Terrebonne County Louisiana Archives News.....Coverage from The Times Picayune August 18, 1856 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Savanna King savanna18king@gmail.com August 16, 2023, 4:21 pm The Times Picayune August 18, 1856 In consequence of the exhaustion of the weekly edition of the Picayune published on Saturday, and of that published yesterday, containing full accounts of the calamity at Last Island, and the continuing demand for the paper, for the sake of procuring them, we reproduce them this evening, commencing with the following article in which we gave confirmation to the brief announcement in a previous issue that a rumor was current in the city that such a catastrophe had occurred: The rumor which prevailed yesterday of the destruction of Last Island in the late storm is probably too true. We have only some general reports of the greatness of the disaster, and a few vague particulars of the loss of individuals and families. The accounts brought from Thibodaux and Berwick's Bay, by the Opelousas Railroad last evening, are confirmatory of the inundation of the island, the destruction of the buildings, and the probably loss of a great many lives, reaching, perhaps, to six or seven score. In the meantime, the anxiety to learn the particulars is very great; and the means of communication between the city and the scene of the suffering are very slight. Last Island is an island in the Gulf of Mexico, which has been for some years made a summer resort for planters and their families from the interior parishes of Lafourche and Attakapas, and some from the city. It is distant from the main land at the mouth of the bayou about twenty miles; the nearest land is five or six miles distant. The island is about twenty-five miles in length, and from a half to three-quarters of a mile wide--only three or four feet above the level of the Gulf. It is exposed to the full sweep of the waters and the southern breezes, which have made it a desirable retreat in the summer months. This year the island is reported to have been well patronized, and the anxiety is therefore intense to learn who were exposed to the storm and what losses we have to deplore. The ordinary access by the city is via the Opelousas Railroad, to Bayou Boeuf, and thence by steamboat to the island, going and returning, twice a week, by the steamboat Star. The Star appears to have been wrecked in the storm, and the reports below make the wreck the only refuge of all that remains of the submerged island. By the arrival of the Opelousas cars this afternoon we hope to have further details, and pray that the accounts heretofore received may have been much exaggerated. In the meantime we subjoin such items as we have been able to gather. The following letters will show the excitement caused by the reception of the intelligence of the disaster at Brashear City, and the promptness with which steps were taken to send relief to the surivors: --- Brashear City Hotel Wednesday, August 13--4 A.M. Eds. Pic.--John Davis has just got here from Last Island in a small sailboat, and reports Last Island entirely swept of all the houses by the storm of Sunday night, and that 137 lives were lost by the disaster. This is the amount hurriedly ascertained at present. --- Berwick's Bay August 13, 1856 In great haste. We have just sent the Major Aubrey to the assistance of the sufferers, who are now clinging to the hull of the steamboat Star. She starts hence in one hour, only waiting to wood at this place. Respectfully yours, Eugene Daly --- Mr. Davis, above referred to, we are informed, is the keeper of the oyster saloon beneath John McDonnell's Restaurant, in Common street, in this city. He succeeded in getting his wife, we learn, into a place of safety, and then started to procure aid. He was accompanied to Berwick's Bay we are informed, by the engineer of the steamer Star, which he left on Tuesday morning. The depth of water on the island, referring as we understand it, to the highest portion, is reported at five feet. The wreck of the steamboat Star is stated to be lying on the island, near where the hotel of John Muggah formerly stood. The rise of the inundation is said to have been of unparalleled rapidity, the height of five feet being reported to have been attained in two minutes! Although we were to read "hours" instead of "minutes," it will not be difficult to understand what a wild excitement and fearful havoc it must have caused, with no succor at hand. All the houses on the island were swept away, and it is particularly reported that most of those staying at the hotel were drowned. A list of reported victims, we are informed, was forwarded to Brashear City or Berwick's Bay, but we have not been able to find anyone in the city who has brought up a copy of it with him. We have, however, heard the names of a few of those alleged to have been drowned, and give them as they have reached us; but without vouching for their correctness: Mr. Hart, of this city; Wm. Rochelle, of Pattersonvill; Mrs. Como [name probably otherwise spelt] of Pattersonville, John Muggah (co-proprietor of the hotel), wife, five children and brother; Mrs. Maskell and two children, of Franklin; the barkeeper of the hotel (name not ascertained). It is stated that there were about 400 persons on the island at the time of the disaster and the number surviving on the wreck of the Star is estimated at from 250 to 275. Most of these reports, with numerous others to be traced to no reliable source, were current throughout the city last night, and naturally created great excitement, which will not be allayed until we have fuller and minute particulars of the disaster. It may be safely inferred, we hope, that the worst of it as a whole has been given in our version of it, and that efficient aid has been forwarded to the survivors. The fact of a list of those sacrificed having made up, shows that on the spot the survivors were collected, and in a position to aid themselves, at least to some etent. We hope to see those belonging to this city back by this evening, and enabling us to give a complete and exact account of the said occurrence. The next day the steamboat Major F. X. Aubrey having returned to Bayou Boeuf with the survivors of the calamity, some of whom came on to this city in an express train, kindly placed at their service by the Opelousas Railroad Company, we were enabled to publish in an extra edition the following particulars: The express train, with those of the survivors of the Last Island calamity rescued by the steamboat Major F. X. Aubrey, whose destination was this city, arrived at Algiers at an early hour this morning. By it we have further particulars respecting the awful occurrence. Among those who arrived in the train were Dr. Wm. Jones Lyle and Mr. M. D. Winter. They had taken an active share in the perils and labors of the trying occasion, from the first moment to the last. In giving their account of it, we omit repetition of what has already reached us, as far as the hurry and disconnected manner in which we are compelled to take it will allow. They inform us that the storm commenced about 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, and a faithful picture of the calamity they declare to be beyond realization. The gale did not abate until Monday morning, and then the rain continued almost without intermission up to the time of their leaving the island, at times the winds rising pretty strongly again. The number of the victims they estimate at over 200, at least 182 having been already counted. The island was swept by 2 o'clock on Sunday, having been overflowed between noon and that hour. The wind blew first from the north, and the northern part of the island was overflowed. Next the wind came from the east, which beat the water off from the north side of the island; afterwards the wind shifted to due south, and then the island became overwhelmed by the waters of the Gulf. Horses, cattle, and even fish, lay strewn dead about the island among the human victims of the storm. It is believed that many bodies were washed out in the Gulf. On the Coast, sugar houses and other buildings have been blown down. The steamboat Major F. X. Aubrey got down to Last Island by about 3 o'clock yesterday morning, and left on her return at about half-past 10 o'clock, taking on board all the survivors, except some families from Plaquemine, who were awaiting the arrival of the steamboat Blue Hammock, which was seen going in as the Major F. X. Aubrey left. Five steamboats were met going down to the assistance of the survivors, but some of them, finding they were not wanted, returned. The Major F. X. Aubrey got to Bayou Boeuf with those saved, at half-past 8 o'clock last night. The express train was found awaiting them, and getting into the cars, they were in Algiers by half-past 3 o'clock this morning. They were brought in free of all charge on the Opelousas Railroad. Many of the survivors were severely wounded by floating timber, and by being dashed about by the waves and currents; and we regret to learn that it required all the energies and courage of the stout hearts that were there, to secure them and the ladies and children saved a position on the hull of the wrecked steamboat Star. At first, as this vessel was borne to and fro in the raging elements, and it became necessary to cut away her cabin, to prevent her from sinking, it was thought as she consequently became lost to sight, that even the refuge of her wrecked hull was lost, and most of the sufferers gave themselves up as doomed. In addition to this account, we are favored with the following letter from Dr. Duperier, giving an account of the catastrophe, with a list of those ascertained to be dead, which it will be seen corrects many errors in the lists already received, and adds some names--and also with a list of the survivors: --- Bayou Boeuf, August 14, 1856 Dear Pic. -- You may have heard ere this reaches you of the dreadful catastrophe which happened on Last Island on Sunday, the 10th inst. As one of the sufferers it becomes my duty to chronicle one of the most melancholy events which have ever occurred. On Saturday night, the 9th inst., a heavy northeast wind prevailed, which excited the fears of a storm in the minds of many; the wind increased gradually until about 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, when there existed no longer any doubt that we were threatened with imminent danger. From that time the wind blew a perfect hurricane; every building upon the island giving way, one after another, until nothing remained. At this moment, everyone sought the most elevated point on the island, exerting themselves at the same time to avoid the fragments of the buildings, which were scattered in every direction by the wind. Many persons were wounded; some mortally. The water at this time (about 2 o'clock P.M.) commenced rising so rapidly from the bay side, that there could be no longer any doubt that the island would be submerged. The scene at this moment forbids description. Men, women, and children were seen running in every direction, in search of some means of salvation. The violence of the wind, together with the rain, which fell like hail, and the sand which blinded their eyes, prevented many from reaching the objects they had aimed at. At about 4 o'clock, the Bay and Gulf currents met and the sea washed over the whole island. Those who were so fortunate as to find some object to cling to, were seen floating in all directions. Many of them, however, were separated from the straw to which they clung for life, and launched into eternity; others were washed away by the rapid current and drowned before they could reach their point of destination. Many were drowned from being stunned by scattered fragments of the buildings, which had been blown asunder by the storm; many others were crushed by floating timers and logs which were removed from the beach, and met them on their journey. To attempt a description of this sad event would be useless. No words could depict the awful scene which occurred on the night between the 11th and 12th inst. It was not until the next morning, the 12th, that we could ascertain the extent of the disaster. Upon my return, after having drifted for about twenty hours, I found the steamer Star, which had arrived the day before, and was lying at anchor, a perfect wreck, nothing but her hull and boilers, and a portion of her machinery remaining. Upon this wreck the lives of a large number were saved. Towards her each one directed his path as he was recovered from the deep, and was welcomed with tears by his fellow-sufferers, who had been so fortunate as to escape. The scene was heart-rending; the good fortunate of many a poor individual in being saved, was blighted by the news of the loss of a father, brother, sister, wife or some near relative. I will not prolong the detail of this unparalleled catastrophe, but will give you the list, as correctly as I could obtain it, of those who were lost: Dr. Batey, lady, four children and two servants; A. M. Foley, lady and two servants; Adrien Frere, lady and son; Gabriel Grevemberg, Gaspard Ratier, Mrs. Thos. Mille and three servants; Homer Mille, lady and child; Mrs. Michel Schlatre, seven children and six servants; John Muggah, wife, two children and five servants; James Muggah and son, John Bariaffey, Mrs. B. A. Prewitt and two servants; Ida Magill, Augustus Magill, Mrs. Crozier and three servants, Mrs. Bordis and servant, H. Landry and three servants, Michel Landry, Joseph Dugas, Ulysse Simoneau, Joe (waiter), servant of Mr. Trousdale, C. A. Barilleau, child and servant of W. W. Pugh, Jean Avet, Wm. Rochelle, Achille Hebert, wife, child and servant, of Bayou Goula; Mrs. T. Landry, two children and four servants; Mrs. A. Comeau, five children and four servants; S. H. Prewiit, Jr., Mrs. D. Rentrop, daughter and servant; Mr. Turner, lady and servant; Mr. Reed, wife, child and two servants; Mrs. Flash and child; sister of Mrs. Flash and child; Mrs. Thos. Maskell, three children and one servant; Mr. Midnight; two servants of Mr. Ellis; Mr. case, P. Robinet, Simon Dumble, Levi Loep, Mrs. Eloi Hebert, Mrs. Emeline Babin, Mrs. Homer Hebert, Mr. Stewart, Miss Fisher, Col. Fisher, Mr. Thompson, lady and three servants; Mr. McDonald; servant of Wm. Bisland, servant of Joshua Baker, Mr. Royster and lady, nergro man of Cheyney Johnson; Lewis, stewart; Jane, chambermaid; servant of Mrs. Develin, servant of Mrs. Meade; child of J. Etie and servant, servant of D. Beraud, servant of Jonas Marsh; Mrs. Geraud and child; servant of Dr. Hawkins, servant of Mrs. Harris, Mrs. Roumage and servant, Mrs. Voisin and daughter, Mrs. M. Babin, Mrs. Eloi Babin, Mrs. Boudreaux, Mrs. Bell, John Schneider, F. Fitzpatrick, servant of G. A. Briant, two children of Mr. Bontiton, Tom, free negro, Harriet, slave of D. Muggah two children of Mr. Hudgins. As I before stated, not a single building withstood the storm. The loss of property is immense, amounting to at least $100,000; the principal sufferers being John Muggah & Co., Thomas Maskell, P. C. Bithel, Gov. Hebert, Thos. Mille, L. Desobry, Lynch, Nash, A. Comeau, and others. The loss of baggage belonging to the visitors on the island at the time, which is complete, amounts to at least $5,000, besides about $10,000 in money on those who were drowned, which was nearly all recovered by a set of pirates who inhabit the island. The bodies of those who were recovered had been invariably robbed by these men. It was an awful scene to see the avidity of these heartless beings to pillage the dead. I hope that the hand of justice will take hold of them and dispose of them as they deserve. I cannot terminate the report of this sad event without lauding the zeal of all the survivors in rendering to each other mutual assistance. The self-denial and zeal displayed by Capt. Smith, of the steamer Star, and his officers, and of Capt. Thomas Ellis, of Terrebonne, deserve special commendation. The thanks of the survivors are also due to Capt. Atchison, of the Major Aubrey; Capt. Meynier, of the Orion; Capt. Dardennes, of the Blue Hammock, and Judge Baker, who came to the relief of the sufferers, as soon as they heard the news of the disaster. The following is a list of the survivors. Mr. Thomas Mille; Mr. Michel Schiatre, Jr.; Dr. Baggerly, wife, nephew and niece; Miss C. Hartman, Mr. Crank; Mr. Johnson, lady and four children; R. Trousdale, J. K. Smith, Miss Cornelia Nash, Miss Elizabeth Nash, Miss Roberta Nash; C. B. Baylies, wife and child; L. Desobry and wife, Mrs. Dardennes and five children, Miss H. Clements, Miss L. Clements, R. S. McCallister, W. D. Winter and servant, Thos. H. Ellis and two servants, J. B. Murphy, Misss Matherson; Dr. J. T. Hawkins, wife and child; Capt. Gates and wife, Mrs. Harris and child, Mrs. Dr. Lyman and child, W. J. Nash, Sr., W. J. Nash, Jr., Miss Mary Nash, Miss Parmelia Nash, Miss Harriet Nash; Antoine Comeau, child and servant, T. Landry, A. B. Wadsworth, Dr. B. A. Prewitt and two servants, G. A. Briant, Miss Emma Mille; John Davis, wife and two children; Henry Mugga, Dr. William Jones Lyle; Capt. D. R. Muggah, wife and four children; J. L. Lewis, wife, mother and three servants; Jonas Marsh and daughter; W. W. Pugh, lady, six children and servant; Miss Nichols, a servant of Dr. Batey, a servant of Mr. Foley, Franklin Pugh, Desire LeBlanc and servant, Aristide LeBlanc, E. Lafonts, V. H. Rentrop and two daughters, G. Hebert and lady, L. C. Goiterman, Chas. Rhein, E. Lecosta, A. B. Cary, R. C. Simms and wife, Mrs. Birdsall and son; Thos. Maskell, two children and six servants; F. B. Jackson, Dr. Day, Mrs. S. E. King, Miss Caroline King, Adolphe Rochelle, H. E. Tyler, Louis Grevemberg, Miss Brunette; Mrs. Crowper, two children and servants; Desire Berand, lady and two children; E. J. Etie and lady, Mr. Flash and lady, Mr. Voisin, M'me Baptiste, Mr. Giraud, Dr. A. Duperier. A Sufferer. --- It is deeply to be regretted that the bodies of most of the victims were plundered as above stated; but the fact is beyond question, although every effort was made, where possible, to prevent it. The interment of bodies found exposed, was carefully attended to; but in a great number of instances, the elements had done the work. The waters carried a depth of several feet of sand and debris, on some parts of the island, and have everywhere so changed its surface, that those formerly acquainted with it, could no longer recognize it. Many bodies rest beneath the grave thus made for them by nature. Peace to their manes! The return of our special messenger, whom we had despatched to the spot, as soon as intelligence of the disaster reached us, enabled us to add the following items to those above given: We republish on our first page this morning the very full account of the Last Island calamity, which was issued in an extra edition yesterday. We have taken every care to have it complete and correct, and we believe that it will be found as close to exactness as possible under the melancholy circumstances. We have but little of importance to add to the accounts of the catastrophe, beyond what has already appeared; but there are innumerable details of more or less interest current concerning it, and we subjoin some of them derived from good authority. The steamboat Star, on Saturday, started on her regular semi-weekly trip from Bayou Boeuf to Last Island, with a fair complement of passengers on board. She arrived outside the bar at an early hour on Sunday morning. Finding the water low she was compelled to remain outside to wait for the tide. The weather at this time was moderate, though showing some signs of an approaching storm. The storm soon came on in all its fury, as already stated, and water enough came to carry her first over the bar and then close up to the hotel, which was still standing. Capt. Smith, with equal presence of mind and energy, set to work to combat the danger which he saw threatened all, had both anchors thrown overboard, and seeing that as she dragged somewhat, the cabin began to yield, he ordered all the passengers down to the main deck, and set the crew to work to cut away all the upper woodwork of the vessel. Had not this been done she would soon have been torn to pieces or driven out to sea in such a condition that all on board must have perished. The residences on the island immediately after this commenced yielding, and the first was borne completely away by wind and wave, with all its inhabitants. The hotel, it is said, stood the force of the elements remarkably well, being among the last to be swept off, and going only by piecemeal. On the storm's approaching its height the inmates betook themselves to a large room upstairs, considered very secure; but the violence of the elements increasing the bar-room was recommended as preferable for safety, and thither they therefore all went. The upper part of the hotel was soon blown away, and the water making its way into the lower part, they were driven from that place of retreat. The steamboat Star, now a wreck, as already described, lay close to the door, and all endeavored to get on board of her. The distance was short but the traverse perilous, and it was in making it that the infant child of the Hon. W. W. Pugh was wrested from its mother's arms and born to the realms of eternity by the ruthless waters. There was, of course, a desperate effort to reach the boat by the majority of the apparently doomed ones; and were it not for the strenuous exertions and noble courage of a few the result even on this account alone must have formed a sad addition to the features of the disaster. Mr. C. A. Barrilleau particularly distinguished himself at this time, and finally fell a victim to his bravery and resolution. He had rescued nearly all of Mr. Pugh's family, and went back to render assistance to that of Mr. Beatty, when the exertion proved too much for him, and he sank with a lady whom he had in his arms endeavoring to save. They rose no more, all attempts to reach them proving utterly fruitless. M. Aristide LeBlanc, in like manner, most nobly distinguished himself, but fortunately escaped with his life, though in a state of great exhaustion--complete prostration, indeed. The panic-stricken people on the island, of course, all rushed towards the hull of the Star, in the hope of reaching it and being saved. We have already stated how cruelly many of them were disappointed, and in what a sad condition some reached the boat. Our readers will readily understand that many of those not wounded were in rags, without hats or shoes, and some with scarcely rags to cover them. We shall, therefore, not descant upon the painful scene. Fortunately there was sufficient food on the Star for immediate necessities, and the people on her lived through the terrifying storm till Monday morning, with only such suffering from affliction on account of others, and anxiety for their own immediate future, as our readers will understand without our dwelling on them. During the interim all that could be done in the way of rendering assistance was done; but, the elements had already effected their worst. Nearly, if not quite all, who were not on the Star, were long since beyond the reach of human aid. One young gentleman, named Maskell, who was carried away by the current when the storm was at its heigh, on Sunday, was fortunate enough to get within reach of some shrubs, to which he clung all night; and he was found and rescued on Monday morning. He was the only one of his family saved. His mother, her three other children, and her servant, will be found recorded in our list of victims. T. Dautrive, an Attakapas pilot, who had been staying on the island for the benefit of his health, was carried away to the distance of a mile, when he fortunately caught hold of a stake. He was soon afterwards struck by a log, which dislocated his hip; but he clung on to the stake all night, and was rescued in his crippled condition on Monday morning. Immediately on the news reaching Mr. Comeaux, of Bayou Teche, whose family were on the island, he chartered the steamboat Major F. X. Aubrey for $1,000 to proceed to the assistance of those on the desolated island. Expresses were at once forwarded in all directions announcing the occurrence of the calamity, and abundant assistance, as we have already stated, was forwarded from various points, on steamboats, and in sailing boats, skiffs, &c. During Monday a cow, some sheep and one horse were found alive on the island. The cow was killed, and furnished sufficient meat for all the survivors. On Tuesday, after suffering intense anxiety, they were rescued. At our latest accounts from the island the steamboats Blue Hammock and Archer were cruising about, endeavoring to recover the floating bodies of victims. The only recognizable body yet brought up from the island was that of the infant of the Hon. W. W. Pugh. Great numbers of those who had relatives and friends on the island were at Berwick's Bay to receive the survivors on their return; but as the Major F. X. Aubrey came to Bayou Boeuf through the Bayou Chene, not going to Berwick's Bay, many of them were missed in the transit. Mr. Henry Muggah, one of the survivors, has a severe fracture of the head, his recovery from which is considered doubtful. Many others have severe injuries, and the appearance of all was truly pitiable. The foregoing accounts were accompanied in our daily editions of Saturday, and in our weekly edition, with the following article: Our weekly paper this morning contains, in full, all the particulars we have been enabled to gather, of the terrible disaster at Last Island, in the storm of Sunday last. No such calamity, in wide-spread and sudden destruction of life, has ever been known in this region before. An island, twenty-five miles in length and from a half to three-fourths of a mile in width, people by several hundreds of the best class of Louisiana society, has been literally washed away by the raging waters, and more than half the inhabitants engulfed by the pitiless waves, or bruised and crushed to death amidst the fragments of ruined habitations, tossing in the furious whirlpool which has destroyed the island. Our distant readers may not know where Last Island is, which has been the scene of these horrors. It is the most westerly, and therefore termed the "Last," of a chain of islands, extending from the mouth of the Mississippi, westward, a few miles from the main land. Its direction from New Orleans is a few degrees west of south, and the air-line would not be over seventy-five miles, as we estimate, on the map. It may be reached by the way of the river, but since the building of the Opelousas Railroad, access has been very much facilitated by that route. Travelers took the railroad to Bayou Boeuf, thence by steamboat down the Atchafalaya river into the Gulf, by the Bay, or through one of the bayous. From the city to Bayou Boeuf is seventy-three miles, and it is about thirty miles to the mouth of the Bay. Last Island lies some eighteen or twenty miles, in the Gulf, east of the Capes of Atchafalaya Bay, and five or six miles from the nearest short. It was a wild place--a sand bank, in fact--covered with very scanty vegetation, but so open to the cooling breezes of the Gulf, and with such a fine beach, and abounding with fish and oysters, that it became at first an occasional resort for fishing and picnic parties, and of late years grew to be a pleasant summering place for planters and their families from the Attakapas and Lafourche parishes. Several of them had built cottages, and some buildings had been erected of quite a durable description. The railroad offered such facilities of communication that the island was frequently visited from this city, and grew so much in favor that a plan was suggested, and had met with very liberal countenance, for making a summering place there on an extended scale, by the erection of a very large hotel, under the charge of Hall & Hildreth, of the St. Charles Hotel. The designs and elevations were shown to us some months ago, and it was thought the enterprise might be complete and in operation for the next season. This summer a hotel was kept there by Mr. John Muggah, which has had a very considerable support, and the island has had a large number of visitors. The list of the lost and the saved will show anybody acquainted with this State, that there was gathered upon this little spot in the Gulf, at the time of the storm, a large representation of the wealth and intelligence of the best classes of the population of Louisiana. They made the barren sand bank the seat of refinement and hospitality, where, in a single day, almost within a single hour, Death came in his most hideous form and swept one-half of them into a nameless grave, and made the whole place desolate forever. The memory of this storm, which has carried mourning into every parish in South Louisiana, for the untimely fate of kindred or dear friends, will, for many a year to come, repel with a shudder all thought of Last Island for a dwelling place. Every murmur of the cooling surf in its quietest mood, and every sigh of the summer breeze in its balmiest breathings, will be a saddening memento of the time when a happy crowd were gathered there for innocent enjoyment, and the storm came suddenly and heaped the waters upon them. The sea and the winds will seem to chant an eternal dirge for the dead. --- Caillou Island At first, reports reached the city that Caillou Island, a few miles to the east of Last Island, had experienced a similar fate. The return of our reporter, however, enabled us to correct them, and to give the following particulars: The latest reports from this island are more favorable than previous ones. A gentleman who got on the Opelousas railroad cars at Terrebonne, and who had just arrived from Caillou Island, stated that all the people who were there are safe. The storm commenced there at 12 o'clock on Sunday, and continued with unabated fury until 4 P.M. on Monday. All the people, however, clustered together on an elevated portion of the island, close to the house of Mr. B. G. Thibodaux, where they remained in perfect security until the storm abated. Two boats were washed away. The ladies exhibited a great amount of courage, especially those of Mr. H. G. Thibodaux's family. Four houses were blown down, and others suffered considerable damage. Some stock were also carried away. A portion of the wrecks of an American and a French vessel were washed ashore, and our informant supposed that they were both wrecked during the night. Although no bodies were yet seen, he thought the crews of both vessels must have perished. --- The Storm Elsewhere We add to the foregoing the following accounts of the effects of the storm elsewhere: From Over the Lake [Correspondence of the Picayune.] Mandeville, Aug. 12, 1856 Friend Pic.--Our town was visited on Sunday and Monday by one of the most disastrous storms ever witnessed here. The wind began to blow from the east on Sunday noon, and kept increasing until Monday morning, when it shifted to south by east, and then it was really awful to witness the progress of destruction. Rain, whirlwinds, waves--all went dashing over our town, bringing with it our bathing houses, wharves and boats. About dark on Monday it was thought that the storm had subsided, but at 10 o'clock P.M., it assumed its former strength, and continued until today. It was a great sight to see the whole village on the beach--the men with red shirts; the fair Creoles seeking their bathing "fixings," ankles deep in the water. The whole town, in fact, was on a grand picnic--some picking up the remains of their bathing houses, others trying to save their boats from a watery grave. The total loss is estimated at about eight thousand dollars; the greatest sufferer being our friend W. A. Nott, whose fine yacht, the Spy, was completely smashed against the steamboat wharf. There were no lives lost. Our boats did not return on Sunday evening, nor Monday morning. Where were they? Safely moored in the Tchefuncta river! On Monday morning, it was really a sight to see some of your city "gents"-- clerks of banks, or deputy something--lamenting on not being able to get to the city to be at their work. This morning, the sound of a whistle is heard, a rush is made to the wharf, and behold, here comes the Arrow--worthy of her name, she cuts the dashing elements, and her gallant pilot, (Kimball) lands her safely to the wharf. She takes over two hundred passengers to the city. At the moment of closing my letter, I received a note informing me that the whole number of bathing houses washed away is twenty. I remain, yours truly, L. C., Jr. --- From the Empire Parish. [Special Correspondence of the Picayune.] Parish of Plaquemines, August 12, 1856 Eds. Pic.--The storm which visited us Sunday last, and which is not yet over at the moment I am penning you these few lines, has proved the most destructive which has ever passed over this section of country. As I am writing from reports, &c., I can not vouch for the correctness of the following statement, but I believe it in the main to be true. In the region of country extending from the courthouse down to Fort St. Phillip, on the left bank of the river, the sea rose to such a height that all the rice fields were four to five feet under water. It is hardly necessary to remark that all the new harvested rice scattered by the violence of the wind over a large extent of country, will in the end prove a total loss. At present the damage sustained by the submerged district can only be imagined, but at any rate it must have been very great. In a day or two I hope I shall be able to give ampler particulars about the storm. I have been told that the rice farmers on the right bank of the river have suffered very little. The cane crops have been injured comparatively to the rice. The levees in many places are said to have caved in. In haste, Blanco --- Fears for the Nautilus By the arrival of the steampship Perseverance, from Galveston this morning, we learn that the steamship Nautilus, Capt. Thompson, from Brazos Santiago, touched at Galveston, and left on Friday last at 5 P.M., with the U. S. mails, 30 passengers, $30,000 in specie, 100 horses and 70 head of cattle, since which time nothing has been heard of her. The light-ship on Ship Island Shoal was blown from her moorings, and is now anchored on the east end of the shoal on the outside. The steamship Perseverance left Galveston last Sunday morning. Experienced very heavy weather, which compelled her to put in to Atchafalaya Bay on Tuesday last, where she anchored until the weather moderated. The P. sustained little or no damage. --- From Barrataria We have accounts to the effects of the storm at Grand Terre, for which many fears were entertained. We are glad to learn that although the waters were very high, and a good deal of damage done to property, no lives were lost. At Fort Livingston the flood came in so threateningly at the officers' quarters, that the inmates betook themselves to the fort for safety, some delicate ladies wading waist deep to get there. Great damage has been done to the crops in Barrataria. --- On the Lake, the River, &c. We learn by arrivals in the New Basin, that the schooner Sea Bird, Capt. Chulare, hence for Covington, was driven ashore on Monday last at the mouth of the Tchefuncta river. She was driven about forty yards from the bank of the river. The sloop Stephany, Capt. Ray, bound from Bayou Lacombe to this port with a cargo of sand, was sunk in the Lake near the mouth of the Bayou Lacombe. We learn also that the schooner North Star, Capt. Titus, which was laid up at Pass Mancha, was driven ashore and received slight damages. The break-water at Pass Manchac, we are informed, was carried away, and the lighthouse injured. We learn from good authority, that on Monday, the 11th inst., the schooner Alexander was seen at anchor between Ship and Horn Islands, having beaten over the outer shoal, and brought up in twelve feet water before reaching the inner one. Her bulwarks, masts and rudder were gone, her deck was swept away, and her boat damaged. The U. S. schooner Wm. R. King, sent a boat on board, and offered to take off the crew of three men. Their assistance, however, was declined. By the arrival of the steamer Southern Belle, yesterday, from Vicksburg, we learn from the officers that the boat encountered the storm on Monday last, when making a landing at New Carthage. The gale increased so, that they were compelled to cast anchor and tie up to the bank, until next morning, when the weather moderated somewhat. Quite a number of flatboats and other small crafts were seen blown ashore at various places along the coast. The Southern Belle passed the J. Morrisett, from Vicksburg, on her way down to the city, with her bow stove in. The State snagboat Gen. Walker was blown ashore and keeled over at Brewey's landing, nearly opposite Baton Rouge. She is lying in a very precarious situation. A large loaded flatboat was lying across the mouth of Bayou Lafourche, and breaking in two very fast. Capt. Joffrion, of the steamer Bella Donna, who arrived this morning from Fort Adams, states that the storm was felt very severely in the neighborhood of Bayou Sara, damaging materially the cotton, sugar and corn crops. The banks of the river caved in, carrying away the residences of Messrs. Tebrut and Burglin. No lives, we are glad to be informed, were lost. The steamboat Capitol, which was briefly noticed yesterday as having sustained damage by it, was at the time about forty-seven miles up the river instead of twenty miles as then stated. The wind blew overboard both smoke stacks, uprooting a large portion of her hurricane deck, and causing considerable damage to her pilot-house. Capt. Butler, of the schooner G. H. Montague, which arrived this morning, reports that the ship Manilla, from Bordeaux, which lay at anchor off the Southwest Pass, on Saturday night last, was blown off out of sight during the gale of Sunday morning. She was lost off Timbalier Island, was commanded by Capt. D. C. Rogers, and belonged to Bath, Me. She had a very large and valuable cargo of wines, brandies, &c. from Bordeaux for this port, to a number of consignees, a list of whom will be found in the marine news column. The Manilla was consigned to W. H. Vredenburgh & Co. We have no information as to the insurance on vessel and cargo. We are informed by Capt. Dyer, of ship Western Chief, that Capt. Rogers, of the Manilla, had his leg broken in getting ashore from the wreck. We learn from Capt. W. S. Brown, who came up on the towboat Conqueror, this morning, that the schooner G. H. Montague, Capt. Butler, from Havana, bound up to the city, was blown ashore on Saturday night last, near the telegraphic station at the Southwest Pass. Two towboats were at work at her on Monday last trying to pull her off, but without success, and she will be obliged to lighter off, or lie there until there shall be a sufficient rise of water to enable her to get off. We are also informated that the British schr. Manchester, from Belize, Hon., with a cargo of cedar and fruit, was blown ashore at the same time, on South Point, and was completely wrecked. The captain, crew and passengers foremd a raft, and arrived at the Southwest Pass Pilot Station on Monday last. The crew, all of whom are colored, were placed on the schr. G. H. Montague, and her passengers, Messrs. Alexander and Goodman, came up to the city on the Conqueror. From them we learn that a large and destructive fire took place at the Belize a few days previous to the schooner's leaving, which caused a loss of some $500,000 worth of property. The lighthouse at the Southwest Pass was careened by the severe blow on Saturday, and the look-out at the pilot station was entirely demolished. Many of the houses at the station were badly damaged. The telegraphic house was twisted entirely around. We learn from Capt. Palmer, of the towboat Olivia, which arrived this morning from the passes, that the ship C. D. Merwin, Capt. Merwin, from Cardiff, Wales, with a cargo of 5,578 bars railroad iron, consigned to T. J. Casey, arrived at anchorage outside the bar, on Tuesday last, dismasted, having encountered the gale of Sunday, the 10th inst. The pilot boat Robert Bruce picked up at sea, on Tuesday, the 12th inst., a trunk containing the papers of the British schooner Exceed, Capt. Cromie, which vessel cleared for Sisal on the 8th inst., and went to sea on the 9th. She is supposed to bea total loss. It was, doubtless, the cargo of this vessel which was seen floating in the Gulf, as already reported by Capt. Henry, but at first supposed to be that of the Creole. The cargo of the Exceed consisted precisely of the kind of merchandise so seen. The ship Ellerslie, Capt. Smith, previously reported aground in the river, went to sea, we learn, on the 12th inst. During the gale a ship's mast and part of her bulwarks, apparently fresh and new, were blown ashore at the Salt Works, about twenty miles to the northward of Pass-a-l'Outre. There is at present nothing to guide in a conjecture as to what vessel they had belonged. The ship Bowditch, for this port, previously reported as dismasted, is at anchor in Garden Bay, near Pass-a-l'Outre. The ship Western Chief, hence, while waiting at the Southwest Pass for her crew, was blown to sea on Sunday last, short handed, but she is safely anchored in Barrataria Bay. We received from Capt. W. H. Talbot, of steamship Louisiana, arrived on Saturday morning from Galveston, the annexed interesting report: Eds. Pic.--In making the return passage from Galveston to this port with the steamship Louisiana, I discovered the light ship on Ship Island Shoal gone. At Last Island, out of twenty houses, I found only five remaining. These are on the east end of the Island. Saw a vessel ahsore with foremast standing; should judge her to be about 300 tons. She was painted black, with white quarter rails. Made signals to the vessel, which were promptly answered, but not being one of distress, I proceeded on. On the east end of Timbalier Island, I discovered a signal of distress, and immediately proceeded to ascertain its nature. I landed on shore with my quarter boat and found the second mate and one man of the ship Manilla. They reported her from Bordeaux for New Orleans, and stated that the ship had been in two of two towboats at the mouth of the Mississippi, but could not succeed in crossing the bar, and was backed into deep water again, and there anchored, but in the gale of Sunday last, parted chains, and was driven to the place of disaster, where she sunk and went to pieces. They reported ten men lost, but other bodies had drifted ashore about a mile east of them, which bodies did not belong to their ship. The captain, they said, was on his way to New Orleans by the Island route. I was also shown a panel door, grained, with blind in the upper part, and white enameled door knob, marked 21 in black figures. From appearances I should judge it belonged to some steamer. On the beach I saw a booby hatch similar to the one on the steampship Nautilus. About two miles east of Timbalier I boarded the schooner John Roaless, from New Orleans, bound to Tampa Bay, with corn, hay, &c. The vessel was high and dry-- desired to be reported. The captain had gone to make arrangemetns for saving the cargo, &c. Very respectfully yours, Wm. H. Talbot, Commanding steamship Louisiana New Orleans, August , 1856 Capt. Talbot further reports that between seventy-five and one hundred casks of liquor were blown ashore on Timbalier, which is all that is left of the Manilla's large and valuable cargo. The bodies that floated ashore on Timbalier, he says, were well dressed--supposed to be passengers on some vessel. --- The Storm in St. Mary Parish The Franklin Journal, of Friday last, gives the following account of the destruction caused in the parish of St. Mary by the recent severe storm: On Sunday night last a most destructive storm passed over our parish, accompanied by a very severe rain. The "oldest inhabitant" asserts that nothing of this kind has ever been witnessed here before. It commenced blowing pretty briskly about 12 o'clock on Sunday, and increased in fury until 9 or 10 o'clock on Sunday night, about which time the intensity of the storm reached its acme. There was no lightning or thunder, and the clouds did not appear, in no part of the horizon, ominous of a gale. Many supposed that it was the early ushering in of September weather; and all, we believe, were unanimous in the opinion, that more singular weather had never visited us before. The gale continued from a northerly direction until about 1 or 2 o'clock on Sunday night, when it suddenly shifted to the eastward and then to a southerly direction. In its translation from one point of the compass to the other, it created sad havoc--twisting off large limbs of live oak trees, taking off the roofs of houses, flattening fences and laying prostrate large trees and the cane and corn crop of the parish. In this place considerable damage has been done-- the wind in its resistless march carrying off the roofs of houses, and prostrating trees and fences and some few houses. The Odd Fellows' Hall, a large brick building, used for stores and offices, was entirely divested of its roof, which was thrown out into the street. I. Levy & Co., dry goods merchants, and Wm. Bogel, druggist, who occupied the lower story of the building, were considerably damaged by the great influx of water after the roof had been removed. Their goods, many of them, were greatly damaged. Mr. Levy informs us that his loss cannot be less than $10,000, and Mr. Bogel estimates his at about $2,000. The ambrotype rooms of Messrs. Clark & Hedrick were in the upper story of the building, and their apparatus was slightly damaged, and some pictures lost which they had taken. Several small sheds were blown down about town. The large and capaious warehouse on the bayou, in the upper part of the town, belonging to Mr. Trowbridge, was blown down. We learn that the sugar houses of T. Carlin, Thos. J. Foster, Capt. A. L. Fields and J. B. Murphy, were all totally destroyed. The brick shed and bagasse chimney attached to the sugar house of Gabriel Grevemberg was destroyed. Theodore Fay, Adrien Frere, Joseph Frere, J. L. Fuselier & Son, Mrs. Louisa Fuselier, T. & N. Sigur, Judge Seymour, Euphrasy Carlin, were all damaged, some of them having their sugar purgeries blown down, and some of them sustained the loss of their cane sheds, and the majority of them damaged in other ways. A large stable on the plantation of Henry Foote was blown down and three mules killed. The steam chimney on the plantation of Watson McKerall was blown down, and on Tuesday night his corn crib was struck by lightning and two of his mules killed. The mill house of J. D. Hudgens was also blown down. An accurate account of all the losses sustained by the storm cannot yet be had; but as far as we can obtain information, the loss to the citizens of our parish cannot be less than half a million of dollars. In addition to the destruction of sugar houses as given above, we have been told that along the whole extent of the bayou, there is scarcely a sugar house standing. The cane and corn crop is almost totally ruined. We have been told that on mnay plantations the cane has been twisted off and blown all over the fields. The planters will raise very little provender in the way of corn and fodder. Long will the denizens of St. Mary remember the desolating effects of this storm. A letter to the Journal dated Centreville, August 12, gives the following account of the destruction caused in that part of the parish: At last we breathe freer! For the past forty-eight hours we have been almost swept away by the storm, and now seem likely to be deluged by the heavy torrents of rain which have been pouring down all day. In our neighborhood we hear of considerable damage done to sugar houses, fences, and the crops. The corn is all prostrate, and the cane must be greatly damaged. In our village a great amount of fencing is blown down, but our houses have all stood up. On Bayou Sale the blow was very heavy, and no less than five or six sugar houses are either blown down or badly damaged. To begin at the lower end of Bayou Sale: Mr. Byrn's new sugar house is down, Mr. Hoard's sugar house is down also, Mr. Nathan Berwick's also; Mr. Hudson has one sugar house entirely down, and his other two greatly damaged; Mr. Rice's is also down; Mr. Vinson's mill house is down, but the boiling room and purgery left standing. Above this all the sugar houses stand, except some damage done to negro cabins, &c. William Garrett had his carriage house blown down, and considerable damage done to the trees about his dwelling. On the Bayou Teche below Centreville, considerable damage was also done by the storm. Mr. William Pumphrey's sugar house on the east side of the bayou is blown totally down, his fencing greatly damaged, and his kitchen, which stood near his dwelling, leveled to the ground. No serious damage was done to the plantations of Turner & McMasters, Col. Sparks, Judge Baker and their neighbors that I am aware of. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/terrebonne/newspapers/coverage808gnw.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/lafiles/ File size: 50.2 Kb