Daily Kennebec journal., 1916-09-29
Great September Gale Took Place 101
Years Ago

Since the settlement of America this
country has been visited by great
many severe storms. but none reached
the extent of the great September gale
Of 1915. 1t was a most remarkable hur-
ricane and especially in it's suddenness.
severity and power. 1t took place on
September %. and prevailed throughout
all New England.
1t was ushered in by severe rain
storm which lasted "A hours. Early in
the morning Of the 23d the wind shifted
to the east. and began to blow in gusts.
1t continued to change toward the south
and to increase in violence while the
rain abated. Between and 10 o'clock
in the morning it began to excite alarm
Chimneys and trees were blown over.
During the storm the air had pecu-
liar appearance. 1t was considerably
darkened by the excessive agitation and
was filled with the leaves of trees and
other light substances, which were
raised to a great height and whirled
about in eddies.
Spray Rose 100 Feet
The rivers ragged and foamed and the
spray was raised to a height of so or
100 feet in the foam of thin white
clouds. which were drifted along in
kind of wavelke form like snow in
violent snowstorm 1t was impossible
for man to stand up-even the stout
est-in place exposed to the full force
of the wind. The pressure was like that
of rapid current Of water. Pedestri-
ans could, with great difficulty hear each
other speak at a distance Of or 8 yards
The most calamitous destruction be-
fell the trees. Orchards and forests ex-
hibited scene of desolation the like of
which had never before, or since been
seen to the same extent in this country.
All the roads of New England were made
practically impossible with trees and
other debris.
Almost all Of the large and beautiful
trees in Boston mall and in other pub
lie parks. some Of which measured from
to II feet in circumference, were torn
up by the roots and prostrated. In the
town Of Dorchester Of only 5000 inhabi-
tants. II houses were unroofed, so Chin
neys blown down and about 40 barns de-
molished.
Rhode Island felt the full force of the
remarkable gale. Providence suffered to
the amount of millions Of dollars. ac
companied with a fearful loss Of life.
as in other places. The wind was so
strong in the harbor that vessels were
actually driven over the wharves and
through the streets.
Fell of Cape Hatteras
The gale was also severely felt off
Cape Hatteras. in the, gulf stream, off
the capes of Delaware, at Sandy Hook,
Nantucket Shoals and Cape Ann. A suf-
focating current of air, as from a hot
bath. accompanied the middle stage of
the tempest. Flocks Of gulls from the
far-off ocean were seen after the storm
hundreds of miles inland throughou.
New England. 1t is universally admit
ted that there Is no account Of a storm
or gale in all respects so remarkable in
Its phenomena as this to be found in the
history Of the United States. Other
hurricanes there have been laying waste
whatever came in their way, but they
have been comparatively limited in thei,.
extent and destructiveness The center
or the limits of this great and memo
rable tempest scientific investigations
We're unable to determine The sea had
washed to such an extent inland that in
multitudes Of instances the salttness Of
wells and watering places continued un-
abated FOR six months. or until the end
OF the following March. For so years
after its occurrence the great September
gale was always mentioned with a shud
der by the New glanders.-Washing-
ton Post.