Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-16
THE GREAT TEXAS STORM.
How the City OF Galveston was Sub
merged.


From the Galveston News. October ]
The storm ragged terribly during yes
terday afternoon. At five I'm. the water
from the bay had backed into the city
through the north and south streets as
far as Market.
At that hour the condition Of things
near the railroad depot was bad indeed.
The island, from the depot to the draw
bridge, was almost entirely submerged.
The people living in that vicinity were
either compelled 10 use boats to get to
and from their homes, or TO desert them
entirely for a higher point on the island.
In the opposite direction matters we're
no better. East Broadway was almost
entirely flooded, and the people were
busy constructing floats on which to nav
igate. The rain poured down in torrents
until $50 p m, when it ceased, and in
its stead came the much feared norther,
the coming Of which the telegraph had
apprised us early in the day.
This norther struck the city fair aud
and square about dusk, and in twink
ling the water came tumbling in from
the bay into the Strand, then into Market
street, until it seemed as if it must flood
the entire island.
Groups of men stood on the corners
of the main thoroughiares specializing as
TO the chances of good long swim for
life, or the feasibility of stemming the
rush Of waters for a chance at a good
dry meal at far-off boarding -house.l
Boats were brought into play as ferries
from the Strand TO Market street, and
now and then haek-driver dared. the
Consequences Of blind rush into the
boiling water to convey some belated
citizen to his home in the upper part Of
the city. Making rush down Center
street, after dark, we found the Washing
ton Hotel people with plenty Of water,
and the shops and stores in the vicinity
closed and deserted. AS we stood look
ing down Market, seeing only a wild
waste of water, we could but feel that
the people who live in the vicinity Of the
railroad depot were in danger Of being
drowned.
h While there, during tle afternoon, the
houses built on the low ground were
flooded even with the water at that hour,
and when night closed down, and the
water had gained some three or four
feet, these people could not have remain
ed in their houses.
At eight o'clock pm. the wind had
increased to gale, but had changed a
trifie, veering to north, which would have
the effect to force the water out.
We do not think the wind as high as
that Of June last, but the water at eight
p m. was much higher than at that time,
or in the ever memorable year of 1861.
The presence of the water in the city
during the day monday was owing to
the long and steady east wind, which
had prevailed since Saturday evening
The sudden rush of water last night
was the work of the norther.
| we have been unable to learn of the
extent of the damages, but can not but
think it considerable in the more ex-
posed. portions o. the city especially
that near the railroad depot and along
the Strand mso
At the docks we learn that during the
day Monday the atmosphere was so
hazy that nothing could be distinguished
in The roads. -r 5-..s.5 r ts..i 81
| Up to dark last evening no damage TO
the shipping had resulted, and we have
not been apprised of any up to this
writing, near midnight. li1Jt.f