On an extensive Landslip at Glenorchy, Tasmania
Samuel Henry Wintle · Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society · 1873
On the 4th of June last this colony was visited by a very heavy rainfall, which continued without intermission for twenty-four hours, when one-half inches of rain fell, causing most disastrous floods in many parts of the island. While the citizens of Hobart Town were actively employed in trying to save life and property from the raging torrent that rushed through the heart of the city, news arrived of a most extensive landslip having occurred during the night at Glenorchy, five miles distant from Hobart Town, which had entirely altered the physical features of a considerable portion of that district, besides causing loss of life and wide-spread desolation. Upon the cessation of the storm, I at once started for the scene of the catastrophe; and, upon arriving at O'Brien's Bridge, I found that rumour had not in this instance travelled on the wings of exaggeration. From this point, distant five miles from Mount Wellington, it could be seen that a large portion of the northern face of that mountain had given way, and, descending to a depth of nearly 2000 feet into the bed of the rivulet which takes its rise at that point, had carried destruction and desolation on either hand. This mountain-torrent, after pursuing a very tortuous course, and having a mean descent of 9° for about six miles from its source, empties itself into the river Derwent, about one mile from the township of Glenorchy. The scene which presented itself at this locality was one that could