The union Democrat., 1869-08-21
A Watcr-Spout.

From the Nashville Banner. July l7thl
The storm of yesterday afternoon was wild
and startling. About three o'clock, great
clouds, ragged and grotesque in their con-
tour, and whirled about IN all directions,
came rolling up from the southwest. Cur
rents ana counter-currents whirled the vast
masses, streaked with blue and gray and
black, and occasionally their dark surfaces
were illuminated by vivid flashes of lightn-
ing. A few massive drops of rain we're scat
tered over the city and then the gusty pufls
of wind wandered vagranty through the
streets, taking up clouds of dust in their
course, and playing wild pranks with avn
ings and signs. Pedestrians rushed hurriedly
along the streets with eyes and ears full of
dirt and the scene was certainly dramatic,
viewed from sheltered stand point At
this time the wind in the suburbs was play
ing still wilder pranks.
Twigs were stripped from trees, showers
of fresh leaves, peace offering to the storm,
went sailing away in the breeze, and every
thing light that could be got at by the imps
of the air was toyed with and hustled about
Just at this time q singular phenomenon
occurred in the Cumberland. opposite the
city. A whirlwind or miniature cyclone
formed just below the suspension bridge and
continued its course with the bend of the
river above the water works. So powerful
was the whirl and so great the suction force
developed that a regular water-spout SIX or
seven feet in height was formed, and was
swept along the river by the wind.
just above the upper landing there is q
small bathing boat, which is filled up with
evergreens as a screen to the bathers as they
perform their toilets. At the time when the
storm came up, party of about a dozen
boys and men were bathing in the river. and
had their clothes hung on the evergreens
which formed the side of the boat next to
Broad street Along came the water-spout
in its course, whisked the trees from the
side, clothes and all, and sent the whole far
up into the sky.
Away went the raiment of the bathers be-
fore their own astonished eyes. the spirits of
the air crawling in and out Of the different
articles, and trying all sorts of ways to feel
comfortable and at home in them, but with
out success. Away went the clothes sailing
through the air, and followed by the anxious
gaze of the bathers, until, having risen to q
considerable elevation IN the region of the
water-works they disappeared from view.
The party swan, some to the boat, which
had been drenched and partially filled with
water, and the others to the shore. All called
loudly for Clothes and each was eager to Sc
cure the services of some one to 60 for Il
change of attire. A number of articles Of
apparel were finally secured, and then there
was great swapping among the crowd to
get fitted out. The whole crew finally sue
ceeded in getting sufficient covering to evade
the law, and then started home. The whole
affair partook considerably of the ludicrous,
and caused much merriment among those
who witnessed this freak of the wind.
This is the first water-spout that has been
witnessed in this section of the country, and
the rarity of the phenomenon renders it
worthy of more than passing notice. The
regularity of its movements in following the
course of the river is certainly singular.
She suction force or lifting power manifested
was very considerable. as we have seen.