The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-14

gcthcr The vessels near GA 20 the shur,
were the Ebcr and Nipsh The Ebcr WA
directly IN front OF the "A r.f.n consiilat,
q quaitcr of mile ff,in shore aud ia,
Nipsic was about 30 yard. cast Of the Ebcr
The Adler was ahead of the Nipsic and the
Olga aud Calliopc were ahead of the Ehcr.
The Nandalia was beyond the Calliope, a
mile OF shore.
TIT ErRENroS
was the last Of the war ships 20 arrive here,
and, being much larger than any other men.
ol-war IN thc bay, there was no room for her
near shore 20 she was obliged to drop an.
chur beyond the Nandalia, Just within the
outer reef Tho sailing crafts were in shal.
low water west Of the mon.uf.war The
Trenton and Nandalia had the most danger.
ous bcrths IN the harhor while the position
Of the Nipsic was considered the safest For
a few days preceding the hurricane the
weather was close aud the barometer had
been steadily falling but no one anticipated
the storm which commenced 90 set IN Friday
piternoon, March 10. by II o'clock that
night the wind had increased to gale, and
bcarly all the warshps had their engines
torking 10 relieve the strain upon their
anchors. The crows on most of the sailing
vessels threw out extra anchors and then
vent ashore. The rain commenced to fall at
midnight, and the wind Increased In fury.
Great waves were rolling In from the open
ocean. and the pitching Of the vessels was
fearful.
EVERY NAS WAS KErr At woRK.
The Ebcr commenced to draw her anchors
at midnight,and an hour later the Nandnlin's >
was also dragging. However, by using full
steam power, they both succeeded In keep.
ing well OF the reef, and away from the
other vessels. The wind blew stronger and
stronger and thc rain fell In torrents. By 3
O'Clock the situation had b'comc alarming
Nearly every vessel In the hafbor was drag
ging their anchors and there wns imminent
danger of collision. A panic began to
break out among the mon on several of the
vessels, aud they were kept at their posts
with great difficulty On the shore
THE HowLNo oF rnE WIND
among the trees and houses aud the crash Of
falling roof had aroused many persons from
their BEDS and figures were seen cropping the
streets looking for some spot u shelter from
the tempest The tide was coming In
rapidly aud waves washing all over the
street, q hundred feet above the usual high
water mark. The spray was thrown high In
the air, and beat into The windows Of houses
nearest shore. Rain fcllli slccL and men
and women who were wandering about in
the storm shielded their faces with small
pieces of board or any other article that
could be used as protsrilun against tho
wind aud sand The natiyc' seemed To realize
more than anyone else that the storm would
result Ia
AWFUL DrsrRrcriOS.
People gathered In little groups and pcercd
ont Into the darkness ncr1,s the sea Of foam
ing waters. Through the blnckncss Of the
night could be seen the light' Of the mcn-of.
war, aud even above the rushing and roar.
ing of the wind aud waves the shouting Of
officers aud men on board came iainily
ncross the water. and struck the terror TO the
hearts Of all who listened II could be seen
that the vessels were dragging az thc lights
were moving slowly In different directions,
and apparently crossing and 70 crossing each
other. Every moment Il seemed ns though
two or more Of the great war ships were
about 10 como together and the watchers on
the beach waited In breathlcss anxiety 10
hear the crash Of the collision aud ~ sec the
vessels 90 down 10 destruction. little
after . o'clock the iiri rays Of dawn broke
upon the scene, aud revealed spectacle not
often witnessed.
rng POSITION oT rnr vrssELs
was entirely changed, the wind which was
blowing from the norihcasi had swept from
their former mooring, and they were Az
bearing down in the direction oi the rect
Black smoke was pouring lfJm the lunnch'
showing that desperate oris were geing
made 20 keep them mp aa.nsi the WINDS
The decks we're swarmihg With men, cling
ing 10 fnasts and any Other object On whleh
holt could be obtained The hnIls OF .ne
war ships were tossing about Ike cotks one
moment tue vessels seemed ~ tiann HIhos.
upon their beam onds, aud the next