NSW-Destruction of the Waratah Co.’s Viaduct.

Rare engraving of the bush fires that destroyed the Waratah Company’s wooden bridge which spanned the broken country beyond Raspberry Gully,

From the original edition of the Illustrated Sydney News.

“The bush fires near Newcastle were more’ destructive than could possibly be expected, considering how thickly populated the local district is. On the 23rd, that city was surrounded by smoke coming from the southward, and persons who saw the source of it say that if efforts had been made in time the damage done would have been trifling. The first indication of fire came from a point some five miles south, and shortly after there were three fires in view within a limited radius. The most destructive fire was that which threatened Adamstown, and for a time caused consternation amongst the employees of the coal Company, whose homes and scene of labour were threatened. By hard work the flames were diverted towards the Glebe, where the Wesleyan Church appeared for a time to be doomed to destruction. This, however, was averted, but when night came on every one feared that a more serious catastrophe might occur before the morn. On every side smoke or flames threatened, but fortunately the exertions of the operatives connected with the various mines prevented what might have been ruin to hundreds, but failed to prevent the destruction of a valuable portion of the Waratah Company’s property. This was the wooden bridge spanning the broken country beyond Raspberry Gully, a work of great importance to the company and to its employees. Under ordinary circumstances, its destruction could hardly have occurred, but with fires all round their homes or threatening them, the miners thought more of their own immediate danger than of any loss which might accrue to shareholders of a public company.”