The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-21
Severe Storm Ragged Dur
ing Early Morning.
Tide Reached a Higher Mark
Than in Two Years.
Pedestrians Found Walking to Be
Both Damp and Danger Gus.

The severe storm accomplish several
things this morning. It's chief product
will be a large crop OF colds brought on
by wet feet. Ordinary rubbers were no
protection to the individuals who were
obliged to be early astir, and their morn
ing tramp to work was decidedly dis
agreeable. The streets were flooded ana
q short walk to the street cars guarant teed
damp feet. II was trescherous morning
for pedestrians. The bigh wind had
a perceptible effect on the incoming tide
and IL its turn had not taken plsce when
1t did, considerable damage would have
resulted. The river came within three feet
OF the level of Market Square before it
began to fall. 1t was the high hest tide in
two years and several cellars were flooded.
The principal moufners, however, are
the ice men who see their good prospects
for crop melt away like their cakes in
midsummer. The swapping cold weather
of the past three days raised their hopes,
but the sou.h wind yesterday
gave warning that trouble WAS
brewing for ice. The r1en with ice
houses can stand considerable dry snow
on the surface but excessive dampness
takes the snap out of ice. The heavy rain
fail made the icemen tired, very tired.
The snow shovelers were disgusted also
for their source of revenue vanished like
the dew Of the morning. TIE man who
nearly had heart disease was Manager
Harrington of the Colum bia Theatsr.
The Columbia kept climbing with the
tide, inch by inch, with every prospect
OF landing at the base OF the new Capitol
now rearing its marble on the north
western eminence, but the tide turned
just In time to prevent the tbeater from
being blown on TO iland and putting the
owner of the property to large expense
in getting the house into its native ele-
ment again. Luckily an illustration of
the appearance of things just after flood
that is set down as the greatest rain story
known to ancient and modern times, a
record breaker, so to speak, was not
repeated. The Columbia Theater began to
settle back where 1t belonged shortly
after 10 o'clock and the river receded
rapidly. A few feet more snd boats
would have had the call on street cars.
So far as learned but little damage was
done In the harbor. 1he bath houses
along the shore are submerged, but have
sot been swept away. Captain Burton of
the steamer City of Newport says the old
light house at Nayatt Point stood a hard
test this morning as every wave hurled a
heavy body OF water over it.
The wharves a. Rocky Point, Cresc ent
Park, Silver Spring and Fields Point
were under water at 10 o'clock but did
not appear to be damaged. The City OF
Newport reached the city on time and the
Alleg hany Captain Nickerson, from Bslti-
reports that when the steamer was off
Block Island there was heavy sea, but
the ship escaped the nea West of the
storm.
All that can be seen at Rock Island Is q
house or two and the trees.
At the Office of the Providence line 1t
was learned that steamer Nashua, which
was due here at an early hour, was at
anchor off New London at o'clock this
morning. The Pequot had not arrived at
New YUrs, but where she was at anchor
was not known. The steamer Dorchester
of the Baltimore line, which sailed last
evening was at anchor of Portsmouth,
and the Saxon of the Philadelphia line
was resting easy OF Hog Island.
There are off Rocky Point three four
and one three mastei schooner light,
bound out. They will probably sail later
in the 1sy.
The trim little steamer Qneon City OF
ths Seaconnett line, did not sail until
~ go today. three and a half hours late.
The Bay Queen of the Providence, Now
port and Fall River lire, from Fall River,
had not arrived at o'clock.
The waves broke over the ses wall at
Starve Goat Island and for while this
morning the prospects for those on the
Island we:e not promising.
At Narrsgansett Pier the surf was run
ming TO a tremendous height this morn
ing and under the influence OF the south.
east gale 1t looked % though IL would &C
still higher. After IL o'clock, however,
the wind began to moderate and the suri
dropped with IL.