The drifting snows were not confined outside urban areas such as New York City. New York City saw daily life considerably hampered by the drifting snows. "Great difficulty was experienced in this City yesterday, in consequence of the drift of the snow," The New York Daily Times stated.7 "While one side of the street would be nearly clean, the opposite side was completely banked. The drifts were frequently four or five feet deep."
Even as the railroads and mail were badly disrupted8 sleighs filled part of the need for transportation. In addition, spirits among some were high in spite of the snowstorm's inconveniences. "The great sleighs were finally put on three different routes, and served for a temporary though rather uncertain accommodation. The entire length of Broadway was crowded until midnight, with vehicles of every description on runners. The clang of the bells, and shouts of exhilarated revelers, made a combination of sounds that was loud rather than lively..."9
The strong winds from this storm also drove a number of ships ashore. The schooner John R. Watson was driven into the slip on the Brooklyn side of the East River, the brig Wanderer, went ashore on Bedlow's Island, and the steamship Africa went aground on New Jersey's mud flats.10
While this storm wasn't particularly long-lived, its severity left a lasting impression in the memories of the time and those memories survived even the great Blizzard of 1888.
Copyright 2003 2
Copyright 2003
