GREAT FLOODS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20705, 1 May 1929, Page 10

GREAT FLOODS.

TASMANIA’S TRIAL. TWENTY-FIVE LIVES LOST. DAMAGE EXCEEDS £1,000,000. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, April 11. VVith every phase of communication seriously interrupted it is still impossible to obtain a connected story of the dreadful floods that have enveloped a large area of Tasmania, It is clear, nevertheless, that the island State, in its struggle for existence, has received a severe set-back from which it will take years to recover. The damage certainly exceeds £1,000,000, but by far the most serious effect of the floods has been the extraordinarily heavy loss of life. It is known that 26 people have perished, and it is more than likely that the death roll will he increased as soon as the numerous rescue parties are able to complete their investigations, which may not be for some days. Tasmania’s fifty odd rivers and streams, sources of the island’s great electro-power schemes, charm of tho famed, scenery which has built up a rich tourist business, and the life blood of wide areas of agricultural and pastoral lands, constitute, harnessed and in their summer tranquility, the State’s chief assets. Lashed by storms to turgid floods, they are one of the State’s most devastating scourges. What bush fires are to the mainland, floods are to Tasmania—an annual cause of destruction, and often loss of life. But all previous disasters are overshadowed by this, which has left in its train nothing but sorrow and ruin. It is indeed a national disaster, realised as such by the public, who are contributing generously to relief funds so urgently needed. When the day broke over Derby last Saturday the township presented a seems of utter desolation as the result of the bursting of the Briseis dam the previous night. Houses and streets were littered with debris. It was known on the night of the disaster that nine, men had been overwhelmed and drowned, but subsequent investigations revealed the loss of an additional five lives. The Whiting family, it was revealed, ■ were having their tea when the wall of water struck their house and carried it and the occupants away. This family has completely disappeared, and its terrible last moments can only be'imagined. The wall of water that had such a devastating effect was estimated to he almost 100 feet high. Houses 70 feet or 80 feet above the level of the river, built at that height to be away. from " flood dangers, were washed from their foundations and their occupants lost everything they possessed. The buildings of the Briseis Tin and General Mining Company were swept away, and as these included the powerhouse, Derby was plunged into darkness and this added to the terrors of the night. The dam was situated at the cascades, about three miles from the township of Derby, and burst about 4.30 in the afternoon. The dam was about a mile long, and the water behind it v-as about 70 feet deep in places, so that the tremendous force and volume of water that was released can be -imagined. Rush in'* with the power of a great avalanche, the flood swept everything before it, uprooting trees and leaving a scene of the wildest desolation. Early it took with it two houses that were tossed about like corks until. they commenced to break up, and their contents were distributed over the raging waters. Then it swept on to the mine buildings, and the manager’s office quickly disappeared, then the offices of the general staff. Mr W. Beamish, the assistant manager, was able to warn the occupants of the general office, and, with the exception of Arthur Jaffray, a .junior clerk, all 'got clear. The lad is among those posted as missing. Mr Beamish is believed to have been lost in a further attempt to warn others. He is one of several who died a hero’s death. The flood swept on and demolished the electrical plant, though not before the man in charge had made good his escape. The Briseis store was carried bodily to the other side of the road, and deluge, with almost unbelievable rapidity, flooded the mine workings, where about a dozen of the men were marooned ®bank, with the flood waters swirling around them. Their position was menacing, and it was only through the courageous and persistent efforts of Constable Taylor that their rescue was effected. With the aid of a boat the plucky officer made many trips to the stranded men, and took them to safety one by one. The most distressing feature of the dam disaster was its tragic suddenness. When the avalanche of water readied Derby it tore through the bridge adjacent to the town, and flooded the surrounding country almost immediately. Most of the missing men were caught in the Briseis stables before the water reached the mine. They had no warning of the bursting of the dam, and they had no chance of escape when they saw the waters come rushing down the valley. They were trapped, and they could do no more than await their inevitable fate. There were about 50 men working in the crater in the mine, but as the mine was some distance from the dam, a warning reached them not long before the water dropped in a foaming fall a distance of 100 feet to where they had been working. Following the bursting of the dam and the heavy rain Launceston expenenced the most devastating flood in its history. Thousands of people inthe suburb of Invermay had to leave their homes, and a report from Launceston last Monday said that it was estimated that in Tasmania 4000 people were homeless as a result of the floods. There were many narrow escapes from drowning in Launceston as the Esk River suddenly burst ’its banks, and even though the town had been warned of the impending danger it was impossible to save the contents of many of the houses, which are now ruined. The citizens experienced a night of terror as they learned that the floods were rapidly approaching their homes. To add to the terrors torrential rain fell all through the night, and the city was in total darkness, the electric light having failed. Motor cars returned from the ..ooded areas to previously prepared base stations with the refugees in all sorts of clothing. Fire brigadesracn and volunteers made house-to-house visits m Invermay to warn the inhabitants. Many refused to believe that thme was any real danger, and they only added to the confusion by remaining in their homes until the homes were actually entered by the floods. Then t AA y J n f lr^l vly . esca P ed dr <»vning ( and added to the difficulties of the rescue

As the daylight came the torrents of ' a er , m Greets of Launceston increased, and many many of the streets became completely Inundated. All roads 2-° f „ r tlle became impassable, and it was not until late in the day ir war known definitely that the City house had been completely swept a wav The Albert Hall and many of the school were quickly turned into temporary homes for the refugees, and many willing workers found clothes for those families who had been able to escape only in their night attire. It is considered r? markable in the circumstances that the loss of life was not greater. There were many _ pathetic scenes along the bank of the river at Invermay. Men tried to wcae the flooded streets in an endeavour to reach their homes, and some had to be bodily removed. Many mothers, with in their arms, were rescued clad in their night attire. Disoi cable flueves were soon at work, and because of their