["The Recent 'Willy Willy At Condon", The West Australian, Monday 06 April 1896, page 3]
THE RECENT 'WILLY WILLY' AT CONDON.
FULL PARTICULARS OF THE STORM.
DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £5000.
THE RECENT "WILLY-WILLY'
By the steamer Albany, which arrived at Fremantle from the North-West yesterday afternoon, full particulars are to hand respecting the terrific hurricane which passed over the township of Condon on Friday, 27th ult. The first warning of the storm was given at noon, when the wind commenced to freshen and was accompanied by heavy rain. At 5 o'clook the glass stood at 29.10, at 9 o'olook at 28.70, and at half-past nine the glass was at the lowest reading, viz., 28.30. It was at this time that the severest blow was experienced, which continued till midnight, when it somewhat moderated. At 10 o'clock Traini's Condon Hotel waa unroofed. The walls of the building were nearly all carried away, together with the goods shed, kitchen, stables and other out-houses, which were completely destroyed. Timber and iron were flying about in all directions. Mr. Paton, traveller for Sandover & Co., together with his wife, were staying at Traini's hotel. They were cooped up in one corner of a room with no shelter from the wind, rain, and sand, and were in this position for three hours, no-one being able to render them any assistance, athough several attempts were made. They were eventually rescued by Messrs. Traini and Matthews.
Rayner's Hotel, some twenty yards away, received a severe shaking, but remained intact. The store and goods shed near the Royal Hotel were partially damaged. No doubt the greatest damage was done to Messrs. Traini and Rayner's premises. The tide also came into the hotel, the water being knee-deep in the rooms, but on the wind changing it soon turned. Mr. Steele's verandah was blown to pieces. The roof was lifted, but was not carried away. The kitchen was unroofed and the outhouses destroyed. The stores were greatly damaged.
Tiffany's jetty was totally destroyed. The deck of it was carried fully 100 yards away, and the piles snapped like glass. Much damage was done to stock in the sheds. The town is a complete wreck. The damage is estimated at £5,000.
The outside merchants at Marble Bar and Bamboo suffered considerably, as their receiving sheds were almost all totally destroyed. The house owned by Mr. Matthews, near the post office, and occupied by P.O. Crockett, was totally demolished, and Mrs. Crockett and family have removed to the post office. Mr. Crockett was away at Bamboo, and all the household goods were destroyed, including a piano, which was smashed to pieces. It was taken bodily by the wind and dashed against the post office. Then are no tidings from outside stations, but no losses are expected. The schooner Maggie Gollan arrived on Monday, having experienced a dreadful voyage, one man being washed overboard. The telegraph line was blown almost flat for miles, and the country is flooded. The total rainfall for Friday was 9.20 inches.
