Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-27
STORM FRIGHTENED.
ENGLISH LADIES CAUGHT OUT WHILE
VISITING FRENCH WAR-SHlPS.
They Describe the Nights Experience
had Weather All Over the British
Isies-The Damage Not Yet Told.

fBy Angio-Americnn cable to the Dispatch.l
PORTSMOUTH. August 26.-The gale which
sprang up last night while the British
officers were being entertained on board
the Marengo and Marceau of the French
squadron visiting England continued un-
I'll daylight. The gale was accompanied
by binding transforms. and as the night
wore on anxiety was expressed by some of
the friends of the British officers visiting
on board the French vessels lest the ladies
of the party should have embarked in the
ships boats and tried to make harbor in
spite OF the stormy weather
The Portsmouth authorities kept num-
Der OF blue jackets on duty all night at va
rious good points for observation about
the harbor, in order that prompt assist
ance might be sent to any of the returning
steam pinnaces which might be in danger
OF being swamped by sea or carried down
the coast by current. Towards O'clock
this morning when the guests OF French
ofncers began to embark for the shore the
gale had slightly abated and the pinnaces
were able TO make the return trip in COM
parative safety. The result was that the
British officers and the ladies they had
escorted on the men-of-war were able to
return in safety to Portsmouth after riding
over as nasty sea as the ladies cared to
encounter. The ladies upon landing de-
scribed the night they had passed on
board the French warships as having been
terrible in the extreme.
The storm somewhat subsided during
the forenoon. but a stiff gale was still
blowing when the French feet put to sea
after exchanging salutes and cheers with
the British men-of-war of Spthead.
DAMAGE on SHORE.
On shore the gale prevailed throughout
the night and telegraph poles aud wires
were swept down everywhere. Trees were
uprooted and houses were unroofed.
AT New Castle during the past week
fiower-show has been in progress. During
the past night the immense tents contain
ing the flowers and plants were blown
away, causing ali immense amount OF
damage to the floral and other exhibits.
dispatch from Southport says that
during last night the Norwegian bark
saved
Dispatches from other parts of the coast
announce numerous other casualties OF
| minor description.
Information telegraphed here from all
parts of Ireland shows that the bad
weather that has prevailed over the Brit
ish Isles for the past week or so has caused
terrible injury to the grain crops. Owing
to the heavy and continuous rains harvest
ing in many parts of Ireland has been en-
tirely suspended and the utmost distress
is apprehended III some districts. The ex-
tent to which many of the poor farmers in
Ireland are suffering through the rainy
weather may be judged by the fact that
Archbishop Walsh has instructed the Ro-
man Catholic clergy of Ireland to pray for
fine weather and to instruct their congre-
cations to do likewise.
THE GALE STILL BAGING.
In the northern parts Of the British Isles
furious gale is raging. At Sheffield large
marques erected for the fair were CON-
pletely wrecked and their contents seri-
ously damaged. The church situated near
the Sheffield fairgrounds was blown down
and throughout the district an immense
amount of damage WAS done to crops and
buildings in course of erection. The ships
at anchor in the Tyne were for several
hours III position of great danger. All OF
them let 90 extra anchors, and IN spite OF
this several ships dragged until danger
ously near grounding.
In several ports the fishing fleets were
unable to put to sea and reports OF vessels
which have put IN for shelter have been
received from oil sides. Up to 4:30 L. NJ.
there has been no loss of life reported and
no serious wrecks with the exception of
the loss of the Norwegian bark ashore near
Southport.
1t is feared, however. that the full tale of
the damage done by last nights storm has
not vet been told, and that there may have
been considerable loss Of life OF the coasts.
Telegraph wires are down in many sections
where wrecks are likely to occur and in
the Clyde number of yachts are known
TO have been driven ashore.