The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-18
SURVIVED THE HURRICANE.
THE brighton BRINGS New 3
or TIE JtNAICt STORM.
Destruction OF Fruit Trees Will Cripple
Trade for ~ MOnths--O Only Twelve
Houses Left Standing In Port Antonio
Close Gan for the steamer

The Panama Railroad steamship Brighton
got to Quarantine late last night with
news OF the hurricane in Jamaica. She wasin
port there when the storm swept the island
on Aug. 10.
Capt. Krogh said that in the town Of
Port Antonio all but about a dozen houses
were destroyed and their owners wandered
about the streets in their night clothing.
hunting shelter from the drenching rain,
which continued after the worst of the wind
had passed.
All the banana trees on the island were
destroyed and it was the general opinion
in Port Antonio that il will be at least
eighteen months before Jamaica is
able to resume the fruit trade, The
Brighton narrowly missed going ashore,
as did several other ships which tried to
ride out the gale in Port Antonio harbor.
After dischargng our cargo in Port
Antonio on Aug. o." said Capt. Krogh, II
proceeded 10 Port Maria TO load cargo.
When reached Port Maria a strong gale
was blowing from the southeast and I
anchored, but at II O'Clock at night, as
the gale increased in force, got up anchor
and returned to Port Antonio for harbor.
Il dropped anchor there at 2:30 o'clocle
in the morning, in the face of terrific
hurricane blowing from the north north
east. The wind blew with such tremendous
force that my anchors dragged and the
Brighton was blown among number of
other vessels which were ashore.
The hurricane. which was blowing from
the north northeast, shifted around to
-
down in torrents. At o'clock in the
morning the gale had moderate ed sufficiently
TO allow me TO examine the post ion Of my
steamer and ascertain what damage she
had received.
THE Brighton was in a Jam OF other
vessels, the Alfred Dumcis being inner
most, about four feet aground Next
came an American schooner alongside
the Dumois, then the Simon Dumois ard
next to her the Brighton.
Il found that the Brighton was not ashore,
bat merely against the Simon Dumois,
and the only damage my ship sustained was
"A few strained StanchionS and some dents
in her side, caused by coiding with the
Dumos
When Daylight broke the town presented
a pitiable sig hi nearly every house had been
destroyed, Probably only dozen at the
most remained intact People were going
about the streets in their night robes look
ing for shelter from the rain, which came
down in streams,
"The roof of the hospital had been blown
off and a number of the patients died from
exposure. All the banana trees, as far
as could sec, had been destroyed by the
hurricane.
Miss Elizabeth Platow and Miss Sigrid
Amuncisan, passengers on the Brighton,
who were in the hotel AT Port Antonio,
said:
We were awakened about ? o'clock
Tuesday by terrible noise Jumping
out of bed We ran out into the hall, where
people were screaming and running to
and fro, wrnging their hands and calling
upon the Almighty to save them from
destruction.
some had their heads bound up in towels
and other garments 10 avoid seeing the
lightning and hearing the noise. As near
as We can remember the hurricane lasted
about four hours. gradually moderating
until o'clock, when it was all over.
Then what a terrible sight met our eyes!
Houses we're blown down and their furni-
ture stood exposed to the rain. which was
coming down in torrents.
an the harbor A number Of steamers were