, 1894-11-07

COuIllSu loI.
The Chief and all.absorbing event of the
past fortnight has been the severe blow ex-
perienced on Friday, the 10Th instant. At
about mid day, rain commenced TO fall &C
companied by fierce gusts Of wind and a drop
in the barometer from 1886 to 1915 indicat-
ed that a storm was circliug somewhere in
the vicinity. As the hours went by the gale
increased in intensity and the conditions were
undoubtedly such as to cause general alarm.
And then a sombrp darkness settled over the
oity which, in addition to the tempeStuous
weather prevailing. effrctu2,ly put ali end to
work i'm the various Offices and stores. On
the streets the people huddled together in
doorweys and behind corner walls seeking
shelter from the furious blasts OF wind and
sleqt. The sea presented IN appearance Of
awful grandeur. Lasled by the wind. the
water rose to q tremendous height, and even
the usually calm waters Of the careenage
were intensely ~agitatsd. Luckily. there
were not many ships in Carlisle Bay. hut the
few there were, had q hard time it. They
each had put ont two anchors and the strain
on the cables was of the severest character,
which, fortunately, they we're able to bear.
AS it was, the French Barque Vt. Lucjen
parted her cable and drifted ont fo sea. h"r
Captain at the time being on shore. Nothing
having been heard Of her for FIVE DAYS. grave
apprehensions for her safety we're entertained,
especially as the mate, who was in charge. was
not considered much of q navigator. Happily,
however, a telegram was received here yes.
terday announcing her safe arrival at Marti-
niuue. The weather, us described. c%ontinu-
ed until midnight, when the wind abated con-
siderably and the morning of the 18th broke
comparatively fair, the barometer attaining
its normal pressure, 1890. In the absence
of a Weather Observatory we are unable to
give any meteorological data beyond stating
that the rainfall from 12a.m. to 6 pm. on the
10Th instant was 8 inches and AZ parts.
The blow has had a more disastrous effect
thar was at first anticipated. In Bridgetown
beyond the destruction of some trees and the
falling Of telephone wires, no damage Of any
moment has occurred but in the rural dis
triots the wind was very destructive 70. Nearly
our hundred houses belonging to persons of
he labouring class have been destroyed. whilst
many estates have suffered more or less Sc
verely Human life too, has been ieopardized
and the painful impression is fOrcel upon us
that many q poor fisherman has found a
wAtery grave. The returns up to this show
that seven teen men are missing. Whether
they succeeded in weathering the gale or not
no one can say but, in view of the fact that g
week has elapsed since the men we're caught
in the blow, their chances of safety seem very
remote. Had they reached any of the islands
the news would have been cabled to us.
Much suffering is said to exist amongst the
people in the country districts consequent
upon the storm, and in view of the nature Of
the report received by tho Governor from
the Police Authorities, His Excellenoy has,
by advertisement, called a public meeting on
the Goth instant to devise measures for as
sisting those persons who may be found to
be deserving of the SAME. Of course, the
money required for such a purpose at any
rate, the major portion of it, will have to be
taken out of the Public Treasury, and we ex-
psct to see a liberal grant recommended to
the Legislature.
The weather since the blow has been very
cool, the thermometer averaging 80 degrees in
the shade during the day, whilst the mantle
of night brings a temperature so delightfully."-
pleasant as to make An increase of bed cover
ing essential to comfortable repose. The rains
continue to fail at intervals and the erst-
while parched and almost barren earth now
presents a condition Of gladstone verdancy.-
Ibid.