THE GREAT STORM AT MONTE VIDEO.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 229, 4 March 1875, Page 3

THE GREAT STORM AT MONTE VIDEO.

The following is extracted from the Buenos Ayres Standard, of the 14th November: — " The oldest inhabitants of Monte Video hardly recollect any storm of greater violence than that of Tuesday, the 3rd instant, which did so much damage on land and water that the injury is estimated at £IOO,OOO sterling. The south side of the city, being exposed to the full fury of the Atlantic, suffered most. Wharves were washed away, ramparts and batteries destroyed, steamers sunk, warehouses broken open by the waves, walls swept away, vessels driven ashore, and parts of the city as much injured as if by an earthquake. The breakwater between the English Church and Calle Monte Video was knocked to pieces, solid masses of rock and concrete being dashed high up the streets to a great distance. The railway to the Buceo at the crossing of Calle Cerro has disappeared, rails, breakwater, and all, as well a 3 the lower parts of the street and paving. The Maua Graving Dock, built with such solidity, has had the granite entrance washed away, and a Brazilian war steamer in dock has disappeared under water. The spectacle here was grand and imposing, the waves dashing their spray 200 yards over the houses, and beating so terribly against the rocky wall that it was feared the city gasworks would be washed away or blown up. The dock pumps were kept working all night to prevent disaster. The breakwater of Callo Santa Theresa was dashed to pieces, and the public baths submerged under twelve feet of water, all the furniture, doors, kitchen, &c. being washed about by the breakers. Adjoining the baths was a conventillo inhabited by workmen's families : the foundatioopwere washed away, and the inmates es*

caped in their night clothing. A fishing boat was washed up Calle Camaras, and then dashed to pieces. The factory of Lascazes and Olave was inundated and wrecked at the foot of Calle Maciel, as well as an adjacent smith's and turner's shop. The great wall of the factory fell, and the coast is strewn with broken boilers, machinery, barrels, &c. Next door to the British Hospital the waves broke in and inundated a house, aiid the rampart of Calle Guarani was partially destroyed* Such was the wreck of boats, wharves, and warehouses at this point of the coast that the lower part of Calle 25 de Mayo is encumbered with debris, boards, planks, &c. Sosa's establish ment is under water. The Gounowilhou rampart and wharves are destroyed, as well as the new baths, the Alvarez warehouse, and 25 breakwater. Port San Jose battery is washed away, as well as the Rompe Olas landing pier; Wilson's wharf is a wreck, as well as that of the Barraca Britanica, next the Custom street. In front of the Capitania the waves swept off the passenger stairs and part of the wharf, while the Custom House wall is cracked over the Capitania office. The gateway of Calle Solis has given way, and is in a ruinous state. The kiosks of the Customs guards on the Caburro and Herrera wharves were swept away along with the passenger stairs, and are now floating about the bay; also the entire mole of Calle Cerro, which was torn away from the roots. All along the Bovedas the sea wall was destroyed, the bairacas of Irieraray, Guerra, La Puente, &c, are utterly destroyed. The great Playa breakwater near the Aguada has been broken in various places, although constructed with such solidity as apparently to last for ages. In a word, the whole coast from the Aguada to Rompe Olas, and then to the Playa Ramirez, is a scene of wreck and ruin never before witnessed. Fortunately the loss of life seems to be nowise commensurate. Up to the present only one corpse has beeu picked up, but it is to be feared other victims will be found later on. Still it is surprising that so disastrous a storm has not been attended with serious loss of life."