Cyclone Leonta

Destruction of the Townsville Hospital's Harvey Ward caused by Cyclone 'Leonta', 1903
Destruction of part of Townsville Grammar School caused by Cyclone 'Leonta' in 1903
Roof torn off St James' Anglican Cathedral, 1903
Destruction of the Burns, Philp and Company's Bulk Store caused by Cyclone 'Leonta', 1903

Cyclone Leonta was a tropical cyclone that caused severe damage in North Queensland on 9 March 1903. It lasted for around twelve hours, and was the most damaging cyclone ever to hit Townsville at that time, surpassing Cyclone Sigma of 1896, with approximately 14 lives lost (12 in Townsville and 2 in Charters Towers).[1][2] It caused approximately £250,000 damage in 1903 terms.[3]

It destroyed the Townsville General Hospital, with several of the lives lost being in the building's collapse, and Townsville Grammar School. It tore the roof off St James Cathedral and Sacred Heart Cathedral and severely damaged the Townsville School of Arts and Queen's Hotel.[4] In Townsville, it was reported that "seven out of every 10 houses between Castle Hill and Eyre St [were] either missing or seriously damaged".[5] Three Methodist churches were destroyed in Townsville and surrounds alone, with the Baptist and Chinese churches also demolished.[3][6][7][8][9][10][excessive citations] The T. Whalley & Sons stores and offices, formerly the Norman Hall, and nearby Burns Philp & Co. bulk produce store were completely destroyed.[6]

In Bowen, many houses were damaged or destroyed, with widespread damage to public and commercial buildings. The Bowen railway station saw most of its buildings unroofed, the Burns Philp & Co. store, Drill Shed and municipal baths were destroyed, with many shops and hotels losing verandahs or roofs.[11]

In the town of Ayr, most of the buildings were either destroyed or lost their roofs; the Shire of Burdekin describes both Ayr and Brandon as having been "substantially demolished" by the cyclone. Both the historic Burdekin Shire Council Chambers and Ayr Court House suffered major damage.[12][13]

On Magnetic Island, the first Picnic Bay Jetty was significantly damaged by the cyclone, necessitating its eventual replacement.[14]

The cyclone was named by notable meteorologist Clement Lindley Wragge.[6]

  1. ^ "History of Townsville Metereological Office". Bureau of Metereology. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  2. ^ "Cyclone Leonta – Harden Up - Protecting Queensland". hardenup.org. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Cyclone Leonta". Australian Emergency Management Knowledge Hub. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  4. ^ "TOWNSVILLE". The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939). Brisbane, Qld.: National Library of Australia. 28 March 1903. p. 700 Supplement: Unknown. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  5. ^ "North Ward laid low as Leonta lashes out". Townsville Bulletin. 18 March 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  6. ^ a b c "LEONTA CYCLONE". Townsville Daily Bulletin (Qld. : 1907 - 1954). Qld.: National Library of Australia. 9 March 1927. p. 5. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Townsville Cyclone "Leonta."". The Methodist (Sydney, NSW : 1892 - 1954). Sydney, NSW: National Library of Australia. 28 March 1903. p. 10. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Memories of Cyclone Leonta". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  9. ^ "10 March 2014 - 111 years since Cyclone Leonta destroyed Grammar". Townsville Grammar School. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  10. ^ "St James Cathedral Appeal". Anglican Diocese of North Queensland. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  11. ^ "The CYCLONE LEONTA". Bowen Independent (Qld. : 1911 - 1954). Qld.: National Library of Australia. 13 February 1932. p. 1. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Ayr". Queensland Places. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  13. ^ "History of the Burdekin". Shire of Burdekin. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Picnic Bay Jetty". Queensland Heritage Register. Queensland Heritage Council. Retrieved 14 January 2016.