The Sentinel=record., 1915-04-04

Norfolk, Va, April 3.--The German auxiliary cruiser Prinz Eitel Fried rich had made no attempt to leave Newport News for her expected dash to sea up to II o'clock tonight. ac- cording to late reports received here from Newport News.
 A large number of the Eiters crew enjoyed shore leave today. Accom- panied by on-commissioned officers from Fortress Monroe, they wit messed a moving picture performance in Newport News this afternoon. So far as could be learned there were mo indications that the Eitel was prepar- ing 10 depart tonight
 There was practically no wire com munication between this city and Newport News today because of a storm, and it was impossible to ob- tain any news of the Eiteps situation until late tonight.
 No British merchant vessels had cleared from this port since late Fri. day. sO far as the official records show, and there was considerable speculation as to whether the Etel would take advantage of this and make a dash for sea.
 No authoritative confirmation could be obtained of reports that the German commerce raider had in. termed
 Unyerified reports reached here 10. night that several British warships off Cape Henry had been damaged by the storm during last night and were preparing to go 10 Halifax for repairs
 With all means of communication cut throughout the day it has been impossible to ascertain what damage if any was suffered by shipping There was practically no wire com. manifestation from Newport News since early morning. It also has been impossible to communicate with other nearby points, and it is feared here that considerable damage was caused by the storm, which continued many hours, the high wind being ac. companied by a heavy fall of snow and sleet
 All through the day Norfolk and vicinity were isolated from the out side world and it was not until 6 o'clock tonight that the Western Union established communication on single wire from Norfolk to Ricl- mond and from Richmond to Atlanta. This was the only wire in operation in eastern and central Virginia.
 No trains arrived here today Ra'l. road officials reported they were un- able to give any information regard ing them until wire communication was restored
 Virtually all business in Norfol; was suspended today. In many of the streets small boats were used as the only means of traffic and launches conveyed residents across City Hall avenue one of the principal streets of the city. There were indi- cations that the tide was receding early tonight
 The storm struck this section about l0 o'clock Friday night, increasing in intensity with every hour. At Vir. ginia Beach it's velocity at one time was reported at a miles an hour. About midnight the wind at Norfolk was blowing 63 miles an hour. Snow and sleet began falling and early in the morning a high tide was sweep ing into the business center Of this city. Telegraph aand telephone poles were blown down and all wires pros. trated before daylight.
 The storm is declared here to have been the worst experienced in Nor. folk since 1887. The tide, it is said, has been higher and the winds velocity greater than in 2S years.
 Two unidentified schooners are re- ported ashore near Lynn Haven bay,