Return of Men of the 35th Regiment Killed and Wounded on the Morning of the 11th August 1831, by Hurricane. Barbados, 15 August 1831. Killed, Jeremiah Arnold, serjeant-major; John Anderson, orderly-room clerk; William Smith, lance corporal; John Carter, private; William Brumley, private; William Bramwell, private; William Cooper, private; since dead, Edward Norris, private; Andrew Patterson, private; wounded, severely, 2 serjeants, 1 corporal, i drummer, 4 privates; slightly, 2 serjeants, 39 privates; missing, 1 serjeant-major, 1 private, on pass to Moncrief, and not returned; total killed, 1 serjeant-major, & privates; total wounded, 4 serjeants, 1 corporal, 1 druminer, 43 privates; total missing, 1 serjeant, 1 private. G. Teulon, Lieut.-Col. commanding 35th Regiment. Return of Men of the Military Labourers attached to the Ordnance Department, A. A. Shuttleworth, Lieut. Royal Arts. in charge of O. M. D. Lieutenant-General Sir James Lyon, K. C.B. and G. C. H. commanding the troops Barbados. Return of Killed in the Royal Sappers and Miners during the Hurricane, 11th August 1831. St. Ann's, Barbados, 15 August 1831. Charles Shambrook, private; found dead in the ruins of the part of the General Hospital attached to the Ordnance Department. A. A Shuttleworth, Lieut. Royal Arts. Return of Men of the Royal Artillery Killed and Wounded during the Hurricane, on the Morning of the 11th August 1831, at Barbados. Killed. Hugh Blair, colour serjeant; Ralph Lisle, gunner and driver; George Henry, gunner and driver. Wounded.. slightly. One gunner and driver, severely; seven gunners and drivers, R. H. Birch. Lieut.-Col. commanding Royal Art. W. I. Lieut.-Gen. Sir James Lyon, K. C. B. and G. C. H. commanding the Forces, West Indies. Return of Loss sustained by the Commissariat Staff at Barbados, on the Morning of the 11th August 1831. Barbados, 15 August 1831. Killed. Deputy Assistant Commissary-General J. Flanner; three children of ditto, and his niece. Extract of a Letter from the Bishop of Barbados to the Right Honourable Viscount MY house is all in ruins, save one room, which I had added to the old building; in this room and the two passages around it, all my family are assembled; every other part has either fallen, or is wholly unroofed. I am thankful to say that the lives of myself and wife and family were all preserved, though in most imminent danger. My Lord, Government House, St. Vincent, 12 August 1831. IT is my painful duty to report to your Lordship the devastation and desolation occasioned by the most violent hurricane with which this island was ever visited; and in doing so, I beg your Lordship may make due allowance for the imperfect detail which hurry of the moment, under such painful circumstances, must occasion. At an early hour yesterday morning the storm commenced from the northward, but was not much felt by the principal town and shipping until about half-past eight, when its violent effects were destructive in the extreme. Every vessel at the anchorage with the exception of one was cast on shore, and I much fear very few are likely to be saved. It may be said, with few exceptions, that every plantation within this government has sustained damage more or less, by the total destruction of their crops and provisions, of buildings, of works, and negro houses; and in one of the towns, three houses only remain. The public buildings, barracks, and officers' quarters have suffered in like proportion; and I regret to add, reports from the various quarters of the government confirm my most painful apprehensions of the loss of life, as well as property. It will be obvious to your Lordship that the effects of this awful dispensation of Providence must press very heavily on all classes of the community, and unless a timely and abundant supply of the products of America and Great Britain reach us, positive famine and ruin will be the inevitable consequence of this melncholy visitation. I have written this despatch, to be in readiness for the first opportunity to England which may offer, and shall keep your Lordship apprised of all measures which may be resorted to, for the alleviation of the prevailing distress. The Right Hon. Viscount Goderich, &c. &c. &c. I am, &c. (signed) G. F. Hill. My Lord, St. Vincent, 27 August 1831. I HAD the honour of addressing an official letter to your Lordship on the 12th of this month, and another marked private, giving some account of the hurricane of the 11th instant, and its consequences. These letters I sent to Grenada, to be dispatched by a merchant ship (named the Lord Goderich) which was to sail from thence on Saturday the 20th, for London, and I now enclose duplicates of those letters per mail. Pursuant to the anticipation in my private letter, I issued a proclamation on Thursday the 18th instant, to admit flour and lumber duty free at this port for the remainder of the year 1831, which measure it is my duty to endeavour to justify. I had been strongly urged to adopt one more extensive in its operation than this, but I did not feel justified in taking any step to have effect beyond the existing exigency of providing against a want of food and materials for repairing dilapidated buildings and sugar works, and not even this without sufficient proof that an extraordinary step was indispensable. Accordingly I had every part of the island visited, and due inquiry made into the extent of damage sustained on the negro provision grounds, and in the houses, huts, buildings and sugar establishments. In addition, the Privy Council sat from Saturday the 13th to Wednesday the 17th, and took evidence on the subject from gentlemen of the first respectability. They also ascertained the quantity of provision and materials for the repairs in store. The former appeared inadequate to furnish more than sufficient for five or six weeks consumption, and the quantity of lumber too scanty to meet anything like the demand and immediate exertion to reconstruct the habitations, the mills, and the other sugar works. The Council, therefore, unanimously recommended that flour and lumber should be admitted duty free, until the 31st of December next. The advanced season of the year rendered timely supplies from British America unlikely, whilst the deplorable situation of Barbados confirmed the necessity of yielding to the proposition. I deemed it inexpedient to extend the period beyond the present year of 1831, for the free admission of flour and lumber, which gives ample time to receive your Lordship's instructions on the subject, and in case of the arrival of sufficient supplies to resume, by proclamation, the payment of duties. There has been an arrival here last week of 500 barrels of flour, and although an embargo at Barbados has been laid against the export of provision (of which we do not in any manner complain) yet I have no dread of absolute want. Opportunities have offered and have been taken of notifying in Canada, and the United States, the situation of both Barbados and St. Vincent, and supplies direct to each of these islands may soon be expected from the United States. St. Lucia has not experienced much injury; the other islands to the north (as reported) none at all. I enclose the Royal St. Vincent's Gazettes for your Lordship's information, which give full particulars of this lamentable occurrence. I have very great satisfaction in reporting to your Lordship, that neither during the confusion occasioned by the tempest, nor from the dispersion of all sorts of property thrown about thereby, have any instances of plunder occurred, or the slightest degree of insubordination: whereas on some estates the exertions of the negro population to assist their owners and managers, have been most meritorious, nor have the merchants generally taken advantage of the present distress by enhancing prices. The loss of life has been comparatively with Barbados insignificant. Poor Mr. Littledale (the Judge's brother) and his housekeeper were crushed to death in the ruins of his house, which is the only instance amongst those in his station of life of any person being killed. I shall feel much anxiety to be informed whether the measure I have ventured to take shall receive your Lordship's approbation. The Right Hon. Viscount Goderich, I have the honour, &c. G. F. Hill. &c. &c. &c. From the Royal St. Vincent Gazette. Friday Evening, 12 August 1831. WE stop the press to announce one of the most awful and destructive visitations of Providence ever experienced in this island. Yesterday morning early the wind commenced blowing from the westward, and continued to increase in violence, attended with a heavy sea, until about 10 o'clock, when every vessel in Kingstown harbour, except the ship Sarah Ward, Captain Moore, and the brig Commerce, Captain Wainwright, was on shore. The wind and the sea continuing to increase, it was observed that the Sarah Ward was dragging her anchors and nearing the shore, although slowly. About 12 o'clock, however, all hopes of her safety were at an end, by her grounding opposite Durham's wharf, one of the most dangerous places in the harbour. The state of the other vessels was now lost sight of, and all eyes were turned towards this ship and her unfortunate crew. tinued to increase in violence, breaking completely over her, and as she was nearly loaded (having in upwards of 400 hogsheads sugar and 50 puncheons rum), she grounded too far from the shore to admit of any escape by the crew, either by swimming on rafts. Her main and mizen masts were both cut away to lighten her, but unfortunately she bilged, and the water rushing in increased the great weight of her cargo. It was now perceived that the ship was settling fast and heeling over to the sea, and that unless speedy aid was afforded them all on board must perish. Three brave fellows (Sam Bruce, Nelson Morgan and Healy Gelizeau) launched a canoe and ventured near enough to the vessel to receive a line which which was thrown to them, but before they could get to the shore one of them (Healy) was forced overboard with the line in his hand, and having received a heavy blow in the struggle, was picked up senseless, but soon recovered himself. All efforts made from the ship to get a line on shore failed, the reaction of the waves carrying every thing thrown overboard back to the ship, often when just within reach, and one man in too eagerly plunging after a buoy was carried out to sea, and was only saved by a miracle. Interest the most intense was now excited for those on board. The day was waning fast, the sea unabated in its fury. At length Charles Simmons (slave to Mr. Jones) after many attempts succeeded in slinging a stone with a line attached to it round one of the ropes thrown from the ship, and by that method a hawser was passed to the shore. This was presently secured to the house of Mr. Henry Arrindell, opposite the ship, and every neeessary preparation being made on shore and on board, at three o'clock the first man took his leave of the ship. No words can describe the anxiety of the spectators on shore for the fate of this man as he was now seen lifted up into the air, and then dashed into the water beneath, according to the movements of the vessel. A few moments however relieved them of their fears; he was brought safely to the shore, and received with a shout that rent the air. In this way 27 fellow-creatures (including six black men employed on board as labourers) were rescued from a watery grave. Captain Moore was the last man but two that left the ship, and they refused to leave her until they saw him safe on shore. The ship shortly after heeled over and became a perfect wreck. Not a vestige of property has been saved, either by the captain or crew, and these poor fellows (the crew) have now to depend upon charity until they can get employment, which is far distant, the Sarah Ward being the last ship to leave for Europe during the year. Captain Moore himself is too highly esteemed throughout the island, both as a gentleman and seaman, and has too many friends in it, to suffer any privations, and therefore his greatest anxiety must be to see his crew provided for. It is, we hope, superfluous in us to point out what humanity must dictate to every feeling breast--the necessity of making some provision for these unfortunate tars, either by subscription or public donation. Every man present exerted himself as if the safety of a brother was at stake, and it would, therefore, be a difficult task in us to point out particular individuals; but for all that, we cannot omit mentioning Mr. Joseph Brown, who ran many risks, and who was foremost on all perilous occasions. Our worthy Governor was seen among the throng, as actively engaged as any other individual. His warm heart sympathised with those on board, and by none was the communication with the ship hailed with more satisfaction than himself. His Excellency, as soon as the crew of the ship were placed in safety, sent off to the garrison, and obtained an officer's guard for the protection of property, which were posted all along the shore, and which judicious disposition prevented plunder to any extent. We lament to say that the destruction on shore is also great; numbers of houses in town, and in other parts of the island, have been destroyed. The barracks at Dorsetshire-hill were blown down, and several buildings on Fort Charlotte injured. We have heard but few reports from the country; those that have reached us are truly distressing. Numbers of estates have suffered in buildings alone to a great amount. In Chateaubellair there are only three houses standing. Barrouallie and Layou have also suffered, and in Buccament not one estate has escaped the fury of the wind. A good judge has estimated the damage done to the island at 200,000 l. sterling. The following is a List of the Vessels stranded : In Kingstown Harbour-Ship Sarah Ward; brigs Diamond, Agenora, St. Vincent, Neptune, New Orleans of Quebec, and Emerald of Halifax; schooners, Sector, Barbados Packet, Emily, Rambler; sloops, Lady of the Isles, Ariel, Susannah, Adelaid, Eurus, Lady Adventurer, Thetis of Grenada; American brigantine Dove, of Yarmouth, and schooner Henry Clay, of Elizabeth City. Calliqua-Sloop William M'Caul. Greatheed's Bay-Sloops Despatch and Fanny. Bequia- Schooner Zephyr; sloop Shark. Mustique --Sloop Jane. Savanna-Schooner Union; sloop Triangle. To the above must be added a topsail schooner, with cattle, (name unknown), which foundered off the point. Several droghers are missing. The Commerce rode out the gale, with loss of both masts. From the Royal St. Vincent Gazette of August 18, 1831. THE details of the storm which we gave in our last were confined chiefly to the destruction of marine property; and although such accounts as had then reached us from the country led us to anticipate considerable loss in buildings, yet we did not contemplate that this week we should have to deplore, not only the devastation of nearly the whole island, but the loss of many lives. The distress in the windward and leeward quarters beggars all description. On many estates every building has been levelled with the earth; the proprietors and white servants taking refuge in temporary huts, and the slaves by hundreds huddled together under broken walls and fragments of houses. Joined to these miseries, famine is staring the inhabitants in the face. Provision grounds every where destroyed, and the crops of yams, which were just ready for digging, all washed away by the heavy rains. Not a plantain tree remains standing on some estates, nor indeed a tree of any description. The responsible and expensive duty of providing for the slave thus falls suddenly upon the master at a time that he needs assistance for himself, and when he cannot look forward to any alleviation of his distresses; for most of the early canes for the ensuing crop have been destroyed, so that even with a succession of favourable weather he cannot calculate upon more than half a crop next year. To add to these afflictions, flour and meal, as was to be expected, have taken a sudden and rapid rise in price, and are getting scarce. But even these accumulated misfortunes might have been borne for a time, had there remained a chance of getting supplies from Barbados, whither several vessels have been sent; but the woful tidings received from that heap of ruins have bereaved us of all hope in that quarter; and should an All-wise Being have visited with his scourge the colonies to the northward, our only anchor of hope for many months must rest on America; and there, in our opinion, instant application ought to be made, as well for the necessaries of life as for the means of rebuilding our ruined habitations. The advance of the wind in the northern quarter of the island on Thursday is described as most terrific. In vain did man by art construct edifices which he relied upon as capable of resisting the fury of the elements; the wind passed over them, and they were no more to be seen. The stoutest and the hardiest trees were uprooted like saplings, and scattered in the air like twigs. Houses were lifted up entire and thrown to an incredible distance from their foundations. The memor able hurricane of 1780, although its approaches were more awful, attended as it was by loud peals of thunder, incessant rains, a roaring sea, and vivid lightning, none of which accompanied the late storm, save heavy rains, was far less destructive. Its effects were more felt in the towns by the demolition of houses, but the country throughout was not near so much injured. The storm of Thursday was one of wind, which passed over the land with resistless fury, sweeping every thing before it. Among those who lost their lives during its continuance were the Honourable Johnson Littledale, and his housekeeper, Miss Jessy Douglass, who were both killed at Owia, by the falling on them of a house; also the infant son of James Sutherland, Esq., who was killed in his mother's arms, on Waterloo Estate, as the unfortunate lady fled with him out of a falling house. Sixteen slaves were also killed. We have used our best endeavours to collect the disasters and losses on each estate, as well for public information, as to make an estimate of the general loss; and as our applications were readily attended to by attornies and others, we have it in our power to give to the public to day a pretty full statement of such losses and disasters, although there are several properties that have suffered much, from which we have no accounts. Far from having over-rated in our last number the amount of the loss sustained, this statement, fairly estimated, points out the immediate loss to be much nearer 500,000 l. than 200,000l. Frightful as this amount is to an already impoverished people, yet could they see their way clear, firmness, economy and perseverance, aided by friendly assistance, may enable them to surmount their difficulties; but worn down as they are by oppression; their hopes blasted, and a certainty of increased expenditure, with diminished resources to meet it, what have they before them but prospects the most appalling? Some |