Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-17
VELOCITY OF THE WIND
EXCEEDS ALL RECORDS
Storm That Has Mystifed Weather
Bureau Suddenly Reappears.
GREAT LOSS OF LIFE Is FEARED
All Communication With Interior Is
Cut-Maine Wrecking Dredge,
With Relics, Is Swept
to Sea.

HAVANA. October 17.-10:30 am.-The
cyclone that struck the island yester-
day is increasing. Its velocity is APP
serious than the hurricane Of 1906,
which cost many lives and damage to
the amount of millions of dollars.
Customs warehouses are flooded, and
the roof Of the main building has been
blown away.
The National Observatory reports that
the disturbance is only beginning. and
will last probably for twenty hours.
The sea before noon had swept the
custom house sheds for a distance OF
a half mile. and was carrying of mer-
chandise valued at hundreds OF thou
sands of dollars.
The gale unroofed the main customs
warehouse and the contents of the build
ing were drenched. This building con-
tains the most valuab goods In the har-
Dor.
The coal hoists OF the Havana Coal
Company at Casabianca, across the har-
Dor and mile from MORO castle. have
been wrecked. Casablanca is flooded and
the residents are taking refuge in the
hills behind the towns.
Harbor Lashed to Fury.
1t is impossible to observe definitely
what is occurring in the harbor owing to
the high waves and flying spume, which
obscures the view like fog. 1t is cer-
tain, however, that a number of sailing
craft are dragging their anchors and are
in imminent danger of being blown ~
sea.
The dredge which has been working
alongside the wreck of the battleship
Maine broke from her moorings and has
been carried out to sea. The dredge has
on board the foremast, chains and other
relics from the American warship
Wire communication with the interior
is cut off and the situation outside this
city is in doubt.
The town of Batabano is said TO be un-
der water to depth Of many feet. A
large number of lives have been lost
there, according to reports.
A report from Regla across the harbor
says that many persons have been killed
there.
Loss of Life Feared.
1t is rumored that great number Of
sailors and longshoremen have been
drowned in the harbor.
1t is PROBABLE that the most fatalities
have occurred and the greatest monetary
damage has been done i'm Pinar Del Rio.
where the destruction of Thursday ami
Friday has been added to greatly since
last night. it is believed. The sugar cane
crop Is thought TO have suffered severely
The gale came today from the south
southwest with a violence not expert
enced before i'm long time. Rain fell
In torrents throughout the night, but let
UP somewhat at daybreak, though the
wind held as strong as ever.
All traffic i'm this city and i'm the har-
Dor was suspended today. Scores Of
lighters and other small craft had been
swamped or wrecked against the bulk
heads.
All vessels I'm the port are double
anchored. The steamers are under steam
The Ward Line steamer Saratoga, which
was due to sail Saturday, remained
inbound
Wind Suddenly Shifts.
At noon the storm was still furious,
but the wind suddenly shifted TO the
west and there were indications of clear
ing weather.
The Belen Observatory reported that
the vortex would pass over Havana at
1870 O'Clock, moving eastward