Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-27
VIRGINIA PORTS IN THE GRASP OF
THE GALE.
FATALITIES AT NEWPORT NEWS.
REAsoNABLy> CERTAIN SIX LIVES
HAVE BEEN LOST.
BULXARKS BEING DESTROYED
An Unknown Yacht scuds 10 Sea-
The Worst TO Come. Perhaps
Rescue-Tow Wrecked.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA, october 26.-
tSpecial)-It is reasonably certain that
at least six lives were lost in this i'm
mediate vicinity during the diastrous
storm OF Saturday and yesterday. Al
confirmed report reached here tonight
20 the effect that small craft con-
tanning two men was seen to founder
Sunday night in the James river several
miles above this city. 1t was impossible
for the eye-witnesses on the shore to
render the two men assistance. and as
the unfortunates were seen 10 go down
with the boat, they must have been
drowned. Word was received here this
dressed white men had washed ashore
near Salter's creek. several miles below
the city. The bodies were not decom-
posed and were evidently those OF men
who lost their lives during the storm
These four losses of life. together with
she two reported yeterday. complete the
list of six fatalities up TO a late hour
The Chesapeake and Ohio steamer
Chickahominy, from Liverpool to this
port. was due this morning at day.
break. but she had not been sighted
tonight. The Chckahominy carries pas
sengers and valuable cargo. II is fear
ed she may have difficulty in clearing
the capes.
About midnight last night cries of wo-
men were heard along the river front.
A trimly-rigged yacht was seen scudding
RAPIDLY out TO sea. apparently beyond
control. and it is believed that women
were on board. Nothing was heard
from the vessel to-day.
BULwARKS BEING DESTROYED.
The bulwarks along the water front OF
the city are rapidly being destroyed by
the heavy sea. which shows no sign Of
abatement. The water is one half foot
higher tonight than yesterday, now be-
ing five feet above average high tide
Ths breakwater at the summer resort
at Buckroe Beach has been entirei4
swept away, and the outbuildings near
the shore are reported to be destroyed
Rain is now falling in torrents here, as
everywhere else in the storm centre.
warning lights and rockets are being
sent up at Old Point Comfort tonight
and vessels lying in the Roads have
been trimmed for n fresh onslaught.
The reservation is almost entirely sur
rounded by water, which plunged over
the narrow neck Of land near the old
military cemetery.
THE WORST TO COME
Word came TO Old Point this evening
that the most severe portion or the
storm may be expected tonight. The
fiood-t tide occurred at o'clock, and with
the wind blowing from the northeast,
as II has done all day, II is expected
that the water will overleap all bounds.
Buildings in the lower part of Phoebus
are flooded. and I'm several of them the
occupants were forced to retreat TO the
second floors. Poor people have suffered
severely from a lack of fuel, and in one
or two instances which came to hght
this morning children went hungry.
But one vessel. the Dartmoor, British
tramp ship. left old Point to-day. she
sailed for Baltimore. after waiting
three days for better weather. The Bal
timore. washington, and Cape Charles
staamers arrived on time, but each re-
ports an unusually rough experience.