Year: 1869

occasioned Thousands of fine shade trees were
ruined, and fences were destroyed in many


Destruction of the Coliseum.


Among the first buildings to suffer in the city
proper was the Coliseum, shortly after o o clock.
Mr.. Wilson, the man in charge of the structure,
assisted by two boys went to check, II possible
the stream of water which was pouring in upon
the organ ut the cast end. AT that time he eX-
pected momentarily that the wind would force
the windows in, and was hesitating whether to
longer remain beneath the roof. lie, however
concluded that he would lock the safe before
leaving, and was Just proceeding TO do SO when
the east end gave way with a tremendous crash.


Almost Immediately after, the sudden rush of
air which followed demolished the west end and
the larger portion of the roof, with the exception
of small part in the centre, which, although
considerably damaged, remained standing. The
walls were somewhat strained, although retain
ing their original position. Fortunately Mr..
Wilson and the boys escaped without injury.
AT the time of the falling of the roof and for
some time after, it was almost impossible for n
person to approach the building, as the strong
wind that prevailed in many cases lifted men
from their feet, and in several instances men re-
ceived slight bruises from flying timbers and
boards, which were hurled through the air ut a
frightfulpace Berkeley street in many cases being
piled high with the debris. The news of its fall
did not spread very rapidly, and late in the
evening only small crowd had collected in the
immediate vicinity The organ built by the
Messrs. Hook, and used during the Peace ,Ir-



dered worthless; and the remaining part of the
building is in such a condition as to require i'm
mediate pulling down. The decorations. which
have remained in it since the Jubilee, were also
RUNE |, and the owners, Messrs. James IL Sears,
sustain heavy loss. It's unexpected demolition
will also prevent the intended disposition of it
after the fashion of the Crosby Opera House.


Soon after the fall of the Coliseum rumors of
ipjnries TO various persons became rife. 1t came
to the ears of Mr.. Granville NJ. Clark, living at
No. IS st. James avenue, that boy had been
hurt, and he went out to render assistance if it
was possible. Visitors to the Coliseum during
Jubilee week will remember long, heavy plank
walk running through st. James avenue to the
Coliseum. Over this Mr. Clark was pursuing his
way when u terrific gust of wind lifted a section
of 1t on which he was standing as high as alamp-
post, and, falling, came upon the unfortunate
man, striking him upon the head and crushing his
skull. The incident was witnessed by parties in
the Coliseum, and fastening out. they took the
unfortunate man into the building. Assistance
was sent for to the polce-station, and n litter
was sent over with view OF bearing him to the
hospital, but ere it arrived he had been recog-
nized and taken home, where he shortly after
ward died, without for moment regaining con-
seriousness. The number of other personal in
uries was remarkably small. considering the
general destructiveness of the storm. Mr..
Nathan Morris was struck by Il sign and
severely injured about the head. Another gen
tleman was hurt in similar manner.


The Gale in the IIarbor.





terrific that has been experienced here for thirty
years, and the fact that no very serious danger
was done to the shipping was owing to its short
duration and from its occurrence on the ebb
tide. Had it occurred mt high water there would
have been very serious loss TO property on shore
and afloat, but the greatest force of the wind
fortunately prevailed at low tide, which conse-
quently lessened the danger and removed any
apprehension of injury TO goods exposed on the
wharves and nsome of the warehouses. The wind
in the early part OF the afternoon was fresh from
the southeast in the bay, changing afterward 10
south, at which point IL blew the hardest. But
a few vessels were entering the harbor on the
approach of the storm, and they were soon
obliged to take in all their canvas and run for a
secure anchorage. The inner harbor being
more exposed to a southeast gale than if the
wind blew from any other quarter, short time
only elapsed before n heavy, rough sea was
rolling over the waters, the gale blowing in
nearly direct line from South Boston flats
towards East Boston. The air was filled with
the flying scud, and the white caps of the waves
as they rolled across the harbor were taken up
and sent flying in every direction. The scene
was one OF grandeur, not unmiXed with fear,
for the elements seemed rising to their full
power to do the work of destruction. AS the gale
continued to rise the vessels moored in the stream
began to strengthen their ground-tackle, and
additional anchors were thrown out to with
stand the increasing violence of the gale. The
wind came in sudden gusts, with mOmentary
lulls which appeared only to give fresh vgor TO
the blast that followed. 1t was soon apparent
that anchors would not hold on much longer,
and the vessels exposed to the full force of the
gale began to drift from their moorings up
stream. The imminent danger of collision
prompted the officer of the United States reve-
nue. tug Hamlin to put off to the rescue of some
OF them but after three Intellectual efforts TO
render assistance she returned, it having been
found impossible to do anything, owing to the
violence of the gale and the difficulty approach
ing the drifting vessels with their chains running
out in every direction. About a dozen vessels
were at one time dragging their anchors
and drifting up stream before terrific gusts of
wind, which swept everything before it. Many
vessels were more or less injured and there
were not few miraculous escapes. The Navy
Yard suffered considerably from the storm. A
building outside of the principal entrance on
Water street was unroofed, and the materials
were thrown into the yard in a very promscuous
manner, the sentry barely escaping by sticking
TO his box. Two chimneys on the first building
in the yard fell. breaking through the roof.
Several large trees were broken down near the
Commandants office and the barracks. The roof
and side of the ship house in the yard we're
blown down.