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Weymouth’s Tsunami


When a  Baptist Minister predicted Weymouth would be destroyed by a mammoth tidal wave it caused quite a stir. The South London clergyman prophesied that this massive tsunami would arrive at exactly 3.53pm on Tuesday 29th May 1928. As this was a bank holiday weekend, Weymouth would be packed with people.

The prediction received widespread coverage in the local and national press. Panic spread and a local resident announced he had placed his canoe on the roof of his house to await the tsunami’s arrival. The Mayor of Weymouth reckoned he would be alright because he would be entertaining visitors on a boat in Portland Harbour. As they were from Holland he claimed they would be used to flooding. Weymouth had been hit by quite large waves in the past.

A Weymouth magistrate tried to allay fears by claiming the giant wave would instead hit Weymouth, Massachusetts in the USA. While enterprising restaurant owners were adverting Tidal Wave Teas.

A bright red sunset the night before was said to be an ill omen of what was to come. Car loads of residents and visitors fled Weymouth decamping on to higher ground behind the town. This would give them a grandstand view of the tsunami to come. A singer due to perform in the town cancelled claiming a prior booking in North Dorset. At 3.40pm, in hot weather, a light aircraft took to the air to observe the impending flood. Ten minutes later this Tiger Moth aircraft crashed into the sea killing the pilot. 

Doctors and chemists were kept busy from people asking for tablets to calm nerves. There was a death like silence as the hour of doom approached. As Weymouth clocks chimed 4.00pm, the townsfolk of Weymouth realised with great relief that nothing had happened.

A little girl in a summer dress reckoned it was all very funny and everyone on Weymouth Esplanade just laughed.

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