Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-10-02
From the Charleston News, Sept. II.

The passage of the Columbia from New York to
Charleston where she arrived yesterday afternoon after
encounerng two terrific gales will ever be remembered
by those boardyes remembered in awe, remembered
in wonder, remembered in humble gratitude.
The Columbia left New York in fine weather on
Wednesday afternoon met head wind and rather
rough sea on Thursday and Thursday night passed Cape
Hatteras on Thursday evening, and was nearly at 10
o'clock on Friday morning, off Frying Pan shoals By
this time the wind had shifted from the southwark and
began to increase to gale from f. n. E.. and before
p NJ the noble steamer had to be brought to stand,
with her head to the tempest and her engine strained to
keep her steady and from drifting toward the shore and
breakers, being in about fifteen fathOms water She
gradually worked further out and obtained ample sea
room, although at previous good distance.
And now for eighteen hours did that tempest beat MP
her, and continue of the grand, appalling and
perous beyond description. Not only were the waves
of the greatest magnitude and wldness, and the wind
the most terrible hurricane but for hours they in
cross directions the from S. f. giving the ugest
cross sea- and subjecting to the double danger OF
swapping and capsize. AT 10 p NJ, the wind veered
to E. S. E., and reachedI its height, but the thus
more fully in its direction. Until A NJ, the climax
of the terrible power of both prevailed then slowly aba
ted, and at 5 O'Clock A. NJ Saturday, the wind was
down, leaving us on immense rolling waves.
Thus ended the first gale For few hours, although
the reverse storm expected by some, all parties be
came cheerful and partOOk of breakfast. At A NJ.
the wind having shifted to the west and north land
have conceived. 1t Frustrated the
awful seas which had come from the broad ocean, and
appeared to sweep its surface along in spray and foam
with lightning power and velocity For five hours it
exhibited not abatement enough to mark squalls
it great sQuall Under it the gradually in
creased and when at last the wind became ftful
it had reached surging power that made every timber
quiver although the ship took it engthwise and heI
bow.
In the meantime the gale had vcccd to the southwark
gallant commander called tan ugly sea-" Between
and 2. NJ, it was fearful. From then until after
midnight gradual cessation of horrors took place
exhausted passengers sunk to itul sleep and woke at
dawn of Sunday to find gentle breeze pacied ocean
and clearing sky-to find themselves safe and bearing
for Charleston with gratitude to God in their hearts
and wonder at their deverance. For tortytwo 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. which rather passed over
her position. The outer portion of its whr took hel
in direction, then its center, being less still
and vacuous, enveoped her in the few hours lu and
again the opposite side striking her from still other d
rcctons produced the second Storm and turned her prov
all points of the compass in her struggle for
ton.
We have had representations of storms at sea in Ian
guage and picture. We recognized the fidelity however
exaggerated and wild But the reality went far beyond
No realize the terrific grandeur of sea tempest
a
of the appalling to the extent Of submity whose life is
not at hazard the wide mountainous raging of an
ocean, under the kissing blasts of hurricane and with
every sense awakened by and fastened upon the terors
of the scene.
In its midst one wonders how the thin air can throw
into such bOundess toss dense and vast ocean, and
more than all, he stands in amazement that any ship
however large managed possibly bear the pitch
ing to which she is subjected She appears to be not
only as feather to the raging clements but as speck
to the bounds of their strife AS far as the eye reach
when looking up from the trough of the sea- the
appears to resemble liqudized mountains tossing to
gether, in awide expanding range.
Calmness and quetude appeared to pervade the man
and looks of the passengers; in fact such an oc
casion feels gathered and intensified within that
any outward display of feeling world be mockerv-
The ladies were all composed.
AN AFFECTING EvENT.-Among the deaths in thi
city, last week, says the Providence (R. L. Post was
one caused by religious excitement or intense conyic