Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-17
APPALLING PHENOMENA AT SEA.

oiu SdiioTS dCCuStOtueu 10 ocean lie within
the tropics, have many startling stories to tell
OF dangers incurred from sudden and unlock.
ed-for tempests, but We never read anything
quite equal to the following description of q
storm caused by volcanic eruption. 1t is
given as true narrative in the Western Chris
tian Advocate, by D. G. Wright:
1t was night of ptchy darkness. AT four
bells in the first watch not breath of air was
moving, and the drenched rails, wet by the
afternoon and evening rains, hung heavily
from the yards or tapped against the masts
and rigging as the ship rolled lazily on the
long leaden swells of the Pacific Ocean. A
number of days had passed without an obser-
vation OF the sun or stars, and they had to run
by 'sdead reckoning and were not, therefore,
sure of their latitude or longitude. They
might be nearer danger than they thought.
The captain had gone below at eight bells, but
feeling troubled about the portentous appear
ance of the weather, was unable to sleep, and
was on deck again, walking neryously fore and
ait, now looking on this side and then on the
other side of the quarter deck. looking anx-
iously into the darkness, then aft, then at the
compass, and then at the barometer which
hung in the cabin gangway. Round and round
went the ship, needless of her helm, and the
mercury told the same tale it had told for hours
before. In vain did the eyes of anxious men
peer into the darkness only inky blackness
met their straning gaze everywhere. Thus
matters stood till six bells, when the mercury
began to fall suddenly. The quick, jerking
voice of the captain was then heard.
"Mr. Smally, you may take in the light sails.''
ssAy, ay, sir" and stepping to the mainmast
he called out, ssFor'ard, sir. Stand by the
top gallant and the fying-gi haIyards.'
In moment he heard the report, r eady, SIR
ssLet go the halyards and cew down /; let 60
the sheet and clew up; that'll do !; belay all;
now jump in and furl them be lively, lads.''
While this was going on the captain took
another look at the barometer, and found the
mercury still falling fast. Thoroughly arous-
ed now, he caught his speaking-trnmpet from
the beckets, and sung out-'sHold on, there
down from aloft, every man of you call all
hands, Down came the men again.
ssAll hands ahoy," called with great
strength of voice at both the cabin and fore
castle gangways, and then followed one of
those scenes which defies such description as
would make it intelligihle to landsman, but
which any sailor readily understands. The
top.sails were closereefed, and a reef taken
in the main sail, the glib, and flying glib, and
all the light sails were furled, and the ship
made ready for the expected gale. But yet
no breath of air had been felt moving, while
an unnatural stiffness and heaviness of the at
mosphere was observed by all. Several of the
seamen saw dim, purple streak suddenly APP
pear right ahead OF the ship, and called out,
s.Here it comes, sir.'' "Where ?'' said the
your helm.' .sHard a port it is, sir.'' ssBrace
round the yards" cay, ay, sir.''
The yards braced around, and was got ready
to receive the expected blast on the larboard
tack. That dreadful streak of cloud grew al
most crimson. and there was heard what they
thought was the heavy roar of the coming gale,
and every man seemed to hold his breath
awaiting the shock. Good men and coura-
geous sailors were on that ships deck, but
they shrunk from the terrible onslaught like
frightened children. When God speaks in
those fearful storms, His voice is awful to the
ear, and many a strong man has quailed be-
fore it. And the storm itself is scarcely
more try ing to ones nerves than the moment
before it strikes, while the men wait in dread
ful suspense. Thus those men waited till the
minutes heightened into hours, and the only
change perceptible was in the deepening color
ofthat lowering cloud of crimson light. At
length eight bells told that four O'Clock had
arrived, and daylight was looked for as those
men in the ship with Paul looked for it when
they "wished Tor day." But the struggling
light of the day seemed only to reveal the
thickness of the darkness to the wondering
vision.
Just at daylight their ears were stunned by
successive, quick reports, louder than whole
broadsides from a hundred gun ship; the
whole heavens were lighted up with fiery
red light the ocean was stirred from her pro-
found depth great waves, without any visible
cause, ran IL the most awful commotion, now
striking together and throwing the white foam
and spray high in the air, then parting, to
meet again in fearful embrace as before;
school of sperm whales ran athwart the ships
bows, making every exertion to escape from
the strangely troubled water; within a few ca
Bile lengths OF the ship an immense column of
water thrown masthead high, and fell
back again with a roar like Niagara deep,
mournful noise, like the echo of thunder
among mountain caverns, was instantly heard,
and none could tell whence it came the noble
ship was tossed and shaken like plaything.
'tGreat God, have mercy upon us 20 cried
officers and men. ssWhat is this? What is
coming next Is it the day of judgment 2''
The royal Psamist described them accurate
ly: "They reel to and fro and stagger like
drunken man, and are at their wits end.',
Soon the mystery was solved, when fight
before their eyes, about one league from them,
there arose Thorough sides of a mountain out
OF the yielding water, and reared its head in
the air then from its summit flames burst
forth, and melted lava ran like river down
the declivity, and fell like flame into the
seething ocean. 1t was birth throe of ma
ture, and an island was born which was miles
in circumference.
Two years afterward l sailed right over that
place, but the placid water gave no intimation
that an island had been there yet no man has
said that he saw the death and burial of that
land whose birth have thus chronicled.
ssThey that go down to the sea in ships, that
do business in the great waters these see the
works of the Lord land his wonders in the Deep
We see it stated that liquid which will
color the human hair black, and not stain the