Tornado Hits Boulder – 1903

Tornado Hits Boulder: This was how the news of the big cyclone appeared in the Western Argus of December 22^nd 1903. The most destructive cyclone storm ever to be experienced struck the town of Boulder on Wednesday, December 21^st.

Suddenly, the storm that had caused so much havoc in Kalgoorlie burst upon Boulder at about 3:30pm. In a few moments, sheets of iron were flying through the air like feathers, water tanks were bowling along the street, and the rain was pouring down in a deluge, turning gutters into foaming torrents and drenching the homes that had lost their roofs.

Gradually, the rumour spread that the roof of the school had blown in, but no one was worried, as the school had broken up for the Christmas holidays a few days earlier. The schools were empty, at least all the state schools were. Gradually, little children, soaking wet and dumb with fright, began to appear in the street,s and it was some time before any coherent story could be obtained from them. Then suddenly it was clear. All Hallows school had collapsed on 200 children.

Helpers and parents were horrified when they arrived at the scene of the disaster, as the school was almost crushed flat, and it was too much to hopethat  many of the children had escaped death. Two frightened children who had been pinned down by the debris beneath a stout desk were released quite unharmed. Men then commenced through the fallen iron, rafters and broken furniture seeking the maimed and dead, but fortunately their search was fruitless.

All Hallows Church/School

All Hallows Church/School After

The nuns and Father Brennan tried to count their charges, but this proved impossible, so a further search was made with the same results. Within half an hour, Father Brennan was sure that all had escaped. The children, it seemed, had hurled themselves out of the building as it overturned and fled through the rai,n hardly knowing where they were going till they found someone they knew and then made their way back to the wrecked school. The scene at the school was a heartrending sight as parents whose children could not be found dashed around frantically and tore at the iron and rubble with bruised and bleeding hands. The work went on till all the children had been accounted for. The only injured person was one of the nuns who suffered a concussion from a falling timber. Damage throughout Kalgoorlie and Boulder was extensive and widespread. A ‘Cyclone Distress Fund’ was established to help homeowners repair the damage.

Father Brennan

Father Brennan thanked all those who had helped and God for keeping the children safe. The school was situated in Wittenoom Street near the public school grounds. It was erected in 1897 and was the largest wood and iron building in the district, and was capable of seating 1000 persons. It served as both a school and a place of worship. The loss placed a heavy burden on the Roman Catholics of the district.

Children play on the wreckage of All Hallows RC Church

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Moya Sharp

Owner at Outback Family History

My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

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