THE STORM AT PHILADELPHIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 100, 28 April 1888, Page 3

THE STORM AT PHILADELPHIA.

Philadelphia, March 13.

Tho severe storm which commenced in this vicinity on Sunday evening still rages, so far as tho drifting of,snowis concerned, and the herculean efforts of the railway officials have so far been fruitless in getting the various lines into successful operation. The wind has continued to blow all day and thousands of labourers who have been digging at mountains of snow and ice on the various lines leading into this city have a disheartened task. The loss to the commercial interests of Philadelphia cannot be estimated in dollars and cents, and the time which will bo required to pub railway and telegraphic traffic in its normal condition cannot even bo estimated. Railroad traflice for the present is almost entirely suspended. One party of twenfcy-eight railroad men and passengers has been stuck in a big drift at Dudley, on the Amboy division, in. New Jersey, since yesterday morning, and, fearing they were .suffering for food, the tniinf'eppatehcrs organised a relief part}'. Taking a big four-horse team and a sleigh with provisions, they endeavoured to force their way through the country roads, but their success has not yet beon learned. The blocking of railroads, both in this State and New Jersey, has cub short the supply of milk and produce, and the former cannob be purchased except in very small quantities in this ciby. Reports by special message from Wilmington, Del., say that one tug boat and the wrecking company's steamer were sunk, and one tug and various sailing vessels, twenty-three in number, were blown ashore. It is estimated that fully twenty-five lives were lost. The report has also reached hero that the iron railroad pier at Lewes parted in the middle during the storm, leaving some people on tho outer end, whose fate is unknown.

Captain Burns of the brig Startle, which returned from the Delaware capes to-day^ reports having had a terrible time during the storm Ho feared that nearly all tho schooners which passed through the capes since the beginning of the blizzard had been lost. He saw several vessels go down near the iron pier at Lewes, one with all on board, bub was unablo to render any assistance.

On tho Wilmington and Northern road there is a train in the snowdrifts near Dupont, which has been there, with six passengers on board, since 11 o'clock Monday night. Their puflcrings from hunger and cold can better be imagined than described. Several other trains on the same road are snowed in, and the passengers and crews have taken shelter in farm houses. Terrible stories of suffering are told by the men engaged in opening the roads. The dead bodies of three men have been found between here and Pottstown. Many cattle have perished. Farmers are still'unable to reach the city, and milk and country produce command a premium.