The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-23
Especial correspondence OF. the Richmond Dis
- :. : n : ! patch.l = -.---a------.-.
AT ANCHOR OFF CoBB's ISLAND,

= 4
AT ANCHOR OFF CoBB's ISLAND,
August 10th.
. At bedtime Sunday night the stars were
shining brightly, there was pleasant
breeze from the south, and every indica-
tion for fair day Monday. How different
was the result. haYe no words'to describe
what we passed through between A. NJ.
and 4P. NJ. Monday, and shall not tattempt
it. 1t is due, however, to our friends at
home as we'll as to our own Club, our captain,
and the staunch vessel Of which he is the
master, that should give simple account
OF the great August storm which ragged
here with q ficrceness unequalled in the
memory OF the oldest inhabitant. But l
hardly feel able to do even that much.
THE FIRST OF THE STORM.
I have no doubt our readers already
know of the pitless storm which fell so
severely upon the coast on Monday. Per-
haps it was as severe in Richmond. But |
had no conception before Of northeast and
afterwards northwest storm at sea. We
breakfasted about hali-past7 O'Clock below
decks, because the rain was falling steadily
and the wind cold and driving, from the
northeast. Little did we know then what
was in store for US. The wind continued
to increase as we sat below laying plans for
the few remaining days OF our summer yo-
cation. The rain continued to beat upon
the decks until we realized that sure
enough northeasterit had set in. all Idea OF
sailing to Old Point was given out. The
wind whistled through the rigging OF the
vessel with warning tones. Let go the
starboard anchor" sang out Captain Mel.
son, as he stood upon the deck in his oil
suit and cap, and we all knew at once what
that meant.
TIE STORM INCREASING. - ''''''
1t vas simply that the storm was increas.
ing. Occasionally the captain glanced at
bis barometer and thermometer, the former
falling steadily and the latter down to $40.
1t was evident that be felt uneasy! The
angry breakers were dashing; and roaring
furionsly upon the beach, and it didn't
take seaman to know that If our anchor.
chains parted we would be carried out and
dashed upon the beach, the vessel tQgnn ! so to
pieces, and d.JRr RsrhsgpfFy hsgpfy 's serious. Every
showed that plainly. The barometer con-
tinued to fall steadily. A terrible storm
was coming upon US rapidly. Everything
movable was put below and preparations
made for the worst. The gale continued to
increase. The rain was driven in ut every
creyice, and all hands were soaking wet in
short order, and only the truth is. told when
I cav that not man on board was without
anxious fears. ..: ..I..I e,
FURIOUS GALE.
The Richmond cruisers were now having
a fnlI taste OF terrible storm. The rain
continued to fall furlously, and the wind
xhistled and howled into a. terrible gale.
We could not see fifty yards beyond our yes
sci. so thick and ugly was. the Weathsr.
The barometer by noon had fallen from
s03 to 29.3-one degree, and consldera-
hIv lower than it was in the great storm IN
October of last year, when the whole OF
Cohb,s Island was several feet under Waters
A. 1918 great breakers were rolling up TO
The beach with a terrific roar that was in-
deed alarming. / began to realize What IL
was TO have sure enough storm on tne
cnast The reader-one OF our friends, per-
han.--wi,l smile when be sees this letter
smile at our apprehension: or the DANGER
~ hich seemed imminent; but what we were
then nossine through cannot be appreciated
except by those OF Us who expelielSSep Sir it
IL our wives and sweethearts eouiu @ on,y
have looked upon our vessel as sne lay toss,
ing to and fro by the waves as tneY oasneu
in the. entrance to what proved 10 oe Mos'
acceptable harbor, they would indeed navs
bean alarmed for our safety but no serious
disaster betell us, and our log remains 70 y.
read by those Of our friends who have taEet
such lively interest 10 the Club.
| FROM \ GALE 70, = HURRICANE.
l. Al is:t5 p. N. the situation became NOR
alarming. The captain let 60 the kedge