The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-05-28
A TERRIBLE STORM.
TweIye Hundred Lives Lost ON the
ManriIius Island.

LoypoN, May 2O.-Advices from Mauritius
are to the effect that the devastation caused
by the recent hurricane was simply enor
nous. Business at Port Louis, the capital.
and at the other towns on the island has been
and is still greatly interrupted.
Some time before the gale burst. the ba'
rometer gave warning of II great atmospheric
disturbance The mercury fell III one hour
TO q. 95, and in short time the sky took on
n dull reddish tinge and every Indication
pointed TO the coming of the storm. The air
was motionless and the heat was oppressive,
almost Sitting. Swiftly coursing landward
there came "A solid mass of water looking like
a wall of green. AT its top was IA mass OF
froth. which, lighter than the water, was
lifted by the gale that was following close be
hind and blown far in advance OF the onrush'
ing sea. Quicker than the story can be writ
ten the lorerunner of the gale reached the
island. First little puff of wind waved the
foliage of the trees. This was quickly follow
ed by another and then the storm burst.
Amid the roar Of the gale could be heard the
crashing OF thunder that was appalling III It's
violence. The whole black canopy would
give way to "A flash Of lightning thai would
light the sea, sky and earth with u brightness
that almost caused blindness. The people
were panic stricken and sought safety in their
houses MANY of them only TO hnd death
shortly afterward in the falling buildings.
The wind gauges were blown TO atoms, but
those best calculated TO Judge state that the
wind blew at the rate of 40 miles an hour.
No one but those who have seen such storms
can form any idea of the terrible energy OF
such a wind. 1t was utterly impossible for Il
human being TO stand against it. Many OF
those who lost their lives were killed by be-
ing lifted bodily from their feet and dashed
against trees, walls aud houses.
The latest official estimates are that 200
were killed. 1t is thought that many OF
those injured will die.
Most of the lighters and tugs in the harbor
were blown high and dry on the shore and
the scarcity of these vessels is a great draw
back to business The stranding Of the
lighters and tugs also caused great delay
in floating the stranded sea going vessels, it
being impossible to tighten them.
Among the steamers in Port Louis harbor
was the Albion, British vessel from Bonn.
bay. She had steam up when the hurricane
burst, and attempted to ride TO her anchors
with the assistance of her engines. The gale
blew with such frightful violence that even
with the aid of steam the situation became
extremely dangerous from the pitching OF the
steamer that threatened al every moment 10
break her chains. The cables were, there.
fore, buoyed and slipped and the steamer
was headed Cor the open sea. As she started
on her perilous voyage she made dangerous
leeway, but finally she cleared the reefs and
rode in open water. She disappeared in the
storm, and no more was seen or her until she
returned after the gale had subsidized. She
had had terrible experience, bnt she had
ridden out the storm with no further damage
than the loss nf her mainmast
The damage to shipping was great, some 10
or 20 being wrecked or so completely damaged
as to be az little account.