THE QUEENSLAND CYCLONE

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 27, 1 February 1896, Page 5

THE QUEENSLAND CYCLONE

TWO VESSELS MISSING. •

HARBOUR WORKS BADLY

DAMAGED.

EIGHTEEN PERSONS DROWNED.

Brisbane, January 31. The cyclone broke over Townsville at midnight) on Saturday, and reached its height; ab six o'clock on Sunday evening. Thtf Ji tfoeamflr Electric Lighb and the schooner Lalla Rookh are missing. Tho damage to the harbour works is estimated at £$0,000, while tho total damage in Tovrnsville cannot be far short of half amillion sterling. Many people are rained, and a relief fund is being started. The Bteamer Jumna has arrived safely. The Guthrie lost three of her boata.

The effects of the cyclone in Townsville are appalling, only a few houses having escaped damage. Twenty inches of rain fell in twenty-four, houra.

A number of persons were being taken in a rescue boat from Rose Island when the little craft sank. Mrs Hunb and infant, Mrs Grimmae, Miss Gertrude Rowe and her elder sister, and a lad named Wallace, were drowned. The West) End is a scene of wrecked dwellings.

While Mr Justice Chubb and family were being removsd from their residence in a punt two of the servants were left behind to await the punt's return, but they became frightened, and attempted to wade after the punt. One, named Alice Hughes, was drowned, and the otker rescued. The bodies of Mr and Mrs Baker have been found at Ross Island. Several other bodies have been found in the same vicinity. The bodies of the man Walker, Holmes, Rowley, Thomas, and an unknown stranger, and four aboriginals, have been found at Townaville, bringing the death roll up to eighteen.