THE HEAT WAVE. 112.5 in the Shade. No Respite. 02 Feb 1912. “Although this temperature is excessively high it is by no means phenomenal,- for upon 15 occasions during the last 55 years the mercury has risen to a higher reading than this, the maximum having been 116.3 in January, 1858.” = 46.83 celsius. But keep in mind, Australia’s new fake record temp. is 40.9. Records don’t lie.
“THE HEATWAVE.” Evening Journal (Adelaide, SA : 1869 – 1912) 2 February 1912: 2 (SPECIAL SPORTS EDITION). Web. 2 Feb 2020 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/204499640?searchTerm=tasmania%20heatwave&searchLimits=#
So terrific was the heat on Thursday that South Australians were much oppressed by it.
The present weather is more suitable for a salamander than an ordinary human being.
Even the blackfellows are complaining bitterly.
—Official Reports.—
Wednesday night was the worst of the Summer.
Following a hot day, the temperature fell slightly, but it remained above 90 deg. until about 3 o’clock this morning. when the hot easterly wind dropped, and the temperature fell to the comparatively cool reading of 77.7.
“Once before,” said Mr. Bromley on Thursday, “we had 95 deg., but the night was exceptionally hot.
After sunrise the temperature again rapidly rose, and by 9 a.m. the mercury was up to 102,
to 106 at 10 a.m., 108.5 at 11 a-m., and at 12.15 p.m. the thermometer showed 110.8, while in the sun the reading was 168; which is one of the high records of the State.”
In the evening Mr. Bromley said: —”The thermometer at the Observatory continued to rise steadily until a maximum of 112.5 in the shade was reached shortly before 3 p.m.
Although this temperature is excessively high it is by no means phenomenal,- for upon 15 occasions during the last 55 years the mercury has risen to a higher reading than this, the
maximum having been 116.3 in January, 1858, whilst the highest reading which has ever been experienced in February is 113.6 in 1899.
The 3 p.m. reports show that barometric conditions are still rather steady, and as the Adelaide glass shows no inclination to fall the prospects are not favourable for immediate relief.
Under the “influence of the inland monsoon sultry and oppressive weather is probable with scattered thunderstorms.”
—The Search for Relief.—
While citizens. generally complained on Thursday on account, of the extreme heat, the publicans and soft-drink purveyors rejoiced as they watched the stream of patrons invade their shops. All were prompted with the desire to assuage the great thirst which was caused by the extremely high temperature. The cash registers clicked incessantly.
Even bad some of the premises been supplied with pipes under which customers could have plunged their glasses and drunk, many would have remained unsatisfied.
The ice works reported record deliveries, and one in the trade suggested that were all the stock, which had been distributed that day, collected together, it would have, been enough to encourage the aspirations of a Dr. Mawson.
The ice cream vendors made little fortunes, and all through the city the gentlemen in white,
with the Italian accent, smiled happily as their carts were besieged as though the youthful section of the community were pressing into a pantomime. Charles Surface is made to say, in the “School for Scandal,” “Many of our acquaintances have taste, spirit, and politeness, but
plague on’t, they won’t drink.”
Could Sheridan’s character have visited Adelaide on Thursday be would have been satisfied
in that direction. Fruiterers were exceedingly busy, and the restaurants supplied a tremendous amount of fruit and vegetable salads.
—A Cool Spot.—
The claims of the coastal portion of the south-east as a summer resort must be recognised
when comparisons are made between the temperatures ruling there and in the city during a “warm spell, such as is now being experienced. At Robe,, which is famed for its cool atmosphere, the thermometer on Tuesday recorded 78, on Wednesday 91, and Thursday 90. On the same days the readings in Adelaide were—98.7, 109.8, and 112.5 respectively.
—Two Deaths in Melbourne.—
MELBOURNE, February 1.
The heat to-day was worse than that of yesterday. The maximum shade temperature was 107.1 deg., the highest recorded this summer.
Several cases of sunstroke have been reported. James O’Brien, aged 55, was discovered in a helpless state at Kensington. He was conveyed to the Melbourne Hospital, but died before arrival at the institution.
Patrick Cullen, aged 40, also succumbed to the effects of the sun. Further hot weather is expected to-morrow.
Melbourne to-day used more ice and consumed more ice cream than on any previous day in her history.
—Century at Broken Hill.—
BROKEN HILL, February 1.
Excessive heat again prevailed to-day.
The shade temperature reached 105 deg.
—Three Roasters—
PORT PIRIE, February 1.
The shade temperature for the last three
days has been:—-Tuesday, 106; Wednesday,
112; Thursday, 112.
—Heat in Tasmania.—
LAUNCBSTON, February 1.
To-day was the hottest for four years.
The thermometer registered 0.97 in the shade.