The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-09-19
BIG TEMPEST
Swept Over City
Early Today.
Wind Blew a Gale and
Lightning Flashed.
Rainfall Heaviest Recorded
Since 1882.
Some People Thought End Of World
Was Near at Hand.
Some People Thought End Of World
Was Near at Hand.
Gathered In Blackstone Park 10 Await
Summons of Gabriel's Trumpet.

This mornings storm was no joke for
timid people and the memory OF the ST.
Louis cyclone and of the several recent
prophecies that the world would be de-
stroyed before Nov. created temporary
panic. For the storm was so unusually
terrific that 1t warranted belief in al
most anything, especially during those
seven minutes when the wind attained
velocity of 40 miles an hour and the rain
came down in quart drops.
The darkness which added to the
terrors OF breakfast time was caused by
the sudden change OF the wind from
southeast 10 northwest and from a mild
l1-mile zephyr to 40-mile rip and tear
sort of a blast. This song and dance of
the wind swept the clouds up into one
large hank over the city and shut out
the. daylight.
STORY OF THE STORM.
The official story of the storm is told
office as follows:
lhe storm commenced this morning at
$50 O'Clock, and np to II -eieleek o. m.
the total rainfall was .9 inches. The
mean direction of the wind was south
east, and the maximum velocity was 40
miles, the whole being accompanied by
thunder and lightning.
An unusual atmospheric disturbance oc-
Cured little ntter o'clock, the ba-
rcmster sud denly rising about $40 of an
inch. The wind suddenly changed from
southeast to northwest and the velocity
OF the wind suddenly increased from IL
10 40 miles an hour. AT this time about
.36 inches of rain fell in 10 minutes. This
velocity OF 40 miles per hour lasted for
seven minutes.
The total rainfall for this month so far
is $3.50. which beats all September rec
ords. From the September of 1892 to
that Of 1895 inclusive the average amount
for the entire month has only been 500.
DAMAGED BY LIGHTNING.
The flag staff or the furniture house of
the Anthony Cowell Company was struck
by lightning and so completely shattered
that crowd gathered in the street and
picked up souvenir spnters.
Box 81 was pulled for fire In the
Household Sewing Machine Company's
building on Wickenden street at 7:20
O'clock, The alarm was caused by light
ming, which struck on the roof and fol-
lowed pipe into the building. Little
damage was done.
The residence of Benjamin Andrews at
the corner of Reservoir avenue and Pom
tiac street, was struck by lightning.
The bolt first came in contact With wire
on q hen coop, which II followed into the
sitting room of the house, tearing OF a
lot OF plaster and killing pet cat. The
damage to the house will not exceed s25.
George Paino's barn on the road from
Rockland to Chopmist Hill was struck
by lightning and burned. The harm was
well stocked with hay and the total loss
Is about 5000. No insurance.
The gate house Mt Posnegannsett was
struck. Only slight damage resulted.
Captain Kelley OF the steamer City Of
Newport, which came in on time. reports
that considerable damage was done on
Prudence Island. The large wind mill
on the Perkins estate was blown down
and several chimneys crumbled In the
teeth of the seyen-minute hurricane.