THE HIGH TIDE.

Westport Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1201, 11 August 1874, Page 2

THE HIGH TIDE.

The Brighton correspondent of the Charleston Herald writes that on Sunday the 2nd instant the township had a narrow escape of hcing washed away. The sea, which was then running unusually high, came in over the bank in tremendous volume*, carrying away several houses and more or less damaging every house in Main street by its excessive violence. The township soon presented the appearance of a lagoon, the water at one time from three to four feet deep in Main street. The heavy timber cast up from the beach soon demolished the buildings with which it came in contact or else smashing them in and making an entry for the water by which their contents were destroyed. Some of the residents had extremely narrow escapes from being washed away by the sea or from being crushed with the falling buildings. One houso fell on three men, and it was with great difficulty they extricated themselves from the ruins, and some of them are much hurt. It was fortunate that this disaster occurred during the daytime, or undoubtedly the consequence would have been of a serious nature as tho township was under water, and at one time it seemed probable that the entire town would be washed away. Several large trees were carried by the force of the sea into the main street, and were floating to and fro to the imminent danger of any one moving about. Seeing that matters were assuming a very serious aspect, several of the inhabitants took tho precaut:on of removing their furniture to places of safety, and during the day many persons sought tho security of more elevated ground, being under the impression that the next tide would complete the destruction of

the township. The oldest inhabitants of the district have never seen the tide so high aa on Sunday last. As the sea is still cutting away the bank, there is every probability of the ground on which tho township stands being washed away if tho beach does not soon form again. It was fortunate that the sea went down on Sunday night, and no further damage ensued. The streets are now full of the remains of houses, timber, etc. All the gardens at the rear of the township are destroyed, and tho back yards of the house are mostly filled with sand aud rubbish. The fences between the township and St, Kilda were carried away in many places by the sea, the ground inundated, aud growing crops destroyed by the salt water.

At Greymouth beyond the injury done to the fluming erected along the crown of the beach south of the town, no serious damage has been reported, although the sea was higher than iv has ever been seen since the place was settled. The surf broke over the crest of the beach in several places and the water made its way for the first time into the slaughter-yards built beh'nd the ridge. AH the weather signs went to show that a violent storm mast have taken place outside. Tho barometer was very low, and in the opinion of Captain Allardyce and. others who may be considered capable of giving an opinion on the subject, a very heavy gale has passed only a short distance off the shore. At Hokitika as the tide rose a furious sea came tumbling in, heavier than any that has been seen for years past. The breakers were of huge size and long before high water came • rolling over the crest of the beach into the lagoon. As the day advanced they assumed still vaster proportions, and the lagoon was filled tcroverflowing. A quantity of ftneing and moveable articles of all descriptions were sailing about it, and grave apprehension was felt that there would be a repetition of the disasters to beach property that occurred five years ago The occupants of several cottages nearest the sea packed up their belongirgs aud beat a hasty, though prudent retreat. The warehouse of Mr Alee, chemist, was threatened, and he at once removed his goods to a place of safety. The contents of a cottage at the rear of Mr Johnstone's, the ironmonger, were removed, and considerable alarm was felt lest the western side of llevell street might suffer. Though the" sea abated about two o'clock, curlers still came over the bank with tremendous force, the crown of the rise having been washed into the lagoon and access for the water being more easily afforded. A number of outbuildings were destroyed as well as many plots of garden ground that their owners had taken great paius to reclaim by manuring, carting earth, and going to , great expense with, djrropos of that, Mr Ross, the fruiterer, had a large quantity of guano that he had recently imported, washed away. One monster sea rolled right up Johnstone's right-of-way, finding its way to the opposite s ; de of the street, and into White's restaraunt, late the Ovens Hotel. It was most fortunate that no flood took place in the river at the same time through tho snow melting, for, if it had, it is probable that some parts of llevell street would have been taken away. As it is, the damage done has been inconsiderable, though a clean sweep of fences aud other pieces of floatable property has been made.