damage

One year, two disasters The year was 1918. In the early hours of 21 January, a tropical cyclone crossed the coast just north of Mackay, bringing with it tidal surges of 2.7 meters in the center of town. The force was strong enough to uproot large Jacaranda trees and destroy 80% of Mackay’s buildings, numbering around 1200. More than 20 people were killed and widespread flooding ensued across Central Queensland, most notably in Rockhampton. A few days later, the Cairns Post described a scene of sheer desolation: The cyclone lasted over 14 hours and particularly wrecked the town. Scarcely a building escaped. The Anglican and Methodist Churches were completely demolished … The Presbyterian School Hall was razed. Only three hotels were left tenable … The Star Theatre, the Olympic Theatre, the Star Court, and Theatre Royal were literally turned inside out … The streets were littered with wreckage, galvanized iron being blown about like paper. (Cairns Post, 5 February 1918, p.2) Only seven weeks later, as Queensland was still reeling in the aftermath, another cyclone struck the coast, this time further north at Innisfail. The eye of the storm passed over the town in a terrifying hour between 9 pm and 10 pm on 10 March 1918, followed by wind gusts that blew in from the opposite direction to destroy any buildings left standing. Regarded by many to be the worst cyclone to hit a populated area in Queensland’s history of European settlement, 95% of dwellings were damaged or destroyed and close to 100 people perished across the wider region. The Brisbane Courier reported the impressions of Nationals’ candidate for Herbert, Mr. R.G. Johnson, as he walked towards Innisfail the following day: … [As] he journeyed along he saw many demolished homes, the occupants of which had to take refuge behind logs and in the open canefields. There were 1000 houses in the cyclone area, and in every instance the home was injured or destroyed … The tram route, which runs for 21 miles between Liverpool Creek and South Johnstone, was covered with the trunks of huge trees … (Brisbane Courier, 16 March 1918, p.6) Source: queenslanddecoproject.com/2015/02/25/art-deco-in-north-qu...

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE AT MACKAY SIXTEEN BUSINESS PREMISES DESTROYED. (By Electric Telegraph.) (from our own correspondent.) MACKAY, February 23. A fire broke out at about 2.30 this morning and destroyed about one-half of the buildings on the east side of Sydney-street and nine shops in Victoria-street. The origin of the fire is unknown but it is supposed it started at the rear of Barnes's saddlery shop in Sydney-street. The flames spread north and south with terrible rapidity. On the north side the progress of the fire was arrested after the stationer's shop kept by Mrs. Malone, a widow, had been totally destroyed, but on the south side, the efforts of the fire brigade and public were not so successful. The buildings were nearly all old and built of wood, and before 6 o'clock no less than sixteen business places were destroyed. Tho premises destroyed were those of Mrs. Malone, stationer; Rose, oyster saloon; Claverne, tailor; Duffy, storekeeper; Grim- stone, auctioneer; McKenny, saddler, Barnes, saddler; Wills's Hotel; Blackwell, watch-maker; Davison, tobacconist; McInnes, commission agent; Queensland National Bank; Wright, solicitor; Kenna, draper (one of two shops); and two empty stores owned by W. March. Unfortunately, there was no water available until the tide was high in the river when the fire engine was supplied from that source. The Fire Brigade was most energetic but worked under great disadvantage. The damage amounted to about £13,000, £6,000 of which is covered by insurance. Source: The Brisbane Courier; 25 Frb 1889 trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/3492923

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WINTON HOSPITAL. MAIN BUILDING DESTROYED. WINTON, June 16. About half-past two o'clock the afternoon the alarm was given that the Winton Hospital was on fire. Before the Fire Brigade arrived on the scene efforts were made with buckets and a small hose to combat the flames. The fire made its way above the ceiling and quickly spread throughout the main building. The watermains only reach the edge of the Hospital reserve at the top of Oondooroo- street, about 300 yards from the build- ing. After the delay, sufficient lengths of hose were coupled to reach the fire, but all efforts to save the building were fu- tile, although a good pressure was obtained and the Brigade worked strenuously. Attention was given to confining the fire and saving the nurses' quarters and isolating the Hospital. This was successfully done after the patients had been conveyed to safety. Almost all the furniture, fittings, drugs, and instruments were saved. There were about twenty patients in the Hospital, all of whom can be accommodated in the isolation ward. The fire originated in the kitchen. The property was insured with the State Insurance Company; the building for £48.000, the furniture and contents for £800, and the Delco lighting plant for £600. Source: Morning Bulletin, 19 Jun 1922 trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/54021469