Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-07-28

ELECTRICAL SToRMs.-The intense
heat of yesterday eliminated in a series
of thunder storms in this city and
ncighborhood. The first, between four
and five O'Clock in the evening, didn't
amount to much in this city, though q
lively shower OF rain fell, but south OF
Alexandria and in Maryland the storm
was very severe, especially in the Vi
entity OF Collingwood Beach, where an
unusually iarge number of colored peo-
pie had gone on an excursion, and at
i,iver View and Marshall Hall, further
down on the Maryland side, TO which
places crowds of White people had re-
sorted to escape the sitting heat of this
city and Washington. At these resorts
the storm was furious, the lightning
terrifying and the thunder at times
deafening. About seven o'clock the
heavens became overcast once more
and flashes of lightning followed each
other almost as rapidly as The ticking OF
clock, while the incessant roll OF dis
tant thunder grew louder and louder.
In about an hours time the wind.
which had been from the northeast,
veered to the northwest, the lightning
became more vivid and the thunder
sent forth its rafting, crashing sound,
which soon precipitated a yeritable
tempest. The rain fell in binding
sheets for some time, during the pro-
press of which the electric lights went
out. while in some instances gas jets
refused to burn. All this time,
however. the celestial batteries,
heavily charged. emitted forked. zig
zag and seemingly every sort OF light
ming. and 50 incessani were the dis-
charges thai the streets Wefc Kept toll
crabiy well Illuminated during tae con-
;inuance Of the storm, which ragged nj
intervals lor about two hours. Some
trees were Frustrated by the wind. The
temperature fell pcrceptibly during the
rain. though indoors, where tile heat
had been accommodating for week. but
a slight difference could be detected.
As stated above. Marshall Hall, River
View aud Collingwood Beach were
crowded with cxculSionis;s, and on the
up trips. though 20 accident occurred, the
cXculs!onis;s mad thrilling experiences
and more than one person WAS fright
encd and some of the females swooned.
Grace Church Sunday School with
many of their friends from this city had
TO face the clements on their home
ward voyage, and though the steamer
ON which they were hudslled proved
herself in every way equal 10 the occa-
sion. the driving rain, gialing Lightning,
appalling thunder and the dark yawn-
ing waters over which the excursion
lists were gliding caused no little apprc-
hension and tic majority, at least
breathed easier when they planted
their feet once more on solid GROUND,
though they fonnd the street lamps eX-
tinguished. the rain still falling and
Union street so flooded that that thor
ouehiare had to be wadcd. The eX-
perience of those who went to River
View and CollinSwood Beach WIS sim
liar. Light suits. white dresses ana
kid slippers were sacrificed to the ele-
mems. and more drenched and
bedragglcd crowd has seldom been seen
on the streets. The report on the
street to-day that one Of the excursion
boats was on fire or about 10 sink
could not be verified. Notwi'hstand
ing the heavy raipt.iil, the temperature
this morning was by no means pleas
ant. and saltrinesa has reigned para
mount again to-day.