The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-10-27

TERRIFIC GALES SWEEP OVER
LAKE MICHIGAN.
BOAT HOUSES ARE DESTROYED
And Several Smaller Craft of Considerable
Value Are Washed Out on the Angry
Waves. Great Damage Done
All Along the Lake.


The most terrific storm known on
Lake Michigan for many years swept
its surface last night and as result
the shores all along the lake are strewn
with the broken debris of boats which
had not the power and strength to
hold out against the beatings of the
wind and waves. From nearly every
point come tidings of vessels thrown
upon the beach, of the rescue of the
crews in frozen condition and Of the
loss of several smaller craft with all
hands on board. All during the night
the unlucky sailors attempting to ply
the lake in the fierce storm were pelted
with rain and snow and life saving
crews from nearly every station fought
noble battles against the angry waves
which dashed higher and higher at
every onslaught. of the heavy wind
bearing down from the Northeast.
Along the lake great property losses
are reported.
Seven Norwegian sailors, the crew of
the three masted schooner Isabelle
Sands, were rescued off Thirtieth
street, Chicago, last night by the life
saving crew. The schooner was left at
anchor o fight out the storm or go to
pieces on the shore, according as the
anchor chain held or snapped.
She had been carrying lumber from
northern port and was urged to put
into Kenosha for refuge yesterday
morning.
A fisherman known as Scotty" was
caught out in the heavy gale in a small
sail boat off Waukegan. For three
hours he battled, seemingly in the face
of certain death. Finally, with the
sails blown to ribbons, he made des-
perate run for the shore, and, with the
help of men on the beach, landed
safely.
1t is impossible to tell at this time
what damage has been done in this
immediate neigh borhood, as the storm
is still raging so high that hardly a
single boat has been bold enough to
leave the harbor to make any reports.
But the breakWaters along the lake
have suffered great damage and it will
require the expenditure of considerable
money to place them in condition to
withstand another storm of such mag
nitude.
The boat houses along the lake near
Calkins' pier were buffeted terribly by
the waves and this morning they are
piled in an indescribable mass and
packed in against the breakwater and
several valuable boats stored away in
them are known to be lost. The houses
were supposed to be in danger on
Tuesday afternoon, but they had stood
so long against similar storms that the
owners of the boats in them thought
they would still hold their foundations
and made no efforts to save their,
property.
About nine o'clock last night the
storm broke in all it's fury and great
waves over thirty feet in height were
driven in from the lake. These came
down upon the boat houses, and their
meagre foundations we're unable to
withstand the shock, and rolling over
and over they were thrown to the
mercy of the waves. The report that
they we're going out in the lake was
soon spread about town, and some of
the owners of the boats rushed to the
beachto save the boats in them. As
far as can be learned the boats be-
longed to Griffin Nc Clellan, L. M.
Theirs, E. P. Chalfant, G. G. Brown,
2. G.. Simmons, Jr., and Nathan Allen.
A large crowd gathered last night
and every effort was made to save the
boats, but this morning only two of
them are piled high and dry upon the
beach. Four other boats were taken
out last night after great fight with
the waves, which dashed over the men
going to the rescue. The boats be-
longing to Messrs. Brown and Simmons
were still in one of the boat houses, and
were being rapidly dashed to pieces,
but Mr.. Browns boat was taken out
unframed from the rubbish this after
noon.
While these boat houses we're not
valued at more than $500, they have
done service for many years and they
will be greatly missed.
The damage to the Calkins break
water south of the pier is considerable,
and it may be found necessary to re-
build it from the ground up. Other
breakwaters in this vicinity are said
to be BADLY broken, and will need 2,
great deal of repairing before they will
be in condition for proper protection
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