The sun., 1899-06-21
MARY POWELL HIT HARD.
HER SMOKESTACKS KNOCKED DOTN
BY FURIOUS GALE

Two storms United and struck Her rs She
Was Passing HnvcrstrRw Bay-Alnrm
Among Her Passenger Her Trip Fin
ishrd Under Natural Drnught-A steam
rr Ashore-Damage in Various Places.
PouGHKEErsIE. June 2O-Thc passengers on
the steamer Mary Powell this afternoon. on
her trip up from New York, had thrilling ex-
periencc As the vessel emerged from Haver-
straw Buy two storms. one from the southwest
and the other from the north. met somewhere
In that vicinity and formed n combination
whose violence suggested tornado. Several
PouThkcepsir people, including Mr. and Mrs.
Smith leroy and Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Wing.
were sitting on the main deck after watching
the meteorological display. when they saw
funnel shaped cloud Of dust gather on the west
shore. to which the steamer at that time was
nearest.
With tremendous swftuess the whiring
mass approached the steamer and envcoped 1t.
They felt the hull strain and culver. and the
whole supcrstructure seemed to be moved up
ward In few seconds the storm released its
grasp aud the boat surged downward and ca
rcencd to s'arboard. The smokestack on that
side came down with crash and smashed in
the upper part OF the wheelhouse. After an
interval the other smokestack fell across the
and struck and was held by some Of the iron
braces which had not been torn away.
There was n scene OF wild confusion among
the passengers. The storm brought darkness
with It. and was accompanied by torrents Of
rain. II was feared that at anv moment the
steamer might GO to the bottom The electric
lights were not turned ON for some time. and
this added to the feeling oI uncertainty and
alarm. Cart Anderson came into the cabin
and reassurcd the passengers declaring that
all danger had passed His words had calm
ing effect. and the alertness and sci possess
sion Of the other officers and mem bers Of tho
crew finally restored order
An examination disclosed that the fury OF
weasel. ooseninG some Of the posts supporting
! the upper deck. hut that no serious damage
| had been done save for the wrecking of the
smOkc-tacks. Natural drauRht was success
sumnd her course, making all her landings.
Capt. Anderson said al the POnghkeepse
wharf that the storm was, the worst he had en-
counteied in quarter Of 2 centurys exrer-
"nce. and II Yves the POwells stanchness that
| saved her from more serious damage. He said
! that repairs would he made at once. and that
| the vessels trips would not hc interrupted.
There we're about forty passengers from this
| city on the Powell. All were glad to get safely
| home.
| ON the way up. n steamer believed to he the
| Emene Of Nowburg. was noticed ashore at
| stony Point, md tow was seen to part In
| l!nyerstraw Bay.. Among the messengers was
mer home here. and the Rev. C. ". Fritts ot
| Fishkl Landing. The women on the steamer
! DISPLAYED great courage.
| The Gen. Slocum was passed by the Powell
| going down the river lust before the storm
! burst. She probably escaped IT, The storm
| extended as far north as New Hamburg. where
! gil the Western Union wires were blown down.
| Messages are being sent by the way Of Albany
| and the Harlem