Just working away on a paper here at the moment, (the Doctor is amusing/annoying our feline whilst making our Christmas cards, but, we just had a chat earlier on with our respective parents about heat, and other such matters... So a little tutorial for a warm Sunday. For those concerned about the 40 degree Celsius temperatures predicted in Brisbane today, how Charters Towers was bearing up to the heat, back in 1898. (In the reference to the heat wave of 1889, the mercury hit 53.1 degrees on January 16, 1889, in Cloncurry). Mind you, in times past, the old steam crews who I interviewed, recorded and worked with from that part of the world used to say in the warm months, a temperature of around 115 degrees (in the old currency) was quite common on the steam locomotives. So how does one maintain ones cool without air conditioning? I think the photograph of the kids at Angellala, on the outside of the locomotive water tank might give an idea. The other photo taken at Julia Creek, in 1936, I think puts it also in perspective. Not a blade of grass to be seen, taking water, and the locomotive fireman seems to be working well, even with his hat clasped in his hand. Queensland Rail Historical Collection. ====================================================== GREAT VARIATION IN TEMPERATURE. Since the trying time in February, 1889, Charters Towers has experienced nothing like the heat wave which for the last five days has oppressed the town. It commenced on Wednesday last, and the description of one day is that of the five. It is cool in the morning until 7 oclock, then the sun gains strength, and glares dawn pitilessly until after five oclock. Occasionally there is some wind—a hot one—and whirlwinds are common. After 6 p.m. a gentle breeze is experienced from the South-East for an hour. From 7 p.m. until midnight it cools off slowly, and then the thermometer falls rapidly until 5 a.m., at which time the minimum heat is recorded. As the temperature ranges from 67 deg. to 104 in ten hours, the changes are violent, and as measles and whoop ing cough are epidemic just now, the mortality has largely increased. The normal death rate here is from 5 to 6 a week, but in the last four weeks there have been 47 burials, the ordinary death rate being thus doubled. Over two-thirds of the deaths are those of children under three years of age, and if the great heat is maintained for four or five more days, matters will become very serious. The cloudless character of the sky is most depressing, and even a Sigma, (*a reference to the extremely destructive cyclone that struck Townsville in 1896-7), would be welcomed if it would disperse the overpowering heat. The North Queensland Register, 14 November, 1898.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Nov 2014 23:54:47 +0000