DESTRUCTIVE TIDAL WAVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 55

DESTRUCTIVE TIDAL WAVE.

CHATHAM ISLANDS VISITATION. CHRISTCHURCH. August 2. Reports of a tidal wave which did considerable damage at the Chatham Islands on July 21 were brought by the steamer Tees, which arrived at Lyttelton last night. The wave swept the island for about five chains on the eastern side. A trawler belonging to the Kaingaroa Fishing Company was lost, and another was smashed. The dam which supplies the company with freshwater was washed out, the Pitt Island wharf was swept away, and some of the beaches were cleared of shell. When 100 miles cut from the island the Tees encountered the effects of the wave, causing the ship to neel over. As the result of water getting into the engine room the high-pressure cylinder was cracked, necessitating temporary repairs, during which the vessel was hove to. The run to the Chathams proved a strenuous time for the crew and the 15 passengers. Waitangi was reached at 8 o’clock on July 24 after a trip taking four and a-lialf days, which, under normal weather conditions, could be negotiated in 48 hours. Speaking of the damage at the Chathams, Captain Dowell said that Kaingaroa Lake, which gives a supply of fresh water to the Kaingaroa Company, had been washed out through the carrying away of the dam. The lake had been drained, and it would cost a considerable sum to rebuild the dam. Pitt Island wharf was completely washed away, not a sign of it remaining; a dinghy and surf boat were washed up a creek a distance of 80 yards. The tidal wave reached a distance of about five chains inland at Kaingaroa, and the roar of the wave was heard at Owenga before it reached the shore ; while at Kaingaroa some fishermen who were playing cards went out to see what was amiss. On seeing the wave they made a rush inland to the bush. The west side of tlie island was not affected. The places that suffered were Kaingaroa. Pitt Island, and Mangere Island. At the last named place a big landslide occurred.