April 19, 1906 Tsunami: Tasmania, Australia

The "Record" of May 9, published at King Island, says:--"Recent files of the papers which bring accounts of the terrible catastrophe by earthquake and fire at San Francisco seem to furnish an explanation of the extraordinary tidal wave which rolled upon the west coast of the island about three weeks ago, carrying seaweed and debris into the paddocks of some of the farms upon the coast. At the Ettrick the wave passed right across the road, leaving a line of sticks and weed some feet up the bank on the land side far above the usual high-tide mark." (reference #14308)

Rev A. W. Ashcroft, of King Island, attended the harvest festival services at St George's yesterday, being on a short visit from the island. He stated that a slight tidal wave was experienced there last week, and it was suggested that the phenomenon might have connection with the San Francisco earthquake. (reference #14309)

The French barque Andre Theodore, which arrived in port at Sydney on Saturday, en route from Barry, bound to Honolulu, had a sensational experience at about 3 o'clock on the afternoon of April 19 - the day after the destruction of San Francisco. The master states that the effects of a severe earthquake were felt on the ocean. The water became disturbed, and the vessel shook convulsively from stem to stern. The tremor lasted for three minutes, but no damage was done to the vessel. The Andre Theodore, at the time, was in latitude 46.49 south, and longitude 141.20 east. (reference #14310)

Note: refs #14308 and #14309 associate the wave with San Francisco earthquake event, however, it seems more possible that the earthquake felt SE of Tasmania is the more likely source.