As the Severe Weather warnings roll across Queensland, a timely reminder that this is not unusual. At all.
Throughout the whole of yesterday the wind blew strongly in fitful squalls from the eastward and south-east, and the rain fell without intermission, occasionally pouring down in drenching showers. As it had also rained through the previous night without cessation, it may be imagined that all the low-lying parts of the city were in a state of flood. Frog’s Hollow was perfectly inundated, and the water was running down the channels leading from the higher grounds in perfect torrents.
The rain has evidently extended over a large tract of country, and we fear that we shall yet hear of considerable damage having been done to property. The non-arrival of either of the northern steamers during yesterday would seem to give colour to the belief that they may be again detained in the Fitzroy by floods, although it is quite as probable that they may be lying inside Wide Bay heads, waiting for the gale to abate its violence.
The partial subsidence of the floods has enabled us to obtain some intelligence as to the state of the weather in the Bay on Friday, when the gale was most violent. The two immigrant vessels referred to below were only saved by the skill of the pilots; for, being unable to run around Comboyuro Point, and having no powerful steam tug at command, they were compelled to run out to sea, and trust to a favourable opportunity for setting into port. This, however, was rather a hazardous proceeding, and involved the peril of very nearly a thousand lives. The captain of the Wanata declared it to be the worst part of his voyage, and all who witnessed the gale unite in stating that it was the worst they had experienced for many years past. During the night of Thursday, the steam-tug Brisbane was driven on to the banks but was happily got off without damage at two o’clock the next morning.
Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1861 – 1864), Wednesday 18 February 1863, page 2
Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1861 – 1864), Saturday 14 February 1863, page 2
Steam tug image: Wikipedia.
Charlotte street in flood image: State Library of Queensland.
Moreton Bay and More 