The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-10
Remarkable Electrical Dis
play in the HarbOr.
Steamer Massachusetts Compelled
TO Return to City.
The Rhode Island Came Through all Right
After Short Delay In the Sound.

Rhode Islands coast was the keystone
in Yesterdays arch of storm which ex-
tended from Montank Point TO Portland,
Maine.
Poor ola Block Island got the gale at
the rate OF 70 miles an hour from the
merciless northeast and the shipping in
he jetty enclosed refuge might AS well
have been In the open sea.
From Newport, Nsrragansett Pier,
Watch Hill and Sil the other exposed
points come reports OF violent wind, ship
wreck and damage to property along the
shore, but fortunately there is no story
of death to tell today after the worst Is
over.
The Helen r. Wh.tten went ashore just
outside OF Newport harbor, while Cap
tain John Marshall was trying TO run to
shelter Her crew OF 16 men were all taken
ashore In the breecbes buoy.
A small fishing schooner went ashore at
Point Judith, but all on board were able
to get ashore.
At Narragansett Pier the buildings
dsy forenoon the resort was visited by
binding storm of snow and sleet.
Steamer Massac husetts left here as usual
last night at s O'Clock tor New York,
and there were 800 passengers. Before
reaching Point Judith Captain Griffith
sized up the night and realized from
what be round inside that Long lsland
a. "A ~, to- ru
senge,s with perfect safety. He put
back to this port, arriving here half an
hour after midnight, and the passengers
were all bale TO catch the Shore Line train
dues New York early this morning.
In this city the storm of wind and
rain YVES terrific, but there was no dam
Ige to speak OF.
Any one who ventured to the water
front last night was well repaid for the
wetting and the struggle against the
northeast 'r by the enjoyment OF natures
fireworks display over the center OF the
harbor. AT II O'Clock there WAS an elec-
trical storm lasting fully twenty min
utes and tho effect OF many flashes and
the busting OF tho mysterious bonn bs
from the sky, in the midst OF the inky
darkness which had shut down over the
water, was weird and beautiful
TIE watchman at the Weeden mill,
Wanskuck, noticed his lights go out very
suddenly last evening. and going out OF
doors saw that large feed wire for tie
electric lights had burnt through the in
su,ation and both ends had touched the
ground. For several feet around the
wires the electric fluid ran over the
ground. Two policemen were placed on
guard and the Narraga osett Electric
Lighting Company notified. The officers
nrevented any one from passing Danger
ously close TO the live wires.
Another live wire that was watched by
the officers OF the Second station was the
ono extending from the New York, New
Haven and Hartford Railroad across
Webster court. This, too, after a time
was put in proper shape.
Star street, which generally shows the
effect OF severe rain storm, was In bad
condition last evening and the catch
basin on Randall square as usual got
stopped up about p. M. and the square
was so badly flooded that a row boat was
necessary 10 cross il.
Other washouts in the North End were
at Slater avenue, corner of President
avenue, West Park and Calais streets,
Senter street and Vale street and Frank
lin avenue. The latter street was closed
for public travel early last evening.
large hole was also washed out in the
sidewalk on Printery street where some
water pipes had been recently put in.
A large tree at the corner of Broad and
Byron streets was blown down and de-
layed travel mum Der OF hours.
LOCAL STATISTICS.
Although no one can recall any part of
yesterday tnat was pleasant the storm. as
recognized In official weather circles,
didn't begin until one O'Clock in the
afternoon. From That time until
o'clock this morning the rain fall was
3 OIL inches
The greatest depth for any one hour
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