The Nome Daily Nugget

Destruction Visits Florida Coast
Leaves Hundreds Dead

TERRIFIC HURRICANE SWEEPS THE FLORIDA KEYS AND 100S DEAD

Death and Destruction Visit Florida Coast
As Hurricane Demolishes Many Islands

(By The Associated Press)

MIAMI, Sept. 5. -- Rescuers are estimating death tolls at between four and five hundred, as part of the extent of the devastation on the hurricane swept Florida Keys, following receipt of information from survivors and expeditions of mercy.

All forces of the government joined with the Red Cross in rushing supplies to the areas of death and wreckage, and assisting in evacuating the debris which littered the Keys.

The heaviest loss of life was reported on the upper and lower Matecumbe Keys, and fishing villages among Plantations Keys and Key Largo. Two or three government camps on Matecumbe, where veterans were engaged in building a highway down the Keys to Key West, were reported completely demolished, a rescue party reported.

Four or five hundred were killed in this area. One man lost his wife, two daughters and two grandchildren, as a building collapsed. It had been used as a hospital and was housing forty patients at the time - half of them women and children. Only seven men and three or four of the women were saved.

The wind, attaining a velocity at times of from fifty to sixty miles an hour, carried flying timbers, causing most of the casualties. Many of the injured had broken backs, when struck by flying debris. An Associated Press reporter who flew over the area reported that almost nothing remained which man had made.

Only twenty-five of the residents of Isla Morada, an island were saved. A station master reported that one hundred and fifty bodies had been counted on the island.

The hurricane after raging across the Keys swerved north into the Gulf of Mexico waters and raged all along that portion of the coast. Communication lines are down in most places as a check-up is being made today.

Florida Counts Number Dead Today As
Relief Agencies Commence Work in Area

MIAMI, Sept. 5, Florida today counted her dead and rushed relief work as the tropical hurricane, its devastating power diminishing, soared north through Georgia. Deaths were estimated ranging from two hundred and 500, at noon today.

Scenes of horror and desolation were revealed as rescuers penetrated stricken areas.

Fifty-one bodies, only a few identified, are in the morgue here, as the difficult mission of bringing aid to injured and marooned victims was speeded to include all coastal regions where the storm was most severe. Countless injured were reported strewn through the keys, battered and torn through almost four days of swirling winds and rains.

An investigation was asked of Administrator Hopkins of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, into the death of war veterans in FERA work camps on Matecumbe Keys.

The storm curled over Georgia with drenching rains and stiff winds but the damage was mostly confined to fallen trees. Signs of the storm indicate that it is expected to veer toward Macon and then whirl across Savannah, into the Carolinas and then out to sea. Red Cross and coast guard workers hurried the relief task on the stricken Florida Keys. The next problem is to find and remove the bodies.

ALL
THE
PASSENGERS
OF
S S DIXIE
RESCUED
ARE
ENROUTE
MIAMI

Vessels Stand By And Effect Rescue Last
Night and This Morning of Passengers

(By The Associated Press)

MIAMI, Sept 5. - A wireless to the Associated Press from the Cutter Carra Bassett. said that the first boatload of passengers from the S S Dixie were taken aboard the Cutter at 3 P. M Eastern Standard Time yesterday.

Purser C J Slovin of the Dixie and Father F A Wekenman of San Diego were the first to step aboard the Carra Bassett.

MIAMI, (Copyrighted) Sept. 5. - The task of removing the passengers from the Dixie was completed this morning by three ships, standing by, while the rescued unfolded the saga of the sea in which courage was outstanding.

The transfer of those remaining on the Dixie this morning was carried out with celerity. Messages from Captain E W Sundstrom indicated and over-calm sea and a low, over-cast sky, as threatening.

Lifeboats shuttled to and from the side of the Dixie. Two hundred and twenty persons, including seventy seven of the crew were still aboard early this morning after the rescuers working far into last evening had removed a great many of the passengers. Captain Skelton and a crew remained on the Dixie after the final rescue was made, which was necessary according to admiralty law. to enable the Morgan Line to retain possession of the vessel.

Most of the passengers rescued were landed at Miami or are being taken there.

Rain and swelling seas forced the rescue ships to abandon work last night. The Dixie's propeller and rudder were torn away Monday night, as she tossed on French Reef, 60 miles south of Miami.

The passengers, with death just over the rail seemed fully cognizant of what their fate might be. and discussed it calmly, valiantly suppressing any demonstrations of terror. The crew was highly praised by the rescued passengers. They were forced to take refuge in the salon the first night due to a short circuit which caused the lights to burn out, at one time causing a small blaze.

The morale of the crew and officers gave all the passengers confidence said one person. The bulk of the passengers were from the New York area. The captain suffered a few bruises and an injured leg when much of the super-structure was wrecked by the vibration and twisting of the ship. Windows and doors crumpled beneath the mighty weight of walls of water during the storm.

MIAMI. Sept. 5. - The cutter Carra Bassett arrived here after a grueling trip from the scene of the wreck with rescued passengers. It reported that many passengers, normally dressed, lined the Dixie's rails, watching the seas and preparations for rescue boats to take them directly here when taken off. The seas were moderating when the cutter left the scene.

Red Cross Denies Deaths Might Total 1,000
Decomposition Bodies Rapidly Set In

MIAMI. Sept. 5. - Red Cross authorities in the field described as "absurd" earlier reports that the storm dead might reach a thousand. The Red Cross said that the nearest figures they could arrive at was from 275 to 300 dead.

Decomposition of the bodies is already setting in so rapidly that they might have to be burned.