Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-04-18
The Great Storm of 1851.

"a
: eet deep The cellars Of the houses Blackstone
and Franklin squares were filed with water, and Mrs.
Rachel Bakely, residing Of SIC, Washington St,
only escaped perishing by aid which afforded her.
The large staff on the Merchants Exchange was lift
ed from its place, but secured before it fell.
The steamer Boston, lying at Fosters wharf.
tanned much damage, and about four O'clock yesterday
afternoon in imminent danger of sinking at the
wharf.
considerable quantity of grain belonging to the Suf
folk steam mills, which was in the cellar on Eastern
Railroad wharf, damaged.
In Chelsea, the chimney of brick house belonging
to Mr.. Joseph Gerrish, Winnissimnet street, blew
over and fell through the roof of adjoining tenement
into Dom in which female was sleeping. She for
tunately escaped injury.
A Brighton Butcher, crossing Cambridge bridge dur
ing the day, had his wagon and load of calves thrown
over the bridge by gust of wind, when they were
swept off to the Mill Dam. The calves were drowned,
bat the man and horse were saved.
Chelsea Beach was inaccessible on account of the
storm. The Neptune House, it is said is safe, although
the surf broke heavily it. The Robinson Clusoe
House, kept by Major Tapey, with great damage,
IT ii is not entire wreck.
The Beach for miles is strewed with logs, planks,
and remnants of merchandise. And the disgrace of
the " wreckers,' large number Of teams, with OXEN
were seen carting off the spois which foated there.
On all the railroads, the trains were obstructed,
and in some instances they were impossible On
the Eastern road, the track from Salem to Beverly
washed away, and oated off, and thirty rods Of
track at Rowley, are impossible. The Fchburg
road was washed away at Someryille, so that it was
necessary to block up the track for trains to pass
AT West Acton a wood.shed was blown down, at
South Acton an engine house, and all along the line
Of the road the signs the crossings were demosh-
ed. The track of the Worcester road, on the Mill
dam bridge, between the BrookIine crossing and the
Iron works, was flooded two feetdeep and the north
track was washed away including the tmbers, sleep
ers, and railing of the bridge. The side track was
foated fiom the piers in many places, and was so
weak as to be unsafe for engines to cross.
The whole damage done to property in Boston, is
estimated at one million of dollars.
At New York, the tide was unusually high, but
the gale to have been less violent than in this
vicinity.
OesCrUct1on OF MInot's Ledge Lighthouse,
with the two keepers.
At about ten O'Clock this morning, Mr. Joshua
Bennett, the keeper of Minot Ledge light. house, ar
rived in this city from Cohasset Beach. He had
with him an India rubber buoy and a window frame,
which had hoated ashore, undoubtedly from the
lighthouse. The deck of the lighthouse, in which
the keepers lived, has also oated ashore rendering
1t almost certain that the entire structure has gone
The top pat, IN which the keepers lived, has most
certainly gone, if not the whole building.
No dings Of the fate of the occupants of the light
house has yet been ascertained but there cannot be
much doubt that they have been drowned.
The following notice from the Collector, we take
from the Merchants Reading Room books:
CoLLEcToR's OFFICE, April 18th, 1851.
Mlnot's lighthouse, | am greved to inform you
was carried away in the STERN last night, and pre-
) sumo the two assistants were both lost.
I. GREEDY. JR., Collector.
7. S. Since writing the above, we have conyers-
ed with Mr. Bennett, the keeper. He stated that he
came up to this city business with the Collector
on Monday, and on his return to Cohasset on Tues
day afternoon, it impossible for him to get back
to the Light, on account of the heavy sea The lamp
; of the Light was burning on Tuesday night
The structure itself was erect at nearly F. NJ
yesterday Last night, the light was not seen burn
ing, and hence the fear became general that some
sea OF unusual force and violence had swept away
Mr. Bennett, anxious for the fate of those who had
been left in charge, at the shore at FIVE O'Clock
this morning. 1t was srewed with indubitable evil
dence OF the fatal rophe-fragmens of the Ian
tern, OF the bedding Of the occupants, and the per-
sonal clothing Of Mr.. Bennett found, in addition
to the window from the deck above stated
The names of the Assistant Keepers were Joseph
Wilson, an EngIishman, aged 90, and Joseph An
tone, Portuguese, aged %. The India rubber life
buoy which Mr. Bennett brought to the city, has the
appearance of having been placed about the body of
one of the Keepers and afterwards torn from him
by the force of the waves.
Mr.. Bennett had nearly 500 in money in the light
house, in addition to his clothing.
! light ship will be sent to the spot as quickly as
practicable The underwriters to have meet
ing this day at one O'Clock upon the subject.
Il Loss OF EIGHT LIVES OFF DEER ISLAND
GovERNMENT SEA WALL CARRIED Away
DR.. Morary reports from Deer Island, that the
whole sea wall, built by the Government few years
snce was carried away by the force of the sea- and
the large wooden building at the end of the Point
was also blown down. The water made complete
breach over the Island. AT about ten O'clock yes
, terday morning. boat was seen in the breakers at
the back side Of the Island. 1t contained eiehtmen
and as it was impossible for them TO land, the boat
was undoubtedly swamped with all on board
The schooner Mayfower, for Portsmouth, with
moasses, at anchor off Deer Island Yesterday, drag
ged her anchors and has probably gone ashore some
} where. The fate of the crew is unknown.
The shore of Deer Island is covered with spars of
vessels, other wrecked stuff, wood, &c. &c.
MR.. WEBsTsR DECLINES SPEAKING.-In re-
ply to the letter of invitation, signed by some of our
most Influential citizens, requesting Mr.. Webster TO