NIGHT OF HORROR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 210, 5 September 1934, Page 10

NIGHT OF HORROR

TOWNSHIP SUBMERGED TWO BABIES DROWNED THOUSAND PEOPLE HOMELESS Two babies were drowned, at least a thousand people are homeless, and damage amounting io many thousands of pounds was caused by tidal waters which swept into Port I’irie, bouth Australia, when the embankment gave way recently and inundated the greater part of the township. The two babies were swept from the arms of their parents while being carried to safety through the swollen waters. Port Pirie is a scene of desolation. Although the waters had subsided a few feet next day, the town was practically submerged. The residential area of Ellendale suffered most severely, scarcely a house there remained occupied, and the whole area was a vast sheet of water. The night was a night of horror- It was miraculous that the loss of life wm' not greater when the tidal waters, banked up by a terrific gale, burst through the embankments. The people in the Ellendale district were able to escape in time, and those not rescued immediately were forced to spend Che night huddled together for warmth on rooftops or on pieces of furniture, wait lug for the dawn. Confusion a.nd Panic Confusion and panic were increased by the failure of the electric light supply, which plunged the town into darkness. Water rose in some places almost to the tops of the doorways, and those who took refuge on the roots were in danger every minute of being blown by the gale into the Hood. Rescue work, which was directed by lhe Mayor, began under indescribable difficulties. Willi the aid of hurricane lamps, parties began the long, anxious task, of taking families who had been marooned, many iu their night attii’to safety. Work continued all next day, and it was not until nearly nigh, fall that the last rescue wa<> effected. The Government sent blankets ami food to the Port Ririe sufferers. Floo-t \ ictinis were housed temporarily 1 1 hotels and halls where there were drrooms, and a soup kitchen was established. As many shops and busmen premises were flooded, it will be week* before the daamge done by the water is repaired. ... In trying to save the lives of then children, the parents of the two victims were themselves almost swept away and drowned. The two babies lost were Colin Burgin, aged live months, and Kevin Baverstock, aged three months. The parents of each live at Ellendale. One of the women admitted to hospital was Mrs. Edna Hardie, of Ararat, V ictoria, who, with her husband, was stay - ing with friends at Pirie ‘WestBaby Swept From Mother’s Arms Mr. Baverstock, father of one of the babies, was at a picture theatre, where he is employed, when the sea invaded the town, and, in spite of frantic efforts, he was unable to reach his

home until daybreak. Shortly afterward, the child’s body was found in the yard of his home. Mrs. Baverstock put her four children —Gladys, George, Ronald, aged ten, eight and four respectively, and the baby—to bed early iu the evening, and had just retired herself when she was awakened by shouts outside and the noise of rushing waters. Before lhe occupants of the house had time ' to move, water flooded the house to a 1 depth of 4ft. In pitch darkness the 5 children were snatched from their beds ’ and a dash was made for safety. Mrs. Baverstock seized the baby and 1 escaped from the house by a side win- c dow. She managed to reach the gate- { way, struggling in water up to her ( armpits, but there.encountered the full - force of the torrent surging down the j street. She lost her balance, and the baby was swept from her arms. To ( search for the child was impossible. j Boy Hoisted Into Tree . Mrs. Baverstock herself was rescued 1 from drowning by Mr. T- G. Downie, a boarder in her house, who was J already holding one of the other chil- ‘ dren. Mr. Thompson, another occupant of the house, with great presence of mind, hoisted George into a tree, from which he was later rescued, while Gladys climbed on to the top of an adjoining stable, to which she clung tor several hours iu spite of the wind, which had attained hurricane force. Three Greek fishermen nearly perished at Ceduna. where, after spending all night in the raging sea, they were picked up exhausted next morning at Thevenard. Three men suffered severely from shock at Laura, when they trod in a pool of water which had been electrified by a fallen cable at the height, of the storm. From one end of the ; State to the other, but particularly in the western section, houses were wrecked, fences destroyed, and trees uprooted.