The Shasta courier., 1872-06-01
A TERRIBLE SCENE AT SEA.

Capt. w. A. Hutchinson communicates
to the Vallejo Re, order the following
thrilling account of his experience 10 a
pampero off the mouth OF the Rio de Ia
Plata:
We sailed from Rio Janeiro in the month
of June, 1851, with a cargo of coffee for
the port Of Valparaiso, via Fort Famine.
Struts of Magellan, but experiencing heavy
weather off Cape Saint Julien, and losing
foremost we had to put into the port Of
Monte, ideo for repairs. After the usual
delays We proceeded to sen again the last
of July. Expecting rough weather off the
Rio de Ia Pl.ta that tia OF the year,
had m;de all the preparations within my
power to meet it. For the first u.e day,
out the weather continued moderate, but
on the night of the fifth day co nmenced
one of the most terrific storms that I have
ever witnessed. For terrible grandeur l
do not think it could be equalled. At
sunset it was perfectly calm, with heavy
sea rolling in from the southeast and heavy
banks OF black clouds, lighted up by the
last rays of the sun, giving to the surround
ing stiffness feeling of indescribable
danger that could be felt but not seen.
Dreading the worst we had taken 10 all
light sails, the topsails close reefed, jibs
furled, courses and spanker hauled up. so
that we lay in a clam with three close
reefed topsails and four topmast staysails
set, not knowing how the coming storm
would strike US. All hands were On deck
waiting for the attack. Eight o'clock
sounded, when away off to the east ter
rible rushing sound was heard, and we
knew the pampero would soon be upon u.s.
We braced the yards to receive it, bur none
| too soou, TOR we saw the water, with the
appearance Uf a sea OF fire, rushing down
upon us. l scarce had time to say, look
out, menl when 1t struck US with force
that tore the fore -tOpmast-staysail out of the
bolt ropes and the mizzen-t TOP sail went to
pieces. Thunder and lightning now burst
forth, aud the whole Gene became one of
the most awful and uwe-inspring grandeur.
1t was OF no use giving an order for it
could not be heard BY any oue. Nothing
was visible but the surrounding water lash.
Ell into foam aud sending forth flashes Of
phosphorescent light, while the sky was
lighted by one continued sheet Of hghtc-
ing. Now came crash. The lightning
had struck our topmast, and everything
forward came down by the run. spliutered
and torn, and our noble ship quaked from
truck to keelson by the shock. Axes were
brought into use to cut away the wreck
and get it clear from the ships side.
Still the storm increased and the wind
hauled toward the northeast, causing the
sea u boil and break fearfully, and board
ing over both sides of the ship. Instantly
the boats twere torn from the davits, the
the bulwarks tom away like so much paper,
spare spars aud everything on deck gone.
The maill-topsail Still held frm, aud to
some extent kept the ship steady, but it
seemed an impossibility for her to live
through it. The crew had all collected
ait, and secured themselves as best they
could. 1t must have breu about midnigI
when fame shot up from the ocean away
on our weather quarter, and then diappear-
ed for few seconds when it again shot
forth and we could discern burning ship.
as she rose On the waves The flames
grew brighter and brighter and brighter
until tie ship became one mass Of fire.
As the burning pieces became detached
they were Carried by the force of the storm,
bu, ming as they went, for miles. Our
feelings may be imagined but not to the
full exteut. But few miles away. in the
hi. hit of terrible storm. number of poor
weary soIls were struggling for life, with
out the taintest ray Ut hope. The trail
planks hat had been between them and
eternity we're now under their feet with
the mighty ocean ready to close over their
earthly budies forever. And there we
were, mere wreck on the waves, expect
ing TO be called away into :he same grave
as those on the burning ship, yet the fas
cinaton that held us spell bound took
away the feeling of death, which at that
moment would have had no string. We
watched the wrecked ship, as mast fell a
charred aud burning mass iuto the surgng
water, until finally the whole thing dlsap-
peared, and We were alone. What had
been but few hours before noble ship,
handled by noble crew, had now gone
out Of existence, and not Que living human
being remained to tell its fate. l have
witnessed before and since many blOod.chIll-
ing spectacles, but never one that inspired
the mind with SO much talked Of storms,
IS place Of rest in comparison to the
latitude of the Rio de la Plata in the tea-
son pamperos. Often when hearing people
speaking of scenery grand and sublime,
my mind wanders back to that burning
ship and its i'll fated crew.
EXAMINER OPINION.-1he San Fran
cisco Examiner says: 1--WE are utterly
opposed to the Endorsement Of the Cincin-
matt nominees BIZ the Baltimore Convention.