New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-08-17
DETAILS OF A TERRIFIC STORM.

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DETAILS OF A TERRIFIC STORM.
How Sixty.Three Lives Were Lost and
Many Homes Made DesoIate.
London standard.
A fearful storm swept over the
Shetland Islands late on Wednes-
day night, July Goth, and contin.
ued to blow with great fury till
Thursday morning, resulting in the
destruction of property and a loss Of
lite unprecedented in the North
since 1882 On Wednesday the
weather was favorable for prosecut-
ing fishing, and boats from every
station throughout the islands put
to sea, when the storm burst with a
suddenness that gave no preliminary
warning. The boats were far at
sea; those prosecuting her,ing-fsh.
ing had their nets set, and those at
cod fishing had their lines set. The
storm prevented the fishermen from
hauling their lines or nets, and a
great loss Of fishing material was
sustained. On Thursday all the
large. decked boats fishing from Ler.
wick had arrived in safety, but as day
advanced and reports came in from
the inland stations it was apparent
that a terrible calamity had overtak.
Ell large proportion Of the inhabi-
tants of the islands. At Dunross-
ness five boats were missing. but
arrived late on Thursday night, to
the incxpressible Joy of the wives
and families of the men.
The fleet al Scalloway and Walls.
which are all decked boats weather.
ed the gale in safety, but suffered
the loss of their material. It is in
the north isles Of shetland that the
most disastrous loss has occurred
Owing to the difficulty of communi-
cation and the want Of telegraphic
communication to some places, it is
impossible as yet to get full details
put the grave fears entertained at
first have been sadly confirmed, It
is now ascertained beyond doubt
tibet ten boats have been lost in the
isles. These are native boats, local.
~ known as ''sixerns' that is, pull
ing six oars, but also using luz sails
and generally having a crew Of six
men each. One of the boats be-.
longing to INST, the most northern
Of the Shetland islands, six belong
ing to the Island of Yell, two to
Feedaland, and one Mossbank, were
missing from Fetlar. News from an.
other district states that a boat he.
longing to Havera, small island
close to Scalloway, has also been
wrecked, thus making, so far as vet
ascertalned, eleven boats and sixtv.
three lives lost.
Wreckage has been driven ashore
at many places in the island. Part
of one Of the Yell boats has been
driven ashore at Uns,, and also the
body Of the captain. This. is the
only body yet recovered, and. ow-
ing to the rapidity of the tide in
Shetland, it Is probable that most Of
the tn, boats will never be recovered.
The revenue cutter Eagle proceeded
to sea in search Of the boats and on
Friday picked up one alb ,ut five
miles southeast Of the Skerries
There was not soul'on board, all
the crew having met a watery grave
On being taken to Lerwick this
boat was identified as belonging to
INST. One boat had narrow as.
cape. 1t was one of the large full.
decked boats, and the crew HAVING
set their nets decided to. stick bV
them. The boat rode out the storm.
although the craft was often cover.
ed by the heavy seas. When the
storm abated the men found an ex.
traordlnary heavy take of herrino
in the nets, and the boat was una,
bic to take all on board even THOUGH
the ballast was thrown overheard
After taking on board about seven.
ty crahs Of herring, valued at over
ESQ, the crew handed over the re-.
malnder of their nets to an Irish
boat belonging to Dublin, at pres
ent fishing in Shetland, that came
to render assistance.
The scenes witnessed at the land.
ing places and along the sea coast
are heart.rending. In Shetland i
is customary for father and sons.
and, perhaps, other relatives, to fish
III the same boat, and thus several
families all closely related are de-
prlved OF their bread.winners. Al
rule, the people are exceedingly
poor, and the restitution caused by
the calamity among the 200 to 800
dependent widows and children will
be fearful, as their neighboirs are
mostly as poor as themselves. The
people IN Lerwick, considering the
necessity Of immediate assistance
held public meeting to consider
what should be done to relieve the
distress among the widows. orphans
and aged helpless dependents on the
fishing: AS full details were not
yet to hand, it was decided in the
meantime to appoint large and in
tluential committee, with full pow
erS to take what action thew cone;d.