HURRICANE AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 624, 18 January 1870, Page 4

HURRICANE AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

TWELVE VESSELS WEEOREII—^L.QSS Otf I.IFE. By the arrival of the brig Emma from the Mauritius, we (SautJiern Cxoai) are in possession of papers to November 20th, The news from Port Louis is not of interest. There has again been a hurricane at Port Elizabeth, Cape of Good Hope, ajid severe losses of life and property resulted. We collect from the papers to hand the following particulars : — Poet Eliza bets, Oct. 21, Hurricane on Saturday night and Sunday, All vessels except Turkish Empire and Cape City ashore. Most of the cargo boats and two anghor-.boats smashed ; also the port launch. Strong southeast blew Saturday evening to a hurricane. About ten o'clock the Sarah Black came ashore, About 2a m. on Sunday, the Forres, followed quickly by the Major Von Stafft, England, Sea Snake, Agati, Gustav, Jean, Fingoe, Flash, Duke of Buccleugh, and the hull of the Meg Merriles. The captain of the Sea Snake and seven of his crew lost their lives. All these vessels are ashore in the bight, and near the gas house. October 22. The wreck of the Sea Snake, with right to all the cargo, was sold this morning for Ll4O. The Cambrian arrived this morning about eleven o'clock. On Sunday the wind blew at times with a force of seventy-five miles per hour. The loss of life and property has been exceptionally great. The losses sustained by the boating companies are very deplorable ; but they are little thought of in contemplating the loss of human life. Had each man of the Sea Snake been provided with a life-belt, ' probably more lives would have been saved. Old Port Philip residents affirm that in intensity the gale has never been approached since 1834 ; although in Sept., 1859, there was a heavy gale, and seven vessels wrecked. On Sat\trday, shortly before noon, there' was fall in barometer, wind veering round to south-east. At 2.15 p.m. signal was made to veer cable. At 4 p.m. signal " Veer whole cable, and prepare for bad weather." The breeze rapidly increased towards sundown, with a smart shower of; rain. About 11, the Sarah Black came on shore near the Gas Company's Works. Numbers of people assembled on the beach, and huge fires were lighted. Volunteer Arlillery with Manby's rocket apparatus arrived quickly. Sarah Black's crew was safely landed by life-boat at 1 a.m. on Sunday. The Sarah Black, at the time of stranding, had only a few tons of goods on. board for the East London, and a crew of 12 men. About 3 o'clock on Sunday morning bark Forres parted and stranded at the northern extremity of sea-wall. One of Watt's whaleboats landed the crew safely. The Manby apparatus was here tried. So great was the violence of the wind that the rope was blown clean over the tops of her masts. After the Forres, came ashore the barque England, which grounded nearly opposite the life-boat house. This time the Manby apparatus was used with effect. The Volunteer Artillery remained on the beach all night. The men were all safely landed. The England has on board about 800 bale 3of wool for America. During the night of Sunday, various dwelling-houses, stores, &c, sustained material damage. Slates flew about in alldirections. Pipiug and guttering were torn down, and verandahs and fenct s destroyed. In one or two cases roofs were literally blown away. About seven o'clock North German barque Major Von Stafft came ashore. Crew safely landed. Captain's wife displayed great presence of mind. The condemned barque Meg Merrilies also came ashore. On Sunday morning the beach presented a scene of indescribable wreck. The anchor-boat Mariner's Pride smashed. The pilot-boat, Annie Eliza, wrecked at the Breakwater, stove-in by the watertank. The anchor-boat Sailor's Friend also came ashore, but it is likely she may be repaired. While bystanders were contemplating the melancholy spectacle, wind increased — thunder rolled, lightning flashed, heavy, pitiless showers of rain driving down with intense force. In the midst of this, Sea Snake came ashore 500 yards north of; Seawall. Several ineffectual attempts were made to get lifeboats off to her assistance. Four times were boats launched by willing hands and manned by gallant crews — each time to be swept back by terrific force of the waves. On one occasion, line obtained from Sea Snake ; lifeboat launched ; but, unfortunately, the line broke. Rocket apparatus brought down. Impossible to throw a line in the teeth of a strong wind, and at last a heavy sea swept away mortar and line. About eleven o'clock, a young athletic fellow, provided with life buoy, threw himself in the water and safely reached the shore. Shortly afterwards the crew,to lighten the vessel, cut away fore and main masts. Sea running very high, making complete breach over stern and wasit of ship. Heart-rending scene. Poor fellows on the bow.