Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-11-05
TERRIFIC STORM AT HAVANA.

TERRIFIC STORM AT HAVANA.
Great Destruction Of Property and Loss of Life
Fifty 1ir0 peSseLs Sunk and large mum.
Der Observation-Disclosures ofhe Sugar and
Coffee Crop, S'c.
BY the brig Cybelle, Capt MERRILL, arrived
atSavannah, the Georgian" has advices from
Havana to the 10Th ult. From an extra of the
savannah Georgian, dated Oct 20, 7 p. NJ,
wemake the following extracts -
70 Mr.. WELLS, the mate of the brig Mo
hawk, wrecked at Havana in the gale, who
came passenger in the Cybelle, we are indebt-
ed for the following particulars
) During the hurricane in the city il was dan
gerous to be ia the streets, from large sheets of
lead and tile pots blown down from the tops
olhe houses; these Law about in every direc.
ton, and were in many instances carried BY
the wind to a great distance The beautiful
Palmetto and other trees which adorned the
Garernoro Square, were broken and torn down,
even the lamp posts, sc. The wind was
strongest about 9 o'clock, at which time it shift
Ted suddenly to N. w. and blew with terrific
violence. The air was filed with dense clouds
OF spoon driP' or salt spray, which it was
impossible 10 face. This spray was carried
i1r hall a league into the country and deluged
tie houses, entering every creyice and food
ING the streets. The surf and spray was seen
70 dash high over the lantern of the Light
House on Moro Castle.
Many houses were blown down or unroof
I'd and among them the Iacon theatre, which
was partially unrooled and received other dam
age. The streets were nearly deserted except
by occasional attachments of soldiers, ordered
q -ltrent posts, TO give assistance where it
wa, needed.
But the wharves presented the most disas-
u1us sPetaclc-ships, banks, briggs and schoon-
uS, some crowded on top of the others, three
uerdeap, sunk, wrecked, dismasted, or totally
crushed 10 pieces, with the owners, captains
and sailors gazing upon the scene of destruc-
Ton. Some vessels known to be in the harbor
previous 10 the hurricane, have disappeared,
.nJ their fate left to conjecture. As nothing
could be seen a lurlong's length, owing to the
bowers Of spray and drift which filled the air,
anias the wind blew nearly into the harbor,
they could not have gone out, but the sad
spectacle OF masts. Spars, yards and pieces of
wrecks which strewed the harbor, proved that
they mus; have drilied into each other and
sank or gone TO pieces. The numerous men
Of war were driven ashore and dismasted.
II is not known how many lives were lost I;
bat bodies were seen floating in the harbor in
The different dresses of seanen in the merchant
and naval service.
The brig Mohawk, from Newfoundland,
went ashore at the Puma Fort, and was ex-
posed to the heaviest part Of the hurricane.
The crew escaped by lines being let down from
The fort 10 the wreck, by which they assembled
TO the walls Of the fort.
News from the interior stated that the sugar
crops We're very much injured, and in many
Instances ruined. A continuation of fine
weather might restore such as was not totally
lost The coffee plants were also seriously da-
mayed. The gale towards Cardenas was not
so Violent
fears We're entertained regarding several
vessels which sailed the day preceding the
hurricane.
Inc hurricane commenced about IL O'Clock
on the ION, and was at It's height at 9 O'Clock
on the llth.
We have also, says the slip from the Geor-
gan office, been favored with the following
letter. which gives some additional particulars
HAVANA, Oct. II, 1876.
We have to announce with deep regret,
That we have again been visited with terrific
hurricane, far more destructive IN its effects
upon the shipping in the ha,tor. than that OF
~, 1t commenced on the e, ening Of the
10Th INST, and lasted UNI. O'Clock the next
morning, Out Of 100 sailing vessels, steam
eN and vessels OF war IN OR port, all but II
have been sunk, wrecket. dSmasted or other
WISE severely injured; besides which 40 or 80
casting vessels were destroyed In the city
aud myimrs, the injury TO the buildings, trees,
%cr bas seen immense, and many lives have
been 'usL
The accounts from the country are as yetin
complete IN the information, and vary a
great deal. In some districts the damage both
"Na sugar canes and the buildings on the es-
tales has been immense; in others it has been
somewhat lighter. The total dimnution OF
Ne crop, in consequence of this calamity, will
01doubt be very considerable. though we have
9,1,J data enough as yet 10 make an estimate
9'uch will also depend on the weather we
Naye for some weeks TO come.
The greater part Of the Coffee crop has per
%hed, and almost all the plantation trees have
o'an rooted up, and fields Of rice destroyed,
whereby much suffering will be occasloned,
o1d imports Of provisions from abroad Will be
required to a great extent
Our Government have published an order
l"Tiniung small vessels suited for the coastlng
,1de' to be transferred TO the Spanish tlag.-
Su'n vessels should be oflight draught, with a
sool capacity for storage.
no announcement has vet been made OF any
,9ucuon Of duties upon articles Of necessity.
" 8 doubtful if any relief will be afforded IN
Wa' Way.--BaA SIN.