["The Hurricane in the Nor'-West", The West Australian, Tuesday 05 April 1898, page 5]

THE HURRICANE IN THE NOR'-WEST.

WORST STORM EXPERIENCED.

FEARFUL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY.

SUPPOSED LOSS OF LIFE.

STEAMER ALBANY DISABLED.

Roebourne, April 4.

A terrific storm visited Roebourne and Cossack on Saturday, doing an immense amount of damage to houses and other property. The weather came over very dull on Friday morning, and a strong easterly wind set in later in the day, increasing in force as the day wore on. Rain fell heavily all Friday night, and on Saturday at 4 p.m. it commenced to blow a hurricane. The barometer went down to 28. Preparations were made by householders for a willy-willy, doors and windows being barricaded. About six o'clock the hurricane reached its height. Amidst the roar of the wind and the rain houses were unroofed, others being completely wrecked. Portions of corrugated iron roofs and single sheets of iron were twisted and contorted into all sorts of shapes ane went flying through the air to the danger of those persons who were obliged to leave their habitations for premises which were thought to afford better security for life and limb.

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DEPARTMENTAL TELEGRAMS.

On Sunday the Under-Secretary for Mines (Mr. H. C. Prinsep) received the following telegram from Mr. J. Grimish, the Mining Registrar at Roebourne:--

"Severe hurricane passed over here yesterday, last night and to-day. Considerable damage to property, stock and Residency. Have not yet ascertained rainfall accurately. Communication cut off between Roebourne and Cossack. No news yet from steamer Albany; people anxious."

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Yesterday evening the Postmaster General (Mr. R. A. Sholl) received a telegram from Mr. H. W. Birch, the Postmaster at Cossack, which was despatched at 4.20 p.m. The message, which is as follows, is confirmatory of the telegram from Roebourne, published in yesterday's WEST AUSTRALIAN:--

"A terrific hurricane passed over Cossack on Saturday, lasting from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday. Considerable damage was done to post office. Two steam lighters are ashore. The Beagle is almost wrecked, the schooner Maggie Dollan is a total wreck, and the Harriet is stranded. Nearly all the buildings in Cossack are destroyed. The tramline is a complete wreck. The telegraph line has been washed down for miles, but temporary communication is now restored. The total loss of property is estimated at £15,000. The steamer Albany arrived at noon on Sunday without her rudder and her propeller damaged." ,

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