Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1856-04-03

hePI d couple Oh ioaucu muSkctS, Wlln
which the officers were wont to while away
tedious hours in hazarding shots at such
sea fowl as approached sufficiently near the
vessel. Siezing one of these he mounted
the bulwarks and discharged it IN the di-
rection Of the water spout. Tie agitation
Of the water continued moment longer,
and then, without further demonstration
suddenly ceased, while the funnel over
head slowly drew itself up into the cloud,
which passed harmlessly over. Whether
it would have occasioncd any material
damage l cannot say, but the numerous
stories current among seamen Of ships sub
merged, and all hands hurried into eterni-
ty without moments warning, had agi-
tated unpleasant feelings in my mind on its
near approach, and it was with feeling OF
providential escape from imminent danger
that again mounted my perch on the top
gallant cross trees, from which / had made
a rapid descent by means Of the backstays
when I ascertained the nature of the unu-
sual visitor
A still ncarer-1 can scarcely say view
of one, at subsequent period, only served
to confirm my dread of those marine Won.
ders.
We had stopped, in our passage around
Cape Horn, to cruise for a few weeks off
the Rio de la Plate, or River Plate, as it is
known to sailors. The day was dark and
squally with constant heavy showers pass
ing over; just such a day as may be look
ed for seven times week in that vicinity.
The mast head men had fortunately been
ordered down short time previous to the
occurrence 1 am about to relate The
watch had gathered under the hurricane
house-a tolerable excuse for shelter-to
keep off the heaviest of the rain, and tie
cold man" was casting specializing eye
at squall which had burst upon US, when
suddenly our ears were assailed with the
crashing of spars and the swapping of sails,
and before a thought could be formed. the
ship was completely overwhelmed with a
tremendous flood of water, seemingly let
down from above in solid mass. 1t was
over in second, but our three top gallant
masts and flying jb boon were snapped
short off, and everything movable on deck
was drifting in sad disorder on the waves
to leeward. Some time elapsed before any
one cared to relinquish his grasp of what
ever he had the good luck to fasten on, for
the water was waist deep on deck, and
pouring In floods down the hatchways, the
hatches having gone overheard in company
with everything else.
We We're obliged to knock away portions
of the lee bulwarks, to give ita passage in
to its own element. The watch below,
whose slumbers were very unceremonious-
| ly disturbed were to be seen peering out
in a fearful manner, like rats from their
holes In high water. The ship was COM
pletely water-logged. AS soon as possible
the pumps were rugged, but we pumped
fresh water twelve hours before we freed
her. This was our principal experience in
that nautical abomination during the vov-
age, for she was staunch old craft, and
as light as bottle Several DAYS were re-
quired to repair the damages, and when
the carpenter had constructed set of new
matches the cold man. took particular
pains to see that they were barred down
upon the least indication of squally wealth
er.
Although we had no opportunity of see
ing what had struck this sudden blow. we
were unanimous in the opinion that it was
a young water spout. And in my wander
ings, thenceforth, on the vast deep, l felt
bound to acknowledge that in the case of
these wonders, that distance" most en-
pha.ically "lends enchantmcnt to the
view"