The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-29
WAS IT A CYCLONE /?
A Destructive Tornado Near
Boston.
Churches Injured, Buildings Unroofed Trees Up
rooted, &c.-Heavy Loss Of Property in
Arlington. Newton, Auburndals
and Other Towns
s'F.'....,s..' ~
BOSTON, August %, 1871.

BOSTON, August %, 1871.
About eleven O'Clock last night severe storm Of
wind and rain visited several or the towns in the
vicinity of Boston, causing considerable destruc~
ton OF property, and frightening citizens whose
homes were in the track OF the wind. AS yet no
serious accidents have been reported. thought Is
safe to say that for the ten minutes that the
gale at its height IL nearly equaued IN severity
the September gale, 1860, when the Coliseum was
torn TO shreds and church steeples and dwellings
shared the same fate
WEST NEWTON AND wALTHAM.
At West Newton and Waltham shutters were
torn from their fastenings, trees were rooted up,
windows were smashed. bricks from chimneys were
flying around at a tremendous rate OF speed and
people were generally alarmed. Houses that were
at all exposed to the wind rocked like cradles,
and in many instances ~ the terror.stricken
inmates betook themselves their cellars
until the worst was over, when they set about
repairing the damage as best they could This
morning the effects OF the storm were plainly seen
in every direction. An unfinished house on Crafts
street, Newtonve, had portion OF the roof lifted
on and carried several hundred feet into an atjoin
ing field. Hot houses and graperes were nearly
beret OF their glass coverings, while trees not
only stripped of their fruit but were themselves torn
from the ground ana lay scattered about in every
direction.
AT ARLINGTON.
This beautiful town was visited by gale OF wind
Sunday evening. which caused large amount OF
damage to property, although happily no one was
injured as we can learn. The wind, which had been
quite fresh all day, increased after shutdown, and
about five minutes OF eleven perfect tornado swept
| over the town, which lasted some fifteen minutes.
Such was It's force that It blew the spire and
befry OF the Orthodox church in Pleasant street. of
| which Rev. ID. X. Cady Is pastor, leaving but about
ten feet OF the foundation or the steeple standing
above the level OF the roof The steeple Of the uni.
tartan church, corner of Main and Pleasant Streets
was also blown and completely demolished
The belfry contained the town clock, which was also
destroyed.
Several large trees were Frustrated by the force OF
the wind, and one was blown against the l. portion
OF the residence of MI Thomas Russell, cutting the
building in two. large house, nearly completed,
which stood IN the path OF the tornado was un.
rooted.
the people were thoroughly alarmed by the great
velocity OF the wind, which tore up large trees 10 Its
march and demolished large two story house be.
longing to Mr.. William Jenkes and a similar bull d.
Ing owned by Mr.. Thomas Casey, both OF which were
In process OF erection and were nearly completed.
The chmnev OF the Orthodox church was blown
down, while bricks, limbs Of trees, shutters and
pieces OF window blinds were scattered In every
direction Several large elm trees in the main
trees were generally bereft OF their contents.
MAIDEN.
At Mapewood new substantial stable, belong.
ing to Mr. Parker, OF Boston, was crushed The
two horses were got out In safety, but the carriages
were destroyed.
The large bowling alley on the road from Lynn to
Nahant was torn down, as was also lumber shed In
the immediate vicinity Several tents were uuex-
pectedy 'strucS," much To the astonishment of the
temporary Inhabitants out beyond ais we learn Of
no destruction Of the property OF jewellers on the
Island.
of 40
damage was done in East Boston, Chelsea Saugus
Concord and numerous other places.
| the gale was very severe, large trees being up-
rooted, one OF which crushed through the cottage OF
Mr.. Sherman, near the Shore causing the affrghted
occupants 10 seek other quarters The roof was
| torn OF the Lincoln House, and oil the bathing
molished Chimneys were forced from the houses,
and limbs OF trees were hurled about with great
were so frightened that nearly all OF them hastily
donned the hrst articles OF wearing apparel that
could be seized and made sudden rush Tor the par.
lors In which many remained during the night NOT
daring to venture 20 their rooms, IN expectation
that they might be visited with a second tornano.
All the small boats IN the bay were lOosed from
their moorlngs and drlfted out 10 sea, as did also
one or two yachts but nearly all the latter class OF
boats rode out the gale In safety. very destruc
tive tornado passed over portion OF this same
track the odd of August, 1851. The locality of its
Cambridge, West Medford and Medford. At that
time scores OF houses were blown down and dam.
aged and the destruction OF property amounted to
many thousands OF dollars.
PLEASURE CAMP PARTIES DISTURBED BY THE GALE
Marblenead Neck where there are a large NUN.
her or recreatonlsts spending their vacation in
camping OUT was also visited by the gale. About
thirty Lowell tents were Frustrated, TO the discom.
fort OF the sleeping occupants. A number OF houses
were moved some feet from their foundation glasses
broken and IN some instances bed and bedding,
household furniture, &c, were preclpitated over tue
steep bank on the west sidc No individual injuries
were sustained.
THE STORM ON THE COAST.
No serious marine disasters on the coast have vet
been reported, although some apprehension Is felt
that the shipping exposed to the fury oil the gale
must have sustained more or less damage The
vessels In Boston harbor received no injury those
nj anchor IN the stream having rode the blast in
security. The wind was from the southwest and
for short time blew fearfully. There were num-
Der OF vessels In the bay bound IN but the onv one
that reports damage was the coasting schooner A.
;. Brown, which came In during the night and had
her malnsail split She came to ancnor In the chan
mel, and early this morning signalled for steam
tug TO assist her IN getting up TO the city.