The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-18
OTTAGERS IN
PERIL WHEN CUT
OFF BY THE SEA

Wilmington. N c.. Sept. ls..-For eight
hours yesterday more than 200 men. WON
en- and children were imprisoned or
Wrightsville beach. a summer resort nine
miles east of here, with surf racing across
the narrow strip OF sand and rock and the
wind blowing a gale.
Escape To the main land was cut off.
and had IL not been for the heroism OF
members OF the life saving crew. who put
off In boats through a raging sea, death
would probably have taken heavy toll.
However. the list of the Crrenched, shiv-
ering crowd was landed at dark last
night
Several OF the women were hysterical
and some OF the children, IL is feared are
In serious condition by reason OF the
exposure.
Exhibitions OF heroism we're not con
fined alone 10 the life savers, for the
crews of the trolley cars that dashed out
across the shaking trestle 20 the island
and rescued many before the structure
fell are accorded high praise. In addition
20 the trestle the hotel and many cot
tages are heavily damaged by the waves
that swept the resort and the damage
will be heavy
The storm came without warning. and
hundreds OF cottaRers at the beach re-
ceived their first intmation OF danger
upon awakening yesterday morning 20
lind breakers sweeping clear across the
beach 10 the sound, and rolling high up
on the mainland, two miles beyond.
A trolley ear, kept at the beach I'm case
. OF emergency, took about % early risers
across the sound on the trestle. and four
other cars responded from the city TO a
telephone message and brought others
across, while the waves swept the tres
tie. Those left at the beach were afraid
20 cross the trestle. which gave way inn
mediately after the last car reached the
mainland.
The storm increased I'm fury until noon.
AS soon as II abated somewhat. rescue
work was begun Surf boats were sent
across the channel at great risk bringing
first the women and children, and later
the men. the last OF the number being
rescued at dusk.
Sheriff Frank II Stedman was among
those caught at the beach, and at once
swore in a number OF deputies who
closed the bar rooms and organized pa
trols last night 10 prevent looting.
At Carolina Beach. further down the
mainland, there was some damage &c
cottages, but the residents had left there
the day before on notice OF falling ba-
rometer.
AT Southport. ar the mouth OF the Cape
Fear river, the harbor craft had mar
row escape from the storm, several OF
the passenger boats being slightly dam
aged.
At Old Brunswick, between Whining
ton and Southport, the fishing steamer
Atlantic was blown broadside ashore on
the bank The Clyde liner Navahoe. due
here at o'clock yesterday morning. had
not arrived at 5 o'clock hast night She
probably encountered the gaIe OFT t1Its
coast and put TO sea 10 escape It's fury.
Tho storm, which Is supposed to have
originated Just north OF Cuba, blew 20
miles an hour for time.
et Johns. n. F.. Sept l7.-Besides IL
schooners wrecked at Belle Isle recently
by storms, seven with over 100 persons
on board were driven ashore on the Lab
rador coast -Four fatalities only are re-
ported thus far.
More than 250 castaways are now
awaiting the arrival Of a government
steamer 10 convey them home