Heavy Cyclone

Noumea Damaged in Heavy Cyclone Worst Blow Since 1933

From a Special Correspondent NOUMEA. March 20.

SINCE April, 1933, Noumea has not known the full effects of a cyclone, but on Sunday, March 14, the run of good luck was broken. After several days of oppressive weather, the wind from the East in the early hours of Sunday

morning developed gale force.

Later it veered to the north and finally, in the afternoon, reached the west, where it reached its peak velocity of about 150 kilometres per hour. A west wind in New Caledonia always means trouble.

The damage on land and sea was great. At least eight houses in and around Nou mea were demolished com pletely. The roofs were torn off dozens of others and practically every building was damaged in some way.

It is estimated that over 3,000 sheets of iron will be needed to effect repairs.

Trees and palms in town streets and gardens were up rooted and most streets were impassable, due to tree debris and fallen electricity wires.

In the usually calm har bour the waves ran feet high.

At least a dozen inter-island boats were washed ashore; about ten were sunk at their moorings and several left, of their own accord, for the high seas. Their owners are still looking for them.

The French Navy was a heavy loser. Three of their big 40-ft. patrol boats stove in and sank. Barges broke loose and went on a ram page, which added to the confusion, several boats being sunk in collision with Ameri can caisson-type barges. The loss in the harbour of Nou mea alone runs into over a million francs.

No news is yet to hand of the coastal service boats “Rosalie” and “Phoque,” but it is assumed that they found shelter in coastal ports.

The French aviation company. Trapas, was struck a heavy blow when their two Catalina-type planes were struck at Magenta airport. One plane was com pletely destroyed and the other badly damaged.

At Tontouta international aerodrome damage was heavy. Radio installations were demolished and as a result, no planes will be able to land there for probably two weeks. Passengers from Sydney for Noumea aboard Sunday’s clipper were carried on to Fiji.

NO news is yet to hand from country districts, but as the disturbance covered a good area of the island it is thought that damage is likely to be extensive. The nickel centre of Thio, on the east coast, is known to have been badly hit. No news has been received from the Loyalty islands and it is feared that damage has been extensive there also.

One woman lost her life during the storm. She was carrying her child to

safety when she was struck by a truck and killed. Many suffered slight in juries and others had miraculous escapes.

Amongst buildings damaged was that of the US Consulate. It was unroofed, the roof carrying away most of the top story. Mr. Brown escaped in his bathing costume. A flying roof also damaged the roof of the British consulate.

Though not so severe as the cyclone of 1933, during which 319 houses were destroyed or damaged, this visitation will cost as much to repair due to the highly inflated value of houses here at present.

Photographs show (top) American Consul’s unroofed house. (Lower): The Interior of another dwelling which was virtually demolished.