The Florida agriculturist., 1889-08-07
CHAPTER XIII.-Continued.

blew with equal violence from the north
east. All the shipping in the harbor was
DESTROYED, and several vessels were lifted
out Of the water and carried inland.
One large merchant ship was taken up
bodily and planted in the midst of
warehouse near the shore The houses
of the town were unroofed and in most
cases annihilated. Upwards of four
hundred lives were reported lost. and
the harbor was full of corpses, which
were devoured by the sharks. One Of
the most remarkable episodes of this dis
astrous storm was that of the u S. and
B. Co.'s steamship Amazon. She was
due at st. Thomas on the day after that
on which the hurricane occurred She
had cleared from New York with six
passengers and full cargo. She had
fair weather up to within two hundred
miles of ST. Thomas, and was some
what ahead of her schedule time. Ac-
cording to the narration of the surviv-
ors, she met the hurricane about o'clock
on the afternoon of the 18th. She was
put about so as to run before the ~ale.
The wind and waves almost Immediately
dismasted her, and it was found impos-
sible to do more than keep her before the
wind, even this taxing all the powers of
those on board. At one time she was
popped by heavy sea which broke into
the forecastle and swept many overheard.
"When the wind veered about the
steamer became virtually unmanageable;
she drove before the gale. and it was ex-
pected that she must founder. But after
several hours she was suddenly beached;
and on the storm breaking it was dis
covered that she was lying in the main
street of st. Thomas. close to her own
dock. In the darkness she must have
been driven through the narrow entrance
of the harbor, and so across to the town,
avoiding by miracle numberless OBJ
stacles. She is, however. a complete
wreck, and half her ships company were
swept overheard and drowned, while
many of the others have received severe
injuries OF the six passengers who were
on board the following are killed: Alfred
Harper, went insane and washed over
board; Charles Tupper nec.i broken;
James Blair, washed overheard. Percy
4NOI0u, WdSIlcQ OVeIOOdIQ. lie sur
viving passengers are Herbert Simp-
son and Valentine Martin Mr. Martin
occupied the same state room with Mr..
Nolan, and'is much affected by hisd death.
He says he saw him shortly before the
time when the steamer was popped. he
was on his way to the forpcas,!a under
the impression, it is supposed that there
was greater security there than in the
stern.
''Mr Martin left for Vera Cruz yester-
day. 1t is his intention to return by way
of Aspinwall to his sheep farm in New
Zealand, near Napier"
Having read thus far, the inspector
laid down the paper, and stroked his
chin awhile with meditative air. $50
the young man is drowned, is he?" he
said, at length. 'The account seems to
look that way"
"Do you mean there can be any doubt
about it?' exclaimed the Judge
Il don't say there is; and as matter
Of course, judge, recognize the sincerity
of your attitude. Still, if ! were inter
ested in the boy, should think twice
before accepted this news as conclu-
sive. Have you heard anything person
allyP"
Nothing This is all we know, so
far"
"Well, you are aware that people re