The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-03-22

Wherever there were any trees the road was
strewn with branches and occasionally fence
board or some scattered shingles showed the
gale had improved its opportunity in the coun-
Try as we'll as in the city. Humanity was only
to be seen gazing oat of the windows of the
houses along the route. The road was deserted.
On nearing the Cape Cottage an undertaken
was encountered who served for the time to
confirm the rumors of shipwreck, and also to
suggest that there had been loss of life. 1t
turned out however, that he had been out SIM
ply to hear what the wild waves were saying.
The only other person encountered was an aged
citizen of the Cape, who was standing in front
of his house gazing at a demoralized chimney
on top Of it. When asked if he had heard of
any shipwrecks he pointed to the aforesaid
chimney, and said that was all the wreck he
knew anything about,
Arriving at the Light the horse, who mani
tested no disposition to gaia at the breakers,
was quickly put under cover, and the reporter
ial mind devoted itself to interviewing the light
keeper. He was communicative and gave all
the information he possessed He said that
the storm was the severest for years, but he
was not aware of any shipwrecks other than
those at the Fort aud in Smonton's Cove.
During the early part Of the preceding evening
he saw many vessels, but thought they all got
in safely. He had seen no vessels during the
day, though the weather was so thick that Wis.
ion was confined to a narrow limit. While
conversing with the light keeper several sleighs-
and hacks arrived filled with ladies and gentle
men, whose love of the romantic was stronger
tha THAR draod Of raip kof;
themselves on the rocks Immediately in front
OF the lighthouse in full view of the breakers,
aud so near them that each succeeding wave as
it dashed against the rocks covered them with
shower of spray. A few went up into the
light house, but the view was not much better
than below. The gazers contented themselves
with gazing There was no attempt to de-
scribe the scene, either because the roar of the
tempest would have drowned their voices or be-
cause their powers of description vera not ade-
quate to the occasion, perhaps for both reasons
Doubtless some thought it "lovely' while 9th
ers preferred grand and ''awe-inspiring." 1t
1t was certainly both of the latter As far as
the eye could reach there was the ceaseless roll
OF pillows, their white crests relieving lit.
tie the prevailing gloom. The air was
thick and black with spray and rain, and the
roar OF the tempest was deafening 1t was a
scene to arouse the dullest imagination, to
awaken grand thoughts, and to convince the
beholder of the inadequacy of language to ex-
press the emotions which such a scere inspires.
NOTES ON THE STORM.
Portland did not suffer from the storm alone,
as it reached back into the country and all
along the coast. At Old Orchard Beach it
ragged very severe. During the morning one
half of the new Old Orchard House was blown
down. This building, which is not completed,
was erected in place OF the house burned last
summer. and this is second misfortune for the
proprietor, Mr.. Staples.
A private despatch received yesterday an.
bounced that the brig Maggie B. Russell was
ashore at Vineyard Haven, and in very bad
position.
The steamer New Brunswick started for St.
John Monday night, but was glad to return
yesterday morning. She proceeded last night.
The vane of India street church was badly
twisted, and the ornaments ON Pine street church
were blown down.
The East Deering omnibus was overturned
by the wind, but the passengers escaped with
out injury
Just after Capt. Bacon arrived on Custom
House wharf gust of wind struck him,
and but for aid rendered he would have gone
overheard. He was nearly exhausted by his
efforts TO save his vessel the night before.
Mr.. Nickerson, the ship broker, attempted to
get ashore from the Henrietta. when the steam
err waved a little and he was preciptated into
the water. Luckily, he escaped with cold
bath.
It would lie almost useless to give list of
the signs and awnings which suffered from the
elements. Two chimneys en- the American
House we're blown down.
The gale turned one of the Canadian Elk.
press Companys covered wagons completely
over. Skylights were blown out and large
amount of damage done in different parts of
the city.
The snow slides were plenty, and several per-
sons more OF less injured. A large slide of
snow on Fore street struck Deputy Sheriff
Adams, injurug him quite severely.
The steeple of Free street church was severe
ly shaken by the high wind, and Deputy Mar
shals Chase and Sterling were called to prevent
people from passing. A rope was put across
steeple remained, it was taken away at night
The steeple will have to be repaired at once.
The railroad trains were but little delayed
The Ogdensburg and Grand Trunk trains were
slightly retarded by snow on the tracks.
The storm was pronounced by all seamen to
be the most severe which has visited this coast
for fifteen years. a strange thing about it is
the few accidents to persons there not being
one fatal and but few severe ones.
About 3 o'clock there was perfect deluge CT
rain which continued to pour for about half an
hour. This was evidently the clearing off
shower for bat little rain fell afterwards and
the wind gradually died away. AT ten o'clock
last night it was all star light. and there was
prospect of clear cold weather.
Mr.. Herbert Starr of this city was on board
the barkentine Hattie S Jackson at the time
of the disaster, and was the first one to get off
when she struck. His experience on the wide,
wide sea has not been very pleasant. This is
the third time he has attempted to go to sea,
and each time the vessel has been wrecked.
The wreckers were busy all day stripping the
wrecked barkentine of the copper on her. 1t
was of excellent quality and was worth saving.
A bright young milliner, who has a store
opposite City Hall, went out to mail a letter,
VIII sn gust OF wind caught her and blew her
over. She was helped up, but fearing eport-
er was near, declined to give her name.
Rus;unss NntaS