The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1903-02-12
1000 PERSONS DROWNED.
Tidal Wave Swept Over Eighty Of
the South Sea Islands.
WERE COMPLETELY INUNDATED

Natives Were Compelled to Take to
Cocoanut Trees When Water Gov.
cred the Land-survivors Destitute
Of Food. Shelter and Clothing.
San Francisco, Feb. 9.-News OF
fearful loss of life in destructive
storm that swept over the South Sea
Islands last month reached here yes
terday by the steamer Mariposa direct
from Tahiti. The loss Of life is esti-
mated at 1000 persons. On January
13 last a huge tidal wave, accom-
panied by a terrific hurricane, at
tackled the Society Islands and the
Tuomotu group with fearful force,
causing death and devastation never
before equalled in a land Of dreaded
storms.
The storm ragged several days.
reaching it's maximum strength be-
tween January IA and January 16.
From the meager details received at
Tahiti up to the time the vessel sailed
1t is estimated that 1000 Of the
islanders lost their lives. 1t is feared
that later advices will increase this
number.
The first news of the disaster reach
ed Papeeta. Tahiti, January 26 by the
schooner Eimeo. The captain Of the
schooner placed the fatalities at 500.
The steamer Excelsior arrived at Pa
peeta the following day with 400 des-
ttute survivors. The captain Of the
Excelsior estimated the total loss OF
life to be 500. On Hikuera Island.
where 1000 inhabitants were engaged
in pearl diving, nearly one-half were
drowned. On an adjacent island 100
more were washed out to sea.
The number Of islands visited by the
tidal wave is placed at 80. The sur
viving inhabitants are left destitute
OF food, shelter and clothing, all hav-
ing been swept away by the storm.
As the islands were barely 20 feet
above sea level and were not sur
rounded by coral reefs, 1t was neces-
sary for all the inhabitants to take to
the cocoanut trees when the tidal
wave began 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 ma
tives in the taller trees were safe un-
til the cocoanut roots gave way. and
then they too were swept out into the
sea.
The 400 survivors brought by the
Excelsior to Papeeta gained the ships
side by swimming three and four MILES
from the tops of the cocoanut trees.
The Eimeo, though badly damaged by
the storm, also brought OF as many
persons as could swim to her sides,
she, like the Excelsior being unable
to run close to the shores because OF
,.mo him nrno and M,,;ean sweils. waich
ta. Rr, . iuH abnormally high for
a Week after the tidal disturbances.
One of the many acts of heroism re.
ported Is that of woman who climbed
one Of the tall cocoanut trees and
lashed her babe to the branches, hang
ing to the body of the tree beneath
the little one as best she could There
they remained for 10 hours, suffering
great torture, until finally rescued.
Thousands Of tons Of copra and moro
! than 200 tons OF mother of pearl shells
are known to have been lost. The
pearl shells are valued at $500 per
ton, and many valuable pearls may
now be lost to the world forever, as
these were considered some Of the best
pearl islands in the world.
| The French government, upon re-
ceipt Of the disaster, took prompt
measures to relieve the distressed dis.
tricts and dispatched tive warships
with fresh water and provisions. The
Italian man-of-war Calabria accompan.
led the French vessels on their errand
of mercy. AS the supply Of fresh wa.
ter and provisions was totally eI.
hausted by the storm, 1t is feared that
many lives will be lost before the re-
lief ships can arrive. As far as Is
known, eight white people were
among the drowned