HURRICANE AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2100, 28 January 1870, Page 2

HURRICANE AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

The brig Emma arrived at Auckland recently from Mauritius, and by her papers were received to the 20th November. At Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope, there has been another hurricane, causing great loss of life and property. We condense the account of the disasters from the papers at hand. October 22, 1869. There was a fearful hurricane on Saturday night and Sunday morning. The wind blew from the south-east. About ten o’clock the Sarah Black came ashore. About 2 a.m. on Sunday the Forres, followed quickly by the Major von Safft, England, Sea Snake, Argati, Gustav, Jeane, Fingoe, Flash, Duke of Buccleugh, and the hull of the Meg Merrilie?. The captain of the Sea Snake and seven of his crew lost their lives. On Sunday the wind blew at times with a force of seventyfive miles per hour. The loss of life and property has been exceptionally great. The losses sustained by the boating companies are very deplorable ; but they are lost sight of in contemplating the terrible loss of human life. Had each man of the Sea Snake been provided with a life-belt, probably more lives would have been saved. On Saturday, shortly before noon, there was a fall in the barometer, the wind veering round to south-east. At 2.15 p.m., signal was made to veer cable. At 4 p.m., signal •' Veer whole cable, and prepare for bad weather.” The breeze rapidly increased towards sundown, with a smart shower of rain. About 11, the Sarah Black came on shore near Gas Company’s Works. Numbers of people assembled on the beach, and huge fires were lighted. The Volunteer Artillery, with Manby’s rocket apparatus, arrived quickly. The Sarah Black’s crew were safely landed by lifeboat at 1 a.m. on Sunday. About 3 a.m. on Sunday morning the barque Forres parted, and stranded at the northern extremity of the seawall. One of Watt’s whaleboats landed safely the crew. The Manby apparatus was here used. So great was the violence of the wind that the rope was blown clean over the tops of her masts. After the Forres came ashore the barque England grounded nearly opposite the life-boat house. This time the Manby apparatus was used with effect, the Volunteer Artillery remained on the beach all night. The men were all safely landed. The England has oi% board about 800 bales of 1 wool for America. During the night of Sunday, various dwel-ling-houses, stores, &c., sustained material damage. Slates flew about in all directions. Piping and guttering were tom down, and verandahs and fences destroyed. In one or two cases roofs were literally blown away. The parks suffered considerably. About seven o’clock the North-German barque Major Von Safft came ashore ; crew safely landed. The captain’s wife displayed great presence of mind. The condemned barque Meg Merrilies also came ashore. On Sunday morning the beach presented a scene of indescribable wreck. The anchor boat Mariner’s Pride smashed. The pilot boat Annie Elisa -wrecked at the Breakwater, stove in by the water tank. The anchor boat, Sailor’s Friend, also came ashore, but it is likely she may be repaired. While bystanders were contemplating the melancholy spectacle, the wind increased—thunder rolled, lightning _ flashed, heavy, pitiless showers of rain driving down with intense force. In the midst of this, the Sea Snake came ashore, 500 yards north of Seawall. Several ineffectual attempts were made to get lifeboats off to her assistance. Four times were boats launched by willing hands and manned by gallant crews—each time to be swept back by the terrific force of waves. On one occasion the line was obtained from the Sea Snake ; the life-boat launched; but, unfortunately, the line broke. Hocket apparatus brought down, but it was found impossible to throw a line in the teeth of a strong wind, and at last a heavy sea swept away mortar and line. About eleven o’clock a young athletic fellow, provided with a lifebuoy, threw himself in the water and safely reached the shore, Shortly afterwards tha crew, to lighten the vessel, cutaway foreand main masts. Sea running very high, making a complete breach over her stem and waist 4 of back. Heart-rending scene. Poor fellowq * on the bow.

MADAGASCAR. A Malagasy subject, said to bo a slave, employed on boart the British barque Phantom, has been seized by the Hovas, who refuse to give him up to the British Consul. Some strange reports in reference to the Florida (late American vessel), just arrived here from Mauritius, are in circulation here, and if investigated, might prove interesting to underwriters or others formerly connected with this vessel. It is said that the British Consul has sent home for the opinion of his Government on the Delaine v. Finkelmeer M case, in which the American Consular officer ■ is involved, and reference to which has been made in former letters.