Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-08-21
b LATEST NEWS.

brief particulars ot the terrible calamity ut Last
Island. This is an island in the Gull ot Mexico
which has been Tor some years made summer
resort for planters md their families from the
interior parishes Of l.afourche aud A,takapas,
and some from the city of New Orleans. II is
distant from the main land at The month at the
bayou. about twenty miles: the nearest land is
iiveor six miles distant. The island is about
twenty five miles in laeh and from n halt To
three quarters If n mile wilc-onlv three or four
feet nhnve tho level rf the Gull II IL exposed
10 the full sweep at the waters an | thr southern
hroe2es, which hive made it desirable retreat
in the summer months This year the island Is
reported = have been well paironized. The nc
cess it from New Orlean> i. by railroad to Bay
~ BnuF aud thence by The steamer Star To the
l>ian1 ltappears that large numbers OF the I'M
fortunate people on the rise of the water, sought
refuge in the steamer.
The Drlta says:
We are informed nv correspondent ut Bor-
wick's Bay that john Davis n oysterman,reach-
ed that place in small soil.boat yesterday, aud
reported TINT all the houses on Last Island were
swept off by the storm oi Sunday night.
Our correspondent also informs Us that rs far
could be hurriedy nscertained III lives were
supposed to be lost.
The steamer Major Aubrey was sent immedi-
atrly 10 the relief Of the suffering survivors, who
sticking to the hull of tho steamboat Star,
which was driven upon the Island by the storm
Ii is stated that the water came up with such
rapldity, under the effects of the wind that It
rose five feet in two minutes entirely submergng
the whole island. The inhabitants, surprising
doubtless that the water would soon subside
sought shelter in their houses. but it seems that
these were overturned and swept away by
the combined force of The wind and waves. and
left the unfortunate inmates hclDlessly strug-
Cling amidst the debris.
The Pcayune says: The depth of water on
the Island referring, as we understand il. TO the
highest portion, is reported ut five feet. The
wreck of the steamboat Star is stated To be lying
ON the island, near where the hotel of John Mug
gah formerly stood,
The rise of the inundatiun is said TO have been
of unparalleled ,apidity, the height of five feet
being reported to have been attained III two min
utes. Although we were to read 'hour>' instead
If "minuteS" 1t will not be difficult 10 understand
what n wild excitement and fearful havoc it must
have caused, with no succor mt hand.
All the houses ON the island were swept away.
and il is particularly reported that most Of those
staying n, the hotel were drowned.
list of reported victims. we are informed,
wits forw eracd 10 Brasheor City or Berwck's
Bay, but have not been abb to find any
in the city who has brought up copy of 1t with
him. We have. however, heard the names of
few of those alleged to have been drowned, and
give them a. they hive reached Us; but without
youchng for their correctness: Mr.. Hart, Of
this city; VIM. Rochelle. of Pattorsonvle; Mrs.
Como, name profanity othetwsr ,pet of Pat
trrsonvill" John Muggnh, (co- proprietor of the
Gotel,) wife. five children aud brother; Mrs. Mas
kell and two children. of Franklin; the bar keep
or of the hotel, (name not a~rnrtnned)
Its stated that then, were all nut 400 persons
on the wrech at the tune of the disaster; and the
rumhcr Surviving on the wreck of the Star is
timated at from 25U To- 215.
At Vaudeville. another watering place, across
Luke Ponchertain. was drluged, though no lives
were LOST y correspondent of the Pcayune
~ays:
Our town was visited ON Sunday aud on Monday
by one # The most disastrous storms ever wit
messed here The wind began 10 blow from the
ea-t on Sunday noon, aud kept increasing until
Monday morning. when ii shifted to south by
east, ind then it was really awful 10 witness the
progress of destruction X lin, whirlwinds waves
all went da>hing over our town, bringing with
it our bathing hol>e>, wharyes and bonts.
About dark on Monday it Thought that the
storm had sGb>aed. hut at ~ o'clock p NJ it
assumed t- former strength and continued
iii to day.
1t u grcat sight To see the whole village on
tie hraeh-the men with red shirts; the fair
CreoioS seeking their bathing ''fixngS," ankles
deep in the water. The whole town. in fact
grand pic nic-some picking up the
remains Of their bathing houses, others trying to
sHve their boats from II waiery grave.
The total loss is estimated at about eight hnn
drcd dollars.
The storm extended along up the coast. des-
lroyng many sugar houses aud other buildings
On the plantations bordering the Bayou
'reeche, and throughout the neighboring parish
es.
Latorn news from New Orleans than that re
ceived by the papers, states that two hundred and
eighty lives were lost at Inst Island
TIE ARRAY IN WAsHINGroN.-The Wash
ington Star of Monday snye: