Newspaper Article 1931 – Appalling Disaster

APPALLING DISASTER

A FRIGHTFUL EARTHQUAKE.

Napier and Hastings in Ruins.

Several Hundreds Killed and Thousands Injured.

The most appalling disaster that has ever befallen the people of New Zealand in the brief space of a few hours, occurred on Tuesday, when an earthquake of terrible violence visited the North Island, and left Napier, Hastings, and one or two of the smaller towns in a state of absolute ruin. The upheaval – for such it was in a tragic, literal sense – was followed in Napier by a devastating fire, which reduced to ashes practically the whole of the business centre of the city. Several fires also occurred in Hastings. But, more terrible to relate, in each town there was a shocking death roll and an almost incalculable number of injuries. A representative of the “Examiner” visited the stricken zone last night, and was amazed at the shocking havoc that had been wrought on every hand. Thousands of motor vehicles are today rushing to the scene with food supplies, hospital requisites, etc, and the whole populace has been stirred to the very utmost by the awfulness of a tragedy that words can scarcely describe.

A DAY OF TRAGEDY.

AN ALARMING VISITATION.

Yesterday was a day of tragedy in Northern and Central Hawke’s Bay. At about 10.40 a.m. a loud, ominous rumble was heard, and then the earth seemed to undulate, and lift upwards with a sudden jerk. In Hastings, Napier, Wairoa, Waipawa, and Waipukurau, the visitation was the most severe. The first movement continued for nearly half a minute, and buildings began to heave and crash in all directions. When the representative of the “Examiner” reached Hastings and Napier last night, after an adventurous journey, he found the conditions in both towns in a state of utter confusion. The whole populace appeared to be paralysed, and it was impossible to glean, even from reliable sources, anything like an estimate of the actual number of casualties recorded. From an eye-witness it was recorded that as the first upheaval occurred, and as buildings came tumbling down upon the unhappy populace, something approaching a panic occurred. Thousands rushed screaming into the streets, and scenes of the utmost consternation occurred. A moment or two later, flames were seen to be rising from the premises of Messrs R. Hannah and Co, boot-makers. The brick fire brigade station had collapsed, and it was impossible to secure the services of the fire appliances. Moreover, the big water dam had burst, and the water supply was completely cut off. The fire spread with alarming rapidity, and the work of destruction that had been commenced by the earthquake was completed by the raging flames.

A FRIGHTFUL HOLOCAUST.

It soon dawned upon the people that the city was involved in a frightful holocaust. The news spread like wildfire, that men women and children had been trapped and buried in the ruins of the falling buildings. Then the doctors, and ambulances, and police, and private citizens were called into requisition, and an earnest effort was made to extricate the dead and dying from the debris. All communication with the outside world was cut off, and wireless messages were sent out by H.M.S. Veronica, which was lying in the harbour, for doctors and nurses. These were transmitted by the Chief Postmaster to all stations, and soon doctors and nurses were hurrying from adjoining districts to the zone of the disaster.

AT THE HOSPITAL.

The scene at the public hospital beggared description. The nurses’ home and nearly the whole of the main building on Bluff Hill crumbled like a pack of cards. It is reliably stated that no fewer than 22 nurses perished in the ruins, while many patients also lost their lives. The exact number could not be ascertained until the debris was removed. Those who escaped were transferred to hastily-improvised quarters in one of the domains and in the Napier Park racecourse, where hospital tents were erected to accommodate as many of the other injured as possible. The matron of the hospital was able to escape. One doctor described the scene at the institution as a “veritable shambles.” It was unfortunate, also, that the surgical instruments were buried in the debris, which made it exceedingly difficult for doctors to perform operations.

THE OLD MEN’S HOME.

At the Old Men’s Home the conditions were almost as frightful as at the public hospital. The building crashed as though struck by a bombshell, and a scene of unutterable confusion prevailed. Old men clambered over each other in their efforts to gain egress from the building, but at least ten were caught and perished beneath the bricks, while others were seriously injured.

DISASTER TO CHILDREN.

Perhaps the most poignant disaster of all, however, was that which attended the inmates of the brick Technical School. When the convulsion occurred, and the walls began to fall, a rush was made for the doors, but unhappily twenty or thirty of the pupils failed to gain an exit, and were crushed to death beneath the falling debris. Most pathetic scenes were witnessed later in the day, when mothers and fathers waited in painful anxiety near the ruins, awaiting news concerning the fate of their offspring. It is worthy of mention that casualties did not occur in any of the other schools, and the High Schools were not seriously smitten.

OTHER CASUALITIES [CASUALTIES]

Most of the other casualties in Napier were occasioned by the collapse of business premises, scores of men and women being trapped by the falling walls and masonry. Many others were killed by collapsing chimneys. It is impossible, as yet, to ascertain the total number of killed and injured. One man who pretended to speak with some authority stated that there could not be less than 200 killed and 1000 injured in and around Napier.

THE CITY BLAZING.

The city was blazing all day yesterday, and the fire was still raging at one o’clock this morning. Among the buildings demolished were the Masonic Hotel, the new Post Office, the new St. Paul’s Church, the two newspaper offices, the Criterion Hotel, and the whole of the Commercial Banks and every business establishment in the centre of the city. The damage to private residences was greater on the hill than on the flat, though furniture and crockery was everywhere smashed to atoms.

TIDAL WAVE FEARED.

When the tremendous shock subsided, hundreds of people on the flat rushed hurriedly to the hills, fearing that a tidal wave would occur. Their fears, however were, not justified. On the contary [contrary], the whole of the flat was raised several inches. The violence of the shock may be gauged by the fact that the huge concrete memorial gates at the entrance to one of the parks were toppled completely over. Wide fissures were caused in many of the streets and roads, while others were serrated. The main road between Hastings and Napier was considerably damaged, and the railway bridges and other bridges were flung high above the surface of the road. The only means of reaching Napier is by a detour, and even on this there are openings in the road and dangerous subsidences in various directions. As an indication of how the earth has been thrown up, it may be mentioned that the inner harbour is almost dry, while H.M.S. Veronica is in dangerously low water. It will be a considerable time before railway traffic between Napier and Hastings will be possible.

TERRIFYING EXPERIENCE AT HASTINGS.

The experience at Hastings was no less terrifying than that at Napier, as the whole business area, and a large portion of the residential area, has been completely demolished. Some of the finest residences in the town collapsed, and many people are buried in the ruins. It is estimated that the total loss of life in Hastings will be over 50, while the injured will probably reach 500. The Park is being used for hospital purposes. The Hastings Fire Brigade did splendid work during the day in preventing fires, but the magnificent buildings of Roach’s, Ltd., went up in flames and incinerated quite a few of the occupants after collapsing under the violence of the upheaval. At 2 o’clock this morning a furious fire was raging, and it was feared that the Fire Brigade would be unable to keep it in check. The whole of Heretaunga street, Station street, and Market street is a heap of ruins, while the buildings destroyed include the well-appointed Grand Hotel, in which the owner (Mr Ross) and his wife, besides several other people, are reported to have perished. The Post Office partially collapsed, and everything was thrown into confusion, but none of the staff was seriously injured. The town, at an early hour this morning, presented a sight of sickening desolation.

A NIGHT OF TERROR

Last night was indeed a night of terror to the residents of both Hastings and Napier. More or less violent shakes were continued throughout the afternoon and evening. The lights in both towns were completely cut off, and the terrified inhabitants refused to re-enter their residences and slept in motor cars, in tents, in parks, and anywhere they could obtain outdoor shelter. In many cases women could be seen trudging the streets, covered in shawls, and pressing their infant children to their bosoms. Every now and then as another movement of the earth occurred, it was pitiful to hear the children shrieking “There’s another.” But with all the harrowing scenes and sad bereavements, and the anxious inquiries for missing friends, the utmost grood [good] order was maintained. Special constables guarded the middle area of both towns, and prevented any strangers from entering the devastated areas.

SURROUNDING DISTRICTS.

The districts surrounding Hastings and Napier suffered a great deal of damage. The Tomoana and Paki Paki freezing works were both badly damaged, and casualties are reported to have occurred at each. The Te Aute College was seriously damaged, but no fatalities are reported to have occurred. At Waipawa, enormous material loss was sustained. Nearly every business place in the town was wrecked. The concrete front of the H.B. Farmers’ Co-operative warehouse was thrown across the street, and every brick building was razed to the ground. In Waipukurau, the residents fared little better than those of Waipawa. The back wall of the Tavistock Hotel completely collapsed, and the interior was badly damaged. The shop of a Chinese fruiterer was also demolished, and the tower of the Post Office was thrown to the ground. It is reported, also that one woman lost her life. There is not a standing chimney in the whole town. There is a big subsidence in the road near the Sanatorium, and cracks in the highway at varying intervals right through to Takapau. A number of slips have also come down, but have not blocked traffic. At Norsewood and Dannevirke, damage was done similar to that at Woodville.

PATHETIC INCIDENTS.

Many pathetic incidents have already been recounted in connection with the Napier and Hastings disaster, and many others are likely to follow. One woman who had returned to a shop to get a parcel she had left on the counter, was killed by a falling wall. A mother who had arrived a day or two before from Auckland, to visit her son, was killed by a falling chimney. A girl who rushed back to a building, to endeavour to rescue a comrade, was engulfed by the falling debris.

WOODVILLE VICTIMS

At least two of those who were victims of the terrible tragedy, were daughters of Woodville residents. One of these was Miss Eileen Brandon, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Brandon, of the Masonic Hotel, who was in the employ of Mr Wayne, solicitor of Napier. The other was Miss Doris Murcott, daughter of Mr and Mrs T. Murcott, who was an accountant at Hastings. The bereaved parents will have the sympathy of the whole community in their tragic loss.

IMMEDIATE HELP.

The need for immediate help for the succouring of those who have been rendered homeless has been fully realised by the Government and public bodies. All last night, and throughout to-day, streams of motor cars have been rushing to the scene of devastation. The Government sent through special trains containing food supplies, etc, and these were transhipped to motor lorries at Waipukurau. Other vehicles on the road contained tents, blankets, and cooking utensils, while private cars conveyed extra police, nurses, and doctors to the devastated zone. Ministers of the Crown and heads of Departments have also left for Napier and Hastings. While two or three bakeries were seen to be in operation in Napier and Hastings at an early hour this morning, an urgent appeal was made for bread, and there has been a prompt response from many quarters. The Mayor of Woodville (Mr H.P. Horne) is sending 600 loaves of bread this evening, and he wired to the stricken area, offering any further assistance he can render.

THE REFUGEES.

There are thousands of people in Napier and Hastings whose homes have been wholly or partially wrecked. These must be given at least temporary food and shelter. It is hoped that the majority of the motorists who have gone to the stricken area today will not remain there for many hours, but will bring back with them some of the helpless refugees.

THE CASUALTY LIST.

The first list of dead received from Hastings contained twenty-three names. It does not, however, represent nearly one-half the killed in that centre. Until the debris is cleared, which may occupy several days, it will be impossible to give a complete list from either Hastings or Napier. Up till daybreak this morning, over forty bodies had been recovered at Hastings and well over 100 at Napier.

DEAD.
TED RATTRAY, aged 65, a visitor from Riccarton.
MRS. AGNES JENSEN, 60 years, of Haumoana.
MRS MARY ALICE McLEOD, 45 years.
LILIAN JENKINS, about 20 years.
BRIAN HOOPER, 22 years.
THOMAS WILSON ALEXANDER, 45 years, Pakipaki.
ALBERT GIG, 22 years.
EUGENE BRACE.
THOMAS GILL.
MISS HOLUGHAN [HOULAGHAN].
MISS CLEARY.
MR DRUMMOND.
MRS. D.R. ROSS.
MR COLBURNE.
ROY GRAHAM.
SHORA AILEEN SPENCE.
MISS GRUDENOFF.
BERT DYER.
WILLIAM POOL.
HERBERT WALKER.
PERCIVAL LEWIS.
MISS OLIVE CAMBRIDGE.
MRS CONSTANCE HORSELEY.

There are also a number of unidentified bodies.

ALARM IN WOODVILLE.

A VIOLENT CONVULSION.

One of the most alarming earthquakes that have ever visited the Woodville district, was experienced about 10.50 o’clock yesterday morning. It created considerable consternation among the residents, and some damage was done in business premises and private houses.

APPROACH OF UPHEAVAL.

A loud and ominous rumble caused people to wonder what was about to happen. Then there came a distinct jerk, followed by an undulating motion. The latter increased in severity until it resembled the motion of a vessel in a terrible storm at sea. Hills seemed to dip, trees swayed and bent almost to the ground, electric wires and posts swung to and fro, and everything was in a state of fearful commotion. Then the noise of falling chimneys, breaking glass, and tumbling crockery and other goods, added to the terror of a bewildered people. For nearly half a minute the shake continued with unabated violence, and then it moderated and was succeeded by a sickly tremor.

THE PEOPLE ALARMED.

When the shock first came, the inhabitants of Woodville stood aghast. As they realised the perils that attended them in their business places and residences, however, they rushed into the open-air and stood spellbound, awaiting the maximum of what was the most nerve-racking experience they had ever endured. Some became overcome with sickness, while in one or two cases women absolutely fainted. In about thirty seconds the worst was over, people heaved a sigh of relief, and a hurried survey of the town was made to ascertain the extent of the damage done. It soon became known that there was hardly a household in the whole community that had escaped damage in one form or another. Fortunately, however, the losses sustained were not serious in any particular instance, and there were no physical injuries, although several narrow escapes were experienced.

LOSSES IN TOWN

Scores of chimneys in the borough were either wrecked or badly damaged. Two came down in the Masonic Hotel, several in the Club Hotel, one in the “Examiner” office, one in the County Council office, and many in other business places and private dwellings. The bricks from the falling chimney behind Mr A. South’s shop crashed through the windows of Mr R.R. Johnston’s office. Mr Johnston had, fortunately, left his seat before the collapse occurred. In the office of Mr W.A. Lyon, solicitor, a bookshelf came down, and crashed on to a seat that had just been vacated by Miss Redwood. Groceries were thrown about in Yates Cash Store, and other stores, and a fair amount of damage was done. Mr A. Hustwick, chemist, was, perhaps, the heaviest individual loser, as much of the stock in his store room was destroyed. Damage was also done to stock in the various hotels and to crockery in private houses.

GAS AND ELECTRICITY

The holder at the Woodville gasworks swayed so violently that the water around it was liberated in a huge volume, and flooded the surrounding streets and the interior of the works. The engines were, however, kept going, and the gas service was not interfered with. The electric light service was not as fortunate, and was cut off for some time, owing to a break in the Public Works line. Fortunately, however, the Mangahao power was quickly called into requisition.

ALARM AMONG STOCK.

The uncanny visitation created considerable alarm among stock and domestic animals. Dairy cows, with tails erect, careered furiously around paddocks, while horses snorted in their fright and gallopped franctically [frantically] about. Ducks and fowls flew around and displayed considerable agitation.

SUCCESSIVE SHOCKS.

The main shock was succeeded by further shocks and tremors for fully an hour, and the anxiety of the people was not relieved until the afternoon, when it became still more acute by the receipt of alarming news from Napier and elsewhere.

COMMUNICATIONS.

The train service was interrupted in consequence of a subsidence at the Kopua viaduct, near Norsewood, and the mail train from Napier could not get through. A relief train was despatched from Woodville, and passengers and mails were transferred to this. Telephone and telegraph communication was also interrupted, but was partly restored in the afternoon.

THE COUNTRY DISTRICTS.

Reports from the country districts show that the shock was violent in every part, and that chimneys have come down in various directions. Two chimneys collapsed in one residence in Papatawa.

IN OTHER CENTRES.

The shock was felt with more or less severity in the north Island, from Wellington to Auckland. It was most prominent, however, on the East Coast.

WANGANUI’S EXPERIENCE.

WANGANUI, Feb. 3.

Wanganui was badly shaken this morning. Earthquake damage was recorded in all parts of the city and suburbs. A chimney of an hotel crashed through into the lounge, scattering glass in all directions.

A chimney tore through the roof of another hotel half filling a bedroom with debris and smashing a bed and a duchess. Numerous chimneys were brought down and several walls are out of plumb.

ACCOMMODATION URGENT.

THOSE who can afford temporary accommodation to Women and Children Refugees of the Earthquake, are requested to communicate at once with the Mayor or Town Clerk.