FEARFUL STORM IN THE CHINESE SEAS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2392, 16 November 1880, Page 2

FEARFUL STORM IN THE CHINESE SEAS.

[Bv Tklkgkaph.j (Per Rotomahana at the Bluff.) Cooktown, Nov. G. A heavy storm was encountered by the steamer Brisbane, which compelled her to return to Hong Kong. She experienced terrilic weather, and sustained serious damage. The steering gear was carried away. and Quarter-master Mclntyre was washed overboard. The lowest reading of the barometer was GO.GS. Captain Riddell narrowly escaped being drowned while fixing the steeringgear. lie was washed through a porthole, and was severely cut, and was almost insensible for six days. Craig and Mct’arlane, officers of the steamer Xormanby, rendered great, service. Three days of the heaviest weather ever known was encountered ; the cabins and saloons wore filled with three feet of water. Yokohama advices report that lots of small craft were wrecked. A great cyclone occurred in the Waiwcn Government settlement. It first came as a hurricane, succeeded by a great calm for 45 minutes,and afterwards by a gale from the south. Public buildings were unroofed, and a large tree, 100 years old, was completely rooted up. Passengers were compelled to crawl on their hands and knees. Green fields and trees were scorched and withered. The barque Leek before the storm was in company with ten other vessels; after the storm only five remained in sight. The Seaman’s Bride foundered, and only two of the crew were saved, they being picked up after being thirty hours in the water. The British vessel August arrived, j ury rigged, having experienced a typhoon. She left Amoy on the 14th September, and on the 27th, fell in with a great typhoon, and had to cut away her masts. She lost three boats, and her cabin lixiugs were all smashed. Next morning she sighted two men on a piece of wreck, but was unable to render them assistance. A Grand Council was held at Pekin on the 15th September. The Western Empress decided that all those for war shall sign a document guaranteeing that, should China lose, the subscribers shall pay any indemnity demanded by [Russia. Since His Majesty is under age and a woman cannot take the responsibilit3r of declaring war, the document will be sent to Hang Chong, Grand Secretary, who favors peace. The Java opium farms have been let for a million guilders increase yearly.