NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
January 1897 North Island Flooding and High Winds
(
1897-01-29
)
22 years
Three children were drowned at Tauhei in the Waikato. Captain Pottinger was killed onboard the 'Rangitikei' in heavy seas out from Pentane Beach, Hawke's Bay.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - A storm hit Auckland, Gisborne, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay on the 29th to the 31st of January 1897.
Flooding
At Thames, Paeroa, Rotorua, Tauranga and Te Aroha a good deal of damage was caused by the flooding of rivers and creeks.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
There was a howling gale blowing from the south-west and rain fell incessantly on the 30th.
High Wind / Gust
Considerable damage was caused to the telegraph lines both north and south of Auckland showing the the gale was felt over a large area of the country.
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland City
The barometer gave a low reading in the morning of the 30th when it stood at 29.14 (987 hPa). It had once been lower and that was in 1889 when it was 28.90 (977 hPa).
Heavy Rain
The total rainfall at the Auckland Museum was 3.78 inches (9.60 cm) up to 2 p.m. on the 30th.
High Wind / Gust
The gale was the heaviest felt in Auckland for years. To find a parallel, indeed, it is said the records would have to be searched as far back as February 1874.
On Friday (29/01), the gale raged with great force from the north-east. It was one of the severest gales experienced in Auckland for many years past. At times the wind blew with hurricane force.
A large window of Mr. J. W. Gitto's office was broken and one of the windows of one of the Hobson street hotels was similarly smashed in. Galvanised iron was torn from the roof of the premises of Messrs Wildman and Lyell. It is stated other premises suffered in this way in various parts of town.
The city telephone system has been interrupted by "contacts" and trees falling across the wires. At the Tamaki bridge some of the telegraph poles were blown down and the wires entangled, hanging in the river. The line to Whangarei was interrupted and the North Auckland line north of Helensville was also blocked.
As a result of the gale a good deal of fencing and a number of trees were blown down both in the city and the suburbs.
Some galvanised iron was blown from the roof of Messrs. Wildman and Lyell's premises, Shortland Street.
Very great damage was done to the fruit crop. Not only were branches in numberless instances torn from the parent trunk but the trees for the most part were stripped of their fruit. And in the case of soft fruits, particularly late plums, the skins burst from the sudden access of moisture and the violent swaying of the branches.
High Wind / Gust
at
Awitu
There was a good deal of damage done to the orchards.
High Wind / Gust
at
Birkenhead
News from Birkenhead shows that the force of the gale on Friday night and Saturday (29 - 30/01) was felt there.
Pines and fences fell across roads and footpaths, lemon and apple trees were uprooted and lay on the ground, stripped of all their fruits.
The framework of a six-roomed house was blown to the ground.
High Wind / Gust
at
Devonport
Two dingeys on the slip on the beach at Devonport were blown bodily across the road and landed alongside the fence.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mangere
Mr. Westney's stable was blown down and fences and trees all over the district were destroyed.
The loss of fruit is lamentable. Some of the fruit trees are destroyed and others have had their fruit literally stripped off.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Manukau Harbour
The Northern Company's steamer Glenely left New Plymouth Breakwater on the night of the 29th and met the full force of the gale up to the Manukau Bar. Amongst the steamer's cargo were a number of sheep and a considerable number succumbed owing to the severity of the weather.
High Wind / Gust
at
Manukau Heads
At the Manukau Heads the force of the wind was very great.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mauku
It was the most severe storm on Saturday (30/1) ever known by the oldest settler in the district.
From all parts come the news of damage done to fruit and ornamental trees, the fruit being dashed about in every direction.
Fences in many places were blown over, but fortunately houses and other buildings have not fared so badly.
Maritime / Coastal
at
North Head
A cutter supposed to be the Teviot was sunk off the North Head.
High Wind / Gust
at
Onehunga
In the Onehunga district a number of fences were blown down, and some trees uprooted.
Multi Hazard
at
Otahuhu
The reading of the barometer was the lowest on recording at Otahuhu. When the gale was at its height the barometer went down to 28.59 (968 hPa).
High Wind / Gust
at
Remuera
In Remuera, a number of trees were blown down and also on the Orakei Road and the Beach Road.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waitemata Harbour
The force of the gale was felt severely in the harbour.
Maritime / Coastal
The yachts Zantho, Kestrel and Kotare were all driven ashore at Devonport, all suffering considerable damage.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waiuku
The strongest gale ever experienced here raged during the greater portion of the day on the 30th.
Trees were blown down in all directions.
The tops of stacks were blown off and oats sheaves carried for 40 yards.
The chimney at the Brookside school was blown down.
Sheets of iron were also blown off buildings.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Cambridge
Steady rain began to fall yesterday morning (29/01) and continued all day and into the night.
Flooding
Those who had not completed harvesting their corn suffered crop losses, while the recently sown turnips seed will be rendered useless in many instances.
High Wind / Gust
at
Hamilton
With the exception of the disasterous results to the fruit and crops throughout the district the gale did not cause much damage.
Flooding
The Waikato River rose considerably and about 40 tons of firewood belonging to Mr. S. Davis which was stacked on the bank were washed away on the 31st.
Flooding
at
Morrinsville
The chief damage done here by the floods was the washing away of the dam at Fry Brothers' flaxmill and the damage to the water-race.
Flooding
at
Tararu
The foot-bridge erected on the main road to Tapu was reported to be down, the water having forced its way in at the end furthest from town and cut away the approach.
Flooding
at
Tauhei
Some natives cutting flax at Tauhei, started moving their camp when the water commenced to rise. Returning for three of their children who had been left apparently secure on a small rise it was found that the water had risen rapidly and covered the knoll. No trace of the children could be found. The bodies were afterwards discovered by some men in the flax swamp adjacent.
Multi Hazard
at
Taupo
A gale of unusual severity was experienced here from Friday night (29/01) until 01/02 causing several landslips on the road and the washing away of some culverts and the approaches to the Tahuwatua bridge on the Rotorua road. This prevented the mail and passenger coaches getting through on Saturday (30/01).
There was a heavy sea on Lake Taupo and a small steam launch moored in the river was sunk as were also some canoes.
Flooding
The Tokaanu road was blocked by the flooded and unbridged river.
Multi Hazard
at
Te Aroha
At Te Aroha the storm was very severe, and very considerable damage was done to property.
A landslip occurred on Sunday (31/01) and blocked up the north branch of the boundary creek on a line with the waterfall and caused the water to rise between 20 and 30 feet (6-9 m). The water burst away about one o'clock on Monday (1/02) morning, carrying with it large logs, drift wood and boulders which caused a second block in the creek near Gilchrist's house, diverting the flood water from its natural channel through the back sections and flooding Mr G. Robson's residences. The inmates of the latter were roused by floating furniture and beds coming in contact with them. The water rushed out of Robson's front windows which were nearly four feet (1.22 m) from the ground into Whitaker street. The house and household affects were completely ruined. Mr Robson estimated his loss at £150 ($25,800 2010 dollars).
Flooding
Snewin and Company's timber yard suffered considerably.
Stoney Creek Bridge and several other smaller bridges were swept away.
Logs, drift wood and filth were strewing the sections and sweeping the town, which had dilapidated appearance.
Multi Hazard
at
Thames
The weather on the 29th and 30th was the worst experienced here for some time past.
The barometer was exceedingly low all day on the 29th and 30th.
Heavy Rain
From 4 a.m. on the 29th until 2 a.m. on the 30th it rained almost incessantly and after a brief breathing space at 2 o'clock, the same weather set in again.
High Wind / Gust
On Friday (29/01) the prevailing quarter was south-east and it is not surprising that the damage wrought by the wind off the land amongst the small craft was considerable.
The gale did a large amount of damage to the telegraph system.
Maritime / Coastal
The pleasure yacht Spray (23 feet) owned by Mr. R. Wilson which was anchored on the south side of Curtin's Wharf snapped a 30 feet chain cable last night (31/01), and drifted on to the beach near the wharf. Both sides of the boat have suffered considerable damages, several holes being pierced in the planking.
The yacht Clytie (18 feet) was lying off the Kauaeranga but snapped her chain cable and drifted down the harbour till she became submerged of the mouth of the Karaka Creek.The mast, gear and one side are carried away and the boat has been stripped of her thwarts.
During the night the yacht Rita (26 ft) either parted her cable or dragged the anchor. In the morning she was found on the rocks in front of the Magazine Company's tunnel.
A considerable number of small craft were swamped.
The cutter Spitfire went aground below the wharf.
Flooding
Mishaps onshore included the downfall of a bridge, the overflowing of the Karaka Creek and a few minor accidents.
Karaka Creek overflowed into Pollen Street.
A large quantity of boulders were brought down the Waiotahi aqueduct and the planking gave way near the Governor Bowe Hotel causing the water to flow down into the flat near the Goods Wharf, where it flooded two or three houses to a depth of one foot (0.3 m) or more.
The Kirikiri, Kauaeranga, and Puriri Creeks overflowed at the main road.
The "fresh" in the Kauaeranga Creek, though not up to the level of previous years was considerable and 400 logs have been carried down to the booms.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wairakei
Reports from Wairakei stated that a good many trees were uprooted by the gale there.
Bay of Plenty
Flooding
at
Ohinemutu
At Ohinemutu the Utuhina River rose over its banks, submerging many native whares as well as cottages occupied by Europeans.
Many of the native cultivations near here have been totally ruined but so far no loss of life has been reported.
Heavy Rain
at
Rotorua
Rotorua recorded over 7 in (17.78 cm) of rain in 24 hours up to 9 a.m. on the 2nd of February.
Flooding
The rainfall was exceedingly heavy and a considerable amount of damage was done by floods.
Telegraph communication was interrupted.
The lake level rose by 18 inches (0.46 m).
Landslide
At Hemo Gorge a heavy landslide occurred, a big culvert was carried away and that road was impassable.
Multi Hazard
at
Tauranga
One of the severest storm experienced for a long time raged on the 30th and 31st and culminated on the afternoon of the 31st in a tremendously heavy blow for a short time from the south-east.
The barometer read phenomenally on the 31st dropping below 28 (948 hPa).
High Wind / Gust
There was a considerable amount of damage reported all through the district and bridges and culverts were washed away.
The fruit crops suffered severely in exposed places and the maize crops felt the effects of the gale.
Flooding
at
Whakarewarewa
At Whakarewarewa the Puarenga Creek ran over the bank submerging the lower baths of the Geyser Hotel and carrying away the fencing and footbridge.
The carriage road through the geyser area was swept away at a point below the natives' burying ground.
Gisborne
Multi Hazard
at
Gisborne city
A storm raged on the night of the 29th to the morning of the 30th.
The wind was blowing with hurricane force and the rain was teeming in torrents.
High Wind / Gust
Fences were levelled to the ground in all directions and trees were uprooted in great numbers but there was no damage to dwellings.
Falling trees caused considerable damage to the telegraph wires, and the communication with the outer world was cut off and not restored until the 1st of February.
Hawke's Bay
Maritime / Coastal
at
Bay View
Captain Pottinger, aged 54 years, was killed onboard the 'Rangitikei' in heavy seas out from Pentane Beach on the 30th of January. The sea swept him across half the length of the vessel causing him to be killed instantly.
Multi Hazard
at
Napier
A storm hit Napier and the surrounding districts on the 30th of January 1897.
Flooding
Rivers were flooded.
There was much damage to property and some low-lying country in the vicinity of the river mouths.
High Wind / Gust
A gale shook the very foundations of homes.
There was great destruction everywhere.
Chimneys were blown down, windows were smashed in, beautiful gardens wrecked, trees were uprooted and fences were uplifted.
Orchards were completely devastated.
There was a great number of telegraph poles south of Fardon brought down. 28 between Napier and Hastings and 10 on Karamu Road. There was no communication south of Fardon.
Landslide
There were landslips in the area.
Maritime / Coastal
The sea became mountainous high.
References
- Headline: Heavy Rain Storm at Te Aroha, page 2, column 6
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 3 February (Wednesday) 1897.
- Headline:Dreadful Weather in Auckland, page 2, column 7.
- Thames Advertiser, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline:Heavy Rainfall, page 4, column 2 and 3.
- Thames Advertiser, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline:Rain and Flood at Te Aroha, Creek Flooded and Property Damaged, page 2, column 7.
- Thames Advertiser, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline: The Gale, page 3, column 1
- Thames Advertiser, 2 February (Tuesday) 1897.
- Headline: The Gale, page 2, column 6
- Thames Advertiser, 3 February (Wednesday) 1897.
- Headline: A Terrific Storm.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald, 1 February 1987.
- Headline: Captain Pottinger Killed By A Heavy Sea.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald, 1 February 1987.
- Headline: The Gale, A Terrific Storm, page 5, columns 4-5.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline: Tremendous Storm at Napier, page 5, columns 4-5.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline: The Gale and Floods, page 5, column 4-6
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 February (Tuesday) 1897.
- Transactions of the New Zealand Institue, Volume 30, 1897. Section V. (Physics), p477-486 + 3 plates.
- Headline: The Gale, page 2.
- Waikato Argus, 2 February (Tuesday) 1897.
January 1897 North Island Flooding and High Winds
(
1897-01-29
)
22 years
Three children were drowned at Tauhei in the Waikato. Captain Pottinger was killed onboard the 'Rangitikei' in heavy seas out from Pentane Beach, Hawke's Bay.
North Island
Multi Hazard
at
North Island
Duration: 3 days - A storm hit Auckland, Gisborne, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay on the 29th to the 31st of January 1897.
Flooding
At Thames, Paeroa, Rotorua, Tauranga and Te Aroha a good deal of damage was caused by the flooding of rivers and creeks.
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
There was a howling gale blowing from the south-west and rain fell incessantly on the 30th.
High Wind / Gust
Considerable damage was caused to the telegraph lines both north and south of Auckland showing the the gale was felt over a large area of the country.
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland City
The barometer gave a low reading in the morning of the 30th when it stood at 29.14 (987 hPa). It had once been lower and that was in 1889 when it was 28.90 (977 hPa).
Heavy Rain
The total rainfall at the Auckland Museum was 3.78 inches (9.60 cm) up to 2 p.m. on the 30th.
High Wind / Gust
The gale was the heaviest felt in Auckland for years. To find a parallel, indeed, it is said the records would have to be searched as far back as February 1874.
On Friday (29/01), the gale raged with great force from the north-east. It was one of the severest gales experienced in Auckland for many years past. At times the wind blew with hurricane force.
A large window of Mr. J. W. Gitto's office was broken and one of the windows of one of the Hobson street hotels was similarly smashed in. Galvanised iron was torn from the roof of the premises of Messrs Wildman and Lyell. It is stated other premises suffered in this way in various parts of town.
The city telephone system has been interrupted by "contacts" and trees falling across the wires. At the Tamaki bridge some of the telegraph poles were blown down and the wires entangled, hanging in the river. The line to Whangarei was interrupted and the North Auckland line north of Helensville was also blocked.
As a result of the gale a good deal of fencing and a number of trees were blown down both in the city and the suburbs.
Some galvanised iron was blown from the roof of Messrs. Wildman and Lyell's premises, Shortland Street.
Very great damage was done to the fruit crop. Not only were branches in numberless instances torn from the parent trunk but the trees for the most part were stripped of their fruit. And in the case of soft fruits, particularly late plums, the skins burst from the sudden access of moisture and the violent swaying of the branches.
High Wind / Gust
at
Awitu
There was a good deal of damage done to the orchards.
High Wind / Gust
at
Birkenhead
News from Birkenhead shows that the force of the gale on Friday night and Saturday (29 - 30/01) was felt there.
Pines and fences fell across roads and footpaths, lemon and apple trees were uprooted and lay on the ground, stripped of all their fruits.
The framework of a six-roomed house was blown to the ground.
High Wind / Gust
at
Devonport
Two dingeys on the slip on the beach at Devonport were blown bodily across the road and landed alongside the fence.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mangere
Mr. Westney's stable was blown down and fences and trees all over the district were destroyed.
The loss of fruit is lamentable. Some of the fruit trees are destroyed and others have had their fruit literally stripped off.
Maritime / Coastal
at
Manukau Harbour
The Northern Company's steamer Glenely left New Plymouth Breakwater on the night of the 29th and met the full force of the gale up to the Manukau Bar. Amongst the steamer's cargo were a number of sheep and a considerable number succumbed owing to the severity of the weather.
High Wind / Gust
at
Manukau Heads
At the Manukau Heads the force of the wind was very great.
High Wind / Gust
at
Mauku
It was the most severe storm on Saturday (30/1) ever known by the oldest settler in the district.
From all parts come the news of damage done to fruit and ornamental trees, the fruit being dashed about in every direction.
Fences in many places were blown over, but fortunately houses and other buildings have not fared so badly.
Maritime / Coastal
at
North Head
A cutter supposed to be the Teviot was sunk off the North Head.
High Wind / Gust
at
Onehunga
In the Onehunga district a number of fences were blown down, and some trees uprooted.
Multi Hazard
at
Otahuhu
The reading of the barometer was the lowest on recording at Otahuhu. When the gale was at its height the barometer went down to 28.59 (968 hPa).
High Wind / Gust
at
Remuera
In Remuera, a number of trees were blown down and also on the Orakei Road and the Beach Road.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waitemata Harbour
The force of the gale was felt severely in the harbour.
Maritime / Coastal
The yachts Zantho, Kestrel and Kotare were all driven ashore at Devonport, all suffering considerable damage.
High Wind / Gust
at
Waiuku
The strongest gale ever experienced here raged during the greater portion of the day on the 30th.
Trees were blown down in all directions.
The tops of stacks were blown off and oats sheaves carried for 40 yards.
The chimney at the Brookside school was blown down.
Sheets of iron were also blown off buildings.
Waikato
Heavy Rain
at
Cambridge
Steady rain began to fall yesterday morning (29/01) and continued all day and into the night.
Flooding
Those who had not completed harvesting their corn suffered crop losses, while the recently sown turnips seed will be rendered useless in many instances.
High Wind / Gust
at
Hamilton
With the exception of the disasterous results to the fruit and crops throughout the district the gale did not cause much damage.
Flooding
The Waikato River rose considerably and about 40 tons of firewood belonging to Mr. S. Davis which was stacked on the bank were washed away on the 31st.
Flooding
at
Morrinsville
The chief damage done here by the floods was the washing away of the dam at Fry Brothers' flaxmill and the damage to the water-race.
Flooding
at
Tararu
The foot-bridge erected on the main road to Tapu was reported to be down, the water having forced its way in at the end furthest from town and cut away the approach.
Flooding
at
Tauhei
Some natives cutting flax at Tauhei, started moving their camp when the water commenced to rise. Returning for three of their children who had been left apparently secure on a small rise it was found that the water had risen rapidly and covered the knoll. No trace of the children could be found. The bodies were afterwards discovered by some men in the flax swamp adjacent.
Multi Hazard
at
Taupo
A gale of unusual severity was experienced here from Friday night (29/01) until 01/02 causing several landslips on the road and the washing away of some culverts and the approaches to the Tahuwatua bridge on the Rotorua road. This prevented the mail and passenger coaches getting through on Saturday (30/01).
There was a heavy sea on Lake Taupo and a small steam launch moored in the river was sunk as were also some canoes.
Flooding
The Tokaanu road was blocked by the flooded and unbridged river.
Multi Hazard
at
Te Aroha
At Te Aroha the storm was very severe, and very considerable damage was done to property.
A landslip occurred on Sunday (31/01) and blocked up the north branch of the boundary creek on a line with the waterfall and caused the water to rise between 20 and 30 feet (6-9 m). The water burst away about one o'clock on Monday (1/02) morning, carrying with it large logs, drift wood and boulders which caused a second block in the creek near Gilchrist's house, diverting the flood water from its natural channel through the back sections and flooding Mr G. Robson's residences. The inmates of the latter were roused by floating furniture and beds coming in contact with them. The water rushed out of Robson's front windows which were nearly four feet (1.22 m) from the ground into Whitaker street. The house and household affects were completely ruined. Mr Robson estimated his loss at £150 ($25,800 2010 dollars).
Flooding
Snewin and Company's timber yard suffered considerably.
Stoney Creek Bridge and several other smaller bridges were swept away.
Logs, drift wood and filth were strewing the sections and sweeping the town, which had dilapidated appearance.
Multi Hazard
at
Thames
The weather on the 29th and 30th was the worst experienced here for some time past.
The barometer was exceedingly low all day on the 29th and 30th.
Heavy Rain
From 4 a.m. on the 29th until 2 a.m. on the 30th it rained almost incessantly and after a brief breathing space at 2 o'clock, the same weather set in again.
High Wind / Gust
On Friday (29/01) the prevailing quarter was south-east and it is not surprising that the damage wrought by the wind off the land amongst the small craft was considerable.
The gale did a large amount of damage to the telegraph system.
Maritime / Coastal
The pleasure yacht Spray (23 feet) owned by Mr. R. Wilson which was anchored on the south side of Curtin's Wharf snapped a 30 feet chain cable last night (31/01), and drifted on to the beach near the wharf. Both sides of the boat have suffered considerable damages, several holes being pierced in the planking.
The yacht Clytie (18 feet) was lying off the Kauaeranga but snapped her chain cable and drifted down the harbour till she became submerged of the mouth of the Karaka Creek.The mast, gear and one side are carried away and the boat has been stripped of her thwarts.
During the night the yacht Rita (26 ft) either parted her cable or dragged the anchor. In the morning she was found on the rocks in front of the Magazine Company's tunnel.
A considerable number of small craft were swamped.
The cutter Spitfire went aground below the wharf.
Flooding
Mishaps onshore included the downfall of a bridge, the overflowing of the Karaka Creek and a few minor accidents.
Karaka Creek overflowed into Pollen Street.
A large quantity of boulders were brought down the Waiotahi aqueduct and the planking gave way near the Governor Bowe Hotel causing the water to flow down into the flat near the Goods Wharf, where it flooded two or three houses to a depth of one foot (0.3 m) or more.
The Kirikiri, Kauaeranga, and Puriri Creeks overflowed at the main road.
The "fresh" in the Kauaeranga Creek, though not up to the level of previous years was considerable and 400 logs have been carried down to the booms.
High Wind / Gust
at
Wairakei
Reports from Wairakei stated that a good many trees were uprooted by the gale there.
Bay of Plenty
Flooding
at
Ohinemutu
At Ohinemutu the Utuhina River rose over its banks, submerging many native whares as well as cottages occupied by Europeans.
Many of the native cultivations near here have been totally ruined but so far no loss of life has been reported.
Heavy Rain
at
Rotorua
Rotorua recorded over 7 in (17.78 cm) of rain in 24 hours up to 9 a.m. on the 2nd of February.
Flooding
The rainfall was exceedingly heavy and a considerable amount of damage was done by floods.
Telegraph communication was interrupted.
The lake level rose by 18 inches (0.46 m).
Landslide
At Hemo Gorge a heavy landslide occurred, a big culvert was carried away and that road was impassable.
Multi Hazard
at
Tauranga
One of the severest storm experienced for a long time raged on the 30th and 31st and culminated on the afternoon of the 31st in a tremendously heavy blow for a short time from the south-east.
The barometer read phenomenally on the 31st dropping below 28 (948 hPa).
High Wind / Gust
There was a considerable amount of damage reported all through the district and bridges and culverts were washed away.
The fruit crops suffered severely in exposed places and the maize crops felt the effects of the gale.
Flooding
at
Whakarewarewa
At Whakarewarewa the Puarenga Creek ran over the bank submerging the lower baths of the Geyser Hotel and carrying away the fencing and footbridge.
The carriage road through the geyser area was swept away at a point below the natives' burying ground.
Gisborne
Multi Hazard
at
Gisborne city
A storm raged on the night of the 29th to the morning of the 30th.
The wind was blowing with hurricane force and the rain was teeming in torrents.
High Wind / Gust
Fences were levelled to the ground in all directions and trees were uprooted in great numbers but there was no damage to dwellings.
Falling trees caused considerable damage to the telegraph wires, and the communication with the outer world was cut off and not restored until the 1st of February.
Hawke's Bay
Maritime / Coastal
at
Bay View
Captain Pottinger, aged 54 years, was killed onboard the 'Rangitikei' in heavy seas out from Pentane Beach on the 30th of January. The sea swept him across half the length of the vessel causing him to be killed instantly.
Multi Hazard
at
Napier
A storm hit Napier and the surrounding districts on the 30th of January 1897.
Flooding
Rivers were flooded.
There was much damage to property and some low-lying country in the vicinity of the river mouths.
High Wind / Gust
A gale shook the very foundations of homes.
There was great destruction everywhere.
Chimneys were blown down, windows were smashed in, beautiful gardens wrecked, trees were uprooted and fences were uplifted.
Orchards were completely devastated.
There was a great number of telegraph poles south of Fardon brought down. 28 between Napier and Hastings and 10 on Karamu Road. There was no communication south of Fardon.
Landslide
There were landslips in the area.
Maritime / Coastal
The sea became mountainous high.
References
- Headline: Heavy Rain Storm at Te Aroha, page 2, column 6
- Ohinemuri Gazette, 3 February (Wednesday) 1897.
- Headline:Dreadful Weather in Auckland, page 2, column 7.
- Thames Advertiser, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline:Heavy Rainfall, page 4, column 2 and 3.
- Thames Advertiser, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline:Rain and Flood at Te Aroha, Creek Flooded and Property Damaged, page 2, column 7.
- Thames Advertiser, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline: The Gale, page 3, column 1
- Thames Advertiser, 2 February (Tuesday) 1897.
- Headline: The Gale, page 2, column 6
- Thames Advertiser, 3 February (Wednesday) 1897.
- Headline: A Terrific Storm.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald, 1 February 1987.
- Headline: Captain Pottinger Killed By A Heavy Sea.
- The Hawkes Bay Herald, 1 February 1987.
- Headline: The Gale, A Terrific Storm, page 5, columns 4-5.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline: Tremendous Storm at Napier, page 5, columns 4-5.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 February (Monday) 1897.
- Headline: The Gale and Floods, page 5, column 4-6
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 February (Tuesday) 1897.
- Transactions of the New Zealand Institue, Volume 30, 1897. Section V. (Physics), p477-486 + 3 plates.
- Headline: The Gale, page 2.
- Waikato Argus, 2 February (Tuesday) 1897.