December 25, 1881 Tsunami: Tasmania, Australia

On Saturday, 25th December, a tidal wave came rolling into the bay at Stanley in four successive waves, the third being the highest, and rose at least three to four feet suddenly, lifting the vessels up, the water reaching within six inchesof the top of the wharf. The extraordinary appearance of the agitated sea outside was quite remarkable. Two horsemen in passing round the honeysuckle trees near the next fencehad to gallop to escape the incoming wave, which rose suddenly behind them at least four feet in height. Its wash on the beach reached over forty yards. Such a phenomenon could not have been caused by that uneasy slumber of the ocean called drawback, but must have eminated from terrestrial action, similar to the disturbance recorded at Stanley some years ago, which was traced to an earthquake at Lima, in South America. The wave on Sunday occurred at a quarter past 2pm. (reference #14288)

We learn that the tidal wave noticed along the NW Coast on the 25th ult. was also perceptible for some miles up the Tamar, and it seems strange no report of so unusual a circumstance was made from the Pilot Station or Telegraph-office at Low Head. A correspondent who resides near George Town informs us that it came in a succession of waves, the highest appearing to be over two feet above the ordinary level of the river. (reference #14289)

The tidal wave reported on the northwest coast of Tasmania on December 25 did not visit this coast [Maitland/Newcastle ?]; or, if it did, it was too small to be recorded on the tide register, that is, less than an inch rise or fall. It would appear, therefore, that it came from a different direction from that in which previous similar waves have reached Australia. (reference #14290)