National Republican., 1880-06-14
SATURDAYS STORM.
Havoc OF the wInd--A Terrible gquall on
the River

hANOc OF tue MInO-.A Torf1Dle Equau on
the River.
The severe wind and rain storm that passed
over this city Saturday afternoon did much
dsaage in every locality to trees, awnings,
roofs and other objects. Much damage was
done to the grand stand judges stand and
other buildings in the National fair grounds,
and there were evidences Of the ravages Of tue
storm all along the northern borders of the
city. Down town the wind played havoc
with wiudow.sllutters aud awnings, but did
no great damage. fine old tree on ID street
opposite the city hall was blown down. Tho
walls of n new house belonging to MI. John
Hes'cll, corner of Eleventh street and South
Carolina avenue southeast were blown out
and damage done amounting to $3.50.
Alexandria felt the full effect Of the
storm, and considerable damage was done in
various parts of the city.
THE sQUALL on THE POTOMAC
Shortly after ? o'clock Saturday afternoon
last the wind, which had been blowing steadily
from the west northwest during tho day,
began 10 lull or blow In itftl gusts whilst
well down in the northern and western hOr
zon was a long black cloud, the flashes
of lightning ever aud anon shooting out
the iuky darkness bctokening tue coming
storm. The Potomac river was alive with sail
schooners, yachts and pungics, some close
hauled and others free. Steamers, too, wore
making their way toward their destination
aud the scene was a CHEEKY one. But sud
denly there was lul in the wind. The huge
black cloud which hung on the horizon rapidly
rose aud spread itself over the heavens, and
the wind, which had been dormant, sprang
into life ms by magic, and the roar OF
tho tempest burst upon them. Dire was the
confusion. Some cautious shippers had either
reefed their sails and under shortened canvas
were best prepared to meet the tornado, or
lad 1v 1,s4ft
down, and with goodly range OF chain on the
other anchor awaited developments ere thoy let
go. But others hSd kept on the even tenor
of their way, apparently not needing the
mutteriugs of tho wrath which now showed
| its power. Several of the lighter craft were
capsiZed others were stripped of thoir canvas,
while the steamers either anchored or kept
away before 1t, it being found impossible to
mako headway with safety against the winds.
The steamer W. w. Corcoron, Captain Blake,
was homeward bound from Mount Vernon,
with nearly 200 passengers on board, when
she encountered the blast She was short
distance below Alexandria when 1t first struck
| her, and for time she kept on, endcavorng
| to make the wharf in that city, but When
near tho lighthouse the wind blew with such
terrific force, bowling through the gangways
and whistling so iabolically in tho saloons,
that the captain concluded for the nouco to
keep away before IL. Now this was delicate
operation, and requires seamanship, in
which Captain Blake proved himself au
adept. Hard a-pOr,w was sung out in
stcntorian tones and Obcdient to her
helm the gallant little steamer slowly
commenced turning her tail to the blast. I'M
fortunately, as she got the wind abeam, sud
den extra gust struck her, creating an eddy
that madly roarod, ana in Il twmlSliug the bur'
| ricRne deck was taken Oft her, the stanchions
! falling to the deep below. The excitement
now on board was indescribablo, but the
steamer was safe. Women tainted, children
screamed, but the cRptain was calm, cool aud
confident. Colonel IIollinesworth, Colonel
Taylor and other gentlemen sought TO allGy
the excitement by assuring the passengers
that there was no danger, and in this they
were partially successful.
The steamer was let run before the wind fol
y short time, when the wind moderating she
was again put "hcad to" and soon reached
Alexandria and this city in safety. The los
sustained by the boat is simply dishgure
! ment-no iniury-Rnd will not interfere Will
her customary trips. But-a rare thing In ;
river csptain--the commander of the Corcorar
has proven himself a thorough seaman, ant
can manage his steamer in storm us we'll al
calm.
A number of boats were found drifting il
the river without passengers after the squall
aud it is believed a number of people wer
drowned. A sailboat containing two youni
men was capsizcd Off the arsenal wharf. Tn
young men clung for life to the bottom of thei
boat until rescued by boat which was pu
off from the Jaue MOscley, lying at her whar