The Colorado statesman., 1909-07-24
GALVESTON SAFE
BEHIND SEA WALL
WiTHSTANDS STORM NEARLY
EQUAL TO THAT OF NINE
YEARS AGO.
GULF COAST RAvACED
MANY TOWNS ENDANGERED AND
MUCH DESTRUCTION OF
PROPERTY.

Galveston.-Fortified behind her sew
enteen-foot sea wall and elevated to
point above the danger line, Galveston
Wednesday passed safely through
hurricane which resembled in intens-
ity the disastrous storm of 1900.
Part of the island upon which the
city is situated was again inundated
the overflowing sea water reaching
height of seven or more feet. That
portion of the island which has been
protected suffered comparatively little
harm.
No lives were lost in the immediate
vicinity and the property damage will
not be large.
Sweeping westward the tropical
storm, which had been central over the
Gulf for twenty-four hours or more,
struck Galveston shortly after eleven
o'clock
The wind attained velocity of six
ty-eight miles an hour, heaved the wa
ters of Galveston Bay up against the
island and flooded that section which
had not been raised. The water backed
up into the main streets.
The principal damage was con-
fined to the beach front, where bath
houses and pleasure piers were swept
away, but shipping was undisturbed.
A hurricane for east Texas was fore
casted early in the day, and when the
storm broke Galveston was prepared.
The inhabitants of the few scattered
houses in the low section sought safe
t1r hn rid at
anchor in the bay.
The fury of the storm was soon
abated, and the anxiety of those who
entertained fears of another tidal
wave thus early relieved.
So short was it's duration that the
Mallory line steamer booked to sail
for New York shortly after noon left
on time.
A heavy dredge had been blown
against the single bridge which con-
meets Galveston Island with the main
land and the telegraph cables had
parted. AS a result all manner of ru-
mors were soon rife throughout the
country to the effect that Galveston
had again suffered such a storm as
that which practically destroyed the
city nine years ago. Men were put
at work at once repairing the bridge
and laying new cables.
Few buildings were blown down,
but 1t is believed many warehouses
were flooded and that goods on the
bottom floors of these buildings were
ruined. Consequently 1t will require
several days to ascertain the amount
of damage. The storm covered a wide
area along the Gulf coast.
One fishing pier seven miles from
the city was demolished by the wind
and waves. Thirty or forty people
were rescued by the pilot boat Texas
and brought to Galveston.
AS result of the damage to the
single bridge which connects Calves
ton with the mainland, and over
which all the trains entering or leav-
ing the city are forced to cross, COM
munication by rail with Galveston has
been cut off. Tugboats are carrying
passengers, mail and freight across
the bay to Galveston.
Ten people were drowned in the wa
ter that swept over portion of Tar
pom pier, seven miles from the city
They were washed from the rocky
promontories into the Gulf and the
bodies have not been recovered.
1t is reported that there has been
considerable loss of life at Palaces
and Blessing. 1t is also said Bay City
suffered greatly from the hurricane.