The Guard

TREMENDOUS GALE AT APALACHICOLA.

A postscript of the Apalachicola Advertiser, informs us, (says the N. O. Picayune.) of a most violent gale which occurred there on the afternoon and night of the 9th ult., commencing about three o'clock, P. M., the wind blowing from N. E., and gradually increasing to a perfect hurricane till about half past five, when it suddenly lulled and became a dead calm, which continued about an hour-the wind then hauled around to the N. W., and blew with extreme violence till 8 o'clock, when it ceased altogether.

The tin roofs of the brick stores, (says the postscript,) torn in pieces, were flying in the air like scraps of paper-boards, bricks, and every thing which the wind could reach, were sent flying in every direction. Fortunately no lives were lost, and very little bodily injury sustained, though several had very narrow escapes.

Several brick stores on Water street were injured. Roofs, upper stories and walls were blown down. The Waverly House had its roof blown off. The Southern Coffee House was entirely stripped to its second story, the roof and wall falling inwards.-- The dwelling houses and stores on Commerce street, in the rear of the brick buildings, were but slightly injured, owing no doubt to their being thus protected. The roof of the Piazza, and a portion of the gable end of the City Hotel, were carried away. The Mansion House escaped with a loss only of a small portion of the shed of the piazza being carried away, and the tops of one or two chimneys blown down. A house occupied by Mrs. Stewart was levelled to the ground, burying herself and children beneath the ruins, but they fortunately escaped without much injury. Shantees, stables, out-houses, fences and trees, in innumerable quantities were seen flying about in every direction.-- The wharves were also considerably injured.

No correct estimate had been made of the property destroyed, but it was thought that it would take from $18,000 to $20,000 to cover the loss, as a large quantity of goods in the stores that were unroofed are damaged.

The postscript expresses fears that considerable damage had been done in St. Joseph, particularly during the last part of the gale, which was from the N. W., and had a fair sweep at that place across the bay. Also, other neighboring ports must have been more or less injured.