Big Earthquake at Solomon Island

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 147, 24 June 1939, Page 8

Big Earthquake at Solomon Island

TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE SYDNEY, June 17. A missionary who was at the island of Guadalcanar, in the Solomons, at the time of the earthquake and tidal waves on April 30, has sent graphic description to a Sydney newspaper. His narrative is:— Shortly before 2 p.m. on April 30, I arrived in my small cutter and anchored off the village of Maravovo, on the west coast of Guadalcanar. When the big earthquake came, I thought the cutter was bumping from one reef to another. It was not until I looked ashore and saw the earth rising and falling and the natives staggering like drunken men on the beach that I realised the truth. This earthquake lasted about two minutes, and we had scarcely recovered from the shock when the sea began to be disturbed in strange and terrible ways. W T e heard the previously calm waters swirling angrily beneath us, and the sea around changed from blue to dirty brown. Two Tidal Waves Submerge Village Then came the first tidal wave. It lifted the cutter and carried it rapidly toward the beach. My boat’s crew heaved at the anchor, but could not get it up. Meanwhile the tide rapidly receded and left us about to be stranded on a mud bank. Then came the second tidal wave. This carried us still further toward the beach, but mercifully by this time the anchor was clear, the engine started, and we were just able to make out to sea and safety. The native crew behaved splendidly. Had they lost their heads we should have for certain lost the cutter and probably our lives. The tidal waves submerged the village, and where once had been a line of leaf houses there was the sea. Later we heard that every house, including the church, had been swept away, and tho people, with what possessions they eould carry, had fled into the bush and remained there till next morning. A Scene of Desolation It was an hour or more before wo could land ashore, so tremendous was flie surf. Eventually we got ashore at the Melanesißn Mission station. Herr

we found a scene of desolation. During the day Mr and Mrs Hanscombe, their baby, and Mrs Svcnson, from Lavaro plantation, some few miles down the coast, arrived in great plight, having been through a terrible experience. Every building, including their own home, had been swept away by the sea. When the earthquake came, Mr Hanscombe dashed with the baby to the hillsides and reached safety. Mrs Hanscombe and Mr Svenson were caught by the tidal wave, and they only saved themselves by holding on with both arms round a coconut tree. The second tidal wave submerged them to their necks in water. When tho tide receded, they were able to make their way to safety in the hillsides, and later returned to the beach, to find their home and possessions demolished. They then set off to walk the long weary miles to the mission station. Several villages along thp coast were demolished, and in one village a crippled woman and five children were drowned. Next day I decided to leave for Tulagi to inform the Government of the extent of the disaster as I had witnessed it. My boat was the only due available to carry the news. On the way, I called in at Visale, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Mission, and found much havoc there. The bishop fears that the whole cathedral may have to be demolished. The finan cial loss is considerable-