ARRIVAL OF ENGLISH MAIL

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 95, 4 January 1868, Page 7

ARRIVAL OF ENGLISH MAIL

[The following appeared in an Extraordinary issued on Monday last.

Via Panama. Hurricane in the West Indies Eighty-two Wrecks! 800 Lives lost! Alarming Bread Riots and incendiarism at Jixeter. Defeat of Garibaldi. 26 Fenians indicted for Murder at Mancheitsr. The s.s. Kaikoura arrived in Wellington at 4 o’clock p.m. on Thursday last with the English mails via Panama. The news is to the 7th November, and from New York to the 11th. Among the passengers are the Earl of Pembroke and suite, Mr. Fox and lady, Mr. Morrison, Mr. Rosser, Mrs. Richards, two children and servant, Miss Harrison, Mr. Pope, Air. Duppa, Capt. Quayle. The Kaikoura left Panama on the 28th November (29th N.Z. time) at noon. She was detained there by the non-arrival of of the R.IM. Go’s ss. Tyne, with the mails and passengers from Southhampton, until the evening of the 26th November, and again with the cargo until the time of sailing. She made a splendid run to Opara island, arriving there at 4 p.m. on the 16th Dec. 17 days from Panama, an average of 275 miles per day. After taking in 260 tons coals she left again at noon on the 17th experienced fine weather and favorable winds until the last four days of the passag -, when she encountered strong westerly winds, retarding her arrival by some hours.

The greatest portion of the New Zealand and Australian cargo was left at Bt. Thomas in consequence of the late fearful disasters. Everything was disarranged, and business entirely suspended at that place. The European intelligence has been anticipated by way of Suez, and consequently there is little new to add to that already published. The Newfoundland line of telegraph had'not been working since the 7th Nov., the cable being out of ordex*. The Panama Star and Herald gives the following extinct from the log of the steamer Solent:

“ Arrived at Peter’s Island at 9 30 a.m. 29th October, a gale blowing from the north; at 20 minutes past !, wind shifted to the S S.E., blowing a hurricane, lost foremast during same, bowsprit also. Hurricane lasted till 330 p.m., then cleared. Saw Itcyal Mail steamer Conway ashore at Rhode island, foremast and boats gone; Eoyal Mail steamer Tyne, at Tranegar Island, foremast and boats gone. On the 30lh,'saw lloyal Mail steamer Phone on Salt Island, total wreck. 130 lives lost, 25 saved, Returned to St. Thomas on the 31st, found Eoyal Mail steamer Wye a total wreck, 65 souls lost out of 76. lioyal Mail steamer Derwent ashore at St. Thomas harbour, also 75 vessels sunk, including the West India and Pacific Steamship Company's steamer Colombian, near dbekhead ; three earthquakes at St. Thomas, half of town under water when Solent left.”

The following are particulars regarding the cyclone at St. Thomas: —

At 11 a.m. on the the 29th the barometer stood at 30,10, at 11 -20 o’clock it had fallen to 27.90, at which time it commenced to blow fearfully from the north-west until 12 - 3 U, Vhen there was a lull for about 15 minutes,, during which the mercury rose to 28‘30; at the expiration of the lull the wind came with such force from the southeast as to sweep everything before it, and so continued with unparalleled violence until 4 p.m., when it moderated somewhat, but blew heavily until about 7 p.m., after which there was a perfect calm. There is not a dwelling-house in the island that has not suffered, and many have no roofs left. The small houses of the poor are levelled to the ground. Over 360 persons are already buiied, and God only knows how many more are killed, wounded, and maimed., The lighthouse is totally, demolished, together with the gas works, gasometer, &e. The printing office of the Tidenda was unroofed'and rendered so unser-, vicoable that they could not print .a list.of the vessels lost lor the.use of Lloyds. Some 30 or 40 wrecks encumber the harbor,' and the damage is so great that it is believed it Cau never again be valuable fpf, commercial purposes. The harbor . is ruined. It . is stated that owing, to the immense.amount of animal matter- —human rcmaiusanddoiuestic animals—lying amid the, ruins, .and rotting in stench through- 1 - out the 4o'wu u'hs’intolerable, aiid aiiepi-

demic will no doubt be the consequence. The effect will be to utterly ruin the island and almost depopulate it. It is calculated* that over 500 persons ai’e drowned alone. Not a soul was saved from some vessels. Upwards of eighty vessels were sunk or dismantled ; there is not a lighter left, andjjthe wharves are destroyed. The gale lusted for four hours, and the loss of property is about 8,000,000 dels.

The Royal Mail steamship Tyne, which arrived at Aspinwall on the morning of the 26th instant, brings the distressing intelligence of another fearful calamity which has befallen the Island of St. Thomas, as also tho«e of Santa Cruz and Tortola. From the Colonial ■ Standard, of Kingston, Jamaica, we take the following account of the catastrophe : On Monday, the 18th instant, the Island of St. Thomas was the scene of a fearful earthquake, accompanied by a fearful inroad of the sea, the effects whereof cannot but be of the most serious character following so closely, as they did, upon the recent hurricane.

At about a quarter before three in the afternoon, a noise was heard such as would be produced by a locomotive of immense power under the utmost pressure, succeeded instantaneously by a visible, movement of the entire island, of such force as to make it a matter of surprise to those who •witnessed it that a single habitation should remain in its normal condition. Most of the stores were swayed from side to side as though they had been vessels afloat instead of substantial buildings on terra firma. Many of them had toppled down, and very many others displayed ominous-looking .apertures ; while few indeed escaped without some latent injury. When this fiist great shock was felt, the scene that met the eye, a few yards from the shore, defies all description. The inhabitants, many of whom had scarcely recovered from the effects of the late hurricane, were in a state of utter panic. Rushing from their houses on the open space fronting King’s-wharf, the negroes appeared in hundreds, men,, women, and children, Casting themselves upon their knees praying, moaning, and wailing, they made up a scene such as is not likely to be soon forgotten by those who witnessed it. About fifteen to twenty minutes after this, and when the first effect of their fright was.moderating, the thousands who were still, in the open spaces were again horrorstricken at beholding the sea approaching the town in the form of a wall, fully thirty feet high, and extending over the entire horizon. On it rushed like an army in full charge, carring away in its force everything that was before it. Many large vessels were turned completely on their beam ends, and, strange as it may appear, one schooner that was sunk in the late hurricane, was lifted by this leviathan wave and carried high and dry upon the land. The sea had entered the town to an altitude of fully fifty feet, so that the loss to the storekeepers in all the principal streets must be enormous. Throughout the entire night, shocks of earthquake of more or less severity were constantly recurring. Towards morning they appeared to gain new strength, and were again continuous throughout the day and following night.

A volcanic eruption was seen on the island of Little Saba, the entire face of which is changed, and now exhibits several large fis.-ures. •

The steamship La Plata, belonging to the E.M.S.P. Company, had a very narrow escape. She was met by the great wave as she lay off Peters Island. Her commander, Captain Eevett, fearing that she would have sustained some injury, and thereby be unable to withstand a similar shock", ordered the crew to take to the boats and put the passengers ashore. This was effected with all possible speed—the officers and crew doing their duty like Englishmen. The passengers were severally domiciled by the kindness of the Governor of the island, by Mr. Cameron, the agent of the company, by Mrs. Sampson, and other of the inhabitants. On the morning of the 19th the La Plata was seen to steam slowly and cautiously into the harbor and take up her position at the coaling station of the company. The negroes who always coal the steamers, still subjected to the panic of the previous day, refused to work fdr any rate of wages. In this dilemma, nothing was left but to act promptly, and the captain immediately set the crew to work to commence coaling, and by seven o’clock of the following morning she steamed out of St. Thomas on- her way to Jamaica, carrying with her hearts full of thankfulness and gratitude. , • , . ’ To the purserof the La Plata we are also indebted for the subjoined‘ i The R.M.C. steamer .La Plata, Captain Reyctt,' left Southamphjn on fhe, 2nd inst., and arrived at Peter’s Island on the 17th. At about 2.40 p.m. a most tonifies shock ot earthquake was felt, resulting in the loss ol

a number of lives. From this until a late hour in the following day shocks continued at intervals of about half an hour. With the first shock several sailing vessels then in harbor were driven ashore—some were sunk. Several stores were destroyed, and otherwise so seriously damaged as to render them unsafe to stop it. After the first shock the waves burst in on the streets,, carrying everything before them. Goods to the extent of thousands of pounds were destroyed. Many of the inhabitants met with a watery grave. The sea struck the La Plata bn her staiboard side, carrying away her bulwarks. The captain, with commendable presence of mind, navigated his ship outside the reef, and thus saved her. In St. Thomas, business was entirely suspended, and woe caused by the late hurricane lias been considerably increased. The inhabitants rushed out of their houses, flying to the hills for refuge. Immediately after the first shock, the passengers on board the La Plata were landed, and on tue 19th were re-embarked, after the ship had coaled. Intelligence received from Santa Cruz and Tortola report that some calamity had befallen these islands. The former was partially inundated. An American steamer (the Monongahela, Editoh Star and Herald) was driven by the force of the waves into the market place. The island is almost in ruins. Tortola also suffered severely,

The steamer Conway was undergoing repairs at St. Thomas, but fortunately escaped without injury. The steamer Eider lias left for the neighboring islands. The steamer Danube also left for Havana.

At the time of the first shock of earthquake the La Plata was at Peters Island receiving coals from two vessels, one on either side. These were driven ashore by the force of the waves, thus enabling the La Plata to put out to sea. On the 20th the I.a Plata had to steam into St. Thomas harbor, where she received 220 tons coals put in by her crew. A complimentary address was presented to Captain llevett and tire officers of the La Plata by the passengers at sea on the 22nd inst.

From the Gleaner , of Kingston, we gather the following additional particulars :

On the 18th the day was clear, fine, and in no way unusual. —Barometer 30.03; Thermometer 81’—when without the least warning, about 3 p.tn., a most fearful shock of earthquake occurred, lasting one hundred and five seconds I it was followed by the great earthquake sea roller, about 50 feet in height. Ten minutes after the first shock, another smart earthquake occurred, followed by the great sea roller. Ship after ship was dashed ashore or against each other. The iron wharf of the Liverpool Steam Company was swept away as if it never existed. Vessels driven ashore by the late hurricane were taken out to sea. Boats were destroyed, and many lives were lost.

Two American war steamers were very much injured. The R.M. Co.’s tug steamer was swallowed up., and two engineers lost. Forty one hours after the first shock, at 8 a.m. on the 2uth, when the La Plata left, 70 distinct shocks had been felt. Two of the La Plata’s boats were lost, and some of ihcr . planking, rails, &c.j were damaged: She also lost two anchors and some chains. : , : :

A volcanic eruption is said to have occurred in the insland of Little Saba, about five miles from St. Thomas, and part of the island has sunk.

The loss of life in St. Thomas, afloat and ashore, was not supposed to exceed 30. The Royal Mail Company’s office at St. Thomas has been completely distroyed, and the saloon of the Derwent, now ashore, is being-used as the Company’s office. A correspondent gives the fallowing account of the second and most disastrous shock : ; ■ “ From the moment of the first shock, the water began gradually to recede from the shore. The panic-stricken and shrieking inhabitants, whose heartrending ■ Cries for mercy,'rendered yet more striking the dull and heavy stillness which prevaded all nature after the first shock, had barely had time to quit their houses and reach the open air, when another shock came, and then was noticed the fearful aspect’ the sea : was gradually assuming; far awayf about two miles from the mouth of the harbor—slowly but surely rising—an immense wave came, gathering strength as it rushed, till, having reached the harbor-entrance, this immense wall—not less than forty feet high—toppled ovex and broke, roaring, on whiit the hurricane had left standing. Ships were drivcn ashoi’e • or : dx-agged < from their mdbxihgs—wharves swept away-rt-w recks ashore high an 1 dry floated off—here a schooner was capsized—lbexe one left lying by the hum-

cane broadside on, was righted, and floated out to deep water. The harbor boats were nearly all smashed or carried far up the wharves or on to the main street, warehouses were completely gutted, and their contents strewed across the roads.

“ A second wave less intense followed the first, and then came a third! “ Little by little the harbor resumed its former aspect, its surface, if anything, strewed with yet more wrecks.” The shocks continued at short intervals up to the afternoon of the 20th inst., when the La Plata left the harbour. (By the Atlantic Cable.) London, Nov. 7th, 1567Serious bread riots occurred in Exeter on the 4th inst. Every : meat and bread shop in the city was sacked, and many buildings were set on fire by incendiaries. Great excitement prevailed for a time, and the local authorities had to petition the Government to send troops to quell the rioters. The troops came to the rescue and soon restored order. Lord Rosse the astronomer is dead. The special commission for the trial of the Fenian prisoners is now sitting. 26 of them have been indicted for murder. The disturbances caused by want of employment and scarcity of food continue in Devonshire. Riots are reported at Torquay, Exmouth, and other places in the country. By the efforts of the authorities, the troubles at Exeter, the capital of the county, were suppressed, and the town is now quiet. Many of the rioters there are now under arrest. Troops had commenced moving to the various towns in the north of England, where the risk of Fenian troubles was considei’ed greatest. A war steamer had arrived at Liverpool, and took up her position in the Mersey. The London Times, in a leading article to-day, predicts that should Napoleon fail in bringing about a general conference of the European powers to settle the Roman question, he will abandon the defence of temporal power of the Pope, and leave Italy to decide upon the future position of Rome. _ ——— Florence, Nov. 7th. On the 3rd inst., Garibaldi, with 3,500 men and two cannon, left his camp at Monte Rotondo, and advanced to Tivoli, which was held by the Papal troops. Ha found the latter, to the number of 6,000 posted in a strong position, and supported by artillery. The Pontifical troops immediately opened fire with their batteries upon the approaching Garibaldians. A desperate conflict ensued, and the latter were about getting the better of the Papal troops, when a French column, under Gen. Pohles, advanced to their support and turned the tide of battle, and Garibaldi with his followers was forced to retreat with the loss of 900 killed and 2,000 taken prisoners. The papal troops also lost heavily. Subsequently Garibaldi and his son Menotti were captured at Terni, and sent to Yigevano, in Piedmont, and confined in prison there. . Garibaldi now claims that he is a citizen of the United States, and demands his rights and. privileges as such under the law of nations. The American minister left here yesterday for Vigevano, and will make a friendly endeavor to have him released. The downfall of Garibaldi and his follower's puts an end to making Rome the capital of Italy for the present.