Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-11-27
CYCLONE In INDIA.
The British Penal Colony On
Andaman Island Laid Waste.
Hundreds of Felons Perish---
Heroism of Woman ConVicts.

Further particulars, received from Ca
cutta, India, show that the cyclone which
few days ago swept over the Andaman
Islands, British convict settlement in the
Bay of bengal, caused a very much larger
loss of life than was at first reported.
In addition to the drowning of nearly all
of the crew of H. NJ S. Enterprise. the Gov
eminent steamship engaged in conveying the
convlcts to and from the settlement, by
which seyenty-eight out of eighty three men
st their lives it is now officially announced
that the total loss of lie is nearly 200, and
that about $50 persons in addition were
severely wounded.
The first approach of the cyclonlc disturb
ance was denoted by the deadly stiffness
which settled over the islands and by the
fact that the birds and animals seemed to
be trembling with fear seeking shelter
everywhere and apparently having entirely
lost their dread OF mans approach to them.
Suddenly the fury of the storm burst out,
and bent down, uprooted or cracked in two
great numbers of trees unroofed numbers OF
buildings. sent planks, small trees, clouds of
toliage and even heavy beams whirling
through the air, which by this time seemed
to be charged with electricity and to be
positively thick with oppressive damp heat
The convicts who were not in confinement
nearly all Of them being East Indians ran
panic stricken here and there seeking places
ground.
With the convicts in confinement the stu
atlon was much worse. The Shrieking cy-
clone spread such terror among them that
they ragged like wild beasts In their efforts
to free themselves and at least meet death
at liberty. To the credit of the guards they
did their utmost to release the confined con-
Vlcts, but during the awful sweep of the
storm over the islands every man. woman
and child there had all that he or she could
do In seeking for personal safety.
A building standing near the seashore had
been crushed down and actually hurled into
the surf by the force of the wind Some o.
the conVlctS confined in this building sue
ceeded in escaping. Others were drowned.
but about nine or ten of these convicts sue
loudly appealed, for help The guards and
others, however, were too much occupied to
be able to be Of any service to the imperiled
men.
In this emergency gang of female con-
vvicts displayed great bravery. Undaunted
gether In a long line as a human rope, the
boldest of the women at the end facing the
water, and in this manner the
female convicts slowly but steadily ven
tured into the raging surf beating upon the
shore, and though those at the extremity of
the line were frequently swept off their feet.
and were almost half drowned by rushing
waters, they finally succeeded in rescuing six
native convicts who would otherwise have
persisted, for their companions had Eeen
swept away and drowned.
The damage done to the crops throughout
the island is judged to be very heavy and
the number of buildings destroyed is very
great.
OF the 10000 acres of ground cleared by
the convicts. and upon which they depend
for sustenance, the main part is said to have
been rendered practically useless by the !
cyclone.