The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Page: 53
xiv, 17-536 p. : front., plates ; 24 cm.View a full description of this book.
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INCIDENTS OF THE AWFUL HURRICANE. 53
danger signal was displayed on the flag staff of the Weather
Bureau, shipping was warned, etc. The southeastern sky was
sombre, the Gulf beat high on the beach with that dismal thunderous
roar that presaged trouble, while the air had a stillness that
betokens a storm. From out of the north, in the middle watches
of the night, the wind began to come in spiteful puffs, increasing
in volume as the day dawned.
By ten o'clock Saturday morning it was almost a gale; at
noon it had increased in velocity and was driving the rain, whipping
the pools and tearing things up in a lively manner, yet no
serious apprehension was felt by residents remote from the
encroachments of the Gulf. Residents near the beach were
aroused to the danger that threatened their homes. Stupendous
-aves began to send their waters far inland and the people began
a hasty exit to secure places in the city.
TWO GIGANTIC FORCES AT WORK.
Two gigantic forces were at work. The Gulf force drove the
waves with irrestible force high upon the beach, and the gale
from the northeast pitched the waters against and over the
wharves, choking the sewers and flooding the city from that
quarter. The streets rapidly began to fill with water, communication
became difficult and the helpless people were caught
between two powerful elements, while the winds howled and
rapidly increased in velocity.
Railroad communication was cut off shortly afternoon, the
track being washed out; wire facilities completely failed at 3
o'clock, and Galveston was isolated from the world. The wind
momentarily increased in velocity, while the waters rapidly rose
and the night drew on with dreaded apprehension depicted in the
face of every one.
Already hundreds and thousands were bravely struggling
with their families against the mad waves and fierce wind for
places of refuge. The public school buildings, court house,
hotels, in fact any place that offered apparently a safe refuge
from the elements, became crowded to their utmost. Two minutes
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The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times (Book)
This book covers the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, the United States' deadliest natural disaster. It includes accounts from survivors and eyewitnesses, and photos of the devastation.
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Lester, Paul. The Great Galveston Disaster, Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times, book, 1900~; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth26719/m1/68/?rotate=90: accessed May 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Special Collections.