The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-05
A Fierce Storm Sweeps Across
Part of New England.
Excursion Steamer Caught in
Its Course is Sunk.
SIX PEOPLE DROWNED
The Vessel Sank in I5 Feet of
Water.
20 Cottages Blown Down at
Hampton Beach.

Beverly Mass July 6.-The SmalI
excursion steamer Surf City, with about
so passengers ON board. while half way
over from Salem Willows to her wharf
here, a distance of about two miles. was
struck by a terrific squat about 6
o'clock last night and capsized. OF
those on board a large majority are be
lieved to have been rescued by boats
from Salem and Beverly shores, but no
less than six bodies had been recovered
at dark, and as 1t is known that many
rushed into the cabin before the squaIl
it is thought that twice as many bodies
are still confined there. AS one or two
of those taken ashore are in a critical
condition, 1T appears likely that the list
of dead may reach a score. The follow
ing bodies were recovered from the
wreck:
Mrs. Catherine D. Weber, 25 years
Miss Grace Smell, 13 years old, daugh-
ter of Arthur Smell, of Beverly.
Three year old son of John Kenny of
Beverly.
Two unidentified women.
One unidentified six year old boy.
OF those rescued: Miss Bertha LoVett
OF North Beverly; Hazel Jersey, one
year old, of Beverly; Miss Emerson of
Danvers, and an unknown two year old
girl are still in a critical condition. Otto
Carts, the fireman, was badly Scalded.
4 lie VESSEL udu just IGdCnEQ beverly
Beach, when the storm struck, and at
the same time a lightning bolt struck
the beacon at the end Of the bar.
Amid the terrific din of thunder which
followed the lightning flashes and the
fearful WhirlWind, the little steamer
careened over to starboard and went
down, all so suddenly that even the
commander had the greatest difficulty
in getting out of the boat. The boat
sank in about Is feet of water. Her
hurricane deck was lOosened in the gale
and all those on board were either
thrown into the water or struggled des-
perately to get from under the decks
or out of the cabin.
The steamer was seen to go down by
persons on both sides of the bay and
boats Immediately put out to the wreck
reaching her in a few minutes. Those
in the water were quickly hauled
aboard and with the living were drawn
into the boat a number of dead, includ-
ing the bodies of two children.
The scene while the work Of rescue
was going on was a fearful one as over
half of those on board were women,
and their screams could be heard for
miles. Many chung to the top of the
hurricane deck and supported them
grasped the flagstaff and even the
SmOkestack.
Tornado at Hampton Beach.
Hampton, N H, July 5.-A tornado
struck a section of Hampton Beach
yesterday evening, causing immense
damage to beach property, and great
loss of life. Cottages were blown fiat,
horses were picked up bodily and dash
ed against buildings, vehicles carried
many feet, barns unrOofed, large trees
snapped off at their roots while others
were torn UP bodily. The tornado
touched the beach at a place about half
a mile north of Whittiers hotel and
cut a swath 100 yards wide in a Wester-
ly direction, moving in rotary shape
until it passed out to south. Twenty
and
small hotels completely wrecked. The
greatest loss of life and injury came
with the demolition of the old skating
rink, near LeaVitteS, a single story
structure of wood, 500 by 100 feet in size.
Here from rs to 125 persons were ser
iOusly injured, an unknown number
slightly injured and seven persons are
already dead.
A yacht owned by Captain Frank
Mudd of this place was sailing off the
beach and was in the path of the storm.
In it were nine persons and OF these
five were drowned.
The drowned:
WALTER, GERTRUDE and RALPH
HODGESON. Kensington, n. II.
MRS. w H PARKER, Kensington.
CAPTAIN MUDD, Hampton.
The others in the boat were: Alfred
Scott, John Lambeck, William K.
Barker and daughter, all of Kensing-
ton. All Of these are believed to have
been saved
The list of dead on Shore as compiled
at O'Clock was as follows:
MORA, an actress of New York, who
was playing in a piece entitled THE
Blowing Up of the Maine"
MISS NJ A. PRESCOTT, Exeter.
SAMUEL CAMELL, Exeter.
WILLIAM KARLSON, Exeter.
Among those believed to be fatally
injured in the pavilion were:
Miss O. D. Pressey, Haverhiu, Mass,
fractured skull.
J. F. Pennington, Exeter.
RaFDaF Exeter. N. internal
Karison was taken out dead, but
Mora, the actress. was alive when found
and died shortly afterwards.