The Nation - News from Sept. 11, 1989

Silent, windless surges from Hurricane Gabrielle far out in the Atlantic Ocean whipped up huge waves, sweeping beach-goers out to sea and capsizing boats from Maine to New York. At least six people were reported missing in accidents the Coast Guard said were related to the sea swells, undertow and waves up to 15 feet high, even on rivers. Waves from the storm swamped a 42-foot houseboat off New York City, washing its 11 occupants overboard, authorities said. One woman drowned and a 35-year-old man was reported missing. Gabrielle’s wind had weakened to 75 m.p.h. and the storm was located 600 miles east of New Jersey and 335 miles south of Sable Island, Nova Scotia, the National Weather Service in Boston said.