The Portland Gazette

NORFOLK, SEPT. 4.

Among the rest of our misfortunes, we are grieved to state, that our town was yesterday visited by a storm, or rather tornado, far surpassing in violence and calamitous consequences any that it has ever experienced within the remembrance of the oldest inhabitants.

The best description we are prepared to give of it at this moment, can convey but an imperfect conception of its terrors.

The morning was dark and gloomy, and about six o'clock the black and lowering clouds began to discharge their watery contents, not in gentle showers, but literally in torrents. At ten o'clock the rain abated for a few minutes, as if to collect itself for a more copious discharge; for it presently set in again with increased violence, and the wind commenced blowing a heavy gale from N. E. which continued to increase to a most alarming height. From half past 11 till half past 12, so great was the fury of the elements, that they seemed to threaten a general demolition of every thing within their reach. During that period the scene they presented was truly awful. The deafening roar of the storm, with the mingled crashing of windows and falling of chimneys—the rapid rise of the tide, threatening to inundate the town—the continuous cataracts of rain sweeping impetuously along, darkening the expanse of vision, and apparently confounding the heavens, earth and sea, in a general chaos; together with now and then a glimpse, caught through the gloom, of shipping forced from their moorings, and driving with rapidity, as the mind might well conjecture on such circumstances, to inevitable destruction. Even to those, if any there were, who could contemplate such a scene unappalled, it must have been painful, to reflect on the wide spread devastation which could not but be the result of this fearful war of elements.

The brig Mexico, of Bath, laden with lumber, went ashore on Washington Point, opposite Hutchings's wharf, and carried away her topgallant mast.

The brig Minerva, of Bath, lying at Frost's wharf, was forced in between two hulks where she remains nearly high and dry at low water, and so situated that she will probably be got off.

The schr Columbus, of Gardiner, drove upon Washington Point, where she lay high and dry.

The schr Independence, of Bath, with lumber drove against the southern causeway of the drawbridge, and will probably be got off without much difficulty.

The schr. Francis Miller, of Waldoborough run ashore up the eastern branch, and will probably be got off with but little damage.

At the Navy Yard the U. S. vessels are all safe and sound. The Delaware, Guerriere and Congress dragged their moorings, but did not go ashore; The United States and John Adams broke from their moorings at the wharf, and both touched, but have since got off

We were informed at a very late hour last night, that the destruction in the country, in the direction of Moor's and London bridges, even to the sea coast, is immense, including Houses, Mills, Bridges, Fences, Stock, Corn, &c. The roads are almost impassable, even on horseback. The Crops are laid low, and the country exhibits one scene of wide spread devastation and ruin.