The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-20
Tidal WaVl Engus Elo's Ksyos and 325 Persons Drown.
Steamer and Barge With Many Passengers Aboard Arc
Wrecked with Terrible Loss Of Life Greater Part Of
Fishing Fleet Is Missing and Has Probably Psrshsd. More
Than Score Of Victims Of tho Storms Fury al Havana.
Cruiser Brooklyn Cast Up on Mud Bank, But Gels OF
Undamaged

Miami, Fla, Oct 20.-In the neighbor-
hood OF 325 persons are reported 10 have
lost their lives, the island known as Ell
hott's Keys, about 25 miles south OF this
place, was engufed. and two vessels. one
a steamer, are lost as the result of an
enormous tidal wave. which occurred
there Thursday morning.
News OF the disaster came by an exten-
sion steamer yesterday, and 90 persons
who were on the steamer st. Lucie, which
was sunk. were brought to this city to
receive treatment at the hospital. IL was
stated that there were 100 persons on
board the St Lucie, and that OF this num-
ber 2S were drowned and their bodies re-
main in the hold OF the sunken steamer.
The st. Lucie has been employed in car
rying workmen 10 and from the extension
work on the Keys Despite the storm
warning. the vessel sailed for Key Sarge
with large number on board.
The island. according 10 Capt Bravo. OF
the steamer st. Lucie. who was badly
hurt. was completely washed by the tidal
wave. and all the residents, numbering
about 25O persons were lost. The steamer
st. Lucie was anchored 10 the leeward
OF the island. and the vessel was. crushed
like so much paper by the tremendous
force of the wall OF water
Not far from the St Lucie there lay
when the tidal wave arrived large
barge, containing 100 excursionists. This
craft was torn from its moorings at Ell
liott's Keys and hours afterward was
picked up. according TO advices received
here, near the Bahama Islands. miles to
the eastward OF the mainland. The noun
tain OF water swept across the deck OF the
barge and 30 of the passengers are re-
ported to have been carried overheard
and drowned.
FISHERMEN MISSING.
MANY a craft belonging 20 the Florida
Fish & Produce company's feet were
caught in the tidal wave and are believed
10 have been lost. Fishing nets were
found strewn for long distance along
the shore, but no signs OF any OF the men
or the boats were found by steamer
which was sent out by the manager OF
the company, ]. IL. Adams. yesterday
morning.
They sailed for miles up and down the
coast, and found nothing. Unless the fish,
ing boats were carried out 10 sea, and this
Is not believed probable on account OF the
comparative frailness Of the craft, II Is
likely that the loss OF life will consider
ably exceed the figure at which the cas-
ualties are now placed.
A steamer is to proceed TO the vicinity
OF Elliott's Keys today TO get the bodies
which are said 10 remain in the hold or
the St Lucle and also 10 learn the exact
extent OF damage inflicted upon the Island
ton with the place other than by boat,
and II was impossible last night 10 gain
any details OF the conditions obtaining
upon the devastated isle. The popula-
tion includes both whites and blacks.
EllLOtts Keys rises very little above the
level OF the ocean, and the tidal wave
is said TO have swept completely across
the island, which has not a large area.
destroying houses. uprooting trees and
either crushing the residents or sweeping
them onward I'm the rush OF the water.
LOST STEAMER.
The steamer st. Lucie, which was sunk,
IS a vessel well known In these waters.
Her home port was at Tampa. Fla. She
was built I'm Wilmington, Del. In 1883, ard
was of l05 tons net. and was 122 feet long
% feet beam and over feet In depth. She
was usually manned by crew OF IL men
and had ample room for passengers Sew
eral years ago she was I'm service at New
Haven, Conn, as a harbor steamer.
The survivors of the St Lucie were al.
most unable to tell anything OF the de-
tails OF the disaster, so quickly did every