17 Oct 1942
Page 1
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Newspaper
Winchester Evening Star
Location
Winchester, Virginia, United States of America
Date
Oct 17, 1942
Page
1
Army B 26 bombers damaged two Japanese destroyers and set a cargo ship on fire near Kiska island in the Aleutians. A US plane was shot down and one ship was probably sunk as the Navy reports heavy combat in the North Pacific.
Massive Shenandoah River flooding sweeps Riverton Va and nearby Castleman’s Ferry. More than 350 residents evacuated in the Front Royal River ton area as rail lines on Southern and Norfolk and Western are shut down. Thousands view the crest while debris is cleared at Castleman’s Ferry and the Norfolk and Western bridge remains submerged.
Washington forecast a giant battle between the United States and Japan in the Solomon Islands tied to the Guadalcanal air base struggle. Secretary Knox spoke of a stiff, tough fight and expressed cautious optimism that American forces would hold their positions amid a powerful Japanese armada and reinforcements.
A Winchester motorist offered help to a sailor flagged on Route 7 in heavy rain near Red House Maryland. The sailor, returning to Baltimore to rejoin his wife and daughter, recounted passing the same car four times since yesterday morning as he spoke of his ship and duties.
Russian forces endured a fourth retreat within 48 hours amid a renewed German offensive around Stalingrad. Berlin and Soviet dispatches report continued fighting as Germans push along the Volga, with heavy Soviet losses and continued repulses by numerically superior enemy forces.
In a Pittsburgh area blast molten metal spilled into water in the open hearth section of the Continental Roll and Steel Foundry Company plant. The explosion injured 34 workers none seriously and damaged the plant roof while sending debris over to Coraopolis and Sewickley.
A British radio report attributed to the London Times says 40 people were killed and 200 wounded at Lyon and 15 killed with 200 wounded at Amberieu as Vichy French mobile guards police and legion storm troops attacked crowds protesting shipments of French workers to Germany.
Clarke county Red Cross canteen members served sandwiches and coffee to bridge crews at Castleman's Ferry and for other flood relief. Milton Wright of Strasburg was rescued from a Verio plant roof by a Remount Depot detail. Jack Boone of Stephens City turned in a tire under new tire-collection rules. A 1870 Dahlgren boat howitzer was scrapped from National Cemetery with its brass barrel weighing 429 pounds and 33 pound projectiles.
Virginia highway officials report at 11 am on October 17 that multiple routes remain closed or detoured due to floods. Fredericksburg area bridges on Routes 1 and 2 show limited access, with several detours and washouts impacting Route 12 and Route 15 near the Rappahannock and Robinson river.
In Wenatchee and Yakima districts an emergency army of white collar workers students and business staff joined the apple harvest to save a crop worth millions. About 1 400 University of Washington students and several hundred Washington State College students helped pick, with schools and businesses closing to support the effort.
Winchester and Frederick county records show 13.41 inches of rain fell in four days from Tuesday morning to last night. This almost halves the year total through October 12, which stood at 13.09 inches, while the yearly rainfall now reaches 44.50 inches after a 30 percent rise in four days, based on Winchester Research Laboratory records.
Floodwaters from the Potomac and Rapahannock surged toward Washington in the worst flood on record. The Capitol's precincts saw little damage due to preautions under President Roosevelt, while Fredericksburg and other lowland towns faced widespread destruction. Five dead and many missing were reported as crews struggled with levees and debris.
Public schools in Winchester and Frederick County will reopen Monday morning after flood closures. Officials announced the restart this afternoon, restoring classes and school activities as weather conditions improved.
Five Coast Guardsmen were marooned in a tree at Harrison's Island on the Potomac as a boat swept away in high water. They were attempting to rescue M. E. Ferris and his 18 year old son David, tenant farmers, while local officers and other guardsmen joined the effort.
Baltimore Weather Bureau bulletin reports river stages falling along the Potomac above Washington. At Washington the Wisconsin avenue gage stood 17.6 feet this morning and will fall slowly this afternoon. Harpers Ferry crest reached 33.75 feet yesterday, 15.5 feet above bankfull and three feet below 1936 peak. Williamsport crest noted.
Water damage overwhelms Leggetts Department Store J C Penney and Peoples Drug Store as two springs burst in basement floors. Underground streams undermine floors and pumps struggle to keep pace with the flood while stock has been moved from affected departments. Homes and other businesses also report basement floods after a four day rainfall.
The Frederick County Agricultural War Board set a three day truck registration under the Office of Defense Transportation. E M Punk chairs the committee with Ray Butler L H Ramey Courtney Taylor and E Earl Shade as members. Collecting sites will aid farmers in filling forms as questions go out from Detroit and after November 15 trucks may not operate without a War Necessity certificate.
Water levels peaked with the river cresting at 50 feet in Riverton while Harpers Ferry measured 33.7 feet. Front Royal roads opened as damage figures rose with farm losses seen as the largest toll. Clarke and Frederick counties report extensive damage to fences, orchards, and cabins.
Jr Auxiliary hosts a rummage sale at 31 West Boscawen Street on October 23 and 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds support church programs as listed in church notices.
Notice states Lee Jackson Dining Room will close until further notice because of high water. Also mentions machinery flooding prevents custom grinding until Tuesday October 20 at Lamp Motor Co. and Virginia Feed notice about cars.
Report notes Rivers aborn Fork-Muddy and South Fork-Muddy both at flood stage or above alert levels. Officials monitor gauge readings and issue advisories for nearby communities.
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