The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-12-16
A MINIATURE BLIZZARD.
1t Reached Town Last Night and
Since the City Has Been
Covered With Snow.

The little blizzard which was promised
for this vicinity arrived last night. 1t
struck town about o'clock with roar
ing thirty mile wind, with composition
of hail, sleet and snow, and battered
againstthe houses all night and far into
the morning. BY midnight there wero
three inches Of snow on the streets and
sidewalks, giving everything the appear
anco of Christmas tide. At midnight
there was II cessation of the storm but
only fOru few minutes.
The blizzard was not surprise VIII
mingtonians have looked for IL for some
time and received it with something of q
welcome. The weather Of the past week
has been anything but desirable. 1t was
too warm for this time of the year and OK.
ceedingly unhealthy. The local forecaster
several days ago said the weather could
not last long, and yesterday predicted tho
storm which has arrived. The storm was
central over the Gulf States yesterday, and
the thermometer had fallen Gll over the
country.
In many parts of tho city pedestrians
were caught in the storm, but nowhere
was there a murmur. Many believed the
old adnge: IA white Christmas makes u
lean graveyard" and rejoiced as the cut
ting flakes caught them in the face. Tho
cars suffered but little during the night,
but early this morning they could not be
moved until the big sweepers were first
run over the tracks.
Probably the happiest men in town are
tioso who possess sleighs and all morning
they were out behind their speedy nags.
The small boy is also enjoying the snow.
The indications for to-day are threatening
weather and snow or slect, with continued
northerly winds, dangerous on the coast.
ON THE RIVER AND BAY.
The wind howled heavy gale from tho
northeast all yesterday, threatening
grave destruction to shipping along the
coast. At the delaware Breakwater u
gale of the velocity of forty two miles an
hour prevailed last night, increasing
rapidly us night fell. The tremendous
winds were accompanied by binding
rain squalls and everything was seeking u
harbor far up the bay.
A sea that leaps completely over the
stone pile at the Breakwater is running.
superintendent Richards, of the Maritime
Exchange reporting station, situated at
that place, reports all vessels riding safely.
The pilot boats w. w. Ker, Ebe w. Tun-
IL Il and Thomas +. Bayard lie ut anch
bahind the stone pile. 1t is impossible for
them to put out or take on board pilots in
such a sen as prevails.
All along the coast storm signals have
been ordered up, and should the gales
continue many sailing vessels Will no
doubt be dashed to pieces along the
beaches. At last reports had by the Mar
itime Exchange the storm center was
near Cape Hatteras, increasing greatly in
energy 1t will cause winds of hurricane
force from Southern Virginia to southern
New England. Hurricane signals are
ordered up from Norfolk to Boston.
A 1ifty-mile gale has been whistling
through Atlantic City since o'clock yes
terday afternoon, rolling the sea in huge
breakers high on the beach. The gale is
accompanied by mixture of rain and
sleet, making it extremely unpleasant for
mariners off the coast
This afternoon the old Casino Building
in which the Elks disaster occurred two
years ago, was blown down, and is now
huge mass of ruins. Several carpenters
employed on the building at the time of
the collapse miraculously escaped. The
life saving station has been flying hurrl-
cane signals since the storm set in.