["The Broome Cyclone", The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), Thursday 24 November 1910, page 9]
THE BROOME CYCLONE.
HEAVY LOSS OF LIFE.
MANY VESSELS WRECKED.
Perth. November 23.
The Premier this morning received the following telegram from the resident magistrate at Broome:--
A disastrous cyclonic gale struck Broome on Saturday, November 19. The glass began to fall on Friday [ab: 18th] morning, and 100 luggers made port before nightfall. The wind blew strongly about midnight, and increased in force, with heavy squalls. It reached its highest velocity about 2 p.m. on Saturday. By that time 9 in. of rain had fallen. Many of the luggers in port had now dragged their anchors, and were piled up on shore between the jetty and the entrance. Verandahs, roofs, and whole houses had been blown in all directions, and a large portion of the population were obliged to seek shelter in the houses remaining. By 5 o'clock the wind lulled, but recommenced with terrific violence from the north-west. Trees, fences and telephone posts were levelled, and the utmost desolation prevailed. The wind and rain continued throughout the night, and abated in the morning, by which time 67 luggers were piled up on the beach. Seventeen were afloat, and it is estimated that between 30 and 40 had sunk at their moorings.
Several luggers are known to have been wrecked along the coast, and between 70 and 8O are still unaccounted for, though it is thought many of these may have taken refuge in various creeks along the coast. Rescue parties have been sent out, and luggers are patrolling the coast to render assistance.
So far two white men, Farrell and Street, employed by Everett, are known to be lost, and 10 colored men belonging to crews. I fear the number will be greatly augmented, but full particulars will not be in hand for some days. There are no casualties on shore, but there were many narrow escapes from flying roof iron. The estimated damage ashore is between £10,000 and £20,000. It is impossible to estimate the damage to the shipping.
Labor and roof iron are very scarce, and in great demand.
The Premier sent the following reply:
"Regret very much to receive the news contained in your telegram, more especially as to the sad loss of life. You are authorised to take any steps to relieve suffering and provide temporary shelter, &c. Please keep me fully advised. I am endeavoring to arrange for the Honorary Minister to proceed to Broome by Saturday's steamer."
The Commissioner of Police this morning received the following telegram lodged at Broome on Friday:--
"Terrific storm is raging here. The schooner Dickie, recently purchased by the Drysdale Mission, is ashore on the rocks. Two luggers, belonging to Captain Williams, sank near the jetty. Three others are ashore. About half the pearling fleet are absent from Broome, and the gravest fears are entertained for their safety. The gale is increasing."
A second telegram stated:--
"The hurricane increased in violence, with blinding rain, on Saturday, doing extensive damage to buildings and the pearling fleet:--67 luggers and 3 schooners were blown ashore, and damaged beyond repair. It is estimated that between 20 and 30 luggers sank off the jetty. A schooner and five luggers, belonging to Captain Talboys, are totally wrecked. Pigott, Hawkes, Arons, Challinor, and Streeter lost one lugger each, and Everett two. Boats belonging to Hunter, Burn, Gregory, J. H. Watson and Hatfield are still missing. Some may turn up later. A schooner belonging to the Drysdale Mission is ashore badly damaged. The schooner Ena rode out the gale, but suffered severely. A huge number of other boats are badly damaged. Forty luggers are safe in the creek. It is impossible at this stage to estimate the number of lives lost. Six bodies have been recovered. The schooner's men managed to reach the shore with life belts. Many buildings, including the post-office, Pearlers' Rest Hotel, and the Western Australian Bank, are badly damaged. The telephones are all down, and iron posts are twisted like ropes. Captain Talboys, who has been 40 years on the coast, states that it is the worst storm he has ever experienced."
When the last disastrous storm occurred at Broome the pearlers declined offers of assistance, and it was not long before those who had lost their vessels were fully equipped again.
During the last great hurricane at Broome, in December, 1908, about 50 luggers and two schooners went down, and 50 men, including five whites, were drowned. On that occasion the receipt of news was delayed several days owing to the telegraph line having been blown down.
