WHIRLWIND IN SUVA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 916, 8 March 1930, Page 28

WHIRLWIND IN SUVA

WORKSHOPS WRECKED SHIP BLOWN OFF SLIP From Our Own Correspondent SUVA, February 24. For the first time for about forty years past, Suva was on February 22 visited by a whirlwind which fortunately confined its activities almost entirely to the reclamation area north of Walu Bay; but even so the damage was serious, especially to the Public Works Department workshops, and to the property of Terry and Son, one of whose workshops was completely demolished. The whirlwind was first seen shortly after 5.30 o’clock forming on the Tamavua heights at the back of the mental hospital grounds. Comparatively small in extent at its initiation it drove down the hill, then along the waterfront, twisting big trees and breaking in two a concrete electric light pole that stood in its way. It passed within 30ft of Captain Twentyman’s residence on the hill overlooking the bay, a side-eddy taking toll of the kitchen chimney. Had the house been caught it must inevitably have toppled over into the quarry in front. Thence the wind struck the water and seemed to gain in force and momentum, and the noise was like “a rushing mighty wind,” or the gusts of a very severe hurricane. It crossed the shore corner of the Shell Company’s depot, doing much damage, thence again across the strip of water before it reached the Walu Bay slip. Here a small galvanised iron building entirely disappeared, a couple of punts, launches and boats were twisted about, and then the schooner Helena on the slip barbed its way. Travelling at over 100 miles an hour this big ship was forcibly shifted off the shipways, to fall over on its side against the shed for storage of cement. This was shifted off its piles and has a lopsided appearance. The workshops at the head of the slip were not affected in the slightest, nor the ways below the Helena. There is no doubt that the path of the wind was decidedly narrow. Next it struck the Public Works Department workshops proper. The two-storeyed offices where the first obstacle. Portion of the roof went, windows were broken, partitions shifted and general havoc was wrought. Then the wind seemed to have taken a snake-like course through the works. It went to the east, mashing up the joinery shop, taking off portion of the roof, canting the whole building; then back to the west, completely taking away the blacksmith’s shop, but not touching the adjoining workshop. Then it again shifted course almost due south and rushed through Terry and Son’s workshop, practically demolishing it, and out into Walu Bay. Mr. Carl Storck and his son Eugene were struck when the side of a wall collapsed. Both were admitted to the hospital, the former suffering from injuries to his back and the latter from injuries to his neck, i A resident on the waterfront near

the Grand Pacific Hotel saw what he considered was a flock of birds flying overhead. A close inspection, however, proved that it was the heart of the whirlwind, carrying iron and timber aloft hundreds of feet, and whirling in the air like so much paper. It disappeared out to sea. It was most fortunate that the whirlwind came at a time when the workshops were idle. Had it ’.ome before noon, with very many men at work, the result must inevitably have been many fatalities.