From all reports the storm surge from the disastrous 1887 cyclone flooded almost all of Burketown. Only the highest part of town near where the Council Office is currently located, escaped the waters from the Gulf.

A copy of a 1918 report to the Queensland Parliament from the Department of Harbours and Rivers Engineer refers to the sea rising to 5.5 metres above the highest spring tide level at the Albert River Heads. This level is about 8 metres above Australian Height Datum (AHD).

Seven people out of a population of 138 died in the cyclone. Storm force winds commenced at 11 am from the SE and backed to the E and the NE increasing in violence until 10 pm when virtually the whole of Burketown was devastated. The storm surge arrived at 7pm.

A news report in The Brisbane Courier on Tuesday 15 March 1887 stated "Burketown Destroyed and Seven Lives Lost". A  telegram from Mr A. C. Lawson, P.M. and Sub-collector of Customs, is  first-hand account of the tragedy:

The gale lasted for ten hours. Nearly all the buildings in the place were either unroofed or blown down, excepting the Custom-house and courthouse. I have provided destitute families with temporary accommodation in thoese buildings. The river overflowed its banks and submerged a portion of the town, the water being about 1ft over the floor of the Custom-house. Mrs Catherine Williams, Mrs Higman and two children, James McGinn and his make and also a Chinaman were drowned. Heavy loses in horses and stock are also reported.

The Brisbane Courier's correspondent in Burketown provides a further account:

The storm continued for twelve hours. Every building in town was more or less destroyed. Telegraph posts were snapped like glass, and the whole of the line totally destroyed. Many destitute families have been succoured by the police magistrate and sergeant police, ably assisted by his wife. Many business people have been hopelessly ruined. The loss to Messrs Aplin, Brown and Co is variously estimated at from £12,000 to £20,000.

Read the complete news story from The Brisbane Courier here (courtesy of Trove).

Rockhampton Regional Council in partnership with the Queensland a…