Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-08-31


Hf .s'of7
Dear Nesss: left the city on Thursday
evening at eight O'Clock on the steamer
Plant The weather at the time was quite
moderate, and there were no indica-
lions OF the prophecy of Vennor being
fulfilled. Our course,laY down the South
channel, and as we approached the
distractions the night had closed in thick,
and we had to stop and back as we APP
preached this point so as to find the pas
sage between the cribs.
We soon found the opening, and the
steamer stood down the river, the only visi-
BILE objects being low, dark line marking
the banks, and Tybee light in the distance.
As we continued down the wind increased,
and from Lszaretto creek to the wharf
quite heavy sea was running. Captain
Fitzgerald got his boat to the wharf prompt
ly, the lines forward and aft being han
died respectively by the mate, Mr.. Paine.
and Capt. John Fitzgerald, of the City Of
Bridgeton, who was on board, and
all the passengers were quickly ashore. The
wind even that night swept across the wharf
with such force that 1t was difficult for q
pedestrian to make Roadway. During the
night this Incipient gale moderated, and
some thought that the predicted storm had
passed over. The Plant left the wharf at
O'Clock, though we little thought it was to
be the closing trip of the season. Fortu-
nately for me, and | say so because other
wise my family might probably have
been lost in that terrible Satur-
day night, 1 remained on the
island. A stiff gale blew all Friday, in
creasing towards dark as the tide came in,
and all night it continued without cessa-
ton.
Saturday morning the rain set In thick,
the gale increasing every minute. During
the day we saw the Plant coming down,
but, when she got near Cockspur Light
house, we were not surprised to see her
turn back, as the sea would not permit of
her coming further, and she returned to the
city, The waves had washed away the
shore end of the wharf, driving the pal
metto logs and ranging timbers upon the
beach by this time. So far we had only
had an ordinary gale. In what was thought
to be a well-built house, and at point sup
posed to be eight feet above the highest
tides, to US the fierce antics of the ocean
were only pleasant scenes to be enjoyed
like any other unusual sight. We little
knew that few hours would bring this
angry food to our doors and drive us from
our comfortable homes.
Soon the window shutters had to be
closed and the sashes fastened down, as the
rain was driving through everything. To-
wards dark the sashes gave way In some of
the rooms and all had to take shelter in the
southwest room and the entry. The Stats
had to be taken from the bedsteads, and
boxes which had contained provisions
broken up to get nails with which to nail
them across the windows on the inside to
keep the entire sashes and blinds from be-
ing forced inward
About seven o'clock q don't know the
exact time, as we never thought of looking
at our watches,) one Of the windows on the
east side, up stairs, blew In and had to be
forced back and braced with bed stats.
While we were doing this land it took two
men and big boy to do it, the darkness
outside was lit up with the lurid glare of
fire, but the raging storm and wild confu-
sion rendered It impossible for US even to
go out of the house on the east side, much
less to 60 to the fire from the point of the
island where we were. We could but
offer up a silent prayer for those who had
fire added to the other teTrors Of the night.
We thought 1t was the hotel, and only the
next day learned Of the terrible event that
has already been told in the papers, the
fall OF Mr.. Solomon's house, and its subse-
quent destruction by fire, with so shocking
loss Of life.
While we were thinking Of this awful
scene, dreadful at all times, but doubly
so then, we heard the
crash of glass, and rushed down stairs to
find another large window sash blown out,
and the shutters bending in as though they
would break. The battens which we had
nailed against the frame an hour before
had given way, our supply of nails aud
boards was exhausted, and we had to let
the rain and wind pour in. We concluded to
look outside, and going to the back door,
we were startled to find the water up to the
steps, and a large boat which had been
driven on the beach during the morning,
tossing against them. We knew then that
the sandhill had given way to the west of
us, and that the ocean was making breach
through to Chimney creek. Going out on
the western side Of the piazza, we worked
our way along by the help Of the banlsters,
the wind cutting like a knife, and The salt
spray binding US, to the front of the
house. Leaning over, and straining
our eyes to the utmost, we saw the water
rushing under the house with the force OF
Niagara. The night was appalling; there
we we're on sand hill with the ocean in
front having clear sweep to the south end
OF the island. Something had to be done at
once as the uader pinning would not stand
long against ths waves and drift wood, and
the house might iopple over and crush all
the inmates. Twopf us started out to see II
the land was higher to the east. and
going. by the back steps, where there
was already TWO 1eet OF Water, we made our
way to the next house. Here we found the
land dry, or rather no tide. MIS-. Mckenzie.
who was occupying the house, said we were
welcome to come, but the rain had poured
through the place all day,
Knocking away the intervening fences we
returned to our home, and told the ladies we
must move, and at once. Gathering np
the bed clothes, or whatever would shell
ter them, and wrapping the little ones
up, (whO did not know what to make of
being taken out of their beds, where they
had been put early in the evening to get
them out of the waY) we started off for our
ark of safety through a pitiless gale of salt
water and sand and over the fallen trees
made our way through to find that the place
which had been comparatively dry five
minutes before was now overlooked. One
of the ladies tainted and had to be
carried bodily through the food. Counting
our numbers we found that three
ladies, six children, two servants and our
selves (there were three men), we we're all
safe. Our refuge was soon surrounded by
water and the rain poured through In tor
rents. There was not a dry spot anywhere.
This made no difference. We would have
been supremelY happy in the midst of all
this trouble, bat the food kept
reached the floor the house wound probably
float away, and we could hear and ieeI the
floating timbers IS they beat against It, hur-
rying it on, as it were, to Join the other
wrecks. With the storm lanterns IN hand,
We watched the rising tide as each wave
rolled under our shelter,
1t was about 7:30 O'Clock when
the tidal wave came In which sent
its waters over the sand hills,
ard dashed the waves nm tn orr feet in O
few brief moments. The waters seemed to
have spent their force, but the tide con-
tinued to rise. Steadily 1t passed mark af-
ter mark, which we made upon the steps,
aud after two hours watching 1t stopped
coming up. Six inches higher and we might
have been swept away. Never were eyes
more intent upon anything as were
ours upon the water Once afioat,
no human hand outstretched could save
the little party. The men might have sur
yivcd, but the ladies and the children would
have sunk beneath the waves. Such a
night! In silence, think, all who knew the
danger prayed TO Him above to check the
storm aud drive the angry waters
back. Our little house trembied under
the repeated shocks of drift wood,
and the rain and wind added to the terrors
OF the night. At last our mark showed that
the water had stopped rising, and then that
it was receding, and we felt that the
wind, which had blown steadily from the
northeast, had shifted to the southeast, we
thanked God that we were saved at last to see
another day. At last, after hours of patient
waiting, we saw the land. Noah, when the
dove returned to the ark, nor Columbus,
when the man at the masthead cried out
Gland" did not feel more grateful than did
our little party.
As tho tide went down we want ont with