THE GALE ON THE ENGLISH COAST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9400, 5 January 1894, Page 5

THE GALE ON THE ENGLISH COAST.

.' • . ~ ...i <>. i|. , f ! - '-> APPALLING DISASTERS, ' ; 1 Cable massages from London recently informed the readers of i the Herald ; of a fearful gale which raged along the English coast, during which a large number of lives were lost and a tremendous amount of damage done both at sea and on land. Froth papers to hand- by the moil yesterday the following particulars are gleaned :— There seems no reason to doubt that the recent gale has proved the most disastrous on record. Oh one day alone 144 casualties were posted at Lloyd's, the nexb largest number to this being during the gale of 1881, when 139 casualties were entered on the loss-book. During the period from November 17 to November 21, the lifeboats of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution were launched 60 times to the aid of vessels in distress, and were instrumental, ofcen under the most trying and perilous circumstances, in saving 192 lives from different wrecks, besides helping to rescue three vessols from destruction. A special feature of the storm was the persistent continuance •of the gale over the United Kingdom, continuing with almost undiminished force over a period of four days. The loss of life on the lOngliah coasts is estimated at at least 200; and on the French coast it is given at from 150 to 200. < THE DAMAGE TK LONDON. While the gale was at its height a portion of two houses in Houndsditch collapsed. Fortunately no one was injured, although the falling debris did considerable damage and blocked the street. From nearly all parts of London reports come of damage to houses and other property, but fortunately it is mostly of a minor sorb. In Bermondsoy several chimney stacks were injured, bub none fell. On Saturday night a hoarding in front of a building in course of erection at Camberwell Greeu was suddenly blown down by the gale, and knocked over a man and broke his leg. A man, name unknown, was found dead in the street at Canning Town. In the districts of Hornsey, Barneb, and Muswell Hill the effects of the storm were unparalleled. The majority of buildings suffered considerably, in many instances complete wreckage of roofs being reported. The Alexandra Palace, which, as is known, occupies tire highest point in North London, felt the full force of tho storm, and much damage to the valuable glasswork and outbuildings has been sustained. From other outlying districts considerable damage is reported, especially to trees and roadside fences. The train service was very much disarranged, and mo3t of the trains arriving in London were late. Drivers of trains from the north state that it is long since they had experienced such terrible weather. THE GALE AT SEA. Reports received from all parts of England, Wales, and Scotland, and from several Lush districts show that a gale of exceptional violence raged practically over the United Kingdom on November 23 and 24. Telegraphic communication has been greatly interrupted, and in some cases absolutely suspended, so that the news received probably falls far short of a complete record of the disasters resulting from the storm ; but 134 lives are known to have been lost, and the crews of some ill-fated vessels are missing. The storm at sea has been even more violent than thab inland, and its effects much more terrible. A largo number of vessels foundered or were driven on the rocks, to be dashed to pieces by the fury of the waves, and the record of casualties, already appalling, is likely to prave terrible indeed when completed. The Union Company's steamer German arrived in dock after a terrible experience in the Bay of Biscay. Terrific weather was experienced, and in 35 hours, a passenger states, they only made five knots. As the ship tossed about women were on their knees crying and praying, with frightened children round them. The captain and officers did their best to console them. The German had a lifeboat stove in, the railings on the upper deck broken, and the canvas of tho bridge torn. Her cargo has shifted, giving the vessel a list to port, and at one time so critical were appearances that the lifeboats and belts were prepared for leaving the ship. The Mew Zealand Shipping Company's Tekoa, from Lyttelbon bo London with a cargo of frozen meat, arrived at Plymouth for coal. She had met tho recent gale in full force. She was nine days out from Teneriffe, and had reached the Start on , her voyage to London, but was obliged to , put hack to Plymouth. Captain Stuart i reported that for three days the steamer was practically hove to, for though steaming full speed ahead during the time the gale blew her back 45 miles, while great seas broke over her and swept her decks. Captain Stuartand three sailors were thrown off their lee*, and the former received a severe contused wound on the skull. Homeward , bound ships report great quantities of wreckage off Cape Finisterre, and ib is feared that several vessels have foundered. The P. and O. steamship Pekin, from Calcutta, was considerably delayed, and ship ped large quantities of water. The origantine Claremont, with phosphates, from Antwerp to Liverpool, had a terrible passage down Channel. She battled with the gale for several days. She had her foremast, foretop, and fore-topgallant masts carried •way, and arrived at Plymouth with her rigging trailing in the water, and her crew in an exhausted state. LOSS OF A STEAMER AND HER CRKW. In connection with the loss of the Hartlepool steamer, Amcott, and crew, the vessel sailed from Tyne on November 24, coal laden, for Belfast. She was owned by Green, Holland, and Company, London, was commanded by Captain Greig, of South Shields, and was wrecked off Aldborough during the gale. The crew principally belonged to North and South Shields, and were married men. The news caused a painful sensation in Shields, where the men were well known. Captain Greig had just taken command of the steamer. Captain Larson and the crew of the brig Alma, which vessel was abandoned during the gale in the North Sea, were landed at Shields by the steamer Diamant. The steanjer Hampshire sailed from Liverpool to Cardiff on November 16 with 22 hands. Mr, Swanston, the chief officer, is, apparently, the sole survivor. He states thaa, in passing the Smalls, off Pembrokeshire, the vessel received an injury, and leaked. When about nine miles off Godreoy Lighthouse, north of St. Ives, the captain found the water increasing, and decided to abandon her. He left with 16 men, and Swanston took another boat with four men. The Hampshire was then sinking fast. When within a short distance of Gurnard's Head, Swanston's boat capsized, and he was washed ashore. The other boat of the Hampshire was washed ashore at St. Ives, with one dead body wearing an officer's cap. Swanston, the chief officer, and only survivor of the Hampshire, states thab the { five men in his boat drifted helplessly before the tremendous seas and gale. After being expoaod to the furious storm all night thoy drew near to land a little to the eastward of Gurnards Head. As they reached towards the land the boat was capsized in the fearful surf, and after a terrific struggle Swanston, the survivor, got safely ashore on the rocks in an almost helpless condition. He climbed up the steep cliffs and afterwards met a coastguard who afforded him every assistance. NINE VESSELS BTRANDKD AT GRIMSBY. Nine vessels, principally schooners, were stranded between Grimsby and Cleethorpes, two of which on Nov. 25 became total wrecks. While the lifeboat was endeavouring to get out of the dock basin the coxswain was hurled overboard and crushed to death between the boat and the pier. The lifeboat was unable to leave the basin owing to some mud dredgers which blocked the entrance. One other fatality also occurred in a ketch opposite the pier. No serious casualties in the town are reported. 1 * The body of the coxswain was recovered on Nov. 26 floating in the fish dock. A Swedish barque, the Mar;:* Adelaide, is also ashore at Clee Ness, laden with deals. • " AN OFFICIAL DEATH BOLL. In the House of Commons, on November 24, in reply to questions, Mr. Mundella, President of the Board of ,Trade, said:— I regret to state that the loss of life round our coasts during the recent gale has been almost unprecedented. The Board of Trade ha.l already received a return showing the loss of 237 lives, and, as additional reports are being'hourly received, I faar the total number will be still greater. The

t following-peturiis h^ye-been* received up bo f i one o'clock bo-day ;i- v„ ' 4 -'■* -" : *" j TgtiU i}HTlil>er of lm-s lost .. ~., .„ 237 Number lost by the capsizing of lifeboats, i. > i f Number saved l>ycoastguard life-saying ap. paratus ana help from shore ' " .'. .. 198 Number saved by fishing and private boats 102 Number saved by chips'boats v •-,,= ~,-,- ; 68 1 Number saved by means of fifgboßts .. 105 Number saved by other- means .. .. 35 1 Total saved . ~ .. ~ .. ~. ~,.. BOS, I I may add further (?ftid Mr. Micella), ' that the National Lifeboat Institution stab© . that 102 lives have been saved in addition - to those of which I have received returns. . (Hear, hear.) ■ * t' "■; >" " asa asm -!,,,'■ 8008 ;