i must say that was a really interesting read so i thought i's have a little bit of a further look for more information on this event and found this
dated 15/3/1887
CYCLONE IN THE GULF.
Burketown Destroyed and Seven Lives Lost
Further Particulars
The Colonial Treasurer has received further particulars of tho ccyclone from Mr. A. C. Lawson, P.M. and Sub-collector of Customs, of Burketown. The wires in the neighbourhood of Burketown were all destroyed, and Mr. Lawson was obliged to send his message to Kimberly by Mr. Cullen, Marine Survoyor. Mr. Cullen visited the town, and also reported to the Colonial Treasurer that it had been
nearly destroyed by the gale on the 5th in- stant. Mr. Lawson's telegram, dated 11 th instant, is as follows :
On Saturday afternoon, the fith instant, a terric cyclone, accompanied by heavy rain, passed over Burketown. The gale lasted for ten hours. Nearly all the buildings in the place were either unroofed or blown down, excepting the Custom-house and court- house, which are not very much damaged. I have provided destitute families with temporary accommodation in these build- ings. The river overflowed its banks and submerged a portion of tho town, the water being about 1ft. over the floor of the Custom-house. Mrs. Catherine Williams, Mrs. Higman and two children, James M'Ginn, a carrier, and his mate, whos name is unknown, and also a Chinaman were drowned. The wator has now subsided. The post and tele- graph office was unroofed. The books were destroyed; the mails and instruments wore, how- ever, sived but damaged. The telegraph line was completely destroyed as far as its route can be travelled. The repairers are now re connecting the same in the town. At the court- house, lands office and Customs office, the books and records are intact, but the stationery and forms are somewhat damaged. The Divi- sional Board books and property were damaged to a serious extent. The boatman's cottage and outbuildings at the Custom-house, were blown down, and the boat carried away. Heavy losses in horses and stock are also re- ported.
, (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDANT.)
(By Electric Telegraph)
Burketown (Via Normanton), March 11.
On Saturday morning at 10 o'clock a terrific cyclone commenced blowing, accompanied by heavy rain, from the south-east, which gradually increased in violence up to about 2 o'clock, when tho most fearful destruction commenced. Tho river rose 2ft. in half-an
hour, and ultimately reached a height of
8ft. above tho summer level. The storm continued for twelve hour. Every building in town was more or less destroyed except the Customs and court-house Somo buildings were completely wrecked. The men turned out and endeavoured to save life, but in spite of all efforts two women, two children, and a Chinaman perished. The loss of horses and stock is very groat. Telegraph posts were snapped like glass, and the whole of the line totally destroyed, as far as it is possible to travel along it. The post and telegraph office is wrecked, but the instruments and mails wero saved by the post- master at great personal risk. Many destitute families have been succoured by the police magistrate and sergeant of police, ably assisted by his wife. Great hospitality was shown to many sufferers by the manager of the Q.N. Bank assisted by the postmaster. Many business people have been hopelessly ruined. The loss to Messrs. Aplin, Brown, and Co. is variously estimated at from £12,000 to £20,000. Two men perished on the road while travelling with
teams.
A very narrow escape from the drowning of a party of engineers in one of the sewers of the city is stated by our (Argus) Dunedin corre- spondent to have happened there on 3rd March : -A very heavy fall of rain, which was accompanied by distant thunder, took place in the afternoon. Mr. Miram, the city engineer, Mr. Cuthbert, C.E., of Christchurch, Mr. R. Hay, O.E., and a corporation employé named Sandilands, went into tho main sewer to inspect it in connection with a lawsuit brought by Messrs. Sargood, Son, and Ewen against the corporation, arising out of recent floods, and before the man on the look-out could give them warning a tremendous down- pour of rain commenced. In a few seconds an immense body of water was fimding its way into the sewer from the hills, and this reached the party in the Sewer while they were about 200 yards from a man- hole. The water rose from a few inches to about 5ft. It was with the utmost diffi- culty that the party kept themselves from being swept off their feet by the rushing water, and they were becoming weaker and weaker for want of air, which had no room to circulate. They stuck together, and by cling- ing to the top and sides they managed to hold on till a manhole was reached. A final effort prevented their being swept past, and they, clambering on the shoulders of others, managed to get out in a pitiable plight. They received many severe bruises, and were thorougldy ex- hausted. No dangerous results are anticipated. Sandilands suffered most. He is a short man, and the water was up to his chin. Mr. Hay i managed time after time to keep him from being swept away.
______________________________________________________________
however i will also post the link for this as there is some other really valabule information to help peice together this puzzle
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3464917 now the information i'm refering to is tothe right of this article under the title Queensland news full artale here
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3464912 but to summerise
MARYBOROUGH, March 14.
The Flood Relief G'onunitteo has decided to forward tho remaining £300 to the Central Committeo, mid with a request that £100 bo placed to tho credit of tho Malborough committee, to meet local distress occasioned hy-
the recent flood.
A rainfall of 3in. was registered hero last night. The rain has now ceased, and tho river has oidy rison slightly.
A man named James Collins has been com- mitted for trial on tho chargo of having com-
mitted an unnatural offence
RICHMOND, March 14.
Sevonty-nino points of rain fell on the 11th instant, 3G points on tho I2th, and l8 points, on tlio lath instant. The weather is threaten- ing for moro rain, and tho Flinders is running
a banker.
BUNDABERG, March 14.
Tremendous rain fell and half a hurricane prevailed during the greater part of labt îdght. llie creeks in the vicinity of tho town quickly roso in a violent current that submerged the bridges, thereby blocking traffic. The wind then changed from south-east to east and north-east, earrj'ing perfect sheets of water with it. The rainfall, as given officially, is 5'87in.; but rain gauges in other positions givo G'öOin. Much damage has been done to bridges, approaches, &c.Fix this text
Previous Topic
Index