’QUAKE CHANGES CONFIGURATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18926, 23 November 1929, Page 1

’QUAKE CHANGES CONFIGURATION OF NEWFOUNDLAND.

EYE-WITNESS TELLS OF TIDAL WAVE HAVOC. (United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received November 23, 9.55 a.m.) ST JOHNS (Newfoundland), November 22. “ A definite change in the configuration of the land on Burin Peninsula is one result of the earthquake,” said the Hon George Bartlett on his arrival from Burin, where he witnessed the tidal wave disaster from the deck ot the steamer Daisy, which was lifted on the crest and dropped back as the tide receded. Where vessels of fifteen tons could ride safely at anchor the disturbance left the coastal waters too shallow for navigation. Property damage is estimated at more than 1,000.000 dollars, and the deaths are variously estimated at from twenty-six to thirty-six. Burin, the largest town affected, has a population of 1200. The wave rose forty feet, sweeping all the waterfront property. The French islands of St Pierre and Miquelon, off the Burin coast, are reported to have suffered severe damage. The wave struck Burin at night, twp 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 Bartlett said, that no evidence remains of their ever being inhabited. Houses riding on Burin inlet seas were searched by rescuers from the Daisy 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 were seen again. Another family was seated at tea when the house suddenly shifted. It came back to its original position, and as it moved again the father seized a child under each arm and, with his wife on his back, 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 ..as 18ft. The most serious condition is the privation resulting from the destruction of homes, the winter supply of provisions and fuel, and practically all fishing gear. 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, twelve days out from Copenhagen.