The Battery Avalanches

The Battery, nestled beneath the steep slopes of Signal Hill in St. John’s, is one of the city’s most picturesque communities. However, its dramatic landscape has also made it vulnerable to rockfalls and avalanches throughout its history.

I’m Helen Escott, author and research historian.

The first recorded avalanche struck on February 8, 1921. It slammed into the home of Alfred Wells and his family, pushing the house several metres downhill, tearing away the upper storey, and collapsing the roof into the room where the family slept. Alfred and his wife were trapped in their bed beneath the wreckage. Despite suffering broken ribs, Alfred managed to free himself and rescue his two-year-old son from a crushed crib.

He then returned to save his wife, who had suffered serious back injuries, and an infant daughter who was nearly smothered beneath the snow. Several nearby summer homes were also destroyed or badly damaged.

Just ten days later, tragedy struck again. Albert Delahunty was killed in another avalanche. His body was discovered about seventy metres below his home on Signal Hill. According to reports in the Evening Telegram, he was still clutching his lunch pail when he was found. Delahunty had set out for work during a fierce storm and likely became disoriented, possibly triggering the avalanche himself.

No further avalanches were recorded until February 16, 1959, when a powerful winter storm hit St. John’s. At 1:05 in the morning, residents of the Outer Battery heard a roar louder than thunder. An avalanche swept two houses from their foundations. Fourteen people lived in the homes, and five lost their lives.

Several others were injured, including Shirley Noseworthy, who was rescued after spending twelve hours buried beneath the snow.

That same night, eleven members of the Garland family were trapped when another avalanche buried their home. Fortunately, the house held firm, and all were rescued without injury.

Since 1959, no major avalanche disasters have occurred in the Battery, though residents still report occasional rockfalls and minor slides—a reminder of the powerful forces that continue to shape this historic community.