A FIERCE CYCLONE.

Shannon News, 6 April 1923, Page 4

A FIERCE CYCLONE.

OFF QUEENSLAND COAST.

STEAMER’S NARROW ESCAPE,

A dangerous tropical cyclone is raging on the extreme north coast of Queensland, says a Sydney paper of March 28.

Vioicpt seas are reported along the coast north of Cairns, and at Cooktown yesterday morning, a tremendous sea was reported to be running, while torrential rains have occurred along the seaboard. The Royal Packet Navigation Company’s passenger steamer Tasman, bound from Singapore to Sidney and Melbourne, ran ashore at Middle Island, in Torres Strait, near Thursday Island, but was refloated later. Other steamers in Torres Strait and the Coral Sea have encountered terrific weather. ohis Asbeen hrd lue eaoinvbgk tao

A report was received in Sydney yesterday by the Department of Navigation that the steamer Tasman was ashore at Middle Island. The passenger steamer Houtjnan of the same company, which left Brisbane on Saturday h\st, bound for Java, picked up the message of the Tasman, and proceeded to, her assistance. Captain Tvroof, of the Tasman, reported to the Sydney office of the company some time later, that his vessel'had been refloated without assistance and on the Houtmann being informed both vessels proceeded on their respective voyages. Captain Van der Voort, master of the steamer Houtman, reported that his vessel had been encountering a violent cyclone and passing through dangerous seas. Although the cyclone season, in North Queensland prevails usually from December to March, during this Tear veyy mild conditipns. have been experienced, and this is the first violent disturbance this year to visit the North Queensland coast. Other cyclones have, been reported, but in each instance swept more in the vicß nity of New Caledonia.