solve the social problems caused by the new settlers and clash of cultures, although by the time the settlement opened, many of the Djiru people had moved away and there was probably only about a fifth of the original population in the area. Superintendent John Martin Kenny, who had been a non-commissioned officer of Native Police at Cooktown, an engineer and an overseer at Cape Bedford Mission, arrived on 1 September 1914 and selected the site, which was exposed to the onshore winds. Homes for the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent and storekeeper, and a school. The residents were housed in dwellings made of ti-tree bark, mostly situated along the seafront. They residents worked for the settlement, growing bananas, or sometimes for other employers. Provision of food was very basic, and they had to supplement their diet with bush tucker when they could, or occasionally by fishing and catching turtles when allowed to use the boat. Over time, more people were removed to the settlement, including from other districts around the state. In 1916, 82 Aboriginal people were placed here for "disciplinary reasons for their relief and protection", from Thursday Island, Cooktown, Chillagoe, Atherton, Ayr, Hughenden, Ukalanda and Stewart's Creek. By 1916 there were about 490 residents, but around 200 died during 1917 when malaria spread in the area. Others deserted when they could, and by March 1918 there were around 300 people left. Cyclone On Sunday 10 March 1918 an intense cyclone and storm surge swept across the area, crossing the Queensland coast at Innisfail and destroying nearly every building in the town. Winds reached /hour, and over of rain was recorded. The eye of the storm passed near the Hull River Settlement around 10pm, wiping out all of the buildings except for the flour store and shop. Kenny and his daughter were killed by flying debris, as were many residents, and the storm surge, estimated high, destroyed the Aboriginal people's coastal humpies and swept several people out to sea. It also swept hundreds of metres inland. Records show that 37 people were killed in Innisfail itself and a further 40-60 people killed in the surrounding area. It is likely that many more people were killed at the time. Record-keeping was sketchy and it is possible that well over 100 people were killed, making it the worst natural disaster in Australian history. Aftermath and removal A rescue party set out on