On the prevailing Storms of the Atlantic Coast. 41. 



time of its first appearance, might show an apparent progress at this 

 high rate between certain pointSj on or near, the great central curve 

 of our coast. 



The two storms next reported to us, took effect on a more eastern 

 portion of the Atlantic. One of these appeared on the 20th of Sep- 

 tember, pursuing a northerly course in Lat. 39°, Lon. 40°. The 

 other appeared off the south-east border of the great bank of New- 

 foundland, on the 24th of September, pursuing a north-easterly di- 

 rection. Both stormy exhibited the essential character which we 

 have described, with all the violence of hurricanes. 



The next storm which we have occasion to notice, appears to have 

 originated in the vicinity of the Windward Islands, near the close of 

 September, and which, passing the Bermudas on a course somewhat 

 west of north, on its approach to the Florida stream assumed a 

 more easterly course, towards the eastern coast of Newfoundland, or 

 the Grand Bank. Of this storm, which was very disastrous, we 

 shall give a few reports. 



stay-sail. From midnight to 4 A. M. gale raging with great violence — a tremendous 

 sea; at 1, A. M. the main and mizen-topgallant-masts were blown away close to the 

 caps ; at 2, A. M. a perfect hurricane from the north, taken aback ; the ship in a 

 very critical situation ; pitched away the jib-boom, with it the sprit-sail-yard, sprung 

 the bowspiit and fore and main-masts — attempted to relieve hie ship of the main- 

 top-sail, weather sheet parting, the sail was instantly thrashed to pieces; at 4, the 

 situation of the ship was most critical, working violently, and much distressed from 

 the weight of her battery ; at 4, SO, foresail, fore-top-sail and main-sail burst from their 

 gaskets and were blown into ribbons ; from 4 to 8, A. M. gale raging with unabated fu- 

 ry — fore-stay-sail blown from the bolt-rope, and such the force of the storm, that not 

 a rag of canvass could be shown ; at 4,40, main-top-mast went by the cap ; at 5, fore 

 and main-mast badly sprung, secured the partner wedges v/ith heavy spikes ; to save 

 the fore-mast and bowsprit, cut away the fore-top-mast, carrying with it the head 

 of the fore-mast, and part of the fore-top ; cock-billed the fore-yard and secured the 

 lee arm to the cable bilts ; at 5, 30, carried away weather mainbrace bumpkins ; to 

 save the mast, cut away the main-yard, which no human effort could secure ; the 

 situation of the ship awful in the extreme ; five feet water in the hold, and the crew 

 perfectly paralyzed : the wind had now attained a furious height, and the sea in- 

 creased to such an alarming degree, that with great difficulty men could be found to 

 cut away the main yard. — Friday, August 27th, gale yet dreadful ; at 4, 30, wind 

 hauled to west ;" set the mizen-stay-sail to keep the ship too ; from 4 to 8, gale some- 

 what abated, set the main-stay-sail ; at 6, gale abating, all hands employed in clear- 

 ing wreck — weather cloudy ; from 8 to midnight, moderate, heavy sea, ship very 

 uneasy ; from midnight to 4, very heavy sea ; from 4 to 8, A. M. gale again increas- 

 ing. Spoke ship Norfolk, /rom Jforfolk ; received an offer of assistance. The JVor- 

 folk was not in the gale. 



Vol. XX.— No. 1. 6 



