The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1867-12-27
rRIeuTFUL STORM ar SEA.
Narrow Escape Of the AtIartic.


The steamer Atlantic, which left Souths
ampton, England for New York, on the 2eth
of November. had an easy. voyage until
December 9th, when she was struck by
heavy squall from the southeast. The wind
increased until IL blew perfect hurricane;
the waves were tremendously high, and
d hailstorm demolished the eky lights, and
rendered the cabin wet aud uncomfortable.
At eight in the evening, a tremendous sea
broke over the bows aud washed against
the hoUse on the main deck, crushing IL in
like an egg.shvll, aud leaving not single
stck standing Tor space of moro than
twonty feet. This part was occupied as a
slceping.rOom by the iifemen, several of
whom were in their berths at the time. Five
were completely buried in the ruins, one Of
whom, named Martin Lawler. has his thigh
dislocated. The rest were rescued without
serious injury. The carpenters shop was
also demolished, aud most OF his tools
washed overheard. The pilot.house on tue
hurricanedeck pbove was completely lifted
from it's position, violently Jerking the eli.
gineer's BELL and causing him to slow down.
The hurricane deck remained standing, in
securely supported by the stanchions at the
side of the ship. One of the guns was dis.
mounted and carried nearly TO the stern Of
the vessel The smaller of the two ship
bells was swept overheard. The Captains
room, just behind the pilot.house, was COM
pletely guttcd, The rooms of the other
officers, being further aft, Jared rather bet
ter, though none entirely escaped. Tho
forward boats, with the heavy iron daSits
that supported them, were swept com.
pletely away. Seven of the beahs support
ing the manin deck were snapped like pipe
stems, aud the forward hatch was stove ~,
The water rushed down into the steerage,
to the great CONSERVATION Of the passengers
there. Their terror was heightened By q
dense cloud of Vapor which fose from the
tire.room, causing in their excited minds
the suppositon that the ship was on FIRE.
This resulted from the descent of an inn
mcnse body of water through the fire hatch
and cngine-room, filling the tre.room up to
tho grato bars AS the ship recled from
side to side, the water came in contact with
the bottom of the furnaces, and was imme-
diatcly converted into steam, which quickly
penetrated the whole ship. The water
ushing along the gangways of the main
deck, burst open the doors of the dining
saloon, and considerable quantity en-
tered there.
The passengers, who. until this time hal
been quiet, were now greatly alarmed, and
much confusion and excitement prevailed
among them. A sudden gust OF wind now
tore the sails into ribbons, and one of the
sailors was washed overheard. but caught
II rope and was rescued The vessel was
now leaking, and the weather being i'm
tcnsely cold some of the men were badly
frost bitten. By s A. NJ. on the eth, the
weather moderated, With daylight the
full effect of The storm became visible, ard
on surveying the broken tmbeTs, gaping
seams, aud shattered bulwarks, 1t seemed
a matter OF wonder that the ship bad sur
vived the fearful straining 10 which she
had been subjected There can be but lit
lie doubt that bnt for the CREST strength Of
her hull and engines she Mnst inevitably
have gone down with all on board.