Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-03-30
LOST IN THE STORM.
Terrible Loss OF Life ut the Dela-
ware Breakwater.

At least twenty-five persons were drowned
or frozen in the harbor az Lewes, Del, dur
ing the great storm and many vessels were
sunk. Several of the stranded vessels ars
so far up the beach that they can never be
re-launchsd- More than sixty seamen were
bound hand and foot by ice and most Of
them were 80 severely froStbitten that they
are now confined to bel
The steamboat pier parted in three places
At the extreme end were eleven men, survi-
vors from vessels which had sunk. VINO had
taken refuge there. They were cut Oft from
all communication with the land for twenty
three hours, and during that time their frail
haven was constantly threatened with de-
struction by the heavy seas. When they
were taken off several were unable 70 move.
and had TO be lifted into and from the boats
which came to their assistance
About thirty-five vessels were in pert, and
no danger was apprehendei until about IL %
o'clock. when the wind increased suddenly 10
a terrific gale from north northwest The
crews rushed upon deck. but failed TO com
prehend orders Everything was in confu-
sion, and high above the dan Of the storm
could be heard voices Of men shouting for as
sstance. \ collision occurred between the
tug George j. Simpson and the wrecking
steamer Jameson. owned by the Somer Point
Nrecking Company.
The bow of the Simpson struck the steamer,
almost instantly causing an immense gap,
into which the water StTeamed- The tug
also badly damaged and filed rapidly
The crew Of the Jameson, which had been
lying near the pier, with great difficulty
jumped on the structure before their vessel
sank. Only two Of the Simpsons crew gained
the pier. The others were finally picked up
by the tug Protector. While their conpan-
ions were being rescued Mate Eli Walls and
Steward Fletcher calamity breasted the
storm tossed stream side by side until they
reached the piling around the pier.
Their wells for assistance were heard by the
avAla IF
parative safety. Here, from IL o'clock at
night until 10 o'clock the following evening,
eleven men found precarious foothold.
During the night twenty-eight barks and
schOOnerS were driven ashore and forced
above the high water mark. Among them
were the Zephyr, whiCA was totally dis
mantled; the Flora +. Newcomb, whose en-
tire rigging was carried away; the Eva
Lynch, A. r. Cranner, Lizzie w. Hall. Index,
j. w. Anderson, William G.. Bartlett, Provi-
dence, Isabel Alberto, Elliott l.. Dow, Earl
Z. Mason and Hester A Seward. The crews
were all saved
A two-masted schooner came up with all
hands on the mainmast When she had al
most reached the pier the wind increased and
started the mainmast from its braces. Coon
the mast fell and the men, with two eXcep-
tions, dashed themselves 10 the foremost.
Two of the men, unable to eXtricate them
selves in time from the wreckage, were
washed overheard and drowned. Others
were rescued from their perilous position by
the life-saving crew. OF those in the rigging.
one was frozen to death and four so seriously
froStbitten that they had 10 be removed TO
the hospital.
An unknown tugboat, with barge in tow,
sank with all hands off the Hen and Chickens
shoals.
The tug Thomas Crawford crashed into the
pier and carried away her hawSers and decks
She fOundered shortly after and her engineer
and fireman lost their lives The pilot boats
Turley and Tunnel were forced on the beach.
The loss TO shipping Is estimated at between
500 900 and S5OO OOO.