger of venturing into the street. the difficulties that beset the pedestrian at every turn, and the fear of being knocked down by the tiles and slates that were tumbng from almost every roof, and the limbs of trees. sgns. etc., that were occasionally to be seen flv- inc in all directions, our reporters were unable to make as complete returns of the amount of damage as could have been desired. Their re- hort. however, is sufficiently ample to show that thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of property had been destroyed up to last even- ing, and that so far as regards trees, etc., it will take years to repair the damage. Up to the hour of writing we have not heard of the loss of single life.
 EVENTS IN THE CITY-BUILDINGS DEMOLISHED.
 Many of our citizens, on arising yesterday morning. were aStonshed to find themselves under the necessity of procuring boats before they could leave their domicils The lower streets were covered with water, and in some of them 1t was from foot to three and four feet deep. Portions of Meeting, King, Tradd Cal houn, Market, and other streets, were complete ly flooded and in some of them the owners of small boats did an active business ln terlng the inhabitants to terra frma.
 Several houses have been sadly damaged; in deed, there are but few buildings in the city that have not had tiles or slates taken off, win doyys smashed etc. In some instances, the wards of those houses erected on water lots, heve been either wholly or partially washed away, and'some of the buildings have been left in a most tottering condition.
 We were informed that one of the three en- terprising brothers, Messrs. Dawson, at the cor ner of Smith and Beaufan streets, who had erected a dwelling on a water lot, which he had been at considerable expense in filling and fitting up, quietly retired on Thursdav night. and on awaking yesterday morning, was aston ished to hear the water splashng in close prox- imity to his dwelling. Looking out he discov- cred that his yard had entirely disappeared, and that his house was surrounded by water
 4 two story and half wooden building on King street, two doors above John street for merly occupied by Mr. Rich, wheelwright, was completely demolished by the wind during Thursday night It was undergoing repairs, and the catastrophe very fortunately happened when the workmen were not engaged in it.
 Our reporter last evening saw the ruins of a L,,,11 I, ! ished opposite the race track.
 A small wooden building occupied by Wm. Bradford as a carpenter shop, on Lauren street, near Cooper river, was blown off and carried into the river.
 The front part of the large brick building oc- cupel by Messrs. Ladson & Co.,, southern wharf, was partially blownin, and considerable damage resulted therefrom.
 The extensive brick warehouse of Messrs. Brown & Hyams, on Browns wharf, filled with sacks of salts was invaded by the water driven up by the high tide. The salt soon dissolved and when the water receded scarcely anything was left in the building except empty sacks
 Among the buildings whose roofs were in- inred were the following: The tin of the Charleston hotel and also on the large store of MessrS. Townsend, Crane & Co.,, on Meeting and extending from Market to Hayne streets. was literally rolled up by the wind and hurled to the streets.
 The various streets of the city presented a truly sad and deplorable appearance. Large numbers of the beautiful shade trees particular ly the elmS, have been either completely demo- lished or despoiled of their branches The sidewalks were strewn with portions of roofs, signs, boxes etc. A lage number of the prin- cipal commercial houses, were closed through out the day, and instead of carts and the hum of business activity, nought was heard but the ptilcss roaring of the wind and the dashing of rain
 THE BATTERY DEsP0ILED
 The pride and ornament eff our citv-the beautiful battery-on which so much time and money has been expended, is rendered a per. feet waste. Nearly all the stone facing and breakwater, which was believed to be capable of wlthstandng any sea, has been materially in- lured. The sea was making complete breach over the highest portions of the wall yesterday morning, at whlch tme the spectacle was sub- timely grand and terrific. The wild, irresisti- ble breakers as they dashed forward, carried with them the woodwork, and in some instances even the stone Tagging, as they receded would leave all a chaotic wreck The bathing house was still llstanding last evening but the bridge con- meeting it with the battery, had been swept away. The trees on White Point Garden, which had at length commenced growing finely and gave promise of soon afording the visitor cool shade from the scerching rays of the sum- mers sun, have been, it is anticipated irretreva- ply ruined. We heard it estimated that it would cost at least twenty thousand dollars, and ten years O.. time to restore the battery to the condition it was in before the commencement of the storm.
 DAMAGE TO THE sHPPfNG-THE wHARvEs, ETC.
 The shipping interests of the city have suffer- edgreatly. The wharves especially, have been damaged to an immense amount Several of the per-heads have been driven in, and the plank lnIg washed away, and at this moment some of them are comparative skeletons to what they were two days ago. During the entire of yes terday the bay more resembled the wild, dash ing, surging, foaming and angry appearance of The Ocean, when lashed into fury by tempest, than harbor wherein its vessels can generally nde in safety, without fear of storms. Early in