The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-02-04
The Aecident DO the Steamer Ariel,


We have heretofore had brief accounts of the
breaking of the shaft of the Ariel, on recent
p sage from Cewes, by which she was compelled to
put back. The storm she encountered was a fear
full one, as the following description shows:
On the morning of the sth. the wind had rpen-
ed into such a hurricane as Atlantic nayigstors
say they have rarely seen. The barometer was
feartuly low, aud falling. While the ship could
partially keep up with the sea, she shipped little
water, and was comparatively safe; but the wind
increased much that, at 10 A. NJ, it split the
foresail and strained the foremast SO much that
no additional sail could be carried. The speed Of
the vessel now decreasing, while that of the waves
rapidly Increased, We shipped several tremendous
seas ait, one OF them breaking in the stern win
dows, and another sweeping the after-deck fore
ing itself under the matches, and delugiBg the
main cabin with water. The scene at this time
without aud within, was fcarfully exciting; the
terrific height of the waves, the shrilf howling Of
the wind. the air thick with spray and foam, which
almost shut out the light of day. the rapid rolling
and plunging Of the ship, the dreuched saloons
and flooded rooms, the suppressed but dismal
grosns of the fearful and the white faces in which
there no hope-these things, added to the well
grounded fears of the courageous and worse than
all, the want OF any responsibility aud labsr to
distract sttcution from the surrounding facts,
were far from stimuiants of bravery or resignation
amoag us. Many of the passengers offered their
services to the captain, but none were called upon
While the passengers and few sailors were
stopping up the stern windows, the fore yard, Car
rying only split foresail, broke short off in the
middle, and the ship fell into the trough Of the
sea, the most dangerous position for u steamer
Bat she was soon put under storm sail and drag
the sail being on the after mast, aud keeping her
stern away from the wind, and the drag 10 table
of spars aud canvas, weighted to keep IL under
water,aud thrown over the kow.) keeping her head
to the wind, in which position she lay to very east
ly till IA. NJ. the gth. She then parted the
hawser of the drag, but the wind had at that time
considerably abated. Soon after daylight the ship
was again put before the wind under reefed
foretopsail. But the hurricane had only inlled.
aud by ten o'clock it blowing harder than
ever. The vessel was again hove 70. Abont noon
she shipped several seas which stove in more OF
the house on deck, aud flooded the forward cabin.
All the afternoon the vessel rolled very heavily
imuersing half of each wheelhonse at each plunge
although shs shipped but little water. About
o'clock q rainbow appeared, but the wind did not
abate. Had our drag and storm sail given way at
this time We should have hardly escaped founder
lug. About IL p. N. the wind had decreased that
the ship once more put beforeit.
During the entire passage the Ariel did not leak
at all. though she shipped considerable water. The
excellent model and strong hull Of the vessel are
very creditabie to her proprietor. but the entire
absence Of spare spars and Of various appoint
ments carried other vessels mig ght have resulted
seriously.