Geelong+Oriental+Timber+Corporation

On April 13th, 1909, a Tornado swept through the Geelong Oriental Timber Corporation. With disastrous results for both company and workers. Two men died and ten others received severe injuries, and were treated at Geelong Hospital. It was understood that 30 men were working on site when it occurred. Some of those men were working inside whilst about 15 workmen were on top of the building, fitting in the principals and putting on the roof. Everything then had collapsed. Mr Crisps, the works manager, said, “Some men were pinned down, whilst others had miraculous escapes.” The Tornado completely destroyed the mill. The two story structure that had taken years to build but was destroyed in seconds.