Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-02-23
ST0RM-AT TIE BREAKWATER
1t Fully Equalled the Famous
Blizzard OF 1888. l
FOUR ENGINES BURIED BY SNOW
A Boat Wedged In Ice Drifts
Out to Sea.


Lewes, Feb. 17.---In the memory OF
the Oldest inhabitant Lewes has not
been visited with such blockade OF
snow as we now have. The late fall of
snow began ON Saturday night last at
7o'olock and continued without inter
mission until Monday night at
O'Clock. On Monday it was accom-
panied with a severe blizzard, nearly
equal in intensity to the celebrated
March blizzard of 1888. Tuesday morn
ing streets were blockaded 80 that
travel for pedestrians or teams was
almost impossible. The town fathers
put on a large gang of men and teams
and opened the streets for wagons by
Wednesday evening. Snow banks on
the principal streets were in some
places to 10 feet high.
Wednesday afternoon Rehoboth resi-
dents gathered up all the animals and
wagons obtainable and partially broke
the roads through to Lewes.
Benevolent citizens organized on
Tuesday and searched out persons who
were destitute of fuel and food and
arranged to supply their immediate
wants. Others looked after their
neighbors and none were left in suffer-
ing condition. aa
Snow banks were so eheavy near
Nassau, three miles north of Lewes,
that four engines were blocked from
Sunday evening until Thursday morn
ing at 3 O'Clock. No MAIDS were sent
or received from Saturday night to
Thursday morning. 81
Seaward the situation was no better.
Since last Friday morning the Break
water harbor was sealed up and until
Wednesday not any water was seen
above the iron pier. Suffering and
probably loss of life has happened to
many. judging from reports coming
from crews in the ice up the bay.
The steam pilotboat Philadelphia and
Tender H. F. Edwards secured safe
mooring at the iron pier on Sunday
and the Philadelphia only with diff
Guilty was able to break through the
heavy ice on Tuesday night and sup
piled pilots to vessels.
Several of the large line steamers
arrived off the Capes and only one, the
Waesland, proceeded up the bay.
Provisions to vessels which were
short were taken aboard several tugs
from the iron pier Or on the ice.
Several schooners were carried ashore
in the vicinity Of the Breakwater or
Cape. The ice will continue solid
until warm rain from the south and
east prevails.
Philadelphia city iceboat No. came
through to the Breakwater Wednesday
night and will cut a channel for de-
tanned vessels, through the bay and
river.
The ice damaged +. G. Maull's land
ing pier and broke about 600 feet Of
the Luce pier, now owned by the
American Fisheries Co., including
their conyeyor- building on the shore
end of the pier, causing q loss OF
several hundred dollars. II is feared
more damage will be done the piers
when the ice moves off.
The New Jersey oyster policeboat
States Rights got fast in ice foes on
Thursday evening last off Maurice River
cove and drifted to sea completely
wedged in and unmanageabie. The
crew. Of four men were rescued in OK
hausted condition from cold and ex-
posure Is miles southeast of the Capes
on Tuesday morning at 2 O'Clock and
landed by Capt. Robinson Of the tug
Catawissa. Capt. Boyle and crew are
very grateful TO Capt. Robinson for
humane treatment. s..
The Telegraph wires were working
we'll during the four days of non
movement of trains.