The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-18

New HoRK, Sept, IA letter to the Sun
from Havana under date Of September 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 history Of her oldest inhabitants passed
through this city on September ith and
swept onward in It's wild course causing
general CONSERVATION and ruin. The losses
foot up in the millions and the number OF
dead Is yariuusly estimated at from 500 20
200, The cyclone entered the island by
way Of Sagua and taking u westerly dircc-
ton, with slight northorly inclination, It's
center passed almost over Havana, For III.
teen hours it ragged with desperate fury and
wreakod fearful havoc ON lille and property
throughout the island. IL demolished the
principal buildings oi the largo cities and
wiped out whole towns situated near the sea-
board. The water flooded large districts Of
fertile land, richly planted with sugar, to.
bacco fruit and vegetables, destroying the
valuable machinery OF the plantations and
irrctrcyably running tao crops,
Going out to sea, the storm impaired its
fury 10 the ocean, which rose Ia great
hight and inundated the water fronts,
breaking down the wharycs and uCcasuniuC
great losses 60 shipping and commerce The
water overcamc all obstacles and made its
way into the storage and manufacturing
houses near the coast Some buildings gave
way under the great pressure, and Ia all
| cases their contents were seriously damaged.
| Gigantic waves swept the decks OF tho ycs-
sells in the harbors, aud crews were washed
| overheard. Anchor chains wcrc snapped
| nsundcr ~ il they had bccu threads, and the
1 vessels, like feathers, were carried hithor
| and thithcr by the wind aud hurled against
| the coast or dashed against ono another. In
| some instances craft were carried half a mile
| into the cities, while blocks Of houses aud
streets were battered down ~ the vessels
| cut their passage through the streets.
Havana presents novel sight; its streets
and squares, piled high with the ruins uf
| demolished buildings and dchris ot every
| description give IL the appearance oi a bonn
| banded city. The waters of Havana hav.
| being closely pcnt up within a small harhur
acquiTcda Tremendous force and destroyed
| everything within their reach The north
/ crn part at Havana was converted into a
! Venice and many streets were submerged.
! For some iimc people made use of bouts IN
! their attempts 20 reach their houses, but
/ they were soon forced 10 dc-.s., Tho VIC.
| lcuC' of the storm rendered H. utterly inn
/ possible Ia keep up traffic ul any Kind.
| Many hargHs, containing valuable CBfgues,
and great number Ol sailing vessels OF
every description lying In the harbor were
| CgpszJd
The wind played sad havoc also. Tho
magnificent set 81 palm trees m the public
square, and boulevard. w,rn blown down.
| Hardly a tree remains iu The plaza, d. Tucou,
De Arma- Del Cri-to ard ~ 70 lufuia. or
| Of The hundreds that uNtCHlcl in "a ,Hut.uu-
| Gus line ium Ia Pun To- the DGI.4da nrl
| Monte. tn the artillery school The ceiling
gave way and the duora were smashed h.
/ The fences and grand stands of tio rival
baseball clubs were destroyed rh cri.ing,
Of the Louvre cafe uui the lriul tilyatrs ZEN.
and those Of th' Cafe pumiuicl AMI Iurnn
thcaicr are Liable 90 iall go any moment
! Throughout the city many lives have been
lost. Women AMI children hly, suffered
most The poor people, Who for tlr gfcItpr
part lived In the low land near tie hay,
| have lost everything.
! Reports Ut similar damag, comes from all
| paris IT the island The loss pt ttrlcuas q,
pllcrd ne 81 .ObUJp The rich Nu,tta Aba.
/ iaco tobacco crop las been ruined. AMI 30 q,
| said S2Oup VDD cannot cover the lussCs. Nui
| a single hou.c IS let standing Ut Guanaiayo.
Many vessels were lost aud their crews
| drowned