The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-08-21
The STORM At MOBILE.
Great Damage Done, But Full Re-
ports Not Vet Obtained.

Mobile, Ala, Aug. 16.-The tropi-
cal storm which came up out OF the
south Wednesday and increased n
force during the day following is be-
lieved to have been severest in the Vi
cinity of Mobile. Here the wind blew
at the rate of 10 miles an hour for
some time. Various reports OF the
drowning of men in the bay have
reached here, but it is impossible to
confirm them owing to the complete
demolition Of all means of communlca-
tion.
The pleasure yacht Ariel, bound for
Fish river with a party Of NOBLE peo-
pie on board, is reported to have
pounded to pieces on the wharf at
Battles, on the eastern shore OF the
bay. Nothing has been heard OF the
crew.
The pleasure yacht Mayhower Of
this city with a party of prominent
people on board reported lost this
morning has been heard from. All on
board found refuge ON Cat island, but
the boat was wrecked.
Nothing has been heard from Fort
Morgan tonight. Two companies OF
coast artillery are stationed here:
The barracks undoubtedly received
the full force of the blow.
No communication can be had with
any of the islands in Mississippi
sound, just outside the bar, 40 miles
below here. Any news concerning the
fate of the islands must come by boat.
and this is anxiously awaited.
The fruit steamer Harold, from
Puerto Cortez, arrived in late tonight.
She reports speaking a two-masted
schooner IS miles southeast OF this
port totally dismantled. The captain
of the schooner declined assistance.
Logging camps and mill manufac-
turers have suffered considerable loss
bv the breaking of booms. Saw logs
and squared timber drifted into Mobile
all day, much of it coming up on
ROYAL street, three blocks from the
water front. The Dixie saw mill and
the mill of Heironymus Brothers,
located at Magazine point, were bad
ly damaged, parts of the plants being
blown away. No estimate of the dam
age in Mobile is possible at this time.
The gulf storm which began with
wind and rain Wednesday reached its
severest force about 5 O'Clock Thurs
day, the maximum velocity being 81
miles an hour. Considerable damage
was done in Mobile in the way of up
roofing trees, unroofng houses; and
topping chimneys. A falling wall
demolished the rear end of Chas. Mohr
& Sons drug store, 16l Duphln street;
badly damaging his stock. The Hood
water was backed by the southest gale
over the cotton wharf, and Front.
Commerce, Water and part of Royal
streets for several blocks north Of st.
Anthony were covered.
The water was Is inches deep IL the
cotton exchange, and both the Vest
ern Union and Postal Office were food
ed. The power house Of the electric
railway was flooded and electric car
service was shut down after 3 O'Clock.
All business in the wholesale district
was suspended. Care has been taken
to elevate lower floor upon temporary
platforms and the grocers suffered
little loss.
The grain men were caught to some
extent. Owners of cement lost 1,2OO
barrels
The tracks of the Louisville and
Nashville, Southern, and Mobile and
Ohio pass through Commerce street
and were under water, traffic of course
being entirely stopped. The Mobile
and Ohio is operating trains from
Whistler, 10 miles out, and the Louis
vile and Nashville received one train
during the afternoon at Magazine
point. from the north. No afternoon
and night trains came over that road
from the south, and none is expecred
tonight.