HURRICANE FORGE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 139, 9 December 1929, Page 11

HURRICANE FORGE

SHIPPING IN DISTEESS

GALLANT RESCUERS

British Official Wireless.

(Received Dth Dec-ember, .11 a.m.)

EUGBY, 7th December

Another violent storm, with winds of hurricane force, accompanied by lightning and thunder and torrential rain, struck the south of England last night. It is reported that over tho Scilly Islands tho wind reached a velocity of over 100 miles an-hour. It swept up the English Channel, causing damago to stopping caught in.heavy seas and to life and property in the coastal towns. The small Rotterdam steamship Aler■wade was driven ashore near Newhavon and a lifeboat went to her assistance, but owing to the seas was unable to approach. Rocket apparatus was requisitioned and, after.some exciting incidents, the crew were brought ashore by the breeches-buoy. Tho ship was frequently obscured by the seas during the operations.

LIFEBOATS BUSY.

The Shoreham and Selsey lifeboats responded to signals that the Budapest steamer Honved, of over 4000 tons, was drifting towards shore. A cable ship, ■which was in the vicinity, later reported that the Honved was holding her own and that sho was standing by, although it was too rough to pass a tow rope to the Honved. The Shoreham lifeboat returned after eight hours but the return of tho Selsey lifeboat was further delayed by the weather. The Boulogne to Folkestone crosschannel steamer had to be diverted to Dover, and was only able to make tho harbour after lying outside the port for an hour. Tho Channel services were run as usual this morning. Tho steamer Largo Law was out of control owing to damaged steering gear off Dungeness this morning. Tho eiew of a tug which went ashore near Dover ■were rescued by rocket apparatus. The British steamer John Charlton wont ashore near Newhaven. The crew are safe. A tug this morning responded to calls of the Spanish steamer Alfonso Ferez, whoso steering gear was damaged in tho storm off Great Yarmouth. Tho Italian steamers Casmon and Johnny, both off Lands End, also summoned assistance owing to damaged helm, engines, and pumps. Several shipping casualties, involving trawlers and other small craft, aro reported.

DAMAGE ASHOEE.

Some damage was done by linhtnine during last night's storm, but most havoc was wrought by wind. One woman was killed and another injured owing to the blowing down of a wall in Eastbourne. Many . injuries were caused through pedestrians being blown against moving motor-cars. In London windows wero blown in in many parts and telephone wires brought down. Some roads in the suburbs were flooded" notably at Wembley, where, owing to the depth of water in certain places, traffic- was stopped. Although last night's rains increased the volume of water in the Thames, there is no immediato danger of flooding in the London area.