FURY OF THE STORM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19783, 2 November 1927, Page 11

FURY OF THE STORM.

DISASTER OFF GALWAY.

FISHING FLEET DESTROYED OTHER SHIPS CRIPPLED. DAMAGE IN LANCASHIRE, TOWN SERIOUSLY FLOODED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received November 1, 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Oct. 31. The increasing number of casualties among men and ships in connection with the GaKvav disaster emphasises the unbridled fury of the gale. So far the death-roll is 50. Practically the entire fishing fleet in Cleggan Bay was lost. Irish Free State aeroplanes are now searching along the wild coasts of Galwav, Mayo and Connemara for possible survivors. Many timber boats from the North Sea and from Baltic ports were crippled. Dozens of them were exposed to the fury of the gale Some limped into the Port of London to-day. One had no coal, and her captain had been washed overboard and lost. Another vessel was stripped of her masts and everything had been swept off her deck The members of the crew were terribly bruised. Children Drowned in a Cavern. The deaths caused by the storm at Fleetwood, Lancashire, have been increased to six by the discovery of the bodies of two children who were trapped in a submerged cavern. It is feared others will be found when the waters subside. At present buildings in low-lying parts of the town are totally submerged. All day people in boats and on rafts have been rescuing refugees from the upper storeys of houses. The flood is not expected to recede until the end of this week. Referring to the disaster to the Galway fishing fleet, a British official wireless message says the craft used by the fishermen were rowing boats, and they weie helpless against the wind and waves. They were manned by crews of five to eight men. When they set out the weather was fine. Father Quinn. parish priest of Lachan, was listening on his wireless set and received a warning of the coming gale, but the Lachan fishermen were then already at sea. Great Damage Done in Wales. A member of the crew of a lifeboat at Moelfre, Wales, which rescued the crew of the ketch Excel, which was struck by the storm noar Beaumaris, North Wales, died from exposure. Despite its waterlogged condition, the lifeboat stood by throughout the storm One of the rescued men also died from exposure. In minor wrecks on various parts of the coast lives were also lost, and in many rasas lifeboats effectecj splendid rescues of news of small vessels' The damage done in ni'ir.v coastal towns was heavy. Tinoti.ihout North Wales, in particular, jiieut havoc was done to roads, and in runny places the railways were blocked by falling ■ trees and the subsidence ol embankments The damage in Morecombe and Keysbam is estimated at £40.000. At Aberystwyth the promenade wall was liroached in several places and houses were Hooded. Much pastureland "is under water in the north-west of England owing to the overflowing rivers.