The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1906-03-08
HUNDREDS j R PERISH
IN A TIDAL WAVE
SOCIETY ISLANDS IN THE PAclF
&c DEVASTATED.
DISASTER COMES AT NIGHT,
Hurricane Aids Monster Sea Waves
in Bringing Ruin-Deaths Es-
timated as High as 10000
Papeete Under Water.

| Islands In the Pacific ocean, which
have been swept by a hurricane of
awful violence and inundated by enor-
nous waves, the visitation causing a
loss Of lives estimated from hundreds
up to 10000 and a property damage
that may reach 100000. Papeete. the
capital of the Island Of Tahiti, has
been submerged, and its principal
buildings crushed like shells. while
elsewhere whole villages have been
swept away. Some Of the islands are
said to have disappeared entirely.
Thousands of persons have been made
homeless, and calls for relief have
been sent out by the resident consuls
to their governments.
Storm Comes at Night.
Details of the storm were brought
to this port by the steamer Mariposa,
though the vessel left Papeete before
the full extent Of the destruction 1t
wrought had been ascertained. The
hurricane prevailed for 16 hours on
February s, the wind reaching We
locity of more than 100 miles an hour,
causing a disturbance of unprecedent-
ed violence in the sea. The storm
came up in the night and reached its
greatest fury before warning could be
given to the inhabitants Of the
islands. Many were swept away on
the first great waves. Others sought
refuge in the tops of cocoanut trees,
and it is feared that hundreds of these
latter victims must have persisted on
the smaller islands from hunger,
thirst or exposure, before relief could
be sent to them.
Papeete Under Water.
Papeete, Tahiti, Feb. IS, via San
Francisco, March 5.-The most destruc-
tive cyclone ever experienced in the
Society and Tuamotu islands oc-
CURED on February and s. The dam
age in Tahiti is estimated at $1,000
900, and presumably similar amount
Of property was destroyed on the Tua-
motu islands. The city of Papeete
was inundated and about % buildings
were destroyed. including the Ameri-
can consulate and the French govern.
ment building. The shipping in the
harbor escaped injury owing to the d.
rection of the wind, but fears are en-
ltertained for vessels which were cruis-
ing near by.A,It is feared that there
has been heavy loss Of life in the Ia
goons Of Tuamotu islands, though the
death Of the guardian Of the quaran.
tine station in Papeete is the only IA
tally yet reported. Y
The schooner Papeete was sub
merged for an hour near Anaa, Tua-
,matu. Her captain, Philip Michaelli,
estimated that the waves were 65 feet
high. 1t was impossible to see 20
feet away. The sailors had to be
dashed to the vessel.
Bridges and roads were badly dam.
aged on the Island OF Tahiti. Bread
fruit, cocoanut, banana and plairtain
trees were blown down in great num-
bers, which will result in hardships to
the natives and materially affect COM
merce during the next two or three
years.
The French gunboat Zeelee has gone
to the Tuamotu islands with supplies
Of food and fresh water. The Brit
ish consul has appealed to his govern
ment for aid for 500 British subjects
lSome Americans have sustained
heavy losses. The Americans are
hopeful of securing help from the
United States. Money and food are re-
lquired.
i Village Swept Away.
The village of Taunoa, near the
arsenal, was completely swept away. Il
consisted of the mission buildings and
homes OF native converts Of the reor.
ganized Latter Day Saints mission,
formerly under the direction of Capt.
Joseph Burton of California. The mis-
, sion house and great many houses
were carried off to distance of many
hundreds OF yards and demolished. or
the church ediace not 3 yestige re-
mains.
| A settlement about an eighth of a
mile distant, composed of dwellings OF
several hundred Cook islanders Brit
fish subjects), was destroyed. Ona
American named seefeldt, living near
that community, had to take to an ad-
! jacent swamp, which became inundat-
ed, and ts was compelled to battle
with the waves many hours. Farther
east on the beach road all the houses
were swept away for about half
! mile.
Il At Taunoa the family of Herman
Mcneil had thrilling experience; their
fine residence. worth $4,000. was bad
. ly damaged by waves, which compelled
the family to fee for their lives to a
native house. Frequently the water
was up to their necks and they were
Obliged to cling to trees for safety and
support Before the storm their house
, was l60 yards from the sea. Other
fine homes were badly damaged:
| In addition to the property destroyed
at Papeete about an equal amount is
believed to have been destroyed alto
\ gether along the beach road around Ia
n hiti. Scores of dwelling houses were
I blown down. There is much distress
among the homeless people. The local
government extended the military bar