From the Newspaper ‘The Queenslander’ dated 14 Mar 1903.

Cyclone Sigma hit Townsville 26 January 1896, with devastating effect.  Below is a recount, quoted from ‘The Queenslander’ Newspaper:

The cyclone “Sigma” broke over Townsville with most disastrous effects on Sun-day, 26th January, 1896. Timely warning was given by the meteorological office ofthe advent of violent disturbances, and most of the townspeople were prepared for something unusual, when the wind, which had been blowing strongly for a couple of days, gradually increased in strength, till at midnight on Saturday, 25tJanuary, it advanced in cyclonic form. The wind blew persistently from the south, be ing accompanied at times with heavy rain, which, under the influence of the gale, found its way into houses hitherto considered absolutely weatherproof. A very heavy sea was running, waves broke over the eastern end of the jetty, and even inside the harbour the waves were of a dangerous size and strength. Even these conditions were light, when compared with those of Sunday and Monday. Between 6 and 7 o’clock on Sunday morning the Bay presented an alarming appearance, high waves beat upon the beach, and frequently overwhelmed 500ft. to 600ft. of the eastern jetty, pouring over the structure into the harbour in irresistible volume. The intervals between the gusts became less frequent, and the rain was almost continuous. Every gully and watercourse carried a roaring torrent. In the early morning Cape Cleveland advised that the
velocity of the wind registered 11, but a higher velocity was reached in the afternoon.

The harbour works suffered severely. The mischief to the eastern jetty was most extensive, and along about 1600 ft. of it, the height was reduced by 5ft. or 6ft., the cement coping and portions of the base being demolished. Four gaps were made  on the seaward side of the jetty, between the wharf and the shore. On the outer arm there was a large gap near the bend beyond the end of the concrete parapet. The jetty was levelled down for several feet, and the lighthouse end swept away. The western breakwater was damaged in several places, and about 200 ft. at the end was levelled to about low-water mark. The vessels wrecked were the Alexandra, Ada Dent, Star of Hope, Lalla Rookh, Nebo, Florence Elliott, Heather Belle,Presto, Dugong, Nautilus, two barges, and the steamer Ellen. The Leura was washed broadside on to the breakwater, and the Aramac was grounded for ten hours on Bramble Reef.

The town presented a wrecked appearance, houses being unroofed, and in some cases lifted bodily off the blocks. In many instances there was a total collapse. The School of Arts was wrecked, and the baths completely swept away. The Imperial and  Criterion Hotels were unroofed, and hardly a house escaped damage. The streets were strewn with galvanised iron from the roofs of the houses. The lighthouses on both jetties disappeared. Ross Creek was in strong flood, and Hermit Park and neighbourhood were flooded. The railway goods shed was unroofed, and the line was under water as far as the eye could reach. The gas works were flooded. The hospital was much damaged, and had hardly a dry corner. On Ross Island the Church of England was completely wrecked, the Oddfellows Hall was utterly demolished and scores of cottages were shifted and unroofed .Thirteen lives were lost during the gale, including those of Mrs. Hunt and  infant, Mrs. Grimman, and the Misses Rowe  (2), who were drowned in Ross Creek bythe upsetting of a boat. One section of Ross Creek Bridge sank 3ft .

The rainfall between 9 a.m. and 9.50 p.m.on the 26th was 7.7 in., and between the24th and 28th totalled 26.72 in. The barometer fell to 29.19 in. The damage to Townsville was estimated at half-a-million sterling.