, 1876-09-16

VIM WuCu stronger from NOIIu EaSt
darkness intense ; rain and electric dis
charges. After that the barometer took o
rise, until, by IL o'clock it had reached
2e.102 (; the thermometer was still 23.3
and rose in the course OF the storm ;
the wind high Gains Of several seconds
followed by bursts Of wind, at times appa.
Tently from the East /; SO dark outside that
the course of the clouds conld not be OBJ
served. But then the barometer began tofall
rapidly the motion Of the hand of the ane-
roId barometer could be distinctly followed;
it made small Jumps to the lett at 11.30
it was $500 at IL 81 IL; 1890 27.906
at / 1913; there was no longer any room
for doubt the wind was then at N. E. in
very great force 8t 1870 barometer at
OF 6 and OF 2 27-3 at $50 27.105 the
wind had now shifted to due North, blow
ing furiously rain stopped at 2-46 27-1;
wind North West; at 8 go; wind W.,
blowing turiously a slight luIl Of S min
utes, when the wind sprung up again from
the South West, blowing q most terrific
gale, with heavy rain, barometer at its
lowest 26.l1; the storm stood longest at
this point.
The wind then shifted to the south,
the barometer began to rise with scarcely
peFceptible movements there were tre-
quent luIls, followed by severe putfs from
the South and South East. A rapid rise OF
che barometer Showed that the force Of the
storm was now spent, and the hand Of the
barometer would occasionally move about
2 lines forward, but fall again ! line or Z
line. The rain fell heaviest at this point.
The thermometer did not rise proportion
ally. At 5 O'Clock the barometer had
risen to 27.6, and at g. 81 10 by s It was
again OF esq"
Thus passed q night OF fearful anxiety.
Nearly 6 hours were we exposed to the
fury Of a.yiolent storm.
There can be no doubt that we were In
che centre, or very near to the ceutre Ct o
rotatory storm or hurricane.
The damage sustained In Christiansted
ia not so very great as might have been
expected from the fury, OF the storm,
especially when In South Wes'. But
the high hills to the South W,st Of the
town sheltered US q good deal and it will
be noticed that in the rayine between
Recovery and Signalhill. where the wiCd
was not so much arrested in its current,
the destruction is greatest, the houses in
the streets into which the rayine opens, or
focing It, being principally among the
ruined houses. 1t is stated that IS houses
have been destroyed or damaged; % OF
which totally demolished, the others more
or less Injured. The greater number are,
however, small houses, that were built OF
very frail materials and very imperfectiy
secured. But tho loss will be more felt, since
they belonged to the poorer classes. OF
larger buildings the Schoolhouse, Hospital
and Fort have suffered considerably. Two
vessels went on shore, and i sank in the
harbor oil Of them may be recovered.-~Iu
the country the damage has been greater
many dwelling houses and works as we'll as
laborers' villages being seriously in iured or
destroyed. Numberless trees uprooted or
broken.
IN Westend the injury to property has
from all, / can learn, been less some few
shanties but no inhabited houses blown
down, and tri1ing damage to the houses /;
the steamer "Thyfa" and the schooner
Dolphin " were driven ashore, but there
are hopes Of getting them off. Estates 10
that quarter have also sustained severe
injury aud loss.
-
. These observations were made on two
aHeroid baFometers, at an elevation Of @. ITO
fact above the lAval of the eaA . n Ia we'll known.