A Destructive Hurricane by F. Hall

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Dec 14, 1916

A Destructive Hurricane

By F. Hall

On Monday, October 9, the Danish West Indies, Tortola (a British possession), and other smaller islands were visited by one of the most destructive hurricanes within the memory of their inhabitants. Incessant showers and a high wind had marked the breaking of the day, and the wind had increased in velocity with every hour, until afternoon, when the signal gun, fired by order of the government, assured us that a hurricane was at hand. We therefore made doors and windows as secure as possible, and prepared for the crisis, trusting in the protection of our heavenly Father. Soon the storm was at its height. Trees were unrooted, and the roofs of houses were blown away like feathers, by the fearful wind. Many houses were completely wrecked or pushed off their foundations.

About six o’clock in the evening there was a sudden calm, and the wind shifted to the southwest; but it gathered reinforcement as it returned, and the buildings and trees that had been weakened by the first gale were destroyed by the second. At St. Thomas large steamers were driven ashore, while cargo boats and smaller craft were wrecked or went down with all on board. About midnight the wind gradually subsided, leaving desolation and ruin behind.

All vegetation is destroyed on St. Croix, but notwithstanding this our suffering is much less than that on the neighboring islands of St. Jan, St. Thomas, and Tortola. On the islands a number of persons were lost. Our chapel was damaged some by timbers falling from a neighboring house, but it has already been repaired.

While there is great distress on every side, our people are all safe. We feel grateful to our heavenly Father for thus protecting us, and claim his promise for continued help. Only those who have made God their refuge and strength will be able to stand when fiercer storms, hurricanes, and earthquakes shall rock this old world in the days to come. Let us be among that number. F. HALL.