Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-05-29
4 TERRIBLE STORM AT sRA.
Combination Cyclone. Hurricane, and
Wind Blizzard.

The following article from the New York
Sun Of May 26, will be Of interest to our
readers from the fact that Mr.. E. C. Allen
OF this city, was q passenger on the steamer
referred to. The Sun says:
During the present week Transatlantic
passengers have passed through storm At
sea, parallel of which cannot be recalled
by the oldest captain. Luckily, it was of
short duration, but nevertheless it made up
in intensity all that it lacked in length. 1t
was q cyclone, it was hurricane, ard per-
haps might be appropriately designated as a
wind blizzard.
Several thousand souls were buffeted about
upon the broad Atlantic when the storm &C.
Cured, but aside from the skilled navigators
it is safe to say that not one in !, 900 realized
the danger they were in.
All passengers bound for this port have
been safely landed so far, and many took
the unusual shaking up they received as
matter of course, it being their first sea voy-
age.
The storm was fercest on May 81 and %,
and brief account can be told by quoting
Capt, Willigerod of the steamship Trave,
which arrived safely yesterday with l,O49
passengers aboard, over 400 of whom were
women. Said Capt. Willigerod: 1T was
the most remarkable storm ever experienced.
1t only lasted four or five hours. but while it
did last it was terrific. 1t struck US on the
morning of May 20, about o'clock. We
were in latitude 40, longitude 28.l9, and con-
tinued until nearly noon. 1t was a perfect
hurricane, and the most severe one l ever
experienced. 1t came up from the south
west and went to the southeast and then back
again. 1 kept the ship at right angles, and
steered to the south to get out of it. The
centre of the hurricane was to the southwest,
and by changing my course l escaped the
worst of the storm and soon made good
weather.
The waves ran very high, and had to clear
the desk of all passengers and close down the
doors. One heavy sea that swept over us car
ried away the rail of the poop deck, but aside
from that there was no damage done.
Before the storm broke we had plenty of
lightning and thunder, but no rain.
During the heaviest part of TIE hurricane
the sun was shining brightly.
1--WE struck a. other storm on May % near
Devils Hole, latitude 1920, longitude A.
This was q gale from, the northeast to the
northwest, with heavy rain storm followed
by hail. But it was not as severe as the
other. Such storms are very unusual at this
time of the year, and while it lasted l never
experienced severer one than that of the
goth. The waves were monsters.
"How did your passengers behave?"
"Splendidly. They showed much courage,
especially the officers of the Ancient and
Honorables of London. They persisted in
staying on deck during the Storm and so
ordered them below. What did they do?
Obeyed orders"
Considerable crockery was smashed on
board the Trave, and there was a general
shaking up, but Capt. Willigerod did not
mention these little matters, but he referred
with just pride to the fact that his steamship
went through the storm safely, and was at
her dock uninjured and all her passengers
safely landed.