New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-09-18
THE STEAMSHIP COLUMBIA IN THE GALES

Ibe weather 6NerWaTd was favorable.
THE STEAMSHIP COLUMBIA IN THE GALES
The passage of the Columbia from New.York to
Charleston where she arrived on the afternoon Of the
18th, after encounterng two terrific gales will ever be
remembered by those on board. 1t is thus described
by passenger
Wednesday afternoon; met head wind and rather
rough st a ON Thursday and Thursday night; passed
Cape Hatteras on Thursday evening, and were nearly
at 10 clock on Friday morning, of Frying Pan shOals
by this time the wind had shifted from the southw ward
ard began TO increase to gale from f. y. f; and be-
fore p. m. the steamer had to be brought to stand
with her head to the tempest, and her engine strained
in keeping her steady and from drifting toward the
shore and breskers-beiDg in about fifteen fathoms
water. She gradually worked farther out and OBJ
tanned ample sea room, although at previous good
distance.
And row for eighteen hours that tempest bsat upon
her, and n continued Of the grand appalling and
peilous beyond description. Not only were the waves
of the a,est magnitude and wdness and the wind
the most terrible hurricane but for hours they in
cross directions, the sea from southeast, giving the
uges cioes sea, and subJec'ing to the double dan
ger of swan ping and capeze. AT 10 p. M the wind
veered 10 T.. ). l. , AT reached its hight, bat the
seas thu FIJI - its direction. Until a. M the
climax Of the terrible power Of both prevailed, then
slowly abated, and at o'clock a. IN. on Saturday the
wind was down. leaving on immense rolling waves.
Thus ended the first gale. For few hours, although
tie revere storm was expected by some, all parties
became cheerful and partook Of breakfast. At am.
the wind. having shifted TO the West and North or
lap6ward in few mir utes the most driving hur
rcane we have ever seen or conceT ed IL Frustrated
The awful seas which had come from the broad ocean,
and appeared to sweep its surface along in spray and
f. am with Lightning power aud velocity For hye
hours il exhibited not abatement enough TO mark
eouslls-it was one great squat. Under il the sea
GRADUALLY increased and when at last the wind became
n ore ftful it had reached surgiDg power that made
every timber culver, although the chip took It length
wise and on her bow. -,
In the meantime the gale had veered to the south
ward thus giving another ordeal of cross sea- and
as our gallant commander called tan I" ugly sea-
Between and s p. m., it was fearful From then
until after midnight gradual cessation OF horrors
took place exhausted passengers sunk to htfu sleep
and awoke at dawn of Sunday to find gentle breeze,
q pacifed ocean and clearing sky-to find them
,eyes safe and bearing for Charleston with gratitude
10 God in their hearts, ard wonder at their deliver
ance. For forty.two hours they had borne the most
painful suspense and for thirty three had been in the
EXTREMIST peril.
The gale must have been circular hurricane
through which the Columbia passed, or which rather
passed over her position. The outer portion Of its
whirl took her in direction, then its center being
more or less still end vscuous, enveoped her IN the
few hours lul and again the opposite side striking
her from still other directions produced the second
storm and turned her prov to all points of the COM
pass il her struggle for preservation.
During the gale the Columbia lost her starscard
radCe box and portion OF her deck freight, among
which was remarkably fine pair of horses, consigned
to Mr.. Hubbard, Of Charleston