The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-08-14

ney Rain on Tenement Roofs Squat
Upscts Two sloop Yachts In the hay
and Sends Three Bargcs and 500
Frightened Immigrants Adrlft-Pater-
son Loft In Darkness Last Night by
Burning Out or Electric Light Wires.
The city has rarely been so pelted by
lightning as 1t was in the thunderstorm
that began a little before o'clock yester-
day afternoon, Hitting trolley cars was
the speciality Of the lightning. and many
persons were hurt either by the electricity
or In the panics 1t caused. One bolt
stunned yachting party OF eight persons.
killing ono woman. The squall with which
the storm introduced itself upset two small
yachts in the bay and sent 500 immigrants
adrift on barges that broke from their
moorings at Ellis Island.
chain OF thunderstorms extending
from Florida to Massachusetts, made the
Atlantic coast vivid with electrical flashes
= larger part OF the afternoon. Here
aDOuL6 tLlo ClOuu dlSCuuI6ob WCAO VI ti0
triphammer, slashing variety. The light
ming struck low and hit hard. The Weather
Bureau said there was only one storm, but
was willing TO admit that it dripped it, Are
and water on tho instalment plan.
Tho first thunder heard on the official
tower was recorded at 1890 P. NJ. and the
last at +OS p. M. Between these periods
there were several fne sunshine showers
and startling splittings Of the air allow
and aloft. Tho rain came down In sheets
for few minutes between and CLOCK;
when most of the Ia inches measured
by the official gage fell. The loudest re-
ports; and those closest to earth; oams
In The Bronx, where one Of the local official
prophets lives. The wind during the
storm blew chiefly from west and north.
west. In the evening 1t had got around
to the east and was making only about
six miles.
TEN no HOSPITAL FROM THIS CAR.
In wild scramble to get OF Mount
Vernon trolley car that was struck by
lightning at 10th street and Webster ave.
nue. ten persons were hurt badly enough
to be removed to Lebanon Hospital suffer.
ing from shock and bruises. nine-year-
old girl was the most seriously injured,
for 1t is thought that her skull was fractured.
In addition to those taken to the hospital,
most OF whom remained but short time.
Q score OF others were slightly hurt. Every.
49, ak1 n~A khn oh
The car was bound to Mount Vernon.
1t was a 90 foot car and there were nearly
40 men. women and children aboard. Be.
tween some OF the seats there were standees.
The constant opening Of the screens to take
on new passengers had wet the moor and
most OF the seats. When the bolt fell
flames shot out from the foot Of each motor
box, and the next moment the whole car,
including the wet floor and the seats, be-
came charged with electricity. The metal
work Of the car was charged, and persons
who had their hands on metal cried out.
Bernard Clarkin OF 81 Franklin avenue.
New Rochelle, the motorrnan. fell back on
the front seat blinded by the fash from the
motor box. Blue fame shot out from the
bottom Of the box and set fire to his trou-
sers. He dropped the controller quickly
and was only slightly shocked. The car
was going 80 fast that it went on Of it's own
momentum. The motors had burned out.
In the car men fought to hoist the rain
screens and to get of the moving car
Women and children were trampled on.
Men jumped OF without any regard to
where they were jumping or how. SO did
some women.
Nine-year-old Irene jackson Of IA East
ll6th street was sitting in the front seat
with her father and mother. Her father
was pushed from the car and then the child
was pushed out Of her seat. She fell under
the footboard and would have been crushed
II a man directly behind her had not bent
over quickly. grabbed her by tho clothing
and pulled her from under tho car. The
front wheel cut OF some Of her hair and
gave her . couple Of bad gashes In the
head.
Motorman Clarkin put out his burning
trousers before the car had run q block.
Then he put ON the brakes and stopped the
car fifty feet further on. All the way back
TO where the lighting had struck people
were lying In the street. Women and chill
dren we're still In the car crying for help.
All the men had got OF. The persons who
remained in the car were suffering from
shock and fright. Smoke came through
the flooring, but there were no flames.
John Connolly. the conductor, had stuck
to his post and pulled the trolley pole Oh
the feed wire.
Ambulanoes and reserves arrived quickly
and Drs. Bose and Afonow OF the Lebanon
Hospital began work. The ambulanoes
took five to the hospital and the patrol
wagon Ave. The police took the names
OF these sixteen injured:
Irene jackson, probable fracture OF the
skull, scalp wounds and oontusions; Ars.
Theresa Ulhoh, Inwood avenue and ls7th
street, Commissions; Maggie Diets, ~ yeara;
old, same address, and Mary Ulrioh. daush-.'
Ter Il Mn. Ukioh, oontusiopI and shook.
Annie yssss. - yam eh. " Iopgwoed