The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-04-27
RIeoLETs BRIDGE NEAR NEW
ORLEANS, OUT OF CON-
MISSION.
HARD BLOW ON THE GULF COAST
Wharves And Docks Suffer When
Vessels Are Swept ln-can-
not Reach Bridge.

New Orleans, April 27.--The storm of |
wind and rain which swept in from |
the sea yesterday and passed over a
large part of the southern coast
worked havoc with the railroads, and
while doing serious damage to the
tracks of the Louisville and Nashville
road and the Illinois Central road, put
the former line practically out of busi-
ness for nearly twelve hours, and seri-
2ousfy disturbed the schedule of the
latter company.
The trouble with the Louisville and
Nashville's service lay at the bridge,
which is being rebuilt according to
the orders of the War Department,
over the Rigolets, twenty-nine miles
from the city. In the midst of the
storm, while the wind was shrieking
like legion of devils and the waters
of the gulf rose and Kissed in fury,
throwing clouds of spray over the
tracks and appearing a solid, waving
wall of doom, the southbound train
spun along through the teeth of the
gale to the city. But that was the
last train of the day to risk the steel
arm over the raging gulf, and Super
intendent Charles Marshall, who was
on the scene, ordered traffic stopped.
The New York train was held up on
the other side of the Rigolets, as were
the other through trains from the
North, while the coast trains did not
even begin their regular daily runs
q between Mobile and New Orleans.
Information as to just what had hap
ened to the bridge was hard to gel
in the local office of the Louisville and
Nashville. The wires to the Rigolets
were down for time, but the damage
was soon repaired, but communication
was not established with the section
on the other side of the bridge.
1t is said that the terrific wind threw
the waters of the gulf like small
tidal wave against the unprotected
coast, and the churning waves in many
places were tapping and washing thu
tracks. But as far as could be learned
no real serious damage was done th'
tracks and the only harm Of an alarm
ing nature occurred at the Rigolet
bridge.
Division Passenger Agent j. Keml
Ridgeley was burning the wires all da.
in an endeavor to get news, and be
tween times Mr. Ridgely and his fore
of assistants were answering inquire
as to when trains were to leave o
come in.
- When the information obtaine'
Seemed to indicate that the damage re
sulting from the storm would be ser
GUS enough to call for extensive re
pairs to the bridge, and possibly to tn
tracks on the gulf coast, Mr.. Ridgel
cancelled the excursions which wer
to have been run from this city t
Mobile and Pensacola today. The e.
cursions would have proven most pol
ular, and there was considerable di'
appointment expressed when City Pa
senger Agent Ernest Runte tried hi
hand at sign painting and placed tn
announcement on cardboard, that tn
excursions would not take place a
& advertised.
When it was figured out that ther
was no chance of either running OF
trains or getting them in over th
Louisville and Nashville railroad, tn
officials of the company entered int
negotiations with the officials of tn
Hew Orleans and Northeastern for tn
Nuse Of their tracks
The New Orleans and Northeaster
tracks were in good shape and th
company readily consented to ASST
the Louisville and Nashville in the di
ficulty. AS result of the arrang
ments made, both night trains left 9
regular time from The Louisville ar
Nashville depot last night. No. 3s, I'll
New York and New Orleans limite
went out at 8, and No. 2, the Cincinna
Express, left an hour later. The trair
connected with the New Orleans an
Northeastern tracks in the rear |