Aftermath of an ill wind.

Series

Series Name: Rhodesian Spotlight

Issue

Issue No.

Length of issue (in feet)

932

Stories in this Issue:

Story

Story No. within this Issue

4 / 7

Summary

Rhodesian Spotlight synopsis: Floods follow the cyclone "Edith" in Nyasaland. Paddle steamers came into use to assist Railway passengers on the Nyasaland-Beira line.
Rhodesian Spotlight Commentary - Sweeping through Mozambique, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia, the Cyclone Edith left floods in its wake. Hard hit is the Chiromo Area where household goods and food stores were sunk in the mud of the Ruo and Shire Rivers. Little could be done until the rivers began receding. The Shire River on the rampage has cut a 40 yard breach in the Nyasaland-Beira railway line. It was thus far and no further for trains at any rate. Meeting this emergency the authorities did a transhipping job calling the Shire Rivers’ ancient stern wheel paddle steamers into service. By this means, amid scenes resembling the old days of the Mississippi the passengers continued their journey to link up with the Railway further along. The only thing lacking seemed to be a full male chorus singing "Old Man River".
Minor breaches of the line presented little difficulty, but the main breach was a different proposition. Heavy wooden piles were prepared in readiness. Then as soon as the flood waters subsided far enough, the pile driver drove them into the river bed. Replacing the bridge was going to take far longer than the Shire took to destroy it. But as the foundations were driven in, the super structure was being assembled elsewhere, brought up section by section, and lowered into place. Cyclone Edith was an ill wind, but you know what they say about ill winds.

Keywords

Ships and boats; Weather; Railways; Accidents and disasters

Written sources

bund BUND No. 107139 - used for synopsis
Movietone boxfile no.1

Credits:

Production Co.: Central African Film Unit

Length of story (in feet)

154

This series is held by:

Film Archive

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Record Stats