STORM IN BRITAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1929, Page 5

STORM IN BRITAIN

TWENTY-SIX FATALITIES. (British Official Wireless). RUGBYj, December (>.. Ninteen lives were lost at sea in yesterday’s great gale, and seven deaths due to the storm occurred on land, while there were many cases of injury and scores of narrow escapes. Three Dublin fishermen were drowned within a few hundred yards of Dublin during the storm. The wind was at its greatest velocity at Falmouth, where gusts of 94 miles hourly were registered. The air steamboat and railway services were in varying degree* interrupted by the storm, and telephone communication was dislocated. Although no town was isolated, 128 main trunk lines were out of order, and 1000 London subscribers’ lines were down. Flooding in many parts of the country became worse yesterday, owing to heavy rains, and many parts of the country became worse yesterday, owing to heavy rains, and many roadways were, temporarily submerged. The position in Thames Valley is being watched with some anxiety. The river rose further yesterday, and the level is expected to be higher to-day. Survivors of the' Francis Duncan refer to the gallantry df Captain Blaylock and the crew of the Adel Marie, and the superb seamanship with which she was handled. They stated that while lie manoeuvred to get near the capsized steamer, the Adele Marie was not only continually in grave danger from mountainous seas, which swept over her, but had to get perilously near the the Longship Rocks. The Adele Marie had to make many attempts before she could get a line to the five men clinging to the keel of the wreck, and immediately they had been taken off the wreck sank, ihe survivors included the captain, who is unable to swim.

The weather forecast promises severe southerly gales, particularly in the Southern Irish Sea. English Channel and the Southern North Sea.

MANY.SHI PS LOST’. [United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.] (Received this dnv at 11 a.m.) LONDON, December 8. Although lasting only a couple ol hours, last nights storm exceeded in violence and destruction all stor.ns oi tb, past. Ships were disabled and i argons shifted before anything could be done Many vessels drifted to destitution during the morning. N. ver before lias there been such a suree*'*.on of S.O.S. appeals. The French steamer Ortais, was rounding Lands End when the udder was dismantled. Lifeboats could net live in the seas and the Ortais drifted helplessly and just missed the rocks at Mounts Bay and eventually went ashore at Perran Cave, Penzance. A Lifeboat was swamped three times and forced to relinquish its errand. A youth swam with a line and the crew were hauled ashore. The Hungarian steamer Houved found herself drifting on a lee shore. Notice was posted at Shoreham Theatre asking if any lifeboatmen were present. Nearly the entire audience went to the lifeboat station and the lifeboatmen battled for thirteen hours heifore returning homeward. In the meantime it got clear. New Haven lifeboat went to the assistance of the schooner while women prayed in the wind and rain. The entire crew of eight were rescued. The Italian steamer Casmonia was abandoned in the Bay of Biscay. The British liner Ailauza rescued the crew. GREAT GALE DAMAGE. LONDON, Dec. 8. A great gale in S uthern England and the Continent caused many deaths and widespread damage. The Cardiff steamer Radyr, with 21 lives, was lost off Devon Coast, where it was seen appealing for help and none was able to be given. Anxiety is felt for the Leonard Odavinci, which is battling in the Bay of Biscay with art treasures aboard for England worth 14 millions.