A TERRIFIC STORM - Sweeps over the Vineyard Wednesday morning - Wind and rain unlimited - Chimneys, trees and fences laid low - No serious damage to shipping in this vicinity - The hardest storm known for 50 years up-island - Dams and Bridges swept away, and the elements playing havoc all through the west end.

Vineyard Haven, Dec. 15. - Today has been a red letter day in the history of Vineyard Haven. The water works, the progress of which has awakened so much interest throughout the island, has been formally opened and the consummation of the enterprise celebrated in a manner commensurate with its importance. Vineyard Haven has a right to be proud, not only of its water system, but of the brilliant demonstration which signalized its completion, and of the creditable manner in which her citizens arose to a proper recognition of the occasion.

While the election of Mr. Vanderhoop last Tuesday was not unexpected, the size of the majority by which that result was secured was probably hardly anticipated even by his friends. The campaign for Mr. Vanderhoop developed into a regular craze as it progressed; he became a sort of Buffalo Bill-among-the-British-nobility. People began to glory in the notion of elevating a Gay Head Indian to in some respects the highest place in the gift of the county.

At Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. - A large, substantial, square Mansion house, stable and grounds; the house is well supplied with open fire-places, etc., and was built regardless of cost by the late Dr. Daniel Fisher, and is in the most perfect condition, and needs not the outlay of a dollar; from the cupola is obtained a beautiful and extended landscape and marine view; rest and quiet are found here, while distant only fifteen minutes by rail is the bustling thriving city of Oak Bluffs. The heirs offer this estate at an enormous sacrifice. For full particulars apply to Horace S. Crowell, 27 State St., Boston; Hon. Jonathan Bourne, New Bedford; or J. W. Donaldson, Edgartown.

The Vineyard Skating Rink, now transformed into the “Cottage City Casino,” equipped with stage and scenery and furnished with comfortable seating, is likely to prove one of the most popular institutions of Cottage City. Mr. H. E. Reed, a wide-awake gentleman of proved executive ability, is the manager, and has already opened the ball with a week of comic opera.

The new steamer Nantucket is about completed, and will come on the route about the 22nd of the present month. Capt. Charles C. Smith, of the steamer Monohansett, will bring her from the place of building and command her.

The new New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard & Nantucket Steamboat Company consolidated from the New Bedford, Vineyard & Nantucket and the Nantucket & Cape Cod Steamboat Companies, was organized in New Bedford Thursday, 25th ult.