Tidal Wave

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIV, Issue 201, 2 August 1924, Page 5

Tidal Wave

Strikes Chatham Islands CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE ASHORE STEAMER’S TRYING EXPERIENCE (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, August 2 Reports of a tidal wave whi.ffi aid considerable damage at the Chatham Islands on July 21st were brought by th© steamer Tees, which arrived in Lyttelton last night. The wave swept inland for about five chains on the eastern side of th© island.. A trawler belonging to th© Kaingaroa Fishing Company was lost, and another was smashed. The dam which supplies the company with fresh water was washed out. Pitt Island wharf was swept away and some beaches were cleared of shell. When 100 miles out from the island the Tees encountered the effects of the wave, causing the ship to heel over. A s th© result of water getting into th© engine-room th© high pressure cylinder was cracked, necessitating tenijMirary repairs, during which the vessel was hove to.

The run to the Chathams proved a strenuous time for the crew and fifteen passengers. Waitangi was reached at 8 o’clock on July 24th after a trip taking four and a-half days which, under normal weather conditions, could be negotiated in 48 hours. Speaking of the damage at the Chathams Captain Dowell said that th© Kaingaroa Lake, which gives a supply of fresh water to th e Kaingaroa Company, had been washed out through the carrying away of the dam. Th© lake had been drained and it would cose a considerable sum to rebuild the dam.

Pitt Island wharf was completely washed away, not a sign of it remaining. A dinghy and a surf boat were washed up a creek a distance of 80 yards. Th© tidal wave reached a distance of about five chains inland, at Kaingaroa. The roar of the wave was heard at Owenga before it reached the shore, and at Kaingaroa some fishermen who were playing cards went out to see what was amiss. On seeing the wave they made a rush inland to the bush. The west side of the island was not affected, only the east side, the places that suffered being Kaingaroa, Pitt Island and Mangere Island. At the last-named place a big landside occurred.