Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-13
ENORMOUS DAMAGE
BY Jamaica's Elurricane-50 Fatalities
and $10,0o0000 Loss.

Kingston, jamaica, Aug. 12.-The eff
1cctS of the hurricane upon the island
Of jamaica arc greater than at first
believed. Port Antonio on the north
coast was completely overwhelmed,
and only six houses were left stand
ing there. The United Fruit COS.
wharves, offices, hotel and plantations
We're utterly demolished. Five of the
companys steamers, including the
Simon Dumois. Alfred Dumois and
Brighton, We're driven ashore. but are
lying in easy positions. Port Maria,
another town on the. north coast. also
suffered similarly. The coast is strcWn
with Wrcckage Of local sailing vessels.
Ii is feared that the loss of life has
been heavy 80 fatalities having already
been reported, principally among sea-
men. The entire eastern end of the
island has been devastated. Villages
have been wiped cut and public build
ings and churches demolished. Thou
sands OF the peasantry. rendered home
less and destitute, are wandering
about seeking food ana shelter.
The destruction Of the banana plan
tations has been complete ana the fruit
trade is paralyzed for the next II
months. Hundreds of prosperous fruit
growers have been brought TO bank
ruptcy and ruin. Tho western end Of
the island. which it was at first sup
posed had escaped. also suffered con-
siderabIy New banapa plantations
were partly destroyed and the orange
and coffee crops We're also injured.
The Norwegian steamer Salvatore Di
Gforgio WIS driven ashore at Annetta
Bay and lies in dangerous position.
Several sailing vessels We're wrecked
on the north side.
1t is still stormy ana threatening and
there are fears that there may be Il
renewal of the storm. TorrrntiIl rains
have increased the misery of the poor
and homeless. Thousands of houses in
Kingston were damaged. the WharVeS
were battered and several coasting
vessels We're sunk in the harbor. Trade
is practically at q StandstilI. The
southeastern portion of the island has
been completely denuded of its crops,
the rivers are flooded and many men
were carried to sea and drowned. The
urc2ent estimate is that the death list
viii reach 30. Hundreds Of persons
were injured and there We're numerous
bairbrcadth escapes The property loss
is estimated at $t0.000,000.
Havana. Aug. 12-Whilc high winds
and threatening conditions prevail in
all the provinces Of cuba, there have
been no reports up to tonight Of any
innortant damage. The land t"ie-
p,.aph connection with Santiago, which
was repeatedly interrupted, has been
restored. Cable connection with all
the islands of the West Indies is in
tact with the exception Of jamaica,
N!artiniguc. Guadcloupe and Dominica
Boston. Aug. 12.-Prcaident a. W..
Preston OF the United Fruit co" sneak
iug today. Of the reported heavy fruit
losses in Jamaica, by reason OF the
hurricane. said: our cable adNices are
lhat the Jamaica fruit CROP has bcclN
badly damaged by the hurricane hut
if is as yet impossible to estimate the
damage. If we were dependent upon
Iamafca for our fruit supply we would
he seriously hampcrcd, but rs It IS.
we simply draw heavily upon o'HrF
growing sections, princip4lly costa
Rica."