Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-10-21

We experienced one o. the most severe
/ gales Tuesday that has prevailed In this
section for many years, and it is saii that the
Lake has not been SO rough since November,
/ 1854. 1t commenced blowing from The south
west early in the morning, and continued to in
crease in force for two or three hours when it
veered into the west, and blew from that lirec-
/ ton until about half-past two ia the afternoon.
when it came from the northwest The
T "Oakes Ames' had considerable difficulty
in making her landing a; @ O'Clock, the
wind and waves forcing her around upon
the dock north Of the slip, and 10 was Al
least fifteen minutes before she fastened to the
slip. The wind commenced Increasing about
/ 10 O'Clock and when the d" Alrondacs'' ar
rived from the north, the waves rolled fesrfully,
tossing the steamer like a cork She was made
fast TO the wharf, and her gans plank was just
beng run out when she was lifted by AZ i'm
mense wave and dashei agar st the uprigh,
timbers Of the wharf with sucl force that her
port guard was badly smashed. She was essei
of, however. into the slip or the north side Of
the dock whore the force Of the wsyes was not
so great, and finished shifting her cargo The
accident did not hinder her fom making her
regular trip. The waves broke szainst the
breakwater with such force that il was con-
stantly euyelopei with sprsy, Causing the Ia
/ borers on the extension to stop work and seek
shelter in the lighthouse, ami in one OF two
/ other small buildings 4 portion Of the pier
building for the Rutland Railroad compsny by
I. Whitney was driftei ashore, taking with it
the schooner "W. W Wright that was flsteu-
ell alongside the schooner grounding in the
sand come few rods from shore. Several
schooners and canal boats fastened between
the south wharf and Beckwith's dock,
loaded with wood and iron we're pretty
thoroughly drenched and kno ,ked about, as the
waves rolled fesrfuily at thI point, coming in
past the south end Of the breskEater There
s no doubt. that had the wind continued blow
ing from the west, one Of these boats at least,
would have gone to the bottom, as
she wss loaded with about so tons
Of iron, and it was evident by the manner
in which che was tossed against the dock that
her plinkng would sson give way The change
Of wind saved her, however. The schooner I.
Kingsland'' lying at the south side ofNyes dock,
succumbed to the force of the gale and sunk.
The lumber piles in the different yards suiI-
cred considerably; especially after the wind
whirlel into the west, and the promiscuous
msnuer in which boards went flying through
the air rendered sojourn in the immediate vi
cinity rather more exciting than pleasant
Siearns' new dock, south Of the basin, suffer
ed the most At dark, last aight, about 80 feet
off the south end Of that portion farthest west
was carried away, and the remainder appeared
to be undermined, as it all inslnei outward.
The waves at this point were terrific. They came
in from the northwest With nothing to break
their force, and as they struck the breakwater,
the spray was dashed fully 50 feet into the air.
The foundation to the Colchester reef light
house. though exposed to the full force Of the
waves, remained undisturted, and sloop I'M
loading stone at the reef nen the gale commen-
ced, saw her danger in ssson to reach safe
port.
/ The "Oakes Amcs,'' to the surprise
Of many, made her usual trip in the afternoon,
though she did not arrive until about O'Clock.
The wind made things lively up town, as well
as on the lake, snd locomction wss accomplished
under numerous difficulties. If one was not
blown down, his eyes were 50 filed with dust
that sight became quite impossible, and clouds
Of sand fell upon him like snow storm. Shut
tiers and signs were constantly on the move, though
not always in the right direction. shsttuck's
bear showed himself as expert in " ground and
lofty tunbling - as any brother of his in the
mensgerie and Wingates eagle came down
from his perch, wings spread and all abroad ,v;,b
the rspidity Of Tennyson's famous bird
We learned last evening that the roof NJ n.
new Catholic church in Winooski, was blovn off
but did not get further particulars. There il No
doubt that much damage has been done to trees
buildings, fences, &C., in this vicinity.