Bonzle Collections - Hotels

Cyclone damaged Grand Hotel and buoy at Mackay, 1918

contributed by QldPics, taken in 1918
(contact QldPics about this picture)

A disastrous cyclone hit the coast of Queensland in January 1918, one of the hardest hit areas being Mackay, which was inundated by a consequent tidal wave on the 20th and 21st of that month. For some period after the eye passed through Mackay the outside world had no real idea of the devastation, as all communications had been cut: telegraph lines were down and dangerous seas prevented any navigation to the port of Mackay. The cyclone and the accompanying deluge (about 266mm were registered) wreaked havoc in the town of Mackay and particularly on the waterfront. Buildings were partially destroyed, unroofed, and overturned; Croker's stores on the riverfront were flattened. The ship 'Tay' although in reasonable condition, and the barge 'Apa' were aground on the north bank, and the Sydney Street Bridge no longer spanned the river (Information taken from: TimeWalks ).
This image depicts a buoy that has been washed in from the sea, sitting in Victoria Street in front of the Grand Hotel, Mackay, after the cyclone.