Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-03-10
ty Island Disaster In Which Mormon Courage FIGURED

waves In the harbor washed over the
quay. There was no perceptlble wind
ABOUT o'clock In the morning the
American consulate the Oldest struc-
ture IN Popeete, having been built
about 1886, collapsed. In the absence
Of the American consul, his mother,
Mrs. D1ty, supervised the removal OF
the archives aided by several Nor
mon missionaries, Mrs. Doty was In
serious jeopardy several times. Tho
records were temporarily stored at the
Latte~-day Saints mission house Mr..
Doty's FAMILY also accepted their hos
pitality. Beyond the American consul
ate several government buildings. in
Guiding the treasury and storehouses,
sustained great damage.
The deputy mayor Of Papeete NJ.
Longamoyino lost not only his own
residence, but six other houses. NJ.
Poroe lost many OF his buildings. All
the dwelling houses near the Protest.
ant church We're wrecked. The British
consulate was slightly damaged. Cap
tain Bemali had to abandon his home
with his family on account of the rush
OF water Another American. Edward
Gritch, was washed out
The substitute guardian at the quar-
sntine station at Montauta Island. Pa
peete hatb0r was waving a lantern for
many hours during the night, as he ana
his wife rlung to the tops Of cocoanut
trees in the midst OF waves that dashed
thirty feet high over the island
on shore NJ. Andre the chief pilot,
called out to commander Hurbin Of the
gunboat Xoleo 90 let him have a boat
ana crew for the rescue OF the man
and woman at the quarantine station.
Commander Hurbn explained that he
deemed It his duty to decline to
send his men into what appeared for
lom hope expedition. but promised to
let NJ. Andre have a boat without a
crew Pilot Andrew roquisitioned four
prisoners at the local fail and with
them proceeded TO the Zelee. As COM
mander Hurhin ala not wish "a risk the
lives of his crew, even TO send boat
ashore the four native prisoners. who
were splendid swimmers, were pressed
into service
NATIVES CLIMB TREES
At Fakarara the natives had to climb
INFO the rOcuanut trees. although few
Of them preferred to put TO sea in cut
tels and anchor their boats as securely
Bs possible In the lagoons. NJ. Marcadi,
the French resident, put TO sea IN n
tcn-ton cutter and after three days
reached Tahiti, reporting that the gov
eminent buildings the Roman Catholic
church and an he dwellings had been
swept away. He knew Of no loss of
life. hut feared that many would sue
cumb to hunger, thirst and exposure.
lie proceeded with the French gunboat
Hclee with supplies and water.
In addition 10 the property destroyed
AT Papcete, an equal amount is believed
10 have been destroyed altogether along
the beach around Tahiti Scores OF
dwelling houses were blown down.
There t. much distress among tho
homeless people The local govern
mcnt extended the military barracks
and hospital grounds as a temporary
retreat and provided food whsn need
cd, but the funds Of the treasury are
practically exhausted.
CAPTAIN LAwLEss' STORY.
on reaching San Francisco, Captain
Iowless OF the Mariposa made the fol-
lowing report.
Immediately on the arrival OF thu
Mariposa at Tahiti on Feb. 10 the SER
vices Of the steamer were offered
through the company's agent to render
any aid that might be required. After
leaving Tahiti we kept sharp look-
out for the derelicts and also for tho
French gunboat Zelee. which we hoped
to intercept on her way back TO Pa
peete. We saw nothing, however. un-
III the next day, when we spoke n
schooner crowded with excited people.
who told MS that the island on which
they had lived, probably Fakarava, had
been swept away. They were bound To
Tikahau for provisions. They informed
US that the Zelee was on her way back
In Papeete and should arrive there that
day
'The schooner was commanded by u
man named Peters, who asked me TO
report that the destruction was wide
spread
81 kept a sharp lookout along the
shore Of Tikahau and Rairoa, but saw
no living thing. just plain destruction.
Inside the lagoon at Tikahau was u
large schooner ashore, probably blown
over the reef at some other point. We
could make no landing, as the reef was
breaking heavily. II on board. tho
crew was safe ms the vessel was stand
ing upright with spars intact
AT Raiaka. 100 miles northwest ot
Tahiti they had more wind than sea,
and native houses and iron roofs sailed
through the air like gigantic bats. Half
an old iron bridge was sucked up and
dumped on top Of another bridge half
a mile away. 1t will be impossible to
get exact details for month or more.
but when the news does come | am
afraid il will be bad
The Helee had probably distributed
all her stores and was returning 10 Pa
peete for coal and a fresh supply OF
provisions.
There is one consolation In this
great calamity So far there has been
no report Of any great loss OF life.
when the Mariposa left papeets
conditions We're again normal, and the
work Of reconstruction was going on
under the energetic supervision Of
Governor u. Julien"