Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-09-01
AU UNWELCOME VISITOR.

A Congregation Drowned Out -Four Hun
dred Worshippers Surprised by an An
cry Flood and Compelled to Flee for
their Lives.
New YORK, August 3l.-The Dublin
correspondent OF the London Nc,rS, OF
August 10, has the following:
Details have reached Dublin OF a ter
rible catastrophe in Roman Catholic
chapel at Gweedore, County DONEGAL.
The church is situated in a deep ravine,
between two granite cliffs, which rise
perpendicularly from the base to the
top as straight as the side walls OF the
chapel and almost as high as the latter.
The Sacristy side faces the sea to
the west. Between the side walls and
this cliff an opening OF about six
feet had been cut out OF the rock to get
walking space around the outside OF
the chapel to the southeast side.
The Glen Opens Up Toward the Hills,
but is not so deep at any place as where
the chapel is built. In the middle OF
the glen a stream flows, though no
great body OF water fills up It's bed, ex-
cept in winter time, when it is led by
the mountain torrents. This brook
flows down under the south aisle OF the
chapel, provision being made for its
passage by an archway under the walls
and floor oil the chapel. Ii divides the
chapel yard into two sections
to the bridge below on the cOun.
ty road, where it disgorges under
three arches. The upper parapet
wall of this bridge forms part OF the in
closure OF st. Mary's Chapel. When
the tides are high the
Water OF the Sea Passes Through This
Bridge
and through the arch under the chapel
for some distance The peculiar size OF
the chapel is attributed to the difficulty
in getting land lor the purpose. From
10 O'Clock Sanday morning rain fell in
torrents, accompanied by terrific thun-
der and lightning. The stream
came down from the mountain
side into the basin oi the rivulet,
covered the crops with debris, washed
away bridge north of and near the
Gweeder Hotel, and carried
Granite Bowlders Over Ton In Weight
for fully mile down its bed. On reach.
ing the high wall surrounding the chapel
yard the impetuous torrent bore down
all before il, and entered the chapel by
the west door. The scared looks OF the
people, as ii they saw some unusual
thing passing along the floor toward the
altar, first attracted the attention OF Rev.
Jas. MacFadden, the parish priest,
who was in the act of administer
ing communion. The priest and people
preserved order, but the unceasng roar
of the current outside induced the pas
tor to ascend a few steps OF the altar,
when, on looking down the aisle, he
saw the water,
Which Had Burst Open the Massive
Door.
rushing inward.
He deposited the chalice in the taber-
nacle and locked the door. Then, turn.
ing to the people, who were up to their
waists in water, he directed and beckOn-
ed them to make out or escape as best
they could, divesting himself OF
his vestment The water had
now reached to his knees, and See
ing no other means OF safety, he ascend
ed the top OF the altar and made his
way from thence to the rear, and by the
aid OF a board crossed over the vestry 10
the chancel window, which he assembled F!
to safe height by breaking the panes.
BY this time the water had closed the |
eastern door and then
Burst it and the Decrease Outward.
carving with it several persons, includ-
inc sub. Constable Martin, who, at the |
risk of his life, after several attempts, |
succeeded, with the aid OF civilian, IN
saving a woman, being borne out along |
with him. The water then carried away |
the remaining boundary wall and
bridge sixty yards lower down.
Meantime, with the water eight feet |
deep. terrible scene was occurring ln-
side The chapel. The seats bound to-
gether NJ the bottom became floating
RATS, of which all who could availed
themselves To save their lives. block |
OF lirewood carried in by the water
Kept Aaoat All Who Could Bit On and
Cliugto 1t
Others were saved by getting hold OF .
a suspended lamp chain and ny grasp |
ing the window cords and breaking I
glass. A man with ropes pulled others
up to the gallery. Sub-COnstable Ma
honey and others placed ladders from
the rocks outside to the windows, and .
by this means many escaped. /
The interior OF the chapel was almost .
DESTROYED, and outside everything was /
carried away. There were about -"
people in the chapel. Five dead bodies
have been recovered, and no more are !
missing. Those who lost their lives
were James Ferry, Neil Doherty,
Connell Boyle, Grace McHarvan AMI