Phenix Gazette

From the Baltimore American.

THE STORM OF WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

The oldest inhabitants of Baltimore cannot bring to their recollection the occurrence of a thunder storm of so awful a character, or so long in duration, as that with which we were visited on Wednesday night. About nine o'clock, a dark cloud approached from the west, which threw out incessant flashes of lightning. A short time before ten the rain commenced; and the storm gradually increased in violence. From about eleven until half past twelve, the most vivid streams of lightning were constantly emitted from the clouds which hung over the city, accompanied at very short intervals with those peculiarly sudden, sharp and loud claps of thunder which always indicate the descent of the electric fluid upon some object immediately at hand. Occasional bursts of wind, and the fall of rain in torrents, mingled with hail, completed the awful sublimity of this war of the elements. The lightning struck in a number of places in the city. The following list of the objects upon which it descended will serve to afford our readers at a distance some idea of the violence of the storm:--

The Boston packet brig Pocket, lying at Bowly's wharf—the lightning cut off the upper part of the fore royal-mast, and descended the mast as far as the deck only, where all traces of its effects were lost. It is supposed that the chain cable at the bow of the brig attracted the fluid, and passed it into the water. The crew were asleep in the forecastle, and although severely shocked by the concussion, sustained no personal injury. The mast is so much torn and split, that a new one will be required.

The house of Mr. Christopher Chapman, at the north end of Bond street—the chimney knocked down. A daughter of Mr. C. we are informed, was stunned and remained insensible for several hours.

A house on Bond street, (opposite Mr. Chapman's) occupied by Mr. Blake, schoolmaster—the chimney knocked down, the roof split, and garret window demolished.

The bakery at the corner of Great York and Eden street—occupied by Mr. J. Affaroux—most of the windows broken, & a tree in front killed by the lightning.

The proprietor of the Baltimore Tavern, East Water street, was knocked down at his door, and remained insensible for half an hour.

The stone house, corner of N. Gay & Front sts.—the lightning descended through the roof and the two upper floors, and struck a bedstead upon which two boys were lying; it then passed off without injury.

A dwelling in Saratoga street, extended west—the chimney knocked down.

The dwelling of D. F. Magruder, Esq. on Saratoga street, the lightning descended the spout, shivered a rain cask which stood under it, and partially injured an adjacent wood house.

A house on south Howard street, no particulars.

A wheelwright shop on Baltimore street, extended west, the edge of the roof ripped off.

A tree in front of the dwelling of Peter Leving, Esq. Hanover street; a tree in front of the dwelling of Captain M. Ketley, Market st. F. P.; and a tree in the yard of Mr. Johnson, Ann-quith street, were shivered by the lightning.

From the Gazette we learn that the following houses were also stricken:

The chimney of a house in Pine street.

Mrs. Leypold's house, Gay street.

A house in Conway street.

Mr. Claiborne's house, in Belvidere street.

A house in Lombard street.

We learn that the new tunnel at Chatsworth Run, was burst by the pressure of the rain.

It is a circumstance worthy of remark, that though the mercy of a protecting Providence, not a single life was lost, although the electric fluid was poured in such a constant stream upon the city.