July 8, 1909 Tsunami: Vanuatu Islands

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 10 August 1909, p. 6. Earthquakes in the Islands. The Pacifique arrived this afternoon bringing news that earthquake shocks were felt at Espiritu Santo, the largest of the New Hebrides Group, on July 28. In the Canal de Segond the shocks were severely felt by the Sittlen. About 7 p.m. a shock of great violence occurred, the houses oscillated alarmingly and furniture and crockery were thrown to the ground. All the houses in the Canal de Segond fell, with the exception of those of Messrs. Lohberger and Ratard. All night shocks were felt, but of less severity. It was fortunate that the shocks came early in the evening, as the stone houses of MM. Beaujen and Houchard were reduced to a pile of stone and mortar. At Port Vila, the present capital or headquarters, a slight shock only was felt. The volcano on the island of Ambrym was in full activity and the residents of the neighborhood declare that they have never before seen it in such violent eruption.

(reference #7936)

The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 24 August 1909, p. 7. The New Hebrides Earthquake. The French mail steamer Nera, which arrived at Sydney last night from Noumea, brought further details of the recent severe earthquake in the New Hebrides Group. The volcano at the island of Ambrym suddenly became active, and belched forth enormous quantities of lava, the flames leaping high into the air. Simultaneously the earth began to tremble, and 10 houses were destroyed along the foreshores of the Segond Canal. Several very severe tremors were also felt at Santo Island on two successive days. Houses shook violently and several collapsed. Mrs. Retard was thrown out of her house at Santo and flung against a tree with such force that she was rendered unconscious. Many narrow escapes are reported, but no fatalities. Two children asleep in their cots were rescued from one falling house just in time, and several settlers were struck by flying debris. The steamer Oui Oui and the auxiliary schooner Emille Mercet while at anchor at Malo were struck by a tidal wave caused by the earthquake but although they rolled violently, no serious damage was done. (reference #7935)