The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-30

ting its height on the 10th, and the last
named day opened upon a scene OF wide
spread havoc, extending from Maine TO the
Carolinas Enormously high tides, lashed
into furious surf by the gale, rolled upon
shore, disuGantiing docks and bulkheads,
wrecking hotels and carrying away cot
tages, the occupants barely escaping with
life and then often In the surfboats OF the
life saving service During the month
40 vessels stranded ON the Atlantic coast
alone, nearly all Of them In the storm re-
terred co. AT the Delaware breakwater,
~ the mouth of the Delaware river,
y%here vessels look for haven from ocean
storrns, 40 lives were lost from on ship
board. The wrecks there were counted by
scores, yet every one OF the 40 fatalities
occurred beyond the scope Of action OF the
life saving crews Within the sphere OF
thCir operations 40 tnat point % stranded
crews were safely landed and 194 lives
rescued from peril.
The labors at the breakwater began on
the 10th, when the wind ragged with ter
rife violence aN1 the rain came down in
binding torrents The lifo savers at
Lewes station turned out about 4 o'clock
after a sleeploss night at the call OF the
beach patrol, who reported vessel ashore
pear the iron pier, mile from the station.
The surfboat was quickly run out, but
tire storm beat with such force I'm the
toerh OF thcmen that IL was impossible 10
haul II. Horses were sent for, but before
they arrived the vessel, an Italian bark,
struck, and the nimble sailors, with the
help OF the surfmen, saved themselves by
jumping from the rigging To the pier.
At the first alarm Keeper Clampitt OF
the Lewos station had telephoned for
help 20 Keeper Salmons Of tie Cape Hen
iopen station, and the crews wero united
ht Lcwes just as the schooner Stickney OF
Philadelphia snapped her anchor chains
and drove headlopg oncrSore. All hands
rushed for the beach apparatus, but the
sea had risen and carried away the boat
run, so that the cart had 10 be taken
out Of the rear window In sections. The
double crew made quick work Of that
operation and in fow minutes sent
line from Lyle gun whirling over the
wreck. The Stickney's crew of six men
reached shore ono by one in the breeches
buoy, and Immediately after the vessel
brake np,sa total wreck.
Barely had the surfmen put their gear
into working trim again when the chains
Of tho fishing schooner Gertrude Summers
,f Connecticut parted, and the gale drove
her on shore ia the direction OF the wreck
N the Stickney An old wreck lay be-
tween the beach and the Summers, and
In order TO secure elevation for the life line
che crew carried the gun into the second
steRyy- -ef eff ~ h4atAeHse, which was half sub
merged and already taking in floods OF
water at tho upper windows. BY heroic
efforts, however, the gallant surfmen
placed a line acrpss the wreck and took
of ~ men with the breeChes buoy.
Returning toward the station house 10
repair damaged gear, tho life savers found
the schooner Becker Of New York lying
stranded just OF their pathway. The men
on the wreck had thrown overheard "A line
fastened ton timber float, which the gale
6ruve shoreward within reach of the surf
men. In short order boatswain's chair
the simplest form of the brecchos buoy
was riggnd out from whip line and
nine men hauled on shore.
The surfmen had lahored i'm the rain for
more than six hours, and 1t was nearing
noon, but before they could make even a
hasty luncheon the schooner Norcna of
Portland, Me-, parted her anchor chains
and pitched upon the bar near the wreck
Of the Becker. Like many another of the
unfortunate ships, tho Norena had anchor
eh behind the breakwater for safety in the
storm. she rested 200 yards from shore,
where the beach lay under the sweep Of
tho tide.
The gun was finally anchored upon n
sand hill, and the first shot planted a line
across the schooner. Owing to the long