Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852Various
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Vol. V, No. XXV, June, 1852
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
Sabbath Night, Mar. 28. Lat. 51°, Long. 25° 7'
Miles made 219. Last night our easterly storm increased to a gale,
and blew with hurricane fury. It was utterly impossible to sleep, we
were all so rudely jostled in our berths. The motion of the ship was
so great that we were in constant danger of being rolled from our
beds upon the floor. Every timber in the iron-bound ship creaked and
groaned, and occasionally a sea would strike our bows, which would make
the whole fabric shiver. It was, indeed, an exercise in gymnastics to
perform one's toilet this morning. Every thing which was not a fixture
was rolling hither and thither. It was utterly impossible to stand for
a single moment, without catching hold of something for support. The
ship now keeling in one direction, now in another; at one time rising
ten or fifteen feet into the air, and again as suddenly sinking; now,
apparently stopping, as struck by a heavy sea, and again plunging
forward with the most sullen and determined resolution, presented
a series of movements which defied all calculations. Early in the
morning I clambered upon deck, and leaning against the mast, and
clinging to the ropes, looked out upon the wild, wild scene. The roar
of the gale through our shrouds was almost terrific. It seemed like the
voice of an angry God. But five persons sat down at the breakfast-table
at the usual hour. It was, indeed, a curiosity to see the waiters
attempt to move about upon the unstable footing of our floor. One
would take a cup of coffee, and, clinging to the side of the cabin,
and carefully watching his opportunity, would dart toward a pillar,
to which he would cling, until he was prepared to take another start.
But with all his precautions, he would frequently be thrown upon one
of the cushioned seats of the dining-room, and the liquid contents of
his dishes would be any where. A gentleman would attempt to raise a cup
of tea to his lips. Alas! there is many a slip. A sudden lurch of the
ship ejects the hot beverage into his bosom instead of his mouth. It is
almost dangerous to attempt to move about, you are thrown to and fro
with so much violence. Every thing is made fast which can be secured.
It is a wild scene of uproar and confusion, and I have no desire again
to witness a storm at sea. Nausea sadly detracts from all conceptions
of the sublime. Very many are sick. I am very far from feeling
comfortable. As I look around me upon this tumultuous scene, listening
to the uproar of the elements, I feel how utterly impossible it is for
the pen to communicate to the distant reader any idea of this midnight
ocean-storm. By clinging to the table, so as to become, as it were,
a part of it, I succeed, with much difficulty, in writing. The wind
seems still to be rising as we advance into the hours of the night, and
the ship struggles and plunges more and more violently. We have had
a dismal, dismal day. There is no comfort any where. One can neither
walk, nor stand, nor sit, nor lie.
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