New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-11-30

nor for u.s. Moreover the thermometer indicated from
IS deg to so deg and the wind shifting particulars
~ the harder it blew. Heavy squalls varied tho
tony Of the gale These accompanied BY sheets Of rain
would come suddenly upon rs. forcing everybody moe
actually compelled to remain deck, under shelter Of
some kind IL nothing than the loo OF the plot
houses.
The ship labored heavily and fairly groaned as the
huge waves thumped and pounded her sides.
About p. M. while the gale was at its height.
heavy squa tearing along determined to Guido the
Others. 1t seemed to come from all sides and from
above bearing down under its strength and fairly
making the ship SILVER It attcned ont the thse
not white cap It drove the huge drops Of
rain almost horizontally the deck with such force
that they penetrated like needles and in such quantity
that it was impossible to distance the length Of
the ship from the vessel Red gares lightning flashed
from out the black clouds that hung above the horizon,
dartng into tho yeholes of the pilot
the topmasts with the "ookouts' clinging for life in
the crosstrees into bold relief against sky black
Hrebus" and lighting up the decks with glow that
flashed from all the polished bright work like diamonds.
As the squat subsidized the waves in their might
and gathered themselves anew for the conflict. On
they came foaming and tumbpg each other, merg
ing themselves into each other. and gaining strength
with each advancing STEP until they neared the Ship
their white caps high above But the Osceoa rods
the sea well too well to 10 can-ht with their whold
force and upon, this Advancing wave and
settled down again to risc tho crest of the next.
This reaing motion seemed very simple, but the hight
Of the waves caused strain upon the timbeIs
The trnuse bed Of the engine commenced to work. the
water ways opened, the bow could be rising and
falling about six or eight inches wholly independent OF
any other part of the vessel
heavy sea stove in tho floor Of the port locker for
ward dashed open the door which had been nailed up
and treated halfa dozen men to an unexpected shower
bath. At last angry that the Osceola stopped their
advances well, monstrous wave, the Nestor OF ar
the previous waves made sudden dash at the ship,
delivered terrific blow amidship and her quarter.
which hurled the vessel till her boat nearly touched
the sea, and then came tumbing on board IN frantic
gee, sweeping the gun deck and hurricane deck foro
and aft and eaping overheard the lee side. Wecoud
hear his grim sounding laugh and fancied him saying
What do you think of that p be went dashng on in
mad mirh to be lost in the thomless cxpansc beyond-
The gale slackened for brief space, having become
fairly tired suppose The lightning still connucd
in the distance. Against tie black horizon the white
sails of ship were visible. As she neared could
see her whole deck and then it seemed as though her
whole keel was out OF water. violently was she roll
ing Exchanged signals with her, and found her to %
the ,;ew.York steamer Mount Vernon
Night came down earlier than usual, the barometer
still falling with strong indications OF change Of tho
wind. Meantime we had got out Of the aboininable
Gulf Strean the air had become cooler, the water was
cooler and we steered to make lee under the Shore
But where should We strike the land. No one could
tell. We had been blown abou. by every squall, had
drifed with nnumerable currents had steered in var"
Gus Ia order to keep the ship in reasonably
safe position had been unable to get any observations.
and were therefore a floating waif on tie waste Oh
waters. The direction OF the land well enoush
known but these inhosptae SoutherneTs have thrust
out from their portion OF the coast Capes rejoicing in
the euphoneous O names Of Lookout" and Fear"
and to keep the mariner from running into either have
hedged them in with shoals those ABOUT the former
bear its name, thouse around the latter are called
"Fryine.pan Shoals" Many vessel has been wrecked
on the latter andpiaged by wreckers and 1t is but
sorry est 10 say that 1T this point some persons OF
maritime term of Find have Jumped out Of the Fry
ing Pan into the fire." 1t found next to impossible
TO steer the ship upon the desired, because she
would hug the wind" was told 1t seemed to me thas
the fact was directly the reverse Of this statement and
that the wind Rugged the ship.
However the other expression Is sailor talk and they;
ought to know At all events size kept going off, and
coming up ike o coquette and with all this rolled
and Jumped like thirdra:e clown, setting all the dishes
in all the pantres Gathering while the wheel ropes
PLAYED most urme!odious accompaniment Wen. tho
wind hauled round TO the west and We had been COM
plainiug Of the warmth Of the gale Mr. West tried bis
hand at cold drauglt. how it did blow Steady anG
strong and co ID Cut like knife and went through
one as bullets are said to go through ghosts. But 4
witnessed sight which uore than repaid me Tor Keep
ing cold watch with the captain on the hurricane
deck 1t was one Of tho nildest scenes ever oeheid.
IA far as the eye could sweep the horizon was pordfeo
by angry black clouds. Overhead the bright stars
twinkled in Quetness and looked. it seemed 10 me-
down on us pityingly. Between the vessei anu 'n0
circle of tho horizon the was in violent commotion'
broken BY white.capped pillows who flung themselves
madly up into the night, or mporngly reached up 70
the stars or wckedy stretched forth their giant arms
TO clasp US in the strong embrace" The Osceoia
seemed but mere speck in the scene. ~ her bow
from under her paddle wheels she dashed OF waves OK
molten silver and her wake train Of sparkling
Jewels borne by unruy train bearers the waves
This luminousness was the result of the phosphorus
light. Each white.cappcd wave wore silver helmet
In the distance the Isolated white ribbons resembed
the light in house across the moor.
AGAIN line of breakers reminded me OF the lights
on the long bridges and Of some OF our largo
cities. Another view gave every appearance OF the
lights OF city as seen from hill approaching
from distance Again when several huge waves were
raising themselves aloft and near together one coud
readily fancy ship under full sail. 1t seemed imposs
bic to tire of gazing upon this wild, wierd scene bus
the wind went sweeping the decks and whsthng
through the rigging the timbers strained, the spars