Cyclone Sigma

Cyclone Sigma was a tropical cyclone that caused severe damage in North Queensland, Australia on 26–27 January 1896[1][2] and the loss of at least 23 lives.

Cyclone Sigma
Formed25 January 1896
Dissipated30 January 1896
Lowest pressure988 hPa (mbar); 29.18 inHg
Fatalities23 confirmed, 3 missing
Part of the Pre-1900 Australian region cyclone seasons
Sketches of the damage of Cyclone Sigma on Townsville, 1896

The cyclone caused massive destruction to Townsville and surrounding areas. The cyclone passed to the north-east of the town, creating high seas and dumping up to 510 millimetres (20 in) of rain in the area. The Ross River broke its banks, flooding 4.8 kilometres (3 mi) of the town's suburbs with up to 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) of water. Ten ships were wrecked in the harbour, 17 people died in the flooding, and one sailor was also killed.[1][3]

The cyclone then travelled south towards Rockhampton, creating heavy rainfall. At least 23 people died in the cyclone, with three reported as missing.[3]

It was thought that ketch Lalla Rookh was wrecked during the cyclone;[4][5] however, later reports confirmed that she had escaped.[6][7][8]

Many buildings were destroyed or badly damaged, including:

References
  1. "CBoM – History of Townsville Meteorological Office". Australian Government. Bureau of Meteorolgy. Archived from the original on 20 March 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  2. "Lives lost during cyclone Sigma on Australia Day in 1896". Townsville Bulletin. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  3. "Cyclone Sigma". Harden up: Protecting Queensland. Green Cross Australia. Retrieved 29 October 2016.
  4. "The Queensland storm". The Australian Star. No. 2496. New South Wales, Australia. 1 February 1896. p. 6. Retrieved 25 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Storm Sigma". The Telegraph (Brisbane). No. 7266. Queensland, Australia. 31 January 1896. p. 5. Retrieved 25 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "Sigma" in Towmsville". The North Queensland Register. Vol. VI, no. 6. 5 February 1896. p. 31. Retrieved 23 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "The cyclone in Queensland". Australian Advertiser. Vol. VIII, no. 1188. Western Australia. 4 February 1896. p. 3. Retrieved 25 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "The Queensland Cyclone". The Express and Telegraph. Vol. XXXIII, no. 9, 671. South Australia. 1 February 1896. p. 4. Retrieved 25 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Townsville School of Arts (entry 600925)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  10. "Tattersalls Hotel (entry 600916)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  11. "Townsville Showground (entry 602650)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  12. "Drystone Wall, Melton Hill, Townsville (entry 600885)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  13. "St John's Anglican Church Precinct (entry 600880)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  14. "Grandstand, former totalisator building and main entrance gates, Cluden Racecourse (entry 600924)". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 1 August 2014.

Further reading

Media related to Cyclone Sigma at Wikimedia Commons


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