STORM-SWEPT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 291, 7 December 1929, Page 9

STORM-SWEPT

BRITISH ISLES LASHED MANY VESSELS DISABLED COMMUNICATIONS DISORGANISED Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright] [ British Official Wireless ] Received Dec. 6, 11 p.m. RUGBY, Dec. 5. Several lives were lost and widespread damage was done to property oa land and sea by the worst storm for many years. A violent southwesterly gale swept over the British Isles last night, and continued with unabated fury throughout the greater part of the day.

In the Channel and North Sea extremely heavy seas are running and much of the shipping made for shelter. When available fishing trawlers reached Hull in a battered condition, the crews described the gale as being as bad as any they had ever experienced. Near Bristol railway traffic was suspended by a steel crane having been blown down on the line.

The gale was accompanied by torrents of rain which helped to increase the already large flooded areas, particularly in the Thames Valley. The velocity of the wind varied, but in some parts of the country guests exceeding 90 miles an hour were registered and in many places between 70 and 80 miles.

Warnings of the approach of bad weather were given by wireless last night. Several vessels remained in harbour, but many cargo ships were disabled and passenger ships were heavily buffeted. The liner Kanihi, on arrival at Plymouth, reported that the seas in the English Channel were the worst encountered for years. When the storm was at its height .wireless reports stated that the French steamer Cambroune and the British steamers Valacia and Rowanburn were out of control owing to damaged steering gear. The Danish steamer Helens reported her engines completely disabled. Appeals from the Danish, steamer Cuecho brought »wo tugs from Swansea to her assistance. The Swedish motor vessel Balaklava reported that the hurricane had damaged her bridges and flooded her cabins amidships, causing delay. Lifeboats were called out during the day from several stations around the British eoasts.

Two houses in London and in other towns collapsed, and many cases of trees, hoardings and walls being blown down are reported. Roads in several parts were temporarily blocked by fallen trees, and LondonBournemouth railway traffic was delayed three hours owing to a tree falling across the rails. The flooding of a suburban line near New Bechenham, Kent, necessitated the cutting off of the current for electrical trains. A large number of telephone wires were brought down by the storm. The New Haven-Dieppe steamer services were cancelled, and the Folkestone Boulogne services were diverted via Dover.

Anxiety regarding the floods in the lower reaches of the Thames was expressed in a question in the House of Commons. The Health Minister, Mr Greenwood, replied that the matter was under consideration, but it was difficult to promise that measures could be taken to prevent the floods.