A ‘tidal wave’ struck West Wight half a century ago, creating devastation in Yarmouth and Norton.
The wave swept holidaymakers’ belongings from the beach at Norton; the sea broke over the breakwater in Yarmouth harbour and the Yarmouth to Lymington car ferry was forced to put out to sea to avoid hitting the slipway.
A pleasure steamer – the Bournemouth Queen – moored at Yarmouth Pier was damaged together with the pier itself. A diver had to recover the objects washed overboard.
Mr H Hicks – manager of The George Hotel – claimed it had taken 5 men to clear away sand, seaweed and rubbish from the hotel lawn after it had been struck by the wave. The force had been so great that it had uprooted a railway sleeper and deposited it on the lawn.
Mr H Doe – clerk to Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners – claimed:
“It was a wonder no-one was killed.”
It was alleged that the ‘tidal wave’ had been caused by a Libyan frigate – built at the Southampton boatbuilders Vosper Thorneycroft – that had been undergoing speed trials in the Solent. It’s speed was estimated at 30 knots.
Those affected by the incident were advised to make a claim to the Royal Navy, who would then pass this on to the Libyan authorities.
As reported in the Isle of Wight Mercury 3rd August 1973
Knuckle dragging inbreds see your have as much intelligence as a gold fish do your history most islanders are now from mainland that moved here to get away from dull snow flakes such as yourself claiming of the state .
I do love all your comments on here,you’re probably one of those knuckle dragging inbreds and the only attention you get is on here
Can hardly be called a tidal wave when it was evidently a boat wake wave.
That’s why it’s in inverted commas..