The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1903-09-25
THE STORM AT ATLANTIC CITY.

| special Correspondence of The 4l$gis.
While there has been much written con.
corning the recent fearful storm at Atlantic
| City, yet it is doubtful if anyone realized the
true situation except those who were actually
| on the spot The velocity of the wind was
enough to strike terror to every one. Noone
knew what the end would be. Very little
comfort was assured by the residents as they
that the result might be tidal wave at
| almost any moment. The reason that the
| water did not rise higher than it did was
| from the peculiar fact that the wind seemed
| to be blowing in contrary directions at once
| The result was vast sea dashed into a foam
almost as white as the SHOWS of winter. The
furies were first felt about six O'Clock in the
morning when sleeping occupants were
aroused from their rocking beds. a glance
told the true situation, and it is doubtful If
rising bells were necessity at any of the
hotels or boarding houses that morning.
The wind gauge at the weather bureau was
broken. but it is supposed that the velocity
was about one hundred miles per hour. How
SO many buildings stood the repeated on
saughts is hard to understand. AS it was,
many were unroofed and windows smashed
without number. The plate glass windows
in the shops along the entire Boardwalk were
broken and valuable goods, including jewelry
and other articles, were scattered in
fusion everywhere. Willing hands aided the
unfortunate owners in trying to regain their
missing property, but as matter of course
much of was forever gone.
At nine O'Clock the rain ceased falling and
nasty dctour of the place showed the
ravages of the wind which had not yet
diminished in velocity. The greatest danger
was experienced from flying bricks, broken
pieces of glass and slate. Signs were falling
every moment and the streets were a mass of
wrecked telephone and electric light poles and
wires. One of the unroofed buildings was an
eight-story apartment house covered with
slate. At one fell stroke this immense weight
was lifted as lightly as feather, and fell in
the street below, carrying with it thousands
of bricks. The greatest danger. to be feared
was that fire would break out and as the
place is composed largely of frame buildings.
a serious contiagration would have been un-
avoidable. Fortunately only one small blaze
occurred and 1t was soon placed under con-
troll.
The ain again commenced falling and con-
tinued until about noon when the skies some
what cleared. The crowd then made its APP
pearancc, and the boardwalk was alive with
people, although even then the wind was
blowing at least fifty miles an hour, which is
about the same rate experience in
Hartford during our most violent storms.
The boardwalk was jammcd with sight
seers and workmen were busy removing
the debris. One bath house pavilion had
fallen completely across, blocking the walk
but narrow pathway was soon effected
through which there was aconst ant jam. In
front of Young's Pier peculiar current of
air was formed, which for while seemed to
be n veritable barrier, especially for those of
the fair The wind was no respecter of
persons and silk lingerie mingled with white
muslin in the most reckless manner. Every
one seemed to take the situation in good
natured way, and while it was not pleasant,
the visitors felt that they were experiencing
an episode, a repetition of which would prob
ably never again occur. The surf was fright
full. but some were foolhardy enough to
venture in. The life guards were unusually
vgilant and compelled those wearing bathing
suits to keep well in shore. Strange to say
in all of the vast experience that met the
visitors, no lives were lost and no one was
seriously hurt. Nevertheless much incon- |
venience was suffered especially by those Who |
were unfortunate enough to be stopping at |
the damaged hotels. The roof of the Kenil |
worth Inn, where the writer was stopping |
was one of the early victims of the Storm |
and although workmen attempted to repair |
the damage at once, yet the soaking rains of |
Thursday night made sleeping almost an i'm |
possibility on account ofthc insiduous water |
which seemed to creep in almost every corner. |
The clothing of many persons was damaged |
and the hotel corridors during the night rep
resented weird procession of half clothed |
guests who were seeking quarters not so
damp"
Taking all in all, it was an awe inspiring |
scene-onc never to be forgotten. The help |
lessness of the individual was easily realized |
and there vcritably was no place where safety |
could be sought. The feeling might be COM
Pompeii at the time of the fearful eruption of
Mt. Vesuvius.
The situation however was accepted in a |
manner, and every re-
allied there was nothing to be done except |
to await developments. the time was quietly |
passed in watching the freaks of the wonder
full storm. There excitement, no |
hustle or confusion, although grave faces
could be seen on every side. As soon rail |
road and telegraph communication could be |
established with the outside world, all means |
accommodation were flooded with messages |
I o the anxious ones at home informing them |
that grave dangers had been successfully ell
get the sight. and it is hoped that the readers
of this article will never be called upon to
pass through such a thrilling ordeal as did |
I h,. writer