32["Another Pearling Disaster", The West Australian, Monday 14 December 1908, page 7]

ANOTHER PEARLING DISASTER.

A TERRIFIC HURRICANE.

THE FLEETS RAVAGED.

FATE OF MANY UNKNOWN.

HEAVY LOSSES FEARED.

SEVERAL DEAD BODIES WASHED ASHORE.

BOATS BEACHED.

Wallal, December 9.

The terrible pearling catastrophe at the end of April this year is still fresh in the memory of all, but it would appear that the terrific hurricane which struck this part of the coast last night will even eclipse in its work of destruction and devastation that which happened in April last.

The barometer had been gradually falling during the two or three previous days, and the hurrying, threatening clouds in the south-east and east early yesterday morning foretold that strong atmospherical currents were at work, and that something unusual would occur before many hours. The Government Astronomer telegraphed to the various telegraph stations during the day predicting heavy weather, and to warn all shipping. Several pearling luggers had been noticed by natives off the coast during the preceding 48 hours, but it was an impossibility to warn any of them as nothing whatever is provided for signalling purposes. The telegraph stations should be provided with rockets to be used when advised by the Government Astronomer, otherwise it is useless for forecasts to be telegraphed. As far as the pearling fleets are concerned, signalling of this description from the shore would at least give some of the boats timely warning to seek shelter in the creeks.

This coast has been described as the coast of catastrophes, and from the ever increasing number of wrecks and deaths is is upholding its reputation.

As the morning of Tuesday wore on heavy banks of black clouds made their appearance; and a strong south-east wind set in, followed by heavy downpours of rain. The wind gradually increased in force well into the afternoon, and the low-lying flats were quickly submerged with water. At 9 p.m., the wind had increased to a gale, and the rain poured down in torrents. As the night wore on the storm increased in violence, the sand rattling againt the side of the buildings of the telegraph station like pellets of shot, and stones whistling through the air like bullets. Above the din, the the sea could be heard over a mile away.

Some temporary outbuildings, where a large number of natives had taken shelter, were soon swept away, and the natives promptly retreated over a sand ridge and buried themselves in the sand, on the leeward side. A number of little black children rushed screaming with fright to the main building of the telegraph station, and were accommodated in one of the rooms.

The wind had now veered gradually around to the north-east, and still the storm increased. As morning approached the hurricane was fearful, and the wind had gone around to the north. The north end of the telegraph station was stove in, and most of the iron on the roof was carried away and twisted into all kinds of shapes. The lattice work around the verandah was torn into shreds, water and sand poured into the rooms, which quickly had the appearance of a quagmire.

At 11 p.m. the aneroid read 28.44, at 4.10 o'clock this morning 27.50, and at, 5 a.m., when the hurricane appeared to reach its height, 27.6. Shortly afterwards there was a dead calm for a period of about 10 minutes, and then the hurricane recommenced, with renewed vigour from the west. This lasted for about half an hour, when the wind gradually decreased in force, and probably the fiercest storm which has ever struck this coast had spent itself.

Devastation and destruction were to be seen on every hand. Fowls and goats were buried in the sand; wattle trees, which had the day previously been green and fresh in appearance, were bereft of leaves, and to all appearances withered up. Iron telegraph posts were bent and twisted in various shapes and blown for considerable distances. The homestead of Messrs. Pipes and Galbraith's sheep station, three miles west of Wallal, was completely wrecked. Thousands of dead seafowl are strewn along the beach. The rain gauge at the telegraph station was torn from its fastenings and carried some distance away and buried in the sand. Large sandhills along the beach were swept away and new ones formed.

There is no news in reference to the pearling fleet, but the general impression is that there has been another dreadful catastrophe.

December 10.

As thought yesterday there is every reason to fear that a catastrophe has befallen the pearling fleet. Two Japanese arrived here this morning in a deplorable condition, and reported that the lugger to which they belonged had been wrecked and four of the crew drowned about 20 miles north of here. The survivors had been some hours in the water, but eventually reached land. The ill-fated lugger was named Roy, and was the property of Messrs. Rubin and Davis, of Broome. It was portion of a fleet consisting of 17 luggers and one schooner, all the property of the same owners.

This fleet was proceeding northward, and encountered the full force of the hurricane. The schooner and the luggers quickly became separated, and the survivors from the Roy state that the various boats of the fleet were soon in distress. The crew of the schooner consisted of four white men and about 10 coloured men.

Judging from the last that was seen of the schooner, the survivors from the Roy are doubtful if the schooner could survive the storm. The Roy shortly afterwards toppled over, and four coloured men in the cabin were caught like rats in a trap. One of the survivors, a diver, was endeavouring to cut away the mast, but he did not have sufficient time to do so before the lugger turned turtle. They eventually reached shore, but did not see signs of any other part of the fleet. It is feared that the entire fleet has fared badly.

According to the same informants another fleet which would have been in the thick of the hurricane would be Mr. Goldstein's, consisting of one schooner and 22 luggers. This fleet had been sighted by some of Messrs. Rubin and Davis's men on the day of the hurricane some distance south of the latter fleet. Fears are entertained concerning the safety of the steamer Sultan, which was due to pass off Wallal, steaming north, on the night of the hurricane. As the telegraph line had been greatly damaged and all communication interrupted both north and south of Wallal, it is difficult to obtain much information from either side.

December 12.

Information has been gradually coming to hand that the worst is to be feared regarding the fate of a large part of the pearling fleets. Up to the present it has been ascertained that the following boats are missing:--Messrs. Rubin and Davis, one schooner and 17 luggers; Mr. Goldstein. one schooner and 21 luggers; Mr. Sutherland, six luggers, Mr. O'Grady, one schooner; Mr. Banger, five luggers; Mr. Francis, three luggers; Mr. Bardwell, two luggers. Messrs. Rubin and Davis and Goldstein's schooners would each carry a crew of four white men and from six to ten coloured men. Each of the luggers would carry a crew of six coloured men and in some cases one white man.

There are probably others missing, but it is difficult to ascertain what boats have arrived at Broome. as the telegraph line north of here is still interrupted, although every endeavour is being made to effect repairs.

Later.

A man named Grant arrived this evening. He had patrolled the coast from about 60O miles north of here; and reports that Messrs. Rubin and Davis's schooner Bux is a total wreck. Captain Gregory, who was in charge was at one time first mate of the steamer Charon. He managed to reach the shore after being in the water for ten hours. It is feared that the rest of the crew were drowned. The body of a white man named Young, one of the crew. of the schooner Bux, was found on the beach and buried. Several bodies of coloured men were also found along the beach and buried. Bodies are coming ashore with every tide. The luggers Alto, Lagoon, and Struggler are beached along the coast, and a quantity of wreckage is strewn along the beach. Mr. Goldstein's schooner is safe, but the fate of the luggers is unknown. The fate of all the other luggers is also still a matter for conjecture.

At 6 p.m. the telegraph line north of here was still interrupted, so that it is impossible to obtain news from Broome regarding what luggers arrived there and how many are missing.

THIRTY LUGGERS MISSING. A SCHOONER SUNK.

On Saturday Capt. Irvine, the Chief Harbourmaster, received the following cable, via Port Darwin, from the wharfinger at Port Hedland: "Report from Wallal: Heavy weather. Serious damage to pearling fleet: 39 luggers missing; schooner sunk; three whites aboard."

THE PREMIER'S SYMPATHY. The Premier on Saturday telegraphed to the Mayor of Broome expressing regret at the disaster and sympathy with those who had suffered loss.

OFFICIAL TELEGRAM. On Saturday night the Commisioner of Police (Captain MIare) received the following telegram from Port Hedland "Severe hurricane passed over the vicinity of Wallal on 9th inst. Seventeen of Rubin's luggers and 21 of Newman and Goldstein's are missing. Gregory' schooner, with four whites, is believed to have sunk near Wallal, and nine luggers are dismantled. Seagull is reported have foundered, but no lives lost.,. great portdinn of Wallal post oflice. wa blown away. Galbraith's homestead is completely wrecked."