Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-03-05
THOUSANDS KILLED.

Papeete, Tahiti, Feb. 16. via San
Francisco, March 3,-The most de-
structive cyclone ever experienced in
the Society and Tuamotu islands oc-
Cured ON Feb. and 8. when thousands
of lives We're lost, it is believed. The
damage in Tahiti is estimated at
$1.O00,00O and presumably n similar
amount of property was destroyed on.
the Tuamotu islands. Some estimates
of damage run up to $5,000,000.
The city of Papeete was inundated
and about 75 buildings destroyed, in
Guiding the American consulate and
the French government building. The
shipping in the harbOr of Papeete es-
capped injury, owing to the direction of
the wind. but fears are entertained for
vessels cruising near the Tuamotu
islands.
1t is feared that there has been
heavy loss of life in the lagoons of
Tuamotu islands, though the death of
the guardian of the quarantine station
in Papeete is the only fatility yet re-
ported.
The schooner Papeete was submerged
near Anaa, Tuamotu. Her captain,
Philip Michaelli, estimated that the
waves were 65 feet high.
NJ. Marcadi, French resident at
Fanarah, Tuamotu islands, abandoned
the place in a small cutter after all the
government buildings and dwelling
houses and the Catholic church were
swept away.
Many of the natives climbed cocoa
nut trees and others put out to sea in
small boats.
Bridges and roads We're badly dam
aged on the island of Tahiti. Bread
fruit, cocoanut banana and plantain
trees We're 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 Zelee has
gone TO the Tuamotu islands with sup
plies of food and fresh water. The
British consul has appealed to his gov
ernment for aid for 500 British sub
jects.
Some Americans have sustained
heavy losses, and probably there will
be a few instances cf utter destitution.
The Americans are hopeful of securing
help from the United States. Money
and food are required.
The cyclone or hurricane reached the
velocity of 120 miles an hour. 1t struck
the islands about midnight Feb. I, and
continued until about 4 o'clock the fol-
lowing afternoon. The island of Anna
TuamOtu group, is believed to have
been the center of the storm.
Al Papeete about o'clock on the
evening of Feb. T. the sea began To
break heavily over The reef. the waves
III the harbor washing over the quay
There was no preceptable wind
I'm hour later high seas broke, COM
pic tely den1oliShing The government
slip and buildings. beside causing great
damage to the coal sheds. The guard
ian of the arsenal. Teffer Adams, an
expert swimmer. was in the water for
many hours and assisted i'm warning
and rescuing others.
The village of Tarona, near the
arsenal. was completely swent away. It
consisted Of the mission buildings and
homes of native converts Of the reor-
ganiZed Latter Day Saints Mission.
a settlement about an eighth of n
mile distant. inhabited by several hun
dred Cook Islanders British subjects).
was completely destroyed.
Further east on the beach road all
the houses were swept away for about
half q mile.
At TaunOa the family Of Herman
kenell had thrilling experience, their
fine residence. probably worth $4,000,
being badly damaged by high waves
which compelled the family to flee for
their lives to a native house. Frequent
Continued on Page Two.)