Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-12-24
loNDoN,s NET B1AYKEE
Heavy Black Fog That Put Stop I
Business and Travel,


LONDON, Dec. 22.--Iuensely cold
weather continues to prevail throughout
England, and is causing more or less
distress everywhere. Most of the lakes
and the water on the lowlands, where
the Thames overfows its banks, are COW
cred with good, strong ice. This has
tended to create much happiness among
the youth of both sexes, and not among,
them alone, but among many of their
elders, for skating. In London the
weather Is beastly. Aside from tho in-
tense cold, to which Londoners are but
in a small measure accustomed, the
city is covered, almost obliterated,
by thick, choking fog, which
makes existence miserable. Of
course, 1t is impossible to see
more than hands length ahead
and The consequence is that all traffic on
the river has been suspended, greatly
delaying the loading and unloading Of
vessels, and otherwise causing an inter
ruption of the great trade, of which the
river is one of the main channels. 1t is
a popularity of the London fog that it
hangs just as heavily over the city itself
as it does over the water. 1t is so thick
and black that electric and gas lights
cannot dispel the gloom, and the driving
OF vehicles in the streets is about as
dangerous as navigating vessels on the
river. Very few wagons, carriages or
other vehicles are moving, and ii may be
said that all business, except that which
is carried on indoors, is at standstill.
Several accidents caused by the fog
have been reported. The Brighton mail
coach had very narrow escape, and it
was more due TO good luck than to good
management that some of the people in
it were not drowned. The coach was
going along Thornton Heath when the
driver lost the road. The fog was as
thick as blanket, and he drove hither
and thither seeking to regain the high
way He at last thought he had struck
the road and started ahead at pretty
good pace. He had gone but short dis
lance, however, before the horses and
coach were in deep pond.
Every effort made to get out of the
water only led to their getting deeper
into it, and finally the driver and the
occupants, who were drenched to the
skin by the splashing of the water, de-
cided that it would be a safer plan to
stand still and await rescue. Ali hands
tIlch " tlic iop VI lnelT voices anu some
passers-by, who were navigating by
dead reckoning, were attracted BY the
shouting. They followed the sound and
finally reached the shores OF the pond.
Here, though they could see nothing,
the situation was explained by the inn
prisoned people in the coach. The men
on the shore then, by yells and shouts,
guided the driver to land and led him to
the road, and the interrupted journey
was resumed.
A dispatch from Bradford, Yorkshire,
states that during the prevalence of the
fog man walked into the canal, al
Shipley, three miles from Bradford, and
though his cries for help could be heard
he was drowned before his would be
rcscuers could find him.
Advices have been received which
show that a dense fog is prevalent over
large portion over the country. So
heavy is it on the Clyde that all traffic
on the river, above Greenock, has been
suspended.
The fog also covers the Irish Sea, and
the commanders of the mail boats ply
ing between Holy Head and Kingstown
have not started OH their usual trips to-
day, fearing to venture out until the
fog lifts.