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Steamer KOMURA safe

Date10 August 1908

Object numberANMS0603[001]

NameNewspaper clipping

MediumInk on paper, cardboard

DimensionsOverall: 473 × 113 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection McIlwraith McEacharn Limited

Terms

HistoryFrom early August 1908 newspapers in Sydney began reporting of a strong easterly gale affecting the north coast of New South Wales. A large fleet of vessels, including six steamers in Newcastle Harbour, had been forced to shelter at ports up and down the coast. ‘Mountainous’ seas were reported from captains whose vessels had been stood out to sea with Captain Webber from the steamer ZAMORA reporting the ‘exceptionally severe’ weather was the worst they had seen in years. Many ships having left Sydney, including the new coastal steamer URALLA on its maiden voyage, were forced to turn back. While winds were estimated at nearly 130 kilometres per hour offshore, on shore damage was significant with houses at Newcastle having windows blown in and rooves blown off. Communication was down die to telegraph poles being knocked over and wires ripped out. The ‘rough squally weather’ predicted by the Bureau of Meteorology, impacted as for south as Sydney which experienced at least 12 days of continuous rain.