Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-07-08
Destrr,ctiye Hail storm.

Destructive Hull Storm.
A terrific hail storm passed over Northumber-
land Pa on 1st inst, extending some five miles IN
width. Nearly every farmer lost almost his entire
harvest. Fruits OF all kinds suffered much. Seye-
raj thousand window lights were broken. In some
buildings as high as 200 were destroyed. Hail
stones measuring "a inches in circumference were
picked up on the street. The extent of the damage
was not known.
Accounts from New York state that the hail
storm in that city most destructive. The
hail stones, pieces of ice, as they are repre-
resented were of extraordinary size, and cattered
down upon the roofs of the houses like shower of
brickbats 1t is said the shipyard of MIR. Thomas
Collyer, at the Dry Dock covered with irregu-
ary shaped pieces of ice, or large clusters of hail
stones. Several of them were measured, one OF
which was 81 inches in circumference. another
inches and a third measured 3 inches long and 2
inches thick. The inhabitants ola house in Waiver
lev place startled by solid body falling in
the front yard, and proceeding there found a
number of pieces of ice, which appeared to have
been originally piece broken by the fall. When
together they would weigh about two pounds. The
garden at the back of the house had also large
number of pieces ct ice scattered over it, and sky
light at the top of the house was smashed by the
hailstones. piece Of ice fell on the pavement be-
| fore a gentleman's window, of the size of mans
fist followed by much larger, which, however,
| broke into fragments when it struck the ground
The force of the hail stones broke several skyghts.
and after the ice-bals had lain for some time and
were considerably dissolved, hatfull could be ia
ken up averaging the the size ct hens eggs. The
Commercial says:
The grandest exhibition that will ever be seen
and heard in the place, witnessed at the Crystal
Palace About ten minutes after the storm burst,
the most terrific hailstoncs we saw begun to
rattle like discharges of musketry upon the tin root
and glass sides. Some of the masses of ice as
large as hens eggs. There were probably thou
sand excited workmen in the building, and good
many exhibitors and visitors, among whom were
some twenty ladies. portion of the frame work
of the addition next to 42d street went down with
terrible crash. and part of the brick wall of the
engine house the opposite side of the street. was
blown over, crushing two or three shantes, fortu
natey without any other in ury than driving the
occupants out into the storm.
One Of the editors of the Tribune who happened
to be in the vicinity and took refuge in the building
-, during the storm, says
We had scarcely passed the northern entrance ant
c reached the gallery by the nearest flight of steps
f when the torrent Git not rain, but avalanche
of water-sruck the building the cutters were fllel
=, on the WndWard SIDE IN moment, and poured owe
in an almost unbroken sheet of water, which wa
driven through the Venetian blind venators into
o half way across the north west gallery, and ais
through the upper ventilators, falling upon the mai
floor of the north transept. Workmen FASTENED 1
close the blinds, but that did not prevent the deuge
Y The Timing OF the dome being unfinished the waite
came down in showers all The centre. For
time the water nearly two inches deep on the gal
lery floor, and poured down the stairs in minaiur
cascades.
great number Of boxes bales and packages of good
~ lay upon the main floor among which the water pour
ed down from the edge of the gallery floor in destruc
- tive quantities. For unateIy but few goods wer
:. opened, and were upon the tables, the damag
- would have been irreparable AS it is, fear som
y of the goods are injured.
= During the storm, most disastrous accident occur
= red OPT osite the Crystal Palace. by which three pc,
lost their Ines and others ere severely IN
- ured of achom it IS erpectel aCW not recover
The scene of the accident in Forty third ST., al
newly erected frame building opposite Latting's OF
servatory, which belongs TO DR. S. P. Townsend, an
e not entirely completed. During the storm tn
e. building, which two stories high. and rooted il
W was overturned nstantaneously by the hurricane an
" eveed in moment to the ground. At the time th
the accident occurred there were six men employed Q
the ground floor in pIastering the walls, three of the
e as pasterers. one of whom the boss, named Wi
r liam NlcCracken, and who killed, with two otE
re ers named Matthew McGrann and James McAu la
n Among the in ured are John Craig and Jas. Sm
dangerously.
is Another house in Forty-third street was blow
l. down. and Charles Flynn, who passing by at Il
h time struck TO the ground and killed. Sever
building were also struck by lightning, and conside
D. ably injured. Conrad Dez, a butcher was struck
1t lightning on Fifty-frst street, and kill led.