Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1903-02-13
A THOUSAND PERISH.
Terrible Disaster Reported from So
ciety Group of Islands.
Swept by n Tidal Wave and Hurri-
cnne-Over One Thousand Ma
tives Perish-Eighty ofthe
Islands Devastated.

| San francisco, Feb. 0.-News of fear
full loss of life in a destructive storm
that swept over the South Sea islands
last month reached here Sunday by
the steamer Mariposa direct from
| Tahiti. The loss of life is estimated
at 1000 souls. On January 13 last a
huge tidal wave, accompa panied by ter
rife hurricane, attacked the Society ISL
ands and the Puamotu group with fear
full force, causing death and devasta-
tion never before equalled in a land of
| dreaded storms. The storm reigned
several days, reaching its maximum
strength between January IA and Jan
uary 16. From the meager news re-
ceived at Tahiti up to the time of the
sailing of the Mariposa it is estimated
that 1000 of the islanders lost their
lives. 1t is feared that later advices
will add to the list.
Eighty Islands Devastated.
The first news of the disaster arrived
at Papeete, Tahiti, January 26, on the
schooner Eimeo. The captain of the
schooner placed the fatalities at 500.
The steamer Excelsior arrived at
Papeete the following day with 400
destitute survivors. The captain of
the Excelsior estimated the total loss
of life to be 500. These figures COM
prised only the deaths on the three
islands of Hao, Hikuera and Makokau,
whose ordinary population is 1900
On Hikuera island, where 1000 inha BIZ
tants were engaged in pearl diving,
nearly one-half were drowned. On an
adjacent island 100 more were washed
out to sea. Makeno and Hao are de-
populated. Conservative estimates at
Tahiti place the number of islands
visited by tidal wave and hurricane at
30, All of them are under the control
of the French governor at Tahiti. The
surviving inhabitants are left desti.
tute of food, shelter and clothing, all
having been swept away by the storm
Relief Measures.
The French government upon re.
ceipt of news of the disaster, took
prompt measures to relieve the dis.
tressed district and dispatched two
warships, the Duranee and Zelee, with
fresh water and provisions. The
Italian man of war Calabria accom-.
panied the two French vessels on their
errand of mercy. AS the supply of
fresh water and provisions was totally
exhausted by the storm it is feared
that many lives will be lost before the
relief ships arrive.
AS far as is known eight white people
were among the drowned. Included
in these were Alexander Brander, n
P. Plunkett, of Oakland; T. d. Don
nelly, formerly fireman on the steam
ship Australia, and the local agent OF
c. Coppenrath, merchant of Papeete
Added to this number was anunknowI
woman who committed suicide from
fright.
Sought Refuge In Trees.
AS the islands were barely 20 fee
above sea level, and not surrounded by
coral reefs, it was necessary for all tn,
Inhabitants to take to the cocoanut
trees when the tidal wave began tt
cover the land. These trees grow to al
immense height, many reaching an al
titude of 100 feet. All of the lower
trees were covered by the raging sea
which swept with pitiless force abou
and over them. The natives in the taller
trees were safe until the cocoanu
roots gave way and then they, too
were swept onward far out into tn,
sea.
Swim to Ships.
The 400 survivors brought by tn,
Excelsior to Papeene gained the ship
side by swimming three and four mile.
from the tops of the cocoanut trees
The Eimeo, though badly damaged b,
the storm, brought off as many persons
as could swim to her sides, she, like tn,
Excelsior, being unable to run close t
the shores because of the fearful vic
lence of the ocean swells.
One of the many acts of heroism re
ported is that of a woman who climbed
one of the tall cocoanut trees AM
lashed her little babe to the branches
hanging onto the body of the tree be
meath the little one as best she coulG
There they remained for ten hours, sui
fering great torture until finally res
cued.
Thousands of tons of copra and owe
200 tons of mother of pearl shells ar
known to be lost. The pearl shells ar
valued at ST 500 per ton, and many valu
able pearls may now be lost to tn
world forever, as these were consid
cred some of the best pearl islands i
the world.
Wonderful Gold Strike.