| From the Wilmington Journal |
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| March 19, 1861 |
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| Snow |
| We have the heaviest snow
today that has visited these latitudes since 1849, and although the 19th
of March is late for frost, snow and sleet so far South as 34 degrees,
and in the vicinity of the Gulf stream, it is not quite so unseasonable
as the storm of 1849, which came on the 15th of April, ruining early
vegetation, killing young trees and shrubbery. It is said to have killed
the bug that at that time was causing the death of the pine trees. |
| It was snowing at 9 o'clock,
and although the temperature has moderated the snow has hardly yet
commenced melting. We suppose it is something like between three and
four inches deep on an average, although in some places it is much
deeper. Gardens are pretty much used up. Peas and other things of that
kind are gone. We noticed that the young and soft shoots on the rose
bushes and evergreens held their heads down this morning, as if they had
been boiled. We fear that a good many young plants, even woody plants,
will be killed. |
| During the night it thundered
and lightened with great violence. It was in every way a remarkable
state of things for the season. |
| Outside of the destruction
done to the gardens, we hear of no damage or loss save that sustained by
the Wilmington & Manchester Railroad company by the falling in of the
whole roof of the round house or car and locomotive shed, just finished
on the opposite side of the river. The roof was of iron, and it gave way
this morning at half-past ten o'clock, from the weight of the snow
pressing upon it or from the contraction of the materials of which it
was constructed. But one man -- a negro -- was injured, having his head
badly cut, but not supposed to be dangerous. |
| In twenty minutes the whole
available force of the Company was engaged under the direction of Mr.
Robinson, Superintendent, and Mr. Hankins, Master Machinist, in clearing
away the wreck of the roof, so that no detention or interference with
the operations of the road are likely to be experienced. We have not
been able to ascertain the amount of loss, but think it must be
considerable, as the shed is very large -- some 170 feet in diameter,
and we presume the locomotives and cars upon which the roof fell must be
more or less injured. |
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