The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-20
Drowning Of Thirty Of Crew Of
Government Dredge and of
Twelve Soldiers Confirmed
SEA WALL SAVES LIVES
IN CITY OF GALVESTON
General Funston Reports De-
struction Of Fort Sam Hous-
ton Cau1p-Lack Of Drinking
Water Adds to Suffering

washington, Aug. 1s.--Oficiai con-
flrnation OF the loss of thirty MEM
hers OF the crew OF the Government
dredga San Bernard, In the storm AZ
Galveston yesterday, came 10 the WAI
Department In dispatches transmitted
BIZ army officers on the scene To-
DAYS news from Galveston. Texas lazy
and other points In Texas. inolcatcs
that the damage from the nurrisane
was greater than estimated - h.s..
The information concerning the
drowning Of thirty members or the
crew OF the San Bernard was conveyed
Il, a dispatch forwarded by Cosonei
Rsche. at Galveston. His dispatch
follows:
chief OF Engineers. Washington.
hurricane of nearly equal vio~
lence to 1909, less wind. higher water,
lonner duration. Am getting facts
rapidly as possible. No outside COM
mnnication yet. Dredge san Eernard
lost thirty OF her crew. Probably iost
a.so. Small boats In harbor safe. Re-
ports from others expected today.
fsarapets of Qualifications washed out.
Less of life In city small. owing TO
effective protection of seawafi. Prop
erty dana sc lar les than 1890"
Without Drinking Water.
General Funston sent long dis
pafca from Fort Sam Houston. which
has been received by wireless by CAL
weston IL read:
Severe hurricane visited this island
August ls and II, causing heavy dam
aEe and considerable suffering. water
system, lighting system. gas and street
car syseza out OF commission, ana
no drinking wafer In city except In
ssaase rns. fifth Brigade camp COM
psetely wiped out. No loss OF life re-
ported. Axpot corral destroyed. TWO
employees reported rssEtng. All animals
axccpt two drowned or missing NC
Glelian grounded on Pelican; Buford
md Fitzpatrick safe. Poe damaged.
Cushing safe Troops of Fifth BFt-
gade viii be auarterea on Bufard and
Kfipafrfek today until other means
available for them. Large quantities
OF substance stores destroyed, and
am trying 10 wire st. Louis and New
York and Kansas City for supplies.
CITY under martial law, and ! am CO.
operating with Mayor and citizens
com nasttee. Three hundred feet cause
way destroyed and no communication
with mainland. either by rail or wire.
VIII send this by radio IL possible No
news from Texas City, Ample tentase
on hand for troops. Sufficient subsist-
rrce supplies on hand for troopss ex-
cept fresh vegetables. flour, hard
bread, until communication Is estae-
lsshed. All officers. classified ern-
ploscs and enlisted men and families
safe.
Sea Wall Saved City
In dispatch dated August ~, Colo
mel Waltz at Galveston. reported as
follows.
Terrible hurricane yesterday ex-
tending during night and today. and
still raging. completely. destroyed
every vestige OF camps. Troops placed
In concrete buildings yesterday even
ing. and so far as am able to report
at present no lives lost Troops are
catching rain water, and will en-
deavor to rig up disabling apparatus
with aid of post machine shop, Sea
wall saved lives and city. although
boulevard has dropped six feet In
places. leaving only retaining wall be-
tween us and sea, which ran very
high, throwing rocks over the walls
onto parade.
''Twenty-eighth Infantry. all famI-