Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-12-23
THE CYCLONE IN BENGAL.

Over TIVE Hundred and Finssa Thousand
Lives I.ss,..Nusersus Islands ssbsaers.
sd..tlsw May Of The People saved
Tns.ss'v's''Th' cs"d''''" Of tho s"'v''
The correspondent Of the London
Times writes from Calcutta as follows:
Further details received regarding the
cyclone OF Oct. 31st prove II to have
been ono OF tho most terrible calamities
on record. Estimates based on Official
returns from each police section put the
loss OF life In the districts OF Backer-
gunge, Noakholly aud Chittag0ng Mt not
less than $4,000, Probably this figure,
enormous On IL appears, Is still short OF
tho truth. Three large STANDARDIZATION
Shahabazpore. Haitian and Sundeep--
and numerous small islands were en-.
tirely submerged by the storm wave,
and also tho mainland for some five or
six miles inland. These islands are oil
situated in or near the estuary OF the
Meghna, n river formed by the conhu
once OF tho Gauges and Brallmnpootra
rivers, the largest being Dakhin, Shaha-
bazpore, in extent 800 square miles,
with a population of about 240, 600. Tho
population OF Hattiah and Sundeep to-
gether Is about 100000. Up to eleven
y. NJ, on tho night of tho catastrophe,
there were no signs OF danger, but be-
foro midnight tho storm wave swept
over tho island TO = depth in many
places OF twenty feet, surprising the
people in their beds. Happily it ~ the
custom in those districts to plant dense
groves OF trees. chiefly coconnut and
palm, round the villages. Tho trees
afforded shelter to the villagers, and al
most all the survivors saved themselves
by climbing among their branches.
Some took refuge on tho roofs, but the
wstcr entering the houses burst of the
roofs, md tho receding waves carried
them ont to sea, with the people still
clinging to them. A few were carried
thus from Sundcop across tho channel,
ton miles broad, to Chittngong, but the
vast majority were never heard Of again.
The country is perfectly fiat, and there
fore trees were the only secure refuge.
Almost every ono persisted who failed
in reaching trees. There is scarcely
household in tho islands aud adjacent
coast that has not lost many OF its mem
bers. Tho cattle were all drowned. All
the boats were swept away, and rs
wheeled carriages are unknown in those
delta districts, the people were thus de-
privcd of means of communication. Al
most all tho civil officers aud police
officials in Dakhin Shahabszpore, ex-
cept the deputy magistrate i'll charge,
persisted.
A strange fact about the disaster is
that in Dakhin Shababazpore and Hat
tiah most of the damage was done by
the storm wave from tho north sweeping
down tho Meghna. Several theories
have been started to account for this.
One is that the cyclone forming in the
bay struck the shore first near Chitta
gong, and went north for some distance,
and then turned southwark again. An
other is that the wind blew back the
waters of the Meghna, which rebounded
with terrific force when the pressure re-
LACED. A third supposition is that there
we're two parallel storms with center
of calm between them. Tho first OF
third theory seems most probable, rs i'll
Sundeep and Chittagong the destruction
came from the south.
The condition of the survivors is bet
ter than might have been expected.
There was much distress for two or
three days, but things are now improv-
ing. Backergunge is a great rice pro-
ducing district. It's peasantry are the
most prosperous in Bengal. Their
stores nre mostly kept under ground
and have been, of course, thoroughly
soaked; but it is believed that they are
not seriously damaged. Wherever Sir
r. Temple went he saw the people dry
ing their grain in the sun. The cocoa
nuts will help to give subsistence till
the harvest. The growing crops which
were nearly ready for reaping, and
which gave splendid promise, have suf-
Tered greatly, but will still yield fair
harvest. For some days much disorder
prevailed, and robberies were attempt
ed. This state of things was soon rec
titled. About sixty relief centers have
been established. Persons actually
destitute will be relieved, but no large
sums will be spent. 1t is believed that
all dangW of distress will be over after
two or three weeks. The district Off
GERS are acting with great energy. Sir
r. Temple started for the scene of the
misfortune Immediately the news was
received in Calcutta, and he personally
visited tho suffering districts, going
from village to village, and making in
quiries regarding the extent of the dis
aster.
Fuller information shows this to have
been infinitely more disastrous, as the
loss of life in the great cyclone Of 1864
wa estimated at only 1000. Theques
ton naturally arises, can anything be
done to avert such calamities in future2
A vast extent of country is exposed,
and the manner in which it is cut up by
rivers and watercourses, apparently rem
ders system of dikes impossible; but,
perhaps, skilled engineers may be able
to suggest something which may avail
to protect the residents on the coast and
islands Of eastern Bengal from the risk
of being carried from their beds by
storm waves and swept out to sea with
a moments warming.
shall close my remarks on the sub
ject OF. tho cyclone with the following
extracts from the last government
Gazette /: "Wherever the storm wave
passed, it is believed that not one third
of tho population is surviving. The
islands have barely ono-fourth OF their
former inhabitants. The stencil from
the putrefying bodies is insufferable,
and a general outbreak of cholera is
hourly expected" Let me add that this
ear, happily, has not yet been realized.
except in Noakholly, where the disease
has manifested itself The news from
the distressed districts of Madras is
better. Rain has come in
time to do some good. The Bombay
prospects are still gloomy. Actual
famine in two or three districts seems
probable, and great distress in four or
five more.
ROYAL CHRISTMAS FARE. The mince-
meat as made at Windsor CASTLE every
year, the Ingredients being mixed ono
month before warted, is as follows
24O pounds OF raisins; 400 pounds of
200 pounds of lump sugar;
thee pounds of cinnamon; three pounds
Of nutmeg; three pounds of cloves;
three pounds of ground allspice; two