Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-11-29
Hard Hit By Storm
Continued from Pace Onc) d.

storm had been reported tonight,
both in Rhode Island. An eighteen
year old boy in Woonsooket and a
bakers driver in Pawtucket were
electrocuted when they grasped fall
en- wires.
In Northern New England, the
snowfall was heavy. Portland, Me-.
reported Is 1-2 inches and in parts of
Vermont and New Hampshire from
Is to p inches fell.
The financial loss was estimated
to exceed sl.00o,000. The Edison
Electric Illuminating company, which
serves this city and some of its sub
urbs reported damage to its equip
ment of not more than 100000. The
loss incurred by the New England
Telephone and Telegraph company
was estimated at 100000. The east
ern Massachusetts street railway
company said its damage was consid-
cradle and, with the losses sustained
by the Western Union and Postal
Telegraph companies, and various in
dependent lighting and trolley COM
panies, the toll was great.
UT Trees NSIc CoIlSih-
crably, their branches torn off. The
elms in the Harvard yard also suf-
fered and rare shrubs and plants in
the Arnold Arboretum were broken.
The storm was likened by many to
that in which the Steamship Portland
went down with all hands % years
ego. Its destructive force was
spent largely ashore, instead Of
afoat however
The few marine mishaps were not
believed to be serious. The Pollock
Rip Slue lightship, with IL men
aboard, was torn loose from its
moorings by northeast gale. 1t
was thought she would be able to
anchor safely under the lee of Cape
Cod in Nantucket Sound. A three
masted schooner was in trouble off
Block Island, with the coast guard
cutter Acushnct, heading to her aid
in a heavy rain. The power fisher
men F1iomena of Gloucester, missing
in the storm, came TO port today,
having found shelter in Ipswich Bay.
The cutting off of lighting service
in many communities was decided
upon as a precautionary step be-
cause of the large number of wires
which were dangling. In Woon-
socket, Rhode Island. Salvatore Col
lura was killed when he grasped an
ice-coated wire. In Cambridge,
John Gallagher. nine years Of age.
was badly burned when he stepped
on n live wire. Kerosene lamps and
candles were brought forth in hos
pitfalls. stores and homes to furnish
light tonight.
The ice carried away the main
antenna of the government radio
station at Chelsea, but temporary
repairs enabled its operation to be
continued.
Employees Of street railway COM
panies declared the storm was the
most disastrous in its effect on serv-
ice within memory. The Eastern
Massac Street Railway Com
pany suspended virtually all inter-
urban service north OF Boston. leav
ing only city lines in operation.
Cars. even in the cities. We're run
ming on irregular schedule. The
trouble was due largely. it was eN-
planned, to branches Of trees falling
and carrying away the trolley wires
,. Officials of the State Forestry De-
partment said it would be practi-
cally impossible to save trees from
still further damage if storm con-
ditions continue. Ornamental trees
might in some cases be saved by
props. they said. bu, they added
that it was a delicate job as the
branches were made brittle by the
ice. The storm has destroyed much
of the beauty of ornamental trees
for good. it was asserted.
A plea in behalf of the birds. cut
off from their usual food supply by
the ice coating. was sent out by Ed
ward I'll. Forbush. state ornitholo-
gist. Serious mortality would occur
within the next As hours. he, said.
unless householders supplied food
for the feathered folk.
In the suburbs of Boston today
were the pride OF many a commu-
nifty presented a scene of desolation.
It was as if a tornado had swept
through every street. The rain,
freezing as it fell. had formed a
coating of ice often an inch thick
about branches and tree tops. All
day long and into the night, they
crashed down at intervals. Pedes-
TRANS were in danger at all times,
especially on streets where wires
were strung. School sessions were
suspended. 1t was still raining to-
night with the temperature at
about the freezing point.
Public Safety Commissioner Footo
issued a warning to the public TO avoid
jects which might be charged with
electricity from fallen wires through
out the state, pointing out that water
and ice were read conductors Of ele.-
tricity. Mr.. Foote said:
THE western. central and northern
portions of the state have la"sr num-
Der of high tension lines distributing
power sfrom hydro-electric plants t.
manufacturing centers and local cleo
trio companies transformer stations
Most of these lines carry in excess OF
10.eG0 volts and while they arr pra til
cally all run over private lands, fire.
quehtly run parallel to and across pub
lie highways. In addition n large
number of cables of mains running on
poles in the streets of cities and towns
carry current from 1900 to 230p volts
As result of the storm. wires. poles
and insulators in many localities, par
ticularly north and west of Boston
are heavily coated with ice and have
frcnuentlV cnllansed under the Stra in -