The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-23
TIE Inst Island Calamity.
[From ihe New Orleans Picayrre. ~. ls.


We have but little Of importar &c TO add to the accounts
Of the catastrophe, beyond what has already appeared
but there are rnumerabc details Of more or less interest
current concern ing and VIC subjon some OF them de-
lived ircm good authority.
The steamboat star appears, started on her regular
semi weekly trip from Payor Bupf 10 last Island with
fair compile ment OF passengers on board. she arrived
outside toe bar at an early hour on Sunday Ing.
Finding the water low she compelled 20 remain out
sice 10 VAT the tide The weather at ths time was
Moderate, though showing some Signs Of approaching
stern. The storm soon came On in al us FURY, as
already stated, ard water enough 10 carry
her fret the bar ard then close up 10 the
hotel, which was su staneEg. Captain smith,
with equal presence Of mind and energy, set 10
work u combat the danger which he saw threatened all
had boil, anchors thrown overheard and seeing that "a
she dragged somewhat the cabin began TO Yield he
ordered a the pessengeir down 10 the main deck and
Get the crew TO work 70 cut away all the upper woodwork
Of the boat Had not this been done she would have
been torn 10 pieces driven 10 In such con IL
ton that ali on board must have perishcd
The retidtDccs on the island Immediately amer this
menced giving way, and the FIRST borne completely
away by wind and wave, with all is inhabitants The
htte, said stood tic force Of the elements remark
ably well being among the last 70 be swept on ard going
only pioccmeh On the storms approaching IT, height
the inmates bctook Themselves 10 large room %
stairs, considered very secure; but the violence OF
the elements Increasing dc bsrroom recon nendei
preferable for sasety, aud thther they therefore all
went The upper part of The hotel blown away
and the water making its way into the lower part,
they were driven from that place OF retreat The steam.
beat STAR now wreck, ~ already described lay close
70 the door, and all endeavored 10 get board or her
The distance was short but the traverse perous ara
was In aking that the infant child OF The Hon W w
rush was wrested from is mothers and borne 10
the realms Of eternity by the ruthless waters There
OF course desperate effort 10 reach the boat by
the majority o. theappsreny doomed ones AMI were
not for the strenuous exerons and noble courage of
few the result even on this account alone must have
caused sad addition 10 the features Of the disaster
Mr. G A. Barrilleau particularly distinguished himself
At this time, aud finally fell victim to his bravery and
resolution. He bad rescued nearly all Of Mr. Pugh's
emily and went back TO render assistance that Of Mr.
Batty when the excrion proved too much for him. and
he ssrk with lady whom he had In his arms endeavor.
to and they more. all attcmulq
them proving utterly rutess NJ Aristde lie Blanc In
IKE msDne,, most ncbly distinguished himself but or,u-
netey escaped with bis life, though OF great ex
haustior-eomplee prostraon indeed.
Tie ranc stricken people on the island, OF course all
rushed towards the hull OF the star 10 the hope OF reach
ing IL and being saved. We have already stated how
cruelty many u them were disappointed and in what
sad condition reached the boat. Our readers will
readily understand that many those not wounded were
IN rage without hats shoes, and some with scarcely
rags TO cover them We shall, therefore, not dwell upon
Fortunately there was sufficient food on the star for
immediate necessities, and the people her lived
through the icrf.fyn ing storm t Monday morning with
only such suffering from affection on account Of others
and anxiety for their immediate future On our read
will untertts1d without our dwelling on them. Dur
ing the interim all that could be done the wsT of rem
deipg 1stance done; but the elements had already
Effected their worst Nearly, u not quite ALL who were
not ON the star we're long aimee beyond the reach Of hu
men aid.
Ono young gentleman named Maskel. who was carried
away BY the current when The storm was at lis height
shrubs, 70 which he chung all night and he
found ara rescued on Monday morning. lie the only
cnc or his family fsyed. His mother, her three other
clircr and her servant will be found recorded In our
list Of victims.
T. Dautrive, an Attshapas pilot, who had been staying
the island for the benefit or bis health carried
away TO tie distance OF mile when he fortunately
caught bold Of stake lie was soon afterwards struck
by log which dislocsed his hip bot he chung 10 the
stake all night and rescued IN his crippled condition
on Monday morning
Immediately on the news reaching Mr. Comeaux, Of
Bayou Teche, whose family were on the island be char
tered the steamboat Major y X Aubrey for O., 900 70
proceed 10 the assistance Of those the desoated island
Expresses at once forwarded In all directions
nouncing the occurrence OF the calamity and abundant
assistance a. we have already stated was forwarded
from various points, on steamboats, and n sailing boats
ak n, &C
During Monday cow some sheep and one horse were
found alive on the island. The COW was killed and fur.
nisbed sufficient meat for all the survivors. On
Tuesday, after suffering Intense anxiety, they were
rescued
Al our hates, accounts nom The bland shs steamboat