Blackwood Storm, November 1855

The Blackwood Storm in November 1855, destroyed many buildings and tents, and two people were killed.

History

The storm began on 9 November 1855. The Blackwood hotels became important community focus to raise money to provide for two children whose parents were killed by a falling tree:

MOUNT BLACKWOOD. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) On the 9th of this month, Mount Blackwood was visited, by one of the most dreadful storms that has over been seen in this colony. It commenced about eight o'clock on Friday evening, and did not subside until the following Sunday evening. The destruction to property was considerable. Stores were blown down, and tents crushed by trees, which were falling in all directions. Mr William Dashwood, the proprietor of the American Bowling Alley, situated at Golden Point, had the roof of his premises completely destroyed, and the injury which has been done it will take at least £100 to repair. The Lightning store, which is situated nearly opposite the Golden Point Hotel, was levelled to the ground. It would be impossible to give any idea of the extent of the damage done. I regret, however, to say that this gale has been attended with loss of life. A Mr and Mrs Taylor, living behind the Golden Point Hotel, had their tent crushed by the falling of a tree, which at the same time killed them both instantaneously. They have left two children unprovided for. A subscription was set on foot for the orphans, and two entertainments were got up for their benefit, the one at Brigg's Hotel and the other at the Golden Point Hotel. The total amount realised was some £29, the one at Brigg's Hotel netting £21 15s. On Saturday last a committee was formed consisting of the warden, R. G. Mackenzie, Esq., C. Shuter, Esq., Dr Owens, and Messrs G. Wigan, Yates, and Briggs, Moss, &c., to determine what should be done with the funds. It was determined that the money should be forwarded by the warden to the Mayor of Melbourne, with a request that he would use his influence with Mackay, Baines and Co., to obtain a free passage to England for the children, where they have relations who are comfortably off. In the meantime I believe the children will be kept at the Orphan Asylum in Melbourne.