Terrible Gale!

Our city was visited last night by one of the most severe and destructive gales which was ever experienced here. The whole lower part of the city, extending into Seneca street, on the east side of Main street, presents one general scene of wreck and desolation, throughout the whole length of the city.

The water was all of two feet higher than it has ever been known before.

...The damage done to the shipping in the harbour is immense.

The stone pier on the south side of the creek, which was supposed by all to be impregnable to the assaults of the elements, has give[n] way before the storm of last night, and for over a third of its length the top down several feet has been broken away and washed into the creek.

The wharves throughout their whole extent, have been more or less damaged, in many places being completely torn away, and scattered through the adjacent streets.

The ... was thrown over the north pier, where she now lies, her bow hard on the pier.--She was loaded with wheat, for Daw & DeLong.

The steamer G. Dole, lies high and dry in Ohio street, near the Car and Skinner canal.

The Bunker Hill is driven hard on shore just above.

The Columbus lies on land above high water mark, just beyond Michigan street, between Ohio street and the creek.

John Bone, a ferryman, was found drowned on the flats.

The U.S. steamer Abert, is driven high and dry, near the old stone house, below the pier -- considerably damaged.

The steamer Emerald had one of her smoke pipes blown away.

The brig Europe came in about 1 o'clock while the wind was blowing hardest. She lost her top mast, and had her sails much shattered. She ran her bowsprit into the warehouse of Messrs. Joy & Webster. She also lost her fore yard while outside, in consequence of being struck by lightning.

The steamer Perry came in a little after 12 o'clock; having been roughly handled. Her wheel house had been smashed in, and she was otherwise very much crippled. After she had entered the creek, she ran into the Great Western, knocking a man overboard, who was lost, and then running her bowsprit into the side of the Wayne, remained fastened.

The steamer Chautaque lies aground at Sandy Town.

The steamers Fulton, St. Louis, and Julia Palmer, left port last port last evening. The St. Louis was driven back, and made Black Rock harbour in safety, about 9 o'clock this morning. We learn from Mr. WELLS, of the firm of Livingston, Wells & Pomeroy, who was a passenger on the St. L. that when she was about 10 miles above Dunkirk, she broke a shaft, and put back. Three men and one boy (deck passengers) were washed overboard and drowned.

The Julia Palmer rode out the storm in safety, and after making ineffectual efforts to enter the harbour, she stood up the bay about half past seven this morning.

The Fulton has not been heard from.

Of the canal boats, it is impossible to enumerate the number lying on land. From the Hydraulics to the northern bounds of the city, they are scattered, more or less damaged. We noticed three in Michigan street, near the railroad depot. A large number lie below Erie street.

... About half past 11 o'clock A. M., the little steamer Indian Queen, Capt. Staring, hove in sight. She made good weather of it, and entered port in safety, amidst the deafening cheers of the thousands of spectators who had assembled to witness her arrival. she left last evening for Barcelona--was overtaken at Silver Creek by the storm, and made an unsuccessful attempt to get into Dunkirk harbour--put about and lay three hours at anchor under Point Abino, where she saw two schooners at anchor, names unknown. She received no damage.

The Indian Queen reports the Robert Fulton drifting towards shore very rapidly last night below Dunkirk

The Julia Palmer still rides at anchor off in the Bay, at 2 o'clock, P.M.--the wind somewhat subsiding. Two horses swam ashore from her, this morning, having washed or been thrown overboard.

... At 12 o'clock, M., the schooner Platina came in without injury.

...The unprecedented severity of the storm, and the number of sail vessels which were known to be out, leads us to fear for the worst. It were most impossible fore one of them to survive the fury of the gale in the open lake, and unless they were able to make some port, we may expect to hear of many wrecks. The suddenness with which the gale came up, gives us but faint hopes, that those vessels which were exposed had time to seek shelter in any harbour. We shall look with deep anxiety for advices from up the lake.

Sunday, 6 A.M.

Additional Particulars

the following vessels have arrived since our paper was issued last evening:--Schrs. Marion, Ohio, Robert Wood, Home, brig Uncle Sam.

THE "FULTON"--The clerk of the R. Fulton arrived about 3 1/2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, bringing the intelligence that the Fulton had gone ashore at Sturgeon Point, about 14 miles above this city, and been broken entirely to pieces. Two women and one child were lost, all the rest saved. We are informed that she was insured for $10,000 -- whether for anything more we have not been able to learn.

It is understood that the Fulton was sent out by the steamboat combination in opposition to the Julia Palmer, which has been running independent of the combination through the season.

... The Julia Palmer yet rides safely at anchor, where she remained since yesterday morning. A watch fire was kept burning during the night on the beach opposite to where she lay. A gentleman who cam over from there this morning, report that nothing had floated ashore from her during the night. As she is loaded with passengers, and probably out of wood, there must have been much suffering on board from intensity of the weather.

We understand that the Great Western will go out to her assistance this morning.

7 o'clock, A.M.--The Julia Palmer is firing up, and if she has wood enough, will be able to make port without difficulty. No assistance has yet been afforded her.

7 1/2 A.M. she has on a good head of steam, which would argue that she is not out of wood.--She is now apparently weighing anchor, and will probably be in soon.

1/4 before 8--She is under way