August 30, 1892 Tsunami: Tofua, Tonga

Reference #11612:

"The following official report has been placed at my disposal by the courtesy of Mr. A. M. Campbell : " Haabai, August 31. - Yesterday afternoon about 4 p.m. this port was visited with a small tidal wave. The first intimation was the sea suddenly receding, leaving boats and schooners in the harbor quite dry. After a few moments the wave returned, but no damage was done."

"Since that night the natives report that Tofoa is once more active."

Reference #11613:

An extraordinary display of lighting was witnessed here and at Haabai on the night of August 26. It was something grand, and the thunder in Haabai, described in the official "report," to which your correspondent has had access through the courtesy of A M. Campbell, Esq., as "deafening" and as having "shaken the houses to their foundations." The report further states that a few days later, the Island of Lifuka, upon which is situated the town of Pagai, the principal one in the Haabai Group was visited by a tidal wave, attention to which was first called by the sea suddenly receding and leaving every schooner and boat in the harbor high and dry. Fortunately the waves, as it swept back to the land, was not of a very great height, and consequently little, if any damage was done. This wave seems to have been local in its action for there was no sign of it here [Apia], nor have we any news concerning it from Vavau. Doubtless it was caused by some disturbance of the sea bottom, for it is reported by the natives that Tofua, the volcano some forty-five miles west of Lifuka has since become active, although previously it had been quiet for many years.