Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1898 — Lost All Her Sails. [ARTICLE]

Lost All Her Sails.

* OapL Wilaon, 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. Th® 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 >aeh ether with great rapidity. Th® 'tarometer fell from 2995 at noon to £9.87 at 7 p. m. The wind increased to c> gale In the evening, and at mid/ digit the sky was lighted by vivid electric flashes.- The sea reached a terrifizi height, and a great twisting, writhing celmnn came Into view, apparently bearing down on the ship, Lightning flashed frem this pillar and splintered Into sparks on the sea. It looked as If the Crocodile 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 Francises* Chronicle.