STRANGE TIDAL WAVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2928, 27 April 1910, Page 70

STRANGE TIDAL WAVE.

OCCURRENCE AT HOKIANGA

'A tidal phenomenon is reported from Hokianga On Saturday week the sea rose jund receded in an alarming manner. The occurrence is attributed by some to a submarine seismic disturbance. The Marine Department at Wellington received the following telegram from Capiain Hardy, harbourmaster at Hokianga:— "On Saturday- afternoon there was a tremendous sea on the bar, from no apparent cause, from one hour before high water to two hours after same. The Hokianga River rose above high water mark of the highest(3pri:ng tides, and immediately receded below low water mark of the neap tides, the river continuously rising and falling like this for two hours after high water. The highest mark was reached one hour after high water. The boats'hed was filled with water, and the boats floated a foot off the roof of the shed. No damage resulted." Mr G. Allport, secretary of the Vlarine Department, stated to a New Zealand Times representative that, according to the reference to the boats floating within a foot of the roof of the shed the water must have been fully 6ft higher than the highest spring tide. It is a peculiar fact that the tides are neaps at present. On May 11, 1877 a seismic tidal wave swept along the New Zealand coast from Bluff to Russell. At Wellington the tide ebbed and every 20 minutes from 2ft to 4ft for fully 24 hours. Vessels at sea off the coast reported having experienced the phenomenon. This disturbance, it wa6 reported at the time, originated off the South American coast, and the town of Iquique, in Peru, was destroyed for the second time in -line years. Two days were occupied in the waves crossing the Pacific. On August 16, 1863, a similar visitation was ed on the New Zealand coat.