TREMENDOUS STORM NEAR
COBAR.
THE RAILWAY FLOODED.
TWO WASHAWAYS.
MAIL TRAINS DELAYED.
COBAR, Sunday.
Yesterday a light thunderstorm passed over Cobar,
but it was of a patchy nature. Very heavy
falls of rain were experienced in many parts.
The railway line from Cobar to Nyngan was
damaged at the 442 mile post, being about 17
miles from Cobar and four miles the other side of
Meryula siding. Terrific rain had fallen in the
vicinity about 4.30, and an immense volume of water
came down. The hollow culvert was not sufficiently
large to relieve the strain, and the water broke over
the embankment, and as a consequence washed away
the ballast from the lower side. The train from
Nyngan to Cobar arrived at the spot about 5.35
p.m. yesterday. The driver saw a sheet of water
confronting him, with some rails swinging unsup-
ported. It was absolutely impossible to proceed.
He found on examination that about 23 chains of the
line were seriously damaged.
At Mount Boppy heavy rain was experienced. At
Meryula there was only a sprinkle. The train put
back to Boppy, where the passengers were accom-
modated at the Ross Hotel. The stationmaster at
Boppy and two railway guards left for Cobar on
trollies at 8 o'clock. Nine men on trollies went out.
and safely crossed the damaged part, and after pro-
ceeding three miles found another breakaway, were
the line was also damaged for nearly half a mile.
After considerable trouble with clearing the debris
and sand off the line, they arrived at Cobar at 1
o'clock this morning, the journey of 17 miles
occupying five hours. Until this word had been
received the Cobar stationmaster could not send out
a relief train. The second break was about half a
mile from Meryula. The people there heard a great
noise, and looking up the line could see floodwater
tearing down the gully. A train left Cobar at 5
o'clock today, returning at 8.30 with the mails and
passengers. These had been transported across the
break on trollies. At 9.30 to-day a relief train,
with Mr. Dingle, the Cobar stationmaster, on board,
left for the scene of the washaway. It will return
with the luggage, &c., this afternoon. Mr Scho-
field, the stationmaster at Nyngan, arrived at the
breakaway at 4 this morning, taking with him a
gang of men to repair the road. It is expected that
the ordinary train will leave as usual to-morrow,
although it is most probable that the mails and
passengers will have to be transported across at least
one break.
The second break is at the same place as the wash-
away in 1896.
The downfall of rain, which must have been very
short, was terrific. The telegraph line between
Nymagee and Cobar was also down. A repairer was
out this morning. Communication with Sydney is
now obtained via Wilcannia.
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