Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-11-09
THE STORM In THE WEST INDIES.
scenes in Havana and the Sea
Great Destruction of Life and Prop

HE SIORM IN The NESI INDIES.
Scenes i'm Havana and on the Sea
Great Destruction of Life and Prop
erty.
Correspondence of the n. Y Times.
HAVANA, Oct. 1.-THE effects of the hur-
ricane last week in Matanzas, Cardenas,
and the back country, were most disas-
trous. At first two thousand persons were
to have persisted at the different
points the gale swept over. Half that
number would most likely be nearer the
truth, The forco OF the tornado seems to
have been spent In the country nearer Car
denas than Matanzas, though the latter
place suffered more than the former In
both cases the damage was done princi-
pally by water. The SEA seemed TO rise,
and to remain at an unusual height,
as though two or three tides had
come in at once, one on top
OF the other. AS rain had been falling in
torrents for some time, the streams at both
places were swollen out of their banks,
and the waters on their way to the sea met
a wall of water These tides upon
tides caused tidal wave, and the
natural result was general inundation of
the low grounds in both cities. The dam,
age to Cardenas consisted principally in q
destruction of property, with but little
loss of life. Out OF thirteen vessels ct an
Choir i'll the Bay Of Cardenas, but three es-
capped being wrecked. Large stone ware
houses were demolished, not undermined,
but thrown over by simple pressure of wa
ter against their walls, and the material OF
which they were built was carried away, SO
that not even vestige of them remained.
MATANZAs.
MatanZas suffered moro in loss of life
than any other place on the island. Here
the lnundation of the Peublo Nueyo Ward,
bounded by the bay, the San Juan and Yu-
muir Rivers, brought death to the door of
every family within its lin ts More than
four hundred dead bodies have been recov-
cred, and the end of the finding is not yet.
A passenger train from Havana arrived at
the depot of the Havana and Matanzas rail
road, situate in this ward, Just before the
overflow took place. Depot, engine, train,
passengersN employees all disappeared in
in the flood
Guines, q town located on level section
between this and Matanzas. Was inundated
by the torrents of rain, many buildings
were blown down. and some of the inhabi-
tants severely injured. The jurisdiction OF
Colon felt the force of the tornado also
Here much damage was done to the grow
ing cane, much Of 1t being torn out of the
ground by the roots by the mere force of
the wind. The care most backward for the
season was less injured
by another Correspondent
An ecuinoctial storm "a tempest IN tho
West Indies--you have al heard what that
is, and perhaps remember the old geog-
raphy pictures of childhood, where the
forests are being blown down and cities
swept away and inundated by the ocean
flood. Well, in spite OF tie predictions Of
the weather prophets, who could not be
made to admit that there would be- any
coIamotion this year, and who, perhaps,
thought shat the day for such atmospheric
disturbances had passed, the hurricane has
visited us and passed over the island in all
its fury.
CITY SCENES.
On Saturday I reached my dwelling,
amid falling blinds and sigus, and whiried
about by winds which would blow ones
uOtdnte on the sidewalk or bring down hun,
dreds of trees at one fell sW0op. On the
wharves gangs OF laborers were meanwhile
telling, and altering loud, strange cries, al
II mad; vessels were being brought up tC
the wood work--though useiesS.ly. as ths
result proved. The ferry~boats had ceased
running, and the streets were deserted.
THE SEA.
1t was sight to see the heavy waves
come rushing into the harbor, and, look
ing to the seward end of the Paseo de Is
abel a heavy mist and spray could BIZ
viewed, rising even from the lashing of tht
waves against the breakers of the shore. t,
great distance in the air. [ shall neve.
be able to entertain much resreot for tn,
monotonous and insignificant Eall OF Nj
agara after looking at the angry. curiins
waves which broke upon dhIs shore. dash
ing fairly over the city rnil- en<i the Morn,
Castle, with white, curling crests discern
able for Mules to the eastward.
PRECAUTIONS.
That awful night there was not one o
the lofty and immense doors in the city
but was doubly propped and bolted. ant
many of them were resecured and adjust
ed every hour. Roofs were blown away
and stone walls thro gn down. On tht
morrow, in the pablo squares, almcE
every lamp and tree was thrown o tn
ground, and the Plaza de Isabel, from be
ing a shady promenade, has become but .
wide avenue blocked up with fallen trunk
and dry leaves. In the quarter of Sal
Lazarus, city car was completely washe,
off the track by the rising waves, and som,
of the passengers badly bruised by tn
overthrow. A dozen vessels in the sur
rounding waters were more or less injured
ADDITIONAL INCIDENTS.
During the prevalence of the storm Of
the morning OF the 9Th the waters of tn
bay suddenly receded, and left it dry 70
several minutes. An aurora borealis
which covered nearly the whole sky, VA
seen for ten minutes on the precedin,
night. Here, as through many other cite
of the island, wharves and depots hay
been levelled with the ground, and Tia
suger-houses and cane fields of the neigh
boriood have been almost totally inuGda
tee.
Beside the British schooner S. v Michel
"a total loss-:he British bark Manlius
damaged badly, the Italian Secilian, driver
ashore and wrecked, the American vessei
lost or damaged in this port were as foi
lows: Brig G. Barter Of New Yerk, drir
en- on shore under the paseo. Bark Geo. S
Hunt, OF Portland, lost masts, yards, sails
anchors, boat; picked up one negro cir
alive. Brig Mary A. Chase, OF Portland, 10
tally dismasted, light; losttwo anchors anC
hawsers; picked up six men from
a raft send from q mud scow. Schr. Elwi,
of Bridgeport, driven from her anchorage
and collided against some coastiBg schoon
ers, sinking them; then carried almost tc
the Turnurl Bridge and was driven back
again to the bar, where sac stranded. -
Captain and crew escaped to the shore.
The vessel Was then driven down the har.
Dor and wrecked near the Canimar. Schr.
Frank Palmer, OF Bath. bows broken in,
bowsprit ripped up. Bark st. Marys, cut
away portion of rigging and sawed tte
oremast.
City "SWells'' Make Good Soldiers.
A Paris correspondent dwelIs at some