The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1891-12-25
DAY TURNED INTO NIGHT.
A DENSE FOG HANGS OVER LON.
DON AND VICINITY.
Many Lives Lost by People Losing
Their Way and Wandering Into
Rivers and Canals.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
LONDON, Dec. 24.-The fog that settled
down over the city Tuesday last still
hangs over it, and everywhere it is as
black as night. Business is interrupted,
and the money loss serious, as the people
will notventure out, even to make Christ
mas purchases. 1t is impossible to see
more than few inches in any direction.
Street and river traffic is greatly him
dered. The fog is not only prevalent in
London. but it extends over wide sec
tons OF the country. It is without ex-
ception the worst visitation of the kind
that has come to England in years Fears
are entertained that if the thick weather
prevails off the coast it will be the cause
OF many disasters to shipping, 2articu-
larly to vessels bound up and down the
channel. The weather is so bad that the
people who venture into the streets do so
only when they are absolutely compelled
to.
The saddest feature of the situation is
the great loss of life caused by persons
losing their way and wandering into
rivers, canals and ponds. Already seven
bodies of unfortunates who have fallen
into the river and drowned have been re-
covered. Four other men and girls are
reported missing, and there is scarcely a
doubt that they have persisted as the
others did.
1t is impossible for trains to run on
their schedule time. Many trains from
suburban. points did not reach London
until two hours after their regular time.
The business of the city is generally
suffering because of the phenomenal
density of the fog, and in some cases it is
entirely suspended.
y dispatch from Leeds this morning
states three men, while walking beside
the canal, lost their way IN the fog and
fell into the water and were drowned
Several persons were killed on the rail
way.
Advices from points in the eastern part
of England show the fog prevalent along
the whole length OF the eastern coast. On
the river Tyne the shipping industry is
almost at stand still, it being deemed
too dangerous to send vessels away from
the Wharves.
Trains on the trunk lines in the north
OF England are greatly delayed. The
atmosphere is so thick that the usual
signals cam hardly be seen, and the engi-
neers are compelled to use the greatest
care to avoid collisions. The Scotch ex-
press came in to-day five hours late
Walking about the docks is extremely
dangerous even to those thoroughly ac-
quainted with all the hooks and crannies
Three dock ConStableS have lost their
lives during the fog. These men lost
their sense Of locality, became be-
wildered, walked into the river and We're
drowned.
The steamers engaged in the channel
service are making trips, but are greatly
retarded.
number of skating accidents are re-
ported. The fog causes the ice to become
rotten very rapidly. and the result has
been that many skaters have broken
through and were drowned.
The fog is boon TO the gas companies.
Every body who uses gas has been COM
PEELED to burn it all day, and an enor-
nous quantity has been and is still being
consumed. The gas supply at the gen
eral Postoffice failed to-day, and for
some time London's mail service was i'll
state of great confusion. Hasty reaui-
sitions were made for lamps and candles
Two passenger trains came into COLI
sion at Barnaby Junction to-day, and
were badly damaged. One of the engine
drivers, a guard and one passenger We're
killed, and fourteen other persons in
ltlred.