Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-09-04

AeErEDkc Calamity :!
LAST ISLAND SUBMERGED!i!
l37 PERSONS Supposed TO Be LOST
The rumor which prevailed yesterday, o
the destruction of the Last Island in the lat
storm, is probably too true. We have onl.
some general reports of the greatness of tn
disaster, and few vague particulars of tn
loss Of individuals and families. The ac
counts brought from Thibodeaux and Ber
wick's Bay, by the 0pelousas Railroad las
evening, are confrmatory of the inundatioi
of the Island, the destruction Of the build
ings and the probable loss of great man,
lives, reaching, perhaps, to six or seven score
In the meantime, the anxiety to learn tn
particulars is very great, and the means o
COMMUNICATION between the city and the scen'
of the suffering, are very slight. Las
Island is an island in the Gulf of Mexico
which has been for some years made a sum
m.r resort for planters and their families
from the interior parishes of Lafourche anC
Attakappas, and some from the city. 1t il
distant from the main land at the mouth o
the bayou, about twenty miles-the neares
i.
The island is about twenty-five miles il
length, and from half to three quarters of
mile wide-only three or four feet above thu
level of the Gulf. 1t is exposed to the full
sweep of the watels and the southern breezes
which have made it desirable retreat in thl
summer months. This year the island is re-
ported to have been well patroniz ed, and tn,
anxiety is therefore intense to learn who
were exposed to the storm, and what losses
we have to deplore. The ordinary acce-s by
the city is via the Opelousas Railroad, tC
Bayou Beuf, and thence by steamboat to the
island, going and returning, twice week, by
the steamboat Star. The Star appears tc
have been wrecked in the storm, and the re.
ports below make the wreck the only refuge
of all that remains of the submerged island
By the arrival Of the Opelousas cars this af.
ternoon we hope to have further details, and
pray that the accounts heretofore received
may have been much exaggerated.
In the meantime we subjoin such items as
we have been able to gather. The following
letters will show the excitement caused by
the reception of the intelligence of the dis
aster at Brashear City, and the promptnes;
with which steps were taken to send relief tc
the survivors:
BRAsHEAR Cry HOTEL,
Wednesday, August l3, 4. A. NJ
Eps. PIc.-John Davis has Just got here from
Last Island in small sail boat, and report:
Last Island entirely swept of houses by the
storm of Sunday night, and that one hundred
and thirty seven lives were lost by the disaster
This is the amount hurriedly asceriained at pre-
sent.
BERwIcK's BAY, Aug. l3, 1856.
In great haste. We have Just sent the Major
Aubrey to the assistance of the sufferers, who
are now clinging to the hull of the steamboat
Star. She starts hence IN one hour, only wait.
ing to wood at this place
Respectfully. yours,
EUGENE DAILY.
Mr.. Davis, above referred to, we are inform
ed, is the keeper of the oystersaloon beneath
John McDonnell's restaurant, in Common
street, in this city. He succeeded in getting
his wife, we learn, into place of safety, and
then started to procure aid. lie was accom-
panied to Berwick's, we are informed, by the
engineer of the steamer Star, which he left
on Tuesday morning.
The depth of the water on the island-re-
ferring, as we understand it, to the highest
portion-is reported at five feet. The wreck
of the steamboat Star is said to be lying on
the island, near where the hotel of John
Muggah formerly stood.
The rise of the inundation is said to have
been of unparalleled rapidity, the height oi
five feet being reported to have been attain
ed in two mfnutesl Although we were TO
read "hours" instead OF minutes" it will
not be difficult to understand what a wild
excitement and fearful havoc it must have
caused, with no succor at hand.
All the houses on the island were swep,
away, and it is particularly reported that
most of those staying at the hotel were
drowned.
A list of reported victims we are informed
was forwarded 10 Brashear City or Berwick's
Bay, but we have not been able to find any
one in the city who has brought up a copy Of
it with him. We have, however, heard the
names of few of those alleged to have been
drowned, and give them as they have reach
ed us; but without vouching for their cor
rectness: Mr. Hart, Of this city; William
Rochelle, of Pattersonville; Mrs. Como
(name probably otherwise spelt) of Patter-
sonville; Johr. Muggah, (co-proprietor Of the
hotel.) wife, Ave children and brother; Mrs
Marshall and two children, of Frank.
lin; the bar-keeper of the hotel, (namc no
ascertained.)
1t is stated that there were about 400 per
sons on the wreck at the time of the disas
ter; and the number surviving on the wrecl
of the Star is estimated at from $50 TO "a;
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