New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-05
PERHAPS A THOUSAND DEAD
THE GULF STORM'S VICTIMS.
ERIGHTFUL SCENES OF DEATH AND DESC.
LATION ON THE COAST.


SLOWLY AT NEw-oRLEANS AND MOBILE
HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PERISH ON OUT
LYING ISLANDS-wHOLE FAMILIES
SWIFT AWAY IN THE MARSHES.
New.Orleans Oct 4-The first authentic news
came from Grand Isle this morning. when
iugger reached the Company Canal from the
island. The man in charge reports that the
steamer Joe Weber was blown to pieces and
that several of the were drowned The
storm was terrible at Grand Isle and Cheniere
Caminada. At the latter place only two houses
are standing and the luggerman reports that
several hundred people have been drowned.
The news from Grand Isle last night
quite appalling but there were many persons
In the city familiar with the geographical posi-
ton Of the island who inclined to believe
that the reports trickling into the city were
somewhat colored. 1t is not the first time that
Grand Isle has been reported to be washed
away The island is practically cut off from
communication. and the only means of obtain
ing information is through the regular passen-
ger steamer that plies between this city and the
island and the many luggers engaged in the
oyster trade The last bad storm In 1883,
and there was also a severe storm in 1889. In
1855 when there was much destruction in the
CITY, the gale was very high at Grand Isle and
the water of the Gulf was backed up the
land. and the residents and sojourners upon the
island were for a day and night terror
stricken. The storm however. did no damage
OF great magnitude, and there were no lives lost.
At that time the regular steamer running to
the island long overdue, and then there
were rumors in the city that Grand Isle had
been swept away. The reports fortunately
proved to be untrue They had however,
created greater anxiety in the city than the
loc oh fort hp
reason that the 1888 storm happened during the
month of August, when there were still large
number Of summer sojourners from the city upon
the island.
THE LOSS OF LIFE APPALLING.
The loss Of life caused by the storm will prob
ably reach 1000 The Joe Weber was not alone
in her trouble the j. McSweeney consort Of the
Weber having also met with demolition. With
these two steamboats, went their entire crews to
q watery grave. Besides these fatalities the fol-
lowing luggers were swept out of existence: Inc
Afedele Captain Zibiiche; Velus. Captain Bar
bier; Flying Dutchman captains name un-
known; Princess captains name unknown; the
Stephanie. Captain John Tesansos and the
Grand Island 1ost captain and two sailors, names
not known. This does not begin to account
for the luggers lost. for more than score OF
these crafts were known to be in the neighbor-
hood Of Grand Isle.
Such survivors Of the frightful scenes of Sun
day night as reached this city were mostly
Austrians, ignorant of the English language,
and besides that by reason Of the excitement
caused by the strain their nervous systems.
were poor subjects from whom TO secure an In
tegent account of what had happened. Captain
John Tesansos. of the lugger Stephane. through
an interpreter. told narrowing story. He says:
A LUGGER CAPTAINS STORY.
81 had made my lugger fast to her usual moor
ings on Sunday afternoon. and had gone on shore
to camp. This was at Grand Bank. about one
mile from Grand ISLE The weather had been
beautiful all of the forenoon. but toward even
ing it began TO cloud up. and | knew that
storm was brewing. Heavy transforms set in,
ACCOMPANIED by strong winds blowing from all
quarters Of the compass. I made all snug on
board the lugger. as l anticipated trouble, and
then / went shore and waited events. Lug
germen accustomed to bad weather. but
this storm proved to be the worst / ever was in.
The wind howled and toward IL o'clock 1t was
blowing full gale. The shanty was in stood
the blow fairly we'll until, / should judge. about
midnight, the end came l thought the worid
was on us. The came up high; 1t seemed
10 be like wall. and then | found myself
fighting for my life in the midst of the ruins
Of my shanty, and how on earth ! escaped
cannot say. After this it seemed to me as II the
storm had exhausted it's fury, and from that
on the wind continued to abate l got back to
socola Canal in a skin I happened TO pick up
on the beach. when daylight came in II was
lying high and dry on land, and don't know
whom it belonged to and care less. and all !
wanted was to get to New-Orleans.'
EosAPI ENTIRELY DEpOPUL>TED.
The islands adjacent to Grand Isle were also
lpclr cd in ba hurricane that swept this cOun-
try last Sunday Rosar is of the group, and
like all of its neighbors. Is settled by people
all of whom are clear Spaniards by descent 1t
has not more than score Of inhabitants, who
earn their living by fishing. This place was
entirely depopulated.
Mobile Ala. Oct 4.--Reports Of damage by
the storm are coming slowly. Railroads, shipping
and mills the heaviest losers the amount
aggregating nearly a million. Inc loss OF human
life cannot be estimated. On Farmers lslahu'
opposite this city, only two farm houses are
standing out OF total OF twenty-three fteuci
expeditions to this section found a group OF 1T
tie children clnging to trees and thelr parents
swept away. One house crossed the Day,
distance of fifteen miles. and landed on the
tracks of the Louisville and Nashville railroad
The owner, with his family. has not yet turned
up. On both sides Of the bay are many VII
lagos. some Of which are totally destroyed ana
the inhabitants gone. There was no trah on
the Louisville and Nashville either way TO-
day, but a large force OF men is at work clear
ing away the wreckage and effort will be
made TO run trains tonight. An unknown Aus
trian bark for Pensacola is ashore in one OF
the many coves the Gulf side. AS none OF
the crew has come in. 1t is supposed all were
lost.
DEATH AND DEsoLATIoN IN THE MARSHES.
A rowboat trip in the marshes made to-day
by reporter reveals tale Of desolation ana
death that will almost equal those sent out
month ago from Savannah and the Sea Islands
At every point touched houses were completely
gone. while shores were swept. From Blakey
as far southeast reports could be mad the
natives report only death and destruction. For
miles inland the trees laid low and much
loss OF life is reported all along the shore
Rumors place the loss Of life at fifty but pos