TIDAL WAVE

Southland Times, Issue 20940, 25 November 1929, Page 7

TIDAL WAVE

SCENES OF HAVOC NEWFOUNDLAND COAST SWEPT SERIOUS PRIVATION A NIGHT OF HORROR (United Press Assn.-Br Telegraph-Copyright.) St. Johns (Newfoundland), November 22. A definite change in the configuration of the land on the Burin Peninsula is one result of the earthquake, said the Hon. George Barlett on his arrival from Burin, where he witnessed the tidal wave disaster from the deck of the steamer Daisy which was lifted on its crest and dropped back as the tide receded where vessels of 15 tons could ride safely at anchor. The disturbance left the coastal waters too shallow, for navigation. The property damage is estimated at more than 1,000,000 dollars. The deaths are variously estimated at 26 to 36. Burin, the largest town affected, has a population of 1200. The wave rose to a height of 40 feet, sweeping all the waterfront. Property on the French islands, St. Pierre and Imquelon, off the Burin coast, are reported to have suffered severe damage.

Four members of the crew of the steamer Georgian were taken to hospital on the arrival of the ship to-day as a result of injuries suffered when a terrific sea swept the ship and shifted her cargo on Monday, being then 12 days out from Copenhagen. The wave struck Burin at night, two hours after the 'quake. In the darkness there were appalling incidents. From all sides came cries for help. So bare of everything in certain localities are the Burin waterfronts, Mr. Barlett said, that no evidence remains of their ever being inhabited. Houses riding on Burin Inlet seas were searched by rescuers immediately after the wave struck, but no living thing could be found. In one upper room a light burned wanly in the darkness. From one house Mrs Vincent Kelly of Kelly’s Grove rescued two of her children. She went back in a desperate effort to save a third when the habitation was carried away to sea and neither mother nor child was seen again. Another family was seated at tea when the house suddenly shifted and came back to its position. As it moved again the father seized a child under each arm and with his wife on his back he struggled through the water to safety. A motorist approaching Burin won a thrilling race when the bridge which he was crossing went down as the rear wheels reached the further side.

The steamer Daisy rose high above the Government wharf and as the water subsided she rested on the bottom where the normal depth was 18 feet. The most serious condition is the privation resulting from the destruction of the homes and their winter supply of provisions and fuel and practically all the fishing gear.