The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-08-19
IHE VEST INDIAN HURRICANE.
Causes Death and Destruction.

Kingston, Jamaica, Aug. s22,-This
West Indian hurricane struck the ISL
and OF Jamaica with its full force yes.
terday, inaicting great damage. Port
Antonio, on the north coast, was
completely overwhelmed. Only sir
houses were left standing there. Tne
United Fruit Cornpany's wharyes,
Offices, hotel and plantations were
utterly demolished. hive OF the COM
pany' steamers, ineludeing the Simon
Dumois, Alfred Dnmois and Brighton,
were driven ashore, but are lying IN
EASY positions. Port Maria, another
town. on the north coast, also suffered
simi 1arly. The coas5 is strewn With
Wreckage ef local sailing boats.
The southeastern portion or the ISL
and has Been completely denuded OF
It's crops the rivers are flooded and
snany men were carried out TO sea and
drowned. Considering the damage to
property during the hurricane, the
loss Of life is comparatively small,
Shourh the present estimate, is That
the death list will reach fifty. Hun
dreds Of persons were, injured and there
we're numerous hair-bEedsh escapes.
The property loss is estimated at So :
900, 600 S. s. as,. !,
The entire eastern end Of the island
has been devastated. Villages have
been wiped ont and public buildings
and churches demolished. Thousands
5 Of the peasanry, rendered homeless
and destitute, are wandering about
seeking food and shelter. The de-
ssruction OF the banana plantations
s has been complete and the fruit trade
rs paralyzed for the next twelve
months. Hundreds Of prosperous fruit
growers have been brought TO bank
rupscy and ruin.
The western end OF the isiand, when
It vas at first supposed had escaped.
also suffered considerable, though no5
to the extent which the eastern end
did. The new banana plantations
planted there we're party Destroyed
and the orange and coffee crops we're
also IN niured. The Norwegian steamer.
Salvatore di Giorgie, was driven
ashore at Annotta Bay and lies N ;
dangerous position. Several sailing
vessels were wrecked on the north
side.
1t Is still stormy and threatening
aud JherS are fears thaG LneFS mayDea
renewal of the storm. Terrential rains
have increased the misery OF the
poor and homeless.
Thousands OF houses in Kingston
gVere dmaged, the wharves we're batter
ed and several eoasting vessels were
sunk in the harbor.
Kingston, Jamaica, Aug. 13.-The
destibutien in the hurricane-stricken
districts IN appalling. Thousands Of
persons, homeless, starving and i'll
clad, are hurrying to the towns to OBJ
tain shelter and supplies, but, as all
Ehe houses and public buildings have
been demolished the misery is in
tense. A meeting held at Port Antonio
today appealed, with the Governors
approval, to the generosity OF the.
American people. Foodstuffs and
lumber are urgently needed and as
sistance was inplored.
The NorwegiaR steamer Ethelwold
encountered the hurricane on her
voyage from New York to Jamaica,
and passed through a terrible expert
sence. Her machinery became deranged
and the cylinder cover was blown of.
The steamers Alfred Dumois and the
Salvatore Di Giorgi are still ashore.
The other steamers, which went
ashore. have been aoated.