The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-07-27
PORTLAND ESCAPED.
But the Islands Suffered in Wedne lay
Nights Storm-A Barn Burned-Peopie
Shocked-Terrific Hail Destroyed Crops.


Nights Storm-A Barn Burned-Peopie
Shocked-Terrific Hail Destroyed Crops.
According to all reports island resi-
dents, especially those who happened to
be on the lower islands of Casco Bay,
will be apt to remember Wednesday
plight. for the thunder shower was al
most tempest, lacking the element of
heavy wind. The air was still, and
there was only the rain, and as described
by one man, it descended in sheets, and a
fall of hailstones, heavy enough to re-
main on the ground in some places yes
terday morning.
Capt.. Bryant and six others were re-
turning from lodge meeting at Orr's
Island, when a bolt descended, and
struck almost in their very midst. For
the moment they were blinded by the de-
soending flame, and were more than as
tonished at their marvellous escape.
Another HarpswelI man said that he
woke up and heard his flock of ducks
making good deal of talk" in his
front yard. He was deceived by the
lightning into thinking it broad day.
light, but had hardly got up when the
darkness shut in again, only to be broken
a second later.
A man who was on the lower end of
Long Island said that the sight was a
Strange and fearful one. The clouds
were low down, and the lightning seemed
to play on the very top of the water.
The darkness was perfect wall, through
(which the lightning seemed to cut a
broad track" he said. He described it
as having been something awful" the
lightning seemingly playing all about
him.
A Harpswell man looking out at sea,
noticed that five times in rapid success
ion the lightning struck close by the
shore, but in the water.
The barn of George Hamilton, at Great
Cheabeague Island, was struck by the
lightning and. burned to the ground, to-
gether with all the hay with which 1t
was packed. No insurance. This was
probably the building that was seen
from the city to be on fire Wednesday
ulSaU. 1ue loss WAS StuU.
A fisherman said that the lightning
semed to him, and to others, to have
struck several times close by, or on
Great island not yet heard FROM
Apparently the full force of the storm,
bad as it was, did not make itself felt at
Harpswell, for the appearances indicated
| there was more wind, and a still fiercer
shower below that point. A second
shower followed the first, but of lesser
| force, and it did not last as long.
| The electrical display Wednesday night
got in it's gwork also on Peaks Island,
though at the time there was 20 rain,
and only a slight shower before. bolt
struck the chimney of the Hillside House
| at Trefethen's Landing The house was
| full, every room being occupied. II
went down the chimney and passed
| through cham Der and out of the French
window, dong more or less damage to
| plastering, woodwork and glass.
A lady was in the room at the time
| ard was of course awakened and fright
ened nearly out of her wits. She coulG
| not be induced to enter that room agar
that night, and another of the guests ex
! changed with her.
| When the lightning passed out OF the
window it apparently went straight fol
the neighboring cottage of Mr.. Frank
| E. Lowell. His son Walter, asleep in the
attic chamber, was awakened, and be
| came Immediately conscious. of a feeling
| of sickness and nausea. He was sick al
| night, and could eat no breakfast. Mr.
Lovell's cottage was not injured
| in the least.
At Great Chebeague the hail storm
was worse than the Oldest inha bitan
ever witnessed before. There was hail OIL
the ground yesterday at sunrise, and tn
leaves of the trees were all cut to pieces
The crops were badly damaged. TIL
storm lasted two hours, and was mos
severe on the east end of the island. Tn
clouds began to gather about 10 O'Clock
and seemed to revolve about overhead
instead of travelling in one direction.
Some mackerel fishermen of Cundy'
Harbor were out dragging their nets
and were obliged to stay out all night
They report very rough experience.