Boats capsized or on end, beautiful old trees uprooted, and a glassed-in sun porch ripped away, were the major results at Harthaven Tuesday’s storm. With things calmer now, and with sunshine during the day and the quick return of electricity, residents are talking of how much worse it could have been. And those who have viewed the ravaged scene at Menemsha know that we were much luckier here than we thought at the time of the worst winds.
Many small rowboats were saved through the efforts of Charles Rathbone, who went about before the water got too high, pulling them to safety. One small pram, however, was found by the seawall at Oak Bluffs with only a small hole and a loosened seat as damage. William Abbe’s sailboat held on with extra lines for a while and then slowly turned on her side, as though trying to turn her back on what was happening. Next to it, T. S. Hart’s cabin cruiser seemed to be riding well, but when the waters retreated, she was found to be perched on top of the pilings of the pier, a hole through her.
Dinghy Crosses Highway
Farther along, William Hart’s new motor boat was hanging over the top of his buckled pier, but with assistance Mr. Hart was able to loosen lines and float her again. Then a dinghy belonging to Stanley Hart crossed the highway, knocked down a bit of heavy fencing, and came to rest in a field.
The small harbor here became one with the raging sea during the blow. Jetties, dunes, and beach were completely sunk from view as the waves crashed closer to the houses. The Frank Vibberts’ house was entirely awash, though a check later showed no damage to the interior, which was set high upon its foundations. At the William Harts’ the sea entered the boathouse section and gave a salty bath to the oil burner. At both the L. W. Young and the E. A. Moore houses, water came dangerously close to the living quarters, and the Young family found it wise to evacuate during the height of the storm when it looked as though another good wave might suddenly wash through the downstairs. Fortunately it was at this point that the wind veered and the water began to run for its usual home.
Everyone feels badly to see Mr. Moore’s lovely garden and handsome corn all ruined. And the comfortable side porch at the Walter Hart abode parted company entirely, leaving furniture strewn about and broken glass everywhere. Farther down, shingles and garbage mixed in the atmosphere, and piers and steps to the beach disappeared. The Beach Club raft made a tour of beaches in the vicinity, coming to rest in front of the Donald Harts’ houses, high dive gone but low dive still intact. The central bathing beach is now speckled with small rocks, while beaches which were too rocky for swimming conveniently are now smooth.
Back in the woods the houses were much better protected and damage appears to be limited to broken trees. The house being built for the Charles Stanleys unbuilt itself a little, and water in Farm Pond caused some bad moments for cottages close to the water. But everyone is cheerful again and setting about the business of cleaning up.