THE HURRICANE IN THE PACIFIC.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3170, 3 April 1889, Page 2

THE HURRICANE IN THE PACIFIC.

More Shipping DisastersAuckland, April 2. The. steamer Richmond arrived tonight from the Islands, arid brings intelligence of a fearful hurricane at Tahiti, and of more shipping disasters., A downpour of rain -set in at Papeete on the 4th of March, and: continued till the 9th, when it culminated in a flood, the city of Papeete being submerged for "86. hours. A gale of terrible ,violence prevailed, and buildings were blown down," including many houses in the Chinese "quarter of the town, whilst others were unroofed. Trees were uprooted, and great 'damage done to property throughout the Island. One native! village was sweptbodily into the sea, and it is supposed thirty lives have been loßt.. Thirty-nine bridges were swept away, damage to the amount of "150,000 francs being thus caused. Communication between the various islands has been interrupted and roads renderedimpassable, whilst the beautiful avenues of trees at Papeete have been destroyed. The Natives are without food or shelter, the plantations having been destroyed. The American ship Bed Cross, bound from Newcastle to San Francisco with coal, put into Karotouga, on the 15th March,' dismasted. Whilst entering Avarua Harbour "she ran ashore, and waa then purchased by Mr Extiam, on behalf of Donald and Edenborough, for LSOO. The ship was afterwards floated,-a portion of the cargo having been "taken out, and she was brought to a safe position in the harbour, but on the 21st a fierce gale having sprung' up, she parted her mooring, and, striking on a reef, foundered.' No lives were lost.

The Auckland brigantine Ada C. Owen was lost on February 4tb. ' She was making Papera Harbour, near Papeete, there being a steady wind, with a very heavy swell. When - the vessel reached the entrance of the harbour, the wind suddenly died away, and left her helpless in the heavy rollers. She soon drifted on shore, and became a total wreck. The Ada C. Owen was the property of Donald and Edenborougb, and was insured for LI ,300 in the New Zealand Office. The wrcjk was sold for 400dols.

A quantity of wreckage, and a boat belonging to the ship Suakim, bound from Newcastle to San Francisco, have been washed ashore at the Island of Aitutuiti, and it is surmised that the vessel has been lost at sea. The Suakim, which was almost a new ship, was the property of the Suakim Ship Company, and Captain Seabrook was in command.