The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-11-15
THE GREAT STORM.
High Tide in the City-The Unpleasant
ness on Sullivan's Island.

The cloudy and threatening weather OF Mon
day evening developed itself into avery creditaeie
storm by Tuesday morning, and, for the first time,
the cautionary signal was displayed over the
weather observers ONCE. The signal, red
light, was hung out about half past one In the
morning. and soon afterward the storm broke
out In all its fury. The wind and rain which had
gradually been Increased 10 force during the early
part OF the night, were now at their helght ana
roared and ragged as II this were their last cnance
for the season. The gale was from the souteeast'
and from midnight on Monday until seven
O'Clock yesterday morning the wind o.ew az an
average velocity Of from twenty 10 twenty-five
miles per hour. The rainfall was not large, prin.
cipally on account OF the strength OF the wind,
and the bydrometer showed but Leeloo inch dur
Ing the storm.
A m st practictl eject Of the storm was ex.
perienced In Charleston in the shape OF Tue,
which Is recorded as the highest known since the
great storm Of 1854. The western part Of the city
was in many places submerged, and the only
practicable way OF making progress In the streets
seemed to be by batteau. The pleasure WalSs
and pond at the foot OF Broad street were cover
ed with an unbroken sheet OF water, and tne
rising waves swept over the streets and emoanK'
ments in many places as II the great tidal wave
had come-a little after time The inhabitants OF
this region experlen need some inconvenience, but
were comrorted when they found that the tide re-
cecel as rapidly as it rose. The pond at the
foot OF Rutiedge avenue exhibited similar expa: :.
stve indi cations, and swept over the low regions
along Radc line and Smith streets in q way tina:
n n N of
the WAGNER administration. The new plank
road in Ashley street was In many places entirely
submerged, and threatened TO go on voyage OF
discovery on the other side OF the adjacent pond.
The bridge and sidewalks over the Rutlsdge street
ponds were covered with water, and at the
height Of the tide there was over two feet Of
water at the cJrner OF Radcliffe and Smith
streets.
On the. opposite side Of the city the tide was
more ambitious than ever, and the district known
az Rottenboro' suffered mcst. At the dryest
seasons this region is low and damp, and 1t re.
ceived the rising tide, on the present occasion,
with an alacrlty that as wonderful The cellars
and yards opened their capacious m ouths TO &C.
commodate the visitor, and the doors and gates
let in the inslnuating elem ent through convenient
cracks. In this manner the whole district was
saturated, and when the surface had drank its
ell, the tide began to rise in earnest 1t covered
the streets and sidewalks and mounted stars
and steps right into The houses. Men had to wade
through to get up to business. and the fishermen
were astonished to see their favorite element fol
lowing and accompanying them up into the city.
About half.past nine, however, the tide began to
retreat, and soon left Rotenboro' delightful
vista OF mud and ponds OF salt water.
There was little other damage done beyond the
blowing down Of many fences, and one building up
Tie road, but this Is supposed to be due to the
spring gale which blew down all Of the weak
buildings.
The plank road at the foot OF Hasel street was
overt flowed and so washed away as TO prevent the
passage OF vehicles. The planks were hoaed
from their places and crowded together in the
most admired disorder a1ordiDg fine opening
for the energy OF our newly elected city ins &c
tor. Along the wharves the tide came up to the
full level OF the boards, and the shipping and
steamers seemed preparing to discharge their
freight upon the wharf sheds. Several Of the
wharves were covered with the tide.
During the latter part OF the gale, the wind
hauled around from southeast to southwest and
west. preventing the arrival or departure OF ves'
sells and causing those at anchor in the stream to
drag their moorlngs. No serious harm was don,' =
AS might have been expected, the Sullivan's
Island folks were the chief recipients Of the favors
OF the season. The wind blew the sandhills into
fort, and then back again into peaceful mounds.
It ratified around the abundant windows OF every
dwelling, with force enough to keep the oc u
pants anxious and awake. and then contented
Itself with hurrying of and knocking down most
OF the fences on the isand. The tide rose on the
front and back beach to q height which suggested
the storm OF 1854 to the older Inhabitants, but
after covering the wharf and running up into the
honaee m the hack H. gradually recedei