The New York herald., 1870-10-24
THE RURRyCANE In cUBA.

The Hurricane in nTutanxns-Repor. Of an
Eye Wi,Dess--The Inundntion-Fearfa, Lass
Ot Life and Observation-Disclosures of ,he
San Luis DepOf--A=oniziug Scenes-Tne
Dead Washed from Their characterization of
the Anthorities--S shooting OF Robbers--The
Dead-Issfisnate OF Damnscs-snbsc ripiions
for the sunerers-DamaGo 10 Shippinz-Re.
porTs frem the Country.
MATANzAs Oct Is. 1870.
Though II has been my fortune 10 witness on other
occasions The dread effects OF a hurricane, though
familiar for years with fields covered with dead and
dying and all the accompaniments OF devastating
war, / SIT down to write amid scenes OF ruin and
desolasion iar beyond anything heretofore known
in my experience. Matanzas Is In mourning Tor
hundreds dead, while the destruction OF her pro-
perty and commercial Interests fs beyond caicula-
ton. so great is tho devastation caused by the com.
5ined influence Of tho wind ana water, 50 heart
rending the scenes on every hand that ono scarce
knows where to begin description or to form a
correct and integble statement OF the occurrences
essay the task, though doubtful OF my ability, to
give yourreaders any definite idea OF the reality
On the night OF Friday, the 7th, the wind set in
from northeast, blowing with great violence until
nine O'Clock on the following morning. AT TINS
time heavy rain commenced and continued until
four r. NJ, when the hurricane broke loose raging
with unexamped fury. Aud then began The horrt
BILE catastrophe. The wind driving the
water into the harbor In huge volumes
prevented the rivers san Juan and Yumart--nowing
either SIDE OF the clty--froIn discharglng their
waters, which, Ia conjunction with the rain, caused
them TO burst their boands and sweep over good
portion OF the city, carrying death and destruction
in their Track Let II be borne in mind that Matan.
is situated IN u peninsula formed by the rivers
mentioned, the Yulnar, on the north and the san
Juan on the south. The surface OF the city Is varied
some points beng much higher than others. At the
southwestern part Of the city proper. the Plaza
dc yillanueva, the San Juan makes sharp turn,
changing its direction :-Om north to east. Az tho
banks overiiowed the current moved forward IN
dlrecJ line through the OF the city unl 1t
commingled with tne waters Of the Yamari, ana,
sweeping down towards the bay flooded Gil tue
northeastern part OF the city and portion Of the
suburbs Of versailles, opposite Below che turn OF the
river san Juan The water rose with equal rapldity
passing the streets Rio Medic and reaching 10
Gelaperf, near The centre and highest point OF the
city, while the suburbs Of Pueblo Nueye on the op-
poste side oi the last named river. was completely
dciuged. The most frignrfnl results followed. Peo.
pie Abandoned the lower portion Of their houses as
the waaer entered them, moving to the roofs ana
second stories, when the combined action OF the two
elements would crush The buildings to the ground or
carry tUCm lNto rlytr ana out towards tue
with resultant death to every inmate. Children
were struggling n the water and parents, poweriess
TO render them any assistance. saw them sink but
few moments be,ore sinrng their fate. Persons
standing upon the nigh ground saw their trends
and neishnurs hurried down the turDid hood,
unable TO respond to their agoniZDp shrieks
FOR aid. MANY, cllnglng to planks or whatever
else they could lay bands on, gained a short
respite Gro beiug swept ouu nto The wild waste
oi waters never TO be heard oi Al the Havana
ltairoad station, near the bond OF the san Juan,
friChtlui disaster occurred Fhe 2a0 tram from
q had on tda-a \, In
| Der OF passengers had gathered to take the train
about starting Tor tnat place, when, Dy the sudden
rising oil the waters, the BUILDING was swept away
ana cilzens, employees cars machinery, everything
~ ccntalaed, disappeared In moment. 1t Is stated
tnat more than forty persons per.shed here Three
Or iour managed 10 save themselves though now 1T
/ was inlD0ssibc TO explain.
| rhe warehouses on tae banks OF the San Juan
| river being entirely surrounded By water and
threatened with destruction, the laoOrcTs, negroes
and Chnaincn constructed rude RATS, 10 which
they committed themselves In hopes OF reaching
pace OF SAFETY, but were carried out into the bay
! and drowned. Al the depot OF the Bay road 10
Havana IN Pueba Nooye. not far from the shores Of
the naroor, The water rose 10 the cornices of tho
Golumns, lud the houses in the vicinity and
throlghont good part OF the snourbs were de.
sToyeu. ana whole l.niiies perished. portion OF
the suburb san Francisco aad that known as Ojo
UAeue, betns In the nnc or the sweep OF The san Juan
a. 10 passed across the city. suffered immensely,
Iuanv houses Deing carried away aud their iniaafes
drowhed. That portion or the suburb Versailles
nearest the famarl also suffered in O similar
manner.
the horrible night passed slowly away with the
errof-strickeia sieepless inhabitants. When morn.
ing came the WIND had SHIFTED the north and the
Wii.er mad somewhat aoate1, though ITS work OF
destruction sti continued In undermining the foam
naLiun ot houses and carrying them away as they
leli mol until the day was well advanced did the
vino ana water 50 moderate TO enable the people
~ breathe mere freely anu look about on the scene
% DEVASTATION around them. Jhc authorities becked
by tle more prominent and wealthy citizens inne.
dlaiey set abont succoriuc the hOusecss, VINO were
sainefed into the public buildings ana other large
eulucas and their Immediate wants supplied.
fhe volunteers palroleu the street In preservation
VI orusi, and details were 20 WORK 10 collect aud
ouri !ae 5oolcs VI tue dcad. Many were the heart.