Terrible Hurricane.

Hastings Standard, Volume III, Issue 867, 10 March 1899, Page 3

Terrible Hurricane.

DISASTER TO SHIPPING

A PEARLING FLEET MISSING

NUMEROUS LIVES LOST.

(Received March 10, 0.00 a.m.) This day

Later details -how that the hurricane on the northern coast caused great destruction to shipping and considerable loss of life. The steamer Warrego, which has arrived at Cook town from Galf ports, reports thai the bnrricane commenced an Saturday and lasted twelve hours. The schooner Meg Merciless was fatally wrecked oft" Pelican Shoal, and the Sawara drifted ashore. The crews were saved.

Eleven pearling luggers are known to be lost, and so far as can be ascertained eleven men are drowned.

(Received March 10, 9.40 a.m.)

The Warrego also passed the schooner Crest of the Wave, totally dismasted and apparently abandoned, drifting out to sea. Farther southward she noticed that the Channel Rock, a light ship had disappeared. A little later a unmber of bodies, apparently those of white men, were seen floating in the water. Great anxiety prevails at Cooktown as safety of the Tawara. Of a pearling fleet of 150 luggers, only twelve have been seen afloat since the gale. Several schooners are also missing.

The Warrego has been despatched from Cookiown to continue her search aad render assistance. Received March 10, 10.55 a.m.

The Pearling fleet suffered severely in the gale which was experienced in Northern Queensland, but it is hoped that most of the missing vessels have been driven out to sea and will turn up Balely.