The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-25

Special Correspondence OF the Post-Intel-
ligencer. via Steamship Roanoke.
NOME. Alaska. Sept. 1.-THE sea has
risen In its might and set Nome,s watsr
front awash with wreckage. Between
o'clock Wednesday afternoon and the
same hour yesterday morning property
worth between half and three-dusrters
OF million dollars has been destroyed
Hundreds OF people have been rendered
homeless by one prolonged furious attack
OF the storm king. che mighty lnroads
of the surf have entirely oblIteratei tre
street next the water front and crashed
back the buildings that lined IL in a
pitiful heap of debris Dripping, OIL
s'.inned groups Of men have been work
ing since the first peep OF day among the
wreckage. while on .he verge of Il be-
draggled women and children survey the
desolation Of what was once home.
Nome's first great catastrophe has
come by fiood--wiil the next be by fire?
The loss OF life. so far as known, is
remarkably small Not more than half
dozen deaths are reported. The Islam.
largest of the tug fleet operated here by
G. ID. Lanes company. sank with its
crew of three; the launch America went
down with Capt Madison and one other;
another death was that of Andrew A.
Ryan. OF Los Angeles. in the rushing
current OF Snake river This much for
the climax Of the blow. But two CIR
three days before when the surf was
experimenting and working itself IN for
the grand paroxysm. three or four care
less boatmen met death in the surf.
Seas swept Unhindered.
In order TO understand the situation
here, the reader In Seattle must picture
a bleak. barren stretch OF shore where
the winds are free TO sweep unhindered
Nome is a long. Irregular patch on this
wind-inviting area. a third ot II divided
of by the Snake river. which comes int,
the ocean with vast bend t,at forms
a spit TO the westward OF Na,ae proper
Bridges crossing the river ioIn the spit
10 the more populous part nf Nome
Many have been induced TO build on the
spit attracted by its apparent elevation.
dryness and solid foundation. Their rest
esldence was taken up in the face q
warnings by all whose experience In here
iast season had taught them the might
Of the ocean.
n
Of 20 miles an hour or more. had wrought
upon the waves for a few hours. It had
them running mountain high. The blow
was directly inshore and drove and
pounded the huge bulks OF water against
the beach, each succeeding reach Of the
surf being farther up untiI the spit was
entirely crossed and the skirmlsh line OF
the sea was attacking and hacking up
the less furious waters Of Snake river.
In the general melee of waters, build
ings and tents-restaurants. saloons.
stores lodging houses ana private homes.
we're swept hither and thiiher. crashing
together. tearing. tumhling unin A con.
giomerpte mass % splinterea tinihers
torn canvas, broken machinery and
ruined stores and household supplies
wac the result The spit was entirely
inundated and the backing up a. tho
river carried destruction 70 the many
buildings on its banks.
To The eastward. or along the face ~
Nome as II has been built up this sea-
son. the surf did an equal amour, Of
damage without the ald % the river.
lighters anJ small boats came riding IN
on the cTcsts of the waves like batter
AtN FAtfiN ana NiAEtliiftrl NWNN suEh
warehouses. laundries. bath houses. etc.
as had been built nsar the edge % the
shore. carrying oat with the undeftow
thousands - dollars worth ~ ismber.
coal and sacs other stun as had not
hcea moved beyond reach.
York and Skeokaus Cone Ashore.
The arst slogan cf tac Force storm 20
suited vita ihe coming ashore 90 the
Alaska Commercial Compauys barge
Vars which was heavily ia8en with win
ter rrov'slors This occurred about
lM o'elaek "Wednesday afternoon. whsr
thc lighter wac east upon tire beach the
company cent scouts ig an directions tc
hirc mea 90 save what careo they could
s hundred rnen worked sar aa ho4r ~
two removing the YorSs carEs ara -hea
had te cease thelr EFFORTS oa account %
tae fast s.sius s2rf an1 wind
~ 1D oeleek tbr seatasastf7 vas pip.-
ing a galc and the mammoth Sarge skoo-
turn. prop1esf and staunchest 90 a1 tho
slarms-tosssd Beet. Rftfr battling ,se
ssason's slemsnts. dragscd her anchors
laa started en- she Journey towards ths
beach and destruction. After she 81 so-
kuu had dragsed an hour or so the utslo
tug America AND steam lauagh which