New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-25
COMFY ISLAND WRECKED.
BRIGHTON BEACHs LAWN AND BOARD WALK
GoyE-ovER 900 HOUSES RUINED AT THE 4
WEST END-MANHATTAN BEACH ONLY
SLIGHTLY pAMAGED-THF MARINE

GoNE-ovER 200 HOUSES RUINED AT THE
WEST END-MANHATTAN BEACH ONLY
SLIGHTLY DAMAGED-TTE MARINE
RAILWAY DESTROYED.
The storm howlcd around Coney Island all
through Wednesday night, setting IN before iliu-
night and lasting until long after daylight yes
terday 1t was accompanied by the highest tide
that has ever swept over that storm-beaten shore
From Norton's Point TO Point Breeze the beach
Is full of wreckage and a scene OF disaster is
presented which tells the story of the terrible
night far better than could any words the
Brighton Beach Hotel grounds are wrecked ana
the lawn and walks completely gone. An idea oil
the height OF the tide can be gained when 1t Is
known that It swept UP to the Electric Railway
tracks on Sea Breeze-ave., nearly an eighth OF
a mile from low water mark. At West Brighton
the damage Is more marked. Balmer's mammoth
bathing pavilion, the largest building In the worid
devoted such n purpose. Is a wreck. It's sides
having been beaten In by the heavy wind. Rows
Of bathing houses were torn from their founda-
lions and distributed along the beach, or carried
out to sea. Small buildings were overturned. and
there was a general wrecking of shantles sheds,
merry rounds and other apparatus used TO
amuse the holiday crowds that visit the island
Manhattan Beach escaped more serious damage
than other parts of the island. for the reason that
the buildings are all of a larger and better class,
and there is no beach for the waves to wreck, the
whole shore of Manhattan Beach being protected
by n heavy bulkhead filled with stone. which held
the sea In check The only damage at this point
was caused by the heavy spray, which beat over
the bulkheads in fountains thirty feet high, damag-
ing the lawn and flower beds, and undermining
slightly the Manhattan Beach Hotel. causing 1t
to settle I'm places The roadbed OF the Marine
Railway was washed out. the rails twisted and
the cars wrecked. The keeper Of the station at the
west end OF the road in danger OF losing his
life having been surrounded by the rising tide.
Shortly after daylight he hung out a flag of dis
tress, which seen at Brighton Beach. and a
rescung party took him to the Hotel Brighton.
The walk across the bay from Sheepshead Bay is
entirely gone in places. and the whole walk will
have to be rebuilt. Langcakes pavilion. and all
the small buildings around Brighton
less damaged The Hotel Brighton itself is intact
but the beautiful lawn In front is more than
half gone into the ocean. The walk along the front
of the property is entirely gone, and the was
rolling over il ten feet high at the height OF the
storm. The music-stand is entirely undermined,
but still stands on the piles. perched high in the
air and is liable to be washed into the at the
next high tide. The shelter houses at the Ocean
Parkway stand six feet above the beach. the
ga nd being washed from under them. They escaped
serious damage. having been raised last season in
expectation Of such storm The concourse Is COW
cred with sand. TO the depth OF over a foot From
Balmers bathing pavilion 10 Norton's Point every
thing not on piles along the beach front is gone
The llfe-savers at Bilmers, Doyle's Devlin's
Shoppa's and Henderson's each had tents in which
they kept their appliances. Tents and their con-
tents were swept away, leaving no trace OF their
existence.
The Coney Island Catholic Church was holding
fair in a large tent on the beach front. and the