The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-29
Eight Shlpwrscksd Seamen Sheltered by
Prudence Island Farmers.
MATTESONS BOAT DRIVEN ASHORE.
Owner Narrowly Escaped From Wreck Of The Romp
frsghier City Of Fall River Arrived From New
York Twenb-fOur Hours Late.

There are 81 vessels, from a three
masted grain laden schooner to pleas
ure yacht 80 feet long, ashore in Nara
gansett bay. The damage TO sailing
and steam craft about Tiverton is re-
ported heavy. The menhaden steamers
OF the American Fisheries company
which were put up for the winter
around Tiverton, have suffered and
some are ashore. There were some very
narrow escapes along shore when yes
sells dragged and went into the surf
covered beaches. Eight seamen We're
housed at the hospitable farms on Pru-
dehce Island. Some loss of life is feared
i'm that section by the loss of small
fishing craft, which were driven on the
rocks and soon went to pieces.
Edward Matteson. who mas an oyster
bed at the mouth OF the Warren river,
lost four boats in the blizzard. one
small steam launch and three sailboats.
all of which were driven ashore. He
was in the Romp, large catboat used
by him In his oyster business, and was
driven ashore on Mingoes ledge, on
Pappoosequash point. The boat was
wrecked, and Matteson narrowly es-
capped with his life. He says that he
has had many years experience in all
kinds of fishing along the coast, and
never before experienced such a severe
gale as that of Sunday morning. The
launch was also badly stove, and Mat
tesons loss will he $250O.
The loss of life would doubtless have
been something fearful but for the
warnings of the approach of the terri
bic storm II hours in advance cut
of seven of the best yachts owned by
Corinthian club members are higher on
the shore than the clubhouse. Some
are smashed, but all can be repaired.
one OF the two-masted schooners
ashore at Prudence Island is the Mary
Snow. She will be saved. She lost her
anchorage while lying in the open bay
with two anchors out and so fathoms
OF cable each. The freighter City of
Fall River came i'm yesterday "A hours
late from New York She rode out the
gale at City island. During the gale
Sunday morning Capt. Hazard heard
cries for help. He thinks fisherman
was lost with all hands.
Capt. Bond of the Baltimore steamer
Howard brought the good news for
mariners and shipowners that the storm
off the Jersey coast was n northwester.
Capt Bond reports an ocean going tug,
with two stacks, ashore near North
point, another tug ashore near Mt. Tom
rock and scow ashore near Sands
point, all on the east side OF Prudence
island. One of the tugboats ashore at
Prudence island is the Glide of Fall
River. She is abreast of Nag creek.
Strung out to the north. and quite close
together. are four empty barges and a
two-masted schooner. The schooner
lies well I'm toward Potters cove. All
are heading i'm different directions. They
can be easily seen from Bristol, a dis
tance of seven miles.
The gale i'm Newport wrecked a new
line of poles and wires belonging to the
Western Union. The French cable con-
nection is lost. The wires were crossed
in every section. and connection be-
tween the depots and wharves and the
Newport office was lost early Saturday
night, and the wires had to be cut and
cleared out of the streets.
In and about Newport there was
damage 10 houses and trees, and many
of the latter were leveled Last even
ing train was expected through To
Newport but II did not arrive.
The Western Union has 40 poles down
between Providence and Warren and
the condition Of things beyond Warren
and toward Newport is even worse
than that but the work OF reconstruc-
tion has begun and is being pushed
with vigor that promises an early