Evening journal., 1904-11-14
Wind Played Havoc With
the Wires and Cut Off
Communication
AGROUND IN RIVER
Lost On the Sea.
Greatest Damage Reported
in New York City

Damage from the storm, which ragged
throughout yesterday and last night was
principally TO telegraph and telephone
wires. This morning wilmington was par
TALLY cut Off from the outside world as
the wires were still down. other
than this and the discomfort OF the storm
the city was not damaged.
The storm started yesterday morning
about o o'clock, with a heavy down pour
Of rain. This turned into snow at noon.
From then until late last night the sleet
and snow driven by "a wind Of almost
cyclonc velocity continued The torrents
Of rain coming down before the snow had
saturated the earth and as fast as tho
snow fen It melted or turned into a slush
that made walking a torture.
Few People on Streets.
only those who absolutely were forced
10 be out vontured against the storm.
Less people were on the streets than in
any day FOR several years. The pcrslstency
Of the storm reminded one Of midi
winter day. II the ground had been dry
when the snow began IL would have
reached depth Of eight inches.
Severe on the Water.
on the water the storm was particularly
severe. All craft had TO be navigated with
utmost care.
Tho American Line steamship Merton.
] f..tr
several miles the other side OF Chester
some time last night or curly this MORN
ing. There being NO hope Of iioating her
at present tho company has scnt the river
boat Columbia from Philadelphia TO take
on the passengers and take them to that
city.
10 is not known II the Merton. which Is
a new vessel. tho largest Of the American
Line ships, plying between Liverpool and
| Phil ldelphia Is seriously damaged. She
may have gone ashore in tho mud without
iniuring her bottom or hun to any degree.
IL Is possible. however, that she may
have struck against a shoal and sprung
her plates or rammed hole somewhere
below the water line.
The Merton passed in at the Breakwater
early yesterday morning. She had TO
! NtttiH pump IN the race OF the gaze ana
found the going more than dificult She
passed Reedy leland sometime before
noon, but the storm had grown so menac-
ing that an anchorage was sought OF
Chester.
The big vessel swung there during the
night riding out the gale without dis
comfort 20 the passengers, who were
greatly disappointed at not arriving home
on time. Il is understood that many wish
ed to be put ashore at Chester but this
the authorities could not allow.
Some time early this morning or dur
ing the night the Merton resumed her
journey. After leaving Chester behind, tho
vessel poked her nose in the mud and
went aground. First aid attempts falling
to float her, news Of the mishap was tele-
graphed to the company's ofices I'M
Philadelphia. 1t was agreed TO send down
the Columbia TO bring of the inpatient
passengers.
Trains Were Late.
Travel on railroads and trolley roads
was also seriously interfered with Trains
from the West and South yesterday ran
almost two hours late on account Of the
storm and trolley cars experienced con-
siderable difficulty in starting and stop
ping on the slippery rails.
I The wet snow and sleet clinging to
% the telegraph and telephone wires caused