THE GALE IN WEST AUSTRALIA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 229, 26 March 1912, Page 5

THE GALE IN WEST AUSTRALIA

SERIOUS DAMAGE. ASHORE AND AFLOAT. ELEVEN BODIES RECOVERED. By C.ible—Press Association—Copyright. Perth, March 25. Further details shows that the storm lasted from Wednesday to Friday. Another body, that of a Greek fisherman, has been found. The steamer Bullara has arrived in Cossack Roads three days out from Port Hedland, ordinarily a ten hours' run. She encountered the full force of the gale. Her funnel was carried away and crashed through the deck, and the vessel drifted, notwithstanding that full tteam was up and both anchors down. Two Japanese reported that the lugger Clara was wrecked at Depuch Island. They swam ashore, and stated that four colored men and one white man were still missing. The lugger Kavrakatta and another, supposed to be the Britannia, were anchored close to the Clara. No trace of them was found, and it is supposed they sank. Two unknown luggers also disappeared during the blow. The captain and a portion of the crew of the Crown of England arrived at Balla Balla and reported that they had buried six of the crew on Depuch Island, making a total of eleven bodies found. The .town of Roeburne was flooded and a portion of Point Sampson jetty, also the tramway between Point Sampson and Cossack were washed away. The damage ashore extended over a wide area. Two hotels were blown down at Balla Balla and other buildings damaged. All the telegraphic lines north of Geraldton were blown clown, so it is not likely that there will be further news to-day'; The Balla Balla anchorage is recognised as dangerous, lying as it does be- ! tween Depuch Island and the mainland, | and being swept by strong high tides ! and being open to storms. Last year the steamer Glenhank was lost there, leaving only one survivor. A STEAMER OVERDUE. Received 25, 9.30 p.m. Perth, March 25. A telegram from Broome states that the Adelaide Company's steamer Koombana is seventy-two hours overdue from Hedland, and that there is great anxiety owing to the cyclone.