The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-02-19
Correspondence.

fOI TYL PASSAGE an III
We were delayed at one time several hours by
field ice, which extended around US for miles.
as white rs snow. Our paddle wheels suffered
some. although the ice was not more than two
feet thick, and generally in small cakes. AS
We got south ofthe ice, the weather gre9 warm.
or. but soon after, the wind began to increase
and soon the Captain said We were Ia perfect
cyclone. The waves, dashed into fury, formed
scene OF terrific grandeur. About midnight
the 4th officer was blown nearly the length OF
the quarter deck, and he, as well rs the man at
the wheel, was considerably bruised, Co. AT
4.40 the next morning, We heard q fearful crash
ing, and Mt the same moment the water came
rushing into the staterooms. Then ensued .
scene OF terror men, women and children
rushing about just as they had leaped from
their berths, and screaming that the vessel was
sinking fragments Of tables, seats, picture
frames. decantcrs and glasses, together with
clothing Of oil kinds, floating up and down, In
and out OF the walks and stater0oms. Upon
examination We found that a single SEQ had
swept over US, bursting In one half the port
side Of the saloon, and demolishing tho furni.
ture, also carrying away tour Of our boats, the
large compass Ou deck, portion Of the brass
railing on the upper deck and part OF the bull
warks. regret 10 add that the Quarter. mas.
ter, ON duty at the time, was swept away and
lost. His name was Swirl he leaves . wife
hut no children. The passengers made up q
purse of ESQ for the widow. and the crew made
up another purse for her. Everything was
completely soaked, and many articles were lost.
rs ut one time the water was four feet deep IN
the cabin. The weather continued moro or less
severe for three days. Three OF the officers told
me that they had been to sea each for moro than
Is years, and they had never seen anything
moro frightful in their experience. cannot
say too much in praise Of the vessel which 90
nobly withstood the attack of wind and wave,
nor of the GOODNESS and bravery OF her Officers
and Grew. Very thankful were We to reach our
destination after voyage OF twelve days. i.I
'edI oil. 80 WASHINGTON HOTEL, .' OF
at Liverpool, Is situated on Lime street on q
commanding and beautiful site, opposite the
London and Northwestern R.R. station, Saint
Georges Hall, the free Public Library and Mu-
scum, Wellington Monument, and within o
short distance of the new great landing stage
of the river Merscy. II is n fine building, elab-
orately finished and furnished, covering IN area
Of 1900 square yards, and contains over 200
large and splendidly furnished rooms. The
dining room Is richly carpeted, has stuffed
chairs and sofas, and the consequent quiet is In
agreeable contrast to the noise and hustle 20
general in our own hotels. Upon the first land
inc in front Of the main entrance Is splendid
full.sized portrait of Washington, in stained
glass. So far, am pleased with the manage
ment Of this hotel, and do not find the charges
very exorbitant. s,.'i r, ,s-., a.
The splendid docks of Liverpool excite my
admiration moro than anything else have yet
seen here. These cover space OF 400 acres on
the Mersey, extending for Ave miles on the Lily:
erpool side, and two miles on the Birkenhead
side. The shipping In the docks Is protected
by sea wall 40 feet high and II feet thick with
numerous large gates, some OF which are loo
feet wide. BY means OF these. the ships In
these docks loading and unloading nre con-
stantly in smooth water and in the same posi-
ton. as the water Is kept ut high water mark
These are said to be the largest and best docks
in the world. The registered shipping in them
for the past year has been, vessels OF oil kinds,
20, CSC, tonnage Is, 000, 900. noticed large
block of warehouses, forming three sides OF q
square, within which ore docks, where vessels
are taken in, discharged and reloaded without
the assistance Of captain or crow, the labor be-
ing done as much as possible by machinery.
M POLITICAL MATTERS.
have not yet heard much said about our
war. but those with whom have ,conversed ON
Yesterday went within 10 rods of the two Con-
federate rams. built by Laird. They. are ugly
looking customers, to so among wooden block
aiding ships. The ram projects about ~ feet
forward OF the ship, in the form OF half circle,
but all under water. / was told that these were
considered stronger than any other iron-clad
ahCat in Europe, but not rs seaworthy.
small gunboat Is fastened alongside one Of them,
with two heavy guns loaded, and near to Is
man-of.war with 80 guns shotted, ready to
open II the rams attempt to leave. In Laird's
ward there Is ram now on the stocks for the
English government, which will equal II not
surpass those now In the river. The captain OF
the Cheshire ferry boat pointed out to- me one
brig and two steamers, which he said were
loaded with ammunition, medicines and other
things to run the blockade. The brig had re-
Gently come direct from Wilmington with cot.
ton. One Of the steamers Is very fast, and OF
light draft, and Is going out for the purpose OF
running regularly between Nassau and South
crn ports. Oneswealthy man here, invested his
whole property In blockade running, and lost
the FIRST seven vessels being captured on their
first VOYAGE. The eighth got In, and brought
out full cargo Of cotton, and II Is said that
her profits will nearly cover his former losses,
Blockade running is not considered 50 prohta.
bic now as 1t has been. for they now reckon on
losing three out Of every four sent. When we
wore ut Halifax, q DR.. Smith camo on board.
and was told by another gentleman from there,
that Smith was bearer OF dispatches from the
rpbel, 10 their friends abroad. He ran the
blocka,le. went to Bermuda. and from there to
Halifax, He was about 80 years old, good
looking, and kept very quiet, The present
threatening aspect Of Affairs, arising out OF the
Schleswig- Holstcln trouble, viii probably re,
quirc all fighting power 70 DO kept this sue oi
the Atlantic for awhile. .,... ....,rr..1 p
IL WEATHER, BEaGAns. &c. ma, l7t'a
The weather has been considered very pleas.