February 14, 1912 Tsunami: Northwest Australia

Mr. Raymond, the officer in charge of the Sydney Observatory, when seen by a 'Sunday Times' representative yesterday regarding the report received at Melbourne from an observer on the north-west coast of Australia, stating that the tide at Cossack ebbed and flowed three times between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Tuesday last, with a rise and fall of three feet each time, was emphatic in declaring that such an occurrence was a meteorological impossibility. 'The influence of the moon, which is the cause of the tidal rise and fall,' said the astronomer, ' is as regular in it recurrence as the rising and setting of the sun. The peculiar movement noticed by the observer at Cossack was caused, in all probability, by a submarine earthquake, or other submarine movement, causing one or perhaps a series of tidal waves. 'Such disturbances when they happen are frequently associated with considerable danger to navigators, and form a serious menace to navigation. Several months ago a similar event took place at Nukualofa, the capital of Tonga where a tidal wave, originated by a sub-aqueous disturbance, caused the ship 'St. George' to be put out of her course, and to be subsequently wrecked in those latitudes. 'It is more than likely that the phenomenon reported to have taken place at Cossack was of a similar nature to this. It is generally believed in Sydney shipping circles that the large 6000-tons steamer 'Pericles,' that was recently wrecked, was the victim of one of these unusual tidal waves. One well-known navigator, when asked for his opinion upon the subject, said: 'I think that the explanation given by Mr. Raymond is beyond doubt the correct one. During 'my life I have sailed many strange seas and can recall several similar cases. I remember a tidal wave, brought on by a submarine earthquake, which arose off the coast of Chili while we were lying, at anchor in the harbor at Calloa, in 1883. The tide rose and fell three times in as many hours, and so great was the volume of water which these changes carried with them that large vessels were moved far up on the beach, and then, as the tide receded, they were left high and dry until the rapid return of the tidal wave once more floated them into deep water.'' Other well-known mariners feel assured that Mr. Raymond's theory is the correct one, and many cite similar instances in corroboration of their belief. Dr. W. E. Woolnough, assistant professor of Geology, at Sydney University, also considers that the phenomenon was caused by some submarine disturbance, or volcanic eruption, which has not yet been reported. He cited in support of the theory the fact that a big tidal wave followed the earthquake at Martinique in 1883. (reference #14301)

Meteorological experts attribute the recent tidal phenomena at Cossack(on the north west coast of West Australia, where three small tides rose and fell in an as many hours) to a submarine earthquake (reference #14302)

The authorities at the Commonwealth Weather Bureau issued the following report tonight: "Our observer at Cossack, on the north-west coast of Western Australia, reports a singular phenomenon. He states that the tide came in and out three times today, between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., with a rise and of about 3ft." (reference #14303)