Western appeal. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1885-18??, 1888-09-22
WIDESPREAD RUIN.

Details of the Recent Cyclone in Cuba
Hundreds of Lives Lost and Property
Valued at Millions Destroyed Ships Left
Stranded in the Streets Of Havana.
NEW YORK, Sept 1S.-A letter to the
Tribune from Havana, under date of Sep
TENDER s, gives the following particulars
of the recent cyclone which swept over
Cuba: The most terrific and destructive
storm that has visited the island Of Cuba
within the memory of her oldest inhabit-
ants passed through this city on September
4, and swept onward in its wild course,
causing general CONSERVATION and ruin.
The losses foot up millions, and the NUM-
Der of the dead is variously stated at
from 500 to 1,200. The cyclone entered the
i! island by way of Sagua, and, taking a
westerly direction with slight northerly
inclination, its center passed almost over
Havana. For fifteen hours it ragged with
destructive fury and wreaked fearful
havoc on life and property throughout the
island. 1t demolished the principal build
lngs of the large cities and wiped out whole
towns situated near the seaboard The
water flooded large districts of fertile land,
richly planted with sugar, tobacco or fruit
and vegetables, destroying the valuable
machinery of the plantations and irretriev-
ably running the crops.
Going out to sea the storm impaired it's
fury to the ocean which rose to a great
height and inundated the water fronts,
breaking down the wharves and occasion
ing great losses to shipping and commerce.
The water overcame all obstacles and
made It's way into the storage and man
ufacturing houses near the coast Some
buildings gave way under the great press
ure and in all cases their contents were
seriously damaged. Gigantic waves swept
the decks of the vessels in the harbors,
and crews We're washed overheard.
Anchor chains were snapped asunder as
if they had been threads, and the vessels,
like feathers, were carried hither and
thither by the wind, and hurled against
the coast or dashed against one another
In some instances crafts were carried half
IL mile into the cities, whole blocks of
houses and trees being battered down as
the vessels cut their passage through the
streets.
Havana presents novel sight. It's
streets and public squares, piled high
with the ruins OF demolished buildings
and debris OF every description, give
it the appearance of bombarded city.
The waters OF Havana bay, being closely
pent up within a small harbor acquired
tremendous force and destroyed every
thing within their reach. The northern
part OF Havana was converted into Ven
ice, and many streets were submerged.
For some time people made use OF boats
in their attempts to reach their houses,
but they were soon forced to desist, the
violence of the storm rendering it utterly
impossible to keep up traffic of any kind.
Many barges containing valuable cargoes,
and great number of sailing vessels of
every description lying in the harbor, were
capSiZed.
The wind played sad havoc also The
magnificent set Of palm trees in the public
squares and boulevards were blown down.
Hardly a tree remains in the Plazas de
Tacon, de Armas, del Cristo and de la In
fanta, or of the hundreds that extended
in continuous line from La Punta to the
Calzada del Monte In the artillery school
the ceiling gave way and the doors were
smashed in. The fences and grand stands
of the rival baseball clubs were de-
stroyed. The ceilings of the Louvre Cafe
and the Irijoa Theater fell, and those
of the Cafe Dominica and Tacon
Theater are liable to fall at any moment.
Throughout the city many lives have been
lost. Women and children have suffered
most. The poor people who, for the
greater part, lived in the low land near
the bay, have lost every thing.
Reports of similar damage come from all
parts of the island. The loss at Cardenas
is placed at Sl,00O,000. The rich Vuetta
Abajo tobacco crop has been ruined, and it
is said $4,000, 900 can not cover the losses.
Not single house is left standing at
Guanajayo. Many vessels were lost and
their crews drowned
There is great alarm in the district of
Rogue because springs which have been
dry for a long time are again flowing and
some estates are in danger Of being sub
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