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from N.E. to S.E.; saw a large number of vessels with loss of spars and sails.

RETURNED. The schooner Silas Wright, which sailed hence about the 5th instant, for St. Domingo, returned, having encountered the late severe N.E. gales-split sails, &c. On the 10th, fell in with a Baltimore brig, in distress, with 4 feet water in her hold-blowing tremendously at the time-could render them no assistance. About same time saw a ship dismasted.

Brig Sterling experienced very heavy weather on the 8th, 9th and 10th; lost stern boat, stove bulwarks,

&c.

Ship H. Allen, from Charleston, for New York, has had a succession of bad weather; the 8th, 9th and 10th had a very heavy gale from all points of the compass for 30 hours; it blew a perfect hurricane, with a very cross irregular sea breaking over the ship in all directions. During the gale saw several vessels crippled in spars by the gale, in lat. 34 20, lon. 76, which continued to lat. 27 20, lon. 73 20; split sails and done other damage.

Schooner Charles P. Brown, from New York, encountered the gale on the 8th, off Barnegat, and was driven down to the Gulf, and on the 11th, in a hurricane, was totally dismasted.

Schooner Agawan, from Matanzas, on September 8th, lat. 36, on the outward passage, encountered a tremendous hurricane, which lasted 5 days and four nights; after the gale saw considerable stuff, and a number of large trees in the Gulf.

Brig Eagle took the gale on the 8th, lat. 364, long. 75. It lasted until 11th. Lost jib boom, with the jibs furled upon it, and sprung foretopmast; was thrown on her beam ends while lying too under main topsail, cut away main topmast, threw overboard the deck load, and righted with three feet of water in the hold, lost both boats, topmast, two jibs, staysail, fore topgallant sail, and about one-third of the mainsail, damaged topsail yards and strained the brig badly. On the 10th, saw a brig, with all her spars gone, except foremast foreyard and bowsprit, with a signal of distress flying, supposed her to be a herm. brig that had been in company with the E. two days before; had half deck, with a trunk, and was a good looking vessel.

Brig Moses, New York, 8th, lat, 38 50, lon. 75, fell in with a heavy gale of wind from S.E. to N., which lasted to the 13th, during which time lost boat, stove bulwarks, and lost part of the deck load, 11th, passed great quantities of barrels, spars and lumber, appeared to be in the water a short time.

Ship Patrick Henry, from New York, September 8th. at Liverpool, October 3d, reports from night of sailing until 11th, had a heavy gale from E.N.E. On 10th passed the wreck of a vessel totally dismasted. 11th, lat. 37 long. 72, saw a brig dismasted with her spars alongside. On the 19th, in lat. 44, long. 50, experienced another violent gale from S.S.W. to W.; lost fore and main topsails, staysails and spencer, main-top-gallant mast, stove bulwarks, &c. On 24th, lat. 47, long, 57, passed a ship or bark under jury masts, steering E. On 27th, in lat. 50, long. 22, passed a brig steering E., with loss of mainmast.

The Henry, from Apalachicola, for Liverpool, on September 8th, 9th and 10th, experienced heavy gales from S.W. to N.E., which split sails, &c.; on the 19th, in lat. 41, long. 56, experienced a hurricane from S.E., lost headrails, bulwarks and sails, and threw overboard part of the deck load.

Schooner Splendid, from the 8th to the 14th, lat. from 35 16 to 34 47, experienced very heavy weather from N.E. to N.W.; split sails and carried away bobstay; a heavy cross sea running, which made a con*stant breach over the vessel, causing her to leak.

A letter in a Newbern, North Carolina, paper, in speaking of the gale, says that at Cape Hatteras not more than six houses are left standing.

Schooner Wando, from Newport, bound to Charleston, in distress. Encountered the late gale in lat. 49, on Tuesday, and lost spars, split sails, stove bulwarks, split centre-board, &c., besides leaking freely. Spoke 14th inst. bark Stephen Brewer, bound to South America, 75 miles E.S.E. of Cape Henry, who kindly supplied the schooner with provisions, &c.

Pilotboat Relief, Topping, from a cruise, with loss

of mainsail in towing into port brig Alvano, from Matanzas, dismasted, 25 miles from Cape Henry, it bearing W. by N. Spoke and boarded ship Harkaway. (The H. has since arrived in the roads.)

Wednesday, September 9.

Schooner C. C. Stratton, on the 9th, off Cape May. experienced a heavy gale of wind from E.N.E. to N.N. W., during which was compelled to throw overboard the deck load, caused the vessel to leak, and sustained other damage.

The bark John Enders, hence for Rio Janeiro, encountered the late gale in the Gulf Stream, and was so disabled as to be obliged to put back. The Captain reports that while in the 'Stream' he saw four vessels made wrecks, and passed the dead bodies of four horses and three men, besides great quantities of goods that strewed the surface of the water.-Jour. Com., Sept. 17.

Schr. Jane Yates, Boston. Early in the morning of the 9th instant, experienced a tremendous gale from N.E., while at anchor under Cape May, which started both anchors, and drove the schooner over the Overfalls and on the Shears, when the Captain, for the preservation of those on board, was obliged to cut away both masts; after which rode out the gale in safety.

Schooner Tolerado, from Trinidad de Cuba, on September 9th, experienced a severe gale, which split sails, started deck load of molasses, lost the water casks and everything on deck.

On the 12th, lat. 38 26, lon. 73 40, the brig Rowland (arrived at this port) fell in with the wreck of the schooner Livingston, and took off the Captain and four men, who had been on the wreck four days, without anything to eat or drink: they lost all but what they stood in. The L sailed from Boston the 2d, bound to Philadelphia; 9th, lat. 38 50, lon. 73 40, in a gale from N.E. at 10 P.M., was tripped by a sea, capsized and filled with water.

Schooner Emma, on the 9th, lat. 38 30, long. 75, encountered a tremendous gale of wind from E.N.E. to N.N.W., during which split foresail, lost boat, stove bulwarks, lost part of deck-load, and sustained other damage; 12th, lat. 36 05, long. 74, saw a ship with mainmast gone; also, a bark with maintopmast gone.

Schooner David had the gale of the 9th, off Montauk, laid too 72 hours, shipped several heavy seas, broke bulwarks, stove long-boat, and lost deck load of coal.

Brig Haidee, on the 9th, lat. 32, lon. 73, in a gale from N.E., lost off deck 44 hhds. molasses, stove bulwarks, &c

Brig Delaware, 9th, lat. 35 30, long. 74, in a gale from Eastward, hove overboard part of deck load, lost stern boat, had forescuttle swept away, stove caboose, lost bulwarks, &c.

Schooner Fidelity, from New York, put in to Norfolk, with schooner Eliza, of East Albion, having fallen in with her dismasted 15 miles N. of Smith's Island, having been totally dismasted on Wednesday night, off Barnegat.

Brig Brothers, on the 9th, lat. 38 30, long. 73 10, experienced a hurricane, which hove the vessel on her beam ends, remaining in that situation for 6 hours, and to right her, had to cut away the foremast, which carried with it all the standing rigging attached.

Bark Sarah Sheaf, at Apalachicola from Liverpool, reports on Sept. 9th, in a gale of wind, Nicholas Van Appin, fell from the foreyard and was instantly killed.

Brig Emblem, on the 9th, lat. 39 26, lon. 72 54, exper,enced a heavy gale from N.E., lost part of dcek load of lumber.

Nag's Head, Sept. 9.-The schooner Anthracophara is on shore two miles north of Jackey's Ridge. Sails from Jersey City, bound to Virginia; also a schooner, same place and destination, and owned by the same person, about six miles south of this. All saved and vessels in good order, only high upon the beach. A large ship lies dismasted off the hotel, and four miles from land, at anchor, with decks swept. We have this moment a north-east gale, so strong that the packet cannot go out. The packet from E. City is on the beach, about 300 yards from water, one on Roanoke; and one capsized between this and Roanoke. My

house, on the sand, with all its contents is gone-blown away. Sept. 10th, 4 o'clock: the schooner Baltimore from Philadelphia, Capt. Knight, bound to Kingston, Ja., has come ashore five miles north of the hotel, cargo saved, damaged, crew all saved. The ship has dragged nearer in shore and opposite to the hotel. Gale from N.E. now blowing. Several horses have been drowned, and several families barely escaped with their lives.

Schooner Berry, from Fall River, in distress, encountered the gale on Wednesday night off Chincoteaque, and lost flying jib, gaft topsail, and staysail, &c., and stove bulwarks and rails on the starboard side, and lost chain boxes, galley, &c.

Schooner Sea Nymph, from Bucksport, bound to Galveston, encountered the gale in lat. 39; split foretopsail to pieces, broke jib boom, jaws of main gaff, lost part of deck load, and had deck swept of every thing, besides straining the vessel and causing her to leak badly.

Schooner Willow, from Thomaston, bound to Richmond, in distress, with loss of foresail, jib, boat stove and decks swept of every thing.

Pilotboat Virginia, Latimer, from a cruise, spoke on 13th, Cape Henry bearing W. by N. 100 miles distant, schooner Wm. B. Brown, from New-York, bound to Norfolk, with both masts gone; offered tow, but the captain declined. Spoke 7th, off Smith's Island, brig Josephine, from Philadelphia, bound to

Charleston.

SHIPWRECK-LIVES LOST.-During the gale on Wednesday last, the schooner White Oak, hence for Bergen Iron Works, with a cargo of lime, was driven ashore on the Jersey coast, at Cranberry Inlet, below Sandy Hook Light. Her crew escaped in safety, but preserved nothing. She has gone to pieces. Another schooner drifted ashore in the same gale, a little north of the White Oak, and went to pieces immediately. Efforts were made to save the captain and crew, but they were fruitless: all on board perished in the terrible surf which raged at the time. The scene of this disaster is within a stone's throw of the place where the ship John Minturn was lost; and, as in that case, the same mysterious current which sets in to the Jersey coast, during northern and north-east gales, was noticed on Wednesday morning, at an average speed of six or eight miles an hour.-Sun.

THE LATE STORM.-The recent gale from the northeast has, it is feared, been the cause of considerable damage to the shipping along our coast. The correspondent of the exchange at Lewis, Del., mentions the following vessels as having been driven ashore in that vicinity. The brig Olive Branch, with a load of coal for Boston, parted her moorings on Wednesday morning last, and striking on the outer bar, bilged and filled; the captain and crew escaped in the long boat. The schooner John C. Demarest, from New-York to Virginia, also parted her moorings on the same day, and was driven ashore half a mile below the Mole, where she still remains, high and dry. The schooner J. R. Marks, from Norwich, bound to this port, went ashore on the evening of Wednesday, about two miles south of Cape Henlopen, and, with about 15 tons of merchandize, is supposed to be a total loss.-Phil. Ledger, Saturday.-J. C. Sept. 14.

Brig Elizabeth, from Leghorn, reports July 26th, 25 miles to the eastward of Gibraltar, passed a ship, supposed to be the Gaston of New-York. Sept. 9th, experienced a violent gale from N.E., which continued to blow a perfect hurricane for several hours.

Bark Levant-experienced a continuation of violent gales from N.E. to N.W. from the 9th to the 11th inst.; sustained no damage however.

Arrived brig Gen. Pinckney, Baltimore. On the 10th inst. 12 miles south of Cape Henry, saw a brig riding at anchor, dismasted. Same day, 10 miles north of Nag's Head, spoke a brig with both masts gone close to the deck, bulwarks stove and boats carried away; supposed her to be a U. S brig of war. The officer of the dismasted vessel requested Capt. Gale to board him, but it blowing a heavy gale from the north at the time, Capt. G. could not do it with safety.

Capt. Richmond, of the bark Nicholas Brown, reported on the passage out, having fallen in with the wreck of a schr. dismasted and full of water, also a large vessel, apparently a ship, bottom up, also passed a quantity of hay in bundles, and several head of

cattle, pieces of vessels, spars, &c. The N. B. encountered the gale of Sept. 9th and 10th, but received no material damage.

Brig Savannah on the 9th, 10th and 11th, experienced a heavy gale of wind from E.S.E. to E.N.E.; 10th, passed a quantity of drift timber and bbls., 1 large water cask; directly after, lat. 36. 15, passed the wreck of a vessel, the bows only out of water and bowsprit gone; blowing a gale at the time could not get near her. 11th, saw a dismasted schr., a signal of distress flying; blowing a gale at the time, could render them no assistance, wore ship to lay by her, but lost her in the night; could not make out her name, saw NewYork on her stern.

Brig Lucy Ann, from Boston for Mobile, experienced a succession of severe gales from the 9th to the 12th stove bulwarks, boats, &c., and sustained considerable damage in sails and rigging. Passed on the 10th a bark with bowsprit and fore-top-gallant mast gone.

The schr. Robin Hood, at Savannah, reports having experienced very heavy weather from the 9th to the 13th, lost boat, gally davits, chain boxes, mainsail, foresail, jib, and foretop split. On the 10th, shifted deck load the vessel laboring heavily, had to keep her before the wind and sea; rigging badly damaged, vessel leaking and very much strained.

THE WEATHER-ITS EFFECTS UPON FRUIT.-The heat continues intense-the mercury rising to near 90. Probably in no season for many years has there been so great a degree of heat, and that, too, so long continued. We understand from various sources that peaches are beginning to rot on the trees. One farmer, about three miles from the city, says that his peach crop is threatened with entire destruction-scarcely a peach being left untouched by the rot. farmer from an opposite direction, makes the same complaint, and adds that the rot has also attacked his pears.-Rochester Adv.-Jour. Com. Sept. 10.

Another

The weather, which, for nearly a fortnight, was such as to remind one of the tasks of the Fire King, has, since the last three days, been so cold as to make people think of their winter clothing.-Montreal Herald, Sept. 10.

The Captain of the brig Lady of the Lake, bound from New York to Hamilton, Bermuda, boarded the schooner Bath, from Baltimore, for Texas, dismasted and abandoned. He found a note nailed up in the cabin, stating that she capsized about 36 miles from Hatteras, on the 9th September, and that there was a lady and two children passengers, and that the two children were drowned; the rest were taken off on the 18th, by a whale ship (the name being defaced the Captain could not make out where she was from or bound.)

Thursday, September 10.

Earthquake at Trinidad.

EQUINOXIAL GALE.-From Barbadoes.-The British brigantine Bermuda, arrived at this port yesterday, from Barbadoes, brings accounts of a very disastrous storm passing over that Island on Saturday, September 10th. The weather for several days previous gave evidence of its approaching.

Besides the blowing down of a few houses, the gale done but little injury on the land. The shipping in port was made to suffer most. There were eleven sail of vessels lying at anchor in the harbor (Carlisle Bay) only one American, (barque Dunlap); all others British. The barque Caleb Agnes, from London, brig Fame, schooners Agues, and Manchester, and sloop Mary Ann, all were driven from their anchorages, cast on the neighboring reef and broken to pieces. The American barque Dunlap rode out the gale most nobly, sustaining no injury.-Baltimore Sun.

Schr. H. R. Roberts on the 10th, lat. 39, long. 75, encountered a heavy gale from N.E. to E.S.E. which lasted 24 hours, was compelled to throw over the deck load, the vessel laboring much; 12th, tremendous squalls from N.E., shipping heavy seas and sweeping the moveables off deck; lat. 36 20, long. 75, saw several lower masts of vessels, together with water casks, hatchway, rigging, companion way, &c. Passed several vessels continually during the passage in a crippled state.

Brig Alcenus, from Matanzas for New-York, experienced heavy gales on the 10th, 11th and 12th, lat. 35, 30, long, 73, 39, blowing heavy during the time;

saw a number of vessels disabled. 12th, lat. 38, 30, long. 73, 40, spoke brig Joseph hence for Cardenas, with loss of both masts; 14th, lat. 36, 40, long, 73, 30, spoke schr. Charles P. Smith, hence for Norfolk, with loss of both masts.

Friday, September 11.

Brig Joseph Bryant, on the 11th, on the edge of the Gulf, spoke brig S. G. Bass from Eastport for Alexandria, with loss of main and fore-top-gallant masts, and decks swept of every thing.

Schr.J. P. Holt, 11th passed several parts of wrecks, amongst which were the part of a cabin: shortly after saw a wreck to leeward dismasted, kept off for her, saw as we supposed a square rigged brig lying by her, as we made them saw another wreck with both masts gone, about 20 feet of the foremast standing, saw six persons on board; she appeared to be a new vessel of about 160 tons, high deck, swept of everything, boats and davits gone. The first vessel proved to be a ship as we saw a fore and aft schooner running down for the ship, we bore away for the brig, which proved to be the Helen McLeod, of and for Baltimore, had a signa! of distress flying; the captain reported 3 or 4 feet water in the hold and in a sinking condition; I advised him to use his utmost endeavors to keep her afloat until an opportunity offered of boarding him; her deck had been swept of boats, galley, bulwarks gone; they had cut away her stanchions and had a raft of spars ready to launch overboard when it should become necessary; we kept off and spoke the fore and aft schr. before mentioned; she was under bare poles, appeared to be repairing her sails; I requested the captain to keep company and lay by the brig until he could board her, as he had a better boat than I had ; he said his vessel was a complete wreck, but he would lay by her; I then ran under the brig's lee and hove too-lay by her until 2 o'clock when it came on to blow a complete hurricane from the southward, furled every thing except a ballanced reefed mainsail: saw the brig's foremast go by the deck, taking the maintopmast with it, the sea breaking all over her; the last time I spoke her we saw several passengers on board; saw one lady standing in the doorway of the house, and my crew say they saw two more. I should say there were 15 males on board-lay too until 4 P.M. when we had ranged ahead of them 1 miles, tried to wear ship to keep under her lee, got before the wind, when it blew harder than ever, and as I had a heavy deck load on, I did not deem it prudent to heave to again, we scudded before the wind which was E.S.E. to S.S.E. for eight hours in the heaviest gale I ever saw. On the 12th, saw three vessels to windward apparently in distress, with loss of spars and sails, making for the Capes of Va.

Schr. Maria, from St. Thomas, on the 11th and 12th in the Gulf stream, experienced a very severe gale of wind, but sustained no damage. On the 14th, at 6 P.M.; off Cape Hatteras passed the wreck of a vessel of about 160 tons, eastern built, some of the spars floating alongside; the whole of her stern gone; could not make out who she was, had been but a short time in that condition. On the 17th, at 6 A.M. off the sand hills at Currituck, passed a dismasted vessel at anchor in about 12 fathoms water; astern of her saw two wrecks on the beach; at 7 o'clock spoke brig Eatrin of New-York, under jury masts, standing for Cape Henry. Off False Cape saw a large vessel with part of one mast standing, lying at anchor; also one at anchor about six miles south of Cape Henry, with only one mast standing; on the pitch of the Cape a herm. brig ashore, with a steamer alongside; at 9 A.M. saw a brig with a dismasted vessel in tow inside the Cape and a dismasted brig under jury masts, both standing for Hampton Roads, wind E.N.E.

Saturday, September 12.
Earthquake at Deerfield, N.H.

Captain S. of brig Imogene, reports that in a gale on the 12th of Sept., five British vessels were driven ashore at Barbadoes, and totally lost.

The ship Emily Morgan, outward bound from New Bedford, was struck by lightning during the storm on Saturday evening, while lying at anchor under Pensue. The fluid struck the maintop-gallant mast, shivering the truck, the topmost cap, and several blocks, and severing the mizen stay in its passage downwards, and finally descended into the hold by the chain-pipes, whence it passed out on both sides of the ship at the water's edge, starting the copper and

sheathing for a few inches, but causing no material damage. The pilot, John Akin, was knocked down, but not seriously injured.

PORTO RICO, Sept. 16, 1846.-A tremendous gale passed over this Island on the 12th inst. doing great damage in life and property. The French frigate Mithridate, the Spanish schooners Gran Remedio, Isabel 2d, Teresa, and the sloops Three Brethren and Little Margaret dragged their anchors and went ashore, some were totally lost and others sustained great injury.The Teresa suffered most, that of the loss of the captain, and four colored passengers, and captain Jose Baregeo of the 1st Batallion of Ponce Militia. No account of any American vessel being injured.

Sunday, September 13.

Charleston, Sept. 16.-Arr. ship Apollo, from Havre, experienced heavy gales on the coast; 13th, lat. 34, 12 long. 73, 20, saw a full rigged brig with loss of foretop-mast and maintop gallant mast; Sunday, saw schr. Helen of Boston, with loss of maintopmast; 15th, lat. 22, 40, long. 77, saw a brig standing to the southward with loss of maintopmast.

Steamer Palmetto, from Philadelphia bound to Brazos St. Jago, on Sunday 13th, 6 A.M. clear weather and heavy sea, 5 to 8 in the stream making 9 knots, saw two ships under jury masts, bound east. 14th, at 12 o'clock, boarded and supplied U. S. brig Washington with a boat, she having lost boats, anchors, carried away both masts, thrown overboard guns, &c. The captain and 11 seamen were washed overboard, she was under jury masts, lat. 75, 10, long. 36, 40.The P. left a herm. brig alongside the Washington to render any assistance that might be required; 15th, light S.W. wind, heavy sea; 16th, 6 A.M. blowing very heavy, put head to sea and housed the topmasts; laboring hard, threw overboard the deck load, engine would not work but by hand-wind N.E. and increasing, blowing a gale; 10 P.M. tacked ship and ran before it with fore spencer set, and engine hooked on-vessel working much easier.

Ship Alkmer on the 13th, lat 34, 15, long. 70, experienced a violent gale of wind from S.E. to S.S.W. which lasted for two days, during which carried away maintopmast, foretopgallant yard, lost and split sails, injured head of mainmast, stove bulwarks; and sustained other injuries, and had one of her crew badly injured.

Brig Clara, from Demarara, on Sunday, the 13th, lat. 22, 30, long. 92, in a hurricane, had to cut away the topmast, and after getting up a jury mast, on the 29th. lat. 32, long. 75, 46, scudding at the time, the wind suddenly shifting from S.E. to S.W. was struck by a sea on the quarter, carrying away stern boat and davits; 30th, shipped wheel; when, vessel broaching too, was knocked down, and to right and get her before the wind had to cut away mainmast.

Ship Monument, from Liverpool for Charleston, on the 13th in a gale from the south split sails.

Monday, September 14.

Schr. Retrieve on the 14th, lat. 26, long. 69, 30, ex perienced a heavy gale from E. to S. which lasted to the 16th; was hove on her beam ends, cut away the weather rigging of the foremast when both masts went by the board, carrying with them all the rigging and spars attached; stove bulwarks, lost boats and received other damage.

Brig Puritan, from Demarara, for New-York. The P. has passengers and part of the crew of the brig Emily of Philadelphia, which vessel was wrecked at Salt Key on the 14th of Sept., spoke Sept. 23d, at lat, 24, 40, long. 71, 45, brig Rebecca, 9 days from Philadelphia, having on board the captain and crew of the brig Benjamin, which they had previously taken from the wreck; blowing hard at the time, could not get the particulars. Sept. 27, lat. 30, 25, long. 73, 30, passed the wreck of the brig Maria, L. Hill. No person on board.

Tuesday, September 15. Earthquake at Cape Haytien.

Schr. Suffolk, from Port au Prince, on the 15th, experienced a heavy gale from S. S. W., split sails, &c.

EARTHQUAKE.-We leard from captain Baxter of schooner Jerome, from Cape Haytien, that a shock of an earthquake was felt there on the 15th of September, which lasted about an hour. No damage done.

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WRECK OF THE BRIG RIENZI of BOSTON.-16 lives lost.-Extract from the log-book of ship Minerva.Saturday, Sept. 26, lat. 37, 30, long. 48, 30 at 5 P.M. made a wreck on the larboard bow; hauled close to the wind-which brought her 3 points on the weather bow, the wind being light; approached her very slowly, and past 6 lost sight of her altogether, previously taking her bearings-sent the boat to see if there were any persons on board. After providing the boat with a compass, signal, lantern, and a bucket of fresh water, the boat was manned by the first officer and four men ; after pulling for about an hour in the direction of the wreck, they smelt something to windward similar to the carcass of a whale; they pulled directly to windward, and very soon discovered the wreck; made a signal to the ship, and she hove to under the lee of the wreck. As we neared the wreck, heard cries of distress and suceeded in rescuing the survivors, whose names were James S. Dyer. 2d officer; George Banten, Appleton Lathe, Loyd Brown and George L. Howe, seamen. The poor fellows were mere skeletons, one being delirious and would have probably died during the night if he had not been relieved.They were taken on board and their wants administered to. The following particulars of their disaster, we have from Mr. Dyer, 2d officer of the Rienzi: She sailed on the 3d of April last from Provincetown, on a whaling voyage, with the following named crew: Captain Small; 1st officer, I. Small (captain's son); 2d officer James S. Dyer; 3d officer, James H. Small (captain's son); boat steerers, E. Weeks, G. B. Cook, and J. F. Cook, all of Provincetown, Mass., W. P. Hecker and F. Coyle, of Boston, seamen: H. Cannon of Milford, Pa., R. Merritt of Weathersfield, Conn., J. Wheelock, of Springfield, Mass., George Bunton, of Manchester, N. H., J. Martin, of Lowell, Mass., George L. Howe, Appleton Lathe, George Campbell, G. W. Martin, Geo. Fields, Lloyd Brown, of Westchester, Mass., and George Porter, of Fredericktown, N. B., all seamen. On the 15th of Sept. experienced a severe gale from S.S.W. at about 11 P.M. the fore spencer was blown away. The gale increasing at about 1 A. M. on the 16th, the balance reefed mainsail, under which sail the brig was lying to, was entirely blown away; the gale still increasing every moment, and the brig lying almost on her beam ends, cut away the boats to ease her. Capt. Small then ordered the fore topmast to be cut away, as the only means of saving the vessel. The rigging was accordingly cut, and a man sent aloft to saw of the mast, but in going aloft, lost the saw overboard, and was returning with a hatchet, when the brig was knocked down, the hatches burst off, and the vessel immediately filled with water. She remained in that situation 20 minutes, when she wore round and righted, completely dismasted, with nothing remaining on deck and a perfect wreck.— Capt. Small, his mate, and young son, about 16 years of age, together with two boat steerers, ship keeper, and steward were drowned in the cabin. Mr. Dyer was also in the cabin, but succeeded in getting on deck. Some of the crew were drowned in the forecastle and others were washed overboard at the time of the disaster.

Two boys, George Mann died the day before, and George Campbell died the night previous to the rescue of the survivors, from hunger and fatigue.

No pen can depict the sufferings of the remaining crew. All the provisions they had for ten days, was about half a deck bucket of bread, which had been soaked for 48 hours in salt water. The day before they were taken off, they caught a shark by means of a bowline, the liver of which they ate raw. They tried to drink the blood, but found it too bitter. All the water they had during their stay on the wreck, they caught by putting an old sheet in the rain during a shower, and wringing it when it became wet; this way they procured about 2 quarts in all. They were almost without clothing, and for seven days the sea made a continual breach over them, and they could only keep on the wreck by lashing themselves; with the exception of the last day they were on the wreck they had no place dry whatever, and then only a small place aft, the brig being entirely under water forward and amid ships. On the 18th, at about 8 A.M. they were passed by a brig steering to the eastward; she came so near that they could see men on her decks,

and notwithstanding they made signals of distress by waving pieces of old canvass and an old sheet, she pressed on without taking any notice of them-which had she done, two men's lives might have been saved. They only saw one other vessel, which they think passed too far off to see them,although they could see her hull. Capt. Small has left a wife and six children to mourn his loss, and that of his two sons.

The remain

der of the crew, with but one exception, were young men not more than 16 to 22 years of age, and all unmarried. The brig Rienzi was about 8 years old, of 100 tons burthen, and owned by Philip A. Lock, of Boston, and the remainder was owned by the Captain. She had been about 5 months out, and had on board 470 barrels sperm oil, and was returning home full at the time of the disaster.

Brig Linder, from Charleston, had bad weather, off Hatteras, on the 15th and 16th.

Bark George Henry, from Salt Key, Turks Island, for New York. On the 15th and 16th September had a tremendous hurricane, stove bulwarks, galley, and received other damage. 19th, fell in with brig Matilda, of and from New York for Balize bay, would try to get into some of the Islands; she had a foretop mast up for a foremast, and the main boom for the main mast; her larbored sails was badly chafed by the falling masts, but did not leak any; the Captain was sick, but he kept on deck; his mate was also sick and unable to do duty; he desired no assistance. Wednesday, September 16. Earthquake at St. Domingo City.

Ship Pactolus, from Havre, from the 16th to the 26th, experienced very heavy gales from the westward; in lat. 25, lon. 30 West, lost jibboom, and had a close reefed mainsail blown away.

Schooner Isaac Townsend had been totally dismasted, and otherwise injured, in the gale of the

16th.

The brig Benj. L. Swan, 13 days from St. Croix, bound to New-Haven, at New-York, reports: The Island was visited on the 13th ultimo by a very severe gale of wind and rain, but no very great damage done, with the exception of blowing down trees. On Sept. 23d, in lat. 29 30, long. 70, spoke the schooner Retrieve, Nickerson, from Boston, bound to the Bay of Honduras, with both masts gone, in a gale experienced on the 16th ult. and making the best of her way to Charleston-wished to be reported.

Bark Louisiana, on the 16th, lat. 28 30, long. 71, experienced a heavy gale of wind from S.E. to N.E., during which was hove on her beam ends; cut away the weather rigging, when all three masts went over the side, carrying with them all the spars, sails and rigging attached; shifted store and damaged most of the cargo; caused the vessel to leak; stove bulwarks, water casks, and sustained other damage. 13th, lat. 35 17, long. 72 15, saw a brig, with loss of fore and main topmasts; 15th, saw a schooner, with loss of both foretop masts.

Ship Anson, from Charleston, on the 16th and 17th, experienced heavy gales from N.N.E. to N.E., a heavy sea breaching completely over the ship, carried away her sails, topsail sheets, bitts, standing rigging, and blew away and split the sails, and received other damage.

Bark J. W. Cater, from St. Domingo City, on the 16th and 17th, experienced a heavy gale from N.E., which lasted 48 hours.

Thursday, September 17.

Brig Casco, from Salt Key, on the 17th. lat. 32, long. 72 30, experienced a severe gale from E. N.E., but received no damage. Same night passed a vessel of about 250 or 300 tons burthen, totally dismasted ;she displayed her light, and we answered it, when she put hers out; therefore thought she needed no assistance; if she had, could have rendered none, as the sea was running very high.

Brig Fashion lost mainmast in part, and foremast entirely gone, in a heavy gale on the 17th, in lat. 30 10, W. long. 70 31. The Captain represents the gale as being the most severe one he ever experienced.

Bark Sharon, from Matanzas, on the 17th, lat. 33 24, long. 68, experienced a tremendous hurricane from E.N.E. round the compass, and lasted 48 hours; during the gale sprung a leak, found it impossible to

keep her free during the gale; after the gale found 29 inches of water in her; had the gale lasted a little longer, should have been obliged to cut away our masts; split foresail and sprung the jib boom.

Also, ship Harriet & Jesse, from Havre. 17th ult. lat. 45 34, long. 24, experienced a gale of wind from N.N.W., during which split maintopsail and staysail, and main spencer; while lying to, 13th instant, off Charleston bar, experienced a tremendous gale of wind, during which lost close reefed foretopsail, foretopmast, staysails, main spencer split; wore ship at 103, head to E.; reefed foresail to keep ship off the shore, no sooner set than split to pieces; the sea at the time making a complete breach over the ship; carried away starboard head rails and head boards.

ANTIGUA, 12th Oct.-The bark Chancellor arrived here on the 9th instant, from New Haven. Experienced a heavy gale on the 17th September, in lat. 37, long. 69, from E.S.E.; shifted to the E., thence to the N. and N. W.; lost 36 horses, part of hay, &c. ; split some of her sails. Fell in with on the 16th September, lat, 37 45, long. 69 54, bark Meteor, of Alexandria, from Baltimore, to St. Thomas, dismasted and full of water. Took from her two seamen, Joseph Denny and John Thompson; the second officer died about half an hour previously to being boarded by the Chancellor. The master, mate, four seamen and cook, were washed overboard on the 8th September, off Cape Horn. At about 14 miles S. by E. from the former, fell in with the schooner Callao, of New York, bound to Charleston, having lost her foremast, sails and rudder, and decks swept, and badly leaking; took from her the master, mate and four seamen. The schooner was dismasted the 8th of

Sept.

Schooner Florida, on the 17th, off Cape Fear Light, bearing N.N.W., 18 fathoms water, in a gale carried away the mainmast about 15 feet from the deck.

Schooner E. S. Powell, on the 17th, experienced very heavy weather, sustained great injury to sails, lost boat, &c.

Friday, September 18.

Schooner Amensoda, (Portuguese) 32 days from Fayal. September 18, lat. 36 45, long. 65 15, experienced a tremendous gale, and was knocked on her beam ends, carried away flying jibboom, and received other damage.

French bark L'Ange Gardien, from Havre. In a heavy gale on the 18th, lat. 37 54, long. 67 19 W. carried away while being hove too, topmast, royalmast, &c., and lost mizen topsail. Fell in with in gulf stream, a schooner under water, masts only out; a dead cow or ox was lying on deck, and marked goods floating

around her.

Brig Amazon, at Gloucester, from Surinam, took the gale of September 18th, in lat. 34, long. 69, from S.S.E., and at night split main-topsail, strained the vessel badly and injured the rigging. On the 19th, the wind hauling S.W. and increasing in violence, the brig was put before the wind and scudded under bare poles twenty-four hours, at the end of which time she had run about three degrees.

British brig Maria, September 26, lat. 45, lon. 39 30, spoke British brig Violet, of Belfast, took from her two seamen, part of the crew (14 in number) of the British ship Emerald, of and for St. Johns, N.B., who lost her masts and filled with water, in a hurricane, 18th September, was on the wreck four days and lost everything. The V. took them off 21st September. The Maria, on the 20th September, lat. -, long. —, experienced a hurricane from S.W. to N.; and ex perienced the late gale off Fire Island, but sustained no damage.

Packet ship Waterloo, from Liverpool, on the 18th, lat. 42 30, long. 60, experienced a gale from S.E. to N.N.E.; at 3 P.M., 19th, blowing with extreme violence, when all three topgallant masts. together with the head of maintopmast broke off, the sails blown from the yards, the only sail left being the jib, mainsail, and mizzen topsail, out of an entire suit; was obliged to cut much of the rigging to save the remaining spars; 20th, was in company with a ship, with the loss of her main and mizzen topgallant masts and maintopsail yards; same time saw a fishing schooner with loss of sails; same day saw a bark steering East, without any sail set on her main mast,

Ship Shakspeare, from Havre, on the 18th, lat. 43

20, long. 62, experienced a heavy gale from S.E. to N.., and continued 12 hours with such violence that it blew nearly all the sails from the yards after they were furled. At 12 o'clock at midnight lost Daniel Mathews and John Bond, seamen, from the foretopsail yard. The former fell overboard and the latter fell on deck and survived about one hour.

Ship Calamut, on the 18th and 19th, when in the Southern edge of the Gulf Stream, experienced a fearful hurricane, which knocked her on her beam ends, blew nearly all her sails from the yards, carried away flying jibboom, blew three of her boats to pieces, and badly stove the fourth.

Bark Swan, from Havana, lost fore and maintopmasts, with everything attached, in the gale of the 18th and 19th; was knocked down and sprung a leak.

Bark Goretto, from Bordeaux, in lat. 43 46, lon. 33 36, experienced a very heavy gale on the 18th, 19th, and 20th, in which lost the round-house, and received other damage.

Saturday, September 19.

Fishing schooner Glide reports, 21st, lat. 434, long. 06, spoke British ship Victoria, with loss of main and mizzen masts, and two men badly wounded, supposed in the gale of the 19th; also passed, 26th, four dismasted ships, but did not speak them.

Ship Burlington, from Liverpool, 23d, lat. 44, long. 32 30, spoke British ship Jane, from London, bound to Quebec. She had been knocked down in the gale of the 19th, had to cut away the masts to right her, having considerable water in her hold; was obliged to throw overboard part of the cargo to lighten the vessel; they wanted some spars, which we were unable to furnish; he was returning to London, or the nearest port. The B. lost boats in the gale and one man overboard, but succeeded in getting him on board again.

Ship Leibnitz Sluboom, of and for Hamburg, from New York, about 16th ult. was spoken about 30th ult. lat. 41, long. 61, and supplied with sails, spars, &c. by the Iliad, at Halifax, having received damage in the gale of the 19th.

British brig Agenoria, from Quebec, for Exeter, was dismasted and waterlogged in the gale of Sept. 19, and was abandoned 22d, lat. 48, long. 33, the master and five men being destitute of provisions and water, going on board bark Joanna, of St. John, N. B. One man had been drowned, and three others had died of starvation.

Whale ship Brakanza put into Rio Janeiro in consequence of damage in a gale on September 19, in which sprung mainmast, lost light spars, some sails,

&c.

The steamship Great Western, B. R. Matthews, Esq., Commander, left Liverpool at 4 o'clock, P. M., Saturday, September 12th, havington board one hundred and twenty-six passengers, captain, five officers, five engineers, and seventy-four crew, in all two hunred and eleven persons.

The weather, generally, was pleasant for the season of the year, and our progress good, averaging 200 miles a day.

Saturday, Sept. 19th, lat. 48 34, lon. 37 43, at 4 P. M., light airs from the S. E. and foggy, with light drizzling rain. Got the yards aloft, and set the jibs and fore spencer. Breezes refreshing. At 6 set the single reefed main spencer and the square sails, with two reefs in the topsail.

"At 8 P. M., the wind increasing and variable to the westward, took in the square sails, outer jib and main spencer. At 10 P. M. freshening gales and ugly weather, sea getting up and tossing high. At midnight increasing gales and heavy squalls; took in the fore spencer, the outhaul having broken; in the mean time, the inner jib stay bulls eye hook broke and the sail became useless; hauled it down and set the fore stay sail."

The above is an extract from the Captain's log book, and gives an account of the commencement of the awful storm which the Great Western surmounted on her passage from Liverpool to New-York; one so terrific during its continuance, and marked by such a signal deliverance in the end, that it should be carefully related.

Sunday, 20th, at 40 minutes past 2 A. M., continues the log, split the fore stay sail; took in the remains of it and lay to under bare poles.

The sea rising frightfully, and breaking over and

against the ship. At 4 the wind increased to a heavy storm, and the sea running most furiously at the ship. The wind veering to the N. W. at the same time, and the ship breaking off into the trough of the sea, rendered our situation more critical. A great quantity of water got into the engine room from the sea breaking over the ship, which was pumped out by the lee bilge pump."

Sunday morning most of the passengers assembled in the cabin and saloon. Their haggard faces told too surely of the sleepless and anxious night which had passed. Even those most ignorant of nautical affairs could not fail to discover that we were in the midst of great peril. Few could dress with their accustomed care owing to the violent pitching and constant rolling of the vessel. The stewards abandoned any attempt to prepare the breakfast table, and both then, and throughout the day, were obliged to content themselves with bringing such articles of food as were most convenient, to those who felt any disposition to eat.

"11 o'clock, A. M. A heavy sea broke over the fore-part of the starboard wheel house, or paddle box, which started the ice house, and large iron life boat, from their fastenings and washed them to leeward, and with much difficulty they were temporarily secured.

To understand this, the reader must bear in mind that the Great Western is, so to speak, three stories high forward and aft, and two in the waist or middle of the ship: aft, there is the lower story or cabin, above it, the saloon, the roof or covering of which is the quarter deck, and may for the purpose of description be considered as a third story. In the waist or middle, the lower story is occupied by the engine room, the roof or covering of which is the main deck. On this main deck, in the centre, are placed the chimney, gallies, and ice house. The various offices appertaining to the stewards and police of the ship at the sides. This part is open above, and protected by the wheel houses and sides of the ship, which rise to the height of 14 feet. The width of the paddle box is about 12 feet. The ice house contained some seven or eight tons of ice, and was fastened by cleets and staunchions. Let the reader imagine the force of the

sea,

and the height of the wave, which, rising over the paddle box, struck the ice house, and the large iron life boat above it, twisted them from their fastenings, breaking the ice house into two parts, ripping off the planks, crushing the starboard companion way, and only prevented from making a clear breach in the sides of the ship, by a sudden lurch to port. Meantime the wind howled most frightfully through the rigging.

"At 11 o'clock and 15 minutes A. M. attempted to wear ship, to get her on the other tack (thinking she would be easier,) as the wind still continued to veer to northward. Lowered the after gaffs down; manned the fore rigging, and loosened the weather yard arm of the foresail, to pay her off, but found it had no effect. Therefore let her come to again. In the mean time the square sails blew away from the yards.

11 30 A. M. The lee quarter boats were torn from the davits by a heavy lee lurch of the ship, bending the davits, tearing out the ring bolts from their stems and sterns.

Word was passed among the passengers that two of our boats were gone, and the others were likely to follow, the davits and bolts beginning to give. But not a remark was made; each spoke to the other only through the eye. And the ominous silence which pervaded the whole company, told how sensibly all felt themselves in the very presence of the King of Terrors, uncertain of their doom.

It was wonderful to see how a few short hours changed the condition and feelings of all on board. The grades and distinctions incident to so large a company, varying in social position, citizens of almost all countries, and professing different creeds, yet, in the presence of so imminent danger, all distinctions seemed merged into one common emotion of awe, as we stood together in the court of the great leveller, Death. With this intense feeling which bound us together as one, came also another of an opposite and repelling character. Every heart was deeply occupied with its individual griefs and memories, as if not another shared the peril. Home, with its loved ones, and a thousand cherished hopes and joys, rose fresh to the view, and with a power like the storm, swept over the mind and left it like the ocean, tempest-tost and troubled.

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"At noon, storm and sea raging in all its fury, sea still breaking over the ship, a heavy sea struck the larboard paddle box and smashed it to atoms; sprung the spring beam, breaking the under half; shattered the parts of the ship attached thereto. A splinter struck the captain on the head while standing on the poop, and the force of the blow, together with the sea, carried him over the lee quarter, and he was only saved by the nettings.

"After this sea had passed over, we found the water had gained on the pumps; the wind appeared to lull a little and the ship a little easier, but still blowing a storm. All the hatches, except those made use of for passing into the engine room were battened down, and the skylights partially covered. The weather continued the same until midnight, at which time it lulled for half an hour."

The log conveys to the reader some idea of the state of the ship and effects of the storm on Sunday, at noon. Its effects on those below can be best given in the words of a gentleman who remained the greater part of the time in the cabin.

To convey an idea of the appearance of all around, is out of my power. In the words of Sheridan, "the tempest roamed in all the terror of its glory." The atmosphere was surcharged with a thick spray, rendering a look far out to seaward, impossible. The wind howled, roared and bellowed, like the constant mutterings of the thunder cloud. Huge waves of tremendous height and volume, rose in mad display around the ship, threatening every moment to break over us, amidships and crush the vessel. Sea after sea striking us with terrific noise, caused the gallant ship to stop for an instant, tremble and shake in every timber from her stem to her stern post, reeling and lurching, tossed to and fro, again would she gather fresh strength, and with her wheels half hid in the wild waters, again and again receive the thundering blows of an element that seemed armed for our destruction.

The sails on the yards, strongly secured by ropes and gaskets, were blown from their furls and streamed out to leeward in ribbons. But all this was nothing. About 1 P. M., whilst most of us were seated in agonizing suspense in the lower cabin, holding fast to the tables and settees, a sea struck the vessel, and a tremendous crash was heard on deck; instantly the cabin was darkened, and torrents of water came pouring down upon us through the sky lights.

Scarcely had the waters reached the floor, when all in the cabins and state rooms sprang to their feet, and simultaneously, as if by concert, the ladies uttered a scream of agony, so painful, so fearful, and so despairing, the sound of it will never be forgotten; and heaven grant that such a wail of anguish may never again be heard by me. Several fainted-others clasped their hands in mute despair, whilst many "called aloud upon their Creator."

The crash to which the writer alludes was caused by the tearing up of the benches and other wood work on the quarter deck. These were hurled with violence against the sky lights, by the same sea which broke the windows of the saloon, drenching the berths on the larboard side, driving out their affrighted occupants, whilst it smashed by its weight the glass over the main cabin, and thus forced its way below.

This was a period of intense emotion. I was sitting in the upper saloon, striving to protect some ladies from injury. So violent were the shocks of the vessel, although firmly braced, it was with great difficulty we could prevent ourselves being hurled from our seats and dashed with such violence against a part of the vessel, as to endanger life or limb. Many received severe contusions and bruises, notwithstanding all their efforts

'Twas an anxious hour. My eye wandered over the different groups in the saloon. Resting one while on a Father passing from one to another of his family, and cheering with a kind word an interesting group of daughters. Then on a young wife, folded to the bosom of her husband without a syllable being uttered, but the action spoke volumes, and again upon a

mother whose children had been left in America, as she clasped her hands as if in secret prayer, whilst her husband and her father gathered around, and all seemed bowed down to earth in one common feeling of tender solicitude for those who might so soon become helpless orphans.

It was an awful hour. The most thoughtless amongst us cowered in their secret heart before a danger which none but a fool or brute would have mocked, and all therefore accepted the invitation to meet in the cabin for prayer.

Rev. Mr. Marsh read the 107th Psalm. Rev. Dr. Smucker prayed. Rev. Dr. Beecher made a few solemn remarks. Rev. Dr. Balch repeated the words of our Saviour, "Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me,"commenting briefly on their consoling import, and then invited all present to join with him in the Lord's Prayer; after which he pronounced the Apostle's benediction.

Night approached. And again I quote from the gentleman who has kindly given an account of what took place below.

"Amid this accumulation of horrors, and still more to add to our alarm, night gathered in around us. The wind far from abating, was on the increase. The lulls in the storm being less frequent, and the squalls, if any thing more terrific. The whole ocean was one sea of foam, lashed up into terrible waves, wild and angry, whilst the spray and wind seemed driven through the rigging and over the ship, as with demonaical power. As darkness came, clustered together in the cabin, we all thought and reflected on our fate. Most, if not all of us, had given ourselves up for lost. For what with the heavy laboring of the ship, the terrible noise and howling of the wind, the continued frequent thumpings of the sea, the quivering and shaking of the groaning timbers, the carrying away of so many portions of the vessel's upper works, and the knowledge that we were perhaps for another night to be exposed to the full power of a raging hurricane, left us little to hope for."

In the evening, about 9 o'clock, the Rev. Mr. Balch, at the request of several passengers, administered the Holy Communion in the Cabin, to upwards of sixty persons-many of whom received it there, for the first time in their lives. Several applied to him as to the propriety of their embracing that occasion to fulfil a fong cherished purpose of their hearts, but which, like many other "good thoughts," had been deferred to a more convenient season." They all communicated, together with others of almost every creed and nation, thus reminding us of the promise of Scripture, "they shall come from the East and the West, the North and the South, and sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, in the kingdom of God.

It was a most solemn scene. Mr. Balch first read the service appointed for a storm at sea, after which, the whole communion office. The terrible conflict of the elements which raged without, was rendered yet more striking by the impressive stillness which pervaded that company of Christ's disciples within.

Gathered around the table, they received into hearts deeply moved, the consecrated emblems of the Redeemer's body and blood. All felt comforted by the blessed ordinance of grace. Many a bosom before tossed with fear, was now tranquil through faith. Once more all renewed their vows, and realized the peace of God shed abroad in their hearts, and felt, with a vividness perhaps never before known, "Your life is hid with God in Christ." Oh! it was a night and a communion long to be remembered.

After the communion, I returned to my state room. The gentleman who shared it with me, had gone below to die, as he expected, in company with his daughter and son-in-law. Left therefore alone, taking a last look at the pictures of my little family and commending them, and all dear to me, to the grace and protection of God, I laid down and slept peacefully.

"Monday, 21st, 12 30, continues the log, the storm commenced raging again in all its fury, and the sea a perfect foam, till 8 A. M., at which time the clouds began to break, and the squalls less furious. Got the ship's head to the N. W. and hauled the yards round, the sea still raging as before, and nearly ahead, curling and breaking over the ship in every direction. At noon the storm ceased; but the sea continued more violent till 2 P. M., at which time it ceased gradually with the wind-having lasted about 36 hours; during which time, it gives me much pleasure to state, my

officers and crew conducted themselves with great coolness and presence of mind.”

At half-past five o'clock on Monday morning, we were in the greatest possible danger,

Mr. Stevens, one of the passengers who was an eye witness, says of it—" a peculiar lifting of the haze in the east, with the appearance of an amber colored belt of light, low down on the horizon, warned us of an approaching blow.. Presently it came, a perfect tornado, driving before it the clouds of spray, and as it neared us, fairly lifting up the white foam from the waves, like a shower of rain. As the squall struck us, the ship careened over and buried her gunwales in the ocean, and lay for a few moments stricken powerless, and apparently at the mercy of the savage waves that threatened to engulph us.-This was the trial, the last round fought between the elements and our gallant vessel. At this critical moment, the engine was true to her duty. Still went on its revolutions, and round and round thundered her iron water wings. Gradually recovering her upright position, the good ship with head quartering the sea, came up to her course, and all was well. It was the climax of the storm. The last great effort of the whirlwind king, to send us to the sea-giant's cave below."

On Monday, about 12, the storm had abated sufficiently to admit of standing on the upper step of the companion-way with safety. It was a sublime, but an awful spectacle. The ocean still labored under the effects of the hurricane. The wind veered 20 points in 36 hours; it is impossible to imagine or describe the wild and tangled confusion of the waves. Rising to a height apparently greater than that of the mainmast, they leaped and roared around the ship, as if hungry and maddened at the loss of their prey. At times the Great Western seemed as if lowered by unseen spirits into her watery grave; and every moment you expected to be filled in, and her requiem sung by the winds amidst the wilderness of waters.

But our danger was past, and with grateful hearts on Tuesday morning, all assembled in the cabin to render an act of common prayer and thanksgiving.

Rev. Dr. Smucker read a psalm and made some appropriate introductory remarks, and Rev. Dr. Beecher addressed the passengers at length and with much force on the mercy we had experienced, and prayer was offered.

After the religious services were ended, Archibald Gracie, Esq., of New-York, was called to the chair, and the Rev. Mr. Marsh appointed secretary. On motion it was

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to draft a resolution expressive of our gratitude to Almighty God for his great goodness in our almost miraculous deliverance from destruction: and also to the captain, officers, and crew of the ship, for their arduous labors, and their skill, firmness, and perseverance, in carrying the ship through her late perilous condition.

The same committee were charged with the duty of reporting a suitable memorial of our gratitude to the captain, officers and crew.

The Chairman, Secretary, Rev. Dr. Beecher of Cincinnati, Rev. Dr. Balch, Dr. Washington and Dr. Detmold of New-York, Mr. Hutchinson of Geo., Mr. F. Mather of Geneva, and Mr. Rawlings of England, constituted said committee.

The Rev. Mr. Balch, at the request of the committee, stated at a subsequent meeting of the passengers, the conclusions at which the committee had arrived, when subsequently it was resolved that two subscription papers be opened, one for the purpose of giving a suitable testimonial to the captain, officers and crew, the other to form the nucleus of a fund for the relief of the families of those whose heads and supporters have been lost at sea, and to be called "The Great Western Fund." Said money in the mean time to be deposited in the hands of James Boorman, Pelatiah Perritt, Rev. Lewis P. W. Balch, James Lenox and Rob't. B. Minturn, of New-York, as Trustees.

In pursuance of the above resolution, Mr. Gracie addressed the following letter to Capt. Mathews:— At SEA, on Board of Steam-ship GREAT WESTERN, Sept. 28th, 1846.

Capt. MATHEWS:

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Sir,-As Chairman of the Committee appointed by the Passengers on board of this ship, I have now the pleasure of informing you, that the sum of £200 10s. has been subscribed by them, to be presented to the

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"Captain, officers and crew of the Great Western,' as a token of the estimation which is entertained of their valuable services during the late perilous scenes through which we have passed. To those services, as well as the great strength and other admirable qualities of your noble ship, we are (under Providence) indebted for the preservation of our lives.

To yourself in particular (without overlooking the meed of praise due to others) we would express our feelings of admiration of the coolness and skill displayed by you during the trying period of peril, when, while endeavoring to prevent alarm among us, you did not, when called on, withhold from us your sense of the danger to which we were exposed.

Of the above subscription in behalf of the Passengers, I ask your acceptance of the sum of £80, now presented to you by the Treasurer, in the beautiful purse which has been worked for the occasion by one of our fair passengers; and to distribute the remainder, which is contained in another beautiful purse presented by one of our fair passengers, among the officers and crew under your command, agreeably to the schedule which accompanies it.

At the same time it gives me pleasure to inform you that a liberal contribution has been made, with the view of creating a fund for the relief of families whose heads and supporters have been lost at sea, and that in compliment to yourself and this ship, as well as in commemoration of the signal mercy we have experienced in her, it is to be called the "Great Western Fund.”

With sincere wishes for your continued health and prosperity, I remain with great regard, Respectfully yours,

ARCHIBALD GRACIE,
Chairman.

To this letter Captain Mathews returned the following answer :

GREAT }

To A. GRACIE, Chairman, &c.

Sept. 28th, 1846.

SIR: Your letter to me in behalf of the passengers by the Great Western steamship under my command, I feel as a very great compliment to my ship, officers and self, and in reply, I beg to tender most gratefully our best thanks and warmest regards.

It is to Divine Providence alone that we are all indebted for our safety. For during my long experience at sea, I never witnessed so severe a storm, and were it not for the good qualities of my noble ship, under the direction of God, she could not have weathered it.

I am more than pleased at the step your committee have taken to promote the interest of the widows and orphans of seainen and others lost at sea. And I am sure that the Directors of the Great Western S. S. Co., with myself, and all interested in this ship, will consider it a high compliment which you have conferred upon her. And I for one, will contribute my mite to this glorious undertaking, and I have no doubt but my officers and crew will follow my example.

I have the honor to be, sir,

Your obedient servant,

BARNARD R. MATHEWS.

Mr. Gracie also handed to Mr. Balch, as one of the Trustees of the Great Western Fund, the following

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Gentlemen-I have been directed to inform you by the Committee appointed by those passengers on board of the Great Western, who have made a contribution for the purpose of forming the nucleus of a fund "for the relief of the families whose heads and supporters have been lost at sea, and which in compliment to the Captain and ship, as well as in commemoration of the signal mercy we have experienced in her, is to be called the Great Western Fund"-that they have unanimously named you Trustees of said Fund.

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The subscription now amounts to $580-which sum will be handed over to you by the Treasurer, Robert Hutchinson, Esq., to be invested in such manner as you may deem best, in order that the interest accruing from this and subsequent subscriptions, may be applied to the object proposed.

We doubt not you will lend your valuable co-ope

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