Norfolk Virginian, April 13, 1889

Untitled

reprinted from Cape Charles Pioneer, April 10.Weather -- Northeast stormsTransportation -- Water - WrecksTransportation -- Water - Personal injury

The sloop Matawoman, in charge of Capt. Jim Godwin, loaded with oysters for Mr. Harry Nottingham, of Hungar's Neck, was sunk at Fisherman's Inlet Saturday, and one of his crew, Wm. Widgen, a colored man, was drowned.

Went Down Off the Capes.

Weather -- Northeast stormsTransportation -- Water - WrecksInfrastructure -- Public - Government : Quarantine, federal

(By United Press to The Virginian.)

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 12. -- Capt. Walker, keeper of the quarantine station at Cape Charles, Chesapeake bay, reports to the Marine Hospital Bureau that the schooner H. Bossman, Captain W. Boss, of Norfolk, was washed ashore. All hands aboard were saved. An unknown sloop capsized just off of the cape, but owing to the fury of the gale assistance could not be rendered. The damage to the Government hospital [on Fishermans Island] is estimated at $1000. Capt. Walker, who has been in charge of the station for the past five years, says it was the most terrific storm that ever visited Cape Charles.

The Effects of the Storm on the Eastern Shore.

Weather -- Northeast stormsTransportation -- Water - WrecksTransportation -- Water - Personal injury

(Special Dispatch to the Virginian.)

Onancock, VA., (via Tasley, Va.,) April 13 -- Further reports of the damage wrought by the terrific wind, snow, thunder and lightening storm which swept over the Chesapeake bay on April 6th and 7th, have been received. Early crops have been entirely ruined.

A large number of oyster dredge boats from this post, which were away at the time of the storm, are, it is feared, lost with all on board.

A sloop, name unknown, E. T. Melvin, captain, parted her cable during the storm and was blown in the bay. Nothing has been heard from her since. The sloop was anchored in Chincoteague bay. When the storm came upon a schooner (name and captain unknown) she was driven on Fisherman's Island bar and sunk. The crew and captain managed to reach land in safety, but shortly afterwards the captain died from exposure. The loss of life and shipping property cannot be estimated. Many vessels, it is feared, have been lost on the coast, which will never be heard from. The damage to personal property in Northampton and Accomac counties is estimated at $300,000.

B. JR.