Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-02-24
LATE LOCAL NEWS.

TREMENDOUS GALE Churches BIotcH Dotcn
Houses UHroofed, and ths-lftSehief TO Pay Gen.
e'dHy.-The lowering clouds and dense fogs pre-
vailing were displaced this morning in a hurry
by violent northwest wind, which speedily in.
creased to a tornado-like gale, which commenc.
ing with flags, signs, chimney-stacks and street
furniture, soon went on TO demolsh dwelling
houses and church edihces, as IL they had been
made Of pasteboard
Such flags as were not speedily drawn in were
very soon whipped into ribbons, and il wal
deemed sxpedient not to hoist the flags on the
Senate and House Of Representatives upon the
assembling Of those bodies, as at such an eleva-
ton the wind would probably be sufficiently
strong to carry away the flagstaff The skylights
Of the Congressional library were demolished,
owing to the inadequacY of the roof, which per-
mits the wind to get between ii and the skyligbts
forcing out the beautifully -ornamentsd glass and
rendering the library unsafe for visitors. The
rattling Of the roofs over the Senate and House
rendered the transaction OF business difficult and
caused no little alarm among the timid in the
galleries.
Several houses were blown down south of the
Capitol, and number Of roofs torn off in various
parts of the city. The roof of the Washington
Gymnasium was ripped up, and the roof Of the
house of Mr.. Adams, on Four and half street.
above the avenue, demolished. An alarm Of FIRE
rival Of the engines 1t became necessary for the
police to interfere to prevent deluge Of water
being poured in upon the furniture
Trinity Church, on Third and streets was
OdUldgSQ 10 SOME extent IN the QpSettllQ OF one
or two wooden pinnacles on the towers, and the
throwing down Of one Of the small brown stone
blocks from the front, and portion Of the roof
was also broken.
The water in the Potomac was dashed into a
perfect foam, the waves dashing furiously over
the Long Bridge and the wharves. At the wharf
Of the Lunatic Asylum, against which the ind
had long sweep, the water frequently dashed 20
the height of 80 feet, completely submerging tn e
timbers. A schooner which had anchored off the
Arsenal dragged six anchors and drifted ashore
and considerable damsge was done 10 other YES
sells, lying at the wharves. The steamers were
compelled to cease running, and freight train
coming up from Alexandra could with difficulty
make its way against the gale.
About noon IL was noticed that the lofty steeple
upon the Thirteenth-siFeet Baptist Church where
Rev. DR. Sampson has been 1iiriaiing) was sway
ing fearfully. II finally was blown down, and its
weight and the massive bell entirely crushed the
roof and side walls, leaving the front and east
walls Standing. The fine organ of the church is
presumed to be uniDjured, from the appearance
Of the walls where It stands but OF this there is
no certainty az no one has cared to venture among
the ruins to see. The steeple was l61 feet high
from the roof. The dama9 Is here are estimated
at not less than SD coo.
The north wall in It's fall crushed tie back
building Of the fine dwelling on that side be-
longing to Mr.. s. Mast, and occupied by the
family Of Mr.. Smart. The damage to the house
and furniture is considerable, but fortunately
none Of the family were hurt.
The metallic roof upon the dwelling on Four
tenth street, opposite Willards', belonging TO
Mr.. 6. H. Plant, was lifted from its place, but
was Immediately replaced by some fearless work
men.
From residents in the northern part Of the city
we learn that the damage to property has been
considerable. They report that the roof of the
public school corner Of q and Fourteenth streets
was blown of, and the side Of Ginnity's store on
Fourteenth and L streets, was blown down
Many large and beautiful shade trees are thrown
down, and portions Of tin roofs, roof cutters,
signs, &c, are found atgreat distances from their
original positions.