Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 October 1895 — Lost All Her Sails. [ARTICLE]

Lost All Her Sails.

Capt. Wilson, of the British ship Crocodile, has made a report to the Merchants’ Exchange describing a phenomenon witnessed on the way from Newcastle, New South Wales. The Crocodile left Newcastle June 22. In 145 degrees west longitude and 10 degrees north latitude the strange appearance of the clouds was first noted. They were crossing and recrossing each other with great rapidity. The barometer fell from 29.95 at noon to 29.87 at 7 p. m. The wind increased to a gale In the evening, and at midnight the sky was lighted, by vivid electric flashes. The sea reached a terrific height, and a great twisting, writhing column came into view’, apparently bearing down on the ship. Lightning flashed from this pillar and splintered into sparks on the sea. It looked as if the Cnggodile was certain to go to the bottom, but the cyclone passed astern. Instantly, as it passed, every sail on the ship was ripped away from its fastenings. The Crocodile keeled over until the water was almost even with her hatches. She righted, and a terrific wave washed over her fore and aft. It was then discovered that her cargo had shifted. It took several days to right the cargo before the ship was ready to make sail.—San Francisco Chronicle.