The New York herald., 1869-01-07
HURRICANE ON THE ATLANTIC.

Terrible Hurricane ON the Atlnntic-The steam
ship AraGO, from New York for Bremen,
Driven into the Trough Of the Sen-A Night
Of Anxiety and Suspense.
FALMOUTH. England, Dec. 10, 1888.
The North American Steamship Company's steani-
ship Arago, under command Of Captain George
w. Browne, left New York on the "a OF De-
cember with nfty passengers, a crew OF ninety
two men. and 2,7o0 bales OF cotton board,
destined for Bremen. Nothing worthy of note oc-
CURED on the FIRST part OF her passage except her
having to contend with strong easterly winds and
heavy head seas. The morning Of the 1sth Of De-
cember was ushered in with a heavy gale from
southwest to west-ndrthwest and terrific squalls,
causing fearful agitation OF the sea- The steamship
then under close reefed f0retopsail anu rcefed
ioresa scuddng before the gale By OF that day
the gale had increased TO hurricane, the sea run
ming literally mountains high, dasfng the spray
her SO that she was nearly enveor ed by Ii. At
each plunge she male into the roaring mass she
would seem TO have reached an abyss: but
maiestically she would rise, her whole frame
trembling hut stiIl otedient her helm and fairly
nying before the violence OF the storm. The gran
deur oi the spectacle as witnessed by those ON her
decks was indeed Impressive but awful to behold.
Even those accustomeu to such scenes by long SER
vice ON Neptune's domains could not but be appre-
hensive OF danger should there be decrease In the
violence OF the hurricane, but from minute to minute
and hour TO hour the tempest grew more and more
furious At quarter past three z. ~. the hong an
tcipated but dreaded moment arrived, when an
other terrific squali struck the ship and caused
her to "proach to- Notwithstanding her helm
having been put hard up, aud large fore
topsaii and reefed foresall being set to guard
against this event. As she now lay In the trough OF
the sea, lurchlng and laboring tremendously. she
shipped several very heavy seas, which tore two OF
her iIfeboats from their davts saving another and
carrying away number oil the stanchons airi the
greater portion OF the starbofd rail. leaving
the after smokestack guys nyg about In tue air. The
second officer was struck 3 oy Que % ., anese seas,
carried 10 his roou, having sustained severe bruises
about the head and limos.
the decks from its lashings, and q sea
wherein wherein "s large humber Of the passengers % had
been placed for greater safety and volumes oi water
forcing .neir way lnio the cab cry o. cons'e rna
below Dining tables were torn nom their fasten-
ings, mirrors, crockery and glassware smashed to
the decks and into the saloons, engine and
re rooms the complete destruction Of the steamship
Total dsrhess had now set IN ana With i increased
the peril OF the situation. The lee wheehouse was
almost constantly buried under water, the ship lying
nearly on her beam ends, and the engines, which had
80 faithfully performed their labor throughout were
strained and their capacities tested 10 degree which
could but OIL the minds OF all tn the greatest xety,
for with tne ship now lying heai 10 the wind north
west everything depended upon these engines re-
msns y e e%pes eane ana l%l' ay silent S
fervent prayer WAS rendered up TO Heaven 10 avert
the impending calamity. There was no rest for the
faithful and 0verworked crew nor for the exhausted
oifcerr VINO continued at their posts, nor for the
watcnfu commander, who fully appreciated his vast
responsibility.
TIE morning Of the 18th came, and still was the
tornado raging with unabated fury, the barometer
continued az low as 2s.40, aud the loan OF the se
rendered the position OF those deck uncomiorta-
bic in the extreme. Later In the morning the ap-
penrance OF the sun, rs II broke forth In all its
splcnd0r, was hailed with Joy, and with u modera
ton OF the storm became pcrceptible aud by one r.
NJ Il had sufficiently lullcd TO induce the commander
TO make an attempt 10 bring the vessel before the
wind again, which feat was happily accomplished
without shipping any more seas. AZ she
was now again healing on her eastern course,
Bcudding once more before the st strong gale, tho
knowledge that the danger was now over Frightened
up all countenances and mutual congratulations
took place, while groups OF men might be seen In
all parA Of the ship warmly discussing the late
events.
Throuohout the terrible ordeal all manifested
unbonnded confidence In the great strength and
superior qualities OF the Arago, and the opinion
was prevalent that the number Of steamships was
small Indeed that would not havo succumbed 10 the
iofeo VI the elements had they been In ike posi-.
tlon on the 18th OF December the Arago entered
the port OF falinoIh to replcnIsh her nearly ex-
hanstcd stock or coal which article mad " be used un
sparingly during her boistefous passage. After hav-
ing obtained the requisite supply Of coal she would
al once resume her voyage 70 bremen.