Mr. H. Bowden. wires from Coen under date 11th ult. to the Torres Straits Kilot as follows Arrived Wanual's Island on Friday, and saw lugger Sylph. Learned from her that the Meg Merriless and Tarawa fleets were camped at Pelican Island. Proceeded there and learnt the Merrilees was a total wreck on an uncharted reef near "I" reef. Captain Thomson reports having experienced " terrible time. He had cut aways both masts and had lost all boats and fresh water; and had prepared to make a raft on Monday whea the Zon sailed up. The vessel was full of water.
The Wai Weer, with shell, was a total wreck close by. The luggers Xarifa, Rosa, and Martha of the Zarawa Company, are total wrecks. The Guavarra Peres, the Sprig, the Jenny and the Yamato are total wrecks. Nine lives were lost from the Peres and Sprig. The Pegasus, belonging to the Munro Company, is a total wreck. A number of other luggers were ashore but safe.
Proceeded to Flinders, where the full force of the gale was felt, and fount the Aladdin, Olive, and Crest of the Wave with about fifty boats safe.
The Silvery Wave, Sagitta, and Admiral are total wrecks, and all hands but one coloured man are lost. Captain Jefferson, Cuptaio Murray, the two Outridges (Harold and Alfred), J. Nicholas, Affleck (? Althow), are lost. The body of one of the Outridges, was found and buried; and large numbers of other bodies were found and buried by the natives.
The lugger losses known are as follows—Orest of the Wave, 13; Silvery Wave, 16 Sayitta, 8; while all hands but 28 coloured men, mostly South Sea boys, are drowned.
All hands on the, Admiral are lost. Marcu's body was found and buried.
Pedro Guavarra Peres was drowned.
"The lugger North Wales sunk near Noble Island, and Captain Powell and all the crew but one were drowned.
The Warrego arrived here from Cook-town, and reports seeing the wreckage of the lightship, with one white body, probably one of her crew.
The steamer Victory is employed searching about. The: Warrego returns south to-day, and the White. Star proceeds to search the Barrier in.a northerly direction, Over forty...destituto. crows and the surviving boats are being sent to Thursday Terrible tales of suffering are related. the survivors; in some cases they were for three days swimming. Some escapes.are marvellous, The appearances on shore of the effects of the gale show that the hurricane was terrific. All the trees have been swept bare of branches, leaves and bark, as if they had been fired; and the islands are bared of.grass. A. large porpoise waa found 20ft. up on a hillside. Cowling's boats are safe, having been outside the area of storm.
From Cape Melville to Ninian Bay is afrown with wreckage and bodies, presenting a horrible sight.
he total losses of life are computed at over 300, Fully fifty boats of all kinds are lost.
The Tarawa, which was stranded, has been got off, and is now safe here.
Brisbane, March 14th—Particulars of the recent disaster by the hurricane on the north coast show that the earliest reports of the damage to property and loss of life were in no way exaggerated. The total loss is estimated at £50, loss of life, 630; besides 13 whites.
Brisbane, 15th March.
Farther details continue to be received in connection with. the recent hurricane, but give no information beyond that already known. There is not the slightest doubt the storm was the most terrific ever experienced in those parts. It will. probably be some time before the full extent, of the damage will be. accurately known.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.