The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-17

BY HAIL STORM
The Icy Bullets Fell Yes.
terday and Caused
Some Damage.

Wilmington was bombsrded by hail
storm yesterday afternoon which damaged
green houses. hats and umbrellas to the
extent of several hundred dollars The
engagement was brief. but stirring.
The onslaught Of the elements began
about 4 o'clock Great banks Of black and
purple clouds that had been slowly form
ing In the West began to throw out skirm.
ish lines Of greenish mist These came
up rapidly on the breast Of d fresh coming
wind, pierced here and there by sharp
flashes Of lightning. In few minutes Q
crash of thunder told Of the opening Of
the invadert artillery and then the
storm burst. For few minutes the
air was white with hailstones that beat
tiercsly upon houses and streets while rain
poured In torrents, Then the clouds that
were pelting the city with Icy bullets pass.
cd quickly on, followed by relays Of other
clouds that let down intermittent foods
Of water. while fierce flashes of ::liQhtning
and heavy crashing Of thunder told Of the
warfare Of the clements.
Tho rain fell until 8 80 o'clock and the
tsmpertsture was lowered considerably by
it. At . o'clock tine temperature registered
81 degrees, al Q O'Clock 1t had fallen to GO
degrees. The NAHUM velocity Of the
wind was fourteen miles an hour.
For while in the ship yards the storm
WAC way ooNOiCi ihuhibB ~ ihPOooADiO w
work. On the river the storm was also
severe Crews were made to face 1t place
ing extra fastenings where the vessels were
most exposed. Shovel fulls of hail were
taken up from the decks.
1t Is thought the hull storm may cause
damage to the peach crop as it reached
into tho lower part of the State. At Lewes
II was reported to be the heaviest storm Of
the season.
AS the storm went south in New Castle
county the hail stones grew larger. The
reports from Newport and vicinity are
7 that the stones were as large as hickory
nuts At Farnhurst they were larger than
in this city. There $50 panes OF glass
were broken. Cattle in the fields were
badly frightened and rushed about trying
to find some kind of shelter
Many persons are convinced that more
rain has fallen during the first half of the
present month than during like period
Of time in recent years. This is a mistake.
May 1897 was equally damp and disagree
able according to the records Of the United
States weather observer. This years
storms have been due to peculiar atiAos-
pheric conditions caused by storms NOV
ing northward from the Gulf Of Mexico,
laden with moisture, and by the struggle
OF spring to break and throw off the grip
of winter.
The most IN emorab BILE hail and rain storm
ofrecent years assaulted Wilmington, on
July 80, 1897, when windows and green
houses were smashed III all parts Of the
city, houses were flooded and o general
panic ensued. Some of the hailstones
picked up i'll the streets were twice as
large as marbles.
DOWN THE STATE.
Milford, Del, May 16.-During a storm
this evening lightning struck the Central
Hotel, tearing the roof, burning out the
electric plant and doing other damage.
Hail as big as walnuts fell.
0Newark, Del, May l6.-A severe hail
saorm OF short duration passed over this
section this afternoon about o'clock. The
stones were fully as large as marbles. A
few panes Of glass were broken in this
town. The hot houses at the college suf-
fered the most.
The report reached here the storm was
more severe north Of town. Tho watch
tower on the B. & o. railroad at Harmony
had all the windows facing west broken.
The hail stones were large and damage
was done to fruit trees.