CAUGHT BY TIDAL WAVE,
Details of the tidal wave wore gathered as a result of an inspection of tho locality shortly after the disaster. Mr. Bee, who was at the Christian village Df Tora'a, Star Harbour, had a startling experience Hearing a commotion in the village, following tho earthquake of 4th October, ho saw a wall of water 20ft high sweeping toward the shore.
After running about fifty yards lie was caught by the swirling water and swept inland about 160 yards amidst the debris of the village. Carried among the scrub, lie managed to grasp ii standing tree, and by a superhuman effort held on when the wave rebounded seaward. The wreckage, of his house was deposited in the bush at the foot of the hill. Mr. Bee sustained an injury to a leg, and was picked up three days later by a passing trader, the Mondana.
Woven villages extending along the south-eastern end of Han Cliristoval wore swept out to sea. In most instances the villagers were wanted by natives fishing on the reef, and escaped (o the hills just in time. They lost all their possessions.
Even more amazing was the experience of Mr. Wilson. He was at Watroha, about fifteen miles from Mr. Bee's station. Hearing the thundering of the sea, following the earthquake, ho saw the sea was rising over t.ho foreshore, ■Racing for his life, ho had traversed only about fifty or sixty yards when a six-foot wave overtook him and deposited him under a mass of debris, pinning him down, under the water. Immediately Hie backwash of the receding wave lifted the wreckage oft' him, and lie struggled to the surface arid escaped.
The Mendana, an auxiliary schooner, Captain Palmer, had a remarkable- escape. A submarine disturbail* developed round the ship. The water bocame agitated like, a tide rip, and the Mcmlana lurched and rolled alarmingly
as it' crossing a whirlpool. (.'nptnin Palmer says sand and si ones were (brown up from the sea bottom, and there was a smell of sulphur. The .ship was then in -10 i'atlioms.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 117, 13 November 1931, Page 9
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346Untitled Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 117, 13 November 1931, Page 9
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