Year: 1867

Our Coast Line-The Terrible Southwestern


Hurricane.


We yesterday published an account Of the
fearful hurricane which swept over South
western Texas and Eastern Mexico. At Mata-
moros fifteen hundred houses were blown
down and twenty-six persons killed, besides
many wounded. At Brownsville, the principal
town on our Texas frontier, lying Immediately
opposite Matamoros, there were ten persons
property was immense. Clarksville, on the
Texas side, and Bagdad, on the Mexican side
of the river, were levelled with the ground.
At Brazos, one Of our military stations, twelve
persons were killed. Out of the seven steamers
on the Rio Grande which, owned by single
company. held most crushing monopoly Of
the river trade, but two can be repaired. So
terrible storm has rarely broken over that
coast, which is so famous for its terrific
.snorthersn


This hurricane has been brewing for .
month, and has given due notice Of its ap-
proach. In Havana 1t has been blowing hard
from the northeast for several weeks. At
Charleston it is reported that they have had .
northeast gale for fourteen days. On our own
coast the northeast wind set in last Friday,
and now we have the storm itself, although In
q very light form, comparatively.


In the constant chronicling Of the devasta-
tions to property on both land and sea we are
struck with tho almost total lack Of the means
to prevent many Of these disasters. However
much theoretical science we may possess, we
often fail to make such application oft as will
give 1t practical value. This is eminently
true in applying our knowledge to weaken the
effect of storms. There should at once be
formed by the United States government .
Storm Bureau, whose duty it should
be to have constant telcgraphic COM
munication with every part Of the country,
and especially Of our coast, to report coming
gale Of wind. The headquarters Of their
bureau should be in New York. The most
thorough study should be made Of the laws
which govern storms. The information which
such an organization could give to the coun-
try, to commerce and to science would be
immense.


But this is not the only organization we re-
quire for our commercial protection. We have
to-day q very miserable lighthouse system,
entirely supported by our government, while
in addition 10 this we pay to England and
some other countries certain tonnage dues to
support their lighthouses. On the English
coast the lighthouses are SO numerous and
we'll arranged that there is little left to be de.
sired; for whatever commerce seeks English
ports supports them. This is the true method
Our lighthouse system should be completely
reorganized, and, in connection with the Storm
Bureau we have suggested. should receive
prompt attention. The government should
have coast line telegraph connecting with all
the lights, which should each receive tele
graphic operator In case of shipwreck the
fact might be at once reported to the nearest
port, and relief be extended Immediately to
the vessel Moreover, each lighthouse would
serve as signal station for the Storm Bureau
Receiving the news by telegraph Of an ap
preaching storm from almost any quarter
vessels on the coast might be signalled ant
warned Of the danger. Our power is no
great enough to control hurricanes or alte
the laws of nature but we may, by practica
application Of the knowledge we possess
guard against whatever destroys our pros
perty.