TRAIL OF THE CYCLONE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15563, 21 March 1914, Page 7

TRAIL OF THE CYCLONE.

RUSSIAN CATASTROPHE. THOUSANDS OF VICTIMS. DEATH-ROLL LENGTHENING. FISHING BOATS MISSING. GRAVE FEARS ENTERTAINED. TERRIFIED PEASANTS. Times and Sydney Sun Service?. (Received March 20, 5.20 p.m.) St. Petersburg. March 19. A terrible cyclone yesterday swept over Rostov-on-Don, and accounted for 3200 victims. A fishing settlement of 400 houses was swept away. Fears are still entertained for the safety of the 150 Astrakhan fishing boats, which are still adrift in the Caspian Sea. Over 10,000 men are aboard. Striking phenomena were witnessed throughout the south of Russia. In one place there would be complete darkness, and elsewhere a rosy sky. Mud and rain disfigured the. houses, frost ruined the orchards, and there was also blinding lightning without thunder. Many peasants were stricken in the devastated area. The poor people believed that all this was the prelude to the Judgment Day.

SCENE OF THE CALAMITY. Rostov-on-Don is a seaport on the right bank of the Don. 25 miles above its entrance into the Sea of Azoff, and consequently must have been right in the track of the hurricane that did go much damage along the shores of the inland sea. Ros-tov-on-Don is the chief port of the Province of Don, and its importance is increased by its standing on the chief high roads to the east and south, and at the head of a main trunk railway. Great fairs are held here, and there are important fisheries.