The Placer Herald

The Great Maelstrom or Whirlpool.
The most remarkable whirlpool known is
situated on the coast of Norway, near the
island of Moskoe, from whence it derives the
name of Moskoestrom. The island of Moskoe
lies between two other small islands, about
three miles distant from each. Through the
straits on each side of it the stream makes
its way during the flood tide with a boisterous
rapidity: but the roar of its impetuous ebb to the sea is not to be described, and is
scarcely equalled by the loudest cataracts.
It is heard at the distance of many leagues,
and forms a vortex or whirlpool of great
extent, having reached vessels in a tempest
at the distance of six miles, which have, by
a violent attraction, been drawn irresistibly
into the whirlpool and there disappeared
being absorbed and carried down to the
bottom in a moment, and dashed to pieces
against the rocks at the bottom; and just at
the turn of the tide, when the water becomes
still for about a quarter of an hour, they
rise again in shattered fragments scarcely to
be known for parts of a ship. Sea animals
coming within its attractions are not able
to avoid its fury; and various instances are
recorded of their struggling, roaring, and
bellowing in a frightful manner, when approaching its vortex, showing that they were
sensible of their danger. The like happens
frequently to bears, who attempt to swim to
the island to prey upon the sheep. There
is no doubt of this whirlpool being formed
by the accidental situation of the island of
Moskoe and the adjacent islands, with the
natural structure of their shores and the
vast body of the Northern Ocean forcing
itself through these rocky passages produce
this frightful vortex.