HURRICANE AT TONGA.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 76, 19 April 1879, Page 2

HURRICANE AT TONGA.

By the arrival of tho Reconnaissance we have been placed in possession of the following communication respecting the reeont hurricane in Tonga:— The most fearful hurricane that has been ever known in Tonga, in tho experience of the oldest resident here, took place on March 7th and Bth-. It commenced at about 7 a.m., when tho barometer went down to 2956, giving evidence by the breaking of the surf that a severe blow was at hand. At 12 o'clock noon the barometer stood 2950 ; at 3 p.m. 29-35; at 0 p.m. 29'2-t; at 9 p.m. 293 ; at 12 a.m. 2535. The height of the hurricane was at 1.10 a.m., March Bth, tho barometer going below 27'90. It would be impossible to describe the force of the wind, for it seemed to come in streaks, a hundred yards even making a great difference. On shoro there were fifteen churches blown down completely, and others very badly injured. There were 1037 dwelling houses destroyed and 903 smaller houses—out houses, &c. The British Consulate, one of Messrs. Godefhoy's large stores, and two of the Wesleyan Mission stores wore completely destroyed. But the greatest wreck in the whole island seems to he the Roman Catholic, Church at Maofaga; it was a very fine building and cost a very considerable sum, but it is a most perfect wreck now. Tho priest's houso, which is in course of building, was also greatly injured. There were three vessels in the harbour: H.I.G.M.S Albatross, which lost ono anchor, and though steaming at the rate of 9J knots per hour, could hardly keep up to her anchor; the Reconnaissance was ono of the other vessels, and sho also lost an anchor and dragged considerably. The Now Zealand schooner Madonna kept well to her anchor and rode it out well. The damage done is immenso; Tonga is virtually ruined for the next three or four years. Fortunately the last year was a very plentiful one as regard* food, so thoro is some hope that the natives will not sutler so much from it as they did from tho last hurricane.