Huge gale blowing across southern England kills dozens and destroys the spire of Chichester Cathedral

A massive gale blew all across southern England throughout the day causing death and destruction on land and around the coasts. In London, chimneys and church roofs were torn away and the 400 foot north wing of the Crystal Palace was destroyed at Norwood.  In Chichester, in Sussex, the entire 272 foot fourteenth century spire of the medieval cathedral was demolished.  Communications were wrecked as hundreds of telegraph poles went down. Coastal shipping also suffered and dozens of sailors were lost.  (By John Osborne)