The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-27
WRECKED WIRES.
Path Of the Eastern Storm
StreWn With Wreckage
Heavy Losses Suffered by Telegraph and
Telephone Companies.
Fire-Alarm Systems Rendered US0leSS-N6W
York HarbOr Filled With Ice
Coated Vessels.
Special to THE MORNING CALI.

NEW YORK, Jan. 26.-Y esterday's storm
was by far the worst that the telegraph COM
panies here ever had toHleal with. The idea
of wreckage may be gathered from the fact
that out of 1850 wires running iuto this city,
the Western Union had but three working
this morning. The others, with many of
the poles, lie beside the railway tracks,
across fields and in trees. The Postal Tele-
graph Company had not one wire working
out from the city, while the Metropolitan
Telegraph and Telephone Company estl-
mates that $500 of its wires were laid low.
The total damage to the companies named
will not be far from half million. Two
weeks unceasing effort will be required to
get the wires back into the condition
which existed before the storm. In
New York City proper the number
of wires down is roughly estimated
at 1900, and poles down go, In addition to
the forest of poles strewn about the streets.
As many more were hanging in dan gerous
condition. Immense gangs of men were
busy all day in removing snow and wreck
age. 1t was impossible to report any incom-
ing vessels from the Highlands or Sandy
Hook. as not only were the wires down but
a heavy veil of mist hung over the BAY.
The steamships Bretagne and Aurania
came in this morning encrusted 10 snow and
ice. They were due yesterday. but owing
TO the severity of the storm were compelled
to slacken speed As far as could be seen
from the Barge Office to-day the bay was
ctreurp ifh ri,
canvas coated with ice.
The damage done to the telegraph and
telephone service in Brooklyn is estimated
at S150,0O0.
The jersey City fire alarm system was
rendered useless. The New York Stock
Exchange was completely cut off from all
quarters but London, and bear traders had
great fun in hammering everything in sight.
curious effect of the storm is shown in
this afternoons papers. Outside OF the
cables which have not been interrupted
they print hardly an item. except Washing
ton and Albany specials and matter from
neighboTing towns, which reached the city
by mail. Such an absolute dearth of do
nestle news has not occurred since the great
blizzard.
Advices from Sea Girt, Asbury Park,
Long Branch and other points report great
damage along the Jersey coast The surf
cut into the bluff and beach at many points,
Houses were unroofed and all the wires
blown down. As far as can be learned no
vessels are ashore, although several have
been seen in distress outside. At 10 o'clock
tonight The Western Union reported fifteen
wires to the West, n gain of twelve since
morning. There is no communication vet
with Philadelphia, Washington or Southern
points.
WmKEsBARRE Pa.l, Jan. 26-Yester-
day s storm was very severe throughout this
section of the State. Telegraph, telephone
and electric light wires are down in all di-
rectons and communication is interrupted.
In the country much damage was done by
snow breaking down trees, crushing barn
roofs. etc.
BosToN, Jan. 26.-The storm in this city
yesterday completely demoralized the fire
alarm telegraph, and the entire force of
firemen patrolled the citv all night. The
telegraph, telephone and electric light COM
panies also suffered heavy losses. The
same condition of affairs is reported from
several other points in New England.
Fall River reports that the sound boats
had hard time, but arrived safely.
At Manchester, n. H., the storm lasted
nine hours, Is inches of snow falling.
Nashua, n. H., reports the worst storm of
the season, with u inches of snow obstruct-
ing travel.
NEWARK On. j., Jan. 26.-The loss to
the various companies using poles and wires
in Newark by the effects of Sundays storm
is estimated at S150,OO0 More than 100
poles were prostrated, aud the entire tele-
graph, telephone and municipal signal
syst MS were rendered useless. The big eec-
tric-light wire at Broad and Market streets
fell upon the wires of the Newark Passen-
ger Railway Company and instantly there
was magnificent display of electric fire
works. All the wires crossing the junction
of the streets appeared like blazing SER
pents, wrthing and twisting in the air with
the broken wires Kissing as they wriggled
through the snow in the streets. The
policemen warned wayfarers until the cur
rent was shut off.
BELvIDERE (N. J.), Jan. 26.-The storm
was very severe all through Northrrn New
Jersey. All telegraphic and telephone
communication was cut off and railroad
trains delayed. In some parts of this
county the snowfall was very heavy.
WILMINGTON (Dell, Jan. 26-Nothing
definite was heard from Delaware Break
water to-day regarding the probable dam
age to the shipping at that point All Della
ware south of Wilmington is still cut off
from commercial communication. Between
Wilmington and Kirkwood nearly fifty poles
are down.
PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 26-The telegra phic
situation IN this State is not much improved
over that of last night. The storm was par
tlcularly destructive in the section of the
country between Philadelphia and Harris
burg Many telegraph poles are down or
blown out Of position. Very few trains can
be run without the wires aud those at q
great risk.