The great storm of December 1898

[georgersweir]

On Tuesday 27th of December 1898, a violent storm hit many parts of the UK.  This was felt especially strongly around the British coastline.  Two days after the great storm, the Glasgow Herald carried several reports of its impact.  Two of these news items are transcribed below.  The first is particularly relevant for its reported effect on Ardrossan harbour.

ARDROSSAN PIER LIGHTHOUSE CARRIED AWAY. 

The most serious damage inflicted in this district by the storm of Tuesday, occurred late at night, when the roof of the lighthouse at the end of the pier forming the entrance to the harbour was carried away. The lights, the machinery, and other appliances were all carried away, the stonework being damaged also.  The damage done represented over £300 in money.  Yesterday a disused light was brought into use, and notices of the change have been issued for the information of mariners.

CURIOUS INCIDENTS IN LONDON.

At one time during the day as many as 20 hats, silk and felt, were to be seen floating on the surface of the Thames between Waterloo and Westminster bridges.

A porter named William Hopkins was crossing Blackfriers Bridge with a basket of fish on his head when a sudden gust of wind carried the lead from him, and the contents of the basket, falling on the heads of two bargemen who were passing beneath, knocked them both down.

[George Ardrossan]

Thanks for that post, George.

The Ardrossan and Saltcoats Herald of 30 December 1898 also reported on the storm and included the story below on a fire at the Caley Station, Ardrossan that occurred during the gale.

FIRE AT CALEDONIAN RAILWAY STATION, ARDROSSAN
On Tuesday evening (27 December 1898), when the gale was at its height, great excitement was created by an outbreak of fire at Caledonian Railway Station (shown below).

The station was opened in September 1888. It appears the fire originated in an oil store considerably to the east of the offices and as the piping south-east gale was recognised as the most powerful factor in determining the course of the fire, it was at first considered that the offices might be saved. Wind is, however, of all things the most uncertain and the fire followed the course in which it could be best be fed. The extensive structure was of fancy woodwork with iron frame and the flames unchecked made their way to the booking office. In about two hours time, the offices, waiting rooms, the refreshment bar and the handsome clock and tower surmounting the structure had been consumed. The blaze was a brilliant one and the populace poured into Barr Street and Montgomerie Street from all parts of the town. People came from as far as Kilwinning to see the fire. The progress of the flames was rapid and very soon the outbreak assumed proportions never before witnessed in the district. Mr Simpson and his staff did all that could be done to save such property as was portable, two men, an inspector named Gilbert and a porter named Clark, being overcome by the fumes while carrying on salvage operations. The safe was emptied and some of the more valuable of the furnishings in the office removed. Of course, there was other salvage work of a kind less legitimate performed in connection with the bar. Part of the bridge spanning the double line of rails running to and from the pier was also consumed. The total damage has been put at about £2000. The falling of the tower and clock was probably the most sensational sight of the fire. It was highly interesting to watch sides of the buildings totter and fall before the 'devouring element' and the thick heavy glass dissolve in the heat but the tongues of flame twisting and writhing and licking round the doomed tower was quite an appropriate prelude to the final fall. What is understood to be the fire brigade was on the spot. There was some shouting but this did not produce any effect worth speaking about on the flames. The hose was fastened to a plug by the wrong end. This was eventually remedied but there was very little water to be found. In any case, of course, nothing could have been done. The brigade helped to hold the bridge and prevent the flames from finding fresh fuel on the other side on the line. The young lady in charge of the refreshment bar evinced a spartanlike disposition to stick to her post. She wanted to wait until her employer to give her permission to go. She was led to see differently but it required the trained intellect of an ex-Commissioner to induce her to move. Trains arriving on Tuesday night were brought to a stand at the end of the platform and passengers detrained at a safe distance from the burning buildings. The service suffered no interruption. By Wednesday morning (28 December 1898), a temporary booking office had been requisitioned on the north side of the line and traffic went on as usual.

George