The Great Galveston Disaster: Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Including Vivid Descriptions of the Hurricane and Terrible Rush of Waters; Immense Destruction of Dwellings, Business Houses, Churches, and Loss of Thousands of Human Lives; Thrilling Tales of Heroic Deeds; Panic-Stricken Multitudes and Heart-Rending Scenes of Agony; Frantic Efforts to Escape a Horrible Fate; Separation of Loved Ones, etc., etc.; Narrow Escapes from the Jaws of De — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Great Galveston Disaster: Containing a Full and Thrilling Account of the Most Appalling Calamity of Modern Times Including Vivid Descriptions of the Hurricane and Terrible Rush of Waters; Immense Destruction of Dwellings, Business Houses, Churches, and Loss of Thousands of Human Lives; Thrilling Tales of Heroic Deeds; Panic-Stricken Multitudes and Heart-Rending Scenes of Agony; Frantic Efforts to Escape a Horrible Fate; Separation of Loved Ones, etc., etc.; Narrow Escapes from the Jaws of De
John Stuart Mill · en
Wharfing interests representing millions will cost money to get back
into shape again, but the belief is general that it will be done. The
business interests of Texas demand a port such as Galveston, and while
the town may not regain within five or six years the resident population
it had, it is not probable that it will be depopulated.
When the storm of 1875 swept the island it did considerable damage, and
it took several years for the public to shake off the fear of a
residence there. They did so, however, and went back, and it is believed
that they will do so again.
Prominent citizens of Galveston to a man say that no thought of moving
the city to the mainland or a more protected spot can be entertained, as
there are too many interests in Galveston that cannot be transplanted,
and that have not been so badly affected by the storm as to render them
useless.
Railroads are already reconstructing bridges across the bay, and trade
will be moving through the port within a fortnight.
To protect the city of Galveston from the ravages of future cyclones
would be almost as costly as to re-establish the city on a new site.
This is the opinion of eminent engineers in Washington. To insure the
maintenance of the channel it has been necessary to erect jetties which
have cost more than $6,000,000. These jetties, however, do not furnish
an obstacle of any importance to the invasion of the sea when behind it
is a force such as a West India cyclone exerts.
Because of the effect of storms upon the Gulf coast, it has been
customary for engineer officers stationed at Galveston to report yearly
upon the appearance of atmospheric disturbances of more than usual
intensity, and Captain Rich, the engineer officer who is believed to
have lost his life, said in his report for 1899 that storms which
occurred during April, May and June, 1899, “carried away nearly all that
remained of construction trestle and track and caused more or less
settlement of the jetties.”
GREAT NEED OF A SAFE HARBOR.
The need of a safe deep-water harbor on the Gulf of Mexico has long been
appreciated, and in 1899 Congress passed an act directing the Secretary
of War to appoint a Board of three engineer officers of the army to make
a careful and critical examination of the American coast of the Gulf of
Mexico west of 93 degrees and 30 minutes west longitude, and to “report
as to the most eligible points for a deep harbor, to be of ample depth,
width and capacity to accommodate the largest ocean-going vessels and
the commercial and naval necessities of the country.”
The Board consisted of Lieutenant-Colonels H. M. Robert, G. L. Gillespie
and Jared A. Smith. It is reported that Galveston was the most eligible
point for a deep harbor, but also called attention to the harbors at
Sabine Pass and Aransas Pass as being worthy of consideration.