["Roebourne Notes", The West Australian, Friday 13 May 1887, page 3]
ROEBOURNE NOTES.
April 25.
The schooner Ethel, from Sydney, reported that a hurricane occurred in Beagle Bay on the 22nd ultimo - lasting for about twelve hours - in which she was caught, and that a sister schooner and three small smaller boats were with her which have not turned up, and are supposed to be lost. The captain says the hurricane was terrific, the spray dashing over the mast head and bursting over his deck, washing away two fine whale boats which cost £50 each. He has not seen a blow like it for 40 years. The s.s. Australind arrived shortly afterwards towing in the schooner Sree pas Sair dismasted, and reported that the pearling fleet at the Ninety Mile Beach was damaged; 5 luggers sank, 11 schooners and 26 luggers and about 500 men missing. The Sree pas Sair observed about 50 men in the water, but was only able to render assistance by throwing spars to them as it was night and she was crippled. The schooner Telephone arrived at Cossack dismasted under jury masts. No other boats have turned up as yet. Captain Mayne's boat, the Eloise, was dismasted, and he was struck by lightning, being blind for two days, but is now recovering. Captain French was seen struggling in the water, and is believed to be drowned. The decks of the Annie Taylor were swept. The captain's wife and child were on board, and almost submerged in water, but were saved and brought into Cossack. The schooner Harriet lost all boats, and had her decks cleared. The Dawn was seen on her beam ends, and is supposed to have foundered.
The Gipsy, with Mr. J. Spencer on board, was seen going out to sea under easy canvas. A Japanese boat suffered severely, everyone being swept away except a man who was clinging to a hatch in the water, and who was saved, arriving at Cossack on board the Australind. The Australind rendered what assistance she could on her way here; she saw some dismasted schooner in the distance, shaped her course towards her, but darkness coming on, and she having only six fathoms of water had to leave. The Australind blew her whistle several times, but the schooner showed no lights. I believe the police have been sent overland to the Ninety Mile Beach to render what assistance they can to anyone who has got ashore in that vicinity. The hurricane was from the E.N.E. The glass fell very little, and the pearlers though it was only going to be a strong easterly breeze, it being late for a willy willy; in fact, there has never been one so late for 20 years, so that they were taken unawares and had made no preparations. The boats were all doing well; they had got on to a fine patch of shells and were getting from 1 ton to 2 tons of shells per diem, and they were just on the eve of returning, as the native divers' time was up on the 30th ultimo, so that the catastrophe has been most severe and sad. The promptitude with which the Government despatched the Australind has been much appreciated. No doubt the Otway which is expected to-day will bring further news which I will ascertain and forward.
