The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1890-12-19
THE HAVOC OF THE STORM.
Results of the Terrific Gale Of
"Wednesday Night.
vessels Ashore In the harbor and
Considerable Damage Done.

The big gale of Wednesday night proved
to be the most disastrous for long time. and
a repetition, though not On so large a scale.
OF the big ice storm of several years ago. The
rain froze as 1t fell and yesterday morning
twig and branch were coated thickly with ice
Branches were weighed down by the load
ana spht on. Here and there tree was
blown down. A tree on High street fell and
another ON Walker street, breaking window
In Mr.. Lewis o. O'Brion's house.
But 1t was with the electric wires that the
storm played the greatest havoc in the city.
Electric light wires and fire alarm wires fell
In every direction, crossing one another,
until In many places there was a tangled
mass. 1t is strange that more accidents did
not result. Live wires must have frequently
touched the ground. Lights were out in
many places and darkness reigued in many
quarters of the city. Telephone wires were
badly damaged. so that only portion of
the lines would work yesterday. and it will
be several days before the system is restored
to Its ordinary efficiency. The fire alarm
bells frequently struck detached blows,
caused by the extensive breaking and cross
ing of wires.
The signal Office reported that they could
not tell the velocity of the wind. The anemo-
meter cups became coated with ice. prevent
ing any correct registration. Probably the
wind blew over 40 miles an hour.
A number of houses on Cumberland street
were considerably damaged on the interior,
on account of the wind forcing the rain un-
der the caves and causing 1t to flow into the
chambers below.
Down the bay and in the harbor the gale
caused wide havoc. Vessels suffered by the
dozen and one which got off without any in.
jury was indeed fortunate.
Schooner Glad Tidings went ashore on the
beach near Fort Preble. She will probably
be got off.
Schooner GeOrgianna, of st. George. got
adrift and struck the stone pier at the Ferry
landing, Cape Elizabeth. She smashed her
quarter and while drifting went against the
schooner Perrin demolishing the PERKINS,
main boom.
Schooner Maid of the Mist broke from her
anchorage and drifted near Chebeague
Island. She was prevented from going
ashore with great difficulty.
Schooner City Point went ashore on Long
Island. The amount of damage il not
known.
Schooner Eva Race went ashore at Harps-
we'll No report of the amount of damage
has been received.
Brig Charles A. Sparks got adrift at Union
wharf, came in contact with the Cumberland
Rowing Association platform and finally
driffq6 infn tho xuha ba
chored. -
Schooner Caroline dragged her anchor and
went ashore on the northern side of the
Ferry slip. She is badly chafed.
Schooner Susanna is reported ashore on
the Cape shore.
Bark Archer, at Deake'S wharf, parted her
stern lines, swung round and smashed float
ing stage.
Bark Kremlin. at Lewis's wharf, parted
her lines. and drifted across the dock, run
ming foul of the bark Havre. The Havre
was slightly damaged but the Kremlin was
not injured.
Schooner j. NJ. Morales and schooner
Hannah F. Carleton. which were tied up for
the winter at Merrilps wharf, parted their
lines and ran into the schooner Maggie
Ellen. No damage resulted.
Schooner Nellie j. Dinsmore, lying at Rail.
way pier, Cape Elizabeth, parted her lines
and drifted against the pier, her jibboom and
bowsprit wrecking shed on the end of the
pier.
Schooner j. w. Foster, at the Maine Cen
trail coal wharf. pulled out the piles,to which
she was tied and drifted into the stream,
where the anchor was dropped.
During the forenoon yesterday it conti-
nued to snow, but the wind died away at
daybreak. The sun came out little at
noon, causing the ice to drop from the wires
| in way rather unpleasant for pedestrians.
| The trees still have their ice coating.
Yesterday morning early Mr.. Staples, the
Waterman, discovered water dripping down
into Chenery & Co.'s store on Middle street.
He summoned MI. Chenery, and it was
found that the wind had driven the rain un-
der the caves in such quantities
that the floor of the factory was covered with
water. which had also leaked down to the
second floor. The employees yesterday were
not able to work and some goods on the
second floor were damaged. The damage
will amount to several hundred dollars,