HURRICANE AT TOWNS VILLE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 461, 9 April 1890, Page 5

HURRICANE AT TOWNS VILLE.

HEAVIEST FLOODS KNOWN,

LOSS OF LIFE REPORTED.

Our Australian files to hand per Tekapo contain particulars of a terrible hurricane experienced at Townsville. The Sydney “ Morning Herald ” of the 26th ult. has the following : The hurricane which commenced at 8 o’clock on Sunday night continued for 12 hours. It rained all night. On Monday the wind increased to a terrific gale, accompanied with heavy rain. Twenty inches fell in 60 hours. Business was suspended. Tho barometer was falling all day, and at 5 p.m. it was 29.5. Darkness approached under the most terrifying circumstances. The winds were stronger than ever, and the rain heavier, and people anticipated a terrible catastrophe. At 8 o’clock the barometer commenced to rise. The wind suddenly fell, but the rain increased and fell intensely all day. It was not safe to walk about the streets, as iron was flying about in all directions. The view seaward was terrific. Most of theline of breakwaters was invisible, and when visible it was seen that the sea was breaking over the main jetty, and the spray was 30ft high. It is anticipated that the jetty will be wrecked. People prepared for the night most gloomily. One hundred and ten people took refuge in the depot, and forty on Ross Island. The schools and hotels were crowded. Boats were sent out to Hermit Park, but none were wanted.

At Ross Island the flood reached the hight point known. It was a foot higher than the flood of 1884. A number of houses at Hermit Park and on Ross Island have six feet of water in them. On Monday the steam-dredging plant at Ross Creek broke away and brought up against Philp’s Wharf, but early this morning it again broke away, taking the lighter Telephone, containing 108 bales of wool, and the Electric Light with her. The Telephone sank opposite the Crown Hotel, and the Electric Light is now riding on top of her all right. A contractor named Joseph Vidulich was upset in a boat and swept out to sea. Ho was taken two miles out, but finally swam ashore after being two hours in the water. He has lost the steam launch Eleanor, the ketch Snowdrop, and his workship was blown down. Vidulich estimates his loss at £SOO. The Customs launch broke away from her moorings and sank. About £IO,OOO worth of damage was done in the town and suburbs. About 15 small houses were wrecked by the wind, 30 were blown off their blocks, and three or four were washed away. About 40 verandahs were demolished. The eastern breakwater stood the test magnificently. Only a few feet, on which was a small lighthouse, was carried away. The western breakwater, now being constructed, lost 50ft. All the shipping, under the lee of the jetty and Magnetic Island, rode out the gale sp’endidly, though the sea was mountains high. The Aramac took 20 hours bo steam 19 miles to get under Magnetic Island. Captain Lake says it was the most terrific gale he ever experienced. Only two lives have been lost, viz., Townsend, v. ho was washed off a butcher's cart near Willmetb Well, Aitkinvale, and Mrs Henry Bell, who was killed by her kitchen being blown down on her.