Milford chronicle., 1885-08-14
SWEPT BY A TORNADO.
SEVERAL. PEOPLE KILLED AND OVER
HUNDRED INJURED.
Hundreds Of Houses Ruined or Damaged
in Camden, n. J.

Hundreds Of Houses Ruined or Damaged
in Camden, n. J.
terrible tornado swept up the Delaware
river Monday afternoon, Wrecklng TWO s,es nv,
boats that were in mid-stream, tore along tho
water front for a way, and then wrecked, or
damaged some hundreds OF buildings on sew
eral streets of that city. Then, crossing the
river to Port Richmond, it did much further
damage, and finally spent its strength further
" he peeniiar cloud was first noticed by the
passengers on the Reybald. 1t extended IN a
spiral shape from near the waters edge up
ward and was lost in the leaden sky. Ihey
could eco il Whiriing along the PennsylVanla
shore Ike a column OF smoke, and gyra1nS
like a top. It struck the Pennsylvania Salt
Works. at the lower end Of Philadelphia.
Roofs of houses in the neighborhood we're
twisted off and swept skyward. Tho heavens
seemed to be shrOwded in heavy pall, ana II
became amost as black as midnight. The river
assumed q leaden hue, and waves began 10
rise and were lashed into foam as the monster
wind few over them. The ferry and tugboats
bastened to shore and the people along the
banks looked at the terrible phenomena with
white faces, and wondered if everything on the
river would be swept out Of existence. -,
II passed directly over the ReybOld, and with
the rapidity of lightning, splintered her.
The tornado struck the ferryboat Peerless.
'fhe boat was in midstream opposite Hunters
Point, when the tornado struck it squarely
amidships. The boat was lifted completely
out Of the water and whirled around like top
for an instant, and then dropped back into the
water with its prov still pointing toward the
/ Pennsylvania shore. In that BRIEF moment,
however, back pilot house and rear cabin were
All carried away and sent Whirling into the
stream.
Tie tornado then struck across the river
and passed up through Camden with trighttul
rapiditv. The sight, witnessed from the busi-
ness houses on Delaware avenue, was pro-
nounced one Of the most terrible ever seen.
dense leaden-hued cloud, like bursting col
umn Of smoke rose in the sky. 1t cut swain
through Camden from Second to Fourth
streets. It took everybody unawares. 1t
hoWled and shrieked through the city. Roofs
and chimneys flew in every direction. Many
people were struck by the flying debris and in
jured. ..,..,.-
/ across the roadway are sandwlched with the
tin. slate and shingles Of roofs OF houses that
/ were torn off by the tornado, and in many IN
stances carried a considerable distance by the
violent wind.
Along the line of Second street, as far as the
eve can reach, the telegraph poles have been
blown down, and in some instances they Jay
/ directly across the street. and the wires form
net works. through which it is difficult to pass.
/ Within the bounds mentioned above there IS
much destruction, amounting to loss OF
several hundred thousands Of dollars. But the
immediate places where the scenes OF desola-
ton are greatest are along Second and inlI mn,
and Fourth streets, and on Mickle PENN Arch,
Stevens, Washington, Bridge, and other cross
From Camden the tornado sped up the river
bank and crossed the river to tie Philadelphia
side at Port Richmond, the great coal shipping
mort. It struck the upper part OF the place
and demolished about 200 buildings. Some OF
the houses are leveed. Others have great
holes blown through them as though they had
/ been bombarded by heavy cannon. Others
are twisted entirely out of shape.
In spite Of the immense destruction the loss
of life will be small, although score are IN
| the hospitals suffering from broken arms.
From Port Richmond the storm whirled up
the river, where it spent its strength in short
In its ravages in Camden scores of dwelling
houses were unrOofed and some OF them
thrown down, and the damage 70 the business
property along the river front is enormous.
| Hundreds of families were rendered homeless,
and one victim, Charles Daley, was killed
| OUTRIGHT at the American Dredging Company's
wharf Another, Harry Stevens, had his Leg
cut off by a flying piece OF timber, and VII
probably die. The path OF the storm through
| Richmond was marked with death and de-
struction.
The tornado's track was almost due north
/ from the Port Richmond coal wharves. About
| 1850 dwelling houses were wrecked or so badly
damaged as to be rendered unfit for habita-
ton and 200 families we're driven from their
homes TO be cared for by their neighbors. A
number of people were seriously and some IA
tally injured. A girl of ten years, Lizzie Nc
Vev. was killed at her home, ia Melvale street,
| in sight OF her mother, who was herself pinned
to the floor by fallen rafters, few feet from
her dying child. =,
The tornado is described by those who wit
messed its progress upon the river, where it
could be- seen to advantage, as an immense,
black cone-shaped cloud with its apex resting
upon the water and its base mingliug with the
rain clouds, which hung in dense masses from
the sky.
AT OTHER POINTS.
Chicago and its vicinity were visited by the
great storm of Monday, and much damage was
done to property.
Adyices from various points throughout
/ MARYLAND show the storm to have been the
most disastrous that has ever visited that sec
ton. tornado swept path two hundred
Yards in width through Cecil county. Houses,
mills, and bridges wet carried away, and
/ number of persons were injured.
The tornado visited Smyrna, Del, destroying
/ much property for miles in a swath 300 feet
wide. Stock was killed and orchards and corn
fields destroyed. No lives are known to have
/ been lost.
In North and South Carolina and Georgia
much damage was done.