The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-02-12
SWEPT BY A WAVE
Eighty Islands Swept By a Terrible
Hurricane
1000 LIVES ARE REPORED AS LOST
Death and Devastation Sweep Over
the Islands of the Pacific, and Ter
ribIe Consequences Ensus.

San Francisco, Special.-News OF a
fearful loss of life in disastrous storm
which swept over the South Sea ISL
ands last month, reached here Sunday
by the steamer Mariposa, direct from
Tahita. The loss of life Is estimated at 4.
1000 persons. On January 13 last,
huge tidal wave, accompanied by ter
rife hurricane, attacked the Society
Islands and the Puamoto group with
fearful force causing death and deTas-
tation never before equaied in a land
of great storms. The storm ragged sew
eral days. From the news received up
to the time of the sailing of the steam
er, 1t is estimated that 1000 OF the ISL
anders lost their lives. 1t is feared that
later advices will increase this number.
The first news of the disaster reached
Papeete, Tahiti, January 26, by the
schooner Eimeo. The captain Of the
schooned placed the fatalities at 500.
The steamer Excelsior arrived at Pa
peete the following day with 400 desti-
tute survivors. The captain Of the Ex-
celsor- estimated the total loss Of life
to be 500. These figures compsised only.
the deaths on the three islands of Hao.
Hikuera and Makokaa, whose ordinary
population is 1900 On Hikuera Island,
where 1000 inhabitants we're engaged
in pearl diving, nearly one-half were
drowned. On an adjacent island, 1000
more We're washed out to sea. Makokan
and Hao are depopulated. Conservative
estimates at Tahita place the number
Of islands visited by the tidal wave and
hurricane at 80. All Of them are under
the control Of the French governor at
Tahita. The surviving inhabitants are
left destitute of food. shelter and cloth
ing, all having been swept away by the
storm.
The French government, on receipt
of news OF the disaster, took prompt
measures to relieve the distressed dis
rricts and dispatched two warshlps
with fresh water and provisions. AS the
supply of fresh water and proviston1
was totally exhausted by the storm,
is feared that many lives will be lost
before the relief ships can arrive. AS
fas as is known eight white people
were among the drowned. Included IN
these were Alexander Brander, N. T.
Plunkett, of Oakland; T. d. Donnelly.
formerly a fireman on the steamship
Australia. and the local agent OF Z.
Coppenrath, merchant OF Papeete.
Added to this number was an unknown
woman who committed suicide from
fright.
As the islands were barely 20 feet
above sea level and were not sur
rounded by coral reefs, 1t was neces-
sary for all inhabitants to take to the
cocoanut trees when the tidal wave be-
gan to cover the land. These trees grow
to an immense height, many reaching
an altitude of 100 feet All Of the lower
trees were covered by the raging seas
which swept with pitiless force about
and over them. The natives In the tall
or trees were safe until the cocoanut
roots gave way and then they, 100,
were swept out into the sea. The 4oV
survivors brought by the Excelsior 10
Papeete gained the ships side by SWIM
ming three and four miles from thetops
Of the cocoanut trees. The Eiemo,
though badly damaged by the storm,
was also brought of as many persons
as could swim to her side. she, like the
Excelsior, being unable to run close to
the shores because Of the violence OF
the ocean swell, which continued to
run abnormaIIy nigh for week aiter
the tidal disturbances. Another
schooner, the GarIois, from the Mar
guesan Islands, GOO miles away, en-
countered the hurricane while on the
way to the latter place and only the
timely action OF the captain in having
the cargo, consisting Of 80 head OF cat
tie, 35 pigs and 80 tons OF cotton, Jet
tisoned, saved the little craft from de-
struction. Even with this precaution,
the lie of one man was lost by waves
sweeping the decks.