TIDAL WAVE AT CHATHAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 August 1924, Page 2

TIDAL WAVE AT CHATHAMS.

FULL DETAILS BY TEES.

fill’ TKLKU ItAPU—PEU I’ll CSS ASSOCIATION.]

CIIHISTC-m'UCII. All-. 2.

Hcports of the tidal wave which did considerable dainape at the Chatham Islands on .July 21st were brought by the steamer Tees which arrived ill Lyttelton last night. The wave swept inland for about live chains on the eastern side of the Island and a trawler belonging to the Kaingaroa Fishing Cov. was lost. Another trawler was smashed and the dam which supplies the Company with fresh water was washed out. The I’itt Island wharf was swept away and some beaches were cleared of shell.

When 100 miles out from the Island the Toes encountered the effects of the wave, which caused the ship to heel

over. As a result of the water getting into the engine room the high pressure cylinder was cracked, iici-essitatinp temporary repairs, during which the vessel was hove 10.

The run to the Cliathams .proved a strenuous time for the crew and fitteen

passengers. Waitangi was reached at 8 o’clock on Julv 21, after a trip taking four and n half days, which, under normal weather conditions, could he negotiated ill •IS hours.

Speaking uf the damage at Chathams Captain Dowell said that Kaingaroa lake which gives a supply of fresh water to the Kaingaroa Company had l„vn washed out. Through the currying awav of the dam the lake had been drained and it would cost a considerable sum to rebuild the dam. Pitt Island wharf was completely washed

away, not a sign of it remaining. A dinghy and the surf boat were washed ii], n creek a distance of eighty yards. The tidal wave reached a distance of about live chains inland. At Ivain-

garoii the roar of the wave was heard at Owenga before it reached the shore and at Kaingaroa some fishermen, who were playing cards, went out to sec what was amiss but.on seeing the wave thov made a rush inland to tiic bu h. The west side of the Island was not affected but only the east side, the places that suffered being Kaingaroa, Hitt Island and Mange re island. At the last named place a hip land slide occurred.