The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-06-08
AN ISLAND LAID WASTE.
A Hurricanes Fatal and De-
structive Work at Mauritius.
Enormous Damage to Buildings,
Shipping and Standing Crops.

Baron de Worms, Parliamentary Secre-
tary of the Colonial Office, read telegram in
the British House of Commons London,
fully confirming the news Of the terrible dis
aster at Mauritius. The dispatch said that
one-third Of the capital city, Port Louis,
was destroyed. Among the buildings
wrecked were the Royal College and twenty
four churches. Many sugar mills in the
country were completely demolished.
The special correspondent OF the Times
says that the loss Of life in Mauritius is not
less than Is, 900.
In the city of Port Louis alone 600 persons
were killed. In the various country dis
persons were known to have lost their lives.
The latest official estimates were that 100
persons were killed. 1t was thought that
many of those who were injured would die.
The hospitals in Port Louis were filed to
overdowing with the injured, and tents were
erected on the hospital grounds to accom-
modate those whose injuries demanded in
slant attention. In Port Louis alone
1000 persons were injured. The Govern
ment, which is under the direction OF Sir
Charles Cameron Lees, has taken measures
to relieve the distress that prevails in every
direction. Thousands of people have lost
their houses. Baron de Worms added that
Lord Knutsford, ths Colonial Secretary, had
communicated the facts Of the disaster to
the Lord Mayor of London, and stated that
the latter would at once open fund for the
benefit Of the islanders.
Other advices from Mauritius are to the
effect that the devastation caused by the
hurricane was enormous. Business at Port
Louis, the capital and at the other towns on
the island is still greatly interrupted. All
the crops suffered more or less, and some OF
them are ruined. The hurricane was
accompanied by one of the heaviest rain.
storms in those latitudes.
When the storm broke, the scene deaed
description. Amid the roar Of the gale
could be heard the crashing Of thunder that
was appalling in its violence. The flashes
Of lightning were 80 awfully vivid that even
those who have seen the electrical displays
that sometimes occur in the tropics were
frightened. The people were panic stricken,
and sought safety in their houses, many or
them only to find death shortly afterward In
the falling buildings. The wind gauges were
blown to atoms but those best qualified to
Judge say that the wind blew at the rate OF
120 miles an hour. It was utterly lmpos-
sble for human being to stand against it.
Many of those who lost their lives were
killed by being lifted bodily from their feet
and dashed against trees, walls and houses.
The greater part of the fatalities were
among the laboring classes Africans, Hin
docs, Chinese and Malagassys, who do much
Of the work In the plantations.
There was no loss Of life among the British
troops on the island, although q number OF
the soldiers were injured. The hospitals are
unable to accommodate tithe OF the pa
tients offered, and many hundreds OF dwell
ings In town, village and country are CIV
the crippled and wounded sutfesera
The dead were buried as rapidly as possible,
many OF them being thrown together In
common grave as it was feared that the
corpses in that warm climate might cause
pestilence, In some places whole families
were buried beneath the ruins OF their
houses.
Mauritius or the Isle Of France, is an
island belonging to Great Britain, lying In
the Indian Ocean, about 460 miles east OF
Good Hope. 1t Is thirty-six miles long, and
thirty-two miles wide, and has an area OF
876 SQUARE miles. It Is noted for its violent
hurricanes. and has been the scene Of many
great disasters.
The island was first settled by the Dutch
In 1914. Thew named 1t Mauritius in honor
of Prince Maurice, but afterw8rd aoan.
doned. 1t. Then the French took IL anu
called it Isle de France. ,,o,
The English captured the island in 1909.
Slavery existed until 1888.
The island is q strategic point OF import
ance to England with regard to her Indian
possessions It is surrounded by coral reefs
which, on the leeward side make fine pro-
tected harbors. The reefs are cut by eleven
passes, through most of which vessels OF
large draught can enter. The island is very
fertile. Indigo, cotton, sugar, and spices
are grown successfully. Deer, wild hogs
goats and apes are common In the noun
| talns. ~, AM
The population is little over 3OO, 600, and
| is made up Of various Asiatic, African, and
European races. The English encouraged
Indian immigration, and this element Is
large. The other great branch Of the popu'
lation, the liberated Africans and their de-
scendants regard themselves as superior 20
the Indiana Port Louis is the only town OF
importance. It has convent, with large
school attached, college supported In part
by the Government, and number of Gov
| eminent schools. SeveZM newspapers are
printed there. The Government Is similar
| to that of other British colonies.