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
On the bay, or north side of the city, is the commercial section, with
wharves stretching along for nearly two miles, lined with sheds and
large storage houses. Then, in that portion of Galveston, there are
three elevators, one of 1,500,000 bushels capacity, one of 1,000,000 and
the third of 750,000.
A BRIDGE TWO MILES LONG.
The island from the north side is connected with the mainland by
railroad bridges and the longest wagon bridge in the world, the latter
nearly two miles in length. In 1872 the entire east end of the city was
swept away by the tidal wave that followed a terrific storm that swept
the Gulf coast for three days. Then the eastern land, on which buildings
stood, was literally torn away. The work of replacing it has since been
going on, and Fort Point, that guards the entrance to the harbor, has
since been built, and on its parapets are mounted some of the heaviest
coast defense ordnance used by the government. By the force of the storm
of 1872 six entire blocks of the city were swept away.
It is on the south side of the city, beginning within fifty yards of the
medium Gulf tide, that the wealthy residence portion of the city is
located, and which was the first part of Galveston to be stricken by the
full force of the storm and flood. All of the eastern end of the city
was washed away, and in this quarter, between Broadway and I street,
some of the handsomest and most expensive residence establishments are
located. There was located there one home, which alone cost the owner
over $1,000,000. Most of the residences are of frame, but there are many
of stone and brick. In the extreme eastern end of the city there are
many of what we call raised cottages. They are built on piling, and
stand from eight to ten feet from the ground as a precaution against
floods, it being possible for the water to sweep under them.
Any protection that has ever been provided for the Gulf side of the city
has been two stone breakwaters, but many times, with ordinary storms
coming in from the Gulf, the high tidewater has been hurled over the low
stone walls right to the very doors of the residences. From Virginia
Point, six miles from Galveston, in ordinary conditions of the
atmosphere, the city can be plainly seen. If it is true that Galveston
cannot be now seen from the Point, then the conditions of the people in
the city must be indescribably horrible. In short, a large part of the
city is obliterated and has disappeared.
VAST AMOUNT OF MONEY INVESTED.