The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-06
LONG BRANCH.

LONG BRANCH August 5, 1875.
The inhabitants and summer residents or this
seaside resort have been treated during the past
lew days 10 one OF the most severe and contlnu-
Gus storms that has ever desolated this coast IN
the summer season. Such storms are. oil course.
not lnlrequent III winter but the "oldest inhabi.-
ant" declares no August storm has ever equaned
this one.
WHERE TIKI STORMY WINDS DO BLOw.
Some OF those who came here for balmy air ana
ocean breeZes and fashion and driving have been
not little dlsg listed at the aspect the Branch
has presented during this storm. Travel has
been, II not impossible, at any rate very incon-
venent and none OF the fancy equipages OF
the rich cottagers have been seen ON Ocean
avenue OF late. At the arrival OF the
evening trains IN place Of the rush OF handsomely
caparlsoned horses, rich liveries and gorgeous
carriages we have seen nothing but fe DESC
late stages, just what was necessary to carry the
business men TO and fro. The summer houses
along the blum have been untenantsd, and both
hotels and cottages have been Theoretically
sealed against the peting rain and bowling wind.
None but the very brave have ventured out To
the majority OF the people here. however, this
upheaval OF the forces OF nature has been not
dsagreeabe. The slght at sea mas been truly
sublime. and on Monday the scene presented was
one never to be forgotten. The breakers have
dashed In on shore with a tremendous force, and
far the eye could see the ocean mas been n
mass OF angry, flashing water. You would OBJ
serve small parties OF ladies' and men venturlng
out despite the rain 10 see the inagnifcence
OF the ever moving panorama. 1t was but lew
moments, however before they would retire
from the spray, wnicn came dashing up far above
the bluff. Bathing has. Of course, been unthougnt
OF. 10 those who have found IL necessary TO be in
the city each day the trip across the Bay has been
one quite lively enough TO suggest peril. the
boats nave been tossed about Ike cockleshells,
and the trip has been one OF daily excitement.
FEARS FOR THE FUTURE.
But TO those who have more tnan mere tran
slent interest in Long Bran CHI the storm mas been
one quite strong enough to cause some serious
thought as to the STABILITY OF the place ITSELF 1t
is certain that one oil the main attractions. II not
the principal attraction, OF the Brancn
Is In some sa danger OF , disappearing Tor
tends along the coast for several miles
and on which is built the great roadway called
the heavy storms which prevailed caused serious
inroadS on this blum, IN some places destroying it
before there was space OF some twenty feet
from the edge OF the bluff to the roadway there
Is now little more than eight TO twelve feet, and
each storm carries away portion or this, owing
10 the combined action OF the waves and the
rain. This has been
THE DISTURBING THOUGHT
during the past few days, when rain and wind
and waves again combined against what remains
OF the blum. IL ID certain that serious damage
has been done and that the edge OF the blum mas
again given away In parts, leaving some OF the
summer cottages, which before were q few feet
away, quite ON the edge. Tnls has occurred despite
the lighthouses, wnicn stand at toe foot and
offered certain amount OF protection. But next
winter tnis protection Will be absent, and many
consider II not Impossible mat by the time OF
opening the season 1876, from which much
IS expected, the Dlun Will have disappeared right
up TO Ocean avenue, and that even u portion OF
the roadway Will nave suffered This Will cause
general moving Even during the past winter
several OF the hotels were damaged by the sea
water, which few across the blum and struck their
faces. And this winter VIII make 1t worse. 1t s
now already preached TO move some OF the
hotels back urtner; but this will offer serious dill
dcultes, mainly In the acquiring OF land at the
rear. 1t has been spoken OF that u sea wall might
be built along the whole line OF the bur thus az
iordlng adequate protection. The latest ews IL
that large piece OF the bluff fell away last night,
opposite lauch's, caused by the soaking Of the
recent rams.
WHO'S TO BLAME?
great deal OF all this is no aoubt attributable
to the stupidity or tile Commissioners, who never
have anything repaired, but allow everything to
iall INTO desuetude without an attempt at preven-
ton. AS we look around ana observe the damage
done by the storm we feel that a lew more sucn
may ruin tue Branch. Many or tue lighthouses are
unserviceaole, and the pier, from which 30 much
was expected, Is nothing but a memory. If u
pier is ever built here II must be some ming
tirey Inherent and more expensive. Even iron
Will not resist unless a breakwater Is constructed
abound 1t. The utter utility OF wooden piles has
been amply demonstrated.