TYPHOON IN CHINA SEAS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 288, 4 December 1900, Page 2

TYPHOON IN CHINA SEAS.

TERRIBLE DESTRUCTION AT

HONGKONG,

A BRITISH GUNBOAT SUNK

GALLANT RESCUE OP THE CREW

HONGKONG, November 12,

The typhoon which occurred here on the 9th -was the sharpest and most severe storm within the recollection of old residents. A roaring, shrieking storm, accompanied by blinding rain throughout the night, howled on. The gusts of wind Wero frequently very severe, registering over SO miles an hour. The barometer continued falling, and at G o'clock 28.85, the lowest reading during the storm, was recorded.

In the midst of the howling, shrieking gusts, the ominous sound of minute guns was heard. The storm soon exhausted its strength, but in that short period fearful destruction and carnage were wrought.

The British river gunbout Sandpiper, riding at anchor off the naval depot at Kowloon, was comparatively safe until the veering of the wind, when the sea swept over her, carrying away everything movable on deck. The desperate situation of the crew was indicated by the distress minute guns. Other reserve ships were at anchor In tlie vicinity, but no row boats could live in such a sea, and the crews were powerless to assist their brother sailors. The little gunboat was not long able to withstand the elements. A torpedo boat "destroyer, in response to the distress signals, gallantly steamed ovor, but was unable to prevent the foundering of the Sandpiper. By masterly seamanship, however, the destroyer succeeded in taking off the crew from the damaged bows of the slnlSng vessel and from floating wreckage. So all hands were saved except one man, whose body was brought ashore about 10 o'clock.

The Sandpiper was a twin-screw shallow draught steamer of S5 tons, used en the West River suppressing piracy.

A powerful dredger named the Canton River, which had recently arrived, almost without warning listed to port and capsized. About fifty people were on board, but as far as is known only one was drowned; us she capsized tho men scrambled on to the vessel's bottom, where they remained until half-past'six, when they were rescued by boats.

The typhoon caused the csllapsa of several buildings, the most serious being in Queen's Road Central, where a building came down with, a loud crash killing eight Chinese.

At Traya, about 7 o'clock, another crash was caused through portions of a "godown," or store, falling, an,d causing three deaths. Some Other buildings were so destroyed that they will require to be entirely re-built. There is hardly a house in course of erection that has not been partially destroyed.- Everywhere trees were damaged or uprooted and gardens sadly disfigured, wJille some roads were simply choked with fallen trees, launches, junks, and sampans smashed into matchwood. Wharves and piers were also damaged.

The steamer Changsha,, which was in harbour, had a narrow escape. About 5 o'clock in the morning the steamer Coptic parted her moorings, drifted down the harbour, and fouled the Changsha and the steamer Hongkong. The damage, fortunately, was slight, but it might easily have been serious.

It is impossible to obtain accurate information of the extent of the loss of life, but both were very extensive. Many thousands are numbered amongst the distressed. Some estimate the casualties at 300, and the damage at a million dollars.