TOLL OF THE STORM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 342, 1 May 1928, Page 13

TOLL OF THE STORM

Shipping Losses Increased

DAMAGE IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS AFTER yesterday’s storm peaceful calm reigned on the waterfront this morning. Ocean wrack washed in by the heavy seas, driftwood littering odd corners, and at intervals along the shore of the harbour, wrecked scows and pleasure craft remain, however, as a reminder of the elemental strife that raged the previous day. Throughout the country extensive damage to property and electric lines is reported

The damage caused along the water - front is now reported to be approximately £ 10,000, additional losses of yachts and launches being reported later in the afternoon. In addition to the scow Maggie, launch Idaho, 14toot T class yacht Ngaio, and the 30foot keeler which went ashore at Narrow Neck, a number of other yachts and launches are reported to have either been broken up or washed ashore. WRECK OF PHANTOM __ Chief among these are the 18-footer V-class boat Phantom, owned by Mr. R. Purdom, of Parnell, which broke away shortly after three o’clock in the afternoon and was wrecked on the railway embankment at Campbell’s Point, and Messrs. Sherman and Bostock’s lit;-foot keeler Kahawai, which dragged its anchor ana was totally wrecked at Hobson’s Bay last evening. Of the Phantom nothing now remains but a portion of the hull and pieces of wreckage strewn along the stone face of the wall against which the sea. relentlessly pounded. The hull of the Kahawai is submerged, and although a complete examination. is not yet possible, the owners hold out little hopo of there being much to salvage. Salvage work on the scow Maggie, which was wrecked on the breastwork at the head of King’s Wharf, was commenced this morning. Another scow, the Rimu, was brought alongside and an attempt to float her is being made by lashing the two vessels together. Until the bo tom can be examined it is impossible to estimate the full damage, but it must be considerable. The stern has been completely smashed in and the starboard side of the hull has also been fractured. At Julian’s Wharf in Freeman’s Bay eloquent testimony of the force of the storm is to be seen, it is the remains of the fishing-launch Emerald, owned by Mr. C. Nelson. Six big rimu logs from a timber raft have been picked up by the waves and deposited across what was once a trim and tidy little craft. The damage done to the boat, together with the loss of sails and nets, is estimated at approximately £250. The ketch Paliiki which sank close by has been raised and the crew is still busily engaged in pumping the remainder of the water from her. Only for the excellent service rendered by the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant, and his staff, and the Launch and Towboat Company, the damage would no doubt have been much greater. A number of craft which had dragged their anchors were safely secured before they could drift into danger, valuable aid being lent in this direction by residents who telephoned information of drifting boats. With the exception of a delay of a few minutes in the earlier part of the day the Devonport Ferry Company was able to maintain its regular service practically according to timetable. This was largely due to the efficiency with which the vessels were handled under particularly trying conditions. ..... BUILDING TORN DOWN Fairly extensive damage is reported from the suburbs and outlying districts where less shelter was available. At the bottom of Waiata Avenue, off Victoria Avenue, Remuera, the framework of a two-storey house in the course of erection was blown down at about half-past, eleven yesterday morning. A brick wall also collapsed at Masefield’s Foundry in Federal Street, causing considerable inconvenience. Some alarm was also caused at Te Papapa where a window and its wooden frame were splintered by the wind in the schoolroom where a class was in progress. Beyond a few minor scratches no serious injuries were received.

DAMAGE AT THAMES CHIMNEY BLOWN DOWN PAVILION COLLAPSES (From Our Own Correspondent) THAMES, Monday. The fiercest gale experienced for years visited Thames to-day. Much damage was done to gardens, fences are blown down, and electric poles are down in several places. The bowling club pavilion collapsed and lies in a crumbled mass. A high chimney, in Mrs. Burrett’s premises m Rolleston Street, crashed through the roof at seven o’clock this morning. The family had just left the room when the chimney fell. The side shows at a travelling merry-go-round were completely demolishedGALE IN THE NORTH STEAMER’S ROUGH TRIP (From Our Own Correspondent) WHANGAREI, Monday. Whangarei had a week-end of unusually severe weather. . For the 24 hours ending at rune o'clock yesterday morning, the special Whangarei gauge showed 2.40 inches of rain, which is about equal to the total for the rest of the month, and the storm lias continued to-day a Ini os t without intermission. The Kamo gauge registered 4.02 inches, and that at Ruatangata 2.54 inches. There were several inches of a* ater in the main street of Hikurangi. Waipu ’did not have much ram. but it received the full benefit of the strong wind Clothworthy's Flat, at 34 aimaungu, is under water, and Taylors Flat, on the Fargaville Hoad, is covered to a depth of several feet. The waters of the Whangarei Liver were bank-high at full tide. The \OS - a'-e of the Northern Company’s steamer Clavmore, which left Auckland at fi\e o’clock yesterday afternoon, was one of the roughest the vesel has experienced in years. She breasted seas of great height, especially after passing Kawau Island, and even inside the heads rough water was encountered. In spits of the weather conditions, however, the Claymore was moored ut the wharf at four o’clock this morning, only two hours later than schedule. Cargo operations were impossible, and the vessel will not leave on her return trip until to-morrow afternoon. The camp of the North Auckland Regiment at Kensington Park was moved to the racing club’s buildings. In consequence of the weather, it was decided to postpone until Tuesday of next week the statutory meetings of householders, which had been convened for to-night, for the purpose of electing school committees for the whangarei. Horahora, and Whau 3 atlej districts. -

WANTED: AN OWNER A T the Height of the storm yesterday the Harbour Board officials rescued a big grey launch, which so far has not been claimed by the owner. There is no name on the launch, which was picked up between Sentinel Rock and the Point Chevalier reef, drifting up the harbour. But for the action of the officials the launch would have been wrecked. Yesterday and on Sunday night the Harbour Board launches were particularly busy, and rescued several valuable craft which had broken from their moorings.

SHIPS ROLL AT ANCHOR EFFECT OF STORM HEAVY SWELL AT WELLINGTON Press Association. WELLINGTON, To-day. Last night a heavy easterly swell set in across Wellington Harbour, and in a short time coastal vessels and harbour craft began to roll and pitch in a way not seen in the port during the past quarter of a century. Even the cruiser Diomede, lying at Queen’s Wharf, rolled and tugged at her hawsers, and smaller vesels in the vicinity moved about in an alarming fashion. The full force of the swell reached within two or three feet of the wharf decking, and the Harbour Board’s concrete mixing' pontoon at Pipitea wharf was unable to stand the heavy rolling and sank at her berth. The pilots and staff had a busy time until after 11 o’clock last night,. attending to the broken moorings of various vessels and taking the necessary steps to prevent damage. FERRY STEAMER DELAYED STORM ADDS THREE HOURS TO TRIP Press Association. WELLINGTON, To-day. A strong north-easterly gale delayed the ferry steamer Maori for nearly three hours on her trip from Lyttelton to Wellington last night. Soon after clearing Lyttelton she ran into the gale, which increased in force as the journey progressed. No damage occurred, but it was an anxious time for all on board. The Arahura from Nelson was also tossed in the Straits.

GALE UPROOTS POLES POWER LINES DAMAGED (From Our Own Correspondent) HAMILTON, To-day. The fury of last night’s gale resulted in several telegraph poles being uprooted between Frankton and Qhaupo. Gangs repaired the damage within a few hours. Falling branches resulted in many damaged insulators and power was cut off in Hamilton on three occasions. All faults were minor ones and fight was soon restored. DELUGE OF RAIN TAURANGA’S EXPERIENCE (From Our Oion Correspondent) TAURANGA, To-day. The town and district was visited by the severest gale that has ever been experienced here. It was accompanied by a deluge of rain. All harbour ferries had to be suspended, and several yachts dragged their anchors and were damaged by striking the breastwork along the railway line. Numerous trees and fences suffered, and many telegraph and telephone wires are down throughout the district, but the borough electric service remained undamaged, although, so far as can be ascertained, the Power Board’s service in the country has several minor troubles, but it is expected all will be set right to-day. A live wire came down at Otumoetai and a cow was electrocuted. TORRENTS AT CAMBRIDGE LIGHTING SERVICE FAILS (From Our Own Correspondent) CAMBRIDGE, To-day. Not for a long time has such a stormy night been experienced in Cambridge as that experienced last night. Heavy rain, accompanied by westerly winds, prevailed all day. Last night the wind developed into a howling gale, while from seven o’clock until after ten torrential rain fell. This morning the sun is shining. For the 24 hours ending 9 a.m. today 1.70 inches of rain fell in Cambridge, but at Te Miro. nine miles away, the fall was 2.73 inches. The electric light service was disorganised during the night, but was in operation again this morning. Trees were blown down in various parts of the district. DAMAGE AT PALMERSTON Press Association. PALMERSTON N.. Monday. Damage of a fairly extensive nature is reported as the result of to-day’s easterly gale. Power lines were brought down by falling trees. Telephone services have been interrupted. Sheds in psirts of the town have been unroofed. The weather is much colder with heavy rain and more is threatening.