New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-09-20

life In this city the destruction has been terrible
No lives have been lost. Reports from the interior
say that the storm has been severe ana the cotton
crop seriously damaged.
PREVIOUS FLOODS AT GALVESTON.
THE CITY's EXPOSED POSITION CHARACTER AND
SITUATION OF THE COMMERCIAL BUILDlNGs-THE
DESTRUCTION IN THE GREAT STORM OF 1867
ALARM OF TEXANS IN NEw-YORK AT TIE NEWS
FROM GALVESTON.
\ large number of Texans in this city
were much excited Saturday over the dispatches
concerning the inundaOn and hurricane at Galveston
Many persons having large property interests in that city
We're seeking for throughout the day at the com
mercia and financial houses which in communication
with Texas. Many gave free crcdencc 10 the reports
Others, who had been endeayoring to get private dis
patches Houston and vicinity, and had either totally
failed, only received intelligence Of lack OF in
formation were inclined think, least to hope that
the dispatches were greatly exaggerated.
Those acquainted with the history of Galveston for the
past years apprehcsyc of great calamity Ihc
thought the submerson Of Galveston only matter
of time unless some means could be found for protecting
the foundations Of the city. The expense OF any eec
tua and durable protection would prove great as to
be entirely ont Of the question at present.
The fact that communication with Houston
was interrupted cons idcrCd a. very discOuraginS
j. W. House, guest at the Grand Central Hotel and for
thirty years past resident Of Houston, Texas, gave
some information to reporter OF TIE tribune concern
ing pre- vi0us destructive ysitaons. He in Cal
weston in 1867 when the city submerged TO depth
seven feet ana states that il is not uncommon for
srrone east wind 10 bring in tidal wave sufficient 10
food the streets 10 depth OF from one to two fcet MI
Houses statement was substantially rs follows:
Galveston situated at the Extremity cf Calves
ton Island low strip Of Land, mile wide at the city,
and stretching from the entrance Of Galveston Bay along
the coast distance Of - or 80 miles. 1t ia little more
tha: sludbar, and is separated from the main land by
navigable channel miles wide The island is per
1ccty fiat, but Notwithstanding its exposed position pro-
duces excellent oranges. lemons, bananas. and other
tropical fruits. il is onJ seven feet above the sea cyei
al the city. which built partially upon piles.
Galveston has n population of $1,000 ana
after New-Orleans is the most important
commercial city Of the extreme Southwest II exports
yearly millions dolar, worth OF cotton. hides. aow,
WOOL and pccanS. There were 10000 bales OF cotton
stored ~ the city before the present nundaton, valued
at ~ 100000 An English line OF steamships rams be
tween Galveston and European ports, and the coast
trade is extensive. Consid ring the frequent recurrence
Of destructive tidal and the utter exposure OF the
city an enemy in time Of ,ir Houc said, II mat
Ter of surprise that enterprise Should have placed there
such great commercial interests The channel between
the island and the main Land furnishes safe harbOr for
the shipping in ordinary weather, bat II IS almost sdrc
destruction to vessels 10 be found there Whenever Large
tidal wave comes rolling in They either dashed 10
pieces against the wharvcs stranded When there Is
prospect Of trouble the shipping makes all haste to get
into Galveston Bay which Offers comparative security
The most important part Of the city is called the
Strand and fronts upon the sea. Here are situated
many Of the great warehouses and imposing business
blocks which, sodity and appearance, compare well
with the commercial buildings OF the great Northern
cities cellars to the houses and wells.
for bIacksh water is reached by eycayatng four feet
TIE city depends for its water supply upon cisterns,
erected on scaolds As the ground floors of the ware
houses notwithstanding frequent warnings are always
full of merchandise, the destruction Of property III this
instance must have been great the water is reported
TO have submerged the island TO depth OF seven or eight
feet.
PREVIOUS DISASTERS
Mr. House said that severe equnoXal storms usually
prevailed between Sept II and % each and that
they were always attended with more or less danger to
the city, Frequently the winds from the Gulf attain
almost the power of hurricane The destructive storm
Of 1867 came with rghtul rapidty upon the city, and
to Judge from the unauthentcated reports the present
storm exceeded that in fury The sailors acquainted
with the tropical the first to give the Alarm
noticing the falling barometer and the CONSERVATION OF
sea-birds The storm preceded by rain. The WIND
crew stronger from the east southeast until ASSUMED
OF oTo the Gnlf before il. Suddenly all the
winds OF the Gulf seemed TO converge toward
| the Texan coast, and piled up the waters until vast
wave was sent rolling toward the coast rms wave Mr.
House said, from 80 to 90 feet hgn put 10 rhe
terrified inhabitants appeared 10 DE mscn W W
CITY was flooded depth OF seven feet little course Oh
five hours, and after The cessation OF INC sloh Wv
food took equal time to subside Inc OBSTRUCTION 20
shipping great. The streets were hed up WIN WIN
| sand. Notwithstanding the annual danger, inc cY
makes little preparation for such lnundatlOng ~ ~
pewerles to cope with them Previous to s31 , ldal
three houses stood the site OF the present cy AZ
that great many vessels were left high ana dy Oh
| the island. $500, ,,,.. a. ,,,o.o,.
Mr. House apprehends great loss OF life II the present
storm did not abae within - hours ana al as acco
NOT considered 10 he wholly tTustworhy-t was sun
raging 1t isrepOrted that the bridge OF the Gun ana
santa re Railroad, partially built had been swept away
and that 20 Of the old bridge Lad been also DESTROYED
In that case there would be escape for The lnhaD
itants 10 the main land Houston, which is 90 miles h
Galveston Bay is considered safe. There are scFefh
coast towns of minor importance which would he nlhr
lied il the storm great as That OF le6I DIT lioust
sad that the dredging leet was III te nay! ~ nes from
Galveston and being in Il well projected part, was poDa
| INV safe The bay is formed Ike baSln WIN u SINAI!
arerture so that the storm pfeVacd LOT any Efe oI
t{,e tro1 tle southeast the water woud pie up III the
hav and then If the wind should shift 10 the north
might affect the complete OBSTRUCTION Vi oaes'oh' ar
rushed back 10 tie Gull.
| GENERAL EFFECTS OF THE STORM
A