Į
480
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observed by her on the river. Lowest glass
29.12.
The steamer Fire Part reports that it blew terrifically at Macao. No damage was done to the European shipping, though considerable among the native craft. Seve- ral houses were blown down and consider able anxiety felt. The Praya wall was slightly damaged and some trees torn up by the roots, but the amount of injury sus- tained is reported inconsiderable. Baro- meter 28.95,
The barometrical readings given by us in our report above, were those of the glass at Messrs Falconer & Co.'s, which is considered the best and most reliable in the Colony. Many private glasses fell much lower, and the aneroids, which are more sensitive, were jumping about during the storm, now up and now down.
The river steamer Kinshan reports that, at Canton, on the 26th, the wind was steadily N.E. during the morning, and much too strong for yachting purposes ou the afternoon and evening of the 25th. She was compelled to anchor at Chun Pih (below the Bogue Forts) half an hour after ton, where she remained for eighteen hours, starting again about 6 a.m. of 27th, During this time the wind blew in terrific. gusts; and the directions were as under :- 20th, 2.80 p.m., N.; 3.30, N.N.E.; 4.90, N.E.; 7.30, E.; 11, E.S.E.; 27th, 2 a.m., S.E.; 8, S.S.E.; 8.30, S. The lowest readings of the Barometer were observable between 4 and 8 p.m. of 26th, the glass having gone down to 29.12; and by 6 am. of the 27th, when the Kinshan resumed her voyage, it had risen to 29.40. The Kin shan also mentions having seen some wreck on the river; she likewise saw one or two boats adrift, evidently of foreign make, so that news of disasters at sea may yet be looked for.
Considerable damage is said to have been sustained at East Point; and the residence of Mr Smith, at the Sugar Refinery, has a clean breach through roof, ceilings and floors. The tall chimney-stalk of the va cant Mint and that built for the Sugar Rofivery, were swinging to and fro like huge rocking-stones; but fortunately for all concerned they kept their balance well. It appears that the house formerly occupied by the Master of the Mint, and in which Mr Smith now resides, has been furnished with unusually tall chimney-shafts, say from eight to twelve feet; and when the wind veered round to the Eastward, it seems that one of these chimneys received the full force of the hurricane on ita broad- side. This mass of brickwork was blown on to and athwart the roof, and the debris found its way through three floors ere it reached the ground level. Mr S. and his wife had just risen from dinner, and a glass was whisked out of his hand by a passing tile, as he stood near the side-board. For- tunately both escaped from harm, though the furniture has suffered greatly.
During the efforts made by residents, soldiers and police, on the afternoon of the 26th, to save life, many acts of daring were doubtless performed, mention of which may never reach the public ear. We may ob- serve, however, that a party of gentlemen, headed apparently by Mr Craig (of the Chartered Mercantile Bank), did signal Borvice at West Point, in saving a large number of natives from the shattered and
sinking junks. At the Praya Central, where the successful efforts were made to save the occupants of Messrs took's cargo- boats, Mr A. L. Turner (of the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank) nearly lost his life while foremost amongst the rescuers. A heavy sea swept hira down amongst the drifting wreck at Russell's Jetty, and it was not without difficulty he was recovered from the swaying debris. Later on, in the evening, great interest was excited by an attempt, or rather a series of at- tempts, to save two women from a sampan off Bassoon's Jetty. The little craft was! perhaps a hundred yards or more from the shore, and five or six rockets had been fired with lines attached, but had fallen short on account of the heavy gusta of wind. A party of gentlemen-consist- ing of Messrs A. M'Leod, J. M'Leod, George Glasse, and Edward Norton, with Mr C. Eichel (of the Hongkong Hotel) and another-maumed a boat and essayed to go forth to the rescue of the poor women. But they had no sooner entered the boat than it became evident that she could not live, and the resolute crew had to get back to the jetty as best they could. The women were, we understand, all safe in the morning; and the incident is as oreditable to all concerned as if they had been saved by the gentlemen named. The gig used, which was the property of McEwen & Co., was badly crushed; and a boat belonging to Mr Norton was store during a previous endeavour to launch ber.
We hear that the water-boat belonging to Mesara Blackhead & Co, made a atretch to seaward when the typhoon commenced, and was reported off the Brothers, some twelve miles distant, dying her house-flag as comfortably as possible. It is almost a pity that more of this class of boat did not go and do likewing,
Fears were entertained that the diving apparatus hitherto in use at the Dunmail wreck had been entirely lost; but we have since learnt that nearly everything had been recovered from the wrecked cargo- boat in which they were stowed. Two copper helmets (supposed to have been stolen by Chinese), and a coralet are miss- ing, while one of the pipes has been cut. Mr Norton has lost his life boat, gig, dingy, and two large diving-boats; but as the diving apparatus is almost complete, the work will not be long delayed." In- deed, as about $140,000 worth of cargo has been already saved, there only remain about 300 tons of lead, 20 tons of nail rod iron, and a few cases copper to bring above
water.
Among the most lamentable incidents of the typhoon is the wreck of the Siamese ! barque Walter. She seems to have been subjected to the full force of the hurricane. Her two chains were seen to part and she drifted. The captain boisted sail, in the hope of clearing the harbour, but the barque atrack the shore opposite Green Island. Most of the crew jumped on to land. The captain and mate (both Eng. lishmen), with five native sailors, remained with the vessel. Their hope of saving her was destroyed, for she drifted away from shore and sunk. The captain and the remnant of the crew were saved, but the mate, whose name we have been unable to learn, was drowned.