The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-27
WATER FRONTS OF TAMPA AND ST. PETERSBURG
COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED IN STORM OF MONDAY
NIGHT; MANY BEAUTIFUL HOMES ARE WRECKED
Wire Communication to South
of Jacksonville Is Almost
Shut Out.
tsy The Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE. Fla, Oct 20
With the gulf hurricane apparently
having passed into the Atlantic ocean
after sweeping across the Florida Pc
ninsula yesterday and last night in a
northeasterly direction, cities and
towns today were taking stock of the
damage done Wire communication
south of here still was severed except
down the rim Of the east coast, which
was not affected by the blow, and the
only reports on conditions in south
Florida were brought here by train
crews
Apparently there was no loss of life,
but meagre reports indicated damage
TO the orange crops and inundation Of
the lands.
Low parts of the city of Tampa We're
reported several feet under water, be-
cause of the high tide in Tampa bay
and the Hillsboro river, Train service
generally was maintained in the strick-
en- district, but some lines were under
several feet of water, which forced de-
tours by other routes.
The hurricane oassed out to sea be-
tween ST. Augustine and Titusville at
midnight according to the local weath-
er bureau and is now moving up the
Atlantic coast. It is believed that most
Of it's force was spent in crossing the
state. The velocity of fhe storm at
its center is not known here as there
were no instruments between Tampa
and Jacksonville for recording 1t. In
Jacksonville, however. at least so miles
away from the center the wind
reached 60 miles sAa hour.
W. A. Kelsey, conductor of the first
Atlantic Coast Line train arriving
here today from Tampa, said he was
in Port Tampa yesterday morning
when the full effect Of the storm began
to be felt. The rise IN tide, he de-
scribed as nothing short of tidal
wave. From two to 10 feet of water
quickly covered tho greater part Of
Port Tampa City, houses We're un-
rooted and destruction by the wind
ana the extensive railroad phosphate
terminals and elevators on the water
! ca ere heavily damaged Kelsey
was due to leave Port Tampa carly
last night, but in order not to haye his
train marooned, left for Tampa early
in the day, taking scores of Port Tam
pa residents with him Port Tampa
City. one mile from Pogt TAMPA, Is
virtually on the epen bay and the
water had a clean SWEEP.
In Tampa. nine miles away, all low
parts of the city were under water
stores in the Franklin street retail
district being flooded to a depth Of ] s
inches. The rising tide in the Hills
boro river flooded the power plant at
noon, putting it out of commission. /
The city last night att $50 o'clock,
when the train left for Jacksonville,
was in total darkness. except for the
light of candles here and there. street
car service was suspended and teIe-
phones were out of commission.
Seaboard Air Line trains from South
Florida We're delayed this morning byl
detours and si2w speed and at 10
O'Clock none had arrived On the At
lantic coast division from st. Peters !
burg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, |
Leesburg. Ocala and Gainesville all
trains were late and a through train
due to leave st Petersburg last night |
and arrive here at O'Clock this morn |
ing had not been heard from s.. |
Petersburg and Clearwater and other /,
points on the Pinellas peninsula. which |
separates Tampa bay from the gulf. |
have not been heard from. even indi- |
rectly since yesterday morning. but |
no alarm was felt for their safety. The
greater part of St Petersburg is at an
elevation Of between so and 40 feet i
above the water while Clearwater is
similarly situated. Any damage to |
those and other place IN the vicinity. /
It is believed here. would be destruc-
tion brought by the wind. It is re-
garded as certain. however that the
water fronts and small boats were
damaged by high water and seas.
I The Western Union Telegraph COM
oany succeeded late this morning IN
communication with Plant
City. % miles east Of Tampa, over d
single wire. but announced that It
was accepting business subject to from
i've to six hours delay.
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