Queen (Steamboat), aground, 4 Jul 1854

HURRICANE. - Toronto was visited by a frightful hurricane on the afternoon of Tuesday last. The atmosphere had during the two preceeding days been extremely hot and sultry, and the best was, if possible, still more oppressive up to the period of the tempest. The air suddenly became loaded with thick clouds, and the darkness was such that candles and gas were in requisition in stores, offices, and other places of business. The wind blew with tremendous fury, whirling columns of dust high in the air, unroofing sheds and out-buildings, breaking and up-rooting trees, demolishing windows and other fragile substances. The rain decended in torrents, and the deep rolling of the thunder was sublimely appalling.
      Considerable damage to property in various parts of the City was experienced. The cap of the old Windmill, belonging to Goderham and Worts, was blown off. The little steamers CITIZEN and QUEEN were driven ashore, and the funnel of the former was blown over. Happily the passengers sustained no personal injury beyond a soaking from the rain. A building on Tinning's wharf was unroofed, and damage on a small scale has been done in other localities.
      We learn with sorrow that the schooner DUKE, which left Maitland's Wharf on the afternoon of Tuesday, was struck by the squall, and, being in ballast, was upset, when five persons on board met a watery grave. One of the hands was picked up by the MAGNET on Wednesday morning, in a very exhausted condition. At the time of the accident he had got into one of the boats, and thus escaped destruction. He remains still in a very doubtful state.
      Toronto Mirror
      Friday, July 7, 1854