GALE IN BRITAIN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 305, 6 October 1938, Page 5

GALE IN BRITAIN.

DUTCH STEAMER RUNS ASHORE. FLOODS AND DAMAGE IN NORTH. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, October 4. The full severity of the gale was felt in the English Channel, passenger steamers being heavily, buffeted. The steamer Princess Josephine Charlotte, from Ostend, with 83 passengers, and the Shepperton ferry, with cargo from Dunkirk, were unable to make Dover, and recrossed the Channel to anchor under the lee. of the French coast off Dunkirk. •

Small vessels were driven „ ashore and lifeboats effected several rescues. The gale caused considerable damage on land,- gusts of: more-than 80 miles an hour being registered. Nearly 2000 telephone lines in the London area are reported to be down. The toll.:of. damage from the gale mounted during the day and serious floods, are also reported from the north of England. The wind; reached a velocity of 80 miles an hour at Blackpool, where nearly a mile of illuminations and tableaux along the sea route have been wrecked. Trawlers .could ;;npt _ entef">Giimsby

dock.-.-- •. - - * v ' .. The cross-Ghamieh services have been completely disorga,nisea. ■ : .. . Post- Office: officials describe tlie storm as one of the worst for many years. • The Dutch steamer Regina (421 tons) is aground off Sker rocks,'oh the South M ales coast, with nine men and one woman aboard. The seas were so high that after bringing one man ashore rescue attempts were abandoned until the gale abated.—British Official Wireless.